Capital, Capitol Part II

The History Department Trip to Washington, DC was an absolute blast! Once we look past the incredibly early mornings and the soggy weather that accompanied the trip, I am so glad that I went. We left Erie at 6am Thursday, and rolled into our hotel in College Park, MD around 1:30.

About 2:30, we took the Metro into Washington. This is myself, and my friends Courtney and Sarah waiting for the Red Line. After I overcame my fear that the Metro was in fact a flying metal death machine, I was able to enjoy the convenience of mass transit. It took us into DC, where we started at the Air and Space Museum.

We were able to roam about the Capital as we wished, but that night a HUGE thunderstorm hit DC! It was bad, it apparently caused a tornado outside of the District. The three of us, however, were able to skedaddle to the Jefferson Memorial to take cover. It was actually really cool, watching the storm from inside the memorial. Here's a picture of the storm:

It was nasty. Everyone on our trip was okay, but some got very, very wet and a little shaken by all the lightning and thunder.

We actually had a Mercyhurst Alumnus give us a tour of Civil War sites and of Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery. It was great getting a view of the area from someone who attended the same school we did and had the same passion for history as us. Here's a picture of us all at Fort Stevens, one of the string of Forts that defended Washington, DC during the Civil War:

Other highlights from the trip included the Confederate Soldiers' Memorial, American History Museum, and dinner in Washington's Chinatown. I also got to see the Verizon Center, home of the Washington Capitals! I'm not a Caps fan, but as a hockey fan it was kind of neat to see another team's home arena.

On our way back to Erie, we stopped at Gettysburg. The new visitors center there is AMAZING and by far one of the best museums I have ever been to, anywhere. Absolutely outstanding in every sense, the video shown to visitors made me tear up a bit. It was great seeing everything at Gettysburg.

And then dinner at the historical Jean Bonnet Tavern (where George Washington apparently once stayed) and then back to Erie by 9 or so Saturday night. It was a whirlwind tour of Washington, DC but a trip I won't soon forget, and just another great memory during my years at Mercyhurst.

And I'm savoring all these memories, because the sad truth is my time at Mercyhurst is quickly running out!

Capital, Capitol.

Capital and Capitol. These two words used to confuse me to no end when I was younger. I soon learned that both were locations, but one referred to an actual building.

This Fall break, I get to see both! You know, the Capital and the Capitol.

The Mercyhurst History Department is hosting a trip for students in certain classes over this break, and on Thursday morning we'll be leaving for our nation's capital: Washington, DC! It's one of my absolute favorite places to go and I'm incredibly stoked to get back there. And of course, we'll be swinging by the Capitol Building at some point.

It's just yet another awesome reason that I love my small school--more opportunities to take trips and get some experiential learning to augment what I learn in class. I'm going for my Public History class. So, for the past few weeks, we've been discussing Public History theory and methods, and now it will be so interesting to apply what we learn to the trip.

It's one thing to tour Washington, DC as a tourist, but I get to look at our nation's capital from a historical and critical standpoint and analyze how well our American history is presented!

I know, it sounds enthralling. Well, to a history dork anyways.

The Stressed-Out Senior

It's Sunday morning. Outside, it's cold and windy, with rain coming and going throughout the day. I've been awake since 9am, my roommates are still asleep and most likely won't get up until noon. So, this makes for a quiet morning of homework and getting caught up.

This past week, I took my GRE--the Graduate Record Exam. It's basically the same concept as the SATs we all took in high school, but this one is for admission to a graduate degree program somewhere. I've finally decided where I'll be applying! I picked for schools, two for their Public History programs and two for the Historical Preservation programs--I wanted to keep my options open, in terms of what I'd like to do and the financial situation with the schools. Come December through March, I'll be sending applications to:

University of Vermont (Burlington, VT)
University of Boston (Boston,MA)
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA)

So, in the end, I have a 50/50 shot of staying within the borders of the Keystone State. What can I say? Pennsylvania has grown on me. I've definitely fallen a little bit for Pittsburgh and Erie, I'll miss Erie when I finally leave in May. It's hard to believe that this is my last year at the 'Hurst. I'm already missing Mercyhurst and I haven't even graduated yet!

Speaking of, I signed and turned in my Declaration of Graduation last week. Talk about a reality check. Graduation is coming, and there's nothing I can do to stop it!

Well, I guess failing all of my classes in an option, but I'd much rather not, haha.

I'm sorry my posts have been a bit sparse this term so far, but I've been crazy busy! In addition to my three classes (American Revolution, Intro to Public History, and Museum Studies), I've been studying for my GRE, working my two jobs (at the local Old Navy store, and as the workstudy for the Mercyhurst History Department), running the Mercyhurst History Club, co-chairing the Communications Committee for the Ambassadors Club (which is the committee responsible for this blogging project of ours, by the way), and of course keeping up with my friends!

One of the key things about college is you absolutely, positively have to balance work and play--otherwise, you'll find yourself not loving college at all. And you'll also lose your mind. Sometimes both. This term so far has been rapidly passing, one thing after another. Winter term and beyond seems to be a little easier--hopefully I can take a deep breath and start to enjoy my senior year!

But for now, work, work, work. And I am one stressed-out senior.