springtime in dc

i woke up this morning, popped up my window and felt excited immediately. now, we all know that i HARDLY feel excited in the morning but i did for a couple of reasons:

1. it's a SATURDAY - woot woot!

2. it was going to be a sunny day around the 70s i.e. 20 degrees celsius. 

3. i had planned to wash my bedsheets AND whip out my spring clothing items - 3/4 things!

in any case, happiness surrounding item #3 was short-lived because i had to jump into my plaid shorts. what's new, what's new. 

then, i went on a mission of getting into the city alongside 300 million tourists/people/pets to witness the hype that is the CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL. riding on the metro felt like an eternity because we were stuck at every platform due to the crowds. i was transported back to being in singapore's city hall station during rush hour. but i was glad i wasn't tucked under some dude's armpit - phew. 

anyhow, we managed to get out unscathed and hiked to a grassy patch (somewhat close to the tidal basin) where you can see out to homeboy thomas jefferson's memorial... and yes, the cherry blossom trees were in full bloom! and it was snowing petals. i am pretty sure i ate 4 petals while we were going through our fruit salad and cheesey goodness. 

after soaking in the cherryblossomness, i headed to the mall to catch a movie with a coworker - clash of the titans. pretty enjoyable but nothing spectacular. then i went to my favorite eyebrow threadmistress, sanam to get my eyebrows done. now, i must describe the "salon". it's sorta like a makeshift stall situated between actual stores. in other words, all the shoppers are zooming by me as i get my brows done. ayisha thinks i am mad to have such "public" service but i think part of the experience is hearing what people say/do. today i had an asian lady walk up to me as i am getting my right brow threaded. 

al (for asian lady): is it really painful?

me: nah... and you get used to it. 

al: doesn't it feel like 30 minutes of torture?

me: it's not that long really. plus, i have a pretty low pain tolerance so if i am not crying, it's a good sign. 

al: is this your first time?

me: no.

al: that's why you're not crying.

me: yup, you got that right. 

al: how often do you have to do this?

me: hmm... it depends, every few weeks?

al: wow, good luck. 

and she walks off. HAHA. i think she had pretty nice brows from the times i peeked at her but i thought it the funniest conversation ever. 

to celebrate the fact that i wasn't crying, anita and i went for yummy thai food. and i drove home feeling stuffed while dancing to ke$ha (don't judge, people). it was quite the day. perfect weather, beautiful cherry blossoms, great friends, candid conversation, rather decent eyebrows and of course, a risen Lord.