Baa Baa Black Sheep

Well I can't sleep. There are a lot of random thoughts on my mind that I keep dwelling on.
1. I miss sheep. Playing with the lambs at Mount Vernon reminded me of them. When Spring started up I really missed watching lambs bounce on their mothers back. That Sheep Productions class has to be one of my favorite classes I ever took.
2. Religion can be the greatest and then most horrible thing ever. Probably have taken years and years away from my life stressing over it. But have also had the best times because of it.
3. Have been bad not signing up for a school yet. Truth be told I am really dreading leaving Maryland. I hear about all these classes taught at UMD and feel so bad to leave. Just wish that it wasn't so hard to transfer credits. Oh well maybe in a Masters program can go somewhere. Get so many emails about internships that I would qualify for. Utah I got nothing. I wanted to get some agriculture experience but they just had jobs that required previous experience.
5. Before I came to the East I was well aware that people outside of Utah usually don't get married till later twenties, thirties. I've gotten a few people that have assumed things like wow it must be so hard. And wow your parents have must have been so sad. I don't think I got married so young further back generations have gotten married a lot younger. With current society and such I feel like maybe we could have done with another year or two. But most of the time I don't think so. Just going to college or coming here I was still well aware of the fact that I really didn't know what I was doing or planning on doing. I think just time and actual action it what solves that. Maryland has also been a big help on that. This intern for the smithsonian has been amazing. I've seen a lot of different routes I can take.  As for my husband still figuring things out.

SCBI

I like the view every morning coming out of my apartment that is what SCBI looks like all around it.

Mount Vernon

This weekend Dane and I went to Mount Vernon with Dane's mom, sister and brother. It was the most beautiful day to go! There was a slight breeze and it was not too hot at all. It was a lot of fun.

The lake in George Washington's backyard. Picture doesn't give it justice what a nice view George Washington had. Would be so nice to just sit out there. The breeze from the lake was so refreshing.

Back view of his house.

You can make up the end of this story.

 George Washington's Tomb.

In front of one of the gardens surrounding his house.

 Next to wharf on the Potomac river.

 In front of George Washington's Mansion.

 I am a giant compared to the Crowtons. 

Gettysburg

Dane and I got the chance to go to Fort McHenry and Gettysburg National Park this weekend! We went with part of Dane's family.  The  weather was kind of poor but other than that it was fun.

"The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all". This tree was very beautiful. The colors reminded me of Mulan hence the quote :) I finally had to pull out my camera for it which was a good thing. I went on this pioneer trek a few years ago and it was snowing a lot of the time I never pulled out my camera. I really regret that....

Dane in front of Monument where Captain Armistead was mortally wounded.

First week of intern for the Smithsonian!

 I have been really pleased how this week turned out. I am doing my internship in a Reproduction lab for the Smithsonian. The intern is in a lab at a conservation center in Front Royal, Virginia. Here is a link for my specific intern http://nationalzoo.si.edu/UndergradInternships/Research/ReproScience/internship.cfm I really like Front Royal, it is a smaller town which I have really enjoyed especially compared to Laurel, Maryland. My focus is on the reproduction hormones of Fishing cats. So I crush the fishing cats feces and then weigh it and then do this process to extract the hormones. There is a lot to learn and I feel very slow right now. Hopefully I will get the hang of it.
 I was really worried about the dormitory. I haven't had many good experiences living in apartments with other girls. The dorm seems to be good so far. It is more organized than all my other places which is nice. Meaning your room number is marked on cupboards and fridge space. So you don't have to worry about not having room. And they have community dishes, pots, and pans etc. Which is nice. The room gives you more stuff which was also a bonus the room came with sheets, blankets, a pillow a mirror none of my other apartments ever included that. The bathroom is not my favorite. It reminds me of a camping bathroom. About 5 stalls in the same room. The shower is weird too. There are two showers with curtains in a room that locks. So I just want to lock it and get undressed in the room and leave it locked but pretty sure you are supposed to get undressed in that tiny shower... And grab your clothes through the curtain?
 It is nice being with people that all have the same interest there are animal things all around the dormitory and the lab. There is a bison farm right outside my dormitory which I like seeing. I am also happy to be back in the mountains.
 I got to keep my Terp host job which I can just do on the weekends which I'm happy about :) Driving on I495 isn't very fun. But if you hit the right times it isn't so bad. Seeing the DC temple is neat.

Almost a month ago

 Dane and I did end up having a really good Christmas. Most of it was spent with Dane's family. Christmas eve we had Korean food which was really really good!

 The next morning we had omelettes filled with some of the left over fried rice from the night before. That night we saw Christmas lights at the Washington DC. Temple which was fun they had a lot of mangers from all over the world.

I know you can't see us very well my camera was having issues again.
 Later that week we got to go to the Smithsonian National Zoo. Which was really really neat. I finally got to see a Panda Bear!

  Overall Christmas was a lot of fun.

Oh yeah it snowed today!

 I do miss the snow from Utah. And Costa Vida :)

O Tannenbaum

 December 12, 2011 Dane and I got our first Christmas tree! I am so excited! 

 Sea Otter ornament bought in Pebble Beach on our honeymoon.

 Dane's present to me one Christmas. Dutch ornaments.

 Angel ornament,  given to me by my friend Lisa McDonald.

 Ornament bought by Native American in Arizona on our honeymoon.

Only star we had. A Christmas ornament I made in Kindergarten. 

 My wooden shoes waiting for Sinterklaas

 I had a Smoking Man given to my by one of my German friends Kathrin. But I left it in Utah :( I liked him a lot. Here is a picture of a different Smoking man I liked.

http://www.deutscheshaus.cc/html/german_smokers/ulbricht_shepherd.html