No dancing at the metro station.

One thing I always loved when visiting D.C. was the adrenaline rush I got from riding the metro train.  Basically like a subway, but you're not always underground.  There was something I loved about it in all it's unglamorous glory.  Not only did I enjoy taking the metro, I was excellent at navigating my way from all the different stations and the different lines.  When I was in D.C. this past April with fellow classmates for a communications convention, I was the tour guide.

After introducing them all to the craziness of the metro and paying our respects at Arlington National Cemetery, we were heading back to the city to check out some of the Smithsonian museums.  While waiting in the station, I walked up closer to the track by the floor lights.  Now I've never been diagnosed with ADD, but I often believe I have it.  I was distracted and highly amused with those flashy floor lights, that I felt the need to tap my right foot, then my left foot on top of it in a dancer fashion then strut my way back to my classmates.

Little did I know a security worker of some sort from the Pentagon happen to catch a good look at my 4 second routine.  I saw the man as I walked back, but he didn't appear to be a security worker, plus he was carrying a few grocery looking bags which I thought he was losing grip of.  Oh no he didn't--but oh yes he did.  Marching towards me such urgency and a clear mission in mind: "Now there is no dancing or playing around, especially that close to the tracks.  You understand that I could arrest you for this.  I have more serious criminals to worry about, do you think I really want to waste my time and yours on something silly as this."  Horrifically embarrassed, myself and my classmates were stunned in disbelief that this man made such a big deal.  Sir, I understand your concern for the safety of the public as well as the safety of our government figures, but do I look like I'm 12? or that I'm suicidal?  No sir, I think not.  It was highly uncalled for.

After about 5 minutes, all we could do was laugh and talk about that incident until our train had pulled into the station.  Lesson learned kids, don't get ADD and try to dance in the metro station.  Security folk are lurking and will swoop in for the attack.

Similar Pride and Honor Across the Sea

June 5th, 2009 was a day in which I never existed.  No I did not die and return back to life, but I was settled on the biggest plane I had ever been on crossing the International Dateline heading towards Australia.  The memories aren't quite as strong which each new passing year, but for what ever reason why I'm captivated by that country lives on.  In honor of Memorial day last week, I noticed pictures from Australia that relate to war memorials we have in D.C. but found in Australia.

Roll of Honour

The capital of Australia is Canberra, with a lot of open area surrounding it.  Unlike Washington D.C. everything is not just a hop, skip, and a jump away.  You will find other similarities though, such as a Senate and House of Representatives, although their government is ran in a British structure with their Prime Minister as the country's leader.  You will also see war memorials and monuments dedicated to those who had served in the Australian military because they were dragged into another country's battle as a helpful ally.  I found all the monuments to be touching, beautiful, and a great way to honor those.  The Roll of Honour is similar to the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C., but here visitors place red poppies in the wall as a symbol for those who lost their lives in battle.  Also like us Americans, Canberra holds a special tomb to the Australian Unknown Soldier, though not as heavily guarded as the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Washington D.C.

Like us Americans, Australians really show their pride and love for their country in their nation's capital.  The war memorials I was so lucky to see allowed me to have a deeper connection with Australia than I ever thought possible.

Cabin Fever & Future Friday

With the feeling winter is never going to end and spring break popping up on college campuses nationwide, it's not surprise cabin fever is here!  Living in the glorious state of Ohio, or should I say SNOWhio, the cold and snow really never seem to end.  I'm getting the extreme itch to travel, but unfortunately that college kid budget interferes with brilliant travel plans I've thought of.  So instead of gearing up to go out and explore, I figured I'd just talk about travel some more! (Yes I just made a cheesy rhyme.) 

What I really want to talk about is the blog.  I've finally come down to some ideas to keep the blog evolving.  My habit with any social site, or journals for that matter, is that I am terrible at keeping perfectly up to date on it.  I really would love to write everyday, but I get distracted easily or usually have about 5,000 other things to do.  With this in mind, I am going to attempt to abide by some fun plans I have to keep consistency, new entertainment, and hopefully staying current with everything.  I've thought of corny subjects for each day of the week, travel related of course, that will bring new topics within in the travel world each day (if I can keep up!):

Snoozy Sunday--Sunday is a lazy day, this day is open to whatever really!  I'll probably just cover things going on, or maybe a trip that I can't stop thinking about.  Sunday is really a wild card day.

Manic Monday--Since Monday is always a crazy day to swing back into things of a work or school week, why not write about some crazy and "manic," experiences that have happened during a trip?

Tip Tuesday--Every Tuesday receive a travel tip!  Plan exciting, affordable, and sensible trips.

Website Wednesday--Oh the world wide web, so many hidden treasures and flops.  There are good travel websites, mediocre travel websites, and sadly some horrible travel websites.  Which ones should you stay true to?
Throw-back Thursday--THROW-BACK!  Reminisce on previous trips!  Now this may seem redundant since I obviously talk about trips I've been on, but I'm talking years and years ago.  I'll talk about silly trips I went on when I was younger, fun memories and scary memories.
Future Friday--Where in the world will I travel next?
Silly Saturday--Funny and silly moments from trips, or even planning trips.

Of course I may not be on everyday, but at least topics will change and make what you're reading a little more exciting (at least I hope so!)  So in honor of Friday, I'll take a brief moment to talk about one future trip.  I'm excited to announce that I will be heading to Washington D.C. for time number 5 or 6 this April!  Actually, I'm going for scholarly, nerdy purposes which makes the trip more exciting.  I'll be presenting research with my research group at a communication conference which I think is pretty exciting.  It's also a really great excuse to get out of school and work for a few days.  Plus we get to explore our nation's capital, which is no doubt one of my favorite things to do!  I started visiting Washington D.C. when I was in 5th grade, and actually have two trips coming up this year.  There's just something I love about visiting D.C., I find something new every time.  Here are some pictures from some of the more recent trips (if only I had the embarrassing pictures of me in D.C. back in 5th and 7th grade near by!):

Memorial Day Weekend 2008



Memorial Day Weekend 2010

 

And my favorite view...

Photo taken Memorial Day Weekend 2008--Arlington National Cemetery --over looking the capital.

(not the best picture, and definitely doesn't give this view justice)

And on a sad closing note--please keep Japan in your thoughts and prayers after dealing with a tsunami and an earthquake.  Also keep Hawaii & California in your thoughts and prayers as well, the tsunami waves may be heading their way.  That's all I have today--have a fantastic Friday :)