Wedding Weekend in Maryland

This past weekend I got to spend time with my dailo (big bro) and dai so (big bro's wife) and other gah jeh (big sis)this weekend! (They adopted me into their family years ago and they are my family away from family in the DC area! I love them lots!) My lovely flight on Jet Blue was delayed. This past Friday (July 28), there were major thunderstorms coming through the area. It did not come when my flight was supposed to lift off at 6:15pm. But we boarded the plane and at 6:45 after being seated at the tarmac without moving, we were told we could board off. But we had to get back by 7:30pm for weather update. NOT a flight departure because it all depended upon the weather. During that time, I got off and went to the Starbucks and got myself one of those new pomegrante frappachino drink (also with peach juice in green tea) very yummy! I notice since POM came out pomegrante has been popular. This fruit sure packs a punch with anti-oxidants too! Plus I did grab a sandwich (grilled chicken sandwich on yummy focacia bread with lemon caper mayo) and banana at the new Wolfgang Puck take away area. WOW prices were ridiculous but I coughed up the requisite $10.

By 7:30 we were all told we would be lifting off. But then we had to wait and wait. The line to fly off was long we were about number 8 in line and we were in the air after 8pm. I decided to read a bunch of magazines while in flight. We landed at 9:45pm into Dulles(a good hour and 45 minutes later than expected). Instead of taking a shuttle bus I walked along a LONG corridor from Terminal B to the main terminal. My Dai So told me that she hadn't eaten dinner yet! I called them once I knew I was not going to be on time (telling them to EAT!). But they didn't listen. Instead gah Jeh and Dai So went to the mail had their hair done (ideas how to wear their hair for the wedding). Alas for me, just the prior weekend, I had chopped off alot of hair. After experiencing the major heat wave and not owning AC (I live on the third floor ---heat rises). Plus my Chinese mom tells me not to have the fan on when I am sleeping. So I did contemplate shaving my head (but I rethought that) and cut off alot now it is chin length and the back part of the cut my hair curls up and out. I felt a major weight being lifted off my head.

We went to MUI KEE Cantonese Cuisine (6653 Arlington BlvdFalls Church, VAPhone: (703) 237-8884)for dinner. Since I had a sandwich and banana earlier. I decided to be good as I knew I was going to nosh on some good food over the weekend. I had the Congee with preserved egg and pork. (MY FAVE!). I had been to this place a few years ago where my gah jeh met her now beau. I recalled him favoring hawaiian shirts, has big ears and a ready smile with cute dimples. I am happy for gah jeh.

Then we caught up back at Dai lo's house. I checked internet and found out my gal who got married earlier this year in February (LQL) could not meet up. I was sorely disappointed. Maybe next time? But this weekend I was on a tight schedule and so I did not have a chance to venture into the city at all. (My Dai Lo lives in Fairfax City. I found out later very convenient to many places Tyson's Corner, good Korean food (have to have that next time) , Wegmans (I didn't know about it until Sunday).

I always tend to pack light. So when I saw Dai So she mentioned she and Gah Jeh were going to wear different dresses to the wedding on Saturday and reception. Funny, they forgot to tell me. But for once, I brought two dresses. I usually NEVER do it. I told them since one of the dresses I brought was new and I could wear it! It was fun.

I was tired and was out by 2:30am.

SATURDAY JULY 29- I woke up at 9am. Got ready and was wisked for a fitting. It is the type of fitting for undergarments that ALL women should do. According to OPRAH, (click onto the link below for more info). My ON NEE Aud made me sit through this episode. She had it tivoed for me to watch and learn.

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200511/20051115/slide_20051115_284_101.jhtml

It all started 10 years ago other friends have mentioned it is important. But I always shrugged it off wanting to put my money for art, entertainment, travel and experiencing life.

But now I realize I have to invest in myself. BOY no one can say I did not invest in myself after I got sticker shock. Yet, I realize the importance of comfort and fit. I was told I looked like another person. The size I thought I was just added to my bad posture and overall discomfort. Then of course Dai So and Gah Jeh were telling me that I was a desperate candidate to have the fitting. So there I did it finally!

Before we need to get lunch and leave I reconnect with two friends. One is a great friend from my old job in Cambridge and she wass in Michigan visiting family. She is going through a lot and my prayers to her. Also to my HS bud and his grandfather and family in NJ.

Back to the house, changed and then grabbed MCD with Dai So. I got the Grilled Asian Chicken Salad (I did not want to get the chicken nuggets). We waited for another couple to come RC and KC. They looked great! Plus KC looks great after having a girl not that long ago (four months ago). We were a bit late to the church. Dai Lo was one of the ushers. Dai So and KC were passing out programmes for the wedding.

Dai Lo found out last minute that he was escorting the bride's mom to her pew. The wedding went off without a hitch. It was not a traditional Catholic wedding (so it was mercifully brief). The couple looked radiant and my friend the groom Jack looked handsome! Marta was a vision in white and I loved her hair! I actually could understand the parts in Spanish (go HS spanish!).

Since we had a big block of time before the reception, we all went back and went to Tyson's mall. We picked up a passenger Shaleen who was a guest from NYC (who used to live in DC). She had on a beautiful strapless silk dress from Ann Taylor and wore three and half inch gold heels. We all changed to hang out at the mall. Dai So and Gah Jeh went to have their hair done up. I wanted a snack and got myself a rainbow roll (it sure hit the spot) at $10.24. I figured a better option than ice cream. I did have the new tangerine juice frappachino drink (one of the new juice/tea drinks at Starbucks). This is the most Starbucks I had ever.

We head to Bethesda, MD to the Strathmore Music Center which is the location of the reception. (photos from : http://www.strathmore.org/facilityrentals/musiccenter.asp)

(top--photo of the place middle--gazette promenade bottom-stairs to the reception---imagine many tables and chairs)

It is a beautiful space. From 6:30-7:30 we enjoy passed trays of mini crab cake balls, toast points topped with duck and lobster spring rolls. A selection of drinks from lemonade, delicious mojitos, red and white wines plus open bar were available. I loved the wishing tree to write a wish for the happy couple and the traditional signing the red silk were available. There were no favors (which was fine) as they donated the money to a charity. I think I better idea.

I got a chance to chat with the happy groom. So ecstatic for him and he will be going to Italy and Greece with his beautiful bride on Sunday night. I know he will have a great time!

We sit down at the lovely reception area. My feet are in pain as I am wearing two inch heels. Those who know me, know I intensely dislike heels. But I know they are a necessary evil at times. I can't get away with wearing sneakers with a nice dress. We saw the couple have their first dance----very cute. You could tell lessons were taken. The groom's father spoke and very eloquently at that too. People travelled from all over US, Canada and as far as Venezuela. Marta's folks came from the sunny state of Florida.

The food was great. I loved the sugar crusted tenderloan, broccoli rabe, make your own gazpacho (put in what you want), the halibut with veggies was my least fave because the portion I got was dry. I adored the salad----mesclun mixed greens, sugar coated pecans, fruit---blackberry, raspberry and blueberries with some feta cheese (yummy!). I enjoyed the wines. The wedding cake which was lovely I heard was vegan!!! The chocolate one is not though.

I had a great time dancing (great mix of music) and I was happy to see good friends. The floral bouquets were works of art and lovely. The sendoff is outside using sparklers. It was my first time using one! I had lots of fun and the effect was lovely.

The event ended at 11:30 and we headed to a nearby Silver Diner to chill with a newly engaged couple Dan and Sandita. They are very cute! I am happy for them. I am not hungry. I do take one spoonful of my Gah Jeh's "world's smallest sundae". By the time we head back to the house I am very tired. I am out once my head hit the pillow at 1:30am.

SUNDAY JULY 31--My body wakes me up and won't let me sleep. I get up at 9am and surf the net. Then I have some cereal. My Dai Lo and Dai So seriously do not have much food to nosh on. I then cannot figure out the TV and DVD player. I luckily figure out the computer and play the DVD I brought with me ISABELLA (HK 2006) with Chapman To (a great comedic actor in a serious role). The movie was two hours, I can see it strived to be serious and arty. I wasn't that enamoured with the flick. I enjoyed the little I saw of MY KUNGFU SWEETHEART (HK 2006) with Cecilia Cheung and Leo Ku. It is a silly movie but I was more in the mood for this flick.

My Dai So gets up at 12:30. Everyone else stirs around 1pm. We are hungry and finally jet out by 2pm to Old town Alexandria. Flying Fish is closed until 5pm. We head to Cafe Salsa ((703) 684-4100. 808 King St. Alexandria) across the street. I tried their award winning Mojito ($5.95) excellent! I love the presentation and the taste. Then Gah Jeh and I shared three appetizers ----tapas style. We had Seafood Cocktail Ceviche (Fresh shrimps, calamari & scallops with roasted corn & pico de gallo in lime dressing with aji amarillo $7.95) which was hands down our favorite. Next we had the Tostones Rellenos (Cuban style green plantains stuffed with a combination of pollo desmechado, beef picadillo and medley of fresh seafood oven baked with cheese. Served over Puerto Rican criollo sauce $7.95) we thought it a bit dry and desperately needed the sauce on the bottom of the plate. I admit I always seem to get reeled in when it comes to calamari and we got the Calamares en Piña (Fresh calamari lightly breaded & flash fried served over a sweet & spicy pineapple sauce $5.95 ) which was disappointingly dry and overcooked. I did not think this was flash fried at all!

Dai So loved her dish KEY WEST FLORIDA GROUPER SANDWICH (Fresh grouper lightly battered topped with a key lime mustard remoulade, mozzarella cheese, lettuce & tomatoes
$9.95) and she shared with Dai Lo who got the PLANTAIN CRUSTED CHICKEN CON PAPAS BRAVAS (Chicken Breast crusted in plantains bake in a roasted red pepper sauce with mozzarella cheese. Served with Aioli potatoes & roasted vegetables $10.95) I got to try the great Aioli potatoes and french fries (with the sandwich) YUMMY!

Since we still had some time to kill before Flying Fish opened (Dai So wanted the Pacific White Tuna aka Escolar). We walked along King Street and went to Starbucks. The third time in the weekend I was there. I got a Chocolate Chip frappachino drink. YUMMY! Then Gah Jeh got some great deals at Ann Taylor Loft with Dai So's guidance. I got to regroup with Dai Lo.

Flying Fish ( 815 King St., Alexandria, 703-600-3474 ) turns out to be a great sushi place but a local hangout for karaoke, drinks and foods. But Dai So raves for the sushi. Since we just ate we had a light "snack". I am not sure which roll we got but both were good--Dynamite Roll ($7.95 Escolar with spicy sauce, toasted and topped w/ crab meat & tempura bits) or Zoom Zoom Roll ($8.95Tuna, avocado, with spicy sauce, topped with crab, tempura, and flying fish roe). The Flying Fish Platter( $36.95 House specialty of 30 pieces: real Calif. Roll plus the chef's choice sushi & sashimi). I did enjoy the Fresh Tuna Lover ($8.50Escolar and yellow fin tuna sashimi plate). All the sashimi was delectable and high quality. The Escolar Dai So raved about is the (Pacific White Tuna) and it melted in my mouth. I ADORED it! Now I am going to be craving this stuff! UGGGH!

Dai So noticed in the women's room the free sushi buffet this upcoming WED. The waiter went into the women's room to see if it was true. It was but for the downstairs area not the upstairs area where we were seated. I guess you can call it great service and working hard to answer our questions.

We got back about 6:45pm in time to get a call from my high school buddy. He and his fiancee were on their way to get me. I did not realize my buddy is not an adventurous eater (Despite going to Korea a few times---I had recommended Korean food) but he declined. We ended up going for Mexican. I got the chicken salad. I enjoyed meetnig his fiancee . She is a lovely woman and they make a very cute couple. I cannot wait for his wedding and afternoon tea reception this coming September. I might see my Dai So's mom and dad too (if they decide to visit from the Philly area).

After dinner, they try to drop me off. Turns out that Dai Lo and Dai So are at Wegman's. My buddy graciously drops me off. He always was a gentleman. I do confirm the stories of the attache case (not briefcase in high school and how he wore his collars up on his polo and dress shirts back in the day). They tell me Wegman's is a great store and that one of their dates was at one for two hours!!!!

I met up with the gang then head home in time for a repeat of Grey's Anatomy (a fave of mine). I am trying to make up for the episodes I missed whilst in Europe backpacking. This one is the Xmas edition ---a loving father needs a brain surgery, a young boy has a weak heart (but is very pessimistic), everyone rallies to help Alex pass his boards (even Izzie and George).

(characters-Christina, Meredith and Izzie)
I printup my boarding pass as I have to wake up at 4:30am to be ready for the airport to board at 5:45am for my 6:15am back to Boston.

I go up to repack my stuff and sleep at 12:30am. (Thanks to my great HOSTS who are a loving family and friends! I cannot wait to see you all again soon---Gah Jeh in Philly and Dai Lo and Dai So in September.)