Natural Disasters and a Weekend Get-a-way!

So last week was a bit of an odd week here in D.C.

On Tuesday I was sitting at my desk working as usual here at home. All of the sudden I felt like I was swaying. I turned around to look out of the window for a point of reference and the metal fence was unmistakeably swaying as well.

Weird.

Then the earth shook, literally. We had a 5.8 magnitude earthquake. My whole building was rocking. It was pretty scary. Then it stopped. It wasn't very long at all. I didn't even have time to decide what the appropriate act of safety would be. All I could think about was the fact that in school we were told to get under our desks. That wasn't of much help to me here.

But in the end there was no major damage and everyone was safe. Cell phone service was out of whack for a while which caused a slightly paniced husband and wife trying to get in touch to make sure one another was ok. But we got in contact and all was well. Turns out Dan had to evacuate the treasury building. Little more dramatic than my moment of confusion here at home.

Apparantly the earthquake was felt all the way from Atlanta to NYC, although it was centered just south of DC. Crazy stuff. I have never felt an earthquake before. I can't image how terrifying the really big ones must be to experience.

One natural disaster is usually enough for one week right?

Wrong.

I had been hearing about Hurricane Irene for a while but never imagined in a million years that it would have an effect on me here in DC. Frankly, I was getting worried about my family in SC. Well on about Thursday, I finally paid enough attention to notice that SC was not the problem, NC and north along the east coast were going to have the issues. Oh wait, I live on the east coast above NC. Sure enough, that darn hurricane was heading our way.

Being from South Carolina, I kept thinking I was the Hurricane Guru and hurricanes almost ALWAYS turn at the last minute and all the hussle bussle of preparing for them is wasted.

Well Friday morning as Irene was still right on track, I headed to the grocery store. No water, no flashlights, thirty minutes in line for bread, canned fruit, and peanut butter.

It was at this point I realized that I just wasn't quite ready for this Hurricane. Shame.

So Dan and I discussed the fact that we live in a basement apartment that slightly flooded the weekend before whlie we were away during some rain. That rain was heavy, but no hurricane status. So combining our flooding fears, as well as our poor preparation for life without electricity, we decided to take off for the weekend.

We headed west to Winchester, VA home of.....well not much.

But it turned out to be a fabulous weekend for Dan and I. Since we were in Utah for our anniversary the weekend before we decided to celebrate there in Winchester. We cuddled up and watched lots and lots of movies, ate some junk food, went out for a nice Italian dinner, and just relaxed.

When Dan and I were married we had a ring ceremony after the Temple where we exchanged vows that we had written for one another. Dan had the idea for us to write new vows to each other on our anniversary so we began that tradition as well.

It was a fabulous run from the hurricane/celebrate our 1 year anniversary weekend.

By the time we got back home we had power and had no flooding. WooHoo! Still waiting for the cable to come back on though.

Of course I forgot my camera as we left on Friday, UGH!, but I did get a couple of photos of some trees that were blown down on our street.

Nick and Kendall Tie the Knot!

I have a Sister-In-Law!

Have I mentioned she's FAB and I Love her? Well, I do. 

This past weekend, Dan and I headed out to Salt Lake City, Utah for his brother Nick's wedding. Nick and Kendall were married in the Salt Lake Temple just one day before Dan and I's first anniversary. Guess these guys will have no excuse to forget their anniversaries ever. 

We had SUCH a good time spending time with our friends and family. The night before we had a dinner with all of ours and Kendall's family. It was great to meet Kendall's family, they are pretty much the nicest people ever. Then Nick and Kendall were married the next morning with a luncheon after at The Lion House. They then had their reception that night at a beautiful home in Bountiful, Utah. 

It was an amazing day and we had so much fun dancing the night away and mingling with our family. 

Did I mention how excited I am to have a sis-in-law?

So the day after the wedding was Dan and I's first anniversary! We began our day by reading the vows we wrote for each other for our ring ceremony which was so special. We then spent the day hanging out with family and it couldn't have been a better way to spend our day, and even weekend. As we celebrated Nick and Kendall's big day, we also got to relive our moment exactly one year before. 

After the newlyweds had their first dance, they invited family to join them. It was truly a special moment as Dan and I danced and just reminisced. Our own wedding day was so amazing, and we have had one crazy year. It was neat to remember how we felt that day and reflect on how much we have grown as a couple during this year.

Thanks Nick and Kendall for letting us share in your special day. We love you and can't wait to move back to Utah in January so we can spend more time with the newest Goulds!

Mr. and Mrs. Nick Gould

Kendall meeting Oma for the first time!

Dan and Nick!

Mother Daughter Moment

Jake and Kendall

Good brother, holding up her dress

Grandma and Jake taking a little break from the sun

Oma with her two Kids, Rob and Sherry, and Jill and Sarah

The Cappelucci side

The newlyweds with Carol and Rob

The Gould Family!

Us in our bridal party get ups

Sisters!

Grandma breaking it down with Darcy and Carol

So into dancing right now...haha

You Never Know Who You'll Meet...

So last Sunday was Dan and I's first week at our new ward. 

We go to church and meet this nice old lady who was born in Hungary and we chat quite a bit. 

She ends up sitting next to us in Sunday School and when it ends, she turns to me and asks what we have planned for after church.

Since I had not nothing planned but unpacking (ew) I said nothing. She then says, "Well I would like to take you on a tour of the Capitol." I'm thinking...ok. As far as I know little old ladies don't go around doing impromptu tours of the Capitol, but what the heck? We agreed to pick her up at 3:00 that day for our tour of the Capitol. 

I think we were imaging her taking us around outside of the Capitol and her passing on the knowledge she has gained from living in DC for the past 30 years.

We were wrong. 

It turns out that our tour guide was the widow of Congressman Tom Lantos from California, also originally from Hungary. He was in congress for twenty something years. We parked directly in front of the Capitol, tourists were definitely staring, and walked right past security into the Capital on a Sunday afternoon. 

One of my personal favorite moments was when a guard stopped us and asked where we were going. Sister Lantos simply turned around, he saw her and her all access pink, and apologized profusely. 

Pretty cool.

Since it was a Sunday afternoon we literally had the whole place to ourselves. We were fascinated as she told us story after story and explained what we were seeing. She lit up being able to share her memories with us. It was an amazing experience and an awesome way to kick off our journey here in Washington D.C. 

Another thing worth mentioning....we found out later that Sister Lantos and her husband are Holocaust survivors. They have a fascinating story of survival. 

Wow, what a day.

A painting depicting the baptism of Pocahontas

400 years of American History is depicted on this frieze that circles the rotunda

The rotunda in the Capitol

The Hall of Statues. This is the room where the House of Representatives originally  met.

The location of Abraham Lincoln's desk when he was a member of the House.

This is the room where the Congressman meet before and after their sessions. Those vases in the background are gifts from the French, from the Palace of Versailles.

Count Your Many Blessings

" So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end."

-Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Count Your Many Blessings is a hymn we sing at church pretty regularly. 

Lately, it has found a special place in my heart. 

In the pursuit of Dan's future career, we having dedicated 2011 to gaining valuable experience to add to Dan's resume. Dan is a finance major and his dream job would be working for one of the big investment banks in New York City. 

However, due to a little think called the Financial Crisis, jobs for Finance majors are super hard to come by. 

I would know, as a 2009 Finance graduate. Yuck. 

Let alone jobs at prestigious firms that Dan wishes to work for. 

So we decided that it would be better for Dan to graduate a year later than planned with lots of experience and a wonderful resume that will potentially land him a job, then to graduate on time with no experience and no serious job prospects. 

So Dan started applying for internships. He received his first one at Citi Bank in Miami. We were there from January 2011 to July 2011 while he interned for the Credit Risk Division. 

He recently received his second internship in the Capital Markets Room at the Untied States Treasury. 

So we took off for DC. 

We have been here now for 4 days and we have just been amazed at all the blessings that have come into our lives in the past year. 

This month, (the 20th to be exact) Dan and I will be married for one year. In that year we have lived in three different cities in three different apartments. We have certainly had some trials, and sometimes we (mostly I) have become discouraged and frustrated. 

Moving, especially, (oh and driving across the country) can do that to ya. 

But we have stood amazed at all of the blessings that have been poured down upon us. Dan and I decided that we really needed to document these blessings, as they have truly been miracles in our lives. 

The Silliman's generous offer of their fabulous apartment in Provo at a steal of a price. We loved living there and it made the perfect first home for Dan and I. We were truly sad to leave it. 

Our friends Dan and Kelsey telling us about a job opening at the company they work for, Digital Gateway. I ended up getting that job and it has been such a blessing. When Dan got his internship in Miami, I gave notice that I would be leaving. Without my knowledge another (angel) had recommended me for another position within the company, one that I could do from home. I got that position right before we left and have had steady work throughout all of our moves and have not had the tremendous stress of finding a new job every few months. I cannot put into words how huge this is to Dan and I. 

Dan receiving his first internship for Citi Bank in Miami. He had been so discouraged about his resume not being impressive so he took the initiative to make it better. He is always willing to do things others aren't, and I just know that will help him in the end. 

We found a FABULOUS apartment through another BYU intern that was there the term before we went. We lived in a highrise right downtown Miami. It was literally right next door to Dan's office, so that in itself was a blessing for our one care family. It was like living at a resort with a fitness center, hot tub, and pool. We had a beautiful view of Biscayne Bay. It was a fabulous six months. 

For this beach bum, the location of Miami was a blessing. 

The next blessing came in the form of a friend Dan made at BYU who told him about the internship at the treasury. He really rooted for Dan and talked him up. He got Dan the interview and Dan took it from there. We are really so grateful for his friend and all help he gave Dan. 

Then Dan, through hard work and preparation, got the internship at the Treasury. This was a truly special moment for us as a couple. Dan wanted this internship so bad. It is well-known and looks amazing on a resume. Not to mention, this is truly Dan's Passion. He follows the markets every day on his own, and that is what this internship is all about. It's perfect for him. We worked together to get him prepared to apply and interview and the moment he got is was special. Together, we accomplished an amazing goal, we were so blessed. 

Next came the apartment hunt. We only had two weeks to find a place and it was quite the struggle. Everything was SO expensive (especially since this internship is UNpaid) and we just didn't know the area well enough to know what was a good area. We also only had one car, so being close to the metro was super important. We didn't see how we could find something we could afford. Then we posted on a local ward's website that we were moving to the area and needed a place to live. The next day, we got a call. A member of our church here in DC just happened to have a basement apartment that we could rent short term. The price was PHENOMENAL, and now here we are. We are living in the Capital Hill area of DC. Dan's commute will be no more than 20 minutes. Amazing. 

Last but certainly not least came very unexpected. I got a raise at work! I can't imagine for a second that the timing is a coincidence. As soon as we accepted an upaid internship, my anxiety levels rose to crazy levels. Then I got a raise. Blessing? I think so. 

Now here we are in the our Nation's Capital for the next five months. We are so excited to be here and ready to explore all that is has to offer. This is another great chapter in the adventures of Dan and Ashley.

Whenever we get discouraged, we remind ourselves that we have been ridiculously blessed throughout all of this and know that we can rely on God for anything. Come what may.

Myrtle Beach 2011

So my favorite type of vacation in the world involves sleeping, going to the beach ALL day, repeat. 

Throw in a little shopping and you have my own personal paradise. 

My family has been going to Myrtle Beach, SC every summer since before I was born. I don't remember a summer that I didn't get to spend some time in Myrtle Beach.

The MB crew has always consisted of myself, my Momma, Caroline, Courtney, Preston, Spring, Aunt Mary, Bryce, and Danny. 

This year was special because it was Dan's first year. He is a guy after my own heart because he LOVED it. 

I knew I married the right guy. 

We only got to spend two days there because I had to work...yuck. 

But we made the most of our time there redefining the world Beach Bum, eating some crab legs (Dan only watched), hit up the outlets, and even got to meet Kelly and her parents for dinner one night.

Success. See ya next summer MB!

Of course I took no pictures, but I did snap our annual family pic in the living room of our condo. Light was funny, but what can ya do?

Hawaii Recap!

I am excited to finally get my Hawaii post up. It has been so crazy since our move. We went straight to Hawaii the day after we moved, and had an amazing time. It was the perfect blend of adventure mixed in with laying on the beach laziness. Much needed relaxation was accomplished (except for Dan's two interviews at 4 a.m.) other than that it was totally rest and rejuvenation.

We went with Dan's parents and his younger brother, Jake. His other brother Nick, and his fiance Kendall couldn't come due to school and work, which was a total bummer. But we will see them in about two weeks for THEIR WEDDING! So excited but I digress.

We stayed on Oahu on Kailua Beach. Dan's parents lived in Hawaii (BYU Hawaii Alums) for ten years so they were amazing tour guides. We were seconds from the beach which was amazing for this beach bum. I was so amazed by the beauty of Hawaii. Not only are the beaches fabulous, but everywhere you look is lush green tropical-ness (not a word but work with me).  While we were there we had lots of beach time, went to the Polynesian Cultural Center complete with Luau and amazing show, checked out the Temple, BYU Hawaii, went ocean kayaking out to an island where we jumped off of a cliff after scaling the island to get there (not a joke), we hiked to the peak of Ola Mona which was very uphill and included rock climbing (you can be impressed by the pics to come), checked out the North Shore, walked through the ocean to Goat Island, went to Pearl Harbor, shopped at the swap meet, Dan and I stayed a night at Waikiki, Carol, Dan and Jake got a little beat up  by the waves at Makapu Beach, ate pineapple ice cream at the Dole Pineapple Plantation, we went snorkeling at Hunama Bay, we hiked to Manawilli falls and jumped off of the Waterfall, I got to eat some AMAZING shrimp from a truck on the side of the road at the North Shore, and we hiked to a light house to catch some amazing views.

It was such a fabulous vacation, Dan and I were legitimately sad as we were boarding our plane to leave. Hawaii and I are soul mates....I will be back. Thank you Rob and Carol for an amazing trip!

All of the surfers at Waikiki

The Gould's at the North Shore

Polynesian Cultural Center

Luau with fresh flower leis!

About to jump off of Manawilli Falls

Carol Takes the Plunge

Apparantly these aren't big waves...I must have missed something

Dan at Pearl Harbor

Part of the U.S.S Arizona under water

"Our Beach" Kailua Beach, Oahu

See that peak in the background? We hiked to that!