virginia really is for lovers.

Old Town Alexandria. Home to Mount Vernon, trendy boutiques, cobblestone streets, red and black trolleys, a view of the Potomac river and decadent restaurants. As you pass by the colonial style houses, you can't help but imagine what type of people walked these streets. George Washington lived here once. Did he sit on the edge of the Potomac river pondering new legislation? Did he ride his horse down the streets, white wig flowing in the wind?

There was a quiet power about this place.

Despite the occasional rain and some flooded streets (of course where the Starbucks was), the town was still illuminated by history. Upon arrival, we stopped by the Visitor's center before heading to Gadby's Tavern for lunch. The restaurant has hosted George Washington in the past and the day we arrived marked the anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's visit. The waitors wore petticoats and served cornbread muffins. Nothing too fancy to eat, just a chicken sandwich but the hand-cut fries were American if anything.

A quick stroll a couple of blocks landed us at a stationary store called Paper Source where we spent too many hours sifting through the shop's odds and ends (including stick-on mustaches). Next door, many cheesy tourist gifts glowed through the window, beckoning us towards their plastic deals. The gift shop got a little ridiculous as we edged the back of the store, with finds such as a Hillary Clinton toilet bowl brush. We then discovered the Lavender Moon Cupcakery where I had my very first Hummingbird cupcake. Imagine a banana and pineapple cupcake with walnuts, topped with maple cream cheese frosting. Yum.

I must admit, I got a little homesick when I spotted a red and black trolley making its way across the street. I didn't ride the trolleys much at APU last semester but after a quick ride around the block in one of these, it made me wish radio played Christian Talk Radio and want to thank the driver loudly as I walked off.

But the true highlight of the day was the Potomac river. People say here that some who visit Washington D.C. get "Potomac Fever." In other words, they don't want to leave. I can feel my temperature rising already. How could you not with a view like this?

a fashion date with the first lady

I sat in the last row. The front lobby of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History looked different from the last time I visited. Business suits and Gucci bags replaced crying babies and khaki pants. The lobby had converted into a press room, with a large stage and four chairs. In walked the director of the museum, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and then designer Jason Wu.

And then she walked in.

Michelle Obama, the first lady of the United States, wife to the president and the latest fashion icon since Jackie Kennedy.

I couldn't help but let out an inaudible gasp and grab the leg of the woman sitting next to me. "That's her," I whispered. "I can't believe it."

I was helping cover the presentation of the inaugural gown of the first lady. For those who have never visited the museum before, this is a common event. Each first lady donates at least one dress to the exhibition, which features dresses dating back to Martha Washington. The presentation ceremony is a big deal and how I ended up there, I'm not quite sure.

I was set to interview the curator of the exhibition when she offered to let me see the exhibit before the public. I entered with the intentions of writing a separate story and after a brief discussion with my editor, I was set to join the entertainment columnist at the event. And wow, I don't think I'll forget it. In as quick as an hour, I passed through security, chatted with the editor and sat through speeches by both the designer and the first lady. The gown she wore stood somber yet elegant to the side of the stage, a masterpiece. I could almost see the crystals stitched on the dress sparkle.

What a wonderful journalism day.