T-minus 1 day

There are so many people in Washington! We left the hotel late this morning to snow flurries and cold temperatures, but both quickly went away. We road the metro to the Smithsonian Station and walked up and down the Mall. There were people everywhere, and everyone has an Obama pin or hat or t-shirt, or all of the above! They were replaying yesterday's concert on the jumbo-trons and loudspeakers, but you still couldn't really get a sense of what it was like, because there must have been even more people yesterday. We walked West to the Lincoln Memorial, and it was so amazing to see the reflecting pond completely frozen over! 

We ate a quick lunch after walking back towards the capitol, and by the time we were done I couldn't feel my face! When I would speak I could only slur the words; it was like going to the dentist and getting a shot of novocain! After that we walked North, and I got to see the Navy Memorial, and the famous, and eloquent, Lone Sailor statue. After doing some shopping from the numerous nearby vendors (we now have Obama pins, hats, earmuffs, and shirts!) we got back on the metro to return to the hotel. We're getting ready right now for tonight's Delaware Ball, and we'll hopefully get lots of rest for tomorrow's big day!

At the airport

I'm now at Sacramento International Airport, waiting for my flight to Las Vegas. I will change planes there, after a layover I'm not looking forward to (I'm less than 6 months away from my 21st birthday, so no gambling for me!). From there I will board another Southwest plane to head East to DC. It's not easy to leave home today, where it's sunny and in the 60s. The forecast for DC tonight is 24 degrees, so that's what I had to dress for. Even in the airport I'm quite warm in my boots, jeans, and long sleeve shirt- and that's not including the sweater and overcoat I have to carry with me! In my bag I have earmuffs, a scarf, and gloves. I'm trying to be as prepared as I can be for what I know will be a shock to my California-girl system. 

To me cold is weather that has lows in the 30s and 40s. In DC this week, the weather will have HIGHS in the 30s and 40s- if I'm lucky. I have hand warmers, foot warmers, camis and shirts and longsleeve shirts and pullovers and snowjackets. I have boots and socks and thicker socks and long underwear. Theoretically, I'm ready. Theoretically.

I just got off the phone with my parents, who are at the Mall right now, listening to the inaugural concert. They said that Tom Hanks and Marisa Tomei spoke, and U2 performed. "It's not just an American dream, it's an Irish dream," Bono said about the inauguration. 

I've already heard about several celebrity sightings, and I'm prepared with my camera- and even my digital recorder. My goal for the week: see/meet/marry Anderson Cooper. I don't have much longer until my flight begins boarding, but I will try to add more when I get into the hotel room tonight. 

Catch you on the (freezing) flipside!

My own whistle-stop trip...

...begins in less than 12 hours. At noon today, I will be picked up by our family friend, Etta, to begin our journey to the nation's capital. Like the other 2 million people expected to make the same journey, we're traveling East to join my parents and watch the Inauguration of our 44th President. 

This will be my third trip to Washington, and each time it only gets better. The last time I was there, as a junior in high school, I could feel a buzz in the air, air that drips with importance. 

This time, I know that the buzz is going to be a palpable vibration of excitement and awe. 

It's the dawn of a new day, in more ways than one, and I'll have more soon!