I do make a conscious effort every year not to get April Fooled. I love reading the April Fools jokes online. ThinkGeek is one of my favorites every year.
Yet this year... I fell for it. And quite early in the morning. At the end of Morning Edition on NPR right as I was going to work was the following story. I mean.... he had me going there. I can see crazy people out there doing that. Oh sighs...
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
Saturday, 28 March 2009
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.
All-women drumming performance at the festival. Very fun.
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.
All-women drumming performance at the festival. Very fun.Monday, 23 March 2009
Need to be touched
Human touch is amazing. I sometimes forget how amazing it is, and then I realize how much I miss touch when I am touched again.
We touch babies all the time. We know they need to be touched. And then through time that goes away. People don't give hugs as much. Don't kiss each other on the cheeks. I love the countries that kiss friends on the cheek.
Even random strangers touch is amazing. In massage class, we massage random people, and it is amazing. I close my eyes and just revel in the sensation.
Reading an story in AdBusters this month in a series of 'i touch her', 'he touches me', 'need to be touched' (titles approximate). One of the articles was about a man who needed to be touched. He was at a bar with friends. He tried to brush against people -- they all moved away. He tried to fall, but people didn't help him up. He couldn't just ask. Defeated he walked to the bathroom. Somebody was in the way. He got an idea. He hit the person in the face. The other person hit him back. He relished in the touch. Now his friends rushed over and were touching him and helping him up.
That article really.... touched me. We're in a world full of people, yet human contact does not happen so much. And if there is no human contact then life feels empty. Touch is just so amazing. And type of brush, even against a stranger. Warmth. Life. Feeling. Makes me really feel. I am constantly craving human touch.
And where can you get contact? Hugs from friends -- people don't hug that much. What if you are in a random place and don't know anyone (I mean I'm moving out west by myself...). Where to find touch? Where to find hug? Where?
We touch babies all the time. We know they need to be touched. And then through time that goes away. People don't give hugs as much. Don't kiss each other on the cheeks. I love the countries that kiss friends on the cheek.
Even random strangers touch is amazing. In massage class, we massage random people, and it is amazing. I close my eyes and just revel in the sensation.
Reading an story in AdBusters this month in a series of 'i touch her', 'he touches me', 'need to be touched' (titles approximate). One of the articles was about a man who needed to be touched. He was at a bar with friends. He tried to brush against people -- they all moved away. He tried to fall, but people didn't help him up. He couldn't just ask. Defeated he walked to the bathroom. Somebody was in the way. He got an idea. He hit the person in the face. The other person hit him back. He relished in the touch. Now his friends rushed over and were touching him and helping him up.
That article really.... touched me. We're in a world full of people, yet human contact does not happen so much. And if there is no human contact then life feels empty. Touch is just so amazing. And type of brush, even against a stranger. Warmth. Life. Feeling. Makes me really feel. I am constantly craving human touch.
And where can you get contact? Hugs from friends -- people don't hug that much. What if you are in a random place and don't know anyone (I mean I'm moving out west by myself...). Where to find touch? Where to find hug? Where?
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Extravagant Summer Plans
After bugging almost everyone I know and don't know to travel with me this summer I realized a simple thing. If I want to do something, I have to just deal with it and do it myself. As a result, I recently purchased tickets to New Zealand and Australia for over a month leaving the day after I graduate. Crazy solo trip. Planning to fly to Auckland, travel down to the south island all in two weeks, and then head over to Sydney (included in my round trip ticket cost!)
Planning has not really started. Will begin soon. It will be a crazy crazy trip just because I have never done something this long and by myself. But then this leaves time to meet random people and do exactly what I want to do. :)
Also this is a plug for travelzoo.com -- find amazing deals through their Top-20 newsletter. And no you will not have to fly with the chickens and cows.
Planning has not really started. Will begin soon. It will be a crazy crazy trip just because I have never done something this long and by myself. But then this leaves time to meet random people and do exactly what I want to do. :)
Also this is a plug for travelzoo.com -- find amazing deals through their Top-20 newsletter. And no you will not have to fly with the chickens and cows.
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Pi day!
My favorite cooking day of the year has arrived! PI DAY! Aka the only day that I cook pies during the year. :) Yes I know this is the 'american pi' day as most of the rest of the world does not go by the month year (and so theirs is celebrated on the date/month = pi date which is sometime in July), but I think this is simple and very pi-filled.
Last year we cooked pizza pie, pear pie (i think?), and banana cream pie. It was delicious and cozy. We watched lord of the rings, and were complete nerds.
This year I went even more full out. Friday we had quite a group together eating a couple of pizzas (pesto and hawaian), and cooking pizza pie (like a biscuit type), pecan pie (best ever), and a very complex pumpkin pie. Walked out feeling very happy and full. :)
Saturday was some simpler pies as I decided to not go out looking for ingredients and picked recepies based on what there was present in the house. So we ended up with an amazing breakfast pie (shreaded potato crust! great!), raspberry/nut pie (it turned into more of a cake...) and banana cream pie (a real 'pie'). Was a simpler cooking day, but also fun, and on the real 3.14 day.
I cannot upload the pictures from the shenanigans as I am at work, but trust me... they were great. If you did not celebrate it this year, I hope you will be inspired to next year. If you really want to, the european pi day is still in the future for this year. :)
Check out the Pi-celebration song!
Last year we cooked pizza pie, pear pie (i think?), and banana cream pie. It was delicious and cozy. We watched lord of the rings, and were complete nerds.
This year I went even more full out. Friday we had quite a group together eating a couple of pizzas (pesto and hawaian), and cooking pizza pie (like a biscuit type), pecan pie (best ever), and a very complex pumpkin pie. Walked out feeling very happy and full. :)
Saturday was some simpler pies as I decided to not go out looking for ingredients and picked recepies based on what there was present in the house. So we ended up with an amazing breakfast pie (shreaded potato crust! great!), raspberry/nut pie (it turned into more of a cake...) and banana cream pie (a real 'pie'). Was a simpler cooking day, but also fun, and on the real 3.14 day.
I cannot upload the pictures from the shenanigans as I am at work, but trust me... they were great. If you did not celebrate it this year, I hope you will be inspired to next year. If you really want to, the european pi day is still in the future for this year. :)
Check out the Pi-celebration song!
Sunday, 8 March 2009
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. :)
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. :)
Sunday, 1 March 2009
A day at the spa
Spa World USA
I have never been to a 'Spa' in America before. This is an expensive thing to do and well... I'm generally only extravagant in travels, and food. :) So spa and massages has never been on my to-do list (apart from that massaging course I am taking this semester... which is part of my schoolwork).
So Saturday when I get home my parents announce that they are going to a spa the following day and that I should join them. Since its them inviting me (and paying) I am immediately in.
Let me take a moment to explain the 'banya' in Russia. Since not everyone had baths (or more like nobody) or hot water, people went to communal baths, banyas, in order to wash up and relax. A banya involves many hot tubs of various sizes and temperatures, and saunas. Everyone is naked (they were generally male and female separate days) and after sitting in the banya you would whip each other with birch tree branches. That hits out the fat and sweat and help you even more. And then you jump in cold water.
Our neighbors at our dacha (Russian summer home) had a sauna in their backyard, homemade, and we spent a huge amount of time there. Fond memories.
So this type of thing is not so commonplace in America. Americans are more about hygene, and less about nakedness. Saunas are present and used mainly at skiing resorts. Swim suits are always worn. It actually deteriorates your swim suit very quickly to be subjected to that hot of water.
So anyways, some Russian friends told us a couple of weeks ago that they found a place that is like a real Russian banya that was operated by Koreans who have a similar idea of relaxation. It is called 'Spa World' and is located in Northern Virginia. For 35$ you have access to the facilities (which are open 24/7) for twenty-four hours. The facilities include about 7 different saunas, many many pools with various jets, fitness room, sleeping room, restaurant (well you pay for that, but its not expensive and includes bubble tea), and more. Massages are not expensive either.
The place is mainly full of Korean people. Those that are not Korean are Russian, and the rest are friends of the two nationalities.
I know many people pay hundreds of dollars for a day at the spa, which is generally defined as massages and facials and such. I think this is an amazing deal though. Assuming you can do one thing: be naked and see lots of naked people (of the same sex).
I find that being naked in such a setting is great. Liberating. Nobody cares. People of all shapes, ages, fitness levels, whatever. Everyone is just there. You are only naked for the area that is in the baths. Then you put on a robe that they give you and you can go with the sauna, exercise rooms, and restaurant with your male cronies.
We spent 5 hours there. I would have stayed longer. And I am that person that likes to move around a lot. This is saying a lot. I felt amazing afterward. Slept like a baby. This is a place I recommend to everyone, and if you are comfortable with being naked around me (and others) I would love to go with you.
I have never been to a 'Spa' in America before. This is an expensive thing to do and well... I'm generally only extravagant in travels, and food. :) So spa and massages has never been on my to-do list (apart from that massaging course I am taking this semester... which is part of my schoolwork).
So Saturday when I get home my parents announce that they are going to a spa the following day and that I should join them. Since its them inviting me (and paying) I am immediately in.
Let me take a moment to explain the 'banya' in Russia. Since not everyone had baths (or more like nobody) or hot water, people went to communal baths, banyas, in order to wash up and relax. A banya involves many hot tubs of various sizes and temperatures, and saunas. Everyone is naked (they were generally male and female separate days) and after sitting in the banya you would whip each other with birch tree branches. That hits out the fat and sweat and help you even more. And then you jump in cold water.
Our neighbors at our dacha (Russian summer home) had a sauna in their backyard, homemade, and we spent a huge amount of time there. Fond memories.
So this type of thing is not so commonplace in America. Americans are more about hygene, and less about nakedness. Saunas are present and used mainly at skiing resorts. Swim suits are always worn. It actually deteriorates your swim suit very quickly to be subjected to that hot of water.
So anyways, some Russian friends told us a couple of weeks ago that they found a place that is like a real Russian banya that was operated by Koreans who have a similar idea of relaxation. It is called 'Spa World' and is located in Northern Virginia. For 35$ you have access to the facilities (which are open 24/7) for twenty-four hours. The facilities include about 7 different saunas, many many pools with various jets, fitness room, sleeping room, restaurant (well you pay for that, but its not expensive and includes bubble tea), and more. Massages are not expensive either.
The place is mainly full of Korean people. Those that are not Korean are Russian, and the rest are friends of the two nationalities.
I know many people pay hundreds of dollars for a day at the spa, which is generally defined as massages and facials and such. I think this is an amazing deal though. Assuming you can do one thing: be naked and see lots of naked people (of the same sex).
I find that being naked in such a setting is great. Liberating. Nobody cares. People of all shapes, ages, fitness levels, whatever. Everyone is just there. You are only naked for the area that is in the baths. Then you put on a robe that they give you and you can go with the sauna, exercise rooms, and restaurant with your male cronies.
We spent 5 hours there. I would have stayed longer. And I am that person that likes to move around a lot. This is saying a lot. I felt amazing afterward. Slept like a baby. This is a place I recommend to everyone, and if you are comfortable with being naked around me (and others) I would love to go with you.
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