Christmas Celebrations: Mormon Style

One of the things that attracted me to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints back in 2005 was all wholesome social activities it organizes. And with all the YSA (young single adult) wards in the DC area, a Mormon need not be bored because your social calendar is practically planned for you! Between Mike and my wards, I went to a church activity everyday (except Saturday) for the last 10 days...

Last Monday - Wrapped and delivered the presents/gift baskets/gift cards that we bought with the $14,000+ raised from the ward auction!
Last Tuesday - Institute, the last class of the year! Also, I went to another barre yoga class at EpicYoga. I'm gonna try to document a new move I learn each time I go.

Wednesday - trip to the Washington, DC temple to do baptisms with Mike's ward.

Wonderful peaceful experience inside and gorgeous lights outside!!

Thursday - Relief Society dinner, catered by Cafe Rio :)

with a barbershop quartet!

The wives of the bishopric gave wonderful talks about angels and giving back to Christ during this celebration of His birth. Got to catch up with my visiting teaching girls! Overall, a fun evening of sisterhood :)

Friday - Mike's ward Christmas party, catered by Olive Garden :)

We did a white elephant gift exchange

Took some silly pictures in the photo area

Oh, did I mention we went ice skating beforehand?

I think I like the idea of ice skating much more than the actual activity, which is painful on the shins (good workout tho!). But there's something nostalgic and so romantic about it (especially with the fake snow they had coming down in the rink) that I just had to do it at least once.

After the ward party, Mike and I rode the metro into Columbia Heights in DC for a DC Casineros (salsa dance performance group) party at Dance Institute of Washington.

All the dancers were really advanced and it was really fun to watch and dance with them.

Mike and I danced too...he learns alot by watching and progresses alot each time we go :)

Saturday - Finally used the Newseum (a museum of history through media) tickets my sweet coworker Tigi gave me for my birthday. Great view of the capitol from the 6th floor.

A couple of American history nerds :)

Seeing relics from and about significant moments in American history brought a mix of emotions: awe, reverence, gratitude, grief, hope, excitement, pride, amusement, humor...
The original Uncle Sam poster - copied and parodied innumerable times since WWI

Buffalo Bill's ad

Titanic sunk

Women get the vote!

As always, the ones about African American history get to me the most. A sobering display...

Super unauthentic and overpriced jambalaya from the "Food Section", but tasty nonetheless

Karen, Jordan, and Mike had to leave early. Vanessa and I had fun in the gift shop, especially playing with all the stuff in the huge mustache section :D

Vanessa and I had a goofy fun time playing news reporters in front of their green screens.

Let's just say journalism is not a viable career path for me - ha!

Did some shopping then Mike picked me up for another foodie adventure at a nearby place called Urban Thai. We got some expertly grilled yellow curry chicken skewers with sweet peanut sauce that were well-balanced by a salad of cucumber ribbons.

Mike got the cashew chicken

I got the Panang curry, which turned out to be much more spicy than expected, so I ate more of his and vice versa :)

Then we went to watch his much anticipated movie, The Hobbit. It was one of his favorite books growing up and I'd never read it (or any fantasy book) but he heard bad reviews so we went in with low expectations. I found it rather entertaining...





Sunday - Had a great lunch at our home teacher's house then went to help out with our ward's big "Christmas Spectacular" because I'm on the Activities Committee. I made 4-5 of these meat platters...

We had a beautiful musical program (so much talent) then tons of hor d'oeuvres afterwards. I was so busy catching up with people that I completely forgot to take pictures! But we had fun cleaning-up in the kitchen afterwards!

Monday - Had a combined FHE activity caroling and bringing Christmas cheer around Crystal City :)
Tuesday - Institute Christmas Concert. Leslie and Mike's coworkers came!

Grateful for this season of light, cheer, generosity, and togetherness to celebrate our Savior's birth.

Merry CHRISTmas, everyone!