Tasty Food...Only Pricier

My summer is quickly coming to a close :(

Lest you think all I do is play, I do have a full time job. The dean I work for was on vacation this week, so I got to help the other deans with New Student Orientation for the medical students at GW!!! I loooove New Student Orientation; I was one of the leaders at BYU for 7 semesters and I miss serving in that capacity so much, especially after seeing all the excited and energetic medical students coming in. I love how diverse the group is!

I caught the vision of my own graduate studies as I listened to the deans give an inspirational welcome to these future doctors

During one of my lunch breaks, I wandered inside the Watergate complex a few blocks away. Its beauty is tainted by the political scandal that happened here in the 1970s. I highly encourage taking the time to appreciate the lovely fountains...

...endearing shops...

...and graceful architecture and immaculate landscaping

Wednesday - I got to visit the sprawling serene suburban campus of George Mason University for a free rueda de casino (Cuban style, danced in a circle) salsa dance class

I didn't take any pics of the actual class cuz I wanted to keep participating, but you can see the video of my 1st time dancing rueda :)

Friday - The biggest event of the week was meeting up with a group to go to Co Co. Sala (definitely the fanciest, priciest restaurant I've been to) for DC Restaurant Week, when they offer one discount price for a 4 course meal. This was part of the group...

As a foodie obsessed with the Food Network, I figured I should indulge my palate with some of that higher end fare since I'm usually pretty economical with my food spending. So, of course, I had to capture every course...

Frozen Hot Chocolate Sip (a paradox, and not that good)

Summer Peach Salad: fresh summer peaches, grilled corn, baby spinach, frisee goat cheese, chocolate brioche croutons, lemon thyme, peach dressing (the goat cheese was the star of the dish)

Crispy Creole Crabcake: mango salsa, chipotle chocolate tomato glaze, avocado
cilantro emulsion (dense tasty crab goodness)

Tandoori Chicken Patty Slider: cardamom carrots & greens, cucumber raita (a unique combination of flavors and textures)

Chocolate Onyx: dark chocolate mousse, vanilla crème brulee, salted caramel, macadamia nuts, brownie, chocolate sorbet, cinnamon toffee, bon bon (aka death by chocolate)

The portions were small, though we were all stuffed by the end. Dinner cost a week's worth of groceries! But it was a worthwhile fun experience, especially with the good company

We paid by cash! Chris counted it 3 times. Total: $612, including $92 in tips. You should've seen the waitress's face! Here's my gold digger pic haha

Saturday - a simple relaxing day of FREE pleasures! :) I also worked 6 hours of overtime to help pay for grad school stuff and all the "living it up" expenses of my last month of freedom!

Slept in, tried my new workout DVD "Xtend Barre" (wowza, it is effective - an intense mix of ballet & pilates - loved it!), practiced singing/piano for the Open Mic Night at the upcoming Ward Retreat, and swam for the first time all YEAR...


...hence my two-toned legs haha

Forgot how good swimming felt, and my apt pool is pretty great

Caught up with Cat before she leaves for Chicago (not permanently - phew!)

Always dancing

Sunday - got to meet up with a high school gymnastics teammate I haven't seen since 2005! Leslie was one of the best on the team and I always admired her skills. She moved to DC for grad school :)

One more week of epicness...