Cherry Blossoms? What Cherry Blossoms?

DC goes nuts for Cherry Blossoms.  They have a parade, a festival, they make hats and t-shirts, and they even have a Cherry Blossom webcam (although I haven't been able to get it to work).  There is probably Cherry Blossom flavored ice cream out there somewhere. If you rode the Metro on Saturday around 2pm, you would think perhaps there was a free puppy giveaway downtown.....every single metro car was jam packed, and they were even holding up arrivals into Smithsonian station because the platforms couldn't hold all of the passengers trying to see the trees.  Oh wow.

So, in an effort to catch some of the madness and avoid the tourist stampede, Rick and I walked down to the Tidal Basin tonight after work with my cam to snap some pics.  Even though all of the news broadcasts warned that "peak days" would by Friday and Saturday, I figured there would definitely be some pretty blooms to see tonight.

Rookie move.

This is what we thought we'd see:

And this is what we saw instead:

Yep, they weren't so pink anymore....guess all that tourist "clutter" actually had the right idea.  With all the buzz surrounding these dern trees, I was expecting them to be all over the city for viewing enjoyment.

Guess next year I better pack my fanny pack and get to the show on time.

Stop and smell the roses.

 [my dressertop]

It's no secret to anyone who knows me (even marginally) that I love perfume and things that smell nice.  In fact, when I lived in Spain, I would stop on my walk home from school at Sephora and try a new spritz.  When Sephora moved to my neighborhood in San Francisco, I considered quitting my job to work as a salesperson there (glad I thought that one all the way through).  And in Seattle, I would stop at Nordstrom after the gym for a little pick-me-up at the perfume counter.  It's lame, but I can usually identify the perfume that someone is wearing.

My new favorite is Jo Malone.  I have a minor love for collecting the little samples of all of her fragrances and layering them together.  (The little bottles are perfect for traveling too).  I even gave all of my bridesmaids personally selected Jo perfumes. 

Just this past weekend, I picked up a sample of her Red Roses perfume at Nordstrom.  Well, imagine my excitement to read on the Signature Scent blog that this perfume is actually said to make you slimmer.....!@!O#*)%*#%)  YES, PLEASE!!

I think I need to add this one to my perfume queue.  Maybe one will show up in my Easter basket?

Kindness to MOH Ginny Rothschild for the lovely bar tray that I couldn't resist using for my perfume collection.

If you can't say something nice....

...then don't say anything.  My mom has been telling me this forever, and I think there is some truth to this.

This weekend, along with 174 other people, I attended a yoga class in a monastery taught by the founders of Jivamukti Yoga.  I had never practiced this style of yoga, but in a nutshell, the whole message is just to be nice.  Think nice things, do nice things, and treat every person and every being you encounter with kindness. The ways we think and behave make physical impressions on our "inner selves", so thinking mean or petty thoughts can truly damage us.  We, as people, are a manifestation of all of our thoughts and actions (called karma), and as such, we become ugly people if we let ourselves be ruled by negativity. ...so why bother, especially if it's going to hurt?  Forgive people if they've hurt you, and most importantly, do not view anything as exploitable.  Simply put, be nice. 

While it did verge on being a little too spiritual and preachy for me, especially when they said we shouldn't eat animal products because "that's not treating the animals with compassion", I am trying to block out all those stupid, worthless thoughts that cross my mind. (For example, instead of thinking "eww, I am utterly disgusted, annoyed, and bothered by {unnamed subject's} grunting and burping right next to me", I instead try to think, "I'm just so happy to finally have a job"....yeah, I've got some work to do.)

Anyway, I had fun and pushed myself.  I did this twice for 5 minutes each time....woo hoo!

 [image from here]

In the spirit of forgiveness, we did this pose 5 times, each for at least 12 breaths, and on the last two, we were supposed to repeat in our heads the name of someone who has hurt us in the past....

[image from here]

Here are some of the poses I hope to accomplish in my practice, and some other just motivating or inspirational pics. 

Um......wow.  This one is for all my mom and pregnant friends.

[images from here, here, here, here, here and here]
  

Ommmmmm........

First Week and going Local.

 [image from here]

Friday was my first real "Friday" in a while, since heading back to work, and I've forgotten how much I just love weekends.  We had a mellow one indeed, but we (mostly I) did manage to get out and enjoy our city.  Started off the week with a random St. Patty's Celebration/Parade through Arlington....the day before St. Patty's.  Don't ask me why, but Arlingtonians celebrated a day early with a cute (and short) parade.  It was nice to see all of the neighbors and their kiddos out enjoying the floats and beads.  I think the parade itself only lasted about 15 minutes total! 

On my first Friday after work, I left the office and went for a walk around downtown (destination: Banana Republic, mission: new work pants that aren't denim).  Along the way, I walked past the White House...which is just awesome.  LOTS of protesters out making themselves heard about the upcoming Healthcare vote, and it's really great to know that we live in a place where people can have and express an opinion.  (And, mission: accomplished....2 new pairs of pants).  Afterwards, Rick and I mozied back to Arlington and enjoyed a nice dinner al fresco at a great Lebanese restaurant.  If you've never had grilled haloumi cheese, find some immediately.

Saturday, while Rick went to visit his grandfather up in Maryland, I browsed the outdoor market that happens every Saturday just a few blocks from our house.  It's sad that I've lived here since September and have only been once, but I definitely plan to return.  Afterwards, I took a loooong walk: from Arlington, across Key Bridge, through Georgetown, along Rock Creek Park, and over towards the DC Zoo.  What walk isn't complete without finishing off at a rooftop bar with friends in Adams Morgan?  The day was reminiscent of old days in SF...  Rick and I went to dinner at a local pub/restaurant a few blocks from our house.

Today, after doing our taxes with H&R block, we hit up yet another local restaurant and basked in the beauty of outdoor spring brunch (and refunds!)  I think I'm learning to like Arlington.

Oh yeah, the job is good too.

This is what I get

When Rick was sick, I bragged about how I never get sick.  Hmph.  Guess someone is trying to pay me back because I'm home sick AGAIN today.  Feeling like this:

This is what I want and where I want it:

But I think I'll settle for a this and a good night's sleep:

 

[Images from Flickr and Just Be Splendid]

New beginnings.

The last few days, I've felt like this:

And this:

Thank goodness I bought this for Rick when he was sick, because now I've used it more than he has:

Doc confirmed yesterday that I have acute bronchitis.  Which is rockin.  Which means that I did in fact have to call in sick on my first day of work.  Sweet.  New boss said he would make sure to make fun of me for the first month of work. 

 Here's hoping my SECOND first day of work tomorrow starts like this!

images from Audrey Hepburn Complex and Pottery Barn

But Rick is a better nurse....

When Rick got sick two weeks ago, it took his lazy wife a few hours to get out of the house to bring back supplies.  But she brought back great stuff.

Rick, on the other hand, brought home all of this around 10:30.  You can't see the two cartons of ice cream because he's already put them in the freezer, but o.m.g. i better get well soon with this concoction. 

I REALLY don't want to call in sick for my first day of the new job.