Ryan and I got to go to Europe this weekend without even leaving DC! Saturday was the 3rd Annual European Union Open House! We hopped on a charter bus from a metro station and had the opportunity to stop at Spain, Malta, Germany, France and Sweden for free. We decided our first stop had to be Germany!! What a good choice we made! The German Embassy is huge! It's on a beautifully landscaped hillside in Georgetown. As we entered we got a cup of sparkling water, picked up some tourism and Luftansa stuff, and checked out the latest in Playmobil. Inside the Embassy, we were able to visit with all the German services in the area. Back outside was the best part: we got to see the German Ambassador to the U.S. and get German food and beverages! Ryan started off right with a bratwurst and beer, and I started with a pretzel. Around the corner from that area we were able to listen to a German folk band and try free samples of doner (Turkish transplant to Germany very much like a gyro), curry, multiple soups including potato soup and chilled cherry soup (yum!), deli meat with real German mustard, wine, beer, and chocolate covered hazelnuts! It was heaven! I think Ryan's really looking forward to going to Germany now!
We decided to skip France and head to Sweden! Their Embassy is also in a beautiful location: right on the bank of the Potomac in Georgetown! Walking up to the Swedish embassy, you know you're in for a unique experience. The building is super modern and a Swedish jazz duo was playing at the entryway. Just inside the door, waterfalls trickle down each side of the wall. Then, as you make your way, you feel like you've walking into the "best of Ikea"! It really looked so neat and efficient inside! They had a few displays on green technology which just proved how much more efficient they are becoming over in Europe. They had really yummy ginger cookies, gummy candies and chocolate to sample! The best part though, was the view from the roof! The entire top of the building is an open roof deck with breathtaking views of the Potomac, Roosevelt Island, the Kennedy Center, and Georgetown! Amazing!
We spent the rest of our day watching the new Star trek movie, having dinner at Pizza Paradiso (best pizza in the area!), and running errands! What a productive and culturally educational day!
Today, after an awesome day at work (I officially survived my first academic year as a Greek Advisor!!), I was on my way to meet the ADPi Alumni at Old Glory in Georgetown for happy hour and I saw Barack and Michelle Obama!! I was walking through Foggy Bottom and spotted some unusual traffic coming around the roundabout... the Presidential motorcade! So, I stopped, just in case, and their limo paused right in front of me! There was only one lane of traffic between me and the limo! I looked in the window and they both looked right at me and smiled! I waved and they waved back!
Awesome!
Yay DC!
This month and next month have brought, and will continue to bring, good times with old friends! I spent the first weekend of the month at Jacque's bachelorette party in Las Vegas! We had a blast eating good food, enjoying delicious drinks, dishing out juicy girlie gossip, relaxing poolside, and dancing our behinds off! It's crazy to think that we have been friends for 16 years! Jacque, Jenn, and I have grown so much together and now our Jacque's marrying a future doctor! It sure is comforting to have such great friends!
We had the good fortune of spending last weekend with some of my dearest friends from high school: Averi and Max and their two adorable, brilliant, and hilarious kiddos, Kalee and Bear! Even though both of our relationships are forever long, Max and Ryan had never met and they totally hit it off! We've been in different parts of the world for so long and finally are both near enough to make it easier to spend time together with only 3 and a half hours between us. Sometimes it takes something not so good to bring old friends back together, but as Averi begins kicking lymphoma's behind, Ryan and I are looking forward to helping their famliy however we can! We can't wait to spend a weekend with them in May... and to see them again in June when I have to go back to fight the speeding ticket I received on the way home... freaking small town revenue!
Next weekend, Ryan will be off on his own Vegas adventure with his little bro and friend for 10 years, Dennis! They'll be celebrating Dennis' last weekend of freedom before he gets hitched next month! I'm looking forward to a weekend of finally beautiful 80 degree weather, getting rid of some tan lines on the balcony in our hammock, catching up on some reading, and a teensy bit of work (but it'll be good because it involves free food!)!
Baby Birds! Did I get ya?
A few weeks ago, we noticed a bird couple staking out our balcony. The second time I saw them I thought they must be looking for a nesting place. I was right! Mama bird planted herself in my dried out peppermint pot right outside our bedroom window! She hasn't moved for 3 days! We're looking forward to the babies! Ryan thinks they will be loud, but I think they will be cute and that's a good substitute for loud! Anyone know what kind of bird she is?
We're excited it's Easter! It's our second major holiday alone! It's still crazy to think we're on our second round of holidays in Maryland and it's spring again! We got a little more into the season this year with a cute homemade wreath.
Cooking this year is going to be a bit harder than last year because my back is really sore! I have an allergy to anti-fungal medications when taken internally, and I recently started eating really raw honey to fight my allergy to things growing in nature because, out here, we are surrounded by stuff that grows!
At the Cherry Blossom festival! Thanks Japan for sending over allergens!
I know you probably can't tell, but those are my skinny jeans paired with a jacket that didn't fit when I bought it and it now closes comfortably! That's right... I've lost 18 pounds since New Year's!
Apparently really raw honey, the kind with pollen bits and everything, is naturally anti-fungal and the day after I started eating it, I got really sick! Nauseous, dizzy, stomach ache and stiff muscles and bones are not a fun combination!
Despite that, today we're feasting on a chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, asparagus, maybe some stuffing, deviled eggs, and strawberry shortcake!
Happy Easter everyone!
That's me! I've been so busy with work and our Spring vacation I have not had time to post a real blog and there's been a lot going on! I will post soon I promise! Stay tuned!
