Washington, DC: All the famous buildings

First morning in DC - I had lunch in Georgetown at a little cafe called Leopold's and caught a bit of World Cup mania (left). Then I headed to a cafe to work on the blog and noticed that the time was stuck at 4:20 (right). It felt a little bit like home. I miss SF.

The White House...and me talking on the phone with Annie while taking a picture of myself and the White House!

Bald eagle sculpture and the Washington Monument

Treasury Department (left) and Environmental Protection Agency (right) - both who, hopefully, will protect the future of this great nation

American History Museum aka America's Attic (left) and a display on Route 66 (right). I used to live right off of Route 66 (Foothill Blvd) in LA.

Michelle Obama's inauguration gown, shoes and jewelry

So many museums in this town...this is going to take awhile.

Hershey, PA: Chocolate World!

While driving through rural Pennsylvania, I saw this sign that said, "Hershey" and I HAD to get off the highway to take a look. It was about a 40 mile detour but what the heck. (I know, I shouldn't take pictures while driving but, eh, hazards of traveling solo)



I kept following the signs that said "Hershey Attractions" and wound up pulling into a parking lot. The parking attendant asked where I was going. I said, "I don't know. I just got off the highway and followed the signs!" He laughed, told me I had three hours free and off I went! First stop - Chocolate World!



I don't think I've ever seen mounds of chocolate piled this high.



Next I walked over to Hershey Park. It's a theme park with roller coasters and everything! I had no idea!



Since I didn't have time to go to the theme park, I drove around the town of Hershey instead. Street lamps shaped like Hershey Kisses and streets with names like "Cocoa Ave" and "Chocolate St". A kid's dream!

Alas, it was time to move on...next stop Washington, DC!

Canandaigua, NY: Chris and Katie's Wedding

It was a beautiful sunny day in the Finger Lakes for Chris and Katie's wedding.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Day (left), Chris and his sister Loretta (right)

Irene, who I've known since 5th grade (left) and the US vs. England World Cup match (right). Who knew Chris would schedule his wedding during a US World Cup game?!

All the girls from Taipei American School (left) and TAS boys (right). Yep, I've known most of these people since 5th grade. Scary but true...

...and all the TASers together!

Durham, NY: Two cars, an apartment and a one eyed pirate cat

Last summer I rented an apartment in South Pasadena which also came with a car and a cat. Marjorie, the apartment/car/cat owner, was going to her farm in upstate New York for the summer. In exchange, she drove my car which was in Ithaca. Unfortunately, I pulled the hand brake on my car and something was stuck. Somehow, between Jon, my neighbor, John, my mechanic, and John, the AAA guy, they fixed the problem. Not long after, Pico the cat disappeared for a couple days and came back with a gashed and bleeding right eye. The poor cat spent the next few weeks with his head in a cone, claws dug into the screen door desperate to go outside while I played the mean controlling cat-sitter. Pico became blind in that eye but at least he was able to keep it. By the way he jumped around on things and precariously balanced himself on the edges, you would have never known that he was a one eyed pirate.

Marjorie and Pico have since moved permanently to upstate New York and I was lucky enough to spend a night with them in their barn house in Durham, NY.

The driveway to the barn and the barn house




The cars together!



Old phone and back porch



Pico - the one eyed pirate cat!

NYC: Great friends, great food

Jennie, my Little Lamb partner in crime. Can never get me enough 小肥羊!





Blue Ginger sushi with Lily, soon to be Mrs. Paul Hyun!



And Sharyn, my best boxer wine lady at the Ginger Man



The bar at Momofuku Ma Peche



Cheesecake and latte at Cafe Lalo (where Meg Ryan waits for Tom Hanks in 'You've Got Mail')



Natural History Museum



Amazing crabmeat stuffed flounder and fried scallops at Modern Snack Bar in Mattituck

Ithaca is Gangsta

The image of Christian at the karaoke bar sporting his "Ithaca is Gangsta" green t-shirt will always bring a smile to my face.

And Sage Hall - a place where I practically lived for a year - will always bring back memories (Hi Astrid!).

The Nines (yummy fried corn nuggets and fried mushrooms, deep dish pizza, pitchers of beer on the patio, Jeff falling off his chair into the sidewalk) and John Thomas (melted brie, crusted steaks)

Purity Ice Cream and last but not least, Just a Taste. I sat at this very stool the first time I came to Ithaca just over two years ago for my Johnson interview. And here I am again on my last night in town. Good times, Ithaca, good times.