Magnolias And The Sky

Last night, I heard the first rumble of thunder. My husband exclaimed, "I haven't heard that for a while!"

We were excited. Spring? Thunder? Rain? They are all here.

A new season is beautifully unfolding.

 The Magnolia trees are in full bloom at Lafayette Square.

 Large, beautiful flowers.

Magnolias and the sky.
Taken on April 8, 2014
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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.

Spring Is Here!

The warm weather started this recent Easter weekend. Although we still have the possibility of getting frost until April 19th, that didn't stop us from tackling some garden projects.

Kepi and I worked on the little garden around our mailbox and started on a new garden on the side of the house. I got the idea for the side garden from Better Homes and Gardens, so I'm really hoping it will really look close to the illustration below.

Source: bhg.com

The challenging task is hunting for the specific plants needed. Really, I'm quite excited with this garden project. I have also started my seedlings for the vegetable garden, so our yard will be busy for the spring and summer seasons.

Well, Daisy went for a bath and grooming a week ago. The pet salon gave her a bandana and I just thought she looked adorable.

 Looks like Daisy got a cape from the salon. This photo makes me chuckle every time I look at it.

Are you ready to cuddle?

For now, I have two weeks left of grad school and a research paper to finish, so I have to keep pushing though.

What are your plans or projects for the spring or summer?

Night Sky

A calm, beautiful night.

Healy Hall, Georgetown University Campus
District of Columbia
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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!

La Nation Huronne-Wendat

To divert from my shingles topic, here's a late post about my travel to Quebec in 2014.

When I was doing a search for places to visit in Quebec, Wendake came out as one of the places to visit.

Taken from the Wendake Nation website:

The story of the Wendat people is woven into the fields, lakes and mountains of the continent of Georgian Bay at the mouth of the St. Lawrence.  People of farmers and hunters, warriors and seasoned diplomats purposes, Democrat and traders outstanding, the Wendat, called the Hurons by the French, have earned the respect of all peoples visited the east for centuries.  If the pandemic brought against their will by the French overthrew our ancient civilization, which had more than 40,000 people in the time of Champlain, the fire of the Wendat people was never extinguished ...

A painting of what was life like back then.

A mask hangs at the entrance.

Inside the Huron Wendat long house.

Clothes and all types of fur.

One of the performers taking a break.

Feathers.

A welcome dance performed by the kids at the site.

Inuksuks which are very useful when you're lost. They are used for directions.

She is Big Bear, and she was our guide.

This is where they showed us how they build their canoes.

Do I fit in?

My hair was just starting to grow back when this photo was taken. The triangular sign there shows a turtle and on top of it is a tree and a man. The Huron-Wendat nation believes the the Earth is the turtle, and when the Earth shakes, it means the turtle is moving.

This is the front of the long house.

A yellow snail.

I learned a lot while visiting this place, and I highly recommend it if you're visiting the area. There's also a museum there which we didn't get to visit because we were short of time. I would certainly love to visit the museum when I get the chance to visit again.

***

In the meantime, work is becoming frustratingly challenging. One colleague is leaving, and I'm a little upset because I work great with her. I am also hoping we'd hire some people soon because we're short of three people. I feel like we're crippled at times.

Oh well...life can be challenging but we have to keep moving forward. How was your Monday?

Fifth Week And Fighting

I don't mean to be negative, but I am so exhausted.  

Exhausted of being sick.  Shingles is now enjoying its fifth week. I bet his having the time of his life making my life miserable. I keep thinking he came with a planner and an agenda too.

 I feel like taking a nap right now. This is Dizzy in a good mood.

Last week, I had an appointment with my transplant doctor, and she said that it will take some time to recover. At times, I wish Shingles would take the form of a mean person so that I could punch it on the face and knock it to the ground real good.

Yup, I am getting really impatient.

In the mean(est) of times, I will:

• continue to push myself and show up at work
• drag myself to the last three weeks of grad school (almost there)
• graduate on May 15
• enjoy this year's blooming of tulips and cherry blossoms
• look forward to spending time with my cousin, Andrea, and one of my best friends, Weng
• keep on planning for our Ireland trip (finally, my doctor cleared me for travel)
• continue to be grateful for everything - that is no matter what the day brings

Here's a face that never fails to make me smile. Daisy when she's ready for a walk.

How about you? What makes you smile? What keeps you fighting? I do hope that today, you find that love, that comfort, that face that makes you smile.

Of Donuts, Burgers And Chocolates

After an agonizing three weeks of living with shingles, it was the first time I went out last night.  Kepi and I had dinner at Peri-Peri and spent sometime shopping afterwards.  Well, my left eye has not fully recovered yet, but I am hoping the next few weeks will be a lot easier.  Spring break is coming to an end, and I really need all my senses back together as I delve into the next five weeks of spring semester.

After shopping, we decided to hit Krispy Kreme.  Yup, lucky us the Krispy Kreme shop is open until 12 AM.

 Fresh from the fryer! You gotta have one of those. I had two.

On Saturday morning, I woke up to the sound of rain tapping the bedroom window.  I've never been happier to hear the rain.  I think this winter has overstayed its welcome because right now, I truly miss the warmth of the sun.

For lunch, Kepi and I tried the newly opened The Burger Joint.  I was impressed with The Burger and I love their sweet potato fries. I'll be surely going back to try their other burgers.

 I thought their burger was big, but it was also delicious.

Here's the husband's giant onion rings.

Since I'm a certified chocoholic, I picked me up one of these from the Lindt shop. Lindt was having a 50% off on all chocolates.

Just an update from me. I'm quite happy that I can finally get out, but I am not fully recovered yet.  This is one of the longest time I've dealt with a disease.  I think this is expected because my body is still recovering from my transplant.  Honestly, I desperately want to get better.  Please send some prayers my way.

I hope everyone's doing well.

Snow In March

I am not yet fully recovered from shingles.

Recently, I've noticed that my eyes are so sensitive to light, and my left eye is still bloodshot.  Not to mention the nerve pain still lingers.  I am miserable at times, but I keep looking for the light at the end of this tunnel.  There are moments shingles is kicking my butt, but I have to keep moving forward. I have to get better, and I keep hoping soon.

 No matter how cold, the sky remains blue.  We got a foot of snow from the recent storm.

 Kepi and Daisy during our afternoon walk.

 An afternoon of shadows, light and snow.

 Our neighborhood after the snowstorm.

Daisy and I out for an afternoon walk.

 A real snow dog, Daisy never fails to show me how to be a kid at heart.

Finally, I got to taste the new M&M Crispy.  It's not that bad but I still prefer the ones with peanuts.

Well, I'm on spring break, and I really need this week to recover. I have about five weeks left of this semester, and I can't wait to graduate in May. Being sick is tough because I missed three classes, but I am hoping I can catch up.

For now, I have to get better.

Do I Need New Friends?

After two agonizing weeks with shingles, today is a bit better.

I still feel like crap though and my skin looks like it was burnt.  My face is hideous; at least the part affected by shingles is.  My left eye is blurry and I have that itchy, sensitive feeling on my scalp.  The Ophthalmologist checked my eye on Friday, and he said everything looks great.  I have to see him again in a week.  I didn't know shingles can be so dangerous especially when it affects the eye.  Thank God for early diagnosis and timely intervention of the anti-viral drugs, it could have been worse.  I'm pissed because having shingles will postpone my May vaccinations.

Winter, icy conditions and sickness can really reel in the blues.  I've been feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Lately, I've been contemplating about the lack thereof or having too few friends in the area.  I know I have many childhood and high school friends (you know who you are), but almost all of them live abroad.

Is it really harder to make friends when you're older? Or have I simply stopped making the effort to make friends?