So this is my cute roommate Edma. She's from Mongolia, and she's not a member of the Church. Quite the difference from the typical 20-something BYU student here, but it's been great being her rommate because she is such a wonderful person. It's sounds cheesy but she really is! For example, she attended all the sessions of General Conference including the Relief Society meeting, and she took notes on everything. Her attention to what was said was better than probably many members that were listening over the weekend. It's funny though because Edma says that she's not interested in being baptized, but she is always looking to be refined.

What a great example of humility I have!

BAILOUT DAY! Well this couldn't be a more exiting time to be in DC. The election, the bailout, the protesters, the political celebrities...Yes that's right, this is a picture of Ron Paul and some of us right after exiting the Capital Gallery. We heard the vote was taking place at 3, but apparently the House can do what they want, and unbeknownst to any of us it was at 1 instead. We still took the Gallery tour and saw the aftermath of the passing of one of the most controversial bills in the history of this country. To be honest it was weirdly casual, but I am beginning to think that the average American glamorizes congressional activities. Of course, if anyone has seen C-SPAN I guess they would know otherwise.
Anyway, Ron Paul's advice? Study hard because you'll be cleaning up our mistakes. Don't let the government rule. It's all about the people!

I have to hand it to the protesters for being creative. The present I am holding says: From Congress, To the Banks.

Washington DC Temple

Oh how I wish I could be in DC during the cherry blossom season! I hear it's wonderful, and whenever I see pictures they usually have the Jefferson Memorial in the background. Although my visit didn't include any array of flowers, it was a beautiful day and a beautiful memorial nonetheless.

One of my favorite quotes from the panels inside is the following one from of course Thomas Jefferson. With the election around the corner, I have been thinking a lot about the evolution of this country from the founding to now. The nation has gone through so many changes and yet we still look to the Constitution as our highest form of law. We're not perfect but I still think it's impressive. Anyway, I thought this quote from one of the founding fathers was interesting and timely seeing how now more than ever the interpretation of the Constitution is under attack. Read it and take from it what you want.

"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

China Town.

On the rooftop at some guys party in our ward. I love how I improvised a mask with a chocoalte wrapper.

This was our Philadelphia trip. We were only there for one day but we visited a lot staring with the Constitutional Convention Center. For some reason I kept thinking how much fun dad would have in there. Lots of interesting exhibits and of course it was all dedicated to his favorite document next to The Family Proclamation:) Anyway we also visited Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell, ate philly chessesteaks (well I didn't), saw Rodin sculptures, walked around like tourists, and ended the day at a very good Pizza place.

I'm trying to make a Y because right before we got a text update informing the group that BYU had won the game. I don't know who they were playing but I was still pleased as you can tell.

In the Constitution Center with Independence Hall in the background.

My friend Kristina, Ben Franklin, and me in the gift shop.

Having way too much fun with the signers of the Constitution. Believe me there was a whole photo shoot with them.

VALLEY FORGE

I coudn't help myself.

So a fellow intern from BYU works for our Congressman Jeff Flake. He was able to get me and another guy from Gilbert into this a tour of the capitol dome. Apparently it's pretty exclusive. You actually have to be present with your Congressman to go. Needless to say this was a nice lunch break. My office is just a couple of blocks away. This is an uber-cheesy picture of Jeff and me after the tour. I can't believe he said yes to doing thumbs up. Guess he has to please his constituents:) ps-this is Nancy Pelosi's view from her office. Her balcony is just to the right of us. On top of the dome. Dismal day but a great memory nontheless.

Here are some more pictures from my first day in DC.

The Lincoln Monument

The Washington Monument