Magicians and High School Friends

Last week was awesome!

Kepi and I went to see "The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays" at the National Theatre. This is my second birthday gift for him. The show was entertaining, mind boggling, jaw dropping, lots of laughter and sometimes squirming because some of the stunts involved a live Scorpion inside the mouth and another was buried alive under a ton of gravel (I think this was a version of the Houdini escape). Overall, Kepi and I had a blast. I was also chosen to take part in one of the card tricks.

The stage before the show.

That's me in a green sweater enjoying my five minutes of fame. I was picked to assist/observe Steve Valentine's card trick. I still can't figure out how I picked the same card over and over, or how the card went inside the TicTac container.

I get to keep the main card used in the trick initialed by Steve Valentine (SV). Very cool!

In my last post, I wrote about hosting Christmas lunch with my high school classmates. It went fabulous! We had a lot of laughter and so much stories to go around. We were also able to video call two of our classmates who are living in New York and in Arkansas, so the house was super noisy and loud with excitement and giggles. For a few hours, we were transported back to our carefree high school days.

I decided to just have it catered, and I'm happy I did because the pork lechon was really good.

Beautiful dessert tray comprised of sticky rice, cassava cake, and assortment of rice cakes. These pastries/cakes are usually served on Christmas and other special occasions in the Philippines.

A feast on our dining table.

A table full of friends, sharing a chat over food and coffee. 

A photo by the fireplace.

And after the party subsided and everyone went home, I took upon myself to finish up wrapping these presents I bought for my parents and brother. These beauties will be mailed to Hawaii so I wish them well in their long journey. One of my favorites this Christmas season is wrapping presents and writing Christmas cards.

Prelude To Christmas 2019

Slowly, Washington, DC is beginning to look like Christmas.

It's also that time when the weather is at a strange phase. You have to gauge the temperature if you need a thick coat or a regular coat for the day. Or, you'll end up sweating in a thick coat or shivering in a regular coat. Go figure! I've learned a long time ago to dress in layers and just take off the layers to adjust to the fluctuating DC temps. Funny thing about layers? You'll end up coming home with a bunch of clothes when it gets too warm. You can't win in this situation.

Anyway, below are a few photos I've taken during my morning and lunch walks. I've been trying to get my 10,000 steps each day, so I spend at least 30 minutes of my lunch hour walking/exploring. Twelve years of working in this city and I've barely scratched the surface. I'd like to think that there's more to DC than politics and lobbyists. I really hope I'm right.

A few steps from my office is the DC Center's gigantic Christmas Tree. I pass through here every morning from the train station to my office.

City Center is known for its 35 world class shops. I just stroll and window shop here. It's pretty with their Christmas decorations. In front of Louis Vuitton is the other expensive bag - Hermes. There are special police guards patrolling the area throughout the day (see the person in blue vest staring at me as I was taking this photo).

Two giant Nutcrackers guarding the entrance to Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington's oldest saloon.

I took this photo at the Christmas Market near Chinatown.

We've decorated the house. As I've mentioned in my previous post, I'm having a Christmas lunch with a few of my high school classmates this Saturday, so it's just timely to get the house ready for guests and the holidays.

The fireplace is ready for Christmas. I can't wait to get the fire going ,warm up with a cup of tea, and cuddle with a good book. Too bad I haven't been reading a lot this year, so I am looking forward to my Christmas break.

It melts my heart when I see this sight in the mornings. Daisy snuggled beside the Christmas Tree.

Taken on the evening we decorated the tree. Daisy and I just sat down on the floor and stared at the tree because we're both crazy for Christmas Trees.

Daisy is getting old; she's now 18. Her vet says that she's doing well for her age, but she's been sick a lot. This week, she's suffering from another ear infection. She's also been sleeping a lot, and I really miss the days when she had more energy. However, I do understand that dogs have a short lifespan, and Daisy has brought so much happiness to me and my family. She's given us her love unconditionally. Now that she's old, she needs all the love and care she deserves. I got your back buddy.

How about you? Are you ready for Christmas yet? I'd like to think I am but deep within I'm not.

Spring?

Spring is here, or is it? We had snow on the first day of spring and the past few days have been cold as temperatures hovered in the near 20s and 30s. I'm still wearing thick jackets and mittens to work. I've had it and I am so ready to shed these winter garments. I am sick of winter.

On the brighter side, I've been seeing signs of spring pop here and there. In my neighborhood, it's the Crocus that I've seen first to bloom. They come in different colors and they're very pretty.

This is my favorite - purple striped.

In addition to the Crocuses or Croci, the Cherry Blossoms and Magnolias are now reaching their peak bloom. The photo above was taken during our visit to the National Arboretum. This tree is a sight to see - really beautiful with flowing clusters of white flowers.

The sky becomes a canvass for these beautiful blooms.

Just a short excuse and recap of my absence in the blogging world. The months of February and March came and went like a mist. I even barely remember what I've accomplished or what I've done. Most days at work, I was running around like a chicken without a head. The load of work has been too much and I've been running on fumes. We were preparing for a big exhibit - the biggest event for the company for this year. 

The preparation actually started in December 2017 but the culmination of events took form in the first three months of the year. There were 11 committees involved, and my committee prepared for seven panels with four to six speakers each.  This is in addition to my very own project as board book appointee. I was in so much anguish, stress and pain and I was not sleeping. The event finally took place in March in Florida with close to 1,500 attendees. During the event, I was working 12-hour shifts for straight four days. 

Yes, the event was great, I traveled on company money, and the experience will look great on my resume. However, it was too much stress and too energy draining. I'm just glad it is over, and I am slowly recovering. Because right after the exhibit, I got very sick and lost four days of work.

I am hoping that as my work schedule normalizes, I can blog regularly again. I will be posting more photos from our visit to the National Arboretum.

Our World Tuesday

Underneath The Cherry Blossoms

It's been really quiet here.

In fact, 2016 was a year I didn't blog that much. Probably because life pulled me in a different direction. Let's just say I'm traversing a road less traveled these days.

It's not easy to pick up where I left off (blogging wise) but I can start where I am at the moment.

Well, 2017 spring has arrived and the warmth of this season seems to awaken me from my blogging slumber. After the long (it feels like it) winter hibernation, everything seem to awaken and bloom with the call of spring including me.

 Taken a week ago, the Tidal Basin was in full bloom.

 A sudden drop in temperature a few weeks ago damaged some of the buds, but the surviving blooms were still beautiful and spectacular.

Apart from the Cherry Blossoms, spring also brought the beauty of friendship. I finally met Jo and her daughter Jody. Jo is my Iggy Sister and blogger friend based in the U.A.E. I was so comfortable with her and it felt like we've known each other for so long. Jo, thank you so much for taking the time to come see me. I am so honored to meet you and Jody, and I hope we'll see each other again soon.

This spring, there's a few exciting projects/plans brewing:

• preparing the vegetable garden and planning what vegetables to grow this year
• volunteering for a couple of out-of-state events for AAMDS
• driving to a short beach break in Delaware next week and planning an island vacation next month
• my best friend visiting in June and meeting my penfriend from Germany in July
• and of course, enjoying the sun, meals and coffee on the deck and playtime with the fur babies.

Summer Day

Summers in DC can be brutally humid and hot, but today felt perfect.

It's nice, cool and bright.  The sun didn't feel threatening for a change and the sky looked clear. I wish every day felt like this.

I took this photo during my lunch break.

For Skywatch

iPhone

Washington Monument

My blog's been quiet because the real world calls.

I really enjoyed showing my cousin A around DC and a little bit of Maryland. Here's one of my favorite photos of the day.

I wonder if this even comes close to Mr. MLK's view that day when he said, "I have a dream..."

For Skywatch and Wordless Wednesdays

iPhone

Photo taken on May 11, 2015

No Sweater Day

There's no need for sweaters today. The weather is perfect.

I had some business with the Philippine Embassy, but instead of hailing a cab, I decided to walk and take in the city in spring. 

This was taken at Thomas Circle, named after General George Henry Thomas.  The two buildings on the photo are - the National City Christian Church (left) and the Calvary Baptist Church (right). 

Spring goes by too fast.  Soon, this city will be stifling hot in the summer.

For Skywatch

iPhone

Taken on April 30, 2015

Be Still

We were about to leave the park when I saw these two people sitting and admiring the view.

I smiled at my husband and snapped this photo.

I nodded and said, "I know how they feel."

The best way to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms is to pick a spot and be still.  Once you're still, you'll feel their breathing, appreciate their beauty and admire their grace.

For Skywatch.

Sakura And The Sky

According to the website Behindthename.com:

SAKURA

GENDER: Feminine

USAGE: Japanese

OTHER SCRIPTS: 桜, 咲良 (Japanese)

PRONOUNCED: sah-koo-ṙah   [key]

Meaning & History

From Japanese 桜 "cherry blossom", though it is often written さくら using the hiragana writing system. It can also come from 咲 (saku) "blossom" and 良 (ra) "good". (Source HERE)

~~~~~~~~~

I took more than a hundred photos when we visited the Cherry Blossoms.

Believe me, there's no wrong angle when the views are as beautiful as these.

It's a beautiful feeling to walk underneath these blooms.

Husband and I enjoyed this view until it got dark.

Tidal Basin

Washington, DC

For Skywatch

DC's Cherry Blossoms

I love DC in the spring!

After the grip of winter thaws, all plants and trees seem to wake up from their long slumber.

When spring arrives in DC, it's like an explosion of color and life. All the sleepy bulbs and lilies start blooming then comes the most anticipated flowers of the year - the Cherry Blossoms. The Cherry Blossom trees are mostly planted around the Tidal Basin, but they are scattered around DC if you know where to look. This year, they bloomed beautifully and gracefully; they were in time for The Cherry Blossoms Festival.

This year, we visited the Cherry Blossoms twice, and we even had a picnic underneath the blooms. Good food, good friendship and beautiful surroundings.

 The National Monument

 The Jefferson Memorial at dusk

A stroll underneath a sea of flowers

Magnolias At Lafayette Square

I moved to the DC area in the Fall of 2001. I've just realized that I've been living here for almost 14 years, and it has become near and dear to my heart. After all, this is the place where I finished my undergrad and soon my graduate studies this May. It's the place where I fell-in-love, broke my heart, fell-in-love again and met my husband, Kepi. In fact, our first date was at the National Mall.

I know that when people, locals and tourists, talk about DC, they associate it with politics, dirty lobbyists, government shutdowns and a pathetic dating scene. But I wish to digress and show what I love about DC, the DC I know, the DC that ordinary people like me see and experience everyday. Whether it's a bad commute at the DC Metro, a relaxing lunch at the park or a day spent enjoying the blooms that dominate the area in spring time. DC's charm can sometimes be overshadowed by the incessant squabble between Democrats and Republicans, but at the end of the day, the city and its numerous monuments silently stand watch as history is made each day, not by the big shots, but by the ordinary, nameless people who keep the city running.

Today, I'll feature Lafayette Square which is named in honor of General Lafayette of France.

 This is a popular place to have lunch, relax, catch up with friends and even yoga classes.

 Magnolia flowers are large, beautiful and stunning.

 In early spring, the air around the Square is permeated with the sweet scent of blooming Magnolia flowers. I'd purposely walk around here during lunch time, and when the temperature is warm enough, I'd eat my lunch underneath these blooms.

 A statue of General Lafayette and his Patriots.

A different angle of General Lafayette's statue.

It was drizzling when I took this photo.

Do you see The White House?

The Washington Monument from a distance.

Lafayette Square is a seven-acre public park located directly north of the White House on H Street between 15th and 17th Streets, NW. The Square and the surrounding structures were designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1970. Originally planned as part of the pleasure grounds surrounding the Executive Mansion, the area was called "President's Park". The Square was separated from the White House grounds in 1804 when President Jefferson had Pennsylvania cut through. In 1824, the Square was officially named in honor of General Lafayette of France. (Source here.)

It's tourist season here. I know people are flocking to the Tidal Basin for the Cherry Blossoms but do not overlook the other flowering trees in DC. The Magnolias at Lafayette Square are stunningly beautiful. Another plus is that it is in front of The White House.

Night Sky

A calm, beautiful night.

Healy Hall, Georgetown University Campus
District of Columbia
iPhone

For Skywatch

Stand Right And Walk On The Left

I can't believe it's April! DC is gearing up for tourist season.

The Cherry Blossoms are getting ready to bloom and the current 2015 peak bloom forecasts are: April 11-14 (according to the National Park Service) and April 9-13 (according to the Washington Post Capital Weather Gang). I would recommend going between April 10 or 11, and weekday afternoons are less crowded. I have covered the Cherry Blossoms yearly except last year due to my transplant. My photos for 2010 are here and 2011 photos are here.

If you'll be in DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival, make sure you get your Metro map. Remember when you're using Metro escalators, stand right and walk on the left. Washingtonian commuters use the left for walking.

Pink Cherry Blossom stickers on DC trash cans. 

Lilies are no longer hibernating.

Today, it's calm in the office, so I have time to take a break, eat a bowl of Captain Crunch and savor my Avocado. But as I stare at my bowl of Avocado, I am reminded of my childhood in the province. We had an Avocado tree in the backyard, and it was a delight when we'd harvest the fruits. We either ate them or gave them away.

To this day, I still eat Avocados with milk powder and a sprinkling of sugar - just how my Dad taught me. Simple and sprinkled with happy childhood memories. How do you eat your Avocado?

I think that spring is truly here! I am excited!

Friday In Pictures

Quiet day in the office today, so I took a short walk and a long lunch.

Below are my pictures of the day.

Leafless at Lafayette Park.

Clouds hover over The White House.

This guy stopped me from my walk.  He was too friendly. Perhaps he was hungry.

When I returned to the office, these gingerbread boys were waiting.  I guess it's time to have some tea.