Weekend in Alexandria - Day 2

After heading to bed way past our bedtime last night, we were all slow to wake today.

I think I was up somewhere around 7:30am and just kinda hung out and scrolled my phone and waited for others to wake.

We had a very lazy morning, talking, catching up, drinking coffee, all sitting in bed together. It absolutely felt like college and I loved every second of it.

We had brunch reservations at 10, but ended up chatting way too much and missed that. We opted for some amazing bagels and Sil offered to go grab them while us ladies spent that time getting ready for the day.

We ate our bagels and then headed out for a day of adventure. Today we wanted to hit up the free museums. I mean, it's D.C. and there's SO much to see and do. 

We started with going over to the Archives so we could see the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence. We then went and walked over to see representation of many historical moments throughout time.

The women's rights section floored me. It's insane how recently we were deemed real people. 

The lobby area of her building os gorgeous

It's absolutely insane to see these signatures. Alexander Hamilton? After watching that on Broadway, it means SO much. 

Means SO much during these times. 

1943. A year before my dad was born. 

Metro Station

We experienced the metro and rode about 9 stops to get back to Alexandria and the King Street area. The Thai place we wanted to eat at was down this way. Mind you, it's POURING rain at this point. 

We finally made it to dinner and warmed up with the most amazing food! One thing we all knew about this trip - we wanted to eat the best food. We are all foodies and there is something very special about enjoying good food, good drink with good people. 

We finished a delicious meal and knew what was in front of us: the walk back. 

In the pouring rain.

The day before, it was sunny and gorgeous out. GORGEOUS. It was so cute walking around that area. Tonight? It was chilly and rainy. Thankfully it wasn't THAT freezing cold because FUCK if it was freezing and raining!? But it was just raining so it was bearable. 

We laughed our asses off the entire way, people. To the point where I was keeled over in the middle of the road, laughing, sobbing. I hadn't laughed like that in forever. FOREVER. It was so good for my soul.

And, because of our historic day, we decided we had to watch National Treasure. We stayed up, had a couple of drinks, ate snacks in bed. Surprisingly we all made it to the end of the movie.

Tomorrow is yet another day before we go back to our normal lives. 

Day 2 was a fantastic day. Hilarious and fantastic. 

Weekend in Alexandria - Day 1

You guys. It's been a MINUTE. I've been so busy. In a good way.

I've been filling my cup by doing things I want to do. Anything I want. Without needing to consult anyone or care about anyone's feelings. 

There are a few of us at work who oddly have been dealing with similar life changes. One girl was with her partner for 8 years, has a just turned 2 year old and was going through a divorce. Her divorce is dragggggggginnnnngggg on and I feel terribly for her. But, we share that trauma and luckily we're both funny so we can laugh about it (a little). And then have a drink and cry together about it. 

And another girl and her partner who have also been together for almost a decade broke up. HUGE life changes for us. We were each others' support while at work. I've known one of the girls for probably 12+ years at this point and reconnected at this job. 

Anyway. After months of commiserating, we decided we needed a weekend away. One of the girls moved to Alexandria and invited a few of us to visit for a weekend and enjoy the DC area.

AND BOY DID WE HAVE FUN JESUS CHRIST. 

Let me say - if you're lucky enough to find friends at work...who you can share a room with overnight, hell share A BED WITH, you've made it. 

My travel down there was....interesting to say the least. While drunk in the hotel bar, we realized we had a dilemma. Well, two people had a small dilemma and we needed to figure out the best way to get everyone where they needed to be.

It was decided that I'd fly down one way and then drive my friend's car back to Rochester. The one who lives there, is actually originally from my hometown and we went to the same highschool, just 6 years apart, so we didn't know each other. She would be traveling from VA to another state for a work event, then fly home. She would, however, need her car while at home. So of course, it made sense for me to just drive her car home and connect with her here in Rochester so she could get her car. I love when things work out like that!

Only, they didn't. LOL. Of course. My life does not work out that smoothly. Ever.

The work trip was canceled. 

So my friend would be driving herself up to Rochester. And I would be left stranded in VA because I had only purchased a one way ticket.

Found this out on Tuesday. Flying out Friday.

Decided to canel my flight, take the $60 cancellation fee loss, keep the credit of $35 and drive down.

I stopped in Binghamton to see my BFF and to break up the 6+ hour drive. I spent the night down there and literally hit the road by 7am to make it down to Alexandria. 

Road trips when it's nice out is my favorite! I was JAMMING. 

Kings Street - a very busy, touristy area, but superrrr cute. Restaurants, shops, everything! And the waterfront is straight ahead. Such a gorgeous walk. 

Me and Sil on the way to the water taxi. He's the first friend Ashley and I met when we joined the bank 2 years ago. He's a young lad with a ton of experience. 

Water Taxi to the wharf

Me and my previous boss. I also worked with her 15 years ago! She's an absolute gem. 

Washington Monument from the water taxi

Beautiful ladies at dinner - we had Balkan food and it was SO GOOD. Ashley the brunette is the girl we're visiting. Gorgeous, smart and a beautiful soul. 

A Brandy-like liquor meant to be sipped. The second it touched my lips it burned like hell. No thank you.

That brought us to the end of day one. We ended dinner around maybe 9:30/10pm? We went back to Ashley's gorgeous condo and stayed up chatting well into the night. I think we headed to bed around 1:30am? Something around that. 

So many things planned for tomorrow - but what I love is that everything is completely flexible and if we feel like vegging in PJs, that's what we'll do. I love these people. 

So far, day 1 has been a blast. We all work remotely so we don't get to see each other often - only usually during work offsites and those are obviously work-focused. 

I can't wait to check out some history tomorrow. 

Bonding Over Food

Ever since I was little, it's been me and my Dad. (This sounds like the beginning of that Little Critter storybook!) but, I spent a lot of time with my Dad. 

As I got older, the less we spoke to each other though. That didn't mean our closeness changed though. There was always this silent understanding between us.

Being that he lives in Las Vegas now...there's amazing food everywhere. Every kind. Multiple fusion blends and it's always hard deciding where to eat.

When we were in Waikiki, we went to a place called Mango Mango. A dessert place that had mango everything. Ice cream, fresh fruit, fruit juices, lychee jelly, boba, all sorts of random Chinese toppings.

I had a random thought and wondered if maybe Las Vegas would have one. And wouldn't you know it??

There is one here - it's only like 10 minutes from Dad's house. 

So we went on a date. He didn't know about it, so now he has another place to hit up if he ever wanted it. I also told my friend from high school, who I met up with the other day, about it so she could go with her family. 

Anyway. It was as amazing as it was in Waikiki. This was a sit down situation though, versus counter service like in Waikiki.

I mean, come on, so cute!!

I got the same thing I got in Hawaii - mango ice cream, fresh strawberries and mangoes in a strawberry sauce with lychee jelly. 

Dad got coconut ice cream with mix fruit and mango on the bottom

This is how the check comes. Like, are you kidding?

I couldn't leave without some takeout. Mango crepe cake. 

It was a delicious breakfast.

I enjoyed it while I logged into my work computer at 5:30am local time. 

After a few hours of work meetings and trying to catch up from a holiday weekend, Dad and I went to lunch.

We were thinking sushi maybe, but then last minute decided on Vietnamese. Pho to be exact.

And it was everything I dreamed of. 

I was not planning on getting a Boba drink from here, but I watched as 3 people ordered it from the same table, so I assumed it had to be good. It was. 

I leave tomorrow and will not have the capability to go out and eat again. 

But I can get food delivery....

80

Well, technically Dad turned 80 a few weeks ago.

But, you know, I've been a little distracted and also, Dad lives in Las Vegas. The middle of August in Las Vegas? Even for someone who likes HOT, that's a bit too hot if I'm not on a boat or near a pool. It's just...hot. A wall of hot hits you when you exit a vehicle or the house.

But, 80 is a big deal and my Dad is my heart. I've been a daddy's girl since I can remember. 

I wanted to bring the girls, but this was also the trip in which I told my dad the entire, terrible story of the past 2 years. 

And that I was divorcing my husband.

So I could shatter this poor man's heart at the old age of 80. The last thing I want is for Dad to worry about me. I know he will anyway, because he's a good parent and always will worry. But this kind of worry? It's horrifying. My dad should be able to live out his golden years without worrying about his adult children.

Visiting Dad is always a good time - I mean, he and I LOVE TO EAT. We have a ton of memories eating together. Driving up to Toronto for a weekened. Eating and shopping. When I was in college, it was about halfway from our house in Rochester to Toronto, so Dad would swing by university and pick me up.

Las Vegas also has amazing food. And so many freaking options it's hard to choose.

First and foremost is Dim Sum.

I landed around 10:45am, couldn't find dad for way too fucking long at the airport, stopped at his house to drop stuff off and change. Went to Dim Sum and OMG you guys. It's so fucking good.

After stuffing myself, we headed back home for a nap. That's one thing about Dad. He's very low maintenance. Food, naps, coffee. 

After the nap, we went to get Boba Tea. Yes, we have some back at home, but it's not nearly as good. There are so many Boba Tea Cafes all over, so competition is tough.They have to have a good product. 

And it was everything I imagined. 

There are so many flavors and boba types (tapioca, popping, etc.) but I will always and forever go with the classic Black Milk Tea with tapioca bobas. I cannot even describe in words how good this was. 

Our brunch was super filling, and then my boba tea was also very filling. Dad didn't want to go out again for dinner, since we really didn't need to. We also had a ton of leftovers to get through. 

However. 

I don't live in an area in which I can order food and have it delivered to my front door. (Not yet, anyway!)

So I had to take advantage of the fact that Dad lives near everything. I mean, everything.

Thai?

Sushi?

Mediterranean? 

Chinese?

Korean?

Hawaiian?

I went with Hawaiian.

Absolutely delicious and very, very similar to Korean BBQ. I would say the only difference I could notice was the mac salad? I ordered fried calamari and kimchi as well. 10/10 would recommend. 

My body is still on east coast time and I woke up Saturday starving. I ate my Hawaiian leftovers and it was just as good - maybe even better - than the night before. 

Dad and I hung around during the day. I cleaned his kitchen. Took a nap. My brain has needed the rest. I can't believe how tired I am. I think these few days away with my Dad is good for my brain. I don't think I'm overthinking very much while I'm here. Just where I want to eat next! Ha! 

Dad loves a good burger and one tradition we started was getting In N Out burgers while I'm here. We don't have that back at home and it's a great burger chain if you ask me. I remember I flew in late one time and when we got back to Dad's house, he had a cheeseburger waiting for me and I CRUSHED that thing at like 1am. 

Dad's backyard - mountains in the distance

I had just taken a shower and my hair was wet. I went outside for like 5 minutes and it was dried.

Lunch on Sunday. Roasted duck and pork belly. 

The first few days with Dad have been filled with food, coffee and reassurance from him that I'll be OK. My dad is a man of very, very few words. But I know he loves me more than anything. I've always been his girl, ever since I was a little itty bitty kid. While my mom stayed with my sister in the hospital, I was back with my dad. 

Just being in his (quiet) presence is comforting.