March 31, 2007
Rundown of events
Back on the blog scene. I don’t have any explanation for the disappearance but I’m here now to make amends. The last couple of weeks had been quite interesting. First off, Spring is here! Now, this is my kind of weather. It actually makes me want to get up early in the morning and punish myself with Pilates. Last Monday the temperature soared to 80F and the island girl in me was only too happy to embrace the heat. Sunshine could be a natural high! The husband, on the other hand, was complaining that the apartment was hot as Hades. His whining reminded me of the day he stepped out of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport October last year, feeling like he was walking on burning coals.
Two weeks ago I was at the Senate Dirksen Building to cover an inquiry on the spate of political killings in the Philippines. (Read article here.) I was accompanied by Rose, a very nice Filipina who also lives in Alexandria and who I met recently. Ah, the relief of finding another Bisaya! As soon as we said hello to each other, we were running our mouths over anything we could think of. Lahi ra jud basta Bisaya na ang kaatubang.
Inside the hearing room I was getting copies of the speeches when I heard someone call my name. Who would have thought I would meet my former boss from a newspaper in Cebu? He had left for the US several years back but I never expected to bump into him in DC. Small world. Instead of a handshake, he raised his right hand in “mano po” fashion and I obliged. Very funny. Mr. N was in the company of an ecumenical delegation which had testified before the Senate. During the momentary breaks, he quizzed me on the recent goings-on in my life with a little ribbing.
Mr: N: I heard you’re already married.
Fleur: Yes, sir.
Mr. N: Against who?
Fleur: Hehehe!
He asked me asked how I manage to trick the husband into matrimony. I said I used my captivating personality and undeniable charm. Some people are still shocked to know that I am, indeed, happily wed. I don’t think I actively projected myself as the marrying kind, but I’m sure I didn’t declare either that I was entering the convent or aspiring for single blessedness. Rose, a career woman herself, said the thought of marriage didn’t hit her until she turned 40. I feel you, sister.
Meeting the ex-boss (second from right) during a Senate hearing. Joining me in the Capitol excursion is fellow Cebuana, Rose (second from left).
The following week, we took advantage of the warm weather and persuaded another Filipina from Woodbridge to join us. We spent close to nine hours exploring DC’s famous tourist sites, with a side trip to the mall. That was expected - girls are almost synonymous with shopping. I ended up buying two shirts.
The husband and a colleague met us for lunch in Chinatown and from then on, we put our feet to good use. By 6 p.m., sufficiently exhausted from all the walking, we dragged ourselves home. We capped the day’s events with dinner at TGIF.
Up next: a trip to the thrift shops!
Going Chinese! The husband snapped this picture after lunching in Chinatown with fellow Pinay daytrippers Rose and Lynden.
The Monument providing a wonderful background.
Posing jud habang init pa. Taken outside of the Smithsonian Castle.