Rebuttal

Oh, it's on - it's on like Donkey Kong! You can't blindly put up pics from a Vanity Fair shoot and call it fair* game...

I apologize to any of you that don't normally see this kind of behavior from me. In fact, I distinctly remember hating this part of the Twilight craze this very time last year. It's not that I'm fully changing my ways, it's just that sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do :)

TEAM JACOB!

images via teen vogue & entertainment weekly

*Note the restraint on the inclusion of a shirtless pic. See, now that is how you play fair.

A little Obama fo Yo Mama

Let it be known that the Inaugural coverage was in full effect today (shock, shock). And while everyone will be spewing their opinions on their Facebook page, I have chosen to take the high road and post my favorite article (thus far) on this very private medium.

New York Magazine has yet to fail me in daily entertainment with their online blogs, Gossip Girl recaps and perfectly sarcastic news-worthy information. It may come as no surprise that even in the midst of a historical moment, there are others out there took note of the fact that Joe Biden kissed his grown children on the mouth. Ahhh, I love America.

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/01/live-blogging_the_inauguration.html

DC 2 NY

Friday half day - check
DC 2 NY luxury liner - check
Private West Wing Tour - priceless.

Kathryn called and we answered. Having been given a last "sprint" until the inauguration, Kathryn was in a position to work her tail off and get some pretty nice privileges in the meantime. With the promise of a private West Wing tour, Alyssa and I headed to one of my favorite cities for a nice weekend getaway. Having been to DC before (read: high school church choir trip) I was confident in the fact that I had already seen every site that the city had to offer and I could now just enjoy the ride. Alyssa, however, was not so lucky. Being a first-timer, she didn't even know where to begin.

Saturday morning we started the day with a quick cup of coffee and a trip to the top of the Washington monument. We got a 360 view of the entire city, complete with a small stride in my fear of heights (read: terrified). Next, we walked the mall over to the capitol to take in a free tour and check out the premature inaugural set-up.

Sidenote: I have never seen so many fold out chairs in all of my life.

After our time well spent on the capitol tour, filled with a brush up on our American history (thank you tour guide Karen) and personal video of the capitol rotunda, we felt that our time on the hill was done. Next up, the National Photo Gallery, home to Presidential portraits. After spending the afternoon there, we left the Gallery in enough time to swing by Kathryn's house and freshen up for our tour. My bold claim that we were "going to meet the President" was not only inaccurate, it was a false hope that I kept clinging to even hours before the tour. Anyway, we got ready, checked through security clearance, and entered the West Wing.

I was utterly speechless.

Although W was nowhere in sight, it still felt special. Candid photos from Bush's presidency lined the walls and you couldn't help but wonder what story surrounded each moment. Glimpses into Crawford, stolen moments with Laura and famous public appearances were just a few memories that reminded of such special achievements. No matter what people could say about his decisions, I feel that he was the best man for the job at this time in America. I believe that Bush can walk out of his position with his head held high that with all things considered, he did ok.

Private tours, national monuments, and girl time aside, DC is still one of my all-time favorite cities. If nothing else, it holds rank to my claim of being the "cleanest city in the world!" With lots of love and a big thanks to the best host, we said goodbye to the Nation's capitol with hopes of returning when the weather is warm and the Segway tours are rolling.

Old friends, new city

Cutest lil tour guide

Being sneaky

Feeling important

Weekend Quote:

While still wearing our tights, relaxing fireside at Kathryn's:
Me: Ew, feet look weird in tights...
Kathryn: Yeah, they look like Barbie feet.

Debates, Cakes & Hot Plates

It doesn't matter if you're in New York or New Guinea, you are hearing about this Presidential election. If you are like me and happen to be in one of the most liberal cities in the United States, it is safe to say that you are getting bombarded with electoral-driven messages. Whether you are to "Choose or Lose" or "Vote or Die," the one sentiment is get yourself out there and vote. So tonight, we did what any group of 20-somethings do, we ordered Thai, grabbed some wine and watched with anticipation as Biden and Palin went at it. Half of the group lurved Obama and half were praying that Palin wouldn't buckle under the pressure.

After watching both debates, it has become abundantly clear that this race is becoming one of the most popular political spectacles that anyone has ever experienced - regardless of your party affiliation. First, there was the new, young Senator on the scene from Chicago. Then, there was the experienced POW that has served in the US Senate for nearly 30 years. However, it wasn't until the Governor from Alaska jumped into the mix that things really started to get interesting. Whether it's her bold claims, proximity to Russia, Midwestern accent, or her fancy up dos - people officially have Palin fever. Some of the funnier elements of the Palin mania are Tina Fey's uncanny skits as the VP candidate. It doesn't matter what side of the party you stand on...it's just completely funny.

Either way, it will be fun to see how this election shapes up. Hope to see everyone at the polls!

Who doesn't like a political baked good? (Thanks Rob)