Friday, May 21, 2010
College Roommates' Top 5
One of my friends, in fact my college roommate, emailed me to let me know her Top 5 Places to Go in the U.S., the spots she would recommend to someone coming to our country for the first time. Though, when she hosted a friend from Scotland visiting the U.S. for the first time, the hot spots they went to were Minneapolis, MN and - drum roll please - Fargo, ND. That aside, she would recommend: Yellowstone; Grand Canyon, I-70 west of Denver; Black Hills of South Dakota; and Chicago. Very good choices, all of those.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Chicago & the Midwest
Chicago has made its way into several of my blogs because it's my kind of town. Back home, my dad makes an annual pilgrimage to Chicago with his students from small town Illinois. Even though these kids have lived within a couple hours of the Windy City their whole lives, they often have not ventured there. It's too big and too scary.
But out here on the East Coast I often run into an East Coaster or West Coaster whose travel experiences within our great country are confined to the coasts. For them, it's not that Chicago is too big or too scary, it's just... not a place they stop. My friend from Iowa has a shirt which jokingly says "Iowa - Wave next time you fly over." I've heard all sorts of reasons why not to stop in the Midwest. But, I counter, where else can you get Chicago style pizza, experience the beautiful city that's on Lake Michigan, and venture a few hours out of the city to experience Big 10 football? I guess each of us has a preference for the region we grew up in and considers it worth a visit. But I really do think that you have to take a visit to the Midwest and Chicago to fully appreciate America.
That’s one thing I’m fortunate for; growing up in the Midwest meant driving vacations to either coast took us through many parts of the country. Nowadays, on the road with work, I get to appreciate the many regions of our country. If I were recommending to a friend visiting our country for the first time where to go, I would have to direct them to at least five cities. Our country can’t easily be summed up by New York City and Washington, D.C. No, for me the American experience should at least also include Chicago, New Orleans, and San Francisco with jaunts into the country side outside each of those cities. And I can make a good argument to stop in the American West, in one of our national parks. There’s just so much our country holds.
What about you? If you were planning a trip for a friend visiting from out of the country, what five places in America would be on your must-do list?
But out here on the East Coast I often run into an East Coaster or West Coaster whose travel experiences within our great country are confined to the coasts. For them, it's not that Chicago is too big or too scary, it's just... not a place they stop. My friend from Iowa has a shirt which jokingly says "Iowa - Wave next time you fly over." I've heard all sorts of reasons why not to stop in the Midwest. But, I counter, where else can you get Chicago style pizza, experience the beautiful city that's on Lake Michigan, and venture a few hours out of the city to experience Big 10 football? I guess each of us has a preference for the region we grew up in and considers it worth a visit. But I really do think that you have to take a visit to the Midwest and Chicago to fully appreciate America.
That’s one thing I’m fortunate for; growing up in the Midwest meant driving vacations to either coast took us through many parts of the country. Nowadays, on the road with work, I get to appreciate the many regions of our country. If I were recommending to a friend visiting our country for the first time where to go, I would have to direct them to at least five cities. Our country can’t easily be summed up by New York City and Washington, D.C. No, for me the American experience should at least also include Chicago, New Orleans, and San Francisco with jaunts into the country side outside each of those cities. And I can make a good argument to stop in the American West, in one of our national parks. There’s just so much our country holds.
What about you? If you were planning a trip for a friend visiting from out of the country, what five places in America would be on your must-do list?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Big 10 Country
Work travel takes me to "Big 10 country" this week, a region I affectionately consider home. Even though I'm still a state away from my home state, I am back with my peeps. Fun fact of the week: Michigan and Ohio had a war over Toledo, which Michigan initially wanted for the University of Michigan. Needless to say Ohio won. Imagine what the Ohio State vs. Michigan border war could have looked like.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Nomad
Some days I suspect I was a nomad in a previous life. I have the wanderlust gene which is both a blessing and a curse. The new and different appeals to me and I have a curious nature. I long to just travel for days on end with no particular destination in mind. Or at the very least move apartments for a change of pace. When I first moved to DC, I went through four apartments in the course of the year. Moving got to be somewhat of a habit. I am *trying* to resist that urge to move, as I'm experiencing it now. My digs are nice, cozy, and spacious. I've been in the same apartment for sixteen months; that's the longest I've lived in one place since I left home for college. But I gotta say, this wanderlust gene is starting to kick in...
After the Date
My date went surprisingly well. The gentleman caller had a nice button down shirt and jeans on, so cleary compared to my yoga pants outfit he was better dressed. I at least wore my Bruce Springsteen t-shirt so he would think I have good taste in music. Plus I put make-up on and brushed my hair. What can I say? Sunday is my casual, veg out day and I don't need to change that for a boy. I can't decide if this is a new low, with me not trying with regard to dating, or a new high, me being comfortable in my own skin. We're gonna go for a new high.
Anyway, we met at a cafe on Capitol Hill for coffee & lunch. This guy moved to DC six months ago so he still has a down-to-earth vibe to him. We had a good conversation that flowed naturally, which doesn't always happen. So we'll see. Hopefully he wasn't too put off by my yoga pants.
Anyway, we met at a cafe on Capitol Hill for coffee & lunch. This guy moved to DC six months ago so he still has a down-to-earth vibe to him. We had a good conversation that flowed naturally, which doesn't always happen. So we'll see. Hopefully he wasn't too put off by my yoga pants.
Before the Date
These days the only person I'm dating is the Peace Corps. And I realize the Peace Corps is not a person so really, I'm not dating anyone. But if the Peace Corps was a person, I would be dating him. Let me tell you, he is a hard beau to please. After I sent the Peace Corps a nice picture of my teeth, along with all my other medical records, they returned the pictures to me, insistent they needed more pictures of my teeth. But, alas, after I sent round 2 of teeth pictures this week I cleared the dental check.
So given that I seem to get few opportunities to date, I try to at least give everyone one chance when a date comes up. Two weeks ago, me and my alter ego friend had a great night out where we both met guys who have jobs AND live in DC. We both exchanged numbers. Sad to say, but this was the first time me and my friend have met people who fulfilled the above criteria and wanted our numbers. Fast forward to today; me and the guy are meeting up shortly for a coffee date. And I guess I'm, well, not that excited. It's more a fact of where I am in life, anticipating I'll be leaving DC soon-ish, than anything else. In fact what I asked my friend this morning was "Are yoga pants OK to wear on a first date?" The response was "Depends on what kind of message you are trying to send."
I think the message I am sending is that I'm dating the Peace Corps and anticipating I am going to leave the country for two years within the next nine months. So, yeah, maybe yoga pants are exactly what to wear on this date. Will let you know how it goes...
So given that I seem to get few opportunities to date, I try to at least give everyone one chance when a date comes up. Two weeks ago, me and my alter ego friend had a great night out where we both met guys who have jobs AND live in DC. We both exchanged numbers. Sad to say, but this was the first time me and my friend have met people who fulfilled the above criteria and wanted our numbers. Fast forward to today; me and the guy are meeting up shortly for a coffee date. And I guess I'm, well, not that excited. It's more a fact of where I am in life, anticipating I'll be leaving DC soon-ish, than anything else. In fact what I asked my friend this morning was "Are yoga pants OK to wear on a first date?" The response was "Depends on what kind of message you are trying to send."
I think the message I am sending is that I'm dating the Peace Corps and anticipating I am going to leave the country for two years within the next nine months. So, yeah, maybe yoga pants are exactly what to wear on this date. Will let you know how it goes...
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Earth Sandwich
This week I found out about the Earth Sandwich, a phenomena from a few years back, when a guy did a vido blog a day. In one of his video blogs, he claimed the reason the planet Earth is not peaceful is because no one had ever made a sandwich out of the Earth to bring everyone together. So he challenged people to make an Earth sandwich, standing at opposite coordinates with bread. This is harder than it may seem because the opposite coordinate for many places is ocean. A couple people succeeded, though. Check it out here.
Make Way for Ducklings
Being a Washingtonian means putting up with unexpected delays. Motorcades, visiting dignitaries, unexpected road closures, we have them all. But last Monday there was a particularly charming disruption to traffic on Independence Avenue. A mother duck and her thirteen baby ducklings escaped from the pond at the National Museum of the American Indian and headed out for a journey. Check it out here.
I have to laugh at the picture. Where did Mama Duck want to go? Perhaps the ducklings were begging to see the space shuttles and airplanes at the National Air and Space Museum. Or their ancestors the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History. Perhaps Mama Duck had a meeting with Hillary over at the State Department. Or better yet, a play date with Bo at the White House.
I have to laugh at the picture. Where did Mama Duck want to go? Perhaps the ducklings were begging to see the space shuttles and airplanes at the National Air and Space Museum. Or their ancestors the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History. Perhaps Mama Duck had a meeting with Hillary over at the State Department. Or better yet, a play date with Bo at the White House.
