guest to a office holiday dinner

I was invited to a friend’s office holiday dinner @ Mana Chang, a very popular Chinese restaurant and full of people on Saturday night.

Here were the dishes of the night: steamed whole branzino 葱姜海鲈鱼, peking duck 北京烤鴨, Fresh Chili Flounder With Cumin 干煸孜然鱼片, Cumin Spicy Lamb Shank 手撕孜然烤羊腿, Hot Chili Oil Flounder Fish And Soft Tofu 外婆鱼豆腐, Stir Fried Beef With Oyster Mushroom 葱爆杏鲍菇牛柳, wuhan sesame noodle 武汉热干面, Stir-Fried Beef With Broccoli花椰菜嫩炒牛肉, Baked Egg Yolk Pineapple Bun 鲜烤菠萝流沙包, Rice Cake And Brown Sugar 红糖糍粑, Fermented Rice Cake 外婆米凉糕. They all tasted delicious.

Friends hike Mount Marshall to Bluff trail

 

I hiked with a group of friends on Mount Marshall to Bluff trail for 13.6 miles with 2600 feet elevation gain. We started in 30f and it warmed up to 42f.

Plus my weekend 9 miles run, I logged in 22.6 hike/run miles this week.

1st stage theater holiday party @ Tyson

 I invited one friend to join me to 1st stage theater holiday party @ Tyson’s. I have been ushering here since 2016, one year after Heidi the director of Engagement joined the theater. This party also served as a farewell party for Heidi who will relocate to TX. We will miss her.

Maryland Heights hike & walking around Harpers Ferry

 

I hiked the Maryland Heights portion (6.5 miles, 1500 feet elevation gain) with the meetup group on Saturday, then ran on the toll path on my own while the group was hiking Loudoun Heights. I was too slow with my winter hiking boots and lazy legs to catch up with the group, so I stayed back to run and explore around town. I need to train more this winter to raise up my fitness level.

Beside visiting John Brown Museum, I saw unusal things in twon (1) a lock-picking group on the bridge unlocking onsite; (2) a local protest for minority rights (Harpers Ferry town mayer was in the lineup); (3) the process for a passenger to off-board at the train station; and (4) two ladies dressed up Victorian for a festive "Olde Tyme Christmas." I then walked around town to hunt for the festival events: Father Christmas meet-and-greets, a Victorian candy-making workshop, kid's crafts (pine cone ornaments), live music (harpist, fiddler), etc. https://otc.experienceharpersferry.com/.../date/2025-12-13

Back to John Brown Museum, I passed that street cornor many time for hikes, but never noticed the Museum. John Brown believed armed insurrection was necessary to end slavery, and his Harpers Ferry raid aimed to seize weapons from the armory and give them to enslaved people. His raid failed, he was captured, tried, and hanged.

Plus weekday run, I logged in 18.64 hike/run miles this week.

friend's hike Roller Coaster

 

I hiked with friends on Roller Coaster this Saturday for 8 miles with 2000 feet elevation gain over a thin layer of snow on the Appalachian Trail. I used micro spikes for the downhill to be safe, adding the weight from my winter hiking boots that gave me extra workout.

Plus my 7.3 miles weekday run, I logged in 15.3 miles hike/run miles this week.

Digital Dems Holiday Party hosted by Google and YouTube Civics

 

Due to the 30f (below 0c) low temperature, I almost skipped the Digital Dems Holiday Party hosted by Google and YouTube Civics. Nevertheless, I went in DC and had good time. Highlights included the art AI transformed me into the famous pearl earrings girl, food, drinks, and new friends. You can download Google's "Art & Culture" app to a smart phone, select "Play", then interact wth "Art Selfie 2" mini app to remix your selfie with art.

I also spoted a poster in the bathroom, that I later googled and found out about "Learning on th Loo", i.e., Google turns bathrooms into classrooms. Pretty unique.

Year-end real estate investment meetup

 I attended an year-end real estate investment meetup, and got my first Christmas tree shot this year.