Ok, ok, I know I haven’t been posting regularly lately. I think my mind is still on vacation since graduation. But, some interesting things are developing; hopefully I can share soon!
In the meantime, I hope everyone has a great holiday celebrating our freedoms. Despite our differences, we truly are an blessed nation!
Shocking, sad news today during rush hour. Two metro train cars collided in NE Washington, DC around 5:00 tonight. Apparently, one train was stopped when another train plowed into it from behind. There were 70 casualties, with 6 being fatal. It is the deadliest accident in Metro history.
For those who were worried, I am perfectly safe. The accident happened on the Red Line, in the other direction from my commute home. But, it really puts things into perspective. These commuters were just on their way home from work . . . and this could have happened on any line. My heart goes out to the injured and dead and their families.
Tomorrow morning will be an interesting commute. I wonder what everyone’s attitude will be; can we get any somber in the mornings? Or maybe passengers will come together.
I’ve gathered some photos from the day . . . all the credit goes to the Associated Press.
My good friend Bindu, works for a great organization that provides afterschool and summer programming for under-served children in Washington, DC. New Community for Children is currently in the midst of a new donor campaign. For just $25, you can help school kids in DC get pencils and books they need, provide them with a nutritious snack, help sustain a safe place for kids to go and continue providing free programs for families.
I truly believe that these types of programs really benefit children in urban areas. It gives them a place to go and something to do other than getting into trouble. The teacher at New Community are available to help kids with homework and enrich the knowledge they are gaining through public school. Currently, the program serves 195 students every single day.
New Community for Children is currently only 20 donors away from their goal of 300 new donors. You too can be a new donor!
I encourage everyone to donate $25. It’s an incredibly easy (and cheap) way to help a child succeed!
From now on please refer to me as Ms. Jenny Martin, H.S., B.A., M.P.S. I’ve worked really hard to earn these meager credentials, but should you feel the need to address me, that’s how I would prefer it. You know, maybe it should be Jennifer instead of Jenny – to make things a little more professional. And I don’t care how nicely you were going to address me; this is what I prefer. Got it?
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I can get on with the real business of why I’m here – to blog.
Do you think the above seems at all ridiculous? You do? Good, so do I, but apparently if your name is Barbara Boxer, don’t call her anything other than Senator Boxer. If this news report has any grain of truth to it (take it for what it’s worth, as it comes from FoxNews), the Senator is more concerned about how she is addressed during a hearing than the actual answers coming from the witness.
According to Fox, “Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was testifying on the Louisiana coastal restoration process in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He began to answer one of Boxer’s questions with “ma’am” when Boxer immediately cut him off.”
She insisted that he call her “Senator,” because she worked so hard to get the title. Honestly, the guy is in the Army, and calling someone ma’am is a sign of respect. And please, shouldn’t your brain focus more on the problem at hand?
It’s because of people like Boxer and other politicians only concerned about themselves that have made me lose all faith in the political process. Can she make it through a hearing without coming down on someone? Is there anyone in Washington who actually wants to do anything because it’s right for the people, not because it will get you re-elected?
And here’s where I officially come off my rocker and commit myself to an institution. I was watching Glenn Beck yesterday. Yes, I fully admit to liking that show, but only because the guy is absolutely insane and crazy, but oh-so-fun to watch. It’s a trainwreck of a show. But yesterday, he made a good point – or rather one of his viewers did. He recited a letter the show had received, and I found myself agreeing with the general thesis of the letter: who in Washington is actually representing my best interests? The rest of the rhetoric about us rising up and coming to Washington to fire people and take back government is a little far-fetched. But, she’s on to something.
Barbara Boxer’s vanity and all the failings of our government to do something about actual problems in this country have me seriously considering shipping out to my own little island and setting up shop myself. And if you visit, I promise you can call me Jenny . . . just Jenny.
I found this YouTube video first thing this morning, and a few hours later it had gone totally viral. Funniest thing I’ve seen in quite some time . . . and for the most part true. For those who live out of state, most of the places you see in the video are either in my own neighborhood or in other neighborhoods that I spend a bit of time in. Gotta love Metro’s Orange Line. I guess that makes me a yuppie right along with everyone else!
If you haven’t already heard, Stephen Colbert was the guest editor of this week’s Newsweek magazine. The issue coincides with his trip to Iraq with the USO, where he is doing his show, The Colbert Report, for the troops stationed in Baghdad. You should pick up the magazine, and watch his show as well.
The effort it took for me to get my hands on this issue was well worth it. Not being a subscriber or regular reader of the print version of Newsweek (I do love the stories plugged by msnbc.com though), I had no idea what day the magazine comes out on. So, I headed to Barnes and Noble on Sunday, but no such luck.
So, I figured Monday was the day. And it was, but I’m convinced stores didn’t want to sell it to me. I stopped by a news stand right outside the L’Enfant Metro stop, but they had the old version. Ok, plan B: CVS. Seriously, the CVS at the L’Enfant Mall is Ghetto – yes, with a capital G. They sell magazines about WWE, naked women, celebrity rags and hairstyles . . . but not a single news magazine could be found. Not Time, not U.S. News and World Report . . . nothing! I was out of options and had to get to work for the day, so I appeased myself by buying The New York Times so I could do the crossword puzzle. Well, four hours later, when I pull out the newspaper to glance at the day’s headlines, I realize that CVS sold me a newspaper from last Thursday! Really, that store location is ghetto!
My roommate emailed to say she got a copy at Union Station and was laughing out loud at her desk. I was so jealous, so at lunchtime I decide to head up to Chinatown for some frozen yogurt and to find the magazine. It took me 40 minutes to get up to Chinatown (for once, should have taken Metro instead of the bus). After getting yogurt at TangySweet, I walked over to Barnes and Noble. Guess what – they still had last week’s issues on the newsstand. No one wanted me to read this issue. I emailed my roommate to ask for her copy – no problem . . . except she forgot it on her desk!
I finally got to read the issue tonight, and it was worth the wait. Colbert went to Iraq to remind people, that yes, we are still at war. Don’t forget about the troops! As news coverage of the war waned in favor of the bad economy, he wanted people to remember that we still have soldiers putting themselves in harm’s way everyday. You can read more about his thoughts on the topic in his guest editor column, “Why I Took This Crummy Job.”
Read it, or better yet, as Colbert recommends, have someone you admire yell it at you.
There are times in everyone’s life that he or she will never forget. For instance, I’ll never forget the day my sister was born, my high school graduation and September 11, 2001. These are memories that I will always vividly remember, and I remember the emotions behind those memories – what thoughts ran through my mind and what my reaction was.
Today, I was reminded of where I was when I cast my vote for president in 2000. I was watching the movie Recount (which I highly recommend for everyone). The movie details the 2000 election recount and all the problems in Florida, ending in the Supreme Court ruling in Bush v. Gore.
By the end of the movie I was struggling to remember why I voted the way I did. I remember sitting in the hallway of my freshman dorm at Iowa State University. I think my roommate was on the phone, so I took my absentee ballot out to the hallway. I remember thinking about the importance of voting in my first presidential election and even filling in the circle for George W. Bush. However, I don’t recall why I voted that way. Maybe it was the bad taste I had in my mouth from the Clinton administration (although I can vividly recall supporting Clinton in the fifth grade – go figure!). I’m not entirely sure why I was drawn to the Bush campaign; it’s not like my parents were Republican supporters. In fact, I can’t remember a time except the 2008 election when my parents voted for the winner. My brain is stumped as to why I cast my vote in that direction.
By 2004, I knew (and still know) why I voted for Bush. I honestly thought we needed someone to finish up in Iraq (kind of wish now Bush would have tried to finish it) and I didn’t think a change was needed at the time. Also, I tend to think that I was highly entrenched in a Christian culture that was highly favorable to Bush, and that highly influenced my thinking. I’m not knocking traditional Christian beliefs, as I hold many of them. I think I was very naive and tended to follow the masses instead of making my own choice.
But, by 2008 I had nearly four years under my belt living in the DC region. Living in this city has opened my eyes politically. My views haven’t radically changed, but I can see the other side of the street now. In Iowa, I was never faced with extreme poverty, high crime rates, failing school systems and choked highways and interstates that need attention. I don’t believe that it is entirely the government’s responsibility to address all these issues. For instance, I don’t believe in nationalized health care, but gun control might do something with the out of control shootings in the District. And while four years ago, I might have strongly supported a constitutional ammendment banning gay marriage, today I don’t believe the government has any right to take away that freedom.
Today I was reminded of how, over time, our views and beliefs can be molded and shaped as we grow. The more I see of the world, the more I can solidify my viewpoints. Eight years ago, as a college freshman, I had no idea what I was voting for. I was voting for who I thought would be in my own personal best interest. This past November, I voted for who I thought was in the interest of the entire nation. I think we all need to look back from time to time and see how far we’ve come; to appreciate all we have learned; and to understand how far we’ve grown.
Note: Wanted to point out that I in no way regret any of the decisions I have made in the past eight years. This is merely a reflection of how far I’ve come.I’ve been telling people ever since I graduated that my only real plans for the summer are to head to the beach, any beach for that matter. Well, I’m off to a good start as Saturday was beach trip #1 of the summer!
The roommate and I headed down to Virginia Beach, and while I think the town is a trash pile, the beach and boardwalk are nice. Emily and I set up our new beach chairs and umbrella (see below) and I literally didn’t move from that spot for five hours. It was wonderful!
I love our brand new beach chairs and umbrella. Best Costco purchase yet!
Oh, and another good thing about Virginia Beach: they have a Dairy Queen right on the boardwalk. I have a slight obsession with that place, but have no idea where any are located in Northern Virginia. It was delicious!
I think I’ll be hitting the quieter beaches for now on, unless I make a trip to the Outer Banks, which is definitely on my list of things to do. If only my job didn’t get in the way of my beach time . . .
In the past four years that I’ve lived in DC, the only thought I’ve given to Annapolis, Maryland, is that it is on my way to the beach. I don’t think I’ve ever once considered visiting the city. However, my roommate had heard great things about Annapolis and was eager to go. I agreed, but really only so I could get out of the city for a day. And it never hurts to see someplace new.
Why didn’t someone tell me years ago how great Annapolis is? I fell in love with the city. For one, it’s right on the water. Since moving out of Iowa, I’ve become obsessed with the ocean, beaches, boating and water. I love the culture and atmosphere in places surrounded by water. It gives me a sense of freedom you just don’t have in a land-locked area. So, of course, the first thing we did was sign up for a boat tour of the Chesapeake Bay. We decided on a tour that would put us right under the Bay Bridge (the 3rd longest over-water bridge in the world!). It was great to be out there, and the weather was perfect!
Secondly, Annapolis is just really, really quaint. It has a small-town feel to it with its local restaurants and shops. Yes, there were a few well-known places, but for the most part, everything is local. One could really get lost in the shops – there’s so much to see.
Annapolis is home to the U.S. Naval Academy, and we happened to show up the day after President Obama gave the commencement address. The campus was buzzing with activity as students were moving out of the dorms for the summer and families were touring the campus. It’s a beautiful place!
So, I was pleasantly surprised by Annapolis, and I recommend it for anyone looking for a great place to visit. You won’t regret it – and hey, you can always stop in DC to see me on your way! Enjoy some pictures of our day below.
Downtown Annapolis
The City Dock with the Marlyand Statehouse in the background.
The Chesapeak Bay. I really want a boat!
Perfect backdrop for Memorial Day weekend.
The Bay Bridge
Being a Navy town, they have to show their pride over the pirates!
I haven’t watched American Idol since season 1, when my roommates and I were addicted every week. (Remember that summer in the townhouse Jenny?) I didn’t watch this season either, but you’d have to live in a cave to not know that Kris Allen was voted in as the newest American Idol last night.
Being of a curious nature, I looked the guy up on iTunes. I am in love. For one, he has an amazing voice, seems at home in front of a microphone and actually looks like he’s enjoying himself. And then, as a bonus, he’s not bad to look at either. The first song that he’ll release is the Idol winning song “No Boundaries.” Unfortunately, I can’t bring myself to buy it, as it’s quite painful to listen to as the writing is horrible. Until a song is written for him (in his range), I’ll have to live with his Idol performances. Which are fantastic by the way. I mean, who does an acoustic version of “Heartless” by Kanye West and ROCKS it?
