Our Day in Arlington

Hello, this is Dalis and Makenzie!
Yesterday was a busy time. After a long day of standing in the cold and laying our wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we went to Cathedral College and we were assigned roommates and dorms. We had about 45 minutes to unpack and then we headed to the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts where we saw the “Al Farah” choir. They are from Syria and most of the songs were in Arabic but everyone loved it. As soon as that ended we started walking to Bangkok Joe's, a Thai restaurant. When we sat down, everyone was buzzing with excitement for the new food we would soon taste. Half of the students used chopsticks to eat their meal. After delectable feasting, we walked outside to the Potomac River and enjoyed seeing the sites Washington D.C. has to offer. As we were returning to the Kennedy Center parking lot, we came across a red light with no cars. Some student illegally jaywalked.

Don’t Worry, the Adults are Still Here

Hi, everyone. Someone suggested that one of the parents write an entry also, just to reassure everyone back home that the chaperones are still alive and with the group. I am here to tell you that yes indeed we adults are still here, and we are in awe of how great a group of kids we are traveling with. But don’t just take my biased word for it. Today, while touring George Washington’s home, no fewer than three guides (there is a different guide in every area of the house) commented on what an outstanding group of kids this is. They were listening to the guide, asking pertinent questions and interested in the answers; they were polite and enjoying each other’s company. I suppose this all sounds a little too idyllic, and I guess things are never perfect, but it would take me awhile to think of any troubles we are having. So, you parents, rest assured that things are moving pretty smoothly so far, and take satisfaction that you have done (at least!) some things right in raising these great kids! Mary Corbin
(Or, maybe this is really Brendan, merely POSING as Mrs. Corbin.)

Doughnuts!!

Doughnuts!
This is Bailey. Today, while on our way back from Mount Vernon, Joe decided to start hugging Emma and Dalis, being the closest to him and torturing every one else in the car. Earlier while on our way to Mount Vernon, we saw a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop… Dalis started yelling, “Crispy cream! Crispy cream! Turn left!” Emma stared to say “OOOOH, they are all hot, they have just been made, see the sign!” We passed it with a chorus of moans and groans and went on to Mount Vernon. But later, on our way back, we saw it again, and again Dalis started yelling, “Crispy cream! Turn right! Turn right! You have to turn right! We’re too late they’re all cold!” We were following Mr. Ekin in the van ahead of us when they pulled in, Dalis started yelling once again, “Yeeeeeessssssssssss!”

Hi Cardenonians! This is Joe...

Hi Cardenonians
This is Joe and I am writing from 3000 miles away on a Highway outside of Washington D.C. Today we spent the day at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s farm. We had beef stew for lunch on the property and took a tour with an enthusiastic tour guide named Tony. We visited all the outside grounds and learned about George Washington’s history. Then we took a tour inside the mansion. The house has 13 fire places, four floors, more than 6 bedrooms and we saw George Washington’s private study but we did not see any bathrooms. We went and saw George and Martha’s tomb and Hailey and Emma placed a wreath in the tomb. After that we went into the museum and watched a movie about the Revolutionary War. When the cannons fired the seats shook and during the battle of Trenton the ceiling snowed on us. We miss you so much and look forward to see you soon. Tomorrow we will place a wreath at Arlington to honor people in the military. Hi Mrs. Lund! We look forward to your amazing language lessons and we are thinking fondly of you.

The Glenn Farm

The Glenn Farm
By Anna Misenti

Last night we arrived at the beautiful Glenn Farm and received a tour of all the old rooms and learned a little about the history of the house. After that we ate a delicious spaghetti dinner which included garlic bread and salad. Then the chaperones and seventh and eighth grade class got settled in and some of us went for a night walk to the silo and farm. After our walk, we closed with a psalm and all left to our rooms. We all love the Glenn Farm! Mr. Harvey’s class hopes you all have a great day. We are hopefully going to play basketball, and then visit Mt. Vernon.

The Glenn Farm Continued
By Madeline Corbin

This morning, we all woke up around 7:30. Once we had dressed, some of us went out to the barn to play basketball, and some of us swung on the tire swing. Next we got another tour, but this time of the grounds, thirty-five acres. Besides a house, the farm includes a barn, a blacksmith’s shop, a springhouse, and a few other buildings. It has been so cold outside that Hailey and Bailey’s wet hair literally froze! After the tour, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast. In the next hour or so we hope to be in the car on the way to Mt. Vernon. Lexi’s Aunt Janice is AMAZING!!

In the Air

We visited the Vietnam Memorial. Its amazing to see the thousands of names of those who have died or gone missing in action during the war. It was an amazing experience for all of us.

Traveling to Washington D.C
By MaKenzie and Dalis

Yesterday, on February 21, 2009, our class began our long, exciting, and tiresome journey to Washington D.C. On the plane, we split into our rows and danced and lip sang to different songs. Since we were all close together, we started flipping through channels on the flight headphones and comparing which songs were better than others. The plane trip went by without a hitch, (except for our hour delay because they had to de-ice the plane) and we boarded our plane to Baltimore. By then, we were all crashing and getting tired, but when we arrived at the airport, our spirits were high as we proceeded to a big hallway with chairs. Some of our class decided to sit and watch, while Dalis, Bailey, and MaKenzie raced up and down the long, wide corridor. Once the three of them were tired, every one else began to line up and race. Mr. Harvey yelled “Go!!!” and every one raced off down the hall, gave Dalis a high five, and ran right back. From there, Emma challenged Joe to a race down to Dalis. We all yelled GO! And Emma, taking long strides, and Joe, taking strong steps, raced to the victory line towards Dalis. Emma and Joe were at a close lead, but Emma raced before him in her quick and long strides and had a triumphant victory; a few feet before Joe! We all checked to see if our luggage had arrived, while Dr. Ekin started to rent the vans. Next, everyone headed over to the hotel and split to their assigned rooms. By this time, it was around 1:45 a.m. Everyone was tired and ready for sleep, but still excitement was present because we were really there!!!!

We traveled to Lexi's aunt's house in Poolesville, Maryland. It a beautiful, huge house, built just after the Civil War. Here we are eating dinner of pasta, bread, and salad!

One of the monuments that we visited was the World War II Memorial. In this picture we are sitting on the inner wall of the Pacific side. This was a very cool monument.
We caught a tour-bus from Arlington Cemetary, and we had a really nice, funny, smart tour-guide, named Mel. We stopped riding his bus when we went to have lunch. After lunch, we took another guide's bus, and then explored the monuments. When we finished looking at the monuments, we waited in the cold for a long time, until another bus came to take us back to Arlington. Guess who the tour-guide was... Mel. We were so excited to see Mel, and to be out of the cold, and he was excited to see us too. Upon our arrival at Arlington, we took a picture with Mel, and here we are.

Inauguration Trivia

Now in honor of the Inauguration of Barak Obama, our 44th president.

1) Everybody know that George Washington was our first president, but when and where was the 1st inauguration?

2) When was the coldest inauguration?

3.) Which president's speech at his inauguration lasted for over an hour in which he spoke without a coat in the cold of winter, then caught pneumonia and died after only 31 days in office?

3)

4) When was the first televised inauguration?

Extra Credit:

Does being out in the cold really increase your chances of getting a "cold" (or pneumonia for that matter)?

Double Secret Extra Credit

What does examination of the guts of a sacred chicken have to do with a presidential inauguration? Hint: Think word roots.

Click on "comments" below to leave your answer. Don't forget to include your name for credit!