surprise birthday party

I joined a surprise birthday party orchestrated by Eugenia and Jolie for Rachel's 50th birthday! We shared delicious Chinese dishes, a chocolate cake and best wishes for her birthday day. — eating B-DAY celebration at Peter Chang Arlington.

13th Annual "Canola on Capitol Hill"

Coming in DC to attend 13th Annual "Canola on Capitol Hill", and enjoyed the food cooked with canola oil and two special cocktails, including the magic Farmer's daughter: strawberry juice with basil leaves and vodka cocktail . — at Hart Senate Office Building.

Overall Run-Heiskell Hollow Loop

Took a 17.5-mile 4300 ft gain hike along Overall Run-Heiskell Hollow Loop. The weather was nice and warm most of the hike except some light rain and about 30-min windy and cool period. We ran into two rock-climbers at the overall run fall, and I got a photo of a half-ball shaped tree tumor. Five of us had an after-hike dinner at the Korean restaurant. I ordered black bean sauce pork noodles and meat bum this time. — at Overall Run Falls, Shenandoah National Park.

opening party of ReMex Gateway Fairfax

Attended a grand opening party of ReMex Gateway Fairfax. — in Fairfax, Virginia.

Kizuna Sushi & Ramen

I met a friend for dinner to exchange travel and investment notes. Rather than studying stock technical analysis myself, it may be more effective to hire an advisor with access to an advanced algorithm. I am expecting a major correction by August, but who knows?! One thing for sure, Raman always tastes good. I miss those I tasted in Japan. — eating eating dinner at Kizuna Sushi & Ramen.

Cedar Run/Rose River Falls/Hawksbill/White Oak trails

I used DayQuil to suppress running nose and cough, I completed this 20 miles 4500 ft gain hike in a summer feeling winter day with three other hikers along Cedar Run/Rose River Falls/Hawksbill/White Oak trails. This cold was not as bad as the cold I had in Cuzco right before my Inca Trail hike, and I knocked the cold out with the sweat of this hike. Hawksbill Peak was as windy and gorgeous as usual. Wish I had time to take photos of the scenic Rose River Loop. We four went to a Vietnamese Restaurant Pho Duong at Cnetreville after the hike, and I ordered the delicious grilled pork rice noodles. —  at White Oak Canyon Trail.

Korean family restaurant

6 hikers ate at this Korean family restaurant after a long hike. When I tried to order new dishes, I asked next table Korean guests for advices, and they kindly shared Korean sweet spicy fired chicken with us. Thanks to Zhen who ordered leek meat bums to share, and two of us tried a new dish, seafood rice, which had scallop and sea cucumber, in addition to shrimp, measles, squids in the signature seafood noddles soup. As usual, I shopped food at next door H- mart, sampled new foods, and got sweet mango & banana curry and spicy seafood curry at a great promotional price. — eating eating dinner with at Jang Won Ban Jum (장원반점).

15.5 mile including Sam's Ridge

Had a fun 15.5 mile 4310 feet elevation gain hike in a spring like weather! Two major uphills, including Sam's Ridge. My body turned pretty hot on steep uphills, yet fortunately I just roll up my pants into short, and slid down my biking sleeves so only t-shirt, to get better ventilation. Many little stream crossings, but a big one to try my new sports sandals. I bought two older models from Gold Pigeon when I was in Taiwan, and found their California store and got this model which was extremely conformable, light weight, durable for hiking, waterproof, and well designed. I tried a few Teva but none I like as much as this one.

Ice hockey clinic organized by DC Dreams for Kids

I volunteered at the annual ice hockey clinic organized by DC Dreams for Kids with the Washington Capitals at Kettler Ice Plex in Ballston Common Mall this afternoon. I paired with another volunteer to push our 8th grade kid Netalie around on a sled to play hockey. I photoed with Capitals players and the coach today. — at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.