I guess I missed the memo, but after reading countless Thanksgiving lists today, I decided that writing about the turkey that's baking behind me or the numerous full sinks worth of dishes I've washed was simply not on my agenda. Sure, I'll write about it.. just not today.
I have to say, though, that the best part of Thanksgiving is having a week free from classes, papers and exams. (Finally.) And this year, to make it even better, I spent my first two days of the weeklong-hiatus in Washington D.C.
Between two work shifts on Friday, I managed to piece together headbands and hair bows for the first ever D.C. Dance Marathon. Though I was still exhausted when my alarm rang on Saturday, I drug myself out of bed and my mood quickly changed when I realized that I got to wear knee high socks, a tutu, and bright orange sneakers in November.
There is more to this story, I swear but, I was unfortunately distracted by the food which needed stirred, the biscuits which should have been turned over in the oven and the gravy which didn't quite thicken the way it should have. Tomorrow I'll finish the story, after I've had time to digest the heaping quantities of Thanksgiving food.
Ultimately, with its funny costumes, silly kids and energetic line dances, the inaugural D.C. Dance Marathon was able to raise $37,205.30 for the Children's National Medical Center, for Children's Miracle Network and for the kids.
Whenever I get a chance to have a weekend off, and better yet, a weekend away, it's usually packed from beginning to end with plans - homework, laundry, cleaning, dinner, movies. Whatever it's filled with, well, it's filled.
This weekend was different.
I found myself with eight hours to spend in the city, alone, and without a schedule. Despite all the trips I have made to the Capital City, and all the things I have done, areas I have visited, Georgetown has never been on the list. When the boyfriend texted me with the advice of finding some good shopping and food in Georgetown, I took it.
After maneuvering my car through the alphabet named streets to a George Washington University Parking Garage, I started heading in what I thought was the direction to Georgetown. After a few wrong turns, consulting my iPhone maps a few time and winding up as some muslim embassy, I found my way.
Thankfully November has brought unseasonably warm November weather to the East Coast, weather which I relished for the weekend. Between shopping at my favorite places (Anthropologie, anyone?), drooling over cupcake displays, being asked for directions and grabbing a Croque Monsieur for a late lunch, I simply enjoyed the late year sunshine.
The story changed a bit as the sun fell. The city's tall buildings serve as a shield from cool winds but the air was still too chilly to wander for long. And after working a double, participating in a Dance Marathon and walking at least eight miles during the day, my feet ached for anywhere to sit down.
I ducked into used book stores, bakeries, a Books A Million store and eventually settled into a lounge chair at Starbucks for a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream.
I managed not to fall asleep (for long) in Starbucks as I played on Pinterest and sipped my typically-off-limits hot cocoa and eventually, it was time for Mark to get off of work. I finished my walk down the strip around Dupont Circle and found Yola tucked in between other store fronts. If you find yourself in D.C., I highly recommend Yola which offers build-your-own fresh yogurt parfaits. With toppings like granola, gluten-free puffs and fresh fruit, anything you order is bound to be delish. Me? I settled for an iced chai latte, of course.
That night, I got to do my favorite things - wander about whole foods, enjoy some chicken and wild rice soup and catch up with one of my far-seperated best friends. It wasn't long before I was asleep on the couch, tired from all the shopping and exploring of the day.
The next day in D.C. was no different except that this time, we took the metro. Though Mark has lived in the city for two years, he had never ventured to the city's Eastern Market and so we did. We exited the metro to a quaint area beaming with tiny shops with products like chai spice kettle corn, recycled metal framed mirrors and fresh produce.
After grabbing lunch at Le Pain Quotidian (you know we love all things French), we headed back to Foggy Bottom where we decided, once again, to walk to Georgetown. With someone familiar with the walk leading the way, it took half the time of the day before. Our mission on Sunday? to find cupcakes. While the rest of the tourists lined up for hours outside of Georgetown Cupcake, we headed to Baked & Wired. With a clock reading 4:20 (always), t-shirts proclaiming "always baked" and cupcakes topped with candied bacon, it was a good way to spend some free time in the afternoon.
The weekend ended in a finale of fourth row seats for Quidam (breath-taking, really) and a last minute dinner from Whole Foods. Either of these would have been enough reason to visit D.C. alone but the all the adventures of the weekend together? Well, my trip was nothing short of fabulous. Though I could have done without getting lost on the late night drive home.
