Eastern Market and Eastern Food

Last Monday was Taryn's birthday, so we got a group of girls together and we tried out Indique in Cleveland Park. It was very yummy food. Happy birthday, Taryn!

sometimes I don't know what to do with my hands

joy is frozen yogurt and bubble butt seats

Thursday, I took a walk during my lunch break to check out the kick-off of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Welllll it's been too cold so there are no cherry blossoms. #awkward #nakedtrees

they are trying so hard!

My sweet friend, Sarah, from my London program is doing an internship right now in NYC. She came down for a conference this weekend, so I was able to walk and chat with her for a few minutes on my way to the temple.

So great seeing her! Love ya, girl! 

Saturday, I tried out Eastern Market in Capitol Hill. It's my goal to live in the city if I end up sticking around and this part of town is probably my favorite. A good contributor would be Eastern Market. I love markets! While I was waiting in line for breakfast at Market Lunch (I know, don't think about it too hard), I ran into Andrea, who was kind enough to show me around the market. There was artwork and food and jewelry. And beautifully refurbished furniture. Andrea then showed me Capitol Hill Books, a used book store that is so squished with books that they have to stack and relabel. 

I did as I was told and got the blueberry pancakes.

It was magical.
You're winning me over, DC.

dos tres

This last Saturday was my birthday! I had a wonderful day. Many thanks to Ashley and Jamie Jean and my parents and everyone who helped make it special. And the party just keeps going on :)
That morning, I took a class through the Smithsonian Associates (love my job!) that taught me how to make and apply my own mehndi/henna. The instructor was a cute Indian girl who told us stories about how her mom would do henna. I want to have a henna party, now! It was very fun.

practicing on myself

making my own henna and practicing designs

Since I was already in the city and it was a PERFECT-weathered day, I walked to Shake Shack because it was a birthday and dangit I deserved a Shake Shack shake.
That night, a few of us met up at Nandos, also my favorite because dangit it was my birthday and I deserved to go to one of my favorite restaurants. Then we went to the DC United vs. Real SLC soccer game at RFK Stadium. That also was very fun! United won, so the Metro ride home was full of very happy drunk people. Then we topped off the night with Cold Stone because well it was my...yada yada you get the point.

I think I had the type of birthday one could expect while living in the District :)

music and movies friday

This song has been on repeat.
From the "Warm Bodies" movie/soundtrack.


In case you haven't seen this:


Um, this is cool. The Sound City Players are like a super band!


If you're wondering what the sequester and furloughs mean for me, they decided to stop paying the interns to save money. Oh, wait.
Tomorrow's my birthday! I will be waiting anxiously for all of your gifts. Thank you ahead of time!!

Korean Karaoke

Saturday, I went to Alexandria's St. Patrick's Day parade. It was pretty much included anyone who wanted to be a part of the parade, so it was a motley crew. But there were cute little Irish dancing girls. And cute Irish athletic boys. And then there were the bagpipes. It was a fun afternoon in Old Town.

Only on the East would you find a legit colonial band. Love this place!

That night, we had a great time celebrating Ashley's birthday be practicing the ancient Japanese art of Kareeohkay (Baby Mama, anyone?). Korean karaoke is when you sing in rooms instead of on a stage. Man oh man, what a wild party.

When we do it, it do it in Korea Town.

Happy Birthday, Ashley!!!

Ode to the Tourists

Ode to the Tourists:
Get Off the Sidewalks!

Like a buffalo stampede
my commute they impede.
Running in to you may seem daft,
but what do you expect when you halt like that?
Monuments, buildings, all deserving a shot.
Just move out of the way when you need to stop!
Living in a city is a forward motion
Lots of buses and people and loud commotion.
All the cool things to see:
Historical sights and scenery.
A tour of the Capitol, a walk along the mall,
Don't forget the Smithsonians! Got to see them all!
I get it. I understand. This is a neat place.
But why do you have to be all up in my space?
I have an idea, let's write a treaty:
we can both find use in this lovely city.
I won't grumble when you come to roam,
if you respect that this is my home.