One week down...

To celebrate MLK day, I was able to go to Mount Vernon and visit the beautifully-restored and carefully maintained home of George Washington. It's not far from our nation's capital that name bears his name and was a great escape the concrete of the city for some fresh Virginia air.
A bust inside the Education center



The front of the mansion. Washington had inherited the estate from his older half-brother. It was then only a four-room farmhouse which he built upon and turned into a twenty-one-room mansion. It was a gorgeous house and the Association that runs the grounds have paid meticulous attention to the way the grounds were kept during Washington's life.


Beautiful colonnades connect the main house to some of the other buildings--there was a separate kitchen, pantry, smokehouse, blacksmith's shop, registrar's office, slaves' quarters, and more.


The blacksmith on sight makes tools the old-fashioned way and gives them to be used in the field.


The view from the back of the house directly overlooking the Potomac River.


Actors playing a close friend and a manservant of Washington's


The back of the house.



We had a good time visiting the farm animals too. Amazing that the farm animals are treated like museum pieces with explanations of how the animals functioned in colonial times.


Complete with a beautiful black sheep.

It was a great outing. Since it was $15 for a day pass and $25 for a yearly pass, I invested in a year pass and plan to go back soon. They have a whole museum examining his life and an education center with lots of hands-on activities about colonial life.

After the Monday outing, I met Ashley and Hank coming down from New York who were incredibly kind to bring me the stand for my piano which is now off the ground and ready to be played. Thanks Nesbitts!! It was wonderful to see you and I will miss you in California!!

Tuesday was the official start of my internship and the new semester here in DC. Long hours and lots of time traveling through busy city traffic on public buses that refuse to hold regular schedules...but a great week learning a TON about microfinance and getting into the groove of a new working environment and a new office.

The weather is definitely improving and I'm excited to see some fruits of my time at the gym. More updates to come as I get settled.