Visit! All the Museums! (Washington DC - Day Two)

I swear, I'm getting a workout like none other.

I'm pretty sure I've walked a marathon since I have arrived here. I have also already misplaced my Metropass so that's fun -____-

Anyways, a recap from yesterday! I was going to blog last night but I when I finally arrived at my hotel, my body revolted and reverted me to a state of stasis.

Yesterday morning I went to, what felt like, every museum there was in Washington. I went to the National Museum of Art, the Sculpture Garden, the Smithsonian (nearly all of them), the National Archives, and God knows what else. I literally just kept walking and when I saw something that caught my eye, I stopped and went inside.

I have loads of pictures from the art museums. They're all ones that caught my attention and sparked something in me. I must say, that after being surrounded by all that art, I felt so amazingly refreshed! I was totally right in assuming that being around the results of inspirations would inspire me. Go me.

Then I was a total nerd and went to the National Archives. I'm not sure why but I knew that there was something in there that I remembered and I was totally right! I walked in and the minute I saw the sign for the "Rotunda" (which is my new favourite word btw) I remembered! I made a beeline straight there and saw the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. Now I know what you're thinking, "that's dumb, Steven. They're just documents." I would reply, "Shut up. I love it." Haha! On a similar note, I think it's interesting that I would go to visit these documents that are symbols of America when I want to move to Europe. I guess I will never understand myself or my reasonings.

Okay so after I saw the documents, I was so over everything else and left straightaway to the Smithsonian. I think it was the natural science museum. I walked in and there were children everywhere. So I swiftly made my way through the building, not stopping long anywhere. Well, that was until I saw the signs for the Hope Diamond. I headed up to it and I have to say, it was kind of worth it.
I mean, just look at that thing. It's sickeningly opulent yet I can't quit staring at it.

















So yeah, that happened. After I had seen the diamond, I left and when I walked outside I saw this guy.

 

It's a freaking real life castle in the middle of the Mall.

So naturally I went inside to see what was going on. Sadly, the exhibit inside was closed. So I walked straight through the building to the other side disappointed. :(
But I did get this shot of the beautiful garden before I left.

I guess it wasn't a total lost. (totally was)

I proceeded to try and find some lunch. I took the metro into town and when I came up from the station entrance, I saw this!

A real life protest! I had never seen one before so naturally I stopped to see what was the deal. I have no idea what they were protesting. I think it had something to do with AIDS. I just kept giggling because I thought it would only be natural for my trip to DC to include a protest. I thought for a moment about joining them but then I figured it was best not to. So I went to lunch instead at this awesome place called District of Pi! I have to say, it was one of the tastiest lunches I have had in a while. And my servers were awesome. If you ever go, make sure you're in Alex's section. She's a punky looking girl and she's awesome. She made some awesome suggestions and made sure I was taken care of.

Afterwards, I found another art museum. I think this was the Smithsonian one and it was wonderful. I also got lost in it haha! It's basically a square with a courtyard in the center and multiple entrances. I was silly and put my bag in one of their safes and it took a bit of turning about to find the right entrance. In any regard, it was a very pleasant trip. One of my favourite parts of it was finding this piano forte.

Isn't it beautiful?! This piano and I had a moment together. I really wanted to play it but, let's be real, I was not going to jail for trying to touch artwork. Although I was reprimanded for taking a picture in a "no pictures" exhibit. It was kind of funny in retrospect and I'm pretty sure I'm one of the few people that have a picture of Dolley Madison's red velvet dress.

After leaving the museum, I wandered a bit and then went back to change for the Milo Greene show! After getting to the venue, I was painfully made aware of my social awkwardness. I was literally against the wall trying to figure out what to do with my hands. Ugh. But once the show got started, I was golden. I just went to my own little place and enjoyed the bands. It was brilliant. Definitely my favourite band ever next to the Civil Wars. True story. Even their opener was awesome. I believe they were called Family of the Year. Definitely check them out.
After the show, I went and met the band. They were so nice and personable! I even chatted with Marlana about how I empathized with her. They were having technical problems and she had the face I usually have that says, "I'm completely frustrated with what's going on right now and if I feel like no one is taking this as seriously as I am." Yes. I am fluent in expressions.

Okay well this blog was much longer than I expected! I'm going to try and take it easy this morning, find some food and then head to Georgetown with my cousin! I'm so pumped!! :D

Till Next Time...

Not Your Typical Pleasure Trip...

I have decided that on this DC trip I will find inspiration.

From a recent conversation with one of my closest friends and my parents, I'm realizing very quickly how much I need some inspiration. There's just something strangling my creativity in North Carolina and I don't know what it is. Solution? Escape NC, find some inspiration and bring it back with me!

Sounds simple enough.

I'll be traversing the art galleries today; taking pictures and simply observing when I can. I'm hoping that the results of other people's inspiration sparks something within me that will encourage me to up my own creativity and start writing again.

It seems to be working already because I'm doing two blog posts back to back! Yay for progress!

I'll also be looking around at places that people don't usually go to for inspiration. I don't know what those places are but I'll wander around until I find it. (Safely of course. No worries, family!) Oh and people! I'm beginning to notice that while people annoy me the majority of the time, at a glance, they can inspire me. Not just talking to them but just watching them (in a non-creepy sort of way). I'm inspired a lot by fashion and the way people dress. My thoughts are, "what was going through their brain when they put that on?" whether good or bad.

I'm super pumped about this and I'm excited that this isn't just a vacation but a chance to continue forward with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of being.

So yeah, I just thought I'd jot down a note whilst I sit in this rather warm Starbucks sipping hot coffee (mistake) and munching on this blueberry muffin.

I'll keep you posted!

Till Next Time...

"Ask, and it will be giving to you: seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 

National Monu-mania...(Washington, D.C. Day One)

Okay! So in case you don't follow me on any of my social media anythings, you don't know that I am in our nation's capitol! Our nation being the United States and our capitol being Washington, D.C.

It's only been the first day and already I've gotten lost...three times. Thank God I have an iPhone and that there is a Starbucks on every corner because I don't think I would be typing this right now. Anyways, I'll start from the beginning and work my way through the day.

I took the train to D.C. which was a very good decision. There was not a peep on the train. It was wonderful. I was able to get a fair amount of reading done and observe the trees/bodies of water of our country.

Water and trees...

Water and more trees...

When the announcement came overhead that we were close to D.C. I was over the moon. 

Happy Steven...?

Clearly I was excited and I managed to get a picture of the first glance of D.C.

'MERICA!

After the madness of dashing through the train station, finding the metro, getting to the hotel and getting settled, I managed to find the nearest coffee headquarters.

Starbucks-ing...like a BOSS...never saying that again...

Then it was exploring time! Now the thing I'm noticing about D.C. is that you can literally walk down a random street, turn a corner and run into a national monument. No kidding. It happened to me. See?

Le Washington Monument

And then again.

That's the J. Edgar Hoover Building BTW

                                                              And again.

Ford's Theatre aka the place Lincoln was shot

And again!

La Casa Blanco (The White House)

 Hello White House, nice to see you. 

It's kind of awesome!

So yeah, that has been my day. I'm excited to see what the rest has in store.
Oh! And I'm staying in an awesome hostel in Dupont Circle which is in the historical part of D.C. and it's wonderful. The guys in my room are surprisingly normal and friendly! Yay for no crazies! :)

Till Next Time...

The Dull Overtaking...

Goodness...have I gotten boring?

This is a question I have constantly asked myself but today it came right in front of my face and sat its little self down.

Do I just play things safe?

Am I not a risk taker?

These are the questions I have been asking myself since this was brought to my face, by a person actually. They didn't call me boring because, really, in my mental state I probably would have cried. Just being real. Today was not a peachy day emotionally. But they kind of alluded that I pretty much play things safe. I have taken a seat on the bench of political correctness that I previously dreaded.

Have I really become boring?

Looking back over my posts I realised that I wanted to do a lot of things this summer:

I wanted to go to Europe.
I wanted to read more.
I wanted to elevate my style.
I wanted to elevate my writing abilities.
I wanted to play more music.

So many things and I have done nothing.

What lame-sauce is this?

It's kind of sad.

When did this happen?

I'm not sure the answer to that question but all I know is that it happened and it probably explains why I've been so unhappy lately. Deep inside my heart is a man who wants to adventure to places he's never been and take risks but lately he's been tied up and taken over by this really dull person honestly. I don't want to be the person that just goes to work and school and does nothing else. That is not the kind of person I want to be.

I want to be a person that says he's going to do something and does it; throwing caution to the wind and having his heart thrum a bit. There's no place for a boring Steven in this world. At least in my eyes.

Starting now, I refuse to be unhappy. I will do things that require a bit of heart thrumming. Now I'm not going to be stupid and go jumping off of cliffs but I will not be resigned to living a humdrum life. No sir.

What that may entail? I have no idea but I'm sure I'll find it. :)

If you have any suggestions, please send them to me! I welcome any input.

In other news, we're a month away from the launch of LifeCity!! It's kind of nerve-wracking. In a good way, I mean. ;)

It's also a month away from my 21st birthday...and the beginning of school. How convenient. Hahaha! I'm sure everything will be great even though the semester starts on my birthday. What kind of timing is that?!

Anyways, continue to pray for my car situation. I'm not worrying but with a month left before school with no prospects, it's not looking very good. However, I'm trusting God. He's got things under control. I don't know what's going on beyond what my eyes can see but I'm assured that it's working for my good. :)

Till Next Time...

P.S. I'm going to start spicing up the blog! I'm still going to be posting about my life and thoughts but I've been thinking about reviewing things or talking about things I love (music, food, etc.)! It will start with my impending trip to DC! Look for pictures and such. ;)