Update-O-Rama!

Hi all! Sorry it's been so long since our last update. Carolyn's surgery went well, we got home from the hospital on Wednesday and have been hanging out in the hotel room since. So since there isn't really too much new stuff happening, I'll catch you up on some of the stuff that we got to do before her surgery.

Carolyn doing her best "America's Next Top Model" impression in front of the Jefferson Memorial. It was a beautiful day and we learned a lot about Mr. Jefferson. It's really amazing to be back in a country that was built on freedom as a cornerstone.

Carolyn sitting on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. From here we went to the FDR Memorial, but didn't take any pictures there.

In honor of JFK's birthday the Peace Corps had a small ceremony to celebrate the creation of the Peace Corps. It was really nice and quiet. The director even came to speak.

Carolyn's mom came the day before her surgery to help out, so we took advantage of it and got out to see the monuments.

Carolyn and her mom at the WWII Memorial. We were both very thankful to have her here to help out.

Today (Memorial Day) I walked down to Arlington Cemetary for a ceremony. I got there about an hour early and they weren't letting any more people in. Turns out it is because the president was giving a speech, so I waited around and got to see him has he drove by. It's funny, no matter how many times you see someone on TV, it's always weird to see them in person.

So that's whats new today. We are both very thankful for the sacrifices that men and women have made to protect our country, hopefully they will not be forgotten.

Busy as the Beavers that we are!

We had all weekend off, so we decided to take advantage of it. Washington DC has tons of free museums, which is really nice since we are on a bit of a budget. Friday we went to the National Art Museum and the Capitol building. Saturday we went to the Holocaust Memorial and yesterday we went to the Air and Space Museum and the National Archives.

Spitting image, don't you think? Outside the National Archives.

Oh my little pilgrim!

Carolyn in front of the Wright Brother's Flyer.

I knew they pretty much owned Eugene, but I guess they are expanding!

Looking up at the dome in the Capitol building.

And Carolyn got the first non-self haircut she's had in a long time. Looks good, huh?

And finally some things we are amazed by:

• Landscaping: You mean people actually want to keep things green?
• Inside bathrooms: No more putting on your rain jacket to go to the bathrooms!
• Pizza delivery: We still can't believe how fast it comes!
• Dishwashers: Actually we've only used it once. Turns out washing by hand isn't all that bad!

Thanks for everyone's well wishes, we'll keep everyone up to date on the developments.

Shop Til You Drop

Yesterday between appointments we took the metro out to the amazing Prince George's Plaza (or as we like to call it Prince George's Banana Boat). You aren't going to believe this, but it was a magical place where you could buy practically anything you want! They had a Target, Old Navy, Gap and even a Cinabon! Wahoo! We went to town and were actually a bit overwhelmed. We have a friend who gets a bit overwhelmed at the selection in the cereal asile in grocery stores, now we can totally relate. We went from having a 10 ft by 10 ft clothing selection to target's insane selection. Woo!

So, for yesterday here are the things we are amazed by:

• Cosi Sandwiches: Now, we might not be the best judges since we just got back, but these are the best sandwiches in the universe.
• Two words: Tar-Get. Nuff said.
• Sushi: Last night we went to dinner at Cafe Asia. A-Maz-Ing. But sushi still amazes me how I could literally eat my self into abject poverty and still not be full. At least I would be happy :)
  

America The Beautiful

Hi everyone! We are enjoying our time here in DC and thought I'd try to update pretty frequently since we have good internet. Since a blog is a very public thing, we won't be posting updates to Carolyn's medical situation on here. She will send out periodic e-mail updates on her situation to friends, family and other interested parties. She sent out an e-mail this morning, so if you did not receive it and would like to be added to the list, please e-mail her at the address to the right. So, with that out of the way, let's talk about fun stuff!

Since our appointments are made with respect to the doctor's availability, it has allowed us some free time to explore the city. Yesterday we were able to go see the White House, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Memorial. The Peace Corps office is close to the National Mall, so we were able to walk to all those places.

It's amazing to be in such a historic city to be reintroduced to America. We both realized that living overseas really makes you aware of how great America really is. It also makes you really appreciate the sacrifice that the generations before us and all the soldiers right now are giving to protect our way of life. So, I'd like to thank all of my friends and family who have served and are currently serving in the military.

Secondly, I want to try and keep a list of the little things that make America great and things that we never noticed before we didn't have them. So, here goes the first installation:

• Transportation: Paved, quiet roads, no honking, yielding to pedestrians, stop lights, clean efficient metro, TAXI METERS, crosswalks, sidewalks.
• Grocery Stores: What do you mean I don't have to go to 5 different stores to get dinner?
• Food Delivery: Yeah, I can get used to this.Hot running water whenever you want it. No waiting for the water to heat up to take a shower. And you can drink it to boot!
• Toilet paper and flush toliets...EVERYWHERE!
• Friendly strangers (not that they weren't in AZ, it's just different)

Well, that's about it for now, I can't wait to have more to write about today!

Drinking tap water...

That's right, folks! I am currently drinking a glass of water I got straight from a tap! I didn't boil it! I didn't run the boiled water through a filter! I'm drinking it straight!

Why - you may ask. Well, about 25 hours ago we got on a plane in Baku and about 1 hour ago we landed in Washington DC. I (Carolyn) have been having some back trouble and the Peace Corps medical office decided it would be a good idea to send me (and my dear husband) to DC to have it checked out. We will go see the doctors tomorrow morning, and won't really know much until then. Tonight we're going to go to Safeway (!!!!), do laundry (!!!!!!!!), take baths (!!!!!!!!!!!) and go to bed early - a really nice bed (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). We are excited about these plans. :)

I've never been to DC and I think we'll get a lot of time between meetings and appointments to do some sight seeing. That will be fun!!

If it isn't obvious, we are really positive and I'm feeling pretty good! So, don't worry about us, but keep us in your prayers! We will keep you updated!