C 'Est Si Bon...Simone Simone!

I took a day trip up to Amish Country. It was a perfect day to venture up there but everyone else had the same idea. There was even a group of YSA with their annual Dutch bike Dutch venture the same day. But I sadly did not partake of the biking this time. It would almost seem as if I have retired my bike for the season, I've taken to running instead of riding because I can run after work at the gym but not bike since it is so dark.


Initially we stopped at the little towns and shops/markets. But after a few disappointments of the tourist base/throngs of people we decided to take more time to roam the countryside which really was the most beautiful and peaceful. There were the Amish out working in the fields with their none motorized equipment, rolling hills, laundry hanging out on the longest highest lines I've seen and the fresh scent of manure which was so pungent to the senses.






I had amazing Birch Beer, hot apple cider, and an apple cider donut. That was my diet for the day.

I took the metro to work for the first time. It was kinda fun. I felt like I had been missing out all these years of traveling around the 495 to work instead of the metro. I could sit there and read, listen to my head phones and even talk on my phone (which you can't do in the District without a heavy penalty if you are caught).
But what I didn't account for the next morning was no shuttle from the Hospital (I wasn't told it doesn't run on weekends), heading to the opposite side of the city (I didn't take NW, NE into consideration when I google mapped my pick-up point for the bus to NYC). I was really tired, most people might deduct that a Chinatown bus is normally caught in Chinatown, yeah a terribly stupid moment. Well with all things considered I got to the right part of town with a little assistance with some time to spare before the bus left for NYC.

Harry Winston


The Strand


Gray's Papaya


Rice to Riches/Pink Berry

Shake Shack





Into the Heights



Cafe Lalo

BED and fast to sleep. I woke once, but with all the chatter, loud noises you'd think I would have been awake most the night. Not me. A train could have come through my room, a tornado, earthquake...you name it I would have slept right through it. I was dead beat after no sleep for 40 hrs.

Chelsea Market- Loved the little wholesome, natural, organic delicious market.


The Highline






Central Park/Alice and Wonderland Statue




Max Brenner...chocoate heaven!





more Pink Berry

the NYC metro



I had such lovely company. I am so glad I went to NYC this weekend. I can't believe I almost considered otherwise.

 

Unfulfilled childhood fantasies maybe? When my roommate told me she rented a castle for the weekend I shook my head in disbelief. It wasn't an old fortress, but a modern replica of a castle.

If you could build a house any design would you chose a castle?

I drove up with Jeff from DC and it took forever. Traffic was absolutely horrendous. We got in maybe 1AM, and it was should have only taken 8 hrs. The final few minutes up the unpaved driveway in the middle of the night gave me the creeps, especially when his Jeff's started making creepy noises, and he purposefully said things to give me a fright.

The next morning I was delighted by the scenery! New Hampshire was beautiful! Although it wasn't peak leafpeeper season the colors were amazing.


 
 
 


 
 
 
 

The group that went up was very chill, laid back and not my usual crowd. It was a good change.

 

Hannah and I kayaked across the lake one afternoon. I love being out in the middle of the lake.

One morning I walked around the lake with my camera.

 
 

We went to a Civil War reenactment. I couldn't help but think of Reese Witherspoon in 'Sweet Home Alabama.'

 

 


Comments we made during the battle. 'Shouldn't more people be dying?' 'Why doesn't he fall over?' 'Shouldn't that cannon fire have blown away that group?' So the reenactment was not well representative of actual events. But entertaining, and really a simply beautiful day!

Have you ever played murder in the dark in a spooky huge castle? I realized I am really a wimp when it comes to fear of the dark. I had to partner up with a friend and be one instead of two players.

I am keeping my head above water, but always thinking forward. But I am beginning to see that in the present is the best place to be.

I have been out of the blogging world for a while and when I have blogged it has been back blogging.

Update: I work at WHC in DC. I have been there since August 2nd. I moved from Springfield back up to Arlington (my first location in DC area) which gives me a full turn. I have been working part time in a home health position since March.

I recently got my esthetics license, masters tests to come in December.

From May til now I have taken lots of trips, traveled my heart out and been a tourist locally as well as internationally. I will blog about them eventually.

November I am going on a long road trip/cruise with my best friend, Sarah-Dawn.

I love the Fall. I love the turning of the leaves and the spirit of the Fall. God created such a beautiful world, and in DC there hardly is time to enjoy it thoroughly. I've taken some time to get out of the busy-ness and enjoy some of the beautiful parts of this area that were untouched by me. I just feel something different at this time of year. I try to breath it all in, and can't quite get enough. I can't quite explain it, is it related to the sense that another year end is at my heels?. But the child in me loves pumpkins, soup, candy, orange, yellow, black, witches, Halloween, costumes, cornfields, haunted houses. I went to the grocery store, Giant, the other day and while perusing found a few boxes of cereal calling to me. Who didn't love Franklin Berry, BooBerry, and Count Chocula when they were 6? I bought all three and have been enjoying them as a snack at work.

Williamsburg...Old Colonial
I have been down to Colonial Williamsburg, 3 hrs south the DC, about 10yrs ago after I graduated from high school. But I never bought the entrance fee ticket to enter the shops for demonstrations. Since I am moving I am not holding back to save a buck.
Each shop has an employee dressed in that era, giving a spiel about their specialty, and all speaking as in the 1700's before the Revolution. Blacksmith, Milliner, Apothecary, Shoemaker, Carpenter, Wheelwright, Cooper, Town Hall for a hearing, reenactment of Declaration of Independence reading, Governor's house, Wig Shop, Peddlers, and Bakery to name a few. I spent all day wandering the small town, visiting the shops, and chatting with 18th century folk.








I also walked through William & Mary College. Beautiful campus.

Did you know the EU or Europe itself passed a law in the 80's that you can only spend 3 months in all of Europe, that is 90 days in a 180 day period before you can return? So you can't just leave for one day and come back.
I guess they are cracking down on it and it is considered a criminal offense if you are caught in violation.
Well there you go folks. Change of plans for me. I will attempt to get my EU or Austrian citizenship back, it would have been smart to do that when my Dad was still an Austrian citizen (which was up until this past year). I often times don't do things the smart way. So instead of touring Europe for 3 months and then meeting up to be with Josh for 4 months in Germany/Swiss/Austria I will travel around Africa, meet up with him in Europe (for 3 months) and then probably SE Asia again (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Japan, Korea, maybe Mongolia) then back to Europe before finally heading home. We'll see what I can actually afford. I would love to ride on the Trans Siberian Railway from Asia across Russia to Moscow. It looks amazing but it costs around 5grand. Maybe I need to work my butt off, travel Asia and take that route back to Europe. That would be fun. But these are dreams talking not reality.
All that I know is that because Europe has 'joined' in this decision they limit the time you can spend there, as if it is one country. It is like the US joining with Mexico and the rest of North America...only 3 months in 180 days. Right now Europe can stick it, I am happy that the States is anal about Visa's because Europe is just as bad.