memorializing memorial day weekend 2008

this time last year i was traveling in guatemala with now-pregnant-sister-liz. memorial day weekend was no less eventful this year:

FRIDAY
i flew into bwi and took the marc to union station in washington d.c.. a visit to the national postal museum (a.k.a. the forgotten smithsonian) proved educational and reflection time at arlington national cemetary fulfilling. i spied a group of skaters and some touring byu students before laying my head to rest in silver springs, md.

SATURDAY
the day started with a nervous taxi ride to the mormon temple in d.c. where my friends, preethi and dan, were tying the eternal knot. it was a beautiful ceremony complete with newfound friends, mary and rachel, and a surprise introduction to luce and pere axelgard. relishing in the opportunity to be in the temple, i spent a few additional hours there before heading to george washington's home for continued wedding celebrations.

the hindu ceremony that followed was thrilling and beautiful, the reception food outstanding, and - of course - i LOVED the dancing. for those of you who doubted that dan and preethi are among the coolest couples known to mankind, they tastefully choreographed their wedding dance to a jazz version of "how sweet it is (to be loved by you)".

i bummed a ride to baltimore in anticipation of an early-morning flight...

SUNDAY
i got back just in time to play piano at church. oh yeah. much to my surprisement i was asked to be ward pianist...it's a fun challenge. after church, long-time family friends - terry and gloria seamons - had me over to catch up on life and give me the parental advice mom and dad might if they lived in closer proximity. i was settling in for an early evening when...

i learned that housemate sara was in town for a one-evening appearance. i dolled up in a hurry and headed to frenchman street for music, dancing, and friendly celebrations.

MEMORIAL DAY
monday took me again to the french quarter where new-bff-amy, lance, danielle, jj, melissa, and i rendezvous-ed for exploration and adventure. a few of us got harmonicas and practiced "when the saints go marching in" as we looked over the mississip.

TUESDAY
having one more day of holiday, i spent it biking to lake pontchatrain, practicing harmonica, reading, and getting a terrible farmers' tan. with mixed emotions, i drifted off to sleep realizing that my impromptu 5-day break from ameri-work was coming to a close...