Luch @ Lakeside Asia cafe

 

Before lunch at Lakeside Asia cafe品味天府with a friend, I did my 1st oil change inside my car and checked out the newly opened H-mart in Herndon.

The restaurant is right in my neighborhood but I 1st ate there and pretty authentic. As to the Valvoline in-vehicle oil change, the shop was smart to have work space under the ground floor and check/change everything efficiently in 15 minutes. The Groupon promotion is only $21.99 + $0.51 tax. Great deal! The new H-mart is huge and with a lot promotional items. Go check it out!

Play: “Trip to Bountiful” @ Ford’s Theater

 

I went in DC to usher for “Trip to Bountiful” @ Ford’s Theater. It was about an old lady’s longing to go back to hometown and finally made the trip, while her son and daughter in law try to keep her from making the journey for financial and health concerns. I think I understand better why people want to return to hometown when they get really old (落葉歸根).

Ford’s Theatre was the site of Lincoln’s assassination, and it has museum exhibits. I knew about the Theater years back when taking a free walking tour on Lincoln’s assassination. You can google and try that great walking tour.

Fiesta DC 2022

 I went in DC to usher for Ford’s Theater, yet using the time beforehand to check out Fiesta DC 2022 celebrating Hispanic Heritage month with art, live music, food, culture and entertainment! I swung by the Parade of Nations on Constitution Ave, and took a lot of photos. My first DC Festival after COVID!

14 miles with 3900 feet elevation gain over Pine Hill Gap, Catlett Mountain, Pinnacles Overlook

 

I enjoyed a wonderful weather hiking with a meetup group for 14 miles with 3900 feet elevation gain over Pine Hill Gap, Catlett Mountain, Pinnacles Overlook in the Shenandoah National Park. During lunch break, we had one hiker Ali kindly shared his homemade hazelnut cookies. At the end of the hike, our deal hike leader Susan kindly shared brandy chocolates, and hiker Sartaz surprised us with her homemade green tea mochi (抹茶麻糬). So glad to have great weather, great hike, great people, and great food. BTW, I tasted a wild apple on the trail, and took home some wild mushrooms chicken of the woods.

The only mishap was our sweeper had to bail out of the hike after the 1st peak for foot issue, and I carpooled with him. Nevertheless, we managed to move our belongings to another cars and carpooled back with a different vehicle, a Tesla (my first ride)!

I ran 6 miles after the hike to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Play: “Host & Guest” by Synetic Theater

 

I attended a lunch and learn session on mortgage products @ the Tower Club in Tyson’s Corner, and then camped in a public library for a few hours before ushering for “Host & Guest” by Synetic Theater @ Crystal City tonight.

Synetic is unique in storytelling most through movements. This 90-min play has some dialogue. I agree with one review that "when the dances are followed by scenes with dialogue, this creates doubt of your previous interpretation." You can read more reviews online.

Usher for “Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story”

 After the air show, I went into DC to usher for a play @ Theater J: “Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story”. It was performed via a format I haven’t seen before: “klezmer musical," that has toured Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, and now DC. The show has a band and a narrator explaining to the audience.

air show in Andrew Air Force Base

 I tagged along a family friend to see the air show in Andrew Air Force Base. Highlights included six USAF Thunderbirds (classic red white and blue single-engine F-16 Fighting Falcons), Ken Pietsch Cadet Comedy Routine, Patty Wagstaff Extra 330 Aerobatic Demonstration, jet firetruck, etc.

Kent Pietsch executed storied acts including a dead-stick (turning the engine off) routine from 6,000 feet and a comedy act that features a detached aileron (wing flap) and a mesmerizing wingtip-scraping pass down the runway.  Patty Wagstaff is 3-Time US National Aerobatic Champion and 6-Time Member US Aerobatic Team. Watching her Aerobatic Demonstration made my head dizzy and neck hurt. I bet she didn't eat breakfast before the performance.

I was lucky to join my friend who was F-15 fighter pilot to get into the base with his veteran ID; otherwise, I would have to take shuttle buses from FedEx field to see the show.