cameo

This weekend, I spent a lovely, warm, sunny, Saturday afternoon in downtown DC with Sara (again). I have to say, it's been indescribably wonderful having one of my best friends living nearby, though our homes are more than an hour part, so it's not super convenient, but close enough so that I get to see her regularly. Over time, I've increasingly understood that it is not the building, the room, or the address that make a home, but the people and the relationships that you build with those people. So, really, having her nearby has been like being home :)

We went to the NSF's National Science Expo, which was a blast, though it was intended for people about...a third our age. Not only was it fun, we learned some things!

We learned about how light energy can be converted to sound at Cornell University's booth:

We learned how forensic specialists use devices such as this one to test for the presence of certain elements in materials (like our rings), saw ourselves in infrared vision, and observed sun arcs and the second layer of the sun...it was purple!

We also looked at special exhibits at the Hirshhorn Museum, including a cool set of installation pieces called Colorblock:

But the craziest part of our day had yet to begin! After we walked through the Smithsonian Castle and into the gardens out back, we saw a group of people working on a movie. So, Sara asked what they were filming. They were competing in the "48-Hour Movie" competition where they were given a plot and 2 days to make a film. They were using random volunteer participants as characters...and he asked us if we'd be interested! We said yes, of course! Little did we/I know that it would involve a scene with a group of about 10 high school students dressed up in zombie outfits (covered in fake blood). They were very nice and fun. The scene involved me:

1. Lying on the ground surrounded by the zombies:

2. Being lifted into the air as an offering to the gods:

3. And then get catapulted into the air by the zombies:

It was ridiculous. And random. But so fun and definitely added character to our day in the city! And you know what's awesome? When you have an educational, hilarious, sunny, liberating, relaxing day in the city with one of your best friends and you don't have to pay a cent for any of it. I really like Washington, DC :)