Philly and being Brave

Hey how are ya!

  Well since this blog is quickly becoming the Sam DeBaltzo in D.C. blog I thought I would share a little of the fun and games I am experiencing here in D.C. in the form of pictures and words.

  So last week the whole BYU gang took a trip out to Valley Forge and Philadelphia. It was so cool and I learned a ton of things. I didn't really know much of the story of Valley Forge prior to going but this trip was very explanatory. We had an old colonial actor too who was flipping hysterical. I must have been slacking in Valley Forge with the Iphone though because I don't have any pictures of that part of the trip.

  Philly was such a great day though. We started off going through Independence Hall and seeing the Liberty Bell which was really cool, I knew most of the information but it was still great to see everything. Following the official tours we were sent off around the city and were allowed to see whatever we wanted. I got my first official Philly cheese-steak and realized why I had failed in all previous experiences with cheese-steaks. The most important part of the Philly cheese-steak is getting cheese-whiz. That cheese is probably the grossest and most manufactured concoction I have ever had but boy oh boy was that cheese-steak amazing. Here is the magic man who made it:

(He was pretty much a miracle man with the stove and the steak; way jealous)

After getting cheese-steaks we decided that we had to get Rita's shaved ice (the O'Dorks love it) and it was so good. They had STARBURSTS flavored shaved ice. Is that heaven or what? Needless to say, I tried a couple of flavors and ended up quite content with my Mango-Strawberry shaved ice.

(Brain freeze, minor consequence of eating too much shaved ice too quickly)

(Then we walked to New Jersey and took a picture with Philly in the background)

(Another SAMWICH; love Sam and Taylor soooo much)

Other than that the week was good. Madison (the intern from Michigan that I work with everyday) and I decided that we needed a quality shot from the Speaker's balcony. She is so awesome and so stoked that I'm applying to Satan's University. And talk about the view!

And here is what happens when your roommate vacuums and fails to check for cords (thank goodness you gave me that backup dad!)

I entitled this blog "Philly and being Brave" because yesterday I went ROCK CLIMBING! I know, me! Sam, the pansy who is afraid of heights and pretty much anything that could risk my life. However, I freaking loved this so much and I can't wait to go back. It's way freaky at first but once you realized that the cords are super strong you have so much confidence and it's a blast.

(A nice girl Kendra in the ward who was quite touchy as she harnessed me; hope her boyfriend didn't mind)

(Harmony and Katie; two girls from the ward that have started hanging out with us - and Kim, a BYU girl who I have unofficially adopted as another sister and I another brother to her. Love her.

(Kim didn't get any of me climbing but I loved hanging horizontally from the rope, you feel so secure)

(War wounds; see if you can find them all!)

Overall I am just living the dream and loving it. I hope you all are having respected blasts wherever you may be and will talk to everyone soon. Also, I don't think it would be bad to post Jack's weekly emails here (if he ever sends any). Love you all so much!

-Sam