Despite, wandering around Virginia with practically a whole box of Kleenex tissues folded up in my handbag (*Americanism 'purse')I've been feeling pretty on form; having visited a lot of places and keeping busy! On Friday night, Lisa, Isabelle and I drove up into D.C. which takes about 25 minutes to see some bands we had never heard of before. We chose to go to the Black Cat on 14th Street as the clubnight afterwards sounded good and the venue has hosted bands such as The Strokes and Blur in the past. After our ID's being scrutinised at the door we went in and up to the bar. Although, poor Lisa and Isabelle are only 20 and so they had big, black, permanent marker crosses on both hands to indicate they are too young to drink. On the other hand, I greatly enjoyed ordering myself a Budweiser (BUD)but I never choose to have too many as drinking alone isn't quite the same!
(My eyes are drooping in the photo...obviously too much mascara.)The first band we saw were kind of punky/ska-esque and were from Ireland. The front man introduced the band as 'Fat, Chinese, Short' which amused and also charmed the audience. The second band did not fair too well with us, Isabelle commented (in her French accent) that they were making her 'ears bleed', Lisa wasn't too impressed either and my feet were hurting so we decided to leave. We never got to stay for the clubnight, but we are intending on going back in the near future! The area around the club/venue was quite hip with some really nice quirky bars and some beautifully quaint houses down the side streets. On the way home, we decided to stop by at Taco Bell (a Mexican McDonalds) which sells tasty tacos for as low as $2. Despite the price, I have yet to get ill by them...touch wood!
Saturday a big group of us decided we would do the 'tourist' thing in D.C. So, we all decided to meet at the Smithsonian Metro Stop which is positioned right on the 'Mall' inbetween both Capitol Hill and the Washington Monument (The Pencil!). It was the most beautiful day to walk around and we also had a wander up to see the White House (no Obama alas). Typically, we all had to go in some shops and those who didn't want to just waited outside...I think we have all been blessed with some patience since being abroad, it must be because of the children we look after!
After having such a busy Friday and Saturday I was really feeling like not doing much but as usual I was swayed by the onset of going shopping with Lisa and Isabelle. Instead of going to the usual mall, we decided to travel a little further and go to a huge outlet place where I picked up a sports bra and the others got a coat and some German biscuits! On the way back we decided to pay a little visit to Taco Bell and so this onsought of food and Friday's catalysed my drive to go to the gym on Monday. I'm definitely a Monday starter with things and completed my first work out since I left uni in May, which is rather embarrasing to admit! Needless to say, it wasn't pretty horrific and I managed to do a good hour. The sports bra purchase from the day before also sufficed!
That evening everything went downhill, I retreated to bed before the little boys and missed out on my first aupair meeting with all the other aupairs in the area. According to my host Mum, it's the changing of the seasons which has triggered my cold/cough/abundance of mucus...pretty attractive. Thus, Tuesday was a bit of a right off and I just did my daily things with the boys and opened up a bank account/savings account. I'm determined to actually save some money this year and to not spend it all on 'obligatory daily Starbucks' and clothes!
Yesterday was far more productive. After dropping the little boys off at school and quickly popping home to get changed (I drive them to school in my PJ's) I drove to the metro station and hopped on a train into D.C. This guy I randomly met on the metro a few weeks ago had offered to show me around the galleries and so we went to both the West and East Buildings of the National Gallery. I saw the latest 'Impressionism to Modernism', Edvard Munch and Mark Rothko exhibitions and I'm thinking of attending a lecture next month at the start of a new exhibition entitled 'The Pre-Raphaelite Lens:British Photography and Painting 1848-1875). It's completely free and it would be so nice to spend an afternoon listening to people talking about the works on display. It was yesterday that I realised how much I've missed studying History of Art every single day! Yesterday was definitely a day of escapism.
Today has been spend tie-dying t-shirts for Kevin's 6th Birthday party this weekend. They have been dyed orange and we are going to outline the shape of 'Jack O Lanterns' for the little ones to paint in black after the Mad Science people have finished performing on the kitchen counter! Inbetween having my hands submerged in the vat of dye and picking the boys up from school I quickly popped to the Mall and purchased some new pointy shoes from Urban Outfitters and some jeggings from Abercrombie and Fitch...they smell amazing as you can imagine! My friend Marta over here, has this theory that only Europeans wear leggings/jeggings and this definitely supports the reason why so many are still folded up/hung up in the shops over here! Time to start a legging/jegging fashion statement! Additionally, I've also introduced 11 year-old Ryan to Dizzee Rascal this evening which he enjoyed. Who's not to like Dizzzzeeee RASCAL?!!!
Starbucks (so far this week)
1 - I'm kicking the habit.
Americanisms
'Bicyclist' - Cyclist
Parking Lot - Car Park
Sweater - Jumper
Shirt - Top
Jack 'o' Lantern - Halloween Pumpkin
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