National Institutes of Health

Einstein Fellows had a field trip to the National Institutes of Health.  A little background.  The National Institute of Health (NIH) was started in 1887.  It sits on 322 acres and employs 18,000+.  The director is appointed by the President.  It is the largest clinical research center in the world, with a $32.2 billion dollar budget.  It is sometimes called the National Institute of "Hope", because it is often where patients go as their last hope.  We visited the hospital, the library, and the National Genome Research Institute.

Original copy of Darwin's "Origin of Species"

Einstein Fellows getting a close up look at Darwin's book.

First snow in DC

We had our first snow in Washington, DC last Thursday.  Schools dismissed early and were closed Friday.

Chanukah Party

Leigh, one of the Einstein Fellows, invited us to her house in Berkley Springs, Virginia for the weekend to help her celebrate Chanukah.  I had decided to stay home and do some chores that desperately need tended to, but Nancy volunteered to drive and encouraged me to go.  Eight of us had a had a good time in the woods of Virginia.  Friday night was a star party at a telescope donated to the city by the naval academy.

Leigh's house is originally an old barn that she and her husband remodeled into a home.  It is all very open with a wood fireplace and loft for sleeping space.  

Thank you Leigh, for a great weekend.  The food was fantastic.  

Jimmy Carter

One of the other teachers here was able to get a ticket to the Smithsonian Event with past President of the United States, Jimmy Carter.  She was unable to attend so she let me buy her ticket! On Monday I went to the Lincoln Theater and listened to Jimmy Carter talk about his time in the White House and his new book, White House Diaries.  They did not allow cameras so I did not get a picture of Pres. Carter and me :-).  Some high lights of the conversation:

His biggest regret is the hostage situation.  He feels that cost him the reelection.  Three days before he left office, the hostages were released.  This was the best day of his time in office.

He was supportive of President Obama and was very concerned about the hostile environment of the Congress.  He called the Republicans, "completely irresponsible."

He also candidly talked about his separation from the Southern Baptist Church.

Today he is still very involved with disease eradication in third world countries and Habitat for Humanity. When asked what he thought the greatest challenge for our world was, his reply, "the growing chasm between rich and poor."

Next door to the Lincoln Theater is Ben's Chili Bowl.  It is famous in DC for their chili dogs and milkshakes.  President Obama is known to eat there.  I decided that I couldn't live in DC and not try it out so after Jimmy Carter interview I walked to Ben's and ordered the house specialty - chili dog and shake.  Tasted good especially since I hadn't eaten since lunch and it was now after 8 p.m.