two congressional receptions

I attended two congressional receptions (Congressional Blockchain Caucus and Barley, Brews and Boots reception), and one alternative Bitcoin ( Equibit) launch party in one night, and simply exhausted and missed my metro stop and rode back again, but it was fun night. I tasted 30 kinds of beers in one of the congressional reception. — at Longworth House Office Building.

2017 Chicken calendars

I got two 2017 calendars as gifts from friends this year. A classic elegant one with Chinese paintings of roosters by National palace museum in Taiwan, and a fun Chick-fil-A one of a cow workout theme and a food sample card. The cow advertising helped Chick-fil-A, once a small, regional chicken player focused on mall locations, expand and become the country's 8th-largest U.S. restaurant chain. — in Falls Church, Virginia.

lunar new year lunch party

After 10 m test run on my new running shoes at 10:04 per mile in 30f, I joined a group of my fellow Taiwanese to have a lunar new year lunch party. We made dumplings (水饺) and green onion pancakes (葱油饼) from scratch, and cook many other dishes. Thanks to the chief chefs Amy and Candice who made the party possible. I ate countless frozen dumplings this life, but first time made the wraps myself because they were out of stock in Chinese supermarket. — at Wisconsin Place Apartments.

power outage at HOME

I camped in the local library for a power outage due to a broken pole for the whole day. Well, at least I stay warm and connected. I rushed home after a notification from the power company that the power got back at 5 pm! Very gradful to reclaim my kitchen and cook myself delicious mushroom tofu noodles. — checked in to Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library.

Korean seafood noodles (Jjamppong)

The Korean restaurant was so busy tonight that they ran out of table for single diner like me, so I ordered Korean spicy seafood noodles (Jjamppong) to take out and went shopping next door at H-Mart while waiting for takeout. I bought veg, fruits, and Nongshim Shin Ramyun (my Korean friends were crazy for this salty, spicy with a mild ocean aroma and bits of rehydrated shiitake mushroom and scallion floating in a thin but flavorful broth - when they travel overseas. It is exported to over 100 countries, and is the highest selling instant noodle brand in South Korea). There were so much food tasting in the H-Mart that I was halfway-full walking out. The Korean restaurant also packed Korean pickles, and I needed to mix up the soup and noodles myself at home. No bad to eat it at home after a hot shower. I was planning to go in DC for an Art reception but gave up after hearing from the radio that still many protesters trying to get on Metro in DC tonight. — at Jang Won Ban Jum (장원반점).

16.4 m hike in sea of cloud

i took a 16.4 m hike with 3690 ft gain with a group above a sea of clouds today in Massanutten with two major uphills over rocky trails, to get on Buzzard Rock and then Meneka Peak. We skipped Signal Knob because losing time to wait on slower hikers. We saw one trail runner, five mountain bikers (one with a one-wheel bike!), a few fishermen (caught good size trouts), and amazing sea of clouds at 2000 ft (unusually low altitude). It was 40f cold to walk via the cloud level, while sunny at 55f above the sea of clouds. I have seen sea of clouds elsewhere in the world, yet first time in Virginia and at such a low altitude! — at George Washington National Forest.

Sierra club winter potluck

I went to Sierra club winter potluck, and then realized it is not only a hiking club but also an environmental organization. I only hiked with the group twice because they do not offer many long hikes. I was told that there will be an one-day hike on 4/29/2017 for 50km or 100km cost $55 for registration. More likely I will just walk out and back on my own to stay flexible. — in North Bethesda, Maryland.

20 miles run this weekend to try on new running shoes

I ran on my brand new Brooks Ravenna 5 this morning, but toes started hurting after 7 miles and so bad that I had to stop at 10 miles (average 10:13 per mile). I loved my Ravenna 4, tried Ravenna 6 which torn at ankle tongue so I returned them. Ravenna 5 is not as well built as Ravenna 4, but much better than Ravenna 6. My feet may grow wider/longer as I aged? I will test with thinner socks then decide whether to go half size bigger. I was told at a running shoe store that my right foot is size 6.5 and my left foot size 6. So only one side grows bigger??? — at George Mason High School.

After changing into thinner socks and adjusting shoelace spacing to provide wider space for my toes, I ran another 10 miles today at a faster pace 10.08 per mile, although my muscles were tired by yesterday 10 miles. You can read more about the tips of tiring shoelaces to adjust to your foot shapes and to run 8 minutes per mile!!!
http://running.competitor.com/2015/05/photos/3-ways-to-lace-up-your-running-shoes_128380 — at George Mason High School.

home buyer seminar

Attended a home buyer seminar and learned their kickback to buyers reduces from 1.5% (2 Yrs ago) to 0.5% now. I need to shop for a better discount realtor. Btw, each loan application will cost your 3 points of credit scores, so pick the best 2-3 to apply. — at Redfin Falls Church Office.

Sport&Health trail

I could not even remember when I was in a commercial gym last time, after I got into running outdoor. I took advantage of 3-day trial membership and had 3 classes: strength, Zumba, yoga. I did not trust icy and snowy surfaces whether running or hiking, so going to the gym was a good alternative today. — at McLean Sport&Health.

dinner with my trade school (ITI) classmates

I had dinner with my trade school (ITI) classmates, chatted over delicious Taiwanese food (oyster vermicelli, vege combination, pig tongue, pork rib lotus root soup). 24 years passed so fast. Their only daughter is graduating from university in 1.5 years. —

play: COPENHAGEN at Theater J

I went into DC to watch this 2.5-hr play: COPENHAGEN. The play speculates what two renown physicists reunioned and discussed in 1941. The German physicist Werner Heisenberg traveled to Copenhagen to meet his Danish counterpart, Niels Bohr who was on opposite side in a world war and embroiled in a race to create the atom bomb. The play used easy language to explain quantum physics theories. — at Theater J.