Monday, June 29, 2009

The Real WALL-E

I NEED one. He just melts my heart.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Summer cookin' (and eatin')

I have finally done what I've always wanted to do (well, since college): make a meal schedule and stick to it. So far this week, I've only made tacos, mac 'n' cheese, and buttermilk biscuits to serve as the starch in strawberry shortcake, but I'm feeling quite good about my progress.

This week also calls for sloppy joes, homemade pizza, chocolate chip cookies, and french toast. And next on the more ambitious agenda is chicken parmesan. Cooking/baking is the one activity I consistently look forward to... I wonder if I'm pursuing the right profession?

As I failed to mention before, I saw Food, Inc. this weekend. Nothing too life-changing, as I'd already read Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma and was familiar with many of the issues addressed. Oh food classes, how I adore thee.

One thing I was not aware of was that companies are beginning to spray their beef with ammonia to remove potential E. Coli bacteria. Yummy.

In any case, I sincerely hope that Food, Inc. receives the hype that An Inconvenient Truth did. Every American should see the documentary. Only when consumers begin demanding change will any of us receive it. And boy, do I want that change.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Another week in pictures

No time for extensive updates, but here's another picture synopsis of my week:

I admired Julie Childs' kitchen for hours at the American History Smithsonian. I'm definitely going to have pegboard to hang up all my pans someday, ya hear?

I enjoyed trivia night with my district friends. We did not win the game, but we were the happiest team, which counts for more anyway. In trivia and in life.

The program went to Mount Vernon today. So gorgeous inside, and a lovely day to boot. My kitchen with the pegboard storage will be inside my own lovingly restored historic home, ideally.

I also tried Ethiopian food on Saturday. Amazing. Will elaborate on the experience further at a later date since there is clearly no sense in me promising next-day updates when I consistently fail at them.

Tomorrow, I intend to bike along the Potomac for as long as physically possible. Walking in high heels is not a sufficient workout.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Gaining some culture, getting acculturated

Despite the sunburn I received after hours spent at the Capital Pride Festival, I'm feeling quite pleased with how this weekend went. The weather was beautiful and I saw so much in such a short time. I feel like I've lived nearly an entire semester in the one week I have been here.


We explored the museum of natural science on Friday and took so many pictures for the photo contest. (I desperately need that prize money to feed myself.) In fact, I bring my Fund shirt everywhere, just in case. Double the reward!


That evening, we had a dance party. In fact, we seem to be having/attending an awful lot of parties. In this pictorial example, I was the straight in the middle of a gay sandwich. I'm a lucky girl. Having now attended seven parties in the last eight days, I can honestly say that this summer will be crazier than my freshman year of college. Whew.


On Saturday, I met Alice Waters. I still cannot get over it. I purchased her cookbook The Art of Simple Cooking for myself and my mom, and she signed the book and took a picture with me. Sigh. I achieved supreme bliss in that moment.

In a similar foodie event, I tried Persian food for the first time and adored it. Then again, I have yet to taste a new cultural cuisine that I haven't liked. I also found the most divine Greek restaurant this weekend, but I'm sure I'll have more on that later.


More importantly, Saturday marks the day I visited the Church of Scientology. We actually went inside and learned about the religion, meeting with Scientologists and watching a video. The experience was incredibly surreal. It deserves its own post, which will hopefully be happening tomorrow. I need the time to gather my thoughts.


To add to the gay fun from Friday, we went to the festival on Sunday. I saw some of the most bizarre outfits and witnessed some incredibly strange behavior, and I'm so glad I went. There were under-dressed men everywhere, as illustrated. Pretty to look at, at least.

Basically, this weekend marked an excellent beginning to my D.C. summer. I can't wait to spend all of tomorrow in the American history museum. They'll probably have to drag me out.

Now that I think about it, when it's time to leave this place, my family may have to drag me out of this city, too.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

First D.C. Farmers' Market

I know it looks more like carnage, but I enjoyed homemade beet & goat cheese ravioli this evening (paired with a garlic butter sauce and a side of roasted broccoli) courtesy of the Rose Park Farmers' Market. I cannot possibly describe my excitement upon learning that this market is literally two blocks from where I work.

Additionally, I bought a chocolate & almond croissant and chicken pastry from this awesome French man. He's already a favorite.

In other news, I'm ready for the weekend. Alice Waters book signing, another farmers' market, potentially a food & wine tasting, and going out dancing, lots. Can't wait!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Interning at the Big House

Not the big White House, unfortunately. But I'd say my internship house is just as rewarding.

Today I drafted a press release, created a blog, Tweeted four updates, researched nearby museums, and updated our Facebook page. I think I did pretty well for Day 1.

The sky unleashed its wrath on D.C. as I walked back from work, but I didn't mind in the slightest. You know you love a place when you're so happy to be there that being cold and wet is an afterthought.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Live from Georgetown

Here's a brief synopsis of my journey to D.C., thus far:

My dad, brother and I left Friday around 4 and got to our hotel in Fairfax by 10. It was amazing. I had my own suite with a king-sized bed and separate living area. I feared that the quality of my room would leave something to be desired in my apartment, and I was right.

We went to Wegman's the following morning--it's this huge grocery store with it's own cafe and everything. Think giant Harris Teeter/Weaver Street hybrid. I brought my camera in to document the event and left without it. Oy vey. I didn't realize until I was in Georgetown that it was missing, so I'm fairly certain that the camera's gone for good, though I still called the store in case it gets turned in. Perhaps that case I made was cursed.

Yesterday, I moved in to my apartment, which I'm sharing with four girls from New York, Ohio, Missouri and Hong Kong. The apartment was poorly cleaned and I found myself wiping down every surface before I'd place anything on it. Our kitchen floor is disgusting, an issue that has yet to be resolved.

In an effort to force us into an awkard bonding situation, the program hosted a pizza party in the courtyard that our apartments surround. Unfortunately, it was Papa John's pizza, which sent me back inside for a yogurt and some pretzel bread. (The first I've found in the U.S., courtesy of Wegman's.) I met some awesome people, but I fear I will never be able to meet everyone. Or even remember all of their names, and I hate not remembering names.

The night ended in a party at a townhouse off campus. Diana's boyfriend was turning 21, so I figured it was worth the block-long walk. I ended up bringing about 15 people along, so it was a great(er) bonding event.

Today, I volunteered at Dumbarton House for a special tour the house was hosting. I am already in love. The walk there takes me past some of the most beautiful historic homes in the area and the trees keep me reasonably cool. The employees are all so nice and the grounds are stunning. I doubt I'll get any work done with all that aesthetic overload.

A super-touristy bus tour ended the night, with a hilarious tour guide who told us such riveting facts as "we have 50 states" and "the U.S. gained its freedom from Britain in 1776." I suppose the information was for the international students, but it was hard not to feel like I was in 5th grade again.

Having crammed so much into such a short period of time, I am epically tired. I'm not sure there will be many moments this summer where I'm not, though. While I love that feeling of being fulfilled-yet-exhausted, at the moment I just need sleep.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Packing a punch, packing a bunch

I'd like to think that everything I'm packing for D.C. is absolutely necessary. No, I cannot survive two months without my craft cart (including my guns--of the staple & hot glue variety) nor without my KitchenAid mixer, at the risk of appearing completely domestic(ated).

With every place I temporarily move to, I feel the need to bring items that remind me of home. As I also harbor packrat tendencies, I have to ensure that I'm being reasonable. I'm sure that some would consider filling an entire van with stuff for two months unreasonable, but I so much want to create a comfortable space for myself and even more so for my roommates.

Baking and crafting are as close to being maternal as I'm willing to get. At least for the moment.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Using Protection


Well, actually I made the protection for my new camera and now I'm using it. I'm quite proud of my accomplishment... Sewing does not come as easily to me as cooking, but I'm making progress.

This case (inspiration came from this link) probably cost me $5 to make and about 2 hours of time. Rachel, I used some of that sweatshirt material in lieu of batting. Lovely!


Tomorrow's attempt includes finishing a laptop case which ought to be infinitely trickier. At least I'll have a pattern this time!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Floatin'

Today (or, rather, yesterday at this point), I was at the mall getting the last of my "necessary" D.C. outfits.

As I was leaving, a man stopped me.

"Excuse me--you are beautiful."

Well, my initial instinct was to avoid eye contact and walk swiftly in the other direction, but he said it with such sincerity. No ulterior motives, and then he just walked away.

I know it's silly to place so much importance on words, though as a writer it's my natural inclination.

Still, I've spent the rest of the day floating.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Another great video against Prop 8



I love the statement about tradition.