At the Zoo :)

As if it wasn't sweet enough to have my long-time friend Keith over for the weekend he came up with a few terrific ideas for "things to do" while he was in town. One was going to the National Zoo. What a great idea! I planned to go last month but after hearing from a close colleague that the animals weren't out yet I decided to wait. Good thing I did because we were EXTREMELY lucky! We saw the Giant pandas - my first time seeing pandas EVER - and of course the elephants!!! We also got to see a feeding for the sloth bear. Note: the sloth bear is not related to the sloth the animal although it does share some mechanical and physical attributes.

Below are some photos of the trip to the Zoo all taken by my semi-professional friend Keith Hobin. Be sure to check out his flickr account (link:www.flickr.com/photos/kjhobin/)

By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

 Look closely. Who do you see?

By Keith Hobin

 By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

Of course my favorite - and I know my Mom would just love me saying this - was the bird section. They are the animals that can do the one thing we as humans never will be able to do on our own: fly. Not to mention the beautiful feathers and designs of their beaks, etc. All so different and so many of them. Take a look for yourself below, some of my favorite picks from Keith's bird photos: 

 By Keith Hobin

  By Keith Hobin

 By Keith Hobin

 By Keith Hobin

  By Keith Hobin

By Keith Hobin

A stop at FroYo for "lunch" and off to MLK and FDR memorials. Funny thing was its been awhile since I've been around my guy friends and I forget their stomachs. So what I considered lunch was a snack in Keith's eyes. It was an on-going joke between him and I especially when he used the phrase 'you eat like a bird' which always brings a smile to my face. My Mom always says that not to be mean but to say its amazing that I can keep going and going and going with barely enough energy in me. However, I am a very healthy person and in order to stay that way I traditionally only eat healthy foods - not greasy, fatty foods - and exercise a lot! But to be honest I do forget to eat sometimes because I'm so absorbed in the activities I do throughout the day. 

We tried to go to the Botanic Gardens but I failed us. Instead we went to the Castle Smithsonian that did have gardens but not the Botanic Gardens. We killed some time going into the African Art and Asian Art Galleries nearby which were very well done. Some photos are below:

By Keith Hobin

  

At the end of the day we managed to get to The Kennedy Center to see Ten-Chi-Jin, a rockish Japanese band, in celebration of the Japanese Sakuri Maturi Festival taken place in Federal Triangle early on Saturday. It started out slow and painfully quiet. The dancer was beautifully wrapped in a kimono and it was lovely to see her move in traditional Japanese dance, however, we were very tired and that wasn't the kind of music to keep our attention - hence Keith almost tipping over and a gentleman in the row behind us started to snore loudly. The performance did get more exciting once the rest of the assemble came onto the stage and the female drummer, Shinobu Osawa, started to jump around with her drum and run through the audience thanking them for the support. What a great performer!

The night ended with a few Dubliner beers, London Broil and Cornbeef and cabbage at the Dubliner Pub. It was definitely a good night for the Capitals fans hanging out at Kelly's Irish Pub right down the street which was very entertaining. I would go as far to say it was like dinner and a movie only it was real and live right in front of me. Shuttle back to the RAF and sleep.... 

Will be writing up Part 2 of our adventures soon. Stay tuned!

When Mommy Comes to Town....

What an amazing weekend! I honestly could not have asked for better weather or events...it was bliss. I was so grateful to share it with the one person who is so dear to my heart: my Mom. It was even more special because this was the first time my Mom has visited Washington, D.C. She often refers to her bad experience driving through D.C. with her former boyfriend, Dallas. They apparently got lost and driving through D.C. at night didn't leave a good impression. Now nearly 25+yrs later she's back but on foot.

She arrived on Thursday evening and we immediately went to a local bar/burger joint called The Big Board. To my dismay they didn't have the regular menu but a late night menu. Luckily, she tried some sliders to give her a taste of how good those burgers are (I recommend the grilled salmon burger). Good cheers and reminiscence I was completely caught off-guard when Farrell Parker, singer/actress from my high school's artsy organization SVPA (Student Visual and Performing Arts), called out my name: "Catherine Valero." I knew that this person (I had my back to her) had to be from my past. It was a pleasant surprise and I was happy to know that not only she had moved down the street (H St) but she also informed me that a few other SVPA peeps lived in the DC metro area too.

The next morning was an even greater joy considering I was off of work - thanks Mommy! Friday was full of walking everywhere, seeing everything and getting so pooped we ended up ordering pizza for dinner. We went to the National Mall to see the Capitol and the Smithsonian, walk down to the George Washington monument, walked to the WWII memorial (which I found out was recently built in 2004), Vietnam memorial, Korean War memorial, and of course my mom's goal the Lincoln memorial. She was stunned and awed that we as a nation gave such a memorial to this one man, "its says a lot about him and what he did that makes him so important for so many"Mom said. From there we did walk up to the White House (both the back and the front on PA Ave) and sat on a bench in a nearby park to relax our footies.
Below are some pics of the day:

 White Russian milkshake

 Teapot #1

The Pentagon 9/11 Memorial

Oh yeah, almost forgot. We went to the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial by Mom's request and I'm glad we did. It was so personal (one piece for each person who died).

We also ate a $2 taster at Fojol Boys food truck! The Kennedy Center never fails to amaze. We went to a free show where the Berklee College of Music (Boston) performed. It was truly influential because the students shared the fact that on their way down from Boston they received sad news that their professor and friend passed away. Even though it was difficult to get through they shined and played such a beautiful performance. It would've made him proud.

 Fojol truck

Vietnam Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Back of White House

Saturday, another BEAUTIFUL spring day. We started early and ate at Ted Bulletin's ---highly recommend the "Adult" milkshakes!!! YUM - White Russian :) From there we visited the Eastern Market and browsed the fruit/vegetable vendors as well as all the artisan tables. To our delight we even watched a cooking demo and ate the food too! Thanks Jonathan ...

Mom tried a Raspberry Lemonade cupcake and I tried the Carrot Cake cupcake from Curbside Cupcake Pinky 3. Delish! We also had something a little bit more filling at a local French bistro where my mom was thrilled to receive a pot of tea....again! (First was at Ted Bulletin's). She's a major tea snob but I love her. A nice brisk walk to the National Mall again, passing the Library of Congress-Thompson Jefferson and the Capitol to await the start of International Pillow Fight Day's pillow day DC style. Some pics of the entertaining event are shown below:

Afterwards we walked around the information center's garden (Castle Smithsonian) and then left taking the Metro back to the apartment to rest a bit. Dolled up and feeling refreshed we headed back out 2 hrs later to see Georgetown and go to the Easter Vigil at The National Cathedral. Alan greeted us in the lobby and chatted a bit - best person - and then we were off. Took the Circulator to Georgetown and walked around M St as well as the some side streets to explore the true vibe of residential Georgetown. NOTE FOR ALL WOMEN: DON'T BE STUPID! I know you want to wear those really cute heels with those jeans but you just can't when you are walking at length on brick pathways! Practical is a must! 

Curbside Cupcake

Pillow Fight!!!!!!!!!!!

Old Stone Building garden in Georgetown

Georgetown Cupcake.....line down the street.

Great find! Its a small Mediterranean cafe called Quick Pita. Yummy Falafels!

National Cathedral.....jaw dropping 

 YEP that a purse made of moss and flowers :)

The National Cathedral (link: www.nationalcathedral.org) was gorgeous and so immense! I guess St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC is the same in height (HUGE) but next to skyscrapers its hard to see its greatness from the outside like this one in DC. Another Note: be prepared going to the Easter Vigil, its a lot of standing, sitting, standing, sitting...its a long service and candles are everywhere so you might be on the verge of fainting like I was. After the service we caught the bus to U St. to see the festivities and eat at Ben's Chili Bowl (www.benschilibowl.com). Ben's provided some decent food and some even better entertainment :P

Kimono exhibit

Sunday = Easter. And my Mommy brought me an Easter basket from home. It really was a perfect day! We did venture out to the kimono exhibit at the Mandarin Oriental hotel on Maryland and 13th (Maryland Avenue is WACKY - you are warned). Then a nice four course Easter brunch at Graffiato's in Chinatown (link: graffiatodc.com). It was nice to get a taste of eight dishes instead of four. Back at the apartment I was slowly fading of exhaustion. But we did rent the "Easter Parade" with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, one of my all time favorites. Sleepiness zzzzzzzz kept us both in bed. No concert at The Black Cat for us. Sorry Screaming Females.

It was hard to say goodbye but it was an incredibly perfect weekend I'll never forget.

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.