Fireworks, Presidents, and Celebrities

Old News: Besides being the Creator of the universe, Heavenly Father is the most clever and effective teacher EVER. I've been praying for God to "help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24) for weeks and He does it by taking away my camera...I lost it this week. After searching everywhere, I prayed for God to help me find my camera because, after all, I was mostly taking pics for Him. After repeatedly praying for missionary opportunities, I got the answer that the best way I could share the gospel was to be happy and show the world how much fun I can have as an active Mormon. I don't need alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, one night stands, coffee, tea, revealing clothes, or R-rated movies to enjoy life. It would simply not make sense for God to allow me to lose one of my biggest tools in my personal mission to share the gospel.

As soon as I finished praying, I heard a clear and direct answer: "I will help you find your camera." But I knew I still had to do my part. I started calling and texting everyone and everywhere I'd been with/to since July 4th. Nothing. I had to keep reminding myself that "faith is things which are hoped for and not seen...if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them" (Ether 12:6, 12). Still, I was so depressed I couldn't capture my Saturday adventures.

Then the next day, I was cooking and went to get a ladle when...I found my camera! It actually made sense that it would be in the utensil drawer because I like to take pictures of things I cook. Wahoo! I offered a vocal prayer of gratitude for my sweet reunion :)

What did I learn from all this?
- Moroni 7:26 is true - "Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you."
- Britt is a true friend. Not only did she offer genuine sympathy and prayers when I lost my camera, she practically let me use her camera as my own all of Saturday at Madame Tussaud's (see below)

Monday - I'm a huge Food Network fan so when I found out Bobby Flay has a restaurant in DC, I had to try it out. Clever design - looks like a burger!

Got the Dallas burger (BBQ sauce and coleslaw) and a mango malt (YUM). I'm not a burgers girl but I really enjoyed this. Bobby's burger sauce had an interesting earthy flavor - mushrooms or something. A nice lady let me try some of her sweet potato fries (underwhelming).

Attended the last Zumba class on my pass; not renewing due to raunchy music. But I did increase my fitness DVD collection by 5!

Take that, flab-inducing desk job! (don't get me wrong, I love my job)

Tuesday - aka 4th of July eve. Met up with this fun group of people to watch the dress rehearsal of the Independence Day concert in front of the Capitol

It was a star-studded line-up, including: composer John Williams, Olympic athlete Apolo Ohno (from my hometown!), TV host Tom Bergeron, and of course, the National Symphony Orchestra (among many others). But my favorites were the tributes to George Gershwin and Gene Kelly (he would've been 100 this year)!! Not the best seats, but it was convenient to leave when the concert got rained out! (right after they played "Singin' in the Rain" haha)

Wednesday - Saw some amusing characters at the 4th of July parade on the National Mall

Man on stilts!

Didn't get any pics of the dozens of marching bands there, but I felt so bad they had to march in those long sleeve, thick uniforms and tall feathery hats. They were all superb and very professional. Also felt bad for these South American dancers in their layers of costumes - great dancing/music tho!

Feeling patriotic in our red, white, and blue

Then we mosied on down to Chinatown. Don't be fooled by the huge gate, this Chinatown's dinky.

Bought our movie tickets, then killed time roaming around Bed Bath & Beyond (random), found an awesome sale (storewide 40% off!) at Loft, got my first meal at Potbelly...it's as good as they all say it is, and super affordable! This Mediterranean sandwich was surprisingly filling - feta cheese, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, hummus, artichoke hearts.

Really enjoyed The Amazing Spiderman! Didn't think they needed another movie in the Spiderman series, but the acting was great, the special effects were seamless, and the plot developed nicely.

Afterwards, I had a bad headache and was really weak/nauseous. Staggered home and collapsed on the floor for about 35 minutes. Roommates diagnosed me with heat exhaustion and said to drink water. Still nauseous hours later. Learned the hard way that my body's not as heat tolerant as I thought! I didn't feel well enough to go see fireworks with friends, but felt better that some of my roommates were staying home too. Then Diane told me she'd already gone the last 3 years, but I, however, had to go because this is my first July 4th in DC. She said a week from now, I won't remember I was sick, I'll just remember that I missed the fireworks. That did it - you know how much I hate regrets.

Luckily, Mike hadn't left for fireworks yet and took a break from his capstone paper to pick me up 45 minutes before the fireworks. We drove around until we found some grass next to other cars parked along the freeway by the Pentagon. Got the show without the crowds! Even found some patriotic rock 'n' roll on the radio :D

Couldn't get the fireworks in the frame but it's reflected on top of Mike's truck!

Last in, first out! We got home in no time :)

Was extremely cautious of heat warnings the rest of the week. Friday night was old movie night at home! I introduced Britt to such classics as Bringing Up Baby (1938) and Swing Time (1936).

Saturday - SO EXCITED to go to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum with Britt! I'd been wanting to go since I saw it on TV years ago. Let the posing begin!

"Participated" in many historic events in the Presidents' Gallery...
Rowed with Washington across the Delaware River during the American Revolution

Fought on the patriots' side, of course

Negotiated with Robert E. Lee after the Civil War

Watched a play with Lincoln in Ford's Theatre before he was assassinated

Spoke softy and carried a big stick with Teddy Roosevelt

Hunkered down in the trenches during WWI

Set sail for Europe with Woodrow Wilson

Did the Charleston in a speakeasy during the Roaring 20's before Black Tuesday

Waved my Hoover flags in Hooverville with...Herbert Hoover when the market crashed

Sought comfort in FDR's Fireside Chats

Served with Dwight D. Eisenhower in the army during WWII

Got the news about VE Day with Winston Churchill

Sat down to stand up for Civil Rights with Rosa Parks

Reaffirmed Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial

Greeted the public with the Kennedy's after riding Air Force 1

Greeted the presses with the Clinton's

Chilled at the White House with the Obama's

Obama let me make a call at his desk in the Oval Office

They insisted I give a speech, so I did ;)

Entering...Hollywood
Being sassy with Rihanna

Tried to perfect my "Thriller" moves with Michael Jackson

Cozied up to Hitch (aka Will Smith) for more dating advice

Compared derrieres with J.Lo

Sang "Single Ladies" with an awkwardly posed Beyonce

"Smelled what The Rock was cookin'" with Dwayne Johnson

Got in the boxing ring with Muhammad Ali

Travelled to Harlem with 2 of my favorite musicians
Tickled the ivories at The Cotton Club with Duke Ellington

Scatted with Ella Fitzgerald

Got interviewed by Oprah about my experience at Madame Tussaud's

And flattered by Katie Couric (she was jealous I've met more presidents than she has)

Madame Tussaud's was too fun. Couldn't've done it without you, Britt! It makes me want to visit the other Madame Tussaud museums around the world.

Afterwards, we got lunch at Potbelly again (it was the cheapest place around). Meatball sub w/ pickles and Oreo malt :)

Then we wandered around Barnes & Noble and I found some GREAT deals. Got these 2 sets of movies and a CD for $31!!! I think it was God's way of comforting me for my [temporary] loss of camera.

Had another old movie night and introduced Stephen to the charms of On the Town (1949) and Pillow Talk (1959).

Great end to an eventful week - played hymns on the piano for an hour and found my camera!