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.

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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