Life of Lydia

Dear readers, in this post I will chronicle the 6th day of our trip.

The closing ceremony was held in the Xfinity center. We had to walk all the way around the building to find the proper entrance.

They only allowed clear bags into the arena. When I presented my transparent tote, the security lady insisted on opening and inspecting all of my smaller pouches. Fortunately, nothing got confiscated.

We ended up being very early. I wandered around and traded pins with people.

After a long time of waiting, the kids from Arizona ran out onto the basketball court to start the parade. Quickly the court became too crowded to move. Father said it was the National History Day traffic jam.

The Missouri students got separated by the Illinois students. Eventually they told everyone to go back to their seats, but Missouri did one more lap around the court.

If you would like to watch a compilation of clips from the parade, click HERE.

After sitting and listening to winners be called for what felt like forever, I was surprised to hear my name announced for the White House History prize! I learned that after my regular judging, a video of my performance went to a whole separate panel of White House judges. A guy from the White House came to give me my medal. I felt like a celebrity for about five minutes.

If you would like to watch my father see me awarded in person click HERE. If you would like to see my mother’s perspective watching the awards ceremony livestream, click HERE.

I received a letter informing me I would receive a cash prize.

We ended up leaving the awards ceremony a bit early to avoid being late for our Library of Congress timed tickets. We got off at the Capitol South Metro station. It struck me as interesting that there was a random escalator in the middle of the sidewalk.

We were planning on going to the Library of Congress last year at History Day, but we were too tired. Traveling with Father brings a new level of energy to the situation, and allows us to do more tourism. I was very glad to get to go this time!

There was a very cool fountain in front of the Library. Unfortunately, the statues were not fully clothed. I have edited the picture on Canva to make it suitable for family viewing.

We walked across the street to the Capitol while we waited to be let into the library.

I took this dramatic photo.

Back at the Library of Congress, we had to wait in line to go through security.

But once we got in, it was so cool!

Before entering, I had no idea what the inside of the Library of Congress looked like, which only magnified the wow factor.

I frequently call places fancy, Target, Burlington, Khol’s etc. My parents constantly tell me that I don’t really know what fancy is. When we were in the library of Congress, Father told me “This is fancy.”

In order to take this photo, I had to lie down on the floor and watch people try not to step on me.

I was very impressed by the mosaic and painted ceilings. I told Father it was hard to believe that this was in America. I would have loved to spend a whole day studying every detail of the ceilings.

The names of famous authors were listed along the ceilings, including Shakespeare, Homer, and Moses.

Posing with a bust of Thomas Jefferson.

We got in line to see the reading room. While you waited, you could view the Gutenberg Bible.

You were only allowed five minutes in the reading room. Although it was a beautiful space, I felt very rushed and stressed out. There were employees standing around the circle telling you to move on. Father was walking as slowly as humanly possible. I kept apologizing to the workers.

I felt very panicked when we took both of these photos, because I thought we were going to make the workers mad.

After our five minutes on the floor, we went to the elevated conservation deck. I was able to enjoy myself much more here, since I didn’t feel rushed.

There was a lovely mural at the top of the staircase. A worker told me I was going down the stairs on the wrong side. I apologized several times.

We got to see Thomas Jefferson’s library. Not all of the books were original, but they have replaced most that were lost.

I was impressed by how good the condition was of some of the original books were.

There was a TV with a lady on zoom trying to get people to ask her questions. She didn’t get many takers.

Mother was both excited that we were seeing Jefferson’s books, and jelous that she wasn’t there.

Our final stop before leaving was the restroom. Even this lowly destination was ornate with painted ceilings.

On the homeward Metro ride, I discovered that it was fun to stand up and get jostled around.

After supper we visited the College Park airport.

I went swimming in the hotel pool, which was lots of fun…

But, I got water in my ear, so Father went to Target for a remedy.

He also plunged the toilet… again.

Back at home Luke went to the last day of his OTC camp, and got a free tee shirt!