"A Day of Good Deeds"

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

Postal Museum 

William Shakespeare says it best, doesn’t he? I don’t know about you, but I’ve always had a soft spot for good deeds, whether bestowed or received. I love the feeling I get when blessings are in the air, and thanks to Ms. Anna, we were able to feel it all day on the last MJ. Yep, that’s right! We had a day full of good deeds, and I sure wasn’t complaining!

Lol, sike, please guys, ease up! Y’all expect so much from me! I live in the first world, of course I complain!  Anyway, back to the journey. We arrived at our first stop, the Postal Museum at 10am! Did you even know the Smithsonian series had a museum dedicated to the history of mail!? I just learned this in February.  It officially opened as a museum July 30, 1993. Before a museum, this building served as the Washington D.C. post office from 1914-1986.  Get this: the museum is 100,000 square feet and only 35,000 square feet is dedicated to the exhibit space.  6,000 square feet of the space is dedicated to the research library, while further space includes a stamp store and a museum shop.  The floor level of the space features three suspended airmail planes, two mail trucks, a model train, and the front of an 18 wheeler truck! Hands- on is this museum’s middle name! The galleries on this floor tell the story of the history of mail in America. My favorite exhibit was the story of the well known U.S. Route 1 (US1), which runs from Maine to Florida, making it the longest north-south route in the United States.  It was formally an Indian trail, but people were looking for a faster way to get from New York to Massachusetts to deliver mail, so a man decided that he would explore this trail and leave slash marks on the trees for others to follow him in the future.  Well, he eventually found a way to the end safely, more people followed his footsteps, the trail became more popular, and it eventually became a major US highway! The end! I found this especially enthralling because I live on the east coast, and I have traveled Route 1 numerous times, so it was awesome to learn about it! It also included a “model route,” which was kind of like a forest that you walked through while following a path.  On the way to the end of the path, you could read the different plaques posted on the fake trees, so it was like you were exploring the beginnings of Route 1!

Curtis and our group! 

Spider press 

I also enjoyed reading about the different kinds of stamps and how they’ve been created throughout the years.  At one time, they were created on a device called a Spider Press, which used intaglio printing. (printing using an engraved plate.) It’s called a spider press because the wheel which pushes the plate and paper through the press consists of extremely long spokes that stick out like spider legs!  When this type of printing was used, there were very little to no mistakes ever. It was rare.  One famous mistake though is the upside down airplane.  This vintage rarity is extremely prominent and is now auctioned off every couple of years for major amounts of money. 

After the postal museum, we walked to Eastern Market, and this is where the good deeds came in! We brought a total of 21 lunches, which consisted of peanut butter and jellies, apple sauces, cookies, and chips and we handed them out to random people on the street! It was so much fun! The smiles on the people’s faces actually made me smile! It was so great to be reminded how such little things have huge impacts and effects on people’s days.  The conversation we had with some of the individuals was inspiring; especially the guy named Curtis! When we gave him his lunch, he says, “YES! Now y’all den saved me some money! I don’t hafta buy lunch now!” He worked at Eastern Market.  He was so fun to talk to, and he told us to come back to visit him.  We even were able to pray with him, which was very stirring.  When we gave out the lunches, we expected to make other people’s day, but actually for me I was touched and blessed, and I really enjoyed being able to make a difference  by doing something so small. 

Before heading to Eastern Market, we went to Capitol Hill Bookstore.  If you want to learn more about Eastern Market or Capitol Hill Bookstore, visit my former blog!  This time, we got to meet the owner at Capitol Hill Bookstore.  Let me tell y’all something; this man….was… hmm….he was…blunt? Let’s just say he was the definition of an old man with no filter.  Although I enjoyed talking to him, his manners were a little rusty, and I can see why some people don’t think he’s super agreeable. But hey! Because of him, I now know what “kick the can” means! Jim Toole, the owner, explained to us why his bookstore was in such danger.  Since his store is a used bookstore and not a NEW bookstore (whenever he said new he emphasized it like he was talking to little kids. sort of like “N-UUUUUU!” it was really annoying, but I enjoyed watching his lips curl up and his dentures come out of place whenever he said it.), it struggles and has a hard time competing with the NEW bookstores because publishers do not give him their books, but instead he has to find different used books from around the country to sell at his store.  Since a lot of people don’t really use used books, he has a hard time finding customers, and since Washington DC is developing, the property taxes rise, making it hard to afford the outrageous prices.  Ser brought up a good point when he said that sites like Capitol Hill Books provides and offers DC with the traits of culture and authenticity, so you would think more people would be helping to keep the store in business, but as the man said, “it’s always about money.”  If you can’t keep up with the Joneses, then you’re out.

vendor at Eastern Market 

Right across the street from the bookstore, sits Eastern Market. Before we went there, we met a guitarist, and he let us sing with him! Eliza-Jane apparently killed it as always!  Anyway, when we arrived at Eastern Market, it was pretty empty, which was weird because of how it is described on the weekends! If you want to want to know a little more about Eastern Market, check out my previous blog from the last time we visited there! It’s a good sized building with an aisle in the middle making a narrow hallway. Lined up on both walls on either side of the inside of building are different vendors selling cheeses, meats, vegetables, and many more types of food!  I think they sell more than just food because remember that guy Curtis? He told us he worked on the flower truck.  There’s even a lunch and breakfast place there that made crab cakes, burger, fries, pancakes, which smelled heavenly! At the end of the first room, there’s an open space where I suppose is a common place for nannies and their little children.  I don’t know if you know this, but, come closer, it’s a secret… closer…closer… *cups her hands around your ear* *whispers*… I love little children. (Now you understand why I don’t go yelling that around. It sounds preeetty creepy. I know.)  I want six of them when I get married, so as you can imagine, I was in heaven! They were just running around laughing, crying, screaming, and being cute.  It was a great place for me to eat lunch; however, I don’t know about how my class felt about it.

After lunch, we went to the Eastern Market Metro Station to street perform.  At first, we weren’t getting much attention.  Note to self: next time bring a sign explaining who we are. Ser was actually our hero this time! Thanks to him, we reached our goal of $40 because he used his charisma and charm and stopped people on the street to explain our organization and why we were singing.  You’re also probably wondering why we just randomly started to street perform. Well! If you must How you ask? Well! The money we made singing, we got to give to any random person we chose! Who did we give it to, you ask? The guitarist we met before, of course! It was the best feeling in the world to see him smile!

While talking to my mom about the day on the ride home, it really hit me how much a deed so small can have such an impact on not only the recipient but also the giver. Although I’m a typical first world child, and one of the reasons I may complain is needing to get the TV remote after I got comfortable, this experience, as well as many others in my life, really reminds me of just how blessed I am that I only have daily minute issues like seeing hair on the soap. I should appreciate my blessings more as well as share them and bless others.  This MJ was delightfully impacting.  Until next time, my loyal readers. 

Trip to the Newseum!

How do you tour Washington DC, and NOT go to the museum? It's pretty complicated. Well, as much as I love challenges, that's one challenge my class and I definitely avoid. What is the Newseum, you ask? I'll let you in on that a little later. For the time being, I gotta question! How come I go on Metro Journeys but have never explained the DC Metro System? Hmmm? HMMMM? Well, no longer do you all have to live in ignorance for I, Jocelyn Richards, have the information to ALL....er....MOST.... er.... THIS specific subject matter!


I don't know if you have a metro system in your area, but the metro system in parts of MD, and VA, as well as all of Washington, DC is a form of public transportation consisting of buses and trains. Although this is the case, normally when people say "the metro" they are referring to the trains.  Only a baby, the metro system only opened in 1976 with only about four lines, 4.6 miles of track and 5 stops.  Interviews from a credible source, (aka thanks, mom) finds that even though the metro system was not as busy as it is today, she took advantage of it because it allowed her and her friends, who weren't able to drive at the time, to navigate throughout MD and DC much faster.  In addition, even when she was older and could drive, she took advantage of the metro because her job was right in DC, so it was not only convenient, but it saved gas money too!  Over the course of only 39 years, 4.6 miles turned into 117 miles, five stations turned into 91 stations, and only one line turned into now six; red, blue, orange, silver, green, and yellow.
Many metro stations were designed by Chicago architect, Mr. Harry Weese and model examples of late 20th century architecture, but the ceilings are an example of Washington DC's neoclassical architecture with its arching ceiling vaults.  As a matter of fact, it was voted number 106 on the "America's Favorite Architecture."
Over 19 million trips are taken via the metro per week, so you can find many different opinions and views from millions of people all going on their own unique journeys each day. You never know what you'll hear and find if you take the time and stop someone, so that is exactly what we did.  During the small interviews my class conducted with random metro riders, we encountered many different ideologies about the metro from people near and far.  Many people loved the convenience of the metro! One lady said since she would change how slippery the floors were. (hmm, never thought about that!) One man from New York mentioned that the metro trains were very easy and not crowded at all during rush hour, but another woman mentioned how she believed they were dangerously crowded during the metro rush hours.  According another man, he's always hated how you have to swipe twice to get in and out. In New York, you only have to swipe once. He thinks the extra swipe makes the exits more crowded.

Who would've thought people think about this, huh? Reporters should have a segment at the metro, don't you think? Maybe it'll be so legendary, it'll make it into the Newseum! AUH, AUH! See what I did there? The Newseum is an interactive museum full of everything news and journalism related. First located in Arlington, VA,its doors on Pennsylvania Ave. in 2008 and received, as well as are still receiving, outstanding reviews from millions of educators, media professionals, and hundreds of thousands of visitors worldwide. Consisting of 6 floors and 23 exhibits, the Newseum is definitely not a drop in museum.  Using a full five hours, my class and I explored and discovered the secrets the Newseum had to offer. After touring the 23 exhibits, it was hard choosing which exhibits were my favorite, but I did manage to make a top three.  










Number 3: The FBI Exhibit 

Model of Unabombers home 

Located in the ABC changing gallery, this exhibit is up until July 6, 2015.  With 200 artifacts, photographs, newspapers, and historic displays, this exhibit was extremely enthralling. It effectively displays the relationship between the FBI and news media. There's even a model of the house the "unabomber" lived in.










Number 2: NBC News Interactive Newsroom 
Here, you can become a reporter! This exhibit provides a hands-on way to become a news reporter.  We had so much fun here! We recorded many videos, and we even made up our own script instead of using the ones provided on the teleprompter. Victoria, Eliza-Jane, and I made LIVE coverage of our own MJ "right in front of the Newseum!"

Number 1: 9/11 Gallery Sponsored by Comcast 
This gallery explores the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon as well as the testimonies of journalists, who reported on the Nation's most tragic and remembered day in history.  


There's a touchscreen interactive where you can write messages that later are projected on a wall, so others can read! In the middle of the whole exhibit stands the top of the World Trade Center to remind everyone who visits that exhibit of the struggle America faced on September 11, 2001.

A note displayed on the wall! 

Just like the video "Elorilyn," the reporter, made for you, I encourage you to visit the museum in your free time. You will not be disappointed.  I've been to this museum twice before, and it still continues to enthrall me. It just doesn't get old. Although this MJ does seem like a short day compared to the others, it definitely was not. My class and I obtained so much information and had an awesome time! Well, until next time, my loyal readers!

because silly is who we are...

"DON'T DELAY THE FUN OF THIS DAY"

“Thanks, Bob, hello all! Thank you for tuning in! My name is Savannah Beats with FOGG45 News, and I am here LIVE reporting from Eastern Market Metro station where our guests of honor will make their appearance any second now. Bob, what do you think these homeschool students have in store for us today concerning their picture scavenger hunt visit to the Library of Congress as well as the Navy Yard?”

  “Well Savannah, you never can tell. They are definitely unpredictable.  I did get an inside interview with worried parents, and the research did start off to a slow start.  Now, they do know where to go, but their planning might be slightly lacking. I do not know if they are ready to meet the requirements before 3:45, which is when they have to meet back at our station’s headquarters for their Metro Journey meeting, but as I said before, they are definitely unpredictable, and I am looking forward to any surprises they have in store for us today.”

“Thanks Bob! Well, like I mentioned before, they are visiting Eastern Market. Yum is all I can think of! For those of you tuning in nationally, let me let you in on this Nation’s Capitol’s little secret! Eastern Market, a public market, is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC on 7^th street SE.  Pierre L’Enfant, one of the designers of Washington DC, included 3 markets on the city’s floor plan, Central Market, Eastern Market, and Western Market.  In 1805, Thomas Jefferson proclaimed that Eastern Market would be set up on 7^th street near the Navy Yard. Well, we all know of the multiple attacks of the British in the 1800s, so in 1814 it received intense fire damage. While it was repaired and remained active until the Civil War, during the war farmers set up their own market on the opposite side of the Anacostia River, and the original market building was literally abandoned.”

“That’s crazy, Savannah! I’ve been to the Eastern Market recently and did not know this history! The building doesn’t look for a second that it had been abandoned. “

“That’s what’s so amazing, Bob! The current market was designed by Adolf Cluss and served as a public market from 1873-2007.  Unfortunately due to local grocery store chains’ competition and a decline in neighborhood investment, the market almost closed in 2007, but local residents fought to keep it open and revitalize the neighborhood, so Eastern Market continues to thrive as a local farmers’ market.”

“Oh, I know about the farmers’ market. That’s the reason I went up five sizes in my pants.  Don’t be shy, Savannah, we all know I was getting a little hefty.  I go there every weekend to eat.  The food is divine! Fresh meats, baked goods, as well as cheeses are sold inside the building but along the streets in little tents, are fresh produce.  This is also where local artisans and antique dealers sell their goods on the weekends.”

“You are correct, Bob! Well, while we are still waiting….wait…what was that? I am getting information that the eagles have landed, I repeat, the eagles have landed. Are you getting this? They are coming up the escalator now. Get the escalators, Bill, come on! There they are! Look at them. Wow! Intelligent, attractive, majestic, and sacred even and I get the chance to interview them! Eliza-Jane! Excuse me, Eliza- Jane!”

“Yes?”

“Hi, my name is Savannah Beats from FOGG45 news, and I will be covering your Metro Journey today, and may I just say that your scarf compliments your jacket beautifully!”

“Why, thank you!”

“I just want to know how you feel about today as a whole? How do you think your research is going? What are your thoughts for your blog? What do you think the meeting at headquarters will be about?”

“Honestly, Savannah, the walking is what I am not excited for. It is entirely too cold for this! My lips are already chapped, and I just exited the station! Where’s my chap stick? Summer, where’d you put it? I’m probably most excited for the bookstore.  While reading isn’t my favorite thing in the entire world, if there is a fantastic book, I can curl up the entire day. My blog will be same old, same old, but I’m sure that method will be reprimanded at tonight’s meeting.  The Lord of Blogs always uses me for her example.”

“Thank you, Eliza-Jane. Victoria, do you have any thoughts?”

“Hi, Savannah, as much as I would love to input, we are running about a half an hour late and can’t afford to waste anymore time. You might be able to catch up to us at lunch.”

“No problem, Victoria. Thanks! They are off! Come on, Bill, let’s catch up to Ser…hello, Ser! It looks like a few people are missing. Not all of you are present today.”

“Yes, we are missing a few faces. Jameel won’t be joining us any longer and Nadia as well as Sade were not able to make it today.”

“Oh, that’s unfortunate, but maybe this is an opportunity for fresh faces to join this class! As for Nadia and Sade, they can hopefully join us next time! What are you all’s plans for today? I understand you all are going on a picture scavenger hunt?”

“That is correct, Savannah! We actually are stopping here at the CVS to get one of the pictures!”

“BILL! WALK FASTER! That’s great, Ser! OOO! They split up in the CVS! Will this affect their ‘Unity is key’ factor?”

“Guys! I found it!”
            “Oh great, there’s Victoria signaling from the aisle across from the cash register! They found the…Bill, are you getting this?...they found the Valentine’s Day aisle, and they just took a picture! Aren’t they perfect?! OH! What’s this?! Jocelyn’s asking a lady to take their picture with the candy! Oooooo, rejected.

“Come on guys, let’s buy our candy somewhere else!”

“Eliza-Jane tries to make her feel bad, and they all walk out. They’re trying to make a statement. Wait, where’s Grant? Looks like he didn’t get the memo, he’s buying juicy fruit. They weren’t all in on the loop, I guess. Where is your next assignment, Summer?”

“Well, we’re going to try to stop a stranger. Jocelyn made a cool sign that says ‘Yay’ so it would accomplish another picture!”

“Okay, so now we wait, I guess, but not without being productive! Ser and Victoria are doing ballet to accomplish another picture on the list!" 

"If we look over here, Jocelyn is in the process of stopping a stranger! Will she be rejected once again? Oh, no, great! They are willing to take the picture! She poses! Weren’t they sweet? The man had beautiful eyes also! That’s always a plus!”  

With a lunch tray! 

a digital display 

charcoal gray 

cafe 

People running away 

“Next we journey to the Capitol Bookstore! You can tell by how they are walking how tired they are. Maybe they should have a team exercise on off Tuesdays. Too bad Ser lives in PA, right? Let’s tune back in with Bob at headquarters to see where The Lord of The Blogs is with the surprise, Bob?”

“Hi, Savannah! I’m here from Beltsville, and boy do these students have a treat waiting for them! They are clueless! It smells gloriously scrumptious! Looks like my pant’s size is going up a few more today!”

“Well, um, that’s, uh….great!  It might go up a few sizes more because treats might not be in these students’ futures. They did not do their research properly, and the Capitol Hill Bookstore is closed, so there will be no exploring today! The Lord of Blogs will definitely not be happy with them. Doesn’t mean viewers can’t get a little history, does it?  Let’s introduce you to a guy named Bill Ker, who worked at Wayward Books.  He would take his pay in books, and then later on used these books to open Capitol Hill Bookstore when Wayward closed down and moved to Maine.  He lived upstairs in his new bookstore and worked downstairs while continuing to maintain a job at The Washington Post.  At 58, he died right in the store of a heart attack, and his sister sold the store to the present owner, Jim Toole, in 1995. This bookstore is a quaint used bookstore located on Capitol Hill. The store expanded to the second floor making it two compact cozy floors, which are filled with used, rare, and first-edition books.  Jocelyn how do you like this bookstore while looking at it from the outside?”

“It really looks super comfy and cozy! They even give away free books outside, so that’s always convenient! I got Devil Wears Prada and Gossip Girl to read in my free time.”

“Free books are great! What about you, Ser? Would you come back?”

“I definitely would. There’s a glass window in the front of the store, and you can’t see inside.  You know why? It’s filled to the top with books. I would without a doubt want to explore inside.”

“Thanks, Ser! Now we’re stopping for lunch at this cute Starbucks located on Capitol Hill with a little nook upstairs! We’ll return in about an hour with live coverage at the Library of Congress. Stay tuned!”

Thomas Jefferson's Library 

“And we’re back! Hello, everyone! Once again, my name is Savannah Beats with FOGG45 News and I am reporting LIVE at the Library of Congress while the children are on a tour. This national library has three buildings located in Washington, DC, and we are in the Jefferson Building.  While we’re waiting for them to return from their tour, we can learn something about this place, right? This Library was established in 1800 when President John Adams signed a bill for the Nation’s Capitol to move from Philadelphia to Washington, DC.  The Library initially only contained books that were only used by Congress, and they were kept in the Capitol building.  Remember the British’s fire party in 1814? Not only did it affect Eastern Market, but it started at the Capitol.  Unfortunately, the British didn’t have any fire starter, so what do you think they used as lumber? The books, of course!  Thankfully, within a month, Thomas Jefferson offered his personal library as a replacement.  At first, Congress was skeptical because his library consisted of books categorized in subjects they didn’t need, but eventually the idea grew on them, and they accepted Jefferson’s 50 year collection of books. Oh, look! Here they come! Summer, excuse me, Summer? After taking the tour, what are you most excited for? Would you come back?”

“I definitely would LOVE to come back. I can’t wait until I turn 16 because I can get a research card, and come back to explore the nooks and crannies of the library! I really enjoyed how the walls covered in books. They not only have research books, but also they have comics! Our tour guide kept mentioning how humongous their baseball section is! She even mentioned private tours I can schedule, so I really want to take advantage of that!”

“You seem very excited about this library, huh, Summer?”

“Very much so, Savannah!”

“Thanks, Summer! Grant, hi! Where are we going next?”

“We are going to head east to 8^th street, Barracks Row towards the Navy Yard!”

“I know the history of Barracks Row very well! Located eight blocks east of the US Capitol, it has enhanced historic 8^th Street, S.E., and revitalized its commercial business community.  It stretches from Pennsylvania Ave. S.E. to M Street, S.E. (Navy Yard) Thomas Jefferson (he’s very prominent in this Metro Journey, isn’t he?) selected the sight for the Marine Corps to protect the Navy Yard and the Capitol.  After WWII, jobs were lost and neighborhoods around DC began to erode, including Barracks Row.  Also, the assassination of MLKjr. caused several buildings to be damaged causing shop owners to abandon this street, never to return. Although these catastrophes threatened to cause Barracks Row’s shut down, in the 1990s this street was reborn and is now an awesome strip that is worth visiting! As we are nearing the end of this street, we see the Navy Yard, but before we visit there, let’s take a picture with Mr. Tony! Yep, that’s right! We ran into Jocelyn’s dad!”

Now, last but not least, The Navy Yard! The Navy Yard, one of the oldest military installations n the nation, has about 16,000 employees. The workforce includes Navy and Marine Corps uniformed personnel but is predominately made up of civilians, among them Navy contractors, engineers, lawyers and procurement officials.  The land was purchased July 23, 1798, with two additional lots being purchased in 1801. The Washington Navy Yard was established on 2 October 1799, the date the property was transferred to the Navy. The yard was built under the direction of Benjamin Stoddert, the first Secretary of the Navy, under the supervision of the yard's first commandant, Commodore Thomas Tingey, who would serve in that capacity for 29 years.  Today the Navy Yard houses a variety of activities. It serves as headquarters, Naval District Washington, and houses numerous support activities for the fleet and aviation communities. The Navy Museum welcomes visitors to displays of naval art and artifacts which trace the Navy's history from the Revolutionary War to the present day. The Naval Historical Center is housed in a complex of buildings known as the Dudley Knox Center for Naval History. Leutze Park is the scene of colorful ceremonies. And inside the buildings, the Washington Navy Yard continues to serve the Navy and the nation.”

“So much compelling information, which means I’ve got so many notes to take for my blog!”

“I know, Victoria, I know!”

“Well, Savannah, thank you for coming to cover this story for us! We should be getting back to headquarters for our meeting!”

“No problem, Victoria! Thank you all for allowing me to accompany you on this trip! I appreciate your time, and I am sure our viewers did too! Until next time, my name is Savannah Beats with FOGG45 news, and we’re out, back to you, Bobb.”

A Hidden Gem In Our Beautiful Capital City (Discovered by You and Dora)

Hola! Soy Jocelyn! Today we’re going on an adventure! Do you like adventures? I like adventures too! Vamanos, amigos, let’s go! Where are we going? *clap clap clap* CHINATOWN! Grab your map, and let’s go! Si, se peude! This is a historical neighborhood on the eastern side of Washington DC.  They have many artifacts, events, and restaurants such as their annual Chinese New Year Parade and Kung Fu demonstrations that represent the culture of Asia. The boundari^th Street, G Street, 8^th Street, and Massachusetts Ave NW. This neighborhood used to stretch all the way to the Convention Center from 4^th to 9^th streets NW, but as occurs frequently in Washington DC, plans were changed, and Chinatown slowly decreased in size.  Although the original Chinatown is hard to find, there are still community groups in the area passionately trying to sustain their culture. Overlapping China town, the other neighborhoods you would find here are Mount Vernon Triangle and Penn Quarter. 

es of Chinatown stretch between 5

            Closely related to Chinese immigration, Chinatown history is the story of a nations experience with discrimination and a search for acceptance in American society.  As a result of the CA Gold Rush in the 1850s, many individuals in China moved to the U.S. to seek out more economic stability.  However, in the 1870s the Chinese were blamed for taking away jobs during and following the economic depression escalating into a series of exclusion acts.  Famously recognized, the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act aimed to restrict the Chinese from immigrating, owning property, and becoming citizens. 

            Well, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” so Chinese immigrants settled in closely knit areas referred to as “Chinatowns” all around Washington DC.  In the towns, the homesick Chinese could live in a world “separate” from American society where their culture was celebrated and job opportunities increased.  The first establishment was built off of Pennsylvania Ave. with 100 residents in about a dozen buildings.  Chinatown steadily expanded until 1929 when the government forcibly removed Chinatown to make room for the Federal Triangle Project, a group of government and cultural buildings.  Although 398 people were evicted from their homes, they were not discouraged and started a new Chinatown between 5^th and 7^th streets.  By 1936, 800 people were living in Chinatown providing schools, community associations, clubs, and entertainment facilities unique to their own culture. 

            In 1965, the Asian immigration act was removed, but in 1968 the violence and riots associated with America’s history caused the businesses to falter forcing many Chinese residents to move to the suburbs.  In 1976, when the metro opened it was simply named Gallery Place, adding Chinatown in 1986.  By 1977, only 20 of the former 153 original laundries were left untouched in the DC area.  Because of the Convention Center’s establishment, to preserve what was left of Chinatown, residents helped pass the Wah Luck Project, now a senior living community, at the corner of 6^th and H Streets NW. Funding was secured by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and this institution was completed in 1982.  By the late 1980s though, only 25% of business in Chinatown remained Chinese owned, continuing to spark debates about the authenticity of Chinatown having only 30 Chinese- owned businesses. 

            Fueling the argument that it is a cultural neighborhood is the Friendship Archway, constructed in 1986 and located at the intersection of 7^th and H Streets NW.  It stretches 48’ wide and stands 76’ tall and is the nation’s largest Chinese archway.  This $1 million multicolored work of art includes seven roofs up to six feet high, 7000 tiles, and 272 painted dragons in the style of Ming and Ding dynasties.  In addition to serving as a symbol of the friendship between DC and Beijing, it also is the gateway into Chinatown and a famous landmark in DC. 

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

 Heading down H Street and turning right on 6^th Street NW, you will come upon our next stop! Chinatown Express! Do you like noodles?  This authentic Chinese restaurant brings Chinese culture right to our doorstep! Incredibly, it prides itself in being a family-run restaurant for almost 25 years and serves yummy meals including individually folded dumplings, delicious roasted meats, and hand pulled noodles, which you can see crafted right in the front window! Do you know what else you can see in the front window? Tannish-yellowish dead chickens. With the heads still attached.  Cooked.  You could see the eye sockets just staring back at you and the beak screaming for mercy.  I guess I shouldn’t judge the book by its cover, but I think I’d have to be really out of it to willingly put one of those in my mouth.

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

Chinatown also incorporates other cultures as you will notice when you continue down 6^th street NW.  The German American Heritage Museum (GAHM) was opened in 2010 as the first national inspiration for German American culture.  The GAHM seeks to tell the story of German Americans and the part they played in shaping the nation today.  It is a place to come together for discussion, study, and ideas about German, Swiss, Austrian, and Slovakian Americans’ values as well as their future. 

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

            The Verizon Center is a 20,000 seat multi-purpose center, hosting sporting events, concerts, and huge gatherings year round.  In its past, the Verizon Center has hosted the All Star Games, the ACC tournament, the first and second rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, and in 2016 it’s going to host the ACC tournament again! I’ve been to the Verizon Center a couple of times, but the two times I can most remember is the time I went for WWE Monday Night Raw (Please don’t judge and say that it’s fake because I know.  Let me have my soap opera just like you have yours.), as well as the Wizards’ game.  The contrast between the set up was incredible.  It looked like two different venues.  The wrestling match as well as the game both included stadium seating, but the difference was that at the wrestling match, the seating came all the way on the floor with the ring in the middle, but at the game there was a HUGE basketball court where the ring and extra seating had been.  If this doesn’t surprise you just think, the Verizon Center is also home to the NHL’s Washington Capitals, the hockey team, so one way or another, the stadium manages to also hide an ice rink there too!

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

The Shakespeare Theater! Do you love acting? I like acting too! Mi amigas, Victoria and Eliza-Jane, are also superb actresses! Do YOU know how to say actors in Spanish? Actores! Can you say actores? Muy bien, fantastico!  At the Shakespeare Theater in Washington DC, many actors gather around to perform plays for huge audiences.  Over the past quarter of a century, the Shakespeare Theater has committed itself to bringing the thought-provoking themes, intricate characters, and sharp language of William Shakespeare in a uniquely American style.

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?"

The Crime and Punishment museum is a privately owned museum dedicated to history and criminology and penology in the United States.  From Bonnie and Clyde to an accurate representation of a jail cell, this museum’s got everything related to the history crime and punishment. This museum all started when the founder, John Morgan, visited Alcatraz Island, the former prison in San Francisco, CA that is now a national park.  After this tour, he decided that a museum on the history of crime, punishment, and crime scene investigation was needed.  It opened in 2008, and to this day "provides guests of all ages with memorable insight into our nation's history crime and its consequences, law enforcement, forensic science, and crime scene investigation tthrough a captivating, interactive, entertaining, and educational experience."

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

I remember one time my friends and I (I don’t know if you’re familiar with them. Does The Backyardigans sound familiar?) went on a spy mission, and we were all secret agents! My favorite part is when we “Limbo-ed” under the laser beams and sang the song! “Limbo Lower Now!” I wonder why we’re not in the Spy Museum?  What is the Spy Museum, you ask? The International Spy Museum is a privately owned business dedicated to the history of espionage and features the largest collection of internationally owned spy artifacts currently on public display.  Since 2002, its mission is to educate the population on the great affects of espionage and the great effect it had on current and historical events. 

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

            The Gordon Biersch is a local brewery with other locations in different countries as far as Taiwan!  This franchise began 20 years ago with a dream of bringing hand crafted beer and fresh cuisine together.  The first restaurant opened in 1988 in Palo Alto, CA.  In 1999, they were acquired by Big River Brewing Company and spread worldwide! Of course, since I am so young, this restaurant has no interest whatsoever to me, but hey! In three weeks, I only got 1, 2, 3, 4 more years to try this out! Right? Wait….what’d you say, mom? No? Oh, okay.

 “WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

The Potomac River Running Store! The owners of all four stores are all related by marriage or blood line.  All four also ran track when they were in track, and ¾ enjoyed successful careers in college also.  These stores have made the top 50 running stores in America 8 years in a row!  They also offer a program called Run With Us, which is an opportunity for walkers and runners of all experience and levels. They offer social marathons, so people can come out, run or walk and make new friends!    

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

Do you know where President Lincoln was shot? The Ford Theater, of course!  Not only was Lincoln shot here, but since the 1860s it’s been used for various stage performances as well. It dedicatedly celebrates the legacy of our 16^th President, Abraham Lincoln.  It does this by exploring the American experience through theater and education.  By serving as a working theater, world-class museum, and a historical monument, this theater does it all in attempts to celebrate Lincoln’s ideals and leadership principles modeled during his presidency. 

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

Right across the street! You know the story of how Lincoln died! He was shot in the theater and moved right across the street to a bed in a row home where he took his last breath.  Did you know you can visit that exact house today? Yesiree, you can! It’s called the Petersen House, and you can take a tour here too! It even has the exact bed and sheets where Lincoln died!

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

            Madame Tussauds’ Wax Museum! I wonder if my friend Dora and Boots are in there.  They’re pretty famous, you know.  This museum is exactly what it sounds like! Realistic wax representations of famous figures! I’ve been there once, and let me tell you, they looked so real that I dreamt that while I was taking a picture with her, the wax figure Beyonce would actually be real, come to life, and I would MEET QUEEN B. Honestly I had hope until I left. I was highly disappointed. There are 6 different exhibits that stretch from the Presidents, to Civil Rights Leaders, to celebrities and while some are more precise than others, the figures are incredibly amazing.

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

FOREVER 21! I know in my show I wear the same thing every episode, but it’s only because producers weren’t trying to give me another outfit because we didn’t have the funds! If we did have the funds, I have one thing to say and one thing only, everything would come from Forever 21.  (Hey! I rhymed.)

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”Because we finished celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day the previous day, we visited the central library of DC, which was named in remembrance of him.  This public library opened in August of 1972.  This building cost about $18 million and provides 400,00 sq’ of floor space between four floors above ground as well three underground levels.  It was designated a historic landmark in 2007 and continues to serve as a support system for all libraries in the DC area. 

“WHERE DO WE GO NEXT?”

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM! Our last stop on this episode! We embarked upon two tours while we were here.  Thoroughly, we were enlightened on famous people we know such as George Washington, John Brown, and Abraham Lincoln, but we also heard of a few names that were not so popular.  I would like to take enlighten you on one particular man that thoroughly fascinated me.  His name was Ira Aldridge.  He was a famous African American actor of his day, and although he was born in New York, he did not make his career here. Born July 24, 1807, he was the son of Lurona and Daniel Aldridge.  As a teenager, his mom died, and he became depressed and ran away from home by taking a ship to North Carolina.  Well, while that doesn’t sound so much like a bad idea now, it actually was.  Look at the time zone—1800s. What was going on in the South? Slavery, right. Although someone offered the captain $500 for Ira, the captain refused and accompanied him back to New York where Ira decided that he was going to move to Scotland in 1820 to get an education and pursue an acting career, a trade in which he was always interested.  He possessed so much charisma on the stage that his first wife fell in love with him when she went to see one of his shows, before she even met him! Although he performed in English, which was not the native language of people in Europe, people continued to enjoy his adept acting.  He toured all over the country with his incredible acting skills, and guess what? After every performance, he would come out with a guitar, pass a hat, and collect money that he would send back to the US to free slaves.  He never forgot his trauma. This man interested me because although he was a famous Shakespearean actor, who was so famous, he was poorly credited for his accomplishments.  I also respect the fact that although he became famous and highly respected, he never lost sight of where he came from.  Powerfully, his heart always pointed towards his roots. 

WE DID IT! DADADADADADADADADADA! LO HICIMOS, WE DID IT!

This metro journey has come to an end! What was your favorite part? .......................................................................... ................................................................................................ ................................................................................................ ...........................................................................I like that part too! My favorite part was “when you snagged that bad guy with  your arm and kinda whiplashed him into the other guy. It was so sweet! We totally aced those guys that tried to kill us….. THAT WAS THE BEST VACATION EVER!”

            Wait… that’s the Incredibles, not Dora. I’m sorry, randomly spitting out lines from that movie is a well-known habit of mine.  Until next time, my loyal readers!