Asian Cowgirl

I finally got to go country dancing in DC!!! (well, technically, Virginia) I did a fair amount of country dancing in Provo, Utah, so I was super curious to see how different it would be on the East Coast. We got a pretty good group going!

It was a perfect experience of being "in the world, but not of the world". Nick's Nightclub was a full on bar with two dance floors (one with karaoke on the side haha) and a live band. Lots of free flowing alcohol but we were just there for the dancing. They played a few pop songs that had profanity in it but one thing I love about country music is that it's generally clean. And the dancing is completely clean!

They played country two-step, country waltz, country West Coast swing, East Coast swing, country cha cha, and LOTS of line dances (most of which were way more advanced than what I'd done in Provo). "Country" is used here as an adjective to mean much more relaxed and less rigid/structured than the standard ballroom versions of all those dances (I'll always be a ballroom girl at heart). I danced as many of the dances as I could - it was so much fun!

Food-wise, I've been in a rut since I got back from Christmas break. I feel like I've lost all creativity in the kitchen and also haven't had time to cook meals, so I've been eating out way too much. But when it's combined with catching up with close friends, I don't feel as guilty :)

Monday - Caught up with Jessieann at Nando's Peri Peri. Honestly, the story was way better than the food (a combination of Portuguese and Mozambican cuisines - read the story here) and it was way overpriced for the portion I got.

But I was mostly there for the company, so I wasn't disappointed.

Friday - Caught up with Britt & Chelsea at Bertucci's :)

I must have had some mad sweet tooth because I got dessert first - 2 of them! Both the chocolate mousse and limoncello cheesecake were sublime.

The mushroom asiago pizza had great flavor but the crust was way too thin for me. I love my carbs!

Saturday - Got to help with set up, registration, and clean up (I'm on the Activities Committee) for the combined ward Scavenger Hunt. We had a great turn out - the activity was a success!

***If someone seems amiss, see my other recent blog post.

So That's Where All My Money Goes!

Most of you may know that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons) pay 10% of their income as tithing, but you may not know that we are also encouraged to give a "generous fast offering" each month - we generally fast as a church once a month and donate the money we would have spent on the two meals to the Church. I knew that the money goes to the poor in our area, but I got to SEE the amazing humanitarian work in action this weekend when I went with some girls from my Relief Society to the local bishop's storehouse.

It's basically a big warehouse where food/supplies bought by fast offering money is stored and distributed to the needy. There is only one paid employee - the manager - who supervises the "staff" (volunteer senior missionaries) and other volunteers like us. A sister missionary was full of awe and conviction for the work that's done here and gave us a grand tour. I learned some amazing facts:

- She considers this the 2nd temple in Maryland. The one in Rockville is for spiritual needs and this one is for temporal needs :)
- There are 34 storehouses in the US northeast region. This one (in Upper Malboro, Maryland) is the main one that distributes to the rest of them.
- The region stretches from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, and Maryland to West Virginia (I can't imagine traveling 100's miles to get food - feeling humbled and blessed).
- You don't have to be Mormon to get food/supplies, you just need to fill out a sheet through the local Mormon bishop and then come pick up the food for free.
- Some of this food also gets shipped to places around the world after, say, a natural disaster.

The Church also owns farmland and cans food to sell at very low prices for people's emergency food storage. This missionary explained that we often talk about being prepared for big disasters but this backup food supply can also help people during financial "bumps" such as car problems, health bills, etc. I'm so grateful for the teachings of food storage that helped me get through a difficult period of unemployment.

There was a huge freezer we could only stay in for a few seconds. Brrrr

We took a group pic before they split us up for various tasks :) We were so happy to be there and touched by the Lord's programs of charity and service that also teach principles of self-sufficiency and provident living.

I ended up helping measure and bag nuts :D

It was SUCH a wonderful and powerful experience, and I loved getting to know the girls in my Relief Society while we served :)

In other news, I got a new prescription and year's worth of contacts! I had way too much fun trying on glasses (and different personalities) while I waited for the eye doctor lol...

I also enjoyed helping Mike shop for clothes at the outlet mall (I advised against this coat cuz I thought the piping and cut looked too feminine).

Mike's roommate, Joe, came along and they both looked sharp in this jacket, but it was a bit out of the budget...

And of course, yummy and new foods were part of this foodie's week. After a long day of shopping, we had a delicious dinner at Olive Garden.

I ordered some kind of scrumptious creamy garlic-y shrimp pasta

Had the dainty limoncello mousse for dessert. Alot of flavor and richness packed into that little glass!

On Friday, I went with Mike to his coworker's house for Chinese hot pot, which is as much about the process of creating a soup together as it is eating it. Stuffed ourselves silly.

Earlier in the week, I stumbled upon a restaurant that's been on my DC bucket list for about 8 months - G Street Food, with a fun environment and an innovative international menu. I asked for a sample of the Tuna Thai Salad and instantly had to have it. I'm not a big salad person, but this salad blew my mind!

The week ended with a major surprise. I had signed up to sing "Where Can I Turn for Peace" and accompany myself on the piano at church this Sunday. I didn't have much time to practice and when I arrived, Quentin L. Cook (one of the 12 modern Apostles of the Lord) walked in with his wife and sat on the stand! I was flabbergasted. Apparently, nobody knew he was coming (he was sent here by the prophet to attend the presidential inauguration tomorrow) and the room was filled with a mix of excitement and reverence. My hands started sweating, my heart started thumping fast, and I tried to turn all my nervous energy into awe - I felt so honored to be performing for an Apostle! I just prayed that I would help invite the Spirit and hit all the notes on the piano and in voice. I was relieved to at least accomplish the latter.

Going through some other challenges in life but I couldn't ask for a more supportive network of friends or more loving Heavenly Father. Onward we go...

Yoga Boot Camp

Part of my Christmas present to Mike was a weeklong unlimited pass at Epic Yoga since he's looking to expand his workout to improve flexibility. I have a pass there so we went to 5 classes this week to get back in shape after winter break. Woo, it was a challenge for both of us, especially after full work days!

I have a confession: I detest yoga (except for a few poses). Hated it the first time I tried it, but I kept going to classes because I think it'll be "better this time". But nope, I still find myself becoming irritated by the repetitive/boring/uncomfortable poses, the excessive philosophizing by the instructors, and the "ugliness" of outspread and flexed fingers & toes. Gimme the grace and variety of Pilates, ballet/dance, and free weights instead!

With that said, I did learn a few poses that feel good...don't remember what they're called.

And it was fun to spend time with Mike while improving our fitness.

I felt a sense of relief and accomplishment after our last class. I still have 3 more classes on my pass, which I'll use for Barre Yoga (it has ballet elements in it)...but not for a looong time.

After our last class on Saturday, Mike took me out for a celebratory lunch at Brasserie Creperie, an absolute gem at Pentagon Row (no, I didn't do my hair or put on makeup)

Their crepes are fresh, packed with flavor, with the perfect density and texture...

...and gorgeous works of art (this one's definitely Jackson Pollock-inspired). Highly recommended!

Rewind to Friday, Mike and my 2 month anniversary! Mike surprised me with a chocolate rose :)

After our yoga class, we got dinner at Bob & Edith's Diner, a great family joint in Arlington. Dessert first - Mike got his eccentric apple pie with melted cheddar on top (he had me try it and it wasn't bad), and I was delighted by their voluminous coconut creme pie (almost 4 inches high).

I got a childhood favorite: corned beef hash, along with some great grits and eggs. Mike got a tasty sausage, eggs and potatoes. All were very well-executed; wouldn't expect anything less from a family business that's been around since 1969!

Then we went to The Salsa Room to dance and get our VIP cards (they only sell it a few times a year), which gives us huge discounts for the rest of 2013!

Back to Saturday - after catching up on all the errands/chores of the week, I met up with Britt to try a charming eatery on my list - Bayou Bakery, which serves Southern cuisine.

We both got their popular gumbo, and I got their very interesting endive side dish, topped with feta and candied pecans (pretty yummy).

Britt also shared her cheesy bread with me :) Grateful for good gal pals

Ran into an old BYU ballroom dance team partner there! The semester I quit team, my coach called me last minute to fill a spot in the Lindy Hop routine. Good times :) and what a small world!

As you can see, I definitely made up for all the calories I burned at yoga with all the delicious food I ate at the fun new restaurants I tried this week!

I'm grateful the weekend ended with spiritual highs with the two LDS young single adult firesides - a regional one and an international one. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's wonderful CES Fireside is available online. I am SO THANKFUL to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which I can learn principles of truth, happiness, and salvation. I'm grateful for all the tools and resources the Lord gives us to guide and comfort us through these times of moral relativitism, political upheaval, economic chaos, social evils and tragedies, and daily stresses. I have really felt the burdens of the world this week, but the gospel of Jesus Christ offers me peace, comfort, and hope...especially as school starts again tomorrow!

On the Town

First week back and I already got to cross more items off my DC bucket list :) After 10 gloriously chill days at home (see last week's blog) and 12 grueling hours of traveling, I arrived back on the East Coast on Jan 1. Mike was so sweet to pick me up from the airport and took me on a double date with one of his best college buddies to go see Zoolights at the the National Zoo!

Live and illuminated animals - it was freezing, festive, and fun. We got to go on the last day it was on display!

After a mercifully short work week, Mike surprised me after work with a red velvet cupcake (I had a hard day) and took me to Ben's Chili Bowl, a historic eatery where lots of famous African Americans have visited - just my kinda place...Mike knows I have a thing for Black culture/history :)

The walls are covered with pics of famous people who have been there, like Tyrese, Gregory Hines, Bill Cosby, President Obama, and many more...

I got the chili cheeseburger - just mild enough for me to start training my tongue to accept spicy food!

Mike enjoyed his chili hot dog and chili fries

Saturday was a full day "On the Town" (also one of my favorite musicals), though it started with grocery shopping at Great Wall, an Asian supermarket in Falls Church, VA. Mike and I stocked up on some of our favorite Chinese edibles, such as zongzi, shrimp meatballs, pickled mustard greens, and bean sprouts. I'm trying the scallion buns for the first time (always gotta try something new)!

There's also a deli/bakery there...

...where we got lunch. Mine: ma po tofu, baby bok choy, and (new) pork meatballs.

Then we rode the Metro to the National Geographic Museum.

We enjoyed learning in the new Birds of Paradise exhibit (such exquisite creatures!) and exhibit about Muslim inventions during the Dark Ages.

There was this crazy thing called an elephant clock - I'm not exactly sure how it worked...

Then on to another culinary adventure at this Indian place located in a Dutch-style townhouse...oh I love multicultural DC

We decided it would be best to go for the buffet :) I love how colorful Indian food is!

...and spicy!! Even Mike was sweating, and he loves spicy. This was my first plate...

Mike ordered some tasty samosas (buried under the chickpeas)

Good thing they had phenomenoal naan to help soak up the heat.

Then we tried the only dessert they had - a thin pasta in sweet cream soup. It was actually quite delicious!

After scarfing down dinner, we rushed over to the Kennedy Center to meet up with Mike's roommate Joe and his date for a free jazz concert by the Greg Harrison band. I was really afraid it would be "bad" jazz. I'm more of a traditionalist - none of the new age stuff with weird instruments for me. I was so deliriously delighted (and relieved) when I found out their sound was warm and soulful, with a pretty good repertoire of jazz standards. We only caught the last 20 minutes; if only I weren't such a slow eater :/

Great jazz + a kiss = happiness

2013...so far, so good