On the Inauguration Platform:

I know it has almost been two weeks, (work + school = not enough time for blogging) but I did want to post the pics I took at work the day after the inauguration. They had the platform open, and we were allowed to walk around. There were tons of people, but still a fantastic opportunity to stand in the actual place where Obama gave his inauguration speech.  

This is the door where they came out:

I am standing a little forward and to the left of where Obama gave his speech. You can't see it in the picture, but the coolest part is the vents right where he was standing. Rumor has it, they were blowing hot air to keep all the speakers warm. 

The view looking out towards the National Mall.

I love my job.

The official Inauguration Post

Lincoln and Ali were very lucky to receive "Purple tickets" to the inauguration, but even luckier to actually get in.

No matter what political party you voted for, it was a very inspirational moment.

Who would have thought that we would have been tested on our crowd survival skills?

We can tell you one thing, in the reality TV series called "Getting to the Inauguration with the Purple Tickets" Lincoln and Ali would have been voted to stay on the island--

We've got mad skills:

1. Leave at 8 am. Get on the metro in the OPPOSITE direction that everyone is going. Get off in a couple of stops, run across the platform and barely squeeze into the overly crowed metro train. Pass all the people at the original metro stop that can't get on. ----Check

2. Get off the train, find the line for the purple section and stand there for two hours. Yep, TWO hours while slowly but surely playing mind games with the crowd and moving past individuals one by one. All while the overall crowd does not seem to be moving at all. -----Check

3. Take pictures of Mariah Carey butting in line ARRRGGH!!. Never buy a CD from Mariah Carey ever!! She's a line butter!! ---- Check.

4. When the crowd starts yelling and saying that no one is getting in, IGNORE THEM. When the cop right next to you has no idea where the entrance gate is, keep pressing forward. When people start giving up, take their place in line. -----Check.

4. When ambulances try to get through the line, walk behind them, to get yourself further in line. Just hold your breath, so as to not inhale too much exhaust. ----Check.

5. Take pictures of cool FBI hummer.-----Check.

6. Once past the dreaded purple gate, and security, don't stop there. Slide your way past the port-a-potties, crawl through bushes, think skinny and pass other people to get

the perfect view. -----Check.

7. Sit back and enjoy. ----Check.

8. Look back at the millions of people on the mall behind you. ---Check.

9. Witness first hand the swearing-in of President Barack H. Obama, the first African-American President (warning the sound quality isn't that great because the sound system on the mall was faulty, but check out the crowds at the end).

10. Take cool pictures of the men in uniform in the inaugural parade. ----Check.

11. Be happy that you were a survivor!

It was all worth it.

To understand what this is all about,

and how thousands of people with valid tickets could not get in, go here and here.

Sneak Peek into the Inauguration

Tomorrow when I have a little more time, I plan on posting more. But for now, I really wanted to show my dad some pics and videos from the inauguration. 

{This pic was taken by my co-worker who has a way better camera than I do}

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Pilates

{I recognize that Insturctor is spelled Instructor. But I don't know how to change it because it's a jpg doc that was emailed to me.}

Visiting Teaching and Politics

In our church we have what I would like to refer to as a support system called Visiting Teaching. When I first married Lincoln and started going to a family ward, for three months I was placed/assigned to a small group of three, consisting of me, Megan, and Ashlee. We were all married within two weeks of each other. Once a month we went out to dinner, or ice cream to share a spiritual thought, and mostly just talked about life as a newly wed. We all became fast friends, and pretty soon the group visiting teaching appointments wouldn't end until 1 or 2 in the morning. Later on we were all assigned to different Visiting Teachers, but we would still get together once a month to eat and chat. These girls have blessed my life more than I can even express. Through the big change from single to married life, it was comforting to talk to other girls that were going through the exact same thing.

However, these times will soon change because Megan is leaving to Argentina with the foreign service in two weeks. I am going to miss that girl. (And Yes, Lincoln and I plan to visit her and her hubby in August when we return to our mission). So before she left we all got together. My favorite part of our dinner and chat was when we discussed how even though Ashlee and I are Republican, we are both going to Obama's Inauguration. And while Megan is a Democrat, she got to meet Condoleezza Rice. 

I will miss secretary Rice.  With this last election, and all the spoofs on Saturday Night Live, many stated that while Hilary Clinton is smart, she is not cute. And while Sarah Palin is cute, some say she didn't have all the required smarts. But Condoleeza Rice is one woman who is both smart and cute. She is in great shape, looks amazing in an all red suit, and is very intelligent.

 It can be done. 

{Picture taken by Megan}

When I grow up.

Remember when you were little and you dreamed what you do when you grew up? Well, until a couple of months ago, I still wondered. 

Then by nothing less than divine guidance I figured it out and landed my dream job. 

I just started last week. It is busy, I often work 10 hour days. But I couldn't be happier. I feel challenged, I feel like I am using my Masters degree, and I feel appreciated. I work with some of the most kind, patient, and intelligent people I have ever met. 

After work, Lincoln just listens and listens as I tell him the details of my day. I get really excited when I tell him what I am working on. On Thursday he commented, "It has been a long time since I have seen you this happy." 

This week the highlights included: scheduling and sitting in on interviews with CNN, FOX-Good Day Utah, KSL talk radio, NBC nightly news, ABC World News with Charles Gibson, Politico, and Roll Call. Oh yeah, and lets not forget about the Colbert Report. This little ditty had the whole office laughing for hours. 

Although, my all time favorite is carpooling to work everyday with my Lincoln. He is also working on Capitol Hill this semester as a law clerk. 

So, this blog may get a little more boring. No more spontaneous trips to Florida, New York or New England. No more road trips across the country. 

Maybe I should change the header to: The DC Essigs: Finally starting to pay off those grad school loans. 

Ode to the Barf Bag-

Flying these days is not how it used to be. 

No drinks.

No peanuts. 

No movie to keep you entertained.  

Just 5 long hours of NOTHING.

So Lincoln and I had to get creative.

 After playing multiple games of Sudoku, 

we turned to the Barf Bag to keep us entertained... 

Then we experienced a little turbulence... 

So, thank you Barf Bag. 

When the airlines failed to keep us entertained, 

you remained steadfast and true.

Happy New Year!

This year we went to a wicked awesome New Years Eve dance party at Davin and Rachel's house. At midnight we danced to Prince, "We're gonna party like its 1999."

Christmas!

Being married at Christmas time is so fun. I LOVE that we get to double dip on all the holiday parties and Christmas activities.

This year with the Abeggs we went to Temple Square on Christmas Eve, opened our Christmas pajamas that night, read the nativity, went to sleep, then woke up at 6am to open presents.

{Notice my coat. I got it at the D.I. years ago. It is the warmest coat known to mankind. Lincoln called me his little squaw princess the whole night.}

{This pic below is from a couple of days earlier when Lincoln and I went with Angie and Jordan to see the lights. I love being able to see my high school friends while we are in Utah}

{Christmas morning bright and early. Lincoln loved his Rubix Cube he got from Santa.}

{My brothers got rock band and rocked out for HOURS}{Then we went to the Essigs for ROUND II}
Our adorable nieces and nephew:

{One of the best, and most thoughtful presents we recieved on Christmas: Lance and Heidi made us a blanket and put pictures on it of all the places Lincoln and I have traveled.}Then we went to my grandmas house for Christmas Dinner

Then back home in the snow storm.


What a fantastic Christmas!