Two highlights of my week

Being that it is Saturday and I am working and have nothing better to do, I thought I'd recap my week. Don't worry, not all of it but there are a couple of things worth mentioning.

One fun experience this week was on Thursday morning. Outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair was visiting the President and they had a press conference in the Rose Garden. It was Mr. Blair's last trip to the US as PM so the presser was all about the relationships between the countries, the friendship between Bush and Blair, etc. And since I love all things British, it was a very cool thing. But here's the BEST part of the whole deal. Prior to the event, I told a friend in the WH press office that it was my friend Kelly's birthday (she's the NBC correspondent). Normally in the case of a bilateral presser, each world leader calls on two journalists for a total of 4 questions. That happened and then the next thing you know, the President calls on Kelly for a 5th question and says "I understand it's your birthday today Kelly. Do you want me and Mr. Blair to do a little duet?" It was really funny and to think that I only had to tell one person to give a direct message to President of the United States!!! Pretty bizarre!!

The other equally unique experience of this week actually happened last Sunday. I spent my day in Jamestown, Virginia celebrating America's 400th anniversary. The President came down for it but I wasn't on Air Force One with him. We actually had to drive. Ourselves. No press charter. No special treatment. We even had to use portapotties (ironically named "King's Flush"). Despite the hardships that I think could have parallelled the early settlers, it was still very cool. (Ok, I admit they probably had it a bit worse but I still HATE portapotties!) To think that I was walking where my ancestors had been 400 years before was a very neat experience. (Well I found out we weren't there in 1607 but more like 1630 but still that's pretty close!) We were entertained throughout the day by various bands, dance groups, etc. all of which had ties to my great Commonwealth. I was so proud to be a true Virginian!! And by the way, I kept trying to use my heritage as a privilege to use a real bathroom but it did absolutely no good. Maybe if I had been in colonial-period costume, they would have taken pity on me!

I guess after these two experiences and seeing the Queen last week, I'm all British-ed out! I'm not sure if there's anything left to do except to actually go there! Maybe I'll spend the rest of my free time today planning a trip! :)