Spooky Hollow's Haunted Trail and Hay Ride

Jess, Amber, Houda and I went to Spooky Hollow this evening for their haunted hay ride and trail. We had so much fun...we were EXTREMELY giggly and have not incorporated ' "touche" ' as a source of amusement to us.

We got to Spooky Hollow after dinner at Basset's. We parked and headed to the activity area. While we waited for our group number ot be called for the haunted trail, we decided to go on the haunted hay ride. Equipped with warm cider/hot chocolate on this chilly chilly night we got in line. We were extremely giggly and definitely the annoy group around. Whatever...we had fun! The hay ride was nice...not scary or anything...but fun and not lame either.

After the hay ride, we sat around the bonfire eyeing other people's marshmallows while waiting for our group number to be called.

Once called, we went into the haunted trail like bunch of giggling teenagers. We definitely enjoyed ourselves during the entire trail. Some of the cool parts of it were the 3D house - we put on 3D goggled and walked into this barn type thing, there a man appeared covered in3D paint, we didn't see where he came from and he completely blended it the walls. Houda ended up thanking one of the "scary" people who helped us find the door out and apologising to another she stamped. hehe. , the dark house - we heard and engine revving and smelled diesel as we entered this house where everything was pitch black and we had to feel our way through it, crawl under a wall in this pitch darkness into a corridor with ballooning 'walls' that we had to push aside to make space through, there Houda (who was leading our group) suddenly exclaimed, "I'm sorry!!!! I didn't mean to feel you up!!!!" to one of the actors, walking over the lake was cool, as was the haunted and abandoned school bus.

Lots of laughs later, we emerged from the trail and headed home. :)

Bassett's Fine Food And Spirit

After apple picking, where Jess joined us in the end for the animal feeding we went for dinner to Basset's Fine Food and Spirit. Amber joined us there. It was exactly what Houda and I wanted - hardy food.

As an appetizer we got the Sauteed Clams Casino (Sauteed littleneck clams with green and red peppers and garlic). It comes with bacon, but we got it without bacon. I didn't care too much for it, mainly because it was too fishy for my liking.

Sauteed Clams Casino

As my entree, I got the Hot Roast Turkey (Fresh roasted turkey breast served with herb dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy. Also included house salad). This was good. Not out of this world, but good. It hit the spot I wanted it to hit!

Hot Roast Turkey

Apple Picking etc.

Finally, after ages of wanting to do fruit picking at farms I went apple picking today with Houda. We went to Homestead Farms in MD. They didn't have too many apples left on the trees. But from the two rows that still had apples, Houda was able to pick 10+ lbs of apples and me, 3+ lbs. It was fun! :) :) :)

Also, the apples are DELICIOUSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

One-Zero

This movie was part of the Arabian Sights Film Festival in DC. The movie showcases different stories and their coming together on the day of an important football match for Egypt. I quite enjoyed it. :)

Autumn

The rain, wind and autumn did this somewhere outside work.

Fresh Skies

The sky looks so fresh and clean as the clouds begin to part at the end of a rainfall.

9:30 AM Moon

Why I Missed Boot Camp Today

The first time since April that I've missed class because I didn't wake up on time.

Pearls Before Swine - 9

Go Pig!!!!!!

Bill Cosby - Take 2

We went for Bill Cosby for the second time in as many years this evening. We had gone for his stand-up (well...in his case it is sit down) on Jan 24th last year. It was hilarious! But, this time, I was a tired/sleepy so I remember enjoying the performance in 2009 better. Also, a few of the jokes were repeated so that obviously had a role to play.

At 73 he's just amazing!!! He's old and he doesn't try to hide it. He performs sitting down with a table near him that has a tissue box that is extensively used. His expressions are what make his jokes! I'm so so so so glad I've been able to watch him live twice, now.

I realised late into the show that people were taking photos. I tried to take some of to capture the plethora of expressions he has. I was unable to capture his classic gesture of raising his hand up with his fist closed when he ends a joke that has a the husband victorious over the wife. hehe!

I love the guy!

My Computer has an Object in Zombie State!!!!!!! :-o

Alone In Boot Camp

Today was the first time I was along in boot camp since I started going last year. I wish the solo class had been with Shelly rather than with Edwin. Though, I think I was the only one in class because Shelly doesn't teach us anymore. Siiigh. Catch 22.

I did learn one new thing in class today. Body weight rows. These photos are the best I could find to show what they are. Also, from looking online I found out that body weight rows are EXCELLENT to correct your posture and spince curve (from the bad c-shape to the correct s-shape)

Sstep 1: Start in this position

Step 2: Then pull yourself up with your arms to this position.

Tomorrow's News Today!

Random Baby Post

just due to sheer adorability! DED!

Aloe Drink

I tried Vanessa's aloe drink today. First time I have ever had an aloe drink. This one was delicious! Tasted exactlyyyyyyyyyyy like lychee juice! YUM!!!

Cookie Nerd Alert!

Sequence Data Cookies

Mitosis Cookies

I Wanttttttttttt These Cookiesssssssssss!!!!!!

How super duper spectacularly cool are these? Some people are pure geniuses!!! Here's a link to the recipe for these cookies.

Yes, yes, I am aware I am being a total nerd. So? What's your point? huh? huh? huh?

Xavier's, You Make Me Proud!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

On the notice board in Xaviers:

Not mincing words, the notice says that while the book does reflect critically on political parties of all hues and in particular deplores the threats of violence unleashed in the 1970s by a particular party, "it is inconceivable that in the 21st century, a political outfit will not show the maturity to accept criticism and answer it by the evidence of its own actions."

The notice adds that the management, staff and students of the college read with consertation Mumbai Mirror's October 2 report on the emergency withdrawal of Rohinton's book by the university.

Here's a link to the article that tells us about Fr Frazer taking on the sena! :)

IT'S A BIRD!!!!!

No...It's MANY BIRDS!!!!!!!!!

Knots (type of bird) formed the shape of a bird as the took to the air last week at the RSPB's Snettisham Nature Reserve, in Snettisham, UK. The reserve lies on the edge of "The Wash" one of the most important bird sanctuaies in the UK supporting over 300,000 birds.

Mornin' Blue Jay!

Saw a Blue Jay this morning as I was walking up to my work building. So pretty! :)

DC and Me

Recently, a couple of people have told me that I am always doing something 'cool'. Until this was mentioned to me, I hadn't really realised that the things I had been doing were cool. I began thinking about what these people saw in the things I did. Perhaps my taking this summer to stay in DC and do things around has actually resulted in my doing a slew of interesting things. Of course, my intention wasn't to do 'cool' things. It was just to experience the city and have fun. I did have fun. It's been a pretty full blog, hasn't it? So, all this got me thinking more and I thought about all my time here in DC. I have been able to explore a variety of things that interest me, from adventure, to nature, to theatre, to music, to art, to relaxing, to innovative, to educational, to gastronomic, to exciting. I am really glad for my good fortune. I am always on the look out to do something and I am now even able to go for events on my own if I can't find someone to go with. I am extremely thankful for the luck and opportunity that's come my way during my stay in DC, the city where I came into my element.

Pearls Before Swine - 8

Because I love jigsaws and because I love pig! :D

How They Sold Bottled Water At Ovo.

Ovo

Photo of the stage that I took before I realised photography wasn't permitted

Ovo is playing at the National Harbor right now in the DC area. This cirque du soleil performance was about insects. I went for it with Houda, Adnan, Houda's mom and Houda's brother (Hisham). The show was fantastic!!

My favourite performances:

1. Ants
The hardest working insects in the community are the bright red Ants. As soon as they’re awake they spend their day gathering food: On the menu today – kiwis, corn and mushrooms. But it’s not all work. They play with their food, too – with their feet – in an astonishing display of precision juggling that climaxes with ants juggling ants.

The sync, the juggling and the acrobatics was just amazing!!! This performance was my absolute favourite of all.

Ants!!!!

2. Slackwire
The spider defies gravity and physics in a succession of seemingly impossible feats of strength and balance as he traverses a wire that appears to give him no support. At one point he hangs at a 45-degree angle over the ground, some 15 feet below, and he tops that with an upside-down unicycle act. And the wire is in almost-constant motion up and down, adding to the degree of difficulty.

My favourite bit was when he rode the the unicycle upside down!

Slackwire

3. Wall
This act features some 20 artists running, jumping, and walking across – and straight up – an 8m vertical wall without artificial support. Power track and trampolines give them the speed, lift and momentum to take flight. Their athletic ability, physical strength and team coordination take care of the rest.

I have seen performances before where artists jump off trampolines and climb walls but they have some form of artificial support. This performance was just phenomenal!

The Wall

National Harbor

Today was the first time I ever saw/went to the National Harbor. It is gorgeous out there. The clouds and sun peeking out of them made for a really pretty sight. Since I was going for Ovo, I didn't really get to explore the area. Hopefully, someday... I really wish this place was more easily accessible by metro. Oh well...

It's been 15 years...

Pinky and Sonu left Muscat in 1995. We used to play together then...Today, 15 years later, Sonu and I met for dinner after a long day at work. So much changes in 15 years. All we did was play then, today's conversation was probably the longest we've ever had that didn't include terms like "doctor doctor" or "barbies" or "touching the wall" or "kitchen kitchen". There's something so special about meeting a friend from a part of your life you aren't in touch with. I don't think there are many building friends I am really in touch with. I don't talk about that part of my life with anyone who knew me from that time. It's wonderful to reconnect! I hope we stay in touch!

Why I Love You, Mama Lucia's!!!!!

The bread and the oil (with parmesan cheese and garlic) is delumptious!!!

Also of special note is their white pizza. :)

All Fired Up - Our Finished Work!

This evening we picked up the finished pieces of the pottery made a week back at All Fired Up. :) I think they came out pretty darn well...colours and all! Yay!!! :D

My Rice Bowl

My Tea Bag Holder - Top

My Tea Bag Holder - Bottom

Perfect Morning to go on a Long Walk with your Doggie...

...if only I had one. siiiiiiiigh

Free Breakfast!

Z Burger in Glover Park celebrated its 2 year anniversary this weekend. The were giving everyone free breakfast. I was walking back from pilates and stumbled upon this the good fortune. They had a few things to choose from: cheese omelet, ham and cheese omelet, veggie omelet, western omelet, pancakes etc. I picked the Veggie Omelet. Yummmm! :)

Anita Ratnam

Smita and I went to watch Anita Ratnam perform at the Lincoln Theatre today. The opening performances were the same as for Mallika Sarabhai. Anita Ratnam was fabulous. I especially enjoyed her performance of Yashoda and Yashoda's interaction with Lord Krishna.

After the performance she came out to meet with the audience. The photo at the beginning is the least blurry photo I got of her. Heh heh heh

Happy Birthday to me from Sephora