Holocaust Memorial Museum

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out---
      Because I was not a socialist.


Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out---
     Because I was not a trade unionist.


Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--- 
     Because I was not a Jew.


Then they came for me---
     and there was no one left to speak for me.


                                     Martin Niemoller (1892-1984)
                                     anti-Nazi German pastor

Today I visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  It is impossible to describe the Exhibition.  You move through three floors starting at the top: Nazi Assault--1933 to 1939; the middle floor, The "Final Solution"--1940 to 1945; and the final floor, Last Chapter.  I will never forget the sights, sounds, smells, and feels.  I pray that the world never forgets.

Eastern Market

I am finding that I am doing a lot of walking these days.  For example, this morning I walked to Lincoln Park because I had heard that there was Tao Chi every Saturday morning at 8 a.m.  But all I could find were dog walkers.  So I came home and decided to go to the farmer's market.  It is a different direction about 8 blocks from my house.  It is a wonderful market and is very famous in DC.  It was started in 1863. I bought tomatoes, corn, peaches, bread, summer squash and a basil plant.  Since I am walking, I have to carry it home.  It limits the amount of purchases.  I don't go anywhere without a large canvas bag.  Everyone here brings their own bags when they buy something.  I have it stocked with a notebook and pen, book to read, metro card, and camera.  Today I took two bags.

In the evening I am going to the opening potluck social for all of the Einstein Fellows and I still did not have anything at my house that I could bring, so I went out again and walked to Safeway to buy fixings for potato salad.  Since I am from Idaho, I thought it was appropriate dish to take.  This is another 4 blocks each way and now I am carrying 10 lb. of potatoes, jar of pickles, mayo, onion, and eggs.  I have a ride for this evening so I do not have to walk to the metro.  With all of the walking, I think I have lost at least 5 pounds already.

National Congressional Cemetery

Everyday I am discovering new things and places in my neighborhood.  Today I found the National Congressional Cemetery.  The story is that this 40 some acre cemetery had been badly neglected.  Weeds and grass were all overgrown.  Many local dog owners approached the city and asked if they could walk their dogs there if they got together and cleaned up the cemetery.  They were granted permission.  Well, after a couple of years, the city was so impressed that it took over the maintenance and the dog owners have formed an association in which members can use the cemetery as a dog park for a yearly fee.  Everyone is happy, especially the dogs.

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship

I am in Washington D.C. as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow.  I had thought about applying for a couple of years, but the timing was not right.  This year all of my children were married with families of their own, so I completed the lengthy application in January, not really confident that I had a chance.  In February I got an email telling me I was in the top 50 applicants.  Whoa, I might really get this.  In March, I was flown to Washington D.C. for the interview process.  A whirlwind three days.    I had not told anyone about the interview except my very good friend at school.  I went home to wait.  Two weeks later, I received the much awaited phone call offering me a position at the National Science Foundation in the Division of Computer Science and Pathways to Revitalizing Undergraduate Computing Education.  After that, things have happened very quickly.

 I have a one year leave of absence from my school, Frank Church High School.  During a week long trip to D.C. to attend the 2010 20th Anniversary Einstein Fellows Summit and find housing, after walking upteen miles, I signed a lease for a great apartment right on Capitol Hill.  I have moved all of my belongings, except for 13 boxes that I shipped to D.C., to a storage unit and rented out my house, got in my car and drove to our nation's capital.

This is where I will be working for the next 11 months.  My office is on the 11th floor.

Getting to DC

Good bye home in Boise.

On the road.

Thirty-five hundred miles later, my new home in Washington DC.