Our second day in America, we woke up fairly early (due to the time difference) and were downstairs for breakfast at 8am. The 'English Breakfast' tea was very different to what we're used to - I didn't finish mine!

We checked out of the hotel and made our way back to the metro station, so we could meet Heather at West Falls Church and stick our luggage in her car. We then all made our way back to Foggy Bottom together.

Foggy Bottom Metro stop is on 23rd street, and you can just walk down 23rd street to get to the Lincoln Memorial, and that's exactly what we did!

From there we went and had a look at the Vietnam war memorial, then walked along beside the reflecting pool to the World War 2 Memorial.

From here we went to the Washington Monument, although the tickets were sold out for us to go up inside.

Here's where we took a detour from the stretch of monuments/memorials, and we went to see the White House.

We saw the National Christmas tree on the way.

Next we went to the Metro to go to see the Capital Building and the Supreme Court. If I've got any of the names for things wrong I apologise, I should have updated when I got back instead of nearly 2 months after!

We got the Metro back to Heather's car, then she drove us to Centreville for dinner at Carrabbas, which was Awesome!

We finished the day driving back to her beautiful house, getting a lovely welcome from her parents, and falling asleep fairly early in the night!

Guess the Quote: "You woke the baby!"

The 22nd November had finally come around - we were going to America! We were up early and at Heathrow before 8am, and checked in very quickly without hassle. We then had time to kill as our flight wasn't until 11.30. Bit of duty free shopping, then we had some breakfast.

We flew with Virgin Atlantic, I've never been on a long haul flight before so had no idea what to expect. When the first drinks cart came round I ordered a beer, and as I was reaching for my wallet they carried on to the next person! It would seem refreshments are included - I should have got two!

Each seat had it's own screen and entertainment suite, I watch movies on the flight - Tropic Thunder, Get Smart and Meet Dave. All were mildly amusing.

We landed a bit late, and after having our fingerprints and photos taken could make our way to the Washington Flyer (coach/minibus). No problem finding this, got our tickets, and were shortly whisked off to the Metro station. First impressions of Washington - freezing!

Again, no problems with the metro, it's very much like the London Underground, and we easily got on in the right direction and made it to our stop.

Next we had to walk two blocks to the hotel on 25th street (Metro stop was on 23rd street). The first direction we walked in took us to 22nd street, so we knew it was the wrong way and turned back. We then tried the opposite direction, but this was also wrong (I can't even remember what street that was!). 3rd time lucky, we went past 24th street, so logically the next one is 25th street. We turned up '25th street' (no road sign), found a hotel that looked like the picture and asked if it was the River Inn. Nope. The guy instructed us to go to the next street, which *WAS* 25th street, and we found our hotel and checked in.

Hotel was very nice, huge room and bed, and we even had a little kitchenette!

We went out for dinner at TGI Fridays, a couple of drinks at the hotel, then went to bed at about 9.30 completely exhausted!

Day 2 - a Day in Washington, D.C

Guess the Quote: "Where does he get those wonderful toys?"

So as not to go for too long without an update, I figured I'd post before I go on holiday!

Haven't slept properly all week, not sure if it's because I'm excited about holiday or stressed with work. Either way, I'm completely shattered, and I'm not even suffering with jet lag yet!

I went to the gym on Saturday with Anthony, Duncan and their mate Ian. I started on the rowing machine, I only wanted to do 1500m, and managed to do it in under 6 minutes (5.47). I was quite pleased with this, as it was the pace I was doing when I last went to the gym around 2 months ago. My body wasn't pleased though, I got really light headed and dizzy, and felt quite sick. I went to the toilets to sit down (and potentially spew). I wasn't sick though, and Anthony came and checked on me to make sure I wasn't dead, by which point I had recovered enough to continue with the workout.
We did weights next, starting with the bench press. We started at 32KG and did 10 reps each. We then added 10KG and did another 10. I think me and Anthony both managed 10 at 62KG, we then did no more than 5 at 72KG, and I can't remember how many at 82KG, again, no more than 5. I was pleased with that though, I weigh just under 70KG, so I was pushing hard.
A few more rounds on different weights before we called it a day, and now all I can think is how long before I go to the gym again?

Because of this I've started up with my home workouts properly again - sit ups, press ups and chin ups. I had been trying to do a head stand and then pushing up into a hand stand and doing press ups that way, but I couldn't keep my balance. I finally took Gemma's advice and did my hand stand against a wall - last night I managed 3 sets of 10 like that. I ache today.

At 11.30am on Saturday we will be boarding a plane to go to America, I am very excited and can't wait! Packing tonight!

Guess the Quote: "I've fallen in love. I've fallen in love for the first time and this time I know it's for real."

I'm on the End Boss of the second to last level, so I've still got to rip a Star Destroyer from the sky and then face either Vader or the Emperor before I complete The Force Unleashed on the hardest difficulty. Considering I've got this far, I think I will do it. Just need time to sit down and play it!

I've been reading the Young Jedi Knight books, won't be long until I finish book 5 (Darkest Knight), then I have 9 to go. Will probably take them all with me on my trip to America for reading on the plane.

Speaking of America, it's only a week until I fly out there. Getting quite excited now!

Guess the Quote: "it felt so wrong, it felt so right, don't mean I'm in love tonight"