DC Hidden Treasure

Last year we discovered a wonderful hidden treasure in DC: The National Arboretum. It is a place worth visiting throughout the year. Spring Flowers, Summer Picnics, and Fall colors. Different trees blossom all year long. Spring is an ideal time for magnolias, cherry, and apricot tree blossoms. There are paths through woods, Asian gardens, and through open fields. The Arboretum is home to the original columns of the U.S. Capitol Building. It hosts a collection of magnificent bonsai trees. It is open everyday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and admission is free! Visitors can run, bike, walk dogs, read on a blankets, and even sun bathe (yes, we saw an old man sun bathing today, March 21, 2010). The Arboretum is an oasis in sketchy North East DC. The Anacostia River runs along side it and there is a straight view of the Capitol's Rotunda. You won't have to fight the crowds of the downtown cherry blossoms. Come and enjoy a fabulous afternoon. Spring is Here!!

Sweet Magnolias

Japanese Apricot with Pink and White Flowers

Two Faced Flower

Master Tonio and Kung Fu Kat

Magnolias


Magnolias


Magnolias

Luck of the Irish in Alexandria

On March 6, 2010 we went with Eric and Alisha down to Old Town Alexandria for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. This parade is similar to the Scottish Parade in December. They both have lots of bagpipers, dogs, and old cars. The difference is the dogs are Bloodhounds instead of Scottish Terriers. What we don't understand is what a Bolivian Dancer Group and the 501st Legion (Stars Wars Fans dressed up in character costumes) were doing in the middle of an Irish Parade. Overall it was a fun parade. Everyone was wearing green and we even saw an Irish Mad Hatter. It is a quaint setting along picturesque King Street with the Mason Temple in the background. It is one of the only times of the year that Katrina is allowed to go out wearing her "Kiss Me I'm Irish" T-shirt and bright green rain-slicker (DI purchase ca. 1997).


Irish Mad Hatter


A whole camp full of soldiers


Masonic Temple and King Street


Irish Pipers

The Beginning

"This is Antonio from Institute" were the words that Katrina heard three years ago as Tonio called her to ask her out on our first date. Tonio proceeded to ask if Katrina had plans for Friday evening (March 2, 2007). Katrina wasn't busy and as you know, she can never lie so she said "yes" to the invitation.
Tonio showed up on the executive button. He allowed her to ride in his best friend, Chewie. Right away Tonio made Katrina his co-pilot. She was in charge of pushing the Force Field Button that started the Imperial March from Star Wars.
As we drove to Crystal City, VA for dinner Tonio commented on how much he liked the small town feeling of D.C. I guess D.C. is the middle ground between Mexico City and Rexburg, ID.
We ate at a Spanish Tapas restaurant. It was Katrina's first time having Tapas (little appetizer dishes). She was taken back when she noticed that three slices of cheese cost $8. Katrina thought it was a little too fancy for a first date. Tonio was clearly trying to impress.
After dinner Tonio suggested going to a movie. Katrina said," Rock on Babylon!" and we made our way to the Regal Potomac Movie Theater. We watched "Breach", a most appropriate movie for any DC resident.
After the movie, Tonio was not done with Katrina so he suggested to get some dessert. Clearly he was having a good time and Katrina was fascinated by how witty this guy from the True South was. We went to the Madelaine in Old Town Alexandria and each ordered a dessert (after all, everybody knows how awkward it would be to share the same dessert on a first date). During our conversation Tonio made clear that he was having a good time and he started talking about future activities we could do together. Alas, Katrina had to let Tonio know that there was a very good possibility of her returning to Utah in June. Tonio asked whether it was definitive. Katrina said that it wasn't yet to which he replied "we still have time to change your mind". What did he mean by that? Was he planning on using an old Jedi mind trick on Katrina? That would have been futile. And why did he refer to himself on the third person plural? Things were starting to get a little weird, especially when he said "But I am not in Utah!" Hello! First Date! You want me to go running home? Where is my pepper spray?
To be true, Katrina was flattered by the attention but she was also a little surprised on how forward Tonio was on that first date. Tonio, on his part, was always keeping it cool.
Before dropping Katrina home, Tonio asked Katrina whether she had read "Bridge to Terabithia". She mentioned that she had not and that she was interested in the book. Tonio suggested to stop by his place and that he would lend her a copy of the book. Katrina was a little suspicious at the beginning. She thought "you want me to go where? Where is my teaser?"
But Tonio mentioned that he did not live alone, which was comforting, until Katrina realized that Tonio's roommate was a one-foot tall replica of R2D2. "Where is the exit?"
Katrina finally got a hold of the book after being shown Tonio's vast Star Wars memorabilia (he calls the dolls "action figures"). Katrina is herself a Star Wars fan (she has a golden bikini in Idaho, and a crush on Han Solo), but she thought this was a little too much.
Eventually, Tonio dropped Katrina off at her place. After saying good bye Katrina noticed that Tonio was still following her up the stairs "was this guy hoping for a good night kiss? He already got a hug" thought Katrina. However, she was relieved when she noticed he was just being a gentleman and was merely waiting for her to be inside her home before taking off.
All in all, it was a great date. We had a lot of fun despite the quirky moments. Alas, Katrina made her move to Utah, but that is another story...