Easter

For the first time in several years I had Easter off, and for the first time in several months I left NYC. There aren't a lot of reasons to leave, just about anything you want to do can be found there, but there are some people that are so important to me that I'd leave fun-land to visit.

I took the bus down to DC to visit with my friend Rachel (you might remember her from my post about visiting the Empire State Building). She's a public health nurse down there and has become a dear friend during these last few months. See, it does payoff to talk to strangers! She allowed me my guilty pleasure of walking the Tidal Basin and visiting the Jefferson and FDR Memorials (2 of my faves) in search of the one, lone, still blooming Cherry Blossom!

We then went and joined some of her friends at Comet Ping Pong, where yes, your tabletops are actually ping pong tables and there are several lively competitions going on in the back of the restaurant. Too bad it was fairly steady or else Rach would've kicked some butt with her customized/hand painted paddle!

Comet was featured on Diners, Dives, and Drive Ins

After staying up way too late (like you should for any good slumber party) we grabbed a few hours of sleep before heading out to the sunrise service at the Lincoln Memorial. The service itself was amazing and horrible all at the same time! It was so majestic to watch the sun rise behind the Capitol building and Washington Monumnet, especially as we sang praise songs about our Risen King...but the pastor was that stereotypical "Southern Preacher" you'd see in a movie. Listening to him was just embarrassing. He was this close to being as bad as the "Nascar Prayer" guy who thanked Jesus for his smoking hott wife. This guy referred to his wife as a Vixen and his Bride (guess what, that's past tense...both of them!). He also made some jokes about the offering and that the closer to the front the more $ you should give, it just feeds into people's perceptions of the church wanting your money. Sad. If you've ever wanted to go for the sunrise service there, just consider yourself warned. Not the best message, but if you already know the real Easter message then you'll enjoy the sights and singing.

Rach and I grabbed a yummy brunch together then I took the metro up to Baltimore to spend the rest of Easter with Alicia, Bob, the twins, her parents...basically I was craving a family and they are the closest substitute I have! I had a great time playing with the kids, decorating some cupcakes, spending time just sitting down and talking and being surrounded by a loving family.

It was exactly the break I needed from my past-paced city life. The kids are getting so big, and talk up a storm. It's so touching that they not only know my name, but want ME to do things with them. Yes, I felt special when they wanted to show me that they "pee peed in the potty". And that they wanted me to tuck them into bed. And that they looked for me when they woke up. It was just too sweet! I also enjoyed some fun adult time with Bob and Alicia making s'mores over their firepit. It was a good reminder that I can still enjoy the small things in life. This fancy city life of mine is only for a season, and when it ends, I'll be ok.