Roller coasters and DC love

So many things happen between updates it is hard to see where to start.

Last weekend went on an amazing long-weekend with the 'juggling' crew (that is what I refer to them as-juggling club and friends) to Williamsburg, VA to Busch Gardens and Water Country.


No pictures from the trip really because we went on many water rides and I would not risk getting a camera wet of squished during such escapades. But I can tell you that Busch Gardens is wonderful. Just a bit further drive than Kings Dominion from DC, but much fewer crowds. Even on Sat and Sun, the crowds were not so bad that it was miserable (well a little in the Water park... the rides are so short it doesnt seem worth it to wait half an hour in line when you can just splash around in the water). To top that off, on Friday there was torrential downpour for a couple of hours. Since we were dressed to get wet in the rides, we were able to jump around in puddles and get completely soaked with no worries. Summer rain is the best. And then when the rides did open up the lines were of a magnificent length. I wish I could go and live that weekend again... nothing changed.

Also the trip made me really want to have my own pool. It is such a shame that in the resort pool and the water park no chicken fights or splashing or throwing are allowed. That is the best part of being in the water! Such a shame.

A couple of weeks ago before kayaking on Chesapeake. About half of the crew. My kayak is the one in the front. =)

Yesterday was a beautiful day so Poly and I did the good old Capital Crescent trail from Bethesda to DC, and then around the mall. The weather was magnificent and we took it very slow chatting practically the whole day making the experience even better. It is amazing how many parks DC has and how green the city really is. Harder to notice when you just use the metro, but the bike paths are magnificent. Took a bit of time strolling around the ever-amazing Air and Space Museum and checking with the old Post Office tower.

Biking around DC. I like the bird flying by the monument. Still have never been on top of it... all the tickets were gone for the day by the time we got to it.

View from the top of the Post Office building. Shorter version substitute for the Washington Monument? I love the free attractions of DC.

Early dinner in Bethesda afterwards. Raku, one of my favorite sushi places. The yellow dragon rolls were devine. Then Giffords for ice cream dessert.

In other news, I am completely done packing, so just now hoping my application for the apartment I want goes through, and then I am at peace.

I leave you with the delicious summer raspberries beat with egg whites. Anyone hungry?

Blasting around home

July is a lot shorter than well.... it seems. A month is not a long time. But that is what I have at home so treasuring what there is. It has been insanely busy and not getting to see and do nearly as much as I want to. Most sad that I am not able to spend enough time with all the wonderful friends of the DC area.

Some of the memorable trips include a beautiful evening in DC. Exploring Georgetown. Cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake dinner at a beautiful cafe with mussles. Then accidentaly happening to watch the international space station cross the sky from the top of the Kennedy Centre (it crosses often, but there were people who knew which one of the many lights it was and that was great).

Two trips canoeing (on the same day) on the Patuxent River. Amazed that the water level was high enough to get the canoe through this time of year. Bit the first bit did involve quite a few lift-overs, and no desire to get in the dirty water. Mostly attempting to avoid the huge amount of spiders on all the river sides. Some sightings of cows, llamas (!!), herons, fish and lots of turtles. Great trip - from Brighton Dam Road to Ednor Road on Patuxent. Parking available on both sides. No pictures until I develop my water camera.

Also a berry-picking trip to Larriland farm. Sadly end of raspberry season so it was insanely difficult to pick the berries, but still great to get them right off of the bushes. Also some blueberries and cherries.

There was also a great day trip to Charlotsville, VA and Monticello (Jefferson's house) last weekend with Claudia. The drive is very relaxing and beautiful. Charlotsville is a very quaint town - many small stores and less chains especially on the historic strip. UVa is also beautiful - the amount of flowers really does make the allergies come out of anyone.

In the Monticello garden.

Jeffersons' house. First dome built in the US - that has no use. Amazing architecture - he was quite a fascinating person. Especially amusing that he did not want the fact that he was US President put on his gravestone. Not something to be proud of?

Uva mall. Students and professors actually live here! Beautiful.

Then there are the fun evenings of spending time with friends. Dinner at home, dinner out, or hanging out in college park. Example of a piniata b-day party.


Another two weeks left before leaving for Alaska (and then immediately the west). Time sure flies! But enjoying what I can do and missing Maryland already.

Kite Festival 2009 in the rain

As I will be moving away from DC soon, I am trying to see as much as possible of traditional DC festivities. A new addition this year to my events is the Kite Festival. Kite Festival takes place every years on the mall at the beginning of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

This year I was not sure it would happen. It was rainy and foggy. Not optimal weather. Little wind. But we made it out there and there were kites! All shapes and sizes--homemade, bought. All sorts of kites. Persevering the weather! We did not stay for the whole day as well... it is cold. Went for a walk around the tidal basin for the beginning of the blossom season.

First look at the Cherry Blossoms. They were rather droopy though. Hopefully they will all bloom and be beautiful for the festival next weekend.

This was my favorite kite. NASA pride!

The last act in the festival was the kite 'faceoff'. Elimination. Who will survive. Kits attach each other -- last one that stays up wins. The best strategy proved to be the one of avoiding the battle ground until everyone is out and then sneaking in and winning. Cheep.

The 'Kite Doctor' was busy at work the whole time.

To defrost after the day we went to Teaism. Amazing tea house. Would recommend.

All-women drumming performance at the festival. Very fun.

Spring in the City

I do not even try to pretend that I know DC well. I don't know it at all. I know the vague outlines of it, but if somebody was visiting me, I would not know where to take them: no special coffee houses, restaurants, knookes, small art galleries. Nothing. Only recently have I tried to break into this strange world of DC amazingness from the 'I am too scared to drive in this scary crime-filled city'.

The past three days have been the start of an amazing spring. Saturday I went to my fraternity's retreat near Salisbury, MD. It was a beautiful day and we wandered outside, cleaned some leaves for fire safety, sat on the dock, and had snow ball fights (while wearing t-shirts in 70 degree weather). Just an amazing day leaving me gleaming with a permanent smile on my face.

Today was no different. Started off the day with a delicious breakfast at Kramer Books. Omlette, pastries, mimosa (my new favorite drink), and unlimited coffee in a bookshop. Can a Sunday morning get any better? Also combined with the life and energy of the Dupont Area--people running around outside, farmers market.... just life!

The day continued its awesomeness with a trip to the Zoo. Sadly many other people had a similar idea and the place was overflowing with children and families avoiding spending money in this recession and enjoying the wonderful weather. Many of the pavillions were closed for renovation/winter but we did see some nice birds, sea creatures, and some zebras starting mating season. I'll love to come back... maybe on a less crouded weekday.

The amazing finale was me visiting some family friends for dinner (just me! without parents!) who just moved to D and 11th st. The wife is an artist who lived in Seattle for 17 years and was telling me about life there. Made me feel such love for that city and excitement for that new adventure. Also made me realize that I want to steal their appartment: they are several blocks from Eastern Market, several from the Capitol, two stories, lots of plants and her paintings all over the wall. And the most important feature is that there is a 'pushed out' window and a small mini-sofa that fits right under it where you can sit and look out the window. My dream apartment. :)

So here is to spring in the city. Spring in any city really. Here's to exploring and loving the world around us. May this happy mood infect everyone. :)