DC highlights. How do I pick five?!

On today's to-do-list is drafting a little diary over five extraordinary (or ordinary) events from my time in DC. It's an assignment for a student magazine, with the aim to inspire others to study abroad (DO IT!), or something like that.

But how do you pick only five things from an absolutely awesome year in DC? What should I write about?

That Nats game that got delayed due to a thunderstorm?

How IHOP is open all day and night?

About covering the event where the Chief Justice of the US was present?

Or about covering the American Diabetes Association's fundraiser walk to stop diabetes?

Hearing Mr President Obama speak and Stevie Wonder sing for the MLK Memorial Opening?

That amazing Thanksgiving in Snickersville?

Five hours in Philly.

What can you do during five hours in Philly? Well, let me show you a few things:

You can eat Philly cheesesteak. Like cheese? Like meat?

You can see Liberty Bell without standing in a looong, long, line! Hello, people!

You can check out Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

You can stand in Independence Hall without going in.

You can say hi to George W.

You can walk downtown from the station, which we realized after a ride on the subway.

Today, we have celebrated The Free Press.

"Did you know that Finland is considered the country with the best press freedom in the world?" I asked my dad, who is a Finnish citizen, in spite of his almost 40 years living in Sweden. He did not quite believe me, so I took him to the Newseum.

He was happy to find out that I was right, and proudly took out his passport to show me – and the rest of the museum visitors – his true origins. Go Finland! We should all learn from you.

I just started thinking about this story, since May 3 is World Press Freedom day. Definitely a day worth celebrating.

Why medical insurance is not needed, part 2.

Starbucks educate both employees and customers on good hand hygiene, the basic tool to stay well.

Why medical insurance is not needed, part 1.

The Newseum ensures every visitor keeps all the germs to him- or herself. Stay safe.

305 – The banner carriers to the Ambassador of Japan to the US.

When our alarms started ringing around 6am this morning, we were far from excited. When the bus drove past us, we didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but when the bus after stopped and actually started to chase down the bus we were meant to be on, we definitely laughed.

We arrived in a chilly D.C. around 7am and this is what we did.

Early birds in the nation's capital.

We were going to volunteer at the 2012 National Cherry Blossom Parade.

Go NOVA!

It's importan to refuel before a long day.

And we became the banner carriers to the Ambassador of Japan to the US!

Happy to catch the right banner!

Scooby was there to solve the general mystery of Japan – or something the like.

"Behind the scenes" were the only pictures we had time to take.

Thanks. Thank you. I appreciate it.

One thing I like about travelling is the opportunity to encounter a new culture and learn something from the people living in it. Sometimes, moral values conflict so much with my own beliefs that I just have to walk away, but very often, I meet something I want to keep.

To pinpoint exactly all the manners I have learned about the American culture is of course difficult, but there is one thing in particular I know I have acquired since I moved here; saying thank you and show appreciation.

The thanks are everywhere. In emails, in shops, in lines, on the street, on the metro. Between friends, lovers, strangers, colleagues. Everybody is thanking everyone for everything. And so do I. Because I think it's a nice gesture. Keep spreading the thank yous around you. It only costs a few milliseconds of air and very little effort from your vocal chords.

Thank you for reading. Thanks!

What kinda gal?

I was walking home from Harris Teeter with the 24 cans of beer I had bought (yes, future employer, I do, occasionally drink beer; and no they were not all for me) and experienced something funny as well as a little disturbing.

An older man smiles at me from the other side of the road:

"That's one fine girl, carrying her own beer. My kinda gal!"

I smiled at him and said "yes, of course." Ten seconds later, I stop by a traffic light and two guys my age smile, nod and give me a big "yeeaah."

It's funny, the way so many people is this country just randomly smile and talk to you. However, the perception that a woman a) doesn't drink beer and b) can't carry her own 24 cans of beer annoys me. Not saying that this would be something representative of American mentality, but there is still a difference between men and women in this country that I don't experience back home.

This is actually something I have experienced in most countries where I have traveled, lived and spent a lot of time. I have often found myself closer to the male attendees of a party than to the female ones. Somehow, I always seem to shock people, doing things girls shouldn't do. And now I am asking myself; are Swedes relatively equal or am I a manly kind a gal?

The Cereal Country.

Adjusting to a new culture is not always easy. There are new socially created rules to adopt, new food to learn to like, new moral values to understand. And for the one coming to the United States of America, too much cereal to choose from!

I kid you not, choosing cereal in this county is, for an indecisive person like me, a one day job, at its minimum! Do I want granola? Nuts? Which one of the fifteen strawberry ones? Or maybe another berry? No sugar added? With pieces of peanutbutter? Marshmallows? Wheat? WHAT do I want?

The options are too many. But the last time I went grocery shopping the option was only one. Please see below and understand that I obviously want to eat the breakfast of champions – all day, everyday. Thank you General Mills, for making my cereal choice so much easier.

Warning: Beauty Overload. Cherry Blossoms.

He is there. She is there. They are there. We are there. You are there. I am there. And here we all are. One hundred years ago, 3,000 cherry trees were given to they city of Washington DC, to honor the friendship between Japan and the US and these wonderful trees still make the north bank of Tidal Basin into an area of peace and harmony.

Everybody is there. Unable to put their cameras down. How could they? There is so much beauty to be captured and saved. How can a world that can create such grace be anything but lovely?

Starting today, and five weeks to come, there will be Cherry Blossom events all over town; street parades, fireworks, music and dance performances, kite festival, symposiums and of course, just amazing trees to wander under.

There is something about cherry blossoms. It's a kind of magic. The peaceful flowers puts people in a trance, unable to put their cameras down.

Bike hike with a hint of green.

Yesterday, it was that time of the year again when America went green and Irish (and drunk!). The 305 girls took the green in St. Patrick's Day and turned to nature instead of green beer.

We borrowed two bikes, rented a third one by the river in Old Town Alexandria and then we hit the approximately 8 mile long bike trail to Mt. Vernon, the astonishing estate of George Washington, in perfect shape as he left it when he passed away in 1799.

The ten minute tour in the mansion – decorated with vivid colors as it actually looked way back when – and the stroll in the beautiful garden full of history and well kept souvenirs, was a visit worth its effort. And really, the effort of getting there was half the pleasure. The bike trail is in perfect shapes and gives you a wonderful sightseeing with amazing views.

A bike trip to Mt. Vernon is a perfect Saturday hike. Especially when the sun is shining and the air is warm. We were definitely high on life. Go green, experience nature, that's what it's all about.

Voilà, Mount Vernon!

Mischievous picnic no. 1 by the river. "No food allowed." Oops.

The Mansion.

Happy campers! We fully understood why he built his mansion on that exact spot.

The one not wearing green on St. Pattys can be pinched, so we brought our Novapösar as protection.

Back in Old Town, where green was all over and the Irish tunes were in the air.

National Archives – not bad at all.

Must do's in DC? A visit to the National Archives definitely qualifies into that list. Especially if you are interested in American history and find old documentation impressive.

You can listen to phone calls from former presidents, watch the Declaration of Independence and find out why Ronald Reagan is referred to as the Great Communicator. That last one goes for me, at least. When I read the transcript of his farewell address to the nation, held January 11, 1989, he convinced me.

"All in all, not bad. Not bad at all."

That is how he summarized his presidency. Not only is it brilliant use of words. It is also a very good summary. A conclusion I often try to get to, when I have completed a mission and know I have done my very best.

Anyways, plan a visit to the National Archives. It's free. It's on The Mall. It's not bad at all.

Don't rain on my parade. And it didn't.

This country is so very often so very interesting. Today's experience of the Presidents' Day Parade in Old Town Alexandria was such a moment. Parades in general is such a fun phenomena. People dress out and walk the streets up and down, cheering, smilig, waving and perform their tricks.

Today, in the almost warm light of early spring sun, we saw everything from mayors waving, to little girls drilling, to big military trucks, to boys scouts, to a man dressed as Abraham Lincoln, to old men in kaftans, to directors of school boards, to marching bands, to whatnot.

I love parades. They bring such a joyful atmosphere into any day. Whether sun or not. And why not end this Presidents' Day with some good words of wisdom. Tune in to Barbara Streisand and hear her tell us:

Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter

Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter

Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade!

The day of all the presidents.

It's Presidents' Day today! But what does that mean, other than getting a day off work and seeing Presidents Day sales everywhere one turns one's head?

Presidents' Day originally honored the birth of George Washington, the first president of the United States, for those how need a quick reminder. Initially, it was celebrated on his actual birthday, February 22, just over a week after the celebrations of Lincoln's birthday, February 12. Since 1971 these two birthday boys have been commemorated together, along with all past presidents, each year the third Monday in February. This year, that would be today.

A quick glance at today's even calendar tells me it's a day we we can go out and enjoy parades and walks down memory lane. At this early hour, I have not decided yet what to do. But a visit to Old Town Alexandria to watch the parade does seem appealing.

Happy Presidents' Day, people!

So, Presidents Day is not only a celebration of the current president, Mr. Obama, just to clarify that.

NBA: The Evaluation.

NBA, all I can say: badabababa I'm lovin' it!

Atmosphere: Cheerful and happy.
Seats: Level 4. Gotta work our way down.
Munchies: Dippin' dots (so weird, so good) and Cracker Jack.
Foam finger: B2 got one.
Too bad: Wizards lost.
Most devoted fans: The Knicks fans.
Happiest person present: Apart from B1 and B2, Mr. Dance Camera.
Most unexpected: Chicken sandwiches falling from the ceiling in parachutes (I kid you not, I love this country).

Total grade: five out of five basketballs.

Now: Basketball for All!

Near Big Arena. Now Begins Amusement. Need Beer Anyone? Not Bad at All.

When you read this, your devoted blogger is @TheVerizonCenter in Washington DC, experiencing yet another cultural biggie, enjoying (hopefully) her first game of NBA. Oh yes, it stands for National Basketball Association, none of that bullshit above.

The Washington Wizards – a team from what I've heard cannot perform magic at all, which was good for us, because the tickets were cheap – are playing the New York Knicks. My basketball knowledge is rather limited – I know that a dunk is something good – so I will just follow the crowd. Go Wizards, I will shout when everybody else do.

Go Wizards, GOOOO!!!

Not so Brilliant Artwork – I know, but it's from the arena.