So I started my second day with a ride to Pentagon City. My first stop was the DEA Museum. It was nothing too fancy, just a few rooms on the ground floor of the building, documenting the history of the war against drugs. Random photos and paraphernalia. I probably spent less than half an hour in there.

From there, I was in search of a delicious meal. A quick poking around on the iPhone found me walking down the road, under a freeway [only a little creepy because it was during the day], and up a hill. Beyond the Air Force Memorial was a fantastic Ethiopian meal waiting. I probably spent more time at the Air Force Memorial taking photos [see below] than at the DEA Museum!

The food was delicious, and there was enough food to feed another person. I ordered the dullet dish, which is chopped red meat, tripe, and liver seasoned with herbed purified butter, spiced chili powder (mitmita). It can be served raw, medium, or well done. It comes on injera with injera on the side. Very tasty! There’s also a little salad on the side, which is fantastic too. Balances all that meat on a platter.

Afterwards, I found myself wandering into DC and around the free museums. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which I never ended up actually getting to [Saw a special on the plane about it afterwards, so all is good!], was closed at the time, so I visited the Holocaust Museum down the street. Very graphic, very moving. I would have spent more time in there if I hadn’t wandered in just an hour before closing time.

In the evening, I enjoyed a meal with Leslie and Mike in Crystal City, as well as checked out their old place. They’ve since moved, so I’ll have to stop by again.

I was riding up, down and around on the Metro with little regard for how far things actually were. If it was here in the Bay Area, it would be the equivalent of me constantly taking BART to the East Bay! I refilled my Metro card several times, so it wasn’t cheap, but you do what you have to to get around!

[Related]

1. DC – Day One Summary Arriving in DC on an evening flight, there wasn’t much...
2. What I’ve Been Up To! I seem to have disappeared off the face of the...
3. First #AYCJ Encounter and Binary! As many are aware, I’ve had to cancel quite a...

Adventuring began the following day with a visit to the Capitol Building, a stroll through some seedy streets of the area to the American Society of Landscape Architects for a tour of their green roof [first in the nation, probably!], a quick run-through of the National Archive [see below for a few shots], meeting up with an AYCJer at the National Museum of American History [last photo below], and then later enjoying a scenic view atop the belltower at the Old Post Office.

I realize that this update is months too late. Time to catch up!

[Related]

1. DC – Day Two Summary Exploring DC without a car is not difficult at all....
2. Sackworld Recently, I learned of the game Little Big Planet. Yes,...

I wore a random purple wig I’d bought a few months prior, a purple dress, and Slinkies for arms. Not really a specific character, just not my usual self. Several guesses for my outfit: Rainbow Brite, raver chick. I was aiming for a toy or purple-haired doll.

I wasn’t sure what to expect and didn’t really think our friends would go all the way to the Outer Richmond for the party, but it turned out quite well. Mateo and Robin live in a really nice house, Ian was DJing up some good music, and there was good company. I also met Valentine [the cat pictured] who must be the softest cat EVER. I ignored my allergies for about five minutes to play with him.

The party was a good time, and we didn’t get home until after 3:30. I ended up sick the next day though. Had pho with rare beef and tendon for lunch with RV and Theron, and everything was fine. Pilates and a long car ride later in the day triggered some undigested dinner though, so the rest of the evening involved resting up and watching the Yankees kick the Phillies in the behind. I’m not a huge follower of baseball, but since it’s the World Series, I paid attention. It only gets interesting when the teams are good, and the games are somewhat close!

Today, more pho with rare beef and tendon after getting an extra hour of sleep! And then as we headed down to the farmer’s market, we noticed that the Asian Art Museum was free [Target First Sunday!]. We walked through, looked around for a few minutes, and continued on our way to the farmer’s market where we picked up veggies and this lovely plant. It ended up costing more than the veggies that RV bought, but it will surely last longer!

Of course, I forgot to ask the woman selling the plant what it was. I know it’s a succulent, but which one?!

I’m working on incorporating more photos and daily life documentation, so if that’s not your cup of tea, read no further. ;-)

[Related]

1. Coincidence? So RV’s mom just emailed him a photo of his...
2. Random and wonderful Sunday Yesterday was a beautiful and random day. Sure, it was...

017 – Finish taking Bar Method classes. Expires in September 2009!

Nope, this isn’t happening! I emailed them a few months prior to original expiration of July 2009, and they offered to extend the classes until September 2009. Very kind of them, but instead of making the most of them and attending all classes paid for, I call it a loss. Routine just doesn’t work for me when it comes to working out, no matter how I try. Yet I still try! The alternative to this is Pilates with Chase. I started today, and the odd machines are intriguing. I’ll report back when I see progress!

030 – Do a Daily Self Photo project for a year.

Rather than keep track via Flickr [got up to 50+, but lost interest and missed some days], I’ve switched over to DailyBooth. I get an email reminder daily about posting a photo, so it’s convenient. I stop what I’m doing, snap a photo on the phone, edit it a little with PS Mobile, and VOILA!

080 – Record every penny spent for a week.

In an effort to quell spending, I’m keeping track of it on a spreadsheet. I’m tired of credit card bills, which I manage to pay off on time, because they’re several hundreds more than what I should be spending. My sister has more saved up than I do, and I’ve been working longer. Clearly, I’m a bigger spender than she is. It’s not necessary spending, so it’ll get cut a bit. How else will I save for the house that I want to buy while the market’s gone kaput? I go on Roost daily to check out all the million dollar homes I can’t afford. So far, the goal of one week tracked has been accomplished. I’ll keep it up until I figure myself out.

That is all for now.

[Related]

1. Daily Photo Project – Week One [semi-successful] An update on the 101 in 1001: 030 – Do...
2. Baking Bread – Attempt #1 Who knew baking bread would take hours and hours and...
3. One Big Comprehensive List - Completed #60 on the 101 in 1001. It was...

I am not my own
For I have been made new
Please don’t let me go,
I desperately need you.

No related posts.

me: I’m turning 20-lame!

Matthew: I’m glad I got over that and made it into 30-meh.

I keep joking that I’ve turned 20-lame. The real reason for being out of the loop is that I’m studying for another failed exam *hangs head in shame* and also wanting to save $$. I recently paid off my car – just decided to lump sum it, so I wouldn’t have to keep track of it. It’s #72 on the list.

072 – Finish making payments on the Prius.

Following along the theme of turning 20-lame, this year’s birthday was a mellow one. I woke up, went to work, ate dinner at home with the parents, played a few games on the Wii, and then grabbed Asian desserts with RV and the sister. No happy hours, no late night drinks. And unlike last year, no ditching work to explore the city. The bigger celebration I had in mind took place a few weeks ago when I thought I’d be getting my jaw broken, but as it turns out, that didn’t really happen.

A small brunch this Sunday has been deemed the celebration. On Tuesday, I walked into work and found a gift bag on my desk. For a moment, I wondered if my coworkers had somehow found out it was my birthday. Of course, I looked around, and there were gift bags on other desks also. One of my coworkers recently came back from a New England trip, and she brought back maple syrup from Vermont for everyone. So we’re having French toast this Sunday!

[Related]

1. Happy Birthday, RV! It’s RV’s birthday today! We’ve already begun celebrating, and there...
2. Update on the Jaw An update on the 101 in 1001 list: 020 –...
3. Birthday Surprise (Not really a Fail) It was a friend’s birthday the other day, but I...

[Related]

1. The Capitol Building ...

When I was born, Saturn was in Libra. Also, the United States’ Saturn Return is in Libra, and during the past six Saturn Returns, the country has gone through a LOT. Look it up on the internet if you don’t believe me. It’s pretty crazy, and the seventh will likely not be much different from the previous.

Saturn will once again occupy the sign of Libra from October 29, 2009 to April 7, 2010, and if that wasn’t enough, again from July 21, 2010 to October 5, 2012. Over two years of it; I know I’m in for quite the ride!

And all the while, I thought that my 27th year was the one full of changes…

FYI – Your Saturn Return is in Libra if you were born between:

November 21, 1950 to March 7, 1951
August 14, 1951 to October 22, 1953 or
September 22, 1980 to November 29, 1982 or
May 7, 1983 to August 24, 1983

[Related]

1. Bad news, sorta. It’s a roller coaster. Bad news. Good news. Bad news....
2. Horoscope for the Week of January 29, 2009 From Freewill Astrology: Poet Jack Spicer was a native Californian...
3. Horoscope for the week of February 19, 2009 From Rob Brezny: Evolution has given the human body a...

The job is going well, and I am quite happy with the situation. Sure, the office is small. I don’t interact with many on a daily basis in the office, but it’s still a learning environment for me. I’m not stagnant yet. After my eight-hour day [WOO!], I can do other things too. I’m absolutely loving it so far, which is a relief for me to hear myself say. I won’t be itching to find the next thing just yet.

A clean and organized life will be appreciated when I have to spend most of my day locked up. Surgery was rescheduled for November. A date became available, so the hospital called me up. Fortunately, my mom has some time off, so she’s going to be making sure I am fed while wired shut. RV will also be around to answer my beck and call! I am planning to keep the social aspects down to a minimum while I heal up. Sad, but I am sure the friends will understand…

So yes, I’m trying to slow the pace down and clean up a bit. I want to be able to sit back and enjoy everything.

[Related]

1. Good news, sorta. Update to 101 in 1001: 020 – Document jaw surgery....
2. Bump in the Road Here I thought it’d be smooth sailing through surgery since...
3. Bad news, sorta. It’s a roller coaster. Bad news. Good news. Bad news....

[Related]

1. Old Post Office ...