Crazy, Lazy, and AMAZING Day - In that order!

Today started out very well. I got up early enough to exercise and take a warm shower before our first briefing at 9:30, and I really, really enjoyed the speaker, Gordon Flake. He is LDS and works as a political analyist; his speciality is Asian countries, and he’s particularly knowledgeable about Korea, having served his mission there and lived there and stuff. He talked to us about the history of Korea (which was FASCINATING! MUCH more exciting than the loooooong article we had to read—which, incidentally, was written by him as well) and told us in a very cheerful pepped-up voice about how North Korea had basically crossed every red line, violated every agreement, and lied at every turn, AND gotten away with it! I was pretty nervous by the end of his speech—what are we gonna do now to save ourselves from North Korea, guys!?!?—but he himself was very cheerful and energetic throughout the whole thing. He cracked a lot of jokes (“People ask what I do in my job, and I tell them what my kids tell me—I go to a lot of meetings and talk a lot”) and was so knowledgeable and, unlike last week’s first speaker, had a good spirit of enthusiasm about being a Latter-day Saint involved in politics. I found myself wanting to become a Korean major, an Asian historian, and a politician all at once after his speech... Or at least marry one, y’know.

We had class right after the briefing; it was all about the Arab-Israeli crisis and how we had all grown up hearing only the pro-Israel side and how many Palestinians were dying and it’s all the United States’ fault for not doing enough and so on. I had difficulty following along with Professor Bowen’s charts and rapid historical account, but I’m not sure how much of it was due to the late hour, her fast talking, or the fact that I had had nothing but an orange for breakfast. Sigh! We went well over the hour, cutting our break between class and the time we had to leave to get to the building where our final briefing of the day would be held. Grrrr. I had only enough time to eat a bagel before we rushed off to the AIPAC building (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) where we would get our second briefing, from a pro-Israel standpoint (well, duh. Did I really think she was going to bring in an anti-Israel Washington D.C. person to talk to us...?). Professor Bowen was very serious about warning us to be on our guard, and think neither of AIPAC leaders as “The Messiah” or as “The Devil.” Feeling confused, but wanting to be safe, I decided to think of them just as regular people. I hope that was okay.

The briefing was rather one-sided and predictable, as we expected. The lady who addressed us was the campus outreach director for AIPAC, and had actually visited BYU several times and worked with people from BYU before, so she knew a lot about us and was very positive about the church. Interesting tid-bit: She has Israeli heritage (and still has family living in Israel), but was born in South Africa, and grew up in Georgia and graduated from UGA! Neat, huh? She was very friendly and nice and pretty knowledgeable about what she does and what the company does, but she was very careful to stay out of any controversial issues and make it clear that AIPAC was only interested in making sure the United States and Israel had a “good, strong, healthy” relationship. Which means lobbying for foreign aid, education, money, etc. Pretty anti-climactic. I asked her if it was difficult to get Republicans and Democrats to work together in deciding what to do about the United States-Israel “relationship,” and she responded in about two minutes, basically just saying, “No, it isn’t.” (This is quite an impressive talent, by the by—saying a lot while saying little. Given the length of my entries here, I seem to be lacking in this area...he he he).

I neglected to mention that we took a bus to get to AIPAC. It was the first bus I’ve taken here, unless you count the Kennedy Center bus that just goes from the Metro to the KC and back, and I rather enjoyed the ride. It was nice to see the city rather than the dark, shady tunnels of the Metro for once, and I got a good feel for where AIPAC was in relation to other places (it’s just a few blocks north from where I work). Unfortunately, it was also kind of hot and stuffy, which would have been fine if I wasn’t all dressed up for winter. Today was definitely the warmest day I’ve seen in D.C. so far! It’s supposed to get cold again in a day or so, but the warmth was kind of nice, especially since I’m still trying to recover from that sort-of-sore-throat. Oh, and ESPECIALLY since as of this evening, we no longer have hot water. Farewell my warm morning shower, how I miss thee already! Valerie and I will both probably be heading to the gym tomorrow to shower and hopefully exercise. I rubbed some more blisterish things on my feet from walking a few miles (I walked home from AIPAC rather than catch the bus; it took about 45 min) in my hose and boots, and Valerie’s Achilles’ tendons have been hurting, so we’re both a little footsore right now. Maybe the exercise bike would be the best option!?

Also, the AIPAC building had absolutely no signs outside whatsoever, and nothing to indicate that it WAS indeed the correct building. Inside they told us this was for security purposes (so I guess the US-Israel relationship actually does still have a few kinks in it!). Also for security, we had to pass all of our stuff through the metal detector; honestly, I’ve never had to go through so many metal detectors in my life as here in D.C.! The Washington Monument, the Museum of American History, the Holocaust Museum, the Senate building, AIPAC... On the plus side, I’ve become pretty quick at taking everything out of my pockets and putting it back again. We also had to be “escorted” up to the 7th floor and back down again, via elevator. I noted that everyone there seemed to be observing “Casual Friday” in their dress; either that or it’s okay now to wear jeans to work!?!? Oh, and the bellboy person who took us up was wearing one of those Jewish skullcaps, along with his casual clothes and stuff. Pretty neat!

So after the briefing (which was in a HUGE conference room with a nice view of the U.S. Capitol outside; a lot of people took pictures, but I had unfortunately left my camera behind again...), they served us all drinks (Sprite—yum. Oh, and that was my lunch—tada!) and escorted us down. We split up pretty soon, some to take the Metro, some to wait for a bus, and some to walk whithersoever they desired. I joined the group heading for the Barlow Center, and made it in roughly 45 minutes, taking my usual work route for part of the way.

Back at home, it was about 3:30, and I figured it would be pointless to try to rush and see a museum when they all close at 5:00 or 5:30, so I just ate lunch, took a nap, and went shopping.

Skip to the AMAZING part! Due to the kindness of one of Val’s coworkers, Valerie and I had free tickets to the National Symphony Orchestra, featuring pianist Yundi Li, at the Kennedy Center. We went and our tickets ended up being FOUR ROWS away from the stage!!!!!!!!!! And that’s not all, we were DEAD CENTER in the MIDDLE SECTION on the FLOOR!!!!!!!!!!! I had only ever been on the third balcony in any stage in the Kennedy Center, so this was a rare and remarkable privilege. I had to look up at the balcony a lot because I knew the chances of me getting this perspective again were slim. One of the fun moments came at the end when we applauded (like for 5 minutes, as the conductor had to walk out and in again about 3 times) and I could turn my head and HEAR the applause echoing from around the room! Really incredible.

As for the concert itself, wwwwwhuh-owwwwww. The orchestra was really beautiful; I never heard a mistake, and was very impressed at their sharp technique and concentration. We were so low down in the audience that it was hard to see anything other than the groups of violinists and bass players (I never saw the brass or the drums, but I heard them! I heard them! ~name that movie...), but we REALLY saw these performers: I could see faces, facial expressions, every turn page, every grimace, and little details, like the cloth that the first violinist (who was by far the most eye-catching figure; she was apparently a “second-in-command” to the conductor) used to cushion her violin between her shoulder and chin, and the different ways that they held their bows at rest. I also had a pretty good view of the guy who played the cymbals, which was nice after the first startling “crash,” because I could turn to watch him and prepare myself for the next loud noises. By the way, this is common sense, but the closer you are to the stage, THE LOUDER EVERYTHING IS. My ears were a little overworked by the end of it all, and I can only imagine how the players themselves cope!

The pianist, Yundi Li, was definitely the highlight of the night. There were three main numbers (the final was a selection of pieces from Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, which was most recognizable), and he played throughout the second, accompanied by the orchestra. He was basically perfect. No music to look at, nothing. And he never missed a note. And he played at maybe the speed of light. It was in-cred-uh-bull. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself, honestly. And with the low vantage point, I didn’t get to see his fingers very well (though I saw all the weird things he was doing with his face while he played; he grimaced a lot and would shake his head sometimes), so I’m still not entirely convinced that it wasn’t rigged. Or a miracle or SOMETHING. I was kind of sad he never came back after the final number, which is when we all did our “standing ovation” custom, because if anyone deserved a standing ovation, he did. He just bowed his two or three times (we did clap long enough to keep him running back—yeah!) and then vanished. The program said he would be signing CDs in the hall that evening, but I never saw him, soo.... farewell to the mysteriously marvelous piano man. Oh, and after witnessing such an incredible performance (sorry—I know I keep over-using that adjective), I’m not sure if I’m feeling inspired to practice the piano more, or just overwhelmed enough to give it up entirely. Kind of like how the Don Quixote ballet made me pine obsessively after acquiring the Baryshnikov film version, while loathing even the memories I have of pointe shoes. Any thoughts on this dichotomy?

Well, just a few more things to say before I wrap it up for the night:

1. I got the “food” package from Mama and Dad on Thursday. Thanks so much! And Mama, seeing your handwriting on the package made me homesick...I love you!

2. I haven’t called BYU yet, but will try to do so tomorrow, or Monday if they aren’t open. Thanks for trying, Dad!

3. I am uncontrollably and unconditionally in love with the Barnes & Nobles in Georgetown. Yesterday, I walked in, sat down, and read The Hunger Games for over an hour in a quiet spot in the kids’ section. It was seriously the highlight of my entire day... Oh, and the book is really rather interesting. I would recommend it :)

4. I have fallen to the dark side. Having loathed caramel and ice cream combos for years, I was utterly shocked and appalled to find myself consuming and ENJOYING the formerly alien brand of “Caramel Vanilla Delight” ice cream served to us at Institute. To those of you who know my detestation for caramel (it’s nearly as fierce as my loathing for mint, mushroom soup, and “broccoli breath”) and are shaking your heads in shock right now, I am just as confused and anxious about this as you. You might want to start repenting, as the end of the world is surely near.

5. I promise the pictures will come. But if not...will you still comment?