Snow Day
The day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the federal government was shut down due to cold and snow. It was great! I felt like I was back home in Iowa. I was able to get a lot of work done for law school and read a few books before my life gets busier. Also the Snow Day cancelled my work groups Holiday Party for the SECOND time due the office shutting down due to weather. They rescheduled the Holiday Party to February 4th. I know when the next snow day will be February 4th. :-)
Shut-In Visit
On Saturday, I visited a member of Bethany Lutheran Church who is a shut-in. He is a 90 year old gentleman living by himself in Alexandria, VA. He is doing very well. His house is relatively clean. The snow is swept off part of his lawn so the mailman has a path to walk with no snow. He has a car that he occasionally drives. While talking with him, I learned he is an interesting person. He is a big hunter and fisherman. He would hunt squirrel, possum, deer, or anything that moved. He would also fish in the lakes, rivers, and streams of Virginia. On his coffee table were multiple copies of "Virginia Wildlife." He took up woodworking in his younger years. The cabinets in the kitchen, large dresser, and other various items were made by him. I am glad I was able to spend sometime with him.
Financial Peace University (FPU)
On Tuesday, January 28th, I participated in my first FPU class at Bethany Lutheran Church. FPU is a nine week weekly course teaching you God's way of handling money. There were about 17 other people present at the one hour and thirty minute class. The whole room was filled. About half the people were from the Bethany congregation and the other half came from online registration. The class has about an hour of video and 30 minutes of small group discussion. The first lesson was focused on saving. Dave introduced Baby Step 1, which is $1,000 in your bank account for an emergency and Baby Step 3, which is about 3-6 months of living expenses in an emergency fund. It was also recommended to start saving NOW because compound interest is an explosion or the 8th wonder of the world as Albert Einstein said. Today, I finished my homework and extra credit for the class. I will probably finish the bonus material sometime before the class next week. I went to some of the classes with my parents in the summer before I left for DC. I still wanted to go this FPU because I would get my own material and like learning about finance. This courses uses a holistic approach to handling money.
Superbowl
Let it be on the record, I think the Broncos will defeat the Seahawks in the Superbowl this Sunday. I will be watching the game at the house of a co-worker. I will be bringing a side dish. At this point in time, I am not sure what the side dish will be, but I know it will be great!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Blood Donation, Scavenger Hunt, Christ House, and Meal of the Week
Blood Donation
On Thursday, January 16th, I donated my second pint of blood ever. Now I am only 0.75 gallons away from donating a full gallon of blood. The time for the actual donation of blood was not very long. I believe a reason for that was me being very hydrated. I recommend anyone planning on giving blood to fully hydrated on the day of blood donation and possibly the few days before the blood donation. I was more relaxed this time as compared to the first time I donated blood. When I was sitting down after donating blood where I was eating cookies and drinking orange juice, a woman who had just given blood fainted right behind me. Literally 3 feet away from me. Nurses rushed over to aid her. They lifted her legs up, took her blood pressure, and gave her some food or drink. She was fine after receiving the medical attention.
Scavenger Hunt
I participated in a scavenger hunt at the Air and Space Museum. My team finished in the middle of the pack. Somehow we got a bunch of deductions. If we did not get the deductions, we would have finished tied for 2nd and 1 point behind the winner. It was fun. Afterwards my metro train took longer than an hour to get me to the King Street metro stop as compared to the usual 15 to 20 minutes. This was due to track work.
Christ House
I volunteered at Christ House again to box food to be distributed to people in need.
Meal of the Week
This week I made Southwest Pork. A pork roast was covered in a mixture of onion, chopped green peppers, bbq sauce, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, and oregano. After cooking, the pork roast was shredded and returned to the mixture in the crock pot. The shredded pork was placed in a tortilla. It was delicious! Also the slow cooker liner make clean up SOOO much easier.
On Thursday, January 16th, I donated my second pint of blood ever. Now I am only 0.75 gallons away from donating a full gallon of blood. The time for the actual donation of blood was not very long. I believe a reason for that was me being very hydrated. I recommend anyone planning on giving blood to fully hydrated on the day of blood donation and possibly the few days before the blood donation. I was more relaxed this time as compared to the first time I donated blood. When I was sitting down after donating blood where I was eating cookies and drinking orange juice, a woman who had just given blood fainted right behind me. Literally 3 feet away from me. Nurses rushed over to aid her. They lifted her legs up, took her blood pressure, and gave her some food or drink. She was fine after receiving the medical attention.
Scavenger Hunt
I participated in a scavenger hunt at the Air and Space Museum. My team finished in the middle of the pack. Somehow we got a bunch of deductions. If we did not get the deductions, we would have finished tied for 2nd and 1 point behind the winner. It was fun. Afterwards my metro train took longer than an hour to get me to the King Street metro stop as compared to the usual 15 to 20 minutes. This was due to track work.
Christ House
I volunteered at Christ House again to box food to be distributed to people in need.
Meal of the Week
This week I made Southwest Pork. A pork roast was covered in a mixture of onion, chopped green peppers, bbq sauce, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, and oregano. After cooking, the pork roast was shredded and returned to the mixture in the crock pot. The shredded pork was placed in a tortilla. It was delicious! Also the slow cooker liner make clean up SOOO much easier.
Southwest Pork
Southwest Pork in a Tortilla
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Ski Trip and Meal of the Week
This week, I had to work, prepare documents for taxes, and work on deciding on a law school.
Ski Trip
This week I signed up for a ski trip with the PTOS to Snowshoe in West Virginia. There will about 3 days of skiing and 2 nights in a hotel or lodge associated with Snowshoe. The trip will take place at the end of February. I will carpool with a friend to and from Snowshoe. In order to get ready for the trip, I bought snow pants, a ski mask, and goggles. I have never been skiing before. I think it will new a fun and new experience. During my first day of skiing, I plan on taking lessons. Also I plan on not hurting myself.
Meal of the Week
This week I made my family chili recipe. In the crock pot, chopped oinion, chopped green pepper, V8 juice, chili beans, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning, salt, pepper, and browned ground beef. It was delicious.
Ski Trip
This week I signed up for a ski trip with the PTOS to Snowshoe in West Virginia. There will about 3 days of skiing and 2 nights in a hotel or lodge associated with Snowshoe. The trip will take place at the end of February. I will carpool with a friend to and from Snowshoe. In order to get ready for the trip, I bought snow pants, a ski mask, and goggles. I have never been skiing before. I think it will new a fun and new experience. During my first day of skiing, I plan on taking lessons. Also I plan on not hurting myself.
Meal of the Week
This week I made my family chili recipe. In the crock pot, chopped oinion, chopped green pepper, V8 juice, chili beans, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning, salt, pepper, and browned ground beef. It was delicious.
Chili
Monday, January 6, 2014
Home for Christmas, Mayor of Alexandria, SNOW, and Meal of the Week
Home for Christmas
This year I was home for Christmas this year. My travel was much smoother this year, but I still has a little delay in O'Hare. Flight delays at O'Hare in the winter are expected. I simply sat back enjoyed. Many other people were not in a good mood. I really enjoyed seeing friends and family. Great gifts were given and received. Below are a few of my gifts. I want to thank every one for their gifts! I really enjoy and appreciate them
Mayor of Alexandria
While watching the Clemson and OSU game on January 3rd at Joe Theismann's with some friends, we met the current mayor of Alexandria, William D. Euille. He was involved with moving the Patent Office to Alexandria.
This year I was home for Christmas this year. My travel was much smoother this year, but I still has a little delay in O'Hare. Flight delays at O'Hare in the winter are expected. I simply sat back enjoyed. Many other people were not in a good mood. I really enjoyed seeing friends and family. Great gifts were given and received. Below are a few of my gifts. I want to thank every one for their gifts! I really enjoy and appreciate them
Si Water Jug
No way I won't be seen running in this
Mayor of Alexandria
While watching the Clemson and OSU game on January 3rd at Joe Theismann's with some friends, we met the current mayor of Alexandria, William D. Euille. He was involved with moving the Patent Office to Alexandria.
William D. Euille
SNOW
Snow finally came and stayed in DC! The snow stayed for about 2 days. I felt like I was back in the Midwest. Then it warmed up and all of the snow melted.
SNOW!
Meal of the Week
This week I made Clam Chowder from a crock pot recipe book that I got for Christmas. The clam chowder includes cream of potato soup, cream corn, bacon bits, baby clams, tiny shrimp, evaporated milk, and lemon salt. There is some definite texture. You can taste the sea food in every bite. John had some of the clam chowder. He enjoyed it.
Clam Chowder
Monday, December 16, 2013
Capitals Hockey Game and Meal of the Week
Capitals Hockey Game
On Sunday, December 15th, I attended a Capitals Hockey game with the Capital Area Iowa Club (CAIC). This was the first Caps game and NHL game. The game started at 3:00 PM. The opponent was the Philadelphia Flyers. Our seats were in the upper deck in the last row on the end of the ice where the Capitals shot once. Along with our tickets we received $15 worth of credit to use at the concession stands. The Caps won in a shootout after coming back from a 4-1 deficit in the 3rd period. The game was fun and I was glad I went. I was able to meet some people who are apart of the CAIC. Also evidently a fan got hit the head with a puck opening a gash in her head. She did not seek medical attention until after the game. You can read about it here.
Meal of the Week
This week I made French Dip sandwiches for the meal of the week. Jon had one. He thought the meal was was the best meal he has had that was made by me. It was probably the simplest meal I have made. A whole chopped onion was put in a crock pot with a beef roast. Then a mixture of water and a seasoning packet was poured over the roast and onion. After cooking for 8 hours on low the meat was ready to be cut and put on hoagie rolls. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures.
On Sunday, December 15th, I attended a Capitals Hockey game with the Capital Area Iowa Club (CAIC). This was the first Caps game and NHL game. The game started at 3:00 PM. The opponent was the Philadelphia Flyers. Our seats were in the upper deck in the last row on the end of the ice where the Capitals shot once. Along with our tickets we received $15 worth of credit to use at the concession stands. The Caps won in a shootout after coming back from a 4-1 deficit in the 3rd period. The game was fun and I was glad I went. I was able to meet some people who are apart of the CAIC. Also evidently a fan got hit the head with a puck opening a gash in her head. She did not seek medical attention until after the game. You can read about it here.
My View at the Caps Game
Meal of the Week
This week I made French Dip sandwiches for the meal of the week. Jon had one. He thought the meal was was the best meal he has had that was made by me. It was probably the simplest meal I have made. A whole chopped onion was put in a crock pot with a beef roast. Then a mixture of water and a seasoning packet was poured over the roast and onion. After cooking for 8 hours on low the meat was ready to be cut and put on hoagie rolls. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Government Closed
Government Closed
The government closed on Tuesday, December 10th due to inclement weather (i.e. snow and rain). I was disappointed I was not able to go into work on today. There were two events at work I was looking forward to at work on December 10th: 1) Technology Center (TC) 1700 Holiday Party 2) Helping new examiners (about 1 month of experience) with a few of their applications. The TC 1700 Holiday party is a party right after the workday with catered food from Qdoba. I had to pay $20 for a ticket to the TC 1700 Holiday Party. The TC 1700 Holiday Party also allows an opportunity for me to meet and mingle with people I know and don't know in TC 1700. On Monday, December 10th, my SPE (i.e. my direct boss) asked me and another examiner if we would be willing to help two new examiners with a few of their applications. I felt honored that my SPE asked me to carry out the assignment. I accepted. We would look at claims in the applications and develop a search strategy with the new examiners for each application. Hopefully both the TC 1700 Holiday Party and helping new examiner with a few of their cases are rescheduled at times I am able to participate.
The government closed on Tuesday, December 10th due to inclement weather (i.e. snow and rain). I was disappointed I was not able to go into work on today. There were two events at work I was looking forward to at work on December 10th: 1) Technology Center (TC) 1700 Holiday Party 2) Helping new examiners (about 1 month of experience) with a few of their applications. The TC 1700 Holiday party is a party right after the workday with catered food from Qdoba. I had to pay $20 for a ticket to the TC 1700 Holiday Party. The TC 1700 Holiday Party also allows an opportunity for me to meet and mingle with people I know and don't know in TC 1700. On Monday, December 10th, my SPE (i.e. my direct boss) asked me and another examiner if we would be willing to help two new examiners with a few of their applications. I felt honored that my SPE asked me to carry out the assignment. I accepted. We would look at claims in the applications and develop a search strategy with the new examiners for each application. Hopefully both the TC 1700 Holiday Party and helping new examiner with a few of their cases are rescheduled at times I am able to participate.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
On Friday, December 6th I trudged along to an Amtrak station close to my house. At the Amtrak station would be a train that would take me to the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. I have never riden an Amtrak train before. It was enjoyable. As passenger, I could look at the country and cities of Baltimore and Wilmington, DE. The train took about 3 hours to get to Philadelphia. I did not too to much the first day other than checking into the hotel and get a Philly Cheesesteak with cheese whiz.
Saturday was the big travel day. First I went on a tour of Independence Hall at 9 AM with about 6 other tourists. I saw the place where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were drafted. Next I saw the Liberty Bell with the crack. Awe and excitement came over me at both of the cities when I thought about where I was standing were the same places as some the greatest men in American history. The last stop in that area of Philadelphia was the Benjamin Franklin Museum.
By this point, I was starting to get hungry. So of course I go to Reading Terminal Market. The Reading Terminal Market is an enclosed market. Over one hundred merchants offer fresh produce, meats, fish, groceries, ice cream, flowers, baked goods, crafts, books, clothing, and specialty and ethnic foods. The Pennsylvania Dutch have a fair number of stores in the market. The Reading Terminal Market has been a filming location for Trading Places and National Treasure. I ate at DiNic's Beef and Pork, which was featured on Travel Channel shows Man v. Food and Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America. I also had a dessert of ice cream from Bassett's. Bassett's is America's oldest ice cream company.
Now that I was full, I was ready to embark on the next leg of my journey. I made my way to the Philadelphia Art Museum via the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Before I arrived at the Philadelphia Art Museum, I noticed a peculiar attraction that I did not know was present in Philadelphia. The peculiar attraction was a Rodin Museum. The Rodin Museum was beautiful. My favorite sculpture present made by the father of modern sculpting was "The Thinker". The only reason I know about Rodin is the movie "Midnight in Paris". Eventually I made it the Philadelphia Art Museum. No, I did not go to see the art. I went to see the Rocky Statue. When I was there there were people playing Rocky music on a loud speaker. Evidently people were running from Rocky's row house to the top of the steps at the Philadelphia Art Museum like in a Rocky movie. These runners ran about 31 miles. An article about the run can be found here. Most of the rest of the time I watched college football at a bar and in my room. I did not want to be out late at night in an unfamiliar, dangerous city with nobody I know within a reasonable distance. On Sunday morning, I got on my Amtrak train. I was able to make it back to DC before the big ice storm hit the east coast.
On Friday, December 6th I trudged along to an Amtrak station close to my house. At the Amtrak station would be a train that would take me to the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. I have never riden an Amtrak train before. It was enjoyable. As passenger, I could look at the country and cities of Baltimore and Wilmington, DE. The train took about 3 hours to get to Philadelphia. I did not too to much the first day other than checking into the hotel and get a Philly Cheesesteak with cheese whiz.
Saturday was the big travel day. First I went on a tour of Independence Hall at 9 AM with about 6 other tourists. I saw the place where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were drafted. Next I saw the Liberty Bell with the crack. Awe and excitement came over me at both of the cities when I thought about where I was standing were the same places as some the greatest men in American history. The last stop in that area of Philadelphia was the Benjamin Franklin Museum.
By this point, I was starting to get hungry. So of course I go to Reading Terminal Market. The Reading Terminal Market is an enclosed market. Over one hundred merchants offer fresh produce, meats, fish, groceries, ice cream, flowers, baked goods, crafts, books, clothing, and specialty and ethnic foods. The Pennsylvania Dutch have a fair number of stores in the market. The Reading Terminal Market has been a filming location for Trading Places and National Treasure. I ate at DiNic's Beef and Pork, which was featured on Travel Channel shows Man v. Food and Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America. I also had a dessert of ice cream from Bassett's. Bassett's is America's oldest ice cream company.
Now that I was full, I was ready to embark on the next leg of my journey. I made my way to the Philadelphia Art Museum via the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Before I arrived at the Philadelphia Art Museum, I noticed a peculiar attraction that I did not know was present in Philadelphia. The peculiar attraction was a Rodin Museum. The Rodin Museum was beautiful. My favorite sculpture present made by the father of modern sculpting was "The Thinker". The only reason I know about Rodin is the movie "Midnight in Paris". Eventually I made it the Philadelphia Art Museum. No, I did not go to see the art. I went to see the Rocky Statue. When I was there there were people playing Rocky music on a loud speaker. Evidently people were running from Rocky's row house to the top of the steps at the Philadelphia Art Museum like in a Rocky movie. These runners ran about 31 miles. An article about the run can be found here. Most of the rest of the time I watched college football at a bar and in my room. I did not want to be out late at night in an unfamiliar, dangerous city with nobody I know within a reasonable distance. On Sunday morning, I got on my Amtrak train. I was able to make it back to DC before the big ice storm hit the east coast.
Alexandria Amtrak Station
Amtrak Train
Amtrak Train
Philadelphia
Philadelphia 30th Street Station
Philadelphia Subway
View from my Hotel Room
Philly Cheesesteak
Jim's on 4th and South
Philadelphia City Hall
Foundation of a House where 2 Presidents Stayed
Independence Hall
Building by Independence Hall
Independence Hall
Independence Hall
Independence Hall
Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell
Inscription on the Liberty Bell
Christ Church Cemetery
Benjamin Franklin's Grave
Constitution Hall
Independence Hall
DiNic's Sandwich
Rodin's The Thinker
Philadelphia from Steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum Along Benjamin Franklin Parkway
People Completing a Tribute Run to Rocky
Me at the Rocky Statue
Me and the Rocky Statue
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