Last Week in DC

It's extremely disconcerting to think that today is my last full day in the DC area. I've been here for about 2 1/2 months, and I've loved it. So many things to see, so many people to hang out with, and so many things to NOT worry about.
This last week has been pretty eventful. The exhibition went well, and I had a lot more fun than I thought I would. Wednesday we "graduated," where they gave us certificates and fed us. Thursday I got a tour of the Capitol Building, and Friday I was at work for less than an hour turning stuff in and getting signatures before forever leaving the Library behind. I came out to DC for the purpose of finding out if I would enjoy library work, but other than doing research I don't think I really got any experience with library work. So, I still don't know if I'm going to go to grad school, and I don't know if I want to work in libraries for the rest of my life.
Now that I'm done with work, I've been spending the last week exploring like crazy. One day I finally saw the Einstein memorial, as well as all of the war memorials along the reflecting pool. I think my favorite is the Korean War Memorial (that includes the WWII memorial, but for some reason, this one touches me more). I love how no soldier looks the same, and there is a quote that is so true: "Freedom is not free." That shouldn't come as a surprise, but having been somewhat more immersed in the world than I ever have in the past (I've been reading newspapers, seeing fliers for one travesty or another, etc), I can't help wondering how minisculy (not a word, but it is now) Americans really appreciate the freedom they have. I can't help wondering what I would go through if I weren't from this country to experience the kind of freedom we have here. After seeing the memorials, I ended up walking across Memorial Bridge to Arlington. I only got to see JFK's gravesite, and the outside of the Arlington House before I got kicked out (It closed at 7).
Another day I hit St. Matthews and the Basillica (The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception), and I've discovered that I really don't understand Catholics. I got a tour of the Basillica, and my tour guide made me uncomfortable. He was a nice old man, but for some reason, I just didn't feel comfortable around him. And he spoke so fast that I didn't always understand what he was saying. He didn't really explain his religion, just the background behind the 60-some-odd chapels in the ONE church, which I also don't understand. Anyway, they're beautiful structures, even if I don't understand what goes on in those buildings. I also went to a museum of the oldest fraternity in the nation/world, but unfortunately it was closed on Friday. Saturday I went to Monticello and Luray's Caverns, both of which are very beautiful. I probably had more fun in the caverns than the house though. But I have to say I was very impressed with the house. The docents wouldn't let anyone take pictures while inside the house. Having worked in a museum, I was very glad to hear that. Too much light too often (such that comes from flashes in cameras), causes deterioration of the item and the color of items. I'm more disappointed that more places aren't like that. And I'm always surprised by how small these "mansions" are, especially compared with what there is today. I know people were shorter back then, but they couldn't have been THAT short, could they? I mean, squeezing six people in a bed no bigger than a full twin just seems absurd to me.
Sunday I was a sinner, I didn't go to church. I did however go to Arlington cemetery, and I saw everything there was to see, or at least that I wanted to see. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was very powerful and moving. And I finally saw the Marine Corp Memorial, the last of the major memorials that I haven't seen. I learned some of the symbolism of the cemetery, and the bridge that connects Virginia with DC, and I find that also very powerful. I obviously need to brush up on my American History (it's been several years since I've taken a class, other than WWII, which wasn't really in the US).
Today I was going to try and squeeze in as much as I could, but I don't think I'm going to do that anymore. There are some things I need to do around the house, and it will be nice to have one more relaxing day before I have to return to reality. Luckily I'm going to dinner with a friend (possibly friends), and that will be my last outing before I leave. I will also see the DC LDS Temple before I fly out tomorrow. "Back to life, back to reality."