Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Today was another day that I was left to entertain myself. It was too cold today to get in the pool. The sun was out, but even sitting out on the porch today, I was freezing all day long. Luckily I'm reading a really good book. That kept me entertained most of the day.

After Randy got off work we met some of the guys that he works with at the "circle bar." There is a bar that is on the "other side" of a round-about and we took our lives into our hands trying to get to it. Dodging in and out of traffic. We made it, you will be happy to know.

I finally met "Schnider." Schnider is someone who I have heard about for years. NOT at all what I had pictured in my head (but, really, who ever is.) I was surprised that he has a sense of humor just like mine. Finally, I thought, someone who will "get me." But, no. Sadly.

We asked the guys who live in the area, where was a good place to get really good seafood. A couple of the guys said that Oyster Creek Inn was good. We followed this road until it ended in this marsh land. You can see by the picture that, really, it was at the end of the road. It was surrounded by marsh land. It was so beautiful. The parking lot was full, and it looked like a dive. BUT OHMYGOSH, the food was so so great. I had crab legs and they were absolutely the best I had ever had. I didn't want to stop eating the food, it was so good. I am still thinking I may just explode!

Then I was able to finally get in the jacuzzi tub. Oh how lovely! why doesn't everyone have one of these in their bathroom.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

DC (well Atlantic City) day 7

Today Randy had to work (dang it!) So I was left to my own devices. I ran around the golf course. There was a "jogging trail" but I liked the look of the cart trail better. I decided to cut over and run on that. I had to be very careful not to get thwacked by a golf ball. Twice I saw "gentlemen" trying to hit their ball out of the trees. I was very careful when I was close to the green (I'm not sure if that is the right term. Your goal in golf??? to hit it to the little cup? Is that the green?) You get what I mean anyway. One guy almost ran me over trying to just get his club out of his back that was on the back of the cart. C'mon already! Can you not hear me pounding w/ my shoes? Can you not hear me Sucking air try to extract every bit of oxygen out of this humid air. I could hear myself over my iPod! Thats how hard I was breathing!

Whew...glad I got that off my chest. Anyway. Then I sat by the pool for 4 hours. It was cloudy for most of the morning so I was doing fine. Then then dang sun came out, I got sunburned, then I had to leave. It was REALLY really hot.

When Randy got home from work I was more than ready to head out. We headed for Atlantic City. Randy said that everyone should see it for themselves. Our plan was to find a place to eat dinner on the boardwalk and see the beach. OHMYGOSH! What a creepy place. All the hotels/casinos are DUMPS. The crowd that it attracts is creepy. Keep your hand on your wallet and I AM NOT kidding.

On a side note, there are a LOT of homeless asking for money. There was a gentleman on the boardwalk with his wheelchair sitting next to him. He looked like he was standing in a hole. Let me see if I can explain this. His body from the b
ottom of his rib cage was just gone. It was an incredibly moving site. I have no words to even describe this. Just wanted to share that. I'm so lucky in so many ways.

  • We ate dinner at a place called Evo. Ehhh! Not that great but it was really hard to find a place to even eat. There were a LOT of massage parlors. I wonder if they are the kind with the happy ending? At that place I would NOT be surprised. (Did I mention that the boardwalk was creepy?)
After dinner we walked to the beach. You can see its beautiful. If I could just subtract all of the people, it would have been a really nice experience. The boardwalk is surrounded by ghetto. Then you drive 2 blocks and there you will find Tommy Hilfiger, J Crew, Perry Ellis etc. Its a great study in the American Social Situation.

Monday, June 28, 2010

DC (well NJ) Day 6

Today was an EXHAUSTING travel day. We rode in the MOST unbelievably uncomfortable car from DC, through Annapolis, through Delware, and on to Atlantic city.

The ferry ride across the Delaware Bay was, as the Captain called it, Rolling seas. We were sitting on the second level deck and the horizon, sea, and the sky would take turns in the window. It was very, well,very "rolly." I know thats not really a word, but it works in this situation. Maybe that's were the term, my stomach is rolling over, b/c that is what mine was doing. YIKES. But it was beautiful. Before that we crossed at gynormous (again, I know that's not a word, but it works in this situation) bridge that spanned the Chesapeake bay. Cost us $2.50 just to drive across it. It was HUGE. Very impressive.

Then we made it across to New Jersey. Drove for another 45 miles (another 50 hours, or so it felt) and finally made it to Egg Harbor. Yes, folks, Egg harbor. (Seriously, who comes up with these names. I guess that is what happens when there are way too many towns in one state and you just start pulling names out of your ass! Kinda like Texas! Or exactly like Texas.)

When we got to our hotel room I was blown away. OHMYGOSH, is it beautiful. When I opened the door I saw a kitchen to my right and a dining room table (that seats 8) on the left. One bedroom on the left with a full bath and the master suite on the right. Complete with a Jacuzzi tub. SO excited to try that. Then to top it all off, a screened in porch! Complete with its own ash tray. (ok, I won't be using that .....but the porch really is COOL!)

Then on to a great dinner w/ Randy's boss and his wife. They have a beautiful house (complete with basement, which I have always wanted.)

Its now 11:30 and Randy has to get up and go to work in the morning. Me, not so much, but he is waiting for me so I had better go.

I will just end by saying, NJ is not at all what I expected it to be.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

DC day 5

Today, Sunday, was a down day. All we did was walk to Barnes and Noble. I wanted to buy a paperback for pool side.

We are going to Jersey tomorrow and won't be back until Thursday. I have never been to Atlantic city, but am excited for the new adventure. Randy has some sort of spy-adventure, OR he has something or other to do at the Tech Center. I'm leaning toward the spy secrets. I don't care tho, because I will have a golf course to run around and a pool to sit by daily. Hence, the paperback from B&N.

I bought The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. I'll let you know if you if cry (which I always do, so I probably will.)

I'm not sure but I think this trip is a test-balloon to see if I like New Jersey or not. We will drive up tomorrow and will ride a ferry across from Delaware to New Jersey. I'll let you know if I throw up (which I rarely do, so I probably won't.)

So, here's a question. I'm wondering if the size of the apartment is proportional to the size of the washer/dryer unit? I did about 25 loads of laundry that would have taken me 4 loads at home in my beautiful red washer and dryer (if unfamiliar, please see earlier posts.)

Have I mentioned its freakishly hot here?

One last thing. Target in DC sells wine in a box. Who Knew??? and its not bad. We don't have that in the 505.


Saturday, June 26, 2010

DC day 4

What a great day!!

I got my shoes today! woo hoo!! I had pretty much given up on them and had prepared myself to have to arm wrestle with the USPS. But they came through! whew!

I found out that I was accepted to NMSU's NP program. I start in the fall. I have to get a background check (NP!) How much will I have to pay for that? Whatever.....doesn't matter. I'm on my way to becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Yay!!!

Randy and I started the day with the Eastern Market. I LOVE the Eastern Market. Farmer's Market only 4 Metro stops away. Randy bought me an Amber necklace. The artist is www.moya-gallery.com. She is from Poland and has some really beautiful pieces at the market. Very talented.

Then I finally got my right of passage to become a true resident of DC. I got my own backpack. Now I can go grocery (or Target, for that matter) shopping, won't have to use any plastic bags. The groceries go right into the backpack, you bring it home and boom, you have done your part for the environment.

At the Eastern market we bought some gorgeous lamb chops among $100 dollars worth of honey/veggies/ pork/red snapper as well. We cooked the lamb chops tonight with fennel/onion/cilantro (all bought at the market) and OMG were they breathtaking. Randy and I make such a great cooking team. Lamb chops, asparagus, and corn on the cob were all so wonderful I didn't want to run out of food. We sat on the patio outside. 2 grills and only one man with his dog to share it with. Chloe. A yellow lab who was, if possible, even more wacky than Jacky. Made me miss my sweet, football killer. Chloe let me throw her ball a couple of times. Her guy told us that there is a Whole Foods somewhere close. Now I'm on a mission to find a close Whole Foods. Thanks, Chloe's dad.

What a great day. Riding the Metro, shopping in the best Farmer's Market EVER, getting my own DC backpack. Then to top it all off, I got my shoes and bike helmet and Mariners hat. Accepted to the NP program. AND an Amber necklace ! Breathtaking Dinner with the man who loves me more than anyone in the world!

Sweet dreams everyone. DC is turning out to be so much fun and a great adventure.

Friday, June 25, 2010

DC day 3

Today was a slow starting day. Randy took today off so we could hang out. Slept in and I'm still on Albuquerque time.

After a couple of errands, we ended up at this sidewalk restaurant. I had pate for the first time. Not too bad. Had some lovely cheese and other stuff on the plate I couldn't pronounce. BUT, yummy!!!













The we walked down the street past the Capitol Building. (Have I mentioned that it's hot here?)















We went to the US Botanic Gardens. The orchid exhibit I saw in February is still there. The orchids are incredible.















We were going to try to sit outside and get hydrated, but the crowd was a little rough, so we just came home. Its also the Full Moon tonight, the Mead Mood. Its lovely over the Capital Building

Thursday, June 24, 2010

DC day 2


Today was a very busy day. As you can see, I'm posting at 12:30 at night.

I received the box of clothes that I had sent before I left home. Sadly, my box of shoes has not yet arrived and I sent them on the same day. I'm starting to get worried about my shoes!

After I got all of my clothes put away, I decided to go the the National Portrait Gallery. I made a huge mistake when I went in. I accidently turned to the left instead of the right. I saw the crappiest "art" I have seen in a while. I was very disappointed and was ready to leave. Where were the amazing portraits I had heard so many wonderful things about? I decided that I would just see what was to the right of the entrance. OH!!! That's where the portraits are! They were wonderful! Here is a portrait of Edgar Allen Poe. Just one example of the amazing portraits.

There is a farmer's market every Thursday that sets up right on 8th street. Right in front of the apartment! It was CRAZY hot (heat index of 102) and my $40 dollars was gone so fast. I bought some fennel, tomatoes, carrots, BASIL, bread and some cheese.

Then we met Randy's boss, Steve, at GB's and talked and talked and talked. Had a great time! People watching is so much fun!

We stayed out way too late and I am so tired. Goodnight!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

DC Day 1.2

What a beautiful first day.

Randy took today off so we could spend the day together.

First he took me to Teaism (my favorite tea shop and coincidently just right downstairs) to buy a tea pot. He bought me a beautiful Teapot and some tea (duh!)

Then we went to the E Street Cinema. What a great theater. It's in the basement and they sell beer and wine for the movie! What a GREAT idea! We saw The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. What a great movie. The second in the trilogy will be out this summer sometime. Hopefully, it will be out before I have to go back to ABQ.

After dinner we went for a walk. This duck was sitting on the US Navy Memorial Fountain. It was very humid and man! am I NOT used to that.

Day One

I'm here and getting settled.

I wanted to get my blog up and running.

I will post more this evening.

Welcome to DC and my blog.