Sweet Home Louisiana!

I went to Monroe, Louisiana for my Spring Break to visit my dear friends, Erika and Bruce. Monroe is first in a variety of ways. It is where Delta Airlines began. It was also the first place to start bottling coke. We went to a Coca-Cola Museum. We got a coke for 5 cents and had a fabulous tour from a former clown named Tommy.




Cool Hand Bruce

We also went to the Black Bayou. We saw some alligators in a nature center there. They were just babies. The Bayou is full of cypress tress and herons. We were walked around the boardwalk over the water.



Baby Alligators


Goin' Down the Bayou!

Erika and I drove over to Natchez, Mississippi. They have a Pilgrimage there every Spring. The town opens their old Antebellum homes and the hostess dresses like Scarlet O'Hara. We toured three homes. Some of the homes have decedents of the original owners living in them. There is a lot of history in those old homes. In the words of Erika, we overheard: A dandy Southern gentleman to a group of German tourists (in a fine Mississippi drawl and with the wave of the hand) "As a 56 year old black-hearted bachelor there's but one phrase in your language I need to know: Isssh Liebe dissssh."







We went to a pageant in the evening. It was a very interesting performance. This little town has been doing the pageant since 1932 and I don't think they have changed the program much. :) They performed about 10 short scenes. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, married a girl from that small town so one of the scenes is their wedding. Another is the Fox Hut, where they dress up and actually have their hounds walk through the auditorium. The final scene is where the belle says goodbye to confederate solider sweetheart one last time. They turned the lights out and this teenager held a giant Confederate Flag. A spot light was on him and he started screamed (Rebel Yell). He ran around the gym twice then he lead a procession of the Confederate Soldiers. The audience all stood up. Erika and I remained seated and we got some dirty looks. Then they brought out the American Flag and we stood up. They never call it the Civil War. Down South it is call the War Between States or the War of Northern Aggression. I was reminded that in some ways it is a whole other world down there.


The Bells and the Cadets




The Fox Hunt




The King and Queen of the Pilgrimage

We had lunch at Mammy's Cupboard. It is a 3 story tall African-American Woman lunch counter. You enter in through her skirt. The bread was good and the pie was mile high. Erika and I shared a slice of humming bird cake: a spice cake with coconut and pineapple topped with cream cheese frosting.


Erika and Mammy

We also ate at Biscuits and Blues. It is a little establishment in downtown Natchez. We ate a Natchez Beignet. Is a small scone that is cut open and filled with ice cream and topped with Praline Sauce. It was so heavenly!! That was the best part of Mississippi.

On the way back to Louisiana I told Erika that the country road reminded me of a scene from Cool Hand Luke. Only moments later we passed a 'chain gang' of prisoners in striped jumpsuits picking up litter along the highway...O Brother, Where Art Thou?

It was nice to be in the South again. I hadn't been back since my mission. I had forgotten how large and full of Spanish Moss the oak trees are. It is a place where you can get craw-fish boiled or live at the gas station. It takes a little while to get used to being called Ma'am. But there is something to be said for Southern Hospitality.


Spanish Moss City


Notice Erika in the corner


Oak Trees

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...

Virginia Beach 2009

Dancing with the Stars

Scots on the Rocks

Scottish Terrier Tail

We decided to go down to Virginia Beach for their annual Neptune Festival this past fall. They had amazing sand sculptures. Some of the contestants came from all over the World. Tonio and I each had our favorites. Tonio liked the "Dancing with the Stars" sculpture. It was a creative twist. The detail of the sun was amazing. I loved the "Scots on the Rocks" sculpture. I loved the face of the old Scot in front who was giving a wink. The sculpture was complete with a bagpiper and a caber tosser. The little Scottish Terrier's tail looked like it was wagging.

Seattle - Vancouver 2010 Saga

We know this post in not in chronological order but who cares? The most important records are not in chronological order, like the Bible.

Our Seattle adventure began early at 4:30 AM on Saturday, January 16 in order to be at the DCA airport at 5:00 AM ready for our 6:00 AM flight. The plan: get to Seattle at 11:00 AM, drive to Vancouver, have a great weekend with Antonio's friend, Jose, and come back to Seattle on Sunday night so that Katrina would fly back to DC on Monday while Tonio would stay in Seattle during two weeks for work. Alas, our weekend did not go as planned. Behold our timeline of doom:

• 5:30 AM. We were told that our flight would be delayed for 30 minutes due to heavy fog in Kansas City, MO (our connecting city) [repeat this instance 5 more times];
  
• 10:00 AM. Still at the airport, we finished watching the movie we brought for our flight ("500 Days of Summer");
• 11:30 AM. We finally got clear to take off towards Kansas City, MO;
• 12:30 PM. Midway to Kansas City, we are diverted to Indianapolis, Indiana due to an increase of fog in Kansas City;
• 3:30 PM. We boarded another flight for Denver in order to make our connection to Seattle;
• 4:30 PM. The plane's door is damaged upon trying to close it. We had to get off the plane.
• 8:00 PM. The door problem is fixed, we board the plane towards Denver;
• 10:00 PM. We arrived to Denver, we are told that no more flights are available to Seattle. We are given vouchers to stay the Marriott, breakfast ($5.00 each) and a $200 flight voucher.
• 7:00 AM (January 17) we returned to the Denver airport to board our flight to Seattle
• 10:00 AM. We finally arrived to Seattle. Yeah!

For obvious reasons, we decided to change our plans and stay in Seattle. We actually had a great day going to the market and the Aquarium. Katrina could not get enough of the Sea Otters (she looked at them for about 30 minutes). We had a great dinner at Elliot's on Alaskan Way.

Seattle Aquarium

Under the Sea!

Sea Otters

Monday, Katrina flew back to DC. Upon arrival to the airport, she faced a similar delay situation with her connecting flight in Kansas City, MO. As soon as Katrina was told that there would be a delay due to fog, she stood up and requested a flight change. She was told that because the delay was due to weather conditions, they could not change her flight. At that moment Katrina grabbed the worked by the neck with one hand and lift her about one foot from the ground. Using a deep, terrifying voice she said "Weather does not concern me. You will get me in a new flight or die!". She was put immediately in a direct flight in Alaska airlines that arrived an hour earlier.

Meanwhile, Tonio spent the next two weeks working in Seattle. During the weekend he visited the Seattle temple and made his way to Vancouver. While in Vancouver Tonio stayed with his old high school friend, Jose and his family. They took Tonio to downtown Vancouver to see how the city was decked out in preparation for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

On Sunday, Tonio prepared for his friends a batch of Katrina's Killer Waffles for breakfast, alas, they were not super killers. In order to compensate for his lack of waffle-making skills, Tonio made a Tres Leches Cake for dinner. Dinner took place at the house of Jose's old friends. His friends are a Vancouver family that hosted Jose and his wife when they first arrived to Vancouver. Tonio and his friends had a great time. It was like Thanksgiving all over again. What a great trip!

Downtown Vancouver with Jose and Rosalinda

Olympic Clock

Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

It's like Hoth out here!

One would think that living in Alexandria, Virginia you wouldn't need to stock up on snow pants, gloves, and shovels. However, we are having Snowmageddon!!! Tonio was scheduled to fly to Seattle for business but that is hard to do when they close the airport. Katrina has eight snow days to date. This gives us an excuse to finally catch up with the World and create a blog.