Ritzy

Last week was quite the week...Valentine's Day, couch surfing (ish), slumber parties, and playing tour guide. I know, quite the impressive list lets begin on Tuesday, the day of looove.

Tuesday:
Now some people hate Valentine's Day, and being a self declared cynic I should probably fall into this category. BUT, how could I possibly despise a holiday that basically promotes unnecessary present giving, flower deliveries and chocolate binging. It's kind of wonderful, and lets just say I was pretty spoiled this year. The classic romantic evening was actually a Girl's Night (to no one's surprise I am sure), after work I scurried over to Mary and Nicole's apartment for a delectable home cooked meal. Mary is a phenomenal chef, on tonight's menu: Potato Leek Soup, Ratatouille (the Disney recipe), salmon pinwheels, and a homemade chocolate cake (I tried to add a little synthetic diversity by bringing Georgetown Cupcakes...a crowd favorite obviously). After dinner we slowly slipped into a food coma as the comedic sounds of Party Down rocked us to sleep. A relaxed, non-cliche way to spend the day, no complaints here.

Wednesday:
Now aside from being a great chef Mary also has a knack for finding restaurants. And because I have almost been in DC for a month, I was obviously going through Mexican food withdraws. The selection of the evening: Oyamel. A traditional Mexican restaurant, not quite TexMex or my SoCal digs...but delicious nonetheless.
(I have attached Mary's blog so you can view her restaurant critique http://littlechefmary.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/lo-mejor-de-dc/)

Thursday:
Bible study in Annapolis, we are currently doing a Beth Moore bible study on the book of James...kind of obsessed.

Friday:
So not only am I having withdraws for some Southern California grub, but I am also missing my friends (even though someone has visited me at least once a week, that's irrelevant). This week's visitor, none other than my best Miss Kylie Rose Hughes. It was her first time in the city, in 4.5 days I had to show her why it is that I have fallen in love with this city. After work I packed up my desk and headed home for the long weekend (and by that I mean the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown, our home away from home for the weekend). I can only imagine our poor neighbors faces as they heard the excited squeals through the walls, reunions are always exciting especially ours? After the formalities we headed to Georgetown for dinner at one of my favorite spots, Bodega. After dinner we walked the streets and found ourselves in line at Georgetown Cupcakes, you can't visit DC without a taste test of Georgetown, Sprinkles and Baked and Wired.

Saturday:
After our failed attempt to join a segway tour we decided to walk around the monuments. 7.2 miles later we successfully viewed all of the monuments, the white house and managed to stop at my favorite tea houses (I am aware how Asian that sounds), Teaism. When we finally returned to the hotel we collapsed on the beds, it was a productively exhausting morning and now it was time for a well deserved nap! After waking up we got ready and headed to Cava Mezze to meet Nicole, for some Greek cuisine. Still tired from the day's activities we decided to call it a night, as we entered the hotel to head up to our room, we heard the faint sounds of Usher echoing through the corridors. We followed the music and stumbled upon a party, "interested in party crashing?" As we descended down the spiral staircase we saw a brightly colored table decorated with Kanye stunna shades, our ticket in, score! We each snatched a pair and assumed the identities of Mico and Shirley. First stop dessert table.

Sunday: 
To be truly local, you need to experience brunch. We headed back to Georgetown for brunch at Kafe Leopolds (but on the way Sprinkle's released its word of the day so we stopped by for a free cupcake). After brunch we glided along Georgetown, bouncing around between all of our favorite stores. We had to add on one historic sight to the day so after shopping we made our way the the Mall, to see the National Portrait Gallery. This museum is one of my favorite places in the city and I knew Kylie would appreciate it. As always we were running late and after the NPG we headed back to our hotel for a quick freshen up before dinner. Tonight's destination Oya, a delectable Asian fusion restaurant downtown. A few sushi rolls later we rolled down to the W's  P.O.V., for drinks at one of the best views in the city.

Monday:
Our last full day. We had planned on being particularly active that morning, spinning, brunch at Four Seasons then onto the Mall for some more sightseeing. Well, our 7:30 am wake up call turned into 10 am, we had missed spinning and brunch, oh well breakfast in bed it is! After a relaxing lazy morning we jumped on the metro towards Capitol Hill. I took Ky along my commute route, showed her my lovely Townhouse then we made our way to the Capitol, the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. Then onto the Smithsonian. Our mission: the First Ladies Inaugural Ball Gown exhibit. And yes, it is as magnificent as it sounds. We saw the gowns, the jewelry, the shoes and the china patterns (Nancy Reagan you have my heart and my style). We also saw Dorthy's ruby red slippers, the original catwoman suit and Michael Jackson's hat...the Mall really has something for everyone. After we decided to walk home, one because it was a nice day two because I had dangled Caribou Coffee in front of Kylie all weekend and she needed to experience it! The Golden Triangle is a great place to live, the only downside, after the work day everything closes so it is difficult to find an open coffee shop besides Starbucks. We finally found a Caribou and we enjoyed a Pomegranate Tea Latte (...you'll have to ask her if it was worth all the hype). When we finally made it to the hotel we took a quick power nap then got ready for dinner, we were meeting my Aunt Debbie for dinner at Oyamel (yes I went twice in one week).

Tuesday:
It was Kylie's last day in DC, and what better way to spend the morning than in an Oral Argument at the Supreme Court (ya, I have sweet hook ups). We met Zarmala in front of the Court and bypassed the long lines of people waiting to get into the Argument. We snuck around to the side entrance and made our way to the Marshall's Office, as I entered the Court I instantly went into tour guide mode, spouting off the monologue I used when I interned at the Court. It was wonderful being back, inside these white marbled walls I was first inspired to pursue a career in law. It was nice to be back, and to see some old friends. After the Argument we were famished we set out to Sweet Greens for a salad then said our good byes, I went to work, Zarmala went to bed and Kylie to La La Land.

But A Small Sacrifice

Lenting Season...

An annual season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesdayand lasting 40 weekdays to Easter, observed by Roman Catholic, Anglican, and certain other churches.

Our society has raised us with a certain dependency upon frivolous materials and/or substances, over the next 40 days I will refrain from a few of my favorites. A small sacrifice in comparison, but what can I say...I'm human. 

Louder Than Silence

Coming off a phenomenal weekend and crash landing on a sluggish Monday morning is about the equivalent of...head butting a titanium wall. That was an exaggeration but at least now you know how my Monday is starting off...

Whew, what a weekend. 

I'm still getting used to working 40+ hours so Friday night was a lost cause. I met up with some friends on the Hill to grab a drink and a burger (soo American). Then we headed back to my friend’s apartment to watch the Laker game. Nothing really to say about that performance...other than Jeremy Lin...where did you come from? Thank you for showing the world that Asians are capable of athletic (and scholastic…he graduated from Harvard) achievements outside of gymnastics and figure skating. Geesh. 

Saturday day I, was pretty much useless. I had a big night ahead of me so my most outstanding achievement consisted of watching the snow fall. Being a Southern California baby, I am still pretty captivated by this phenomenon. I observantly watched the icy crystals dance towards the earth for about an hour, sipping my tea and thanking God for placing me in this spectacular city. I soon drifted into my afternoon nap and woke up in the evening. As darkness approached I began to get ready for the night. On tonight’s agenda I had a late dinner and a night of dancing, a perfect girl’s night. We had dinner at Oya, a beautiful Asian fusion restaurant.

Mala and I have a habit of ogling over lavish decorations and Oya did not let us down. Words can’t capture the rich embellishments…geostone walls, rose walls, waterfalls, fire walls and of decadent chandeliers. And to our surprise, delicious sushi as well. The East Coast has a lot to offer, but fine sushi is not one of them, sorry. This is the first restaurant that I would recommend, to my mother (let’s just put it this way, she’s picky but then again so am I, like mother like daughter I suppose). After dinner we headed back to our house grabbed an overnight bag and put on our boogie shoes (rain boots). Tonight’s entertainment: Steve Aoki.

The set began at 2, so we had plenty of time. We casually made our way through the flurries to Eastern Market. My snowy ballerinas had decorated the city; it was a picturesque winter wonderland. We glided through the streets admiring our new surroundings when we realized it was FREEZING. Snow is pretty, when you’re inside next to a fireplace under a blanket. We took off at a sprint towards Mary’s this drastic weather change was a bit much for us.

After settling in we made our way to the venue…it was, interesting to say the least. Let’s just say the inhabitants mirrored those of “dirty valley people,” ew I know. As we stood in line to enter our jaws dropped as a parade of “low-self esteemed” girls gathered around us. It looked like a combination of the Jersey Shore cast and Halloween in Isla Vista, it is freezing, and you need to wear pants or at least a jacket! It is mind numbing how moronic people can be. Mais c'est la vie.

Aside from our less than stellar cast, the night was magic. Greeeeeat music, Steve was quite the performer. From crowd surfing on an inflatable raft, to throwing whole birthday cakes into the crowd it was a show.  But the greatest part of the night, my decision to wear rain boots. Not only was I able to gracefully two-step the club, but my feet were not trampled and I didn’t ruin my shoes in the cake fight. Winner much, I know.

The next day, we woke up around 11, reminisced on our night and slowly made our way to brunch. Yes sir, brunch. We are soo DC local now.

And then as if shaken from a dream, it’s Monday. Back to la grind.   

A Calculating Facade

Each day it seems as if I hit the snooze button an extra time. Initially my wake up call rang in about 7 am, after about a week that slowly (quickly) dissolved into 7:30 am. These days I roll out of bed at 7:50, check the emails and reflect upon why it is I wake up at this godforsaken hour to work...oh because I kind of love my job/office. Whatever, I stumbled over to my closet, pick a winner, paint my face, and I'm out the door. Breakfast is for champions is a cliche and for fat people...?

As I told you last week, one of my favorite pastimes is people watching, on the Metro (for those of you who don't know, the Metro is DC's public transportation, and it's awesome). But anyways, back to me, your Metro experience is dictated upon which line you take, what time of day you are taking it, and obviously if you're taking the bus (it's not sketchy like LA, don't worry). The morning commute is my favorite, serendipitous collisions with the blue and white collared, welcome to the melting pot that is the Metro. Stolen glances, shared smiles, shuffling feet, mysterious neighbors, creepy old men, its the perfect cup of awkward you need to collect yourself and take the "rise and grind" plunge. As we make our way to our destinations our chance encounters intertwine our lives for those 10-20 minute rides. Embrace it.

Words of advice from a wise sagest:

• Buy a smarttrip. 
• Know how to work your smarttrip, nothing is more irritating than having to wait for the rookie swiper when you're racing the clock to sneak into work on time, this is a "don't be that guy moment." 
• Bring tunes, this is an opportune moment to bust out those Dr. Dre Beats, because no one else wants to jam with you, so be courteous and keep it to yourself. This is DC, not NYC no one wants to mingle during the morning commute. My current obsession is the "Hipster International" mix I downloaded from spotify, its fabulous the haunting reverberations of those epic beats allow me to drift away into my morning musings.
• Bring reading material, if you're sitting. You look silly trying to balance yourself and read Anna Karenina. You are not fooling anyone, nothing is being accomplished.
• One of my favorite aspects of this city is dressing up, likeitsmyjob. I love discreetly peaking out from under my bangs to ogle at the daily getups. Everyone looks so put together until you see whats under that peacoat.
• Ladies, its winter wear tights. I'm from California and I know this. Midwest people just because it's not negative degrees outside doesn't mean you should bare your pasty white legs, pull it together.
• Gentleman, generally in California if you look like you fell out of the Matrix series I would keep my distance. But on the East Coast its pretty normal, put a guy in a long coat, allow him the poor judgement that is his small sunglasses and you are walking in the 1999 scifi thriller...tragically its all to common, surprisingly I'm getting used to it.

As I depart from my underground traverse and make my way into the sunlight, my cynical 15 minute ride has allowed me to collect myself and my thoughts. Now onto the fun part, lobbying.

Metropolitan Musings

It is another year and I find myself in yet another place. If there is one thing to know about me, know that I love the thrill of saying goodbye. Nothing truly excites me like the thought of picking up and moving. This year I find myself back in Washington, DC, I first fell in love with this city when I was a sophomore, I spent my spring semester interning and studying in the city. DC is the opposite of Ventura (and Malibu for that matter) in literally all aspects, and I think that's why I like it. I view life as a game of "Shoots and Ladders," in order for progression you need a shift, sometimes you fall down a shoot but that's just apart of the game. How boring would life be without a couple risks, clarity and awareness come when you least expect it. My favorite part about my detachment issue is that I can't make excuses or reasons for staying...

I have realized that, I hate the thought of a stagnant lifestyle, its arduously terrifying and quite frankly, I'm not into it.  I am expectant that my current endeavor will segue into a career path...or at least clarity into what it is I want to do with my life. As I get older, it is becoming more and more evident that a Disney Princess is not a realistic job prospect (...but Kylie, Jaclyn and I still remain hopeful that someone will want to create a reality show about how awesome we are, liiiike no one can "network and hang out" quite like we do). Until then, I am quite content with my current lifestyle, but hopefully (for my dad's sake) I will have an epiphany and get a real job/life...but for now, I am a blessed 20 something year old living in a vibrant, cultural city that never seems to (let me) sleep.

Let's see I arrived on January 17...I'll give you a sparknotes of my life:

• I am working for a small lobbying firm on The Hill
• I have discovered that UGGs are not suitable for East Coast rainy days
• "Cupcakes and Cocktails" is by far one of the cutest party themes, ever 
• It is extremely difficult to stay awake to watch Laker games, but a fans got to do what a fans got to do
• I have become a Groupon/Livingsocial addict
• I have won the Sprinkles whisper game twice (in one weekend, no shame)
• I'm trying to be a Pescaterian (more like give up red meat...we'll see how it goes) 
• The weather out here is unreal (65 yesterday, I went running in a shorts last night), last time I was out here the weather was constantly below freezing...and you better believe I'm not ok with that
• My favorite places in the city are: the Mall (at night), the Portrait Gallery, the Fairmont Spa and Teaism
• P.O.V has a killer view, but I could do without 80% of the people...
• As cliche as it sounds, "But, we're from LA," really works, go figure. 
• My favorite places to watch people: dingy sports bars and the metro
• I love having people visit me: I'm 3 for 3 in weekends...its like I never left California. 
• I've got a pretty stellar group of 4 (I meaannn, its pretty exclusive?) everyone is a brunette, tan and a different ethnicity (Persian, Pakistani, Venezuelan and Japanese/Texan)...I am for the first time not the TAB or the odd man out...go figuree