'Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.'

Earlier this evening, I watched "Forrest Gump" with at least 11 other people. While I've seen this film many times before, this opportunity was a chance to look at it from a different perspective.

It had been years since the last time I had seen it, so it was kind of comforting to watch something familiar. Also, some of the other people had never seen this film before, and many of them are international students, so it was cool to share that experience with them and sort of see it through their eyes, which is basically what this movie is all about: seeing life through the eyes of one unique man, one unique life. Though events have been re-imagined in this film, it's a good conversation starter for those who are unfamiliar with U.S. history.

One of my favorite moments in this movie takes place at the Washington Monument, which I got to see from afar when I spent this past summer on the East Coast. This photo came from a weekend trip to Washington D.C. with my younger sister when she flew from our home state of California to visit me.

One weekend was definitely not enough time to spend in D.C. For instance, we didn't have a chance to get up close to the Monument, nor did we see the Lincoln Memorial or any of the different war memorials. Plus, there's more to D.C. than museums, monuments, and memorials . This is all the more reason why I should return someday!