Clubbin'

Tuesday night, I attended my last "A Ladies Book Club" meeting, much to my chagrin. I'm really going to miss our monthly book club meetings and the excuse to over sample all the delicious treats. I know, I could join a book club in New York, and probably will, but it won't be quite the same.

Our book club embodies the quintessential DC woman in her 20s. The group is full of interesting career choices, well educated, so aware of the world, unbelievably well traveled, and even with a hint of modesty. Without fail, our book discussion turn to all kinds of women's health issues - where am I going to get my info from now on?
Because it's my last week at work, and I've essentially got nothing better to do, I'm going make a list of the books we've read. Yea ok I know, basically all of my readers are in the same book club, but whatever! deal!

The Irrisistable Henry House by Lisa Grunwald

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueeruddin

Big Sur by Jack Kerouac

Lady Chatterly's Lover by D. H. Lawrence

[Michigan for work] The Brief And Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen 

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

Black Swan, The Movie

The Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

[Interview in NYC] Play As It Lays by Joan Didion

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

I'll miss you Ladies Book Club.

Bucket List

My mom encouraged me to make a Bucket List of all the things I want to do in DC before I move. It's hard to focus on what I'll miss when all the moving details were up in the air. As the details are firming up, and the my last week of work is actually here, the reality is setting in.

So Bucket List time...

• Bottomless mimosa brunch with my best friends
• Going Away Soiree
• 1789 with my parents
• Crime and Punishment Museum
• Newseum
• A Momunment Tour, or a walk up and down the mall
• Ghost Tour in Alexandria
• U Street Music Hall
• Karma Night at a Trendy DC hot spot
• A whole weekend of DC fun with my best friends
• Ben's Chilli Bowl (just to say I have)
• IMAX movie at the Air and Space Museum
• Old Town Alexandria
• $5 Nationals Tickets - maybe fresh seafood from the SE waterfront beforehand?

I'll be adding to this list, and hopefully blogging about those I check off. Comment with any ideas!!

Georgetown Waterfront and DC Cupcakes

So now that the days are counting down til I bid DC farewell, I'm going to be a tourist and absorb this city. What better way to start than with a night in Georgetown stuffing my face? And lucky that I did - now that the Waterfront is flooded and out of commission.

First gorgeous spring evening

From our view at Tony & Joe's

The line moved pretty fast, and the weather was so nice it was worth waiting.

Nom nom nom

One for dessert, and of course, one for breakfast

The Hummingbird and Red Velvet

Bloody Mary's + Calamari + Caprese Salad + Cupcakes = A Happy, Satisfied Me.

Such A Tease

It was 82 degrees when I got home from work. And I came home to this...

POOOOOOOL

... And even though its clean and ready to go for the summer. And yet it's not officially open until Memorial Day Weekend.

Wahh.

Masa 14

Last night I went to Masa 14, a latin/asian fushion restaurant with small plates. I did take my own pictures, but the one above is from online. It's really cool inside, and wasn't that crowded yesterday so Becca and I had no problem being seated right away.

She'd been there once before so suggested we just get a bunch of things to share. I'm still drooling after last night's meal, it was such a variety of explosive flavors. The plates come out as their ready, which worked out perfectly because it gave us time to enjoy each dish.

First came the cucumber-avocado gazpacho. It was so smooth and full of flavor - and topped with pumpkin seeds and crab that added texture and salt. We would have licked the bowl had they not scooped it off our table with at least another spoonful... (my only complaint of the night)

Next came the spicy tuna sushi cone. I've never seen sushi like this, and at first Becca and I thought we could share bite for bite, but we ended each getting our own. The cone was the seaweed wrapping, and inside was the freshest spicy tuna I've ever had. It was chunkier than the typical blend in a hand roll. I wish I took a picture to show you, but better yet, go have it for yourself!

Then, we split a shrimp ceviche. It was light, refreshing, and had mandarin oranges paired with a kick. At about that time, our white sangrias arrived. The combination went well.

Next up, Red Thai Curry Mussels. They server brought tortilla chips to dip in the sauce after we finished the mussels. We were confused at first, but omg, it made so much sense when we saw the chunky soupy bottom of the bowl. I was honestly spooning it, chip or no chip. Also, half the mussels would normal size, and half were giants, which was cool.

We decided to order another plate to keep it coming and we choose the Salt and Pepper Calamari. It wasn't the really breaded much, which made it light and flavorful. It had a kick to it too, but I love that so it was perfect. The server warned about lose hot peppers, and thank god, because I almost ate one.

All in all, the food was awesome and I'd definitely reccomend it. I'm going to make an effort to try as many new places as I can before the big move. Any suggestions?

Happiness (Part 2)

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FLO-rida

With no facebook, how am I supposed to brag to the masses about my weekend getaway to Florida? All I have is my blog - so here's a few google pics of where I'll be spending the weekend...

Drinks at Docs



Sanibel Island



Bonita Beach

Da Clubssss in Miami

I'll have real pictures for ya'll next week. Peace out.

Invisible Children

If I could get on facebook (wahh... only 3 more weeks til Lent is OVER), I would show you a picture of Andrea. Sorry friends, but Andrea is definitely my most inspirational, awe-inspiring friend. After graduation, she bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok (the jokes were made, and are still funny). She traveled the world, sending us email updates from internet cafes in cities I've never heard of, and told us stories that showed me how boring my beige cubicle really was.

Before she flew back last summer, she applied to be a "roadie" for Invisible Children - a non profit that raises awareness about the devastating affects of the LRA in Northern Uganda. Last night I went to an Invisible Children screening at George Mason. No Andrea - she's in the Great Lakes region, after doing Texas last fall.

Invisible Children does an incredible job of humanizing something that can seem so far away. They energize so many people, and the passion and dedication of the roadies again just rubs in my face how boring my cubicle still is.

It's so refreshing to be reminded how important it is to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. I envy Andrea for being able to live that everyday.

Check out the trailer... I have a copy of the full video if anyone wants to see it. It's amazing.

Foods I'm Craving

Patatas Bravas

One of my favorite vegetarian meals

Kohrs Ice Cream

Best Chicken Piccata Everrr

PHO-king delicious

Whole Foods makes good cakes.

Outback FEAST.

The Big Apple Meets the Cherry Blossoms

My friend Steph came down to DC for a weekend visit during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Me, being a planner, had the weekend perfectly scheduled with rain activities in my back pocket. Luckily, the rain stayed away, but the schedule didn't work out so perfectly.

Our weekend in pictures...

Capitol Hill Books

Lesbians

We the Pizza with Co Co Nut soda

Barry Obama's way of checking out the blossoms

Tommy Love Sally... and want wingy

Busboys and Poets

Casper's Sexy Girlfriends

Our VIP spot

Brie Panini with sweet potato fries

Lessons Learned:
- If you leave an adorable dog tied up in the cold, we may consider stealing him. And should have.
- Going to H Street after 7:30 pm in hopes of dinner is a mistakeee. No one can promise you a table before their kitchen closes.
- Smartphones save lives. A little google, a little yelp, and a little urbanspoon sent us to Busboys and Poets.
- Vanilla Porter is a delicious beer.
- Having nachos, heavy beer, and paninis is toooo much before a night of drinking and dancing.
- U Street Music Hall is not for the bloated and weary. But definitely a good time.

Despite the setbacks, the weekend was a success. Thanks for visiting and giving us an excuse to do all the DC stuff we're usually too lazy to do.