Holiday 2013 Photo Essay - Part 3 - Washington DC,

On Saturday we explored the National Mall. There is so much to say on 'The National Mall'. A very short summary is that its a place where there a lot of memorials to some of the early Presidents and wars. Also in this area are a lot of Smithsonians (Museums) of all sorts of things. All of the Smithsonians and Memorials are free. The girls did Junior Ranger badges for some of the Memorials. There is quite a bit of American History here. Here are some webpages to look at if you like more info: National Parks, The National Mall. So while Albert and the girls looked at the Memorials I visited the International Spy Museum. I really enjoyed visiting the Museum and while I would have loved to see all the memorials as well, I couldn't do it all, so Spy Museum it was :). One interesting fact about the cold war in particular was that the 'enemy' always tried to be one step ahead of the other (ie Russia and the USA) in the spying game, always looking for innovative ways to 'spy'! Albert and the girls had a blast also, doing the educational stuff :). 

A '007'Car

This was fascinating 'spy' object, a gift school children
gave to the President which had a 'bug' inside it, very clever

Another '007' car

They had a display of all the gadgets of the 'Bond' movies.

The gardens were gorgeous!
Mama and Elizabeth thought of you!

The Capitol and the lawn

Zara having a well deserved rest

Apollo 11 (the real deal)
(What another Air and Space Museum?)
(Number 3 for the summer!!)

You could touch a 'moon rock'!

The Capitol again

Cooling off our feet in a pretty fountain!

ohh, how sweet
(The building at the back is the National Archive Building
where the original Constitution is held)

Very cool 'fake' tree

This Museum had the original
USA flag which was pretty cool!

The White House
(Albert and the girls had walked to it but Albert graciously
drove by there for me so that I could see it in person!)

Girls and Albert in front of The White House!

FBI building plus the flags see below

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial National Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Washington Monument
(It was being repaired so we were unable to go in)

Lincoln Memorial

The Reflection Pool between the
Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument

WWII Memorial

Washington Monument

The White House

The White House in close up.

Grace actually took at lot of the photos in this post as I took my camera to the Spy Museum. I also had to ask her what the Memorials/Monuments were :). I've linked (red lettering) the relevant Memorials/Monuments should you wish to know more about each. Phew that concludes Washington DC, onto Philadelphia next :).

Holiday 2013 Photo Essay - Part 2 - Arlington Cemetery

After the Steve F Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum we visited the Arlington Cemetery. We were (still are but at later time in) studying American History and this is quite an icon in the history of America. I was quite surprised on how much of an 'attraction' this was. It is still an active cemetery.They have a car parking building (which you have to pay for), extensive signage, information centers, tours and a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. If you like more information please visit the website on the changing of the guard here, it's quite detailed and I'm glad we had a chance to watch it. All the acres of graves was quite unreal and I was touched by the lives lost in war. It's kind of real when you see white crosses for miles. We visited the grave of J F Kennedy as well. It was a hot day and so only 'saw' the things we really wanted to see, it wasn't a great day for a stroll around the cemetery. 

Memorial Amphitheater

Happy Couple :)

Graves

More graves, every direction you look there are more.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Soldier on watch
(Notice the 'brown spots' that is
where they walk and do their 'change of the guard') 

Change over of the guard

Map of the Cemetery

JF Kennedy graveside

One of the quotes from JF Kennedy around his gravesite

"And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you but what together we can do for the freedom of man." 

I quite like this quote, something to think about!

Washington Memorial

Holiday 2013 Photo Essay Part 1 - Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

Here is our visit the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center in photo form. Enjoy!

One of the sculptures at the entrance

 Donald D. Engen Observation Tower
(Kate in the foreground)

 Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

Albert's favorite airplane, any guesses? 

Discovery
AWESOME!

Can you see the re-entry marks? 

Notice all the numbers on each panel.
Each panel has its own number

Some big engines!!

It was hard to get the whole shuttle into one photo!

Question for students, What was the Enola Gay?

Kate at the Observation tower.
(can you spot our car? top right!)

Louis this one is for you! 

Albert's favorite plane is a 

The Enola Gay "On 6 August 1945, during the final stages of World War II, it became the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb."

Post Internship Holiday - Part 1

Once we had finished our internship at Pompton Plains we had about a week 'spare' before my Mum came to visit. We talked at length on what we were going to do. I had already arranged to visit Lilian and Jeremy. We knew Lilian's (Hoyt) family from back in NZ and so thought it would be nice to see some 'kiwi's' in the USA. But what else to do? Boston? Niagara Falls? Washington DC? In the end, our interest in early American history won out. It also did help that there was yet another air and space museum (or two) in Virginia close to DC. 

I talked to Lilian about our plans (since we had all our gear with us also) and she was VERY helpful in accommodating us. She organised for us to stay in one of their friends houses on a Thursday night. She also very kindly took our gear for the 24hrs that we were going to DC. Now if you have been to Lilian and Jeremy's house (J&L) that is quite an offer. There is not a lot of spare space. Last but not least once we came back from DC we stayed at their house. Again very nice since space is at a premium. What a great thing to hear a 'kiwi' accent and meet the lovely Shana as well. The girls in particular were very taken by her especially since they have missed seeing their cousins. 

Thursday

• Thursday night we left. Late I might add, it took us longer to pack up that we had thought. Also while we were ready to pack, the heavens opened but we managed to pack and keep everything dry. PHEW
• Thursday night - we arrived in Philadelphia in the dark. The lights are beautiful with lots of artwork around the city. After driving around (to the wrong address, our fault) we finally unload all our gear at J&L's place and collect the key for our overnight stay. (Lilian also thought of sheets/towels etc so that we didn't have to use their friends linen for one night, thank you!). We settle in, girls are very tired and we all have a great sleep. Humbled by peoples generosity! We later met the 'friends' at church on Sunday. 

Friday

• Friday morning. We left very early (after picking up the camera charger we had left behind at J&L, thankfully they were up early also) for the Steve F Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum. Something to note, all the Smithsonian (Museums) are free in the DC area. Of course there is just about always a fee for parking. We LOVED the Museum. We were able to see the Discovery Space Shuttle. That was quite something. Photo's to come.
• After having a packed lunch at the Space Center, we traveled into DC to visit the Arlington Cemetery. Another piece of the early American history. It is an active cemetery which covers acres of land. It was VERY hot that day and after seeing all that we wanted to see, we 'ducked' for some cool air inside the visitor center. We were warned that visiting DC at this time of the year was the worst time weather wise. Ah well, we'll just put up with it :). 
• Late Friday afternoon we drove into DC to look for our hotel. Generous people at Pompton Plains had given us specific money to visit DC and so we used that for our one night in a hotel room. To find a hotel room near the National Mall (where all the monuments are) was quite a feat. I didn't know but apparently DC has got a rule that you are only allowed so many people per square feet. In desperation (for accommodation, just to clarify) I rang the local information center. The lovely operator on the phone could only find us one (read one!) room which was a suite at a hotel above our budget. In the end we had no choice, so swallowing/breathing deeply we paid. So we ended up with a suite which had a separate bedroom as opposed to one room. Included in the price was free (well free, ha!) drinks and snacks at night and a cooked to order breakfast! See clever people stay in Virginia where the rules doesn't apply and commute in. We decided not to do that as we only had about 24hrs to see EVERYTHING in DC and so commuting wasn't an option for us. I'm glad that we stayed were we stayed as we could walk to everything and park the car in the hotel car park. 
• Friday night - After we had checked in and arranged all our food etc, we headed downstairs to the pre-dinner snacks and drinks. We told the girls to 'eat up' as this would be our dinner. I had planned dinner but a 'free' dinner is welcome. Albert and I also enjoyed a beer and glass of wine (or two). We went to bed early as another very full day as planned for the next day!

Can you see the ad? And what is Albert drinking?
Ha I got this free!

Zara and Horse in the hotel (watching TV!)

Our 'Posh' Hotel in DC

Girls outside the Hotel

Oops forgot to pack Horse, ah well, he had to spend
the day in the security area in the lobby of the hotel.
Can you see him? Hint, he is lying down on the top shelf!

Saturday

• Saturday morning - A cooked to order breakfast, what a bonus, we thoroughly enjoyed that. I had brought my own food for the rest of the day, so to have some 'cooked' for you was a treat. 
• After breakfast - We pack up and check out. Albert and the girls and I split up with Albert and the girls going to visit all the monuments in the National Mall and doing lots of badge's and me going to the Spy Museum. I was really interested in going to the Spy Museum but I didn't want to pay for the whole family. Albert said why don't you just go and I'll look after the girls for the morning. Oh such a nice man :). I thoroughly enjoyed the Spy Museum and I was glad that I came early as when I came out, there was a HUGE line. Albert and the girls visited all the monuments and did at least two badges. We met up again at lunch time.

Cooling our feet!

• Afternoon - Albert wanted to go and see yet another air and space Museum and so off we went. I stayed in the foyer with Zara as it had already been a long day. Security was very strict for most of the Museums and so there was always a line outside (in the heat) while the security guards checked the bags etc. We also visited a sculpture garden on our way to the one of the American History Smithsonian. It was there that we 'found' a big fountain in which we cooled our very warm and 'sore' feet. What a relief the cold water. We also tried to visit the National Archives as Michaela wanted to see the original Constitution. We decided to give it a miss after seeing the HUGE line and after being on our feet all day we weren't that keen to wait in the heat with the possibility of not being able to get in (as it was getting late in the day). 
• Evening - After collecting our car from the Hotel and Zara's horse from the lobby we took off for our drive back to Philadelphia. We ate dinner in the car (sandwiches) and arrived safely in Philadelphia at J&L's place. One thing to note that car parking is at a premium in major cities, J&L's place was no exception, thankfully we didn't have to walk that far to our car. 

Mama, does this look familiar?
(My Mum used to do this on our family holidays :) 

To be continued...

Homefront Update - 12/3/14

Peanut butter biscuit with a mini snicker bar inside
Grace made these for dessert, YUM!

Thanks heaps for 'bearing' with me while I catch up on all my photo's and adventures. (Still lots more to come!) I especially do it for the girls so that they have a record when they get older from their time in the USA! So skip the posts if they don't interest you. I'm not offended ;). 

Now to an update on how we are REALLY doing, just in case you are interested :). 

Weather
I'm not sure what I would talk about if I can't talk about the weather :), just having you on. On Monday of this week it got into double figures in Celsius which is the first time since December 4th 2013! Also since 10.30am local time, this is the 3rd snowiest season since they began recording snowfalls in the Chicago area! It's pretty cool to be part of that. I've learned so much about snow, ice and cold. I'll share a few with you. (OK quite a few)

• Salt doesn't work anymore at certain temperatures. 
• Snow does melt in negative Celsius temperatures, I always thought that ice/snow doesn't melt below 0C but it does!
• You just about need an engineering degree to plow snow, I mean where do you put it all? Especially when it keeps snowing, and snowing and snowing and none of it melts? 
• Snow blowers are very cool (ha!) and are almost essential item if you lived here. We 'poor' students use a snow shovel but before you feel too sorry for us, our lovely neighbor lets us borrow his snow shovel and sometimes snow blows our paths for us. 
• Melting snow is ok during the day but oh dear not so great when it freezes into ice overnight and then it snows. Ie ice under snow, dangerous! Don't ask us how we know that!
• You DO NOT put water into your car to spray your windows! OOPS didn't know that, thankfully our lovely friend told us BEFORE something happened. 
• You shovel snow BEFORE anyone walks on it, trust me on this one ;)
• After living in a deep freeze for so long, anything above 0C seems tropical, "you mean that I can go outside without my nose hairs freezing instantly", WOW that must be tropical!

I was looking through some photos the other day and noticed one photo with lots of green trees and wondered where that was. I looked closer, ha that was in our street! It's amazing on how quickly you get used to your circumstances, green trees seem from another world! 

Saying all this, we have thoroughly enjoyed this winter. The landscape has been magnificent, I've never seen anything like it! I have a dryer, central heating, plenty of food, snow gear, snow shovel (although it's seen better days) and a car. We truly can't complain. I am however looking forward to the change of season. 

Homeschooling

Some great news to report here! Zara is reading by some miraculous means!! I'm convinced it has been by some miracle as her mother is not really a teacher! Thank you for your prayers in regarding to our homeschooling, they are being answered. The other girls are doing well also. Albert is continuing doing English with them which is so helpful for me especially since I find English difficult. We are aiming to finish our school year by the middle of May so that I only have to take the new year school year over summer. I'm currently two weeks behind on schedule to make the deadline, so please pray that I will be able to get all the school done that I need to get done. 

My plan for the next school year is too start doing the new school year over our summer internship. I'm hoping to get at least 4 weeks done. The reason for this is that next year (scary thought) I would like to finish our year in April 2015 so that I've got May to pack/clean/sort etc before we move back to NZ. I'm unsure at this stage what the future holds on our homeschooling 'career'. We will make a decision closer to the time. 

Excercise

Ok just a little mention. It has been soo cold that going for a run is not that easy. Albert and I have gone on a few runs in the last couple of weeks. It's been nice just to get out of the house even though it's been cold. Plenty of merino has come to the rescue! The law here with regard to babysitting is pretty vague and as long as the parents are happy with the ability of the child in question they can leave them at home by themselves. So Albert and I have left the girls for about 30 minutes while we go out for a run together. A new stage in life :). 

Albert

He has been pretty busy and one of these days I'll ask him very nicely to write you another update from his perspective. He just finished an intensive course on biblical counselling. We were able to have the Pastor over that was teaching the class which was very interesting in a good way. His main 'point' was 'What do you do/how do you act in the circumstances that God gives you?'. Now that's a challenge for all of us!

Girls

They are continuing to do well. As a testimony to our healthy eating/lifestyle, they have hardly been sick at all in this harsh winter and are continuing to thrive! Next year our adventure into the teenage years start! I'm glad you mature with it and that it doesn't 'spring' onto you all at once :). We are having plenty of interesting discussions on all sorts of topics which is lots of fun. Growing up of course (in fact parenting in general) has plenty of 'heart' issues. This is a continual challenge to not only the girls but also the parents! 

Me

I was going to tell you how we are all REALLY doing so I better tell you how I'm doing! I'm doing well, staying inside ALL the time does get a bit 'tiring' but nothing that can't be over come. I'm doing well on my 'part-time' job of couponing and managing to get lots of things cheap. In fact this week, the shop paid me $3 to buy vitamins. I don't normally buy them as I don't really believe you need them (see how well the girls have done over winter with a healthy diet!) when you live a healthy lifestyle, ie eat well, exercise regularly. (of course there are exceptions to this, I'm talking generally!). But when you pay me $3 I'll buy them so that I can buy a gallon of milk with my 'profit'! I'm going to miss this very much when we get back to NZ. Hopefully I'm able to take some of these non perishable things back to NZ. 

On a final note, it is sobering to note that we are counting down the days until our return. We are making so many friendships, meeting so many great people and are enjoying life so much that it will be a bittersweet day once we leave. On a positive note, we will get to meet our new cousins which have been born since we have been here.