3.06.2010

Blossoming

Well, the 3,750 cherry blossom trees that line the Tidal Basin and surrounding national parks in Washington, D.C., survived winter blizzards and will again bloom during end of March/first of April!

I'm really happy for this because I've been looking forward to it since I moved.

The first trees were a gift to the city in 1912 from Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki.

More than a million people each year attend the festival, which includes a parade, a fundraising gala, exhibits across the city on Japanese ceramics and garments and paddle boat rides around the Tidal Basin.

What I'm struggling with is missing the Cherry Blossom Parade on April 10th. :-( That's TARTAN DAY!! I'm meeting Mary in NYC and going to Stout as I have every year since moving to the east coast. (No comment on J&J!).

Oh well, I'm definitely planning on visiting a few 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival® Cherry Picks Restaurants, where different restaurants offer "cherry-inspired recipes throughout the signature springtime event. During the two-week festival, diners can enjoy a variety of alluring entrĂ©es, decadent desserts and delectable cocktails with a special cherry touch at participating restaurants."

Delish!!

Update to Andreen: It's a work in progress, right? (Happiness, I mean). Always, in a moment, easily stolen away. I'm consciously trying to be more fluid and trying not to take for granted what I have, even though it's not, at this very moment, what I originally dreamed of. There could be monumental positive occasions and opportunities just around the corner.

For now I'm thankful, SO thankful, for the job, apartment, and friends who are really here for me, even at a distance.

Besos.

Happy Saturday!

It's the end of my first week of a shortened commute and the beginning of my first weekend living in DC. My first 4 nights were tough. Chhaya meowed up a STORM and I didn't get more than 3 hours of sleep at a time.

I'
ve gotten a lot more unpacked than I figured I would, but I need to get a bunch of hangers and a few underbed boxes to get all of these clothes unpacked. This is going to be a weekend of just taking care of myself and relaxing.

Still REALLY liking my job and the people there. Every day I feel like I'm really contributing to the success of the business. The company is SOOOOO interesting and I really dig what we do. I'm still struggling, however, with not being in New York. My mantra has always been "things happen how they are supposed to happen" and "everything happens for a reason". I am staying true to these and trying to make every day a positive experience.

Today I'm off to a nice 25 minute walk to get a mani/pedi and then a massage, which I truly need.
This evening I want to dive head first into the unpacking to get it all finished so I can get busy on other things. I worked out this morning downstairs in my gym, so at least I'm off to a good start!

Tomorrow I plan on visiting the
National Zoo. I going to see the big cats and the great apes, my favorites :-). If I'm finished in time, I might try and catch Shutter Island at the theater by my apt.

By the way, here are a few pix of my building.