Travel: 6 Reasons I’d Revisit Washington DC
If I had to summarize my visit to Vegas in one word, it would be hedonism; my trip to New York, diversity; my trip to Nashville, music (naturally); my trip to DC, power. You can almost touch it. Another word, of course, would be traffic *straight face*. Nevertheless, DC has become my second favorite city in America! Boston, still at the top. During this trip, I explored DC with my dad, who was in town at the time. My explorer genes are all from him, so it was a superb adventure!
Einstein chilling with a book and no shoes #nerdgoals
Unfortunately Fortunately, we couldn't complete my exploration of DC during the visit and so I will be returning soon. Here are 6 reasons I'm sure I'd be returning:
1. Museum sugar-rush: If you love museums as much as I do, DC is the town for you. It has a wide selection of Smithsonian museums located within the area called the National mall and also at other locations. Here is the part which would tickle the soul of any museum-lover. Admission is free. If you didn’t utter the expression “Muhehehe”, then you don’t love museums. You would love the experience. We could only complete 2 museums and a bunch of memorials, so I definitely will be returning! You can find the list of museums here!
The new National Museum of African-American History and Culture designed by Ghanian architect, David Adjaye
2. Political celebrities: DC is like the Beverly hills of politics. I'm sure we was about 1000 feet away from Michelle Obama at some point, when a motorcade that looked very "first-lady-like", drove past us near the National Museum of African-American History and Culture (photo above). One evening though, I saw John McCain (Republican nominee who ran against Prez Obama, in 2008) walking down the street! I had little chill.
3. To revisit Ab: I’ve always wanted to see Abraham Lincoln's memorial for some reason. There’s a scene from a movie where the protagonist is standing in front of Lincoln at night…and speaking to him… Wait, am I making this up?Lol. I just checked: Legally Blonde 2. Anyway, I’ve always been infatuated, so to speak. Yeah, so, finally I saw Ab, he says "Hey". I have to revisit him at night. It must be so spooky in the dark.
Lincoln's view
4. Partial fulfillment of my Foodie Degree: The best thing about tourist cities is the vast availability of restaurants. After burning ourselves out exploring museums and memorials, we found this Mexican place that served fajitas and plantains. And as the wise men say, "Where there are plantains, there is life." Amen.
5. To live out my espionage fantasy : Exhaustion and a food coma eventually set in. I'm not the girl with the red cape from Krypton you thought I was. We stumbled on the International Spy Museum at about 5PM. The attendant was brimming over with so much energy, which made me dizzy because I had just stuffed my face with the feast above. Apparently, we were supposed to perform some espionage stints of adventure, perform stunts, slay the villain and rescue the girl. Err...not with this induced food coma we won’t. We made a note to return on our next visit. And this is why 007 never eats. Note: the spy museum isn’t free. It costs about $15- $30 and probably about 2700 calories.
6. To relive the best pancakes of my life: There are a few situations in life, where you experience remarkably memorable breakfasts. This was one of them. My cousin took me for a beautiful breakfast in Bethesda, Maryland, which isn't in DC but really was just a few minutes away. I felt like Goldilocks at Baby bear's table. The pancakes weren't too big, they weren't too small, they were just right. And they didn't give me a food coma, unlike Goldie.
And that was how DC became my second baby. Donald, take care of her for me! I will see you very soon.
DC is listed in the top 5 most expensive cities to live. I stayed at an Airbnb in Palisades, which is on the west side. A peaceful, quiet suburb. An Uber to Union Station costs ~$35. Union Station is your friend, if you plan to travel by rail. It's good to know that DC doesn't have an airport. Dulles and National are in the state of Virginia and BWI is in Maryland but they are close enough and accessible with uber, taxis or the train. We ate here and here. If you visit, enjoy!
What was your last memorable travel experience? What's your favorite city in the world? Tell us!
9 Unusual but Effective Couple Habits
Besides holding hands, staring deeply into each others eyes while sharing a giant tub of ice-cream and listening to Savage garden on shared earplugs every Saturday afternoon, besides going to the movies on Tuesday nights and flooding Instagram with Usies, there are tons of other couple habits that help build a healthy relationship. Here's a list of not-so-ordinary habits that can be adopted to build a fun, deep and healthy relationship. #1 is the hardest pill to swallow and maybe #9 too. Probably #7 too. #2.....takes some self-disciple. Ok...just read and let me know. Enjoy!
1. Tell each other about attractions to other people (cringe, told you)
Why: It eliminates insecurity, builds honesty and accountability
Before anything else, your partner should be your friend and communication should be very much embedded in your relationship. Being honest about attractions to other people is a very rare habit that can only work in a relationship that is very secure and with equally secure individuals, who have the same goal of making their relationship work. If that's in place, then the announcement of a crush doesn't seem so doomsday-ish, more like a teeny obstacle to be managed. Being able to talk about attractions sets your relationship several levels higher than the average and the wise and effective management of the situation, sets it echelons higher than excellent.
2. Laugh 95% of the time
Why: Why not?
Laughter is rumored to be the best medicine. Now, the medicine is not really the laughter itself, but the feel-good feeling derived from with the company you are with. Laughing with your other half creates a deeper social bond and release endorphins. In fact, laughing produces the same effect exercise does! It increases your heart rate and blood flow, increases your immune response. And best of all, laughter burns calories.* It's like working out with your partner without lifting a finger.
3. Resist the nag bone
Why: Studies show nagging reduces your partner's lifespan
I bet you didn’t know that. So if you want your partner around for longer, i suggest you stop nagging. He heard you the first time. As for men who nag, (lol, I know you exist) just stop it. STOP. It completely negates the effect of #2, in fact it negates this whole list. If your spouse nags, you need to get them to stop, your life is in danger! Send them this post!
4. Solve your disagreements in less than an hour
Why: prevents anger and hurt from festering
While researching for this post, i discovered quarreling too frequently might result in early death (I guess the grim reaper is generally drawn to couples, aye?) Even more interestingly, the unemployed spouse (namely the housewife, in most cases), is who dies first. What?! This is so unfair. Women always get the short end of the stick. If you are a nagging house wife, please stop. #3 promises to kill your husband and #4 promises to kill you too. Fights are healthy as long they are infrequent, don't involve physical or emotional bullying and as long as they are resolved with a timely, concrete "how-to-move-on-from-this-situation" solution. Like any other situation, fights need to be managed properly, otherwise, the anger festers and the resentment grows, stuff gets weird and then casket. Not worth it.
5. Imbibe the "Aphrodisiac diet"
Why: to increase the kink
Here's a list of foods to add to your daily meal schedule for increased hankipankiness: Avocados, Hot chilies, Bananas, Dark chocolate, Oysters, Pomegranates, Red wine, Salmon, Walnuts, Vanilla, Watermelon.
6. "Us time" = 5 X Social Media time
Why: Because Social Media is not going to get you any
The average person spends about 2 hours per day on the internet. 28% of that time is spent on social media (SM) platforms. That's about 33-45 minutes, roughly. Most of this SM time is spent in the presence of a spouse and that's expected because you can hardly do it freely at work. So on the couch you plop, with your screen in your face and her all blurry in the background. All this is fine, i'm not going to campaign that social media time be reduced. I'm however going to suggest that the time spent with your spouse matches this Facebook time....by 5. Let's do the maths, for every 45 minutes of Facebook time, you give your partner your undivided attention (without your phone) for 3hours 45 mins. Not too bad, right?
7. Talk after the big 'O'
Why: Because pillow talk matters
Pillow talk matters because right after orgasm, oxytocin (the love drug) floods both individuals making them feel a heightened level of trust and intimacy, setting the atmosphere for deep, future-planning and concrete conversations. Most people are very likely to confide and feel secure after pillow talk. In general, this leads to a healthier and blissful feeling of security (....until he falls asleep). Some even suggest that pillow talk might be as important as sex itself. Who knew?
8. Speak life into each other's lives
Why: Because it loads your minds with confidence and beastly determination (and who doesn't need that)
The only thing worse than cussing out your partner is not speaking anything at all. Some of us let life happen to our partners, we don't pray for them, we don't confess scriptures into their lives. Speaking into his life assures him that you have his back and most importantly God has his back. Positive encouragement also makes him more coordinated and efficient in executing tasks, which explains why your company insists you go for those motivational seminars and listen to that man with the brown tie for hours. Instead of letting your partner get all his motivation from a book or the man in the brown tie, be his life coach. Speak and Sustain.
9. Hang out with him while he's on the toilet
Why: there is no good enough reason for this
I don’t even know where this idea came from! I'm not sure if gisting while on the toilet makes you closer. Maybe it does, maybe not. You should try it though, even if it’s once, in a bathroom with an open window and maybe a fan and some air freshener and some scented candles and a gas mask.
Do you know any more unusual but effective couple habits? Or do you already do these?
*Note that 10-15 minutes of laughter burns just 50 calories. Yup, the only way to burn away that 700 calories you just had, is to laugh for over two hours.
Weekend Plans!
Hey! Friday is here! Thanks for hanging in with me all week. If you are visiting for the first time this week, hey x 5! I hope your week was pleasantly eventful. Mine definitely was, so this weekend i am kicking back and getting in on some organizing projects (fun, bleh). What are you guys up to this weekend?
The rest of my weekend plans:
See "The Intern" with Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro
Make some awesomely moist banana bread
Shopping date with my friend, some fall boots are in order
Throw out most of my makeup
Go down town and check out the Sharwama in that little Meditterean restaurant
Ignore my pedometer (kidding)
Organize my email before Monday, I have altogether like 9000 emails across all my boxes, tut-tut-tut
Talk to somebody about Christ
Trying one of these
A bit of spring cleaning in September and some wall art shopping
Paint my nails an interesting shade of rose pink
Find some new blogs to read! If you are a blogger, please drop your url below or if you have great recommendations, please suggest below! Thanks!
So, what are you doing this weekend?