Last Post from D.C.

I cannot believe this day has already come. My six weeks here have just flown so fast. This experience has been a once in a life time opportunity and I have learned so much. I am so grateful to have had this chance, especially at such a historic time. My job wasn't always easy and not all the time fun, but those moments were just a blink of an eye compared to the overall wonderful experience I had. My favorite part was probably going into the House Gallery and watching debates and House votes. I also enjoyed wandering aimlessly through the capitol, just because i could. I worked where History is made, where our Country happens. I still can't get over that. 

My last week of work was pretty laid back. After they went into recess there really wasn't much left to do but answer phones and give tours. I actually gave three tours, which is a lot for one week. (I was usually only giving one a week.) I loved giving tours and being able to share something with people. The phone calls this past week were horrible though. People were so ANGRY about the debt budget deal. There was this one guy that called me almost everyday this week. He was very much a tea party conservative and fed up with the direction the republicans were heading. He said he didn't really know who to vote for president because he didn't know who he could trust anymore. By the last day these were his remarks, "Miss what's your name," and I responded, "Kylee." After that he goes on to say that if he continues to be unimpressed with the presidential candidates and there was no one to represent him that he was going to call the office and get my information and was putting my name on the ballot. The funniest thing about this was that he was serious. The guy was so funny and that was the best phone call to end my internship. I think I was laughing for an hour after I got off the phone with him. 

Yesterday was my last day to tour around D.C. I went to the National Mall and saw all the monuments I hadn't had a chance to see yet. They're pretty amazing really. I'm glad I had a chance to see them before I leave. I didn't get to do a lot of things I wanted to because I worked Monday-Friday from 9-6, so by the time I got off work most everything was closed. However, I was here for the internship and not vacation so I was okay with it. Just hoping to make it back one day on vacation. I need get to see and do a lot of things though. 

Well, my flight leaves tomorrow at 6:35. So early! So most likely I will be catching the last train out of Union Station tonight to Baltimore and just the night in the airport. I'm mostly packed, except for things I need to get ready for church. Laundry is all done just need to vacuum and dust the room I have been staying in. I still can't believe this is it! I'll be heading back to the West, in Utah for a week and then home to Oakley for a few days then off to college at Dixie State. This summer has flown by, but it will be one that I will remember and cherish the memories forever! Goodbye D.C.! It's been great! 

Trip to New York!

Being a dancer, there was no way I could go Back East without Visiting the dance capitol of the country! So Saturday morning I hopped on a bus to New York, New York. It was about a 4 1/2 hour drive, but a very scenic drive. The bus was actually really comfortable and super nice as well. Definitely the way to go. I got in to New York around 1:30 and went to meet up with a friend from Hawaii who so kindly let me stay for a couple days. For the rest of the day I just walked around a little and then went to an outside show at the Lincoln Center. I think I was more excited at the fact that Julliard was right behind where the show was. Of course I had to walk by and was very tempted to sneak in to one of the dance studios, but I decided I didn't feel like getting arrested while in New York.

Sunday was PACKED! Left for Time Square in the morning by 9 in order to get to the Mary Poppins box office so I could get my student discount for the show. After ticket was in hand my friend and I went and walked around Time Square. Absolutely amazing! I pretty much was on Time Square for the majority of the day. We went and saw the huge Toys 'R Us and the Disney store, just to name a couple. Then headed to Olive Garden for lunch where my view out the window was the Wicked billboard. I was in heaven. I then went to the matinee showing of Mary Poppins on Broadway. My first Broadway show and it was spectacular! The special affects, choreography, singing, scenery, was just amazing! Couldn't have been any better and fulfilled all my expectations. I would have to say that was the highlight of my trip. After the show I went to Ground Zero where they are now rebuilding the World Trade Centers. That area is very quiet and so crazy to imagine 9/11 happened right there. After that I walked to Battery Park and saw the Statue of Liberty. I'm now a true American:) Then it was back to the apartment to get my rest for the audition the next day! 

AUDITION FOR THE ROCKETTES! Even though I didn't make it, it was an amazing opportunity and experience. The auditions were scheduled to begin at 10 Monday morning. I got there at 8:30 and there was already a line! After waiting outside for an hour they took us in to Radio City Hall where we were all ushered upstairs into rooms to stretch and wait for our turn to show the judges what we got. I was probably in the audition for 40 minutes tops. 50-100 girls (many former Rockettes) were soon put into a rehearsal hall. Keep in mind There were 3 other groups this size. They taught us a short combo and then divided us into 3 large groups where we could practice a couple times full out before performing in front of the judges. The music was a live pianist which was really cool!! After going through group rotations 3 times it was time to show the judges. They took three at a time and we only got to do the combo once. After all the girls had gone through they announced who made it past the first cut. I didn't make it, but I didn't feel bad at all. There were only 10-15 girls who were called back. Not many at all. Even a girl I thought had it in the bag didn't make it. It's a very competitive audition, but I'm so glad I got to go and do it. I felt like I had the choreography down pretty well and went out there and performed and gave it what I could and I had a blast. I can't wait to get more audition opportunities. 

Right now I'm headed back to DC on the bus. We were stuck in a crazy rain storm so I'm sure the trip home is going to be a little longer than it was going. Good thing there is Wi-Fi to keep me occupied:) I still can't believe that I leave for home a week from today. Time has seriously flown by. It's been such a wonderful experience out here and I have learned a lot. I am however getting excited to go back to the West where I can shop at a Wal-Mart for groceries and where the humidity doesn't kill me, and of course to see my family. Gotta make the most of my last week here! Lots to do! 

P.S. Washington, D.C. metro system is a lot easier to use and cleaner than New York's. Also, you don't have the homeless walking across car to car while it's going asking for money and singing you awkward love songs. Just saying.