RN's on the DL in D.C. taking in some R&R, CEU's, and meeting VIP's ETC!

The National Mother Baby Nurses Conference was held in Washington D.C. this year. I have wanted to attend the conference for quite a few years now but it has "never been a good time." I have learned that you just have to do things sometimes as there is (and will never be) a good time for most things and thus you will have many regrets at the end of your life if you don't JUST DO IT! The organizing committee was very smart knowing that D.C. would be a great location with the election less than a month away. There was excitement in the air there.
After a tearful good-bye with the family that morning (can't help it when you are flying the "9/11 route into Reagan International"), I arrived safely and decided on the "adventuresome route" to the hotel (took the Metro/subway instead of the shuttle...long story:)
I felt like a missionary must feel arriving in another place not knowing much about that location etc. A sweet gal (who was visiting her hubby on an internship there) helped me with the metro ticket system etc. After you do it once you are a pro but you sure feel like an idiot initially!
Home Sweet Home for the next 4 days! Felt weird and lonely the first 10 minutes and then got used to some of what I came for...some R&R without any interruptions:)
I have not watched TV at night for years (my plan to not have a TV in our main living area at home back-fired on me:). By the time we get the kids down, Steve is 10 minutes away from crashing himself and I feel like I can't interrupt with the TV on. I was able to re-connect myself with a remote at night!

I wanted to enjoy the atmosphere there, so the first night I treated myself to a dinner on the patio of a restaurant down from the hotel. Butternut crusted trout and salad--oopsie, forgot to ask for sweet potato and no butter on the fish:) Should have hit the gym afterward!
Back at the hotel, I had to grab the Presidential candidates for a photo op at every moment I could get!
So far off to a great start! Next year is in Arizona! (Yeah for the $$ savings!)

I am always hot but I have to hand it to the Marriott's A.C.!! It was freezing inside through most of the conference!
Most of the break-out sessions were "serious business" but this presenter was fun as she discussed "Playing Nice in the Sandbox; Dealing with Lateral Hostility:)" I had major jet-lag and was dying through some of the conference--fighting to stay awake!!
I wonder if they keep the hotel so cold so their chocolate statues/carvings don't melt! I knew my Mom and sisters would appreciate these!
Pure White Chocolate girls!

More beautiful displays of history!

I was able to attend the "Monuments by Moonlight Tour" offered by the conference. I tagged-teamed with a nurse (Cheryl) from Maine who was also flying solo. We took pic's for each other and shared workplace experiences.
Here we are at the WW2 Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background. If I accidently mess up on re-counting any of the monuments, "I appppolllogize" in advance:)!
Beautiful at night!
Here is the somewhat spooky Korean War tribute.


The tour guide explained that the soldiers faces are "grotesques" meaning exaggerated expressions are displayed. I think my Humanities 101 class is coming back to me when we studies sculpture styles!

These images are carved in the wall!
Pretty impressive!
I was overwhelmed by all of the fresh flowers. I guess certain groups and clubs supply these. I would love to know more details if anyone knows!
Good reminder everyday!

The Vietnam Memorial would have been better to see in the daytime but was still neat to see! It was overwhelming to think of all of those people who died! I didn't know (or had forgotten) that the gal who submitted the plan for the Memorial received a B+ from her college professor on the idea and was picked as the winning submission from the Monument committee! Way to go girl!

The Lincoln Memorial was my favorite at night (along with the White House). It was breathtaking although our camera doesn't show it!
Up close and personal!
Very well done!
I could have stayed longer but our tour kept moving!

The Veterans apparently liked the Vietnam Memorial idea after it was unveiled but were always bothered that it "didn't show any faces," so this is Part 1 of the Vietnam Memorial showing the soldiers!

Yes we used the wide angle lens to get my thighs in with all of the names:)
This is the best I could get of the Capitol from our bus. We didn't stop there.
Next stop was the north face of the White House. It was very beautiful. I couldn't help but wonder if Bush was inside that night and if he was so ready to be done! I think there have been mistakes made in his Presidency but I think he is a good and kind person who means well (and was stuck with a lot of "left-over issues" from Clinton. I think he also had the worst luck as far as timing for being President. Everything from 9/11 on down was his time period and some of it was out of his control. OK-some programs were rediculous but I think the Bush's tried!
Apparently these "protesters" have been at this for 25+ years! They switch off taking turns at the post so they can't be booted out for "camping." You have to hand it to the group for being passionate about their cause!
I am forgetting what this building is close the the White House. I just know that "Italy" was visiting and so we hang the visitors flag!

I believe the tour guide said this was the "Blair" house. It houses visitors as well as the President-elect for the interim period between election and inaguaration sp?
One last good-bye at the White House before returning to the hotel. Lots of fun and good info!
The Marriott Wardman Park was so nice. No wonder it is usually $300+/night. Thanks goodness for conference discounts!
It is huge! I think this other side is the "historical" side. I was on the other wing.
More pics of the grounds and hotel.

I saw the next President and VP at the airport and had to get a pic with them:) Ryan and Matt--my picture of me and Obama was blurry!
I was so not looking forward to another 4 hour squishy flight home but I lucked out with nobody next to me and then a Marine in the next seat! We were both so glad we didn't get the 5,000 pounders next to us as we both get ADD and claustrophobic! Just having that extra space made everyone in a good mood off the bat! I had meant to change my seat assignment 2 times before when I saw I was assigned as a back row Joe but since the flight was pretty full-I didn't think it would help to change. It was so fun joking around with the flight crew (who also seemed done before they started). The Marine turned out to be Bill who was so funny (and yes he thought I was weird for taking his pic) but it was a blast exchanging stories. He was "WOW'd" that I have never had a drink and I was WOW'd that he had been shot and scrapneled sp? 4 times and is still here. He has served 20+ years and it now teaching. It was cool to hear all of the places he has lived and all of the missions and Humanitarian aid he has been on (Tsunami included). I tried to convert him on the spot but he says a lot of people still view the Mormons as "Warren Jeffs/polygamist-types." He said he was impressed that I was a "real person." I explained that the church (especially Pres. Hinckley who recently passed) was really working on making sure they are not being exclusive etc. (told of stories how some parents weren't letting their kids play with non-members etc. and how we are all God's children and need to be-friend all). He didn't commit to baptism but I told him to invite me when he did look into the missionaries and lds.org one day:) He made the flight home so much shorter!
Mikelle was at it again making sure I was welcomed home properly!! She is probably the sweetest and most conscientious person I know!! Thanks for being such an awesome daughter Dell!!
It was SNOWING when I arrived home so I was glad I bought the kids snuggly sweatshirts! They all loved them and have worn them a ton already!
Steve hates when I buy him things (more $$) but I hate when he doesn't buy me anything:) so I had to get this Presidential apron I saw at the airport! Yes!! HAIL TO THE CHIEF and THE CHEF of the house! (They were out of "Commander in Chief t-shirts.") Thanks for holding the fort down at night so I could have this experience! It was so fun! Until we go to D.C. as a family...that's it for now!