It Is Full

We went to Washington DC yesterday to visit the young lady. She really wanted us to visit her, and that is just wonderful.

We were suppose to go on Saturday but rain was in the forecast. By Saturday, it was dry, which was still good. We were able to finish more yard work. I was also able to plant some more potted plants for the backyard.

Left Maryland around 30 minutes past 10 in the morning. Got to DC close to noon, and we went to Teaism, it's a tea house and restaurant, for lunch.

I had this. South Indian Vegetable Curry (spinach, chick peas, tomatoes, chayote squash, sweet potato in turmeric coconut sauce. served with brown rice)

I didn't know that sweet potatoes would be so good in curry sauce, and a little crunch in chayote is something new and good. Chayote is always prepared totally boiled in Filipino cooking.

Yna treated us for lunch. She got her first raise after working about 6 months (or is it 8?) for a company based in DC called Morning Consult.

Yey for the young lady.

After dinner, we went to the National Gallery of Art. It's just a walking distance from where we had lunch.



We were at this museum in March but Sally Mann's photo exhibit was closed at that time.

I love her photos. I love her style.

We also went to the second floor for Cezanne's Portraits.


We also dropped by the Masterpieces of American Furniture (from the Kaufman Collection, 1700-1830).


These intricate and extremely beautiful pieces were only seen in books from the university library back when I was in college. I had drawn these for my projects. Ssshhh! The mister even helped me finish some of my projects in furniture design. Kaloka! He drew those fiddle backs, cabriole legs, the claw feet, and more. Hahaha.



We wanted to visit the Air and Space Museum too which is just across, crossing over the National Mall. The line was so long, we opted to go to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden instead which was about a 5-minute walk.

I wanted to visit Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrors but hadn't had the chance to go last year. Well, her 'Pumpkin' sculpture outside the museum was wonderful. I asked the mister to have a photo with me. I was happy already.


After the museum, we walked going to the Milk Bar near the wharf. It was close to a 20- minute walk. When you're in a big city, walking is a must.

The mister and I shared this. Forgot the name of this one, but I was sure that I was not impressed. Such a disappointment especially since this bakery was established and founded by famous chefs.


These huge pebble seats were outside the bakery.


While at the wharf, I saw Red Hook Lobster Pound. I have been wanting to try their roll for years. This used to be just a lobster truck, until they opened a non-mobile spot here at the wharf. Thank God.

The roll was $20 and the Mac & Cheese was $16. The roll didn't disappoint. I shared it with everyone.


Went back home before it rained. Got home 30 minutes past 4.

My daughter had her first salary raise and is loving her career. My son is graduating high school tomorrow, and is off to college in the fall. They both have great set of friends outside our home. Not rich, but comfortable, happy, and contented.

Our hearts are full.



#thankful


PS. My SUSMARYOSEP shirt is available at my Etsy and Ebay stores.

RIP Concepcion Picciotto

Peace activist Concepcion Picciotto (also known as Connie or Conchitta) died today, January 25, 2016 at a shelter for homeless women in Washington DC. Lafayette Park, a park across the White House, she held her peace vigil there for over three decades. It's considered the longest running political protest in the history of America, a 24-hour peace vigil since 1981.



These are photos I took in one of our trips to Washington DC last June of 2012. When I saw her and read her posters, I was impressed. Such dedication and bravery she showed all these years.

Blessed are the peacemakers. 

Rest in peace, Connie.

PHO 14

PHO 14 Vietnamese Restaurant is awarded as the best pho in Washington DC. We went there for late lunch weeks ago. It's our second time there, but the first we dined in, the boy didn't come with us.



The mister tried their durian smoothie, and of course, we all had a sip. We don't eat the fruit except for the mister who loves it. But we can't get enough of durian, only if it's in candy form. The smoothie was something new to all of us, and it was really good. Sinh To Sau Rieng / Durian Smoothie . $3.99



Gỏi cuốn / Spring rolls (2) . $4.49

Chả Giò / Egg rolls (2) . $4.49

vermicelli noodle dish with fried fish

Grilled beef  & noodles served with shredded lettuce, pickled carrots, cucumber, served with their homemade fish sauce . $ 9.49 .


Grilled beef served with rice. $ 9.49 .


This was what I got the first we dined in there. The same as the second time. I really love this.


I love Vietnamese food. I ate everything in my plate, including the fresh and pickled vegetables. This place is clean, serves really good Vietnamese dishes, and is affordable. But the next time we come again, I think we should try their pho as it is awarded as the best pho in DC.

PHO 14
(Van Ness location)
4201 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008

To DC

Before spring break is over, we promised the kids that we'll go to DC. We rode the Metro from Rockville.


We had the train by ourselves. :)


We were suppose to go to the Spy Museum but OMG! Look at that line.


So, we decided to go to The National Portrait Gallery instead which is located just across from the Spy Museum.
No photography? What to do?


So I took photos from the hallway. hehehehe.
This is the Americans Now Exhibition located at the first floor and runs from July 10, 2010 to July 2011.


Hi, Mr. George Lucas!


This is called The Late Night Triad (2003) by Jason Salavon.
Part 1: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Part 2: Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Part 3: Late Show with David Letterman
This is a 3 synchronized digital video and audio files.


This is a current exhibition: One Life: Katharine Graham
"Newspaper publisher Katharine Graham (1917–2001) led an extraordinary life in extraordinary times. Born into privilege, she was catapulted onto the international stage as publisher of The Washington Post during the Watergate scandal." (-Source)



These 2 side chairs (1795-1805; curly maple; birch) are based on the design from George Hepplewhite's 1794 pattern book. The middle furniture is a Linen press (1795-1820; mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, brass). This was inspired by a plate in The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, a pattern book first published in 1788 by the English cabinetmaker George Hepplewhite. Because of the expense of importing English and European furniture, American cabinetmakers relied on such books for designs.


A library bookcase (with wings and secretary drawer),  made around 1790 - 1815. This is all mahogany. This cabinet is fitted with a long "secretary" drawer in the middle that pulls out for writing purposes. This type of drawer incorporated into a bookcase was an innovation introduced in the late 18th century. The upper section was intended for books, and could be fitted with pleated silk behind the glass. Presidential china is in the central section.



The Dying Tecumseh (modeled about 1837 - 1846; carved 1856; marble with painted copper alloy tomahawk) This is by Ferdinand Pettrich (born Dresden, Germany 1798 and died in Rome, Italy 1872).


The Last of the Tribes (modeled 1867 -1872; carved  1876 -1877; marble). This is by Hiram Powers , an American Neoclassical sculptor.


Unbelievable details on the fringe and the skirt.


...and even the shoe and the base as well.


The Falling Gladiator (1861; plaster) by William Rimmer, an American artist born in Liverpool, England. The artist based this sculpture of a mortally wounded man on works from ancient Greece and Rome. But its subject echoed the suffering of the United States on the eve of the war. When the artist began work in January of 1861, six states had seceded from the Union, and the attack on Fort Sumter was just 3 months away. Rimmer worked as a doctor, and his critics at first accused him of casting the sculpture on a real human body. As the conflict wore on, however, they praised his representation of torment and suffering, relating it to the grim fate of Americans at war with one another.


 a 1903 piano (oil, lacquer, and gold leaf on wood). America Receiving the Nine Muses, lid painting  and is done by Thomas Wilmer Dewing. The case was designed by R.H. Hunt and J.H. Hunt and was manufactured by Steinway and Sons (NYC). Hoping to initiate a more active musical life at the White House, President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned Steinway and Sons to produce this piano. The instrument's decoration, according to Roosevelt's wish, expressed patriotic pride through eagles, garlands, and shields, along with the seals of the first thirteen states. This collaboration of craftsman and artist was intended for the East Room of the White House.


Steinway and Sons commissioned the American painter Thomas Wilmer Dewing to oversee the painted portion of this elaborate design. On the inside of the lid, he depicted a circle of women in colonial revival gowns who represent the muses of art, music, poetry and learning. They are paying homage to a seated figure representing America, the new steward of Western culture.


Even the window view looked like a monochromatic painting.



The enormous painting on the left is called The Chasm of the Colorado (1874 -1874; oil on canvas mounted on aluminum). It is by Thomas Moran. These are really beautiful!


This is a painting of President John F. Kennedy by Elaine de Kooning, an Abstract Expressionist, Figurative Expressionist painted in the post-WWll era.


This is a miniature representation of the Smithsonian museum.


The  Kogod Courtyard.
This is considered as one of the seven architectural wonders by Conde Nast Traveler.


The enclosed courtyard with its elegant glass canopy designed by world–renowned architects Foster + Partners provides a distinctive, contemporary accent to the museums' Greek Revival building. Foster + Partners was assisted by internationally acclaimed landscape designer Kathryn Gustafson of Seattle–based Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd. in the creation of the courtyard's interior design, with a variety of trees and plantings, as well as a unique water feature. The courtyard is named for major donors Robert and Arlene Kogod, Washington philanthropists and art collectors.


Free internet access (Wi-Fi) in the Courtyard. There's also a cafe that offers casual dining during museum hours.


We were hungry but by this time our tummies are craving for anything with rice.


I saw the poster on the left near the first floor restroom. I thought Jay would love to check it out.


Close to Home: Photographers and their Families presents photographs made during the past three decades by both established and emerging artists. It features 32 color and black-and-white photographs from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's permanent collection of 89 contemporary photographers: Tina Barney, Virginia Beahan, Christopher Dawson, Muriel Hasburn, Martina Lopez, Elaine O'Neil, Larry Sultan, Margaret Strickland and Carrie Will. Toby Jurovics, formerly the museum's curator of photography, selected the photographs in the installation. (-Source)




By the way, the museum uses 100% recycled paper...


... in their restrooms. They think green! :)


We wanted to explore more but we were too hungry to enjoy the rest of the museum exhibits.

.