Easter & Cherry Blossom Tournament: The Last Hurrah

So in fear that I'm getting too old for childhood pleasantries like trick-or-treating I wasn't sure I'd have an Easter basket sent to me at school despite the past few years surprise in the mail. I called my Mom a week before I left for spring break to remind her I would love to receive some goodies. To be honest asking for an Easter basket isn't the same as getting a surprise when you walk downstairs or walk to your PO BOX in Moseley to find a packing slip you know is not anything you ordered online. None the less I was grateful she sent me a little somethin' somthin'.

About a year ago this June Mom bought me one of my favorite films, The Easter Parade, on dvd. If you are not familiar with this fabulously entertaining and musically thrilling piece of art I will encourage you to rent the film with a spoiler - the best of the best actors of the our time play the leads: Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. As the holiday weekend approached I knew that I would like - as I have for the past three years while at college - to see the movie. Its a tradition my Mom and I started when I was younger  so I feel a personal connection, a memory of the 'good ole days'. Once the dvd was in my possession I kept it in the top drawer of our entertainment cabinet back home in New Jersey. Sad day :(

These days I've been quite nostalgic reflecting about my days in our nation's capital this last spring. I remember it was the centennial of the Cherry Blossom festival and my mom visited me a few weeks after the blossoms bloomed. It was a super quick spotting of the blossoms lasting about three days if that and the rest of the season the trees remained flowerless. This year, however, the warmer temperatures are gradual and not as shocking as the year before. Also different from last spring was that I went to the Cherry Blossom Tournament as a player not just a stand-by member of Elon Women's Rugby.

Huge breakfast spread

This time around was the best yet and its appropriate the last one would leave me feeling accomplished. Although we did not officially win any titles we played hard. It was extremely exciting to play in front of my Mom and other family members of other players. We had so much support from the sidelines which felt really nice. The Simesons per usual are a delight. They are saints in my book opening their house for the past three years to a bunch of ruggers who eat a ton, sleep sloppily and make a lot of noise when together. At least we are not partial to breaking things like when boys get in packs. Breakfast casseroles, yummy snack foods, homemade lasagna...I haven't ate that good in awhile other than the usual dishes I cook for myself. It was especially sweet to have Dennis around because my mom and I were treated to lunch the first day of the tournament. We went to Outback and got the Bloomin' Onion as an appetitizer. YUM!!!!! I have not had one in over five years. It tasted sooooooooo good and it made me feel less guilty eating a 1500 calorie dish among two other people.

I should also mention a great trip up on the Megabus to D.C. from Durham. Never done that before but it seemed to go smoothly with the exception of cramped leg room and the fact I had to leave my apartment around 9am to take the train to the bus depot. No biggie because it was worth meeting up with Kristi, Dennis and Mom for dinner at the hipest italian restaurant in non other than D.C.'s Chinatown, Vapiano's. It was buzzing that night like I'd never seen it and I was so happy Kristi and I's pregame appetitizer and round of drinks around the corner at Bar Louie made us late. Mom and Dennis caught the best spot in the place. After a much satisfied meal we walked it off around the national mall around late dusk. We walked from the Dept of Justice to the Pearl Harbor memorial and turned back going north back to Chinatown. I had to admit how much I do miss life in D.C.

The ride back was an adventure to say the least. While at a rest stop for lunch and bathroom break we locked ourselves out of the van. Yep. That would only happen to van riders. Lucky for us one of our rookies, Lexie, was our savior. AAA Plus member had her card on her, called for service and within the hour a guy appeared and helped us unlock the driver door. In the meantime we were fortunate enough to be surrounded by a plethora of shops. We made rounds to the pet store and Michael's before the towe truck arrive with help.

 Our Savior arrives!!!

Near ready to get out of the van after one hell of a trip Steph plays around 

with the plush dog Natty got from Blaine as a V-Day gift last yr. It talks, dances and sings...well not really but Steph seems to think so :)

Botanic Gardens (Part 2)

Follow up from last weekend during Keith's visit: We went to the Botanic Gardens for wonderful photo-opportunity for Mr. Photographer. It was so great even with the humidity and heat inside the exhibits. So many orchids!! The many many different kinds of orchids were in honor of the Japanese Cherry Blossom festival (Mar 20-April 27). Take a look for yourself:


Photos by Keith Hobin

I took some photos too! I love the gardens! It made me realize that the gardens could be a great place to study or write in my journal (yes I keep a journal). The atmosphere is peaceful and the benches are all in very secluded areas. I would love to go back but we'll have to see.

EWR Tournament and April Fools Brunch

I know its a bit delayed but lets just say I've been recovering from such a busy weekend....last weekend. LOL. My weekend started early actually, on Thursday. I decided to go to the Dubliner for a drink. I was inclined to go where the music is playing and it goes without saying that if the place is close to the apartment I'm game! Can you believe this is the first time (throughout my college career) I've gone out on a "weekday"?!?!?!? Yeah I'm such a homebody lol

It was nice for once to go to a pub and talk to people and NOT get hit on. It was carefree fun before the stupid bus driver left Union Station waaaay early. Considering it was the last late bus and I didn't have cash I ended up walking back. Thankfully I was soothed by the security personnel at the concierge desk, she is so friendly. She advised me to email my RA about the bus situation but I know that won't do much but put yet another problem on Chazzy's radar. Soon to be forgotten type thing...

Friday was low-key. I ended up staying in doing some homework. BUT its a good thing I did because I was up so early on Saturday morning and I didn't return to the apartment before midnight. I had to go cheer my ruggers on the pitch at the Cherry Blossom Tournament in Maryland. I went to the Rockville Metro station to meet up with Diane. Her house is immaculate and her parent are saints for hosting almost the entire EWR team. Granted this year some girls stayed at Molly's place (which is equally sainthood-like) but everyone ended up at Diane's place Saturday morning for breakfast and greetings and then off to the game.

It was a blast. I only wished - like Rhi - that I could play. I should have brought my cleets, mouth guard, and rugby gear to DC. I never thought about joining a team here like the DC Furies or did I plan to go to this tournament but I'm so happy I did. I was accompanied on the sidelines with friends, family, and some "injured" players, screaming my guts the whole time. :)

Here are some photos:

Injured ruggers with a member of the DC Furies (also injured)

Molly has got some balls

Future Rugger :) Courtney's nephew

Can't a girl get some help with her hair? 

Alums!

RUCK!!!!

Tottie - alumni

April fools fell on a Sunday this year. I won't be fooled, I'm prepared thanks to my Mom (yea she made me cry one year).  I went to a brunch at an Elon alum's house-sitting house. It was GORGEOUS! What an ideal location and how lucky to have an extended period to live in a place like that in the heart of Georgetown. It was nice to meet some of Kristin's friends who are also Elon Alums even if it was brief. There was a nice spread of food but I'm just sad I didn't come sooner to join in more conversation but made up for it walking around in the neighborhood a bit with Kristin. Later made a pit stop into Sephora for some much needed Sugar lip tint among other hygienic things

This work week started on Monday. WHAT.A.NIGHTMARE. I felt like I needed to be in three places at once. I tried to work and then something would happen. Interruptions throughout the day. Grrrrrr At least I'm done now but my Mom is coming over for this coming weekend so that will be fun but busy too.

9:30 club, J Street, Ricky, and Romania

I started out this weekend quite nicely I think. On Friday I rehashed my memories of Thursday morning running an errand involving a stroll to the NRCC and who do you think I just happen to see? Mitt Romney. Oh yea totally not expecting that one.

Thursday was also a perfect day to remember since it was beautiful with all the cherry blossoms full and flowers everywhere surrounding the Hill, (sigh). I took some pictures of the event as shown below:

Saturday was a somewhat productive day despite the rain. I wanted to go out to the Smithsonian since it was a cloudy day and I prefer to be indoors where I don't have to be wet. Well to my surprise I was welcomed to the National Mall by heards of people, huge concert-type speakers and a stage. I began to listen to the words, "I'm an atheist and I'm proud that we made this sh&$* happen!" It was thoroughly amusing to say the least. I couldn't help but stay a few minutes longer to observe the people and watch the festivities. It was quite a unique crowd of people which was very intriguing to me. I guess thats why atheism is so popular among the youth, the hippies, and other people who didn't found the idea of God annoying and wanted to try something new. I get it I do but it was just so odd that the rally was being conducted by atheists that made the whole event sound like a miracle.

Understood: atheists don't believe in God nor do they think its right or legally fair for believers in God should shove their values, beliefs, and ideas down an atheist's throat. But my confusion asteamed from the idea that the atheist activists there at the National Mall where in favor of changing the law to accomodate them but they make claims that they don't respect the law. My question would be how do you perceive to fulfill your objectives as a group of American citizens when you don't respect the fundamental values of our system? No Congressional member wants to listen to someone uninterested in the "job" that he or she does in government and for the country which ties into the atheists fight against "Under God," being used in the country's most valued legal document next to the Bill of Rights. I'm not saying what they "do" as Congressman and women is right or wrong and shouldn't be judged like everyone else, however, in order to make changes to the legal system one must convince the judicary system and the legislative system that you understand and respect the freedoms you have to do so.  I dunno maybe its too complicated for me.

Change in plans for the daytime I decided to go back to the apartment. I chilled around until about 7 then heading to the Metro to U St. It was a bit intimidating to walk around U St when I didn't really know which direction to go off of U. Ducking into a CVS to ask was no help until a local biker guided me towards Howard University. V St was literally around the freakin' corner from the Metro station...ughh. After almost having a heart attack (recipt in hand NOT the ticket!) I was releaved when the will call guy reprinted my ticket....victory! And it was an awesome show - well Band of Skulls were awesome and British (no idea)! Horrorible pics of the place but you get the idea:

Note to self: NEVER where those F*#%@ heels to a show or event ever again, especially when you know the procedure is standing for long periods of time!

All-day Sunday I went to the J Street conference to get a clearer understanding of the Jewish/Israeli side of the Israeli-Palestinian Two-State solution argument. It was very interesting. I met some students from Dartmouth who I gave my business card to during a free and edible breakfast. I tried to take as many notes and got to as many sessions that I could. I stayed until about 430pm then headed back to the apt to await Ricardo's visit. He arrived around 7pm and we walked around the neighborhood. We picked up some items for our pork chops, salad, and quesadilla dinner. It was so nice to have him stay over and to talk awhile about his family, travels, future plans, etc. I wish he had more time to spend in DC since he seemed to love it so much. Next time maybe...

Today was yet another LOOOONNG day. 530am wake up to go to the gym (yea I know I'm crazy). Then out the door at 7ish. Metro to Gallery/Chinatown and then departed from Ricardo :(
Green line to Convention center and another free breakfast with a additional session on Women in Israel. Another few sessions and I was heading back on the Metro to New York Ave to the RAF for another programming session. It was a interview/Q&A session with Jim Lear and his wife Kim Lear. All repetitive information until some of the questions from the students but at that time I was struggling not to tip over out of my seat. Lack of sleep = not good. Rushing out of the RAF to catch the next shady grove train, to chinatown, running to the green line downstairs, then running (literally) through the convention halls up the escalators to the room where my next session were to take place. A little stressful but I made it.

Decided to go to Tidal Basin to see what was left rather gone from this past week's peak of cherry blossoms. Stupid! I should've come earlier. Oh well I saw a bunch everywhere during the week. I decided to walk to the Kennedy Center. Glad I did, I walked through GW - Elon in the city equivalent - then to the center where I watched and listened to the most eclectic and original quartet of musicians playing music inspired by Eastern Europe, among other places around the world. Check out The Kennedy Center's live streaming of each show everynight at 6pm (kennedy-center.org/millenium)

 Watergate 

 Sculpture outside The Kennedy Center

 Side view of The Kennedy Center

 George Washington Monument

 Pearl Harbor Memorial looking onward to the Lincoln Memorial

What was left of the cherry blossoms on Monday

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