How many signs do you need to understand, no?

Apparently, on 19th and (I) Eye, it's five times.

This is literally a 10-foot sign post.

It's funny how you notice things when you have a small camera.

$40,000 for parking space in DC area

My nephew from Florida almost got a heart attack when I told him that the average cost of parking space in condo is $40,000. So this morning, I took these pictures of cars parked in my 'hood to show to him.

See Jo, this is how my car will look like when I buy a condo without parking garage. Maybe the pictures will help him understand why parking is big deal in where I live.

DC snowstorm '09

For someone who grew up and lived most of her life near the equator, snowstorm is sort of big time life's experience. (Ok, maybe that sounds SO dramatic.) Call it being one with the elements. (Ok, ok, I'm being dramatic!) And so, yesterday afternoon, despite warnings to stay at home, I decided to go for a long walk in the middle of the snowstorm. I called Kate and urged her to go out, "it's not every day we get this, you know."

I didn't really make it that far. My fingers were frozen and hurting. Metro closed shopped and the buses stopped running around 2 pm. I could walk some more miles but I was afraid I'd not make it back home. I stayed around my 'hood.

Would you rather stay inside your cosy apartment and watch the snowstorm from the window or go out and get cold?

Like most Washingtonians, I opted for snowstorm experience outdoors.

Makes me feel so alive!

Here's a link to Washingtonians take on this snowstorm.

Kids have natural instinct to play.

Sorry, no bus today!

Thank God for indoor parking!

It will be a long walk home today!

The National Christmas Tree goes green

Last night, the Obamas lit The National Christmas Tree, an American tradition dating back in 1923. It was a perfect night for the lightning ceremony. It's full moon and the evening's breeze was pleasant.

So after working late at the office, I walked to the Ellipse to see the National Christmas tree before going home.

What a beauty! And here's what I love most about this year's National Christmas Tree--- it's the most energy efficient National Christmas Tree in history. The tree was outfitted entirely in LEds. It consumes 6,000 watts compared to last year's 18,000 watts. Green tree. I'm happy.

What's for lunch at the Congress today?

The White House area in the foreground and the Capitol looming on the horizon.

Today the weather is gorgeous in Washington DC. We may not have this kind of a day until next spring. So my friend and I decided to do lunch with power view. But, of course! So, what's for lunch at the Congress today?

Living on the red line on a Good Friday

This morning, on my way to work, I noticed that the traffic was light on Wisconsin Avenue and the atmosphere was subdued in Friendship Heights metro. No rushing. No running. And I got a seat in the train! (What'a Friday treat.)

The Pakistani cook (I forgot his name) in the nearby Friendship Heights Gourmet Store told me that he’s taking a day off. “A lot of offices are closed today,” he said.

I said, “But there’s no holiday.”

He insisted there’s a holiday.

When I picked up my coffee in the cafeteria, I told T., the cashier, that it was quiet in the metro. “People must be taking long weekend,” I said.

“No, no, no,” she protested, “My metro was packed this morning.”

“Which metro,? I asked.

“Green line,” she said.

“I’m red,” I said.

“That’s a Jewish line. A lot of Jews live along the red line,” she muttered. “It’s the passover!”

I went back to my office wondering what she means; and wondering about how our lives and lifetstyles change as our metro line colors in the District change.

Happy Passover and Happy Easter to all.

PS. For your information, Mr. Obama’s residence is on the red, orange, and blue lines stops.

Watching the rain in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, in early spring, is misty and rainy.

I was stranded in the rain in Hong Kong Museum of Arts last month (not how I wanted it to be). But I let go of my frustrations and voila, I enjoyed watching the mist, the passing clouds, and the rain. It was pretty. Subdued but beautiful Hong Kong.

I took my camera (I'm new to digital camera) and tried to capture the scenery and the moment. I didn't get it quite right.

The young bride showed up when the sky cleared up. I took it as a good omen.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow.

Guantanamo, no more!

Source: The New York Times

Today, BBC reports that "US President Barack Obama has ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison camp as well as all overseas CIA detention centres for terror suspects.

Signing the orders, Mr Obama said the US would continue to fight terror, but maintain "our values and our ideals".

He also ordered a review of military trials for terror suspects and a ban on harsh interrogation methods."

Check out the full story at BBC and The New York Times.

Proud moment for America.

"The Gate" on 7th St (January 20, 2009)

Does this look like Washington DC? Really?

You may have not seen "this famous gate" in the news. But, hey, this is what Cecille, Tony, and thousands of people have to go through on 7th and D St. to view the inaugural parade.

Here's Cecille and her proud moment.

O-ba-ma! (January 20, 2009)

I was standing, tip-toeing, shivering, squatting, wiggling my toes (Are my toes still down there?), and squeezing myself with 5 other people from 5 different states on a planter with a 3 ft. diameter. Almost seven long, bitter, cold, hours, waiting for the 44th President to pass by on 10th and Penn. "What was it that made me do this crazy thing?" I thought.

That pretty sums up my experience of January 20, 2009.

I met a lot of happy, hopeful, interesting people from everywhere across the states and across the globe. I am moved by their stories on why they came. Two couples from Wilbur, Colorado ("a small town," they said) drove for 27 hours, through blizzards. Wow.

What was it that made me and millions of others brave the cold that day?

Hope.

January 20, 2009, Washington DC

New day at the Mall.

“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.”


YESTERDAY, I was one of the reported 1.8 million people who walked, biked, "metrod" and "bused" to downtown DC to witness the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, President Barack Obama. It was cold (my bones were frozen)! It was crazy (some 1.8 million squeezed in a small portion of the city under tight security). It was a challenging experience. But it was a day I would not want to miss.

You have probably read all the news coverage about it or watched it on TV. But I would like to share with you some personal stories as captured (albeit, inadequately) from my camera phone.

Capturing the mood

It was a cold morning (27 degrees?) at the Mall. Flocks of birds and people from all over were mingling towards the Obelisk, waiting for the sun to come up. There was so much optimism and hope. It reminded me of the festive mood during the "people power's revolution" in Manila in 1986 (although a completely different context).

(I have very little experience in manipulating the layout of pictures in this blog. I can't seem to move them around. I will have to post some more pictures tomorrow.)

“Mr. Obama carries with him the hopes of the planet.”

Source: KAL's cartoon from The Economist, Jan 15th 2009


"A crowd of 2m or more is making its way to Washington, DC, to witness the inauguration of Mr Obama. Billions more will watch it on television. All will do so in a spirit that has been missing for a while—one of optimism. This is not just because a presidency knocked sideways by the events of September 11th 2001, is ending. Next week’s inauguration also bears witness to America’s awesome power of self-renewal. Because he is young, handsome and intelligent, and also because as the child of a Kansan and a Kenyan he reconciles in his own person one of the world’s most hateful divisions, Mr Obama carries with him the hopes of the planet." (The Economist)

Expectations are very high but the burdens are too many for one man to bear. Click here to read the full article in this week's The Economist.

It's my piece of history! says Obama-Mama

This morning, my friend, let’s call her Obama-Mama, is pointing and clicking her blackberry towards her desktop screen. Seriously! She's taking pictures of The Family.

"It's my piece of history! she said.

Well, check out Express’ front page today. What are these guys doing, again? By the way, to all of you who don't do metro, Express is a free paper courtesy of the Washington Post. Every one reads it except yours truly. (But that's another story!)

For now, I am your self-professed Obama-mania blogger. I will keep you posted on the craze that's sweeping town until the 20th.

Yeah, right! Fiscally responsible furnishing

My metro stop, Farragut North

Day after day, on my way to work, I’m visually saturated with ads ranging from “Obama against war” to “Diamond Inauguration 30% Sale (Yes, We can!)” to Ikea's “Change begins at home" and Pepsi's "refresheverything.com".

Big brands like Ikea and Pepsi and political lobby groups are having a field day! It’s Obama all the way. I don’t remember this kind of frenzy when Bush was inaugurated. Back then, it was frustration. Now, it’s fiesta.

Pepsi plans to send “ambassadors” to roam the streets handing out samples and branded badges and scarves bearing various “Obamaisms” like “joy” and “change.”

BrandRepublic.com, a UK-based market leading website for online advertising, marketing, media and PR, runs an article today about how the public's enthusiasm for Barack’s inauguration next Tuesday has attracted several brands to run special campaigns.

Obama-drama

"The world, it seems, is going to descend on the city on January 20, as well it should. The inauguration of Barack Obama, as the country’s 44th president, and its first black one, ought to justify that overused word, historic. "

I’m in the right place at the right time. Except for braving the cold, I can’t find a good excuse not to be there, if I can.

And besides, I love dramatic moments.

In the last few weeks, the District is being spruced up like a grand stage, all set for the unfolding drama. You can smell excitement on K street. You feel the buzz on Penn Ave. The mood is celebratory. It's inauguration countdown everywhere! Mayor Fenty announced that bars will be opened till 4 am on the 20th! Well, that is big news for a city that sleeps at 10 pm.

Yesterday, during lunch break, I walked around the White House and took these pictures. Abby sent me the picture of the blockage of LaFayette park. (Thanks, Abby!) As you can see, it's close to show time!