The Churches of all Churches, the Library of all Libraries, an American Version of Zoolights and the End of a Semester!!!!

So here is some music for you guys for this posting - it is one of my favorite songs to listen to while studying and being in wicked awesome places!!!!   Some Clint Mansell for you

So way back in the day when I first realized I was going to be moving to Washington, my first round of business was going to get a library card from the Library Of Congress so I can be all cool and professional and whatnot and study there as it is *the* library of all libraries (alright, *maybe* the Vatican City Library is a better library, judging from the movie Angels and Demons but for now, the Library of Congress is *the* library). The first semester is over and I have yet to go and get a library card.  Granted, I have attempted a couple of times to do it, but something usually happens to stop it from happening.  However, the day that Riya and I were supposed to go and get it, we still wandered around the unlibrary part of the library which was pretty amazing.  The architecture there is outstanding – it reminded me of the Vatican (never been there however) or Caesars Palace in Vegas (have been there) or something like that; basically not a library.  However, since I wasn't in the actual library part, that could be why.  All around the roof were quotes - not famous quotes in a way, but just very thought provoking quotes, like "They are never alone who are accompanied by noble thoughts" or "the history of the world is the biography of great men".  Next time I go there, I am going to take a picture of every quote they have as they were inspiring to read.  I was more in the museum part of the library, which is why it didn't look like a library.  Thomas Jefferson’s Library was amazing to see all his books and what he liked to read about (6,487 books, mostly science stuff) and the part dedicated to the Jewish culture (Winnie the Pooh anyone??) was full of so much information.  The whole place was just full of so much information and history, I loved walking around, reading everything and just soaking it all up.  Every time I go to a place, I am in awe at the history, the information and the experience that I get no matter where I go.  However, I feel like I missed so many other collections there as the website (http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collections/) lists way more things than I saw so I will definitely need to go back and try to see everything there.  And get into the main reading room.  And try to find the President's Book of Secrets.  And not get kicked out of the Library (if the Government is reading this, I am joking - I will not try to find the Presidents' Book of Secrets).  Can’t wait till I can actually get my library card and to into the actual library part and study.  But for now I will just leave you with a picture of the greatest rooms ever in the history of libraries. 

After the library, we decided to trek to the National Cathedral as I have heard wonderful things about that place and the rumours were not lying – this building is both daunting and romantic (http://www.nationalcathedral.org/).  It is frigging huge and tall - there is a tour one can take to get up to the bells in the great central tower - this is 333 steps, 300 feet above ground.  I think one time I am going to do this climb as the view at the top would be absolutely gorgeous.  The stained glass windows were breathtaking to admire and the high alter was a little unreal and potent and serene all at the same time.  I could have stood there for hours just looking at the glass, waiting to see how different they would look when the sun was hitting it from a different angle.  The colors were so vibrant and potent, mesmerizing to stand there and just stare at them.  If I am ever to get married, that is where  I want to get married.  I haven’t looked into how much it would cost or how far in advance I need to rent/book the Cathedral, but it would be amazing.  The gardens outside were gorgeous (albeit not in bloom as it was fall that we went) and walking about the place was very peaceful and calming.  On the outside of the Cathedral there is something like over 120 gargoyles and I was quite excited when I heard this, but me being me, I imagined gargoyles like in the old cartoon Gargoyles blast from the past - you need to watch this, not just listen or like the gargoyles from The Hunchback of Notre Dame bad quality but good still.....how wrong I was.  But, don’t get me wrong, they were pretty interesting to spot and look at as they were all different and unique.  It would be fun one day to try to spot them all.  I think that is going to be on the New Years Resolution list. Apparently there is a Darth Vadar-esque one that I need to go and sleuth out.  I don't know how to put into words the beauty and splendour of this place - the top floor is all the stained glass, high alter and a kid's chapel area.  Downstairs are mini chapels signifying Jesus' life. It would be absolutely amazing to have Christmas Eve mass at this place - something I would love to experience one day. 

So during the Thanksgiving weekend holiday, I needed to get out of the house from doing so much school work and then with my godmother's funeral and whatnot and I remember seeing a poster at the metro station regarding Zoolights at the Zoo so I figured this would be a perfect thing to go and do - when has the Zoo never made me feel better??  I got to the zoo a little earlier than when Zoolights started to get in some viewing of the animals but with it being in the Fall/Late November, most of the animals were like 'screw you, it is too cold out here' but the 'Canadian' animals (wolves, beavers, etc etc) were out and loving the weather.  I found that quite funny and stayed in that part of the zoo for a bit to feel one with home.  So I am wondering through the zoo, seeing no animals except for the Canadian animals, ooooh I saw the Panda which was pretty awesome, but saw him very briefly as there were people all around the exhibit to get a look at them and just waited for the sun to go down and the lights to be awesome.  The cheetahs were fun to watch as they just kept pacing and pacing around their exhibit.  I was waiting for one to pounce but sadly, it did not happen.  So finally, when the sun was set, the lights were lit and it was a nice break from reality to be there.  One thing that I felt while walking through the zoo was that their Zoolights compared to Calgary's Zoolights wasn't anything spectacular or out of this world.  It could be because the Washington Zoolights was free when Calgary's you need to pay for so that could be a reason, but regardless, the lights at Washington still made me happy and gave me warm fuzzies as it felt like Christmastime and Winter has finally hit.  Except for the lack of snow and the still in the positive temperatures we have been having, Christmastime and winter nonetheless.  While walking around the zoo, they opened up some of the houses for people to pop into and warm up and one of them was the reptile house.  I have no clue how I missed this guy the first time I went to the zoo as he is pretty hard to miss, but I was totally and utterly enraptured with him.  I think I stood there for at least 10 minutes, just watching him, doing nothing.  Maybe I was waiting for him to move, do something, but he didn't, and that just made my day.  He was so grumpy looking that it kind of reminded me of Papa Joe.  I just imagined a cane in his one hand and it would have been a splitting image hahaha.  I haven't named him yet but I think he is my favorite animal at the zoo as of today Overall, the trip to the zoo did just what I needed it to do - it gave me a reprieve from life and a chance to get out and just go see some lights, think of Christmas and get away from everything for a bit.  

The end of the semester was upon us....studying was being had by all and exams were looming around the corner.  The semester went so fast that it was amazing when we were all said and done everything.  I don't think I could have gotten through the semester without the wonderful group of girls that I had made friendships with - without you guys I would have felt so alone, in more ways than one as you guys helped me through the tough times near the end of the semester.  I am so fortunate to have met you all; I wish you all the very best during the Christmas break and I am missing you guys!!!  I will see you all in the New Year!!!

I will leave you all with this little saying from Mr. Lincoln himself - I went and saw Lincoln with Riya and I will say that he is my favorite president - so calm, poised and powerful.  This speech that he did just shows what kind of man he was.  This was at the National Cathedral.  For some reason I feel like this has touched me in more ways than one with all the losses I have had in the recent past. I hope you enjoy it!!! Merry christmas to everyone!!!