Motions In The City

We are officially in the midst of the holiday season, and although I'm groaning because of the state of the economy, I still feel a tinge of excitement about the possibilities of the season. Thanksgiving in the District is interesting, the streets were quiet, and the rain didnt keep the pre-teen boys from throwing the pigskin on scattered blocks througout DC. I posted up at home on Black Friday, to be sure and twart any spending as God knows I love to shop. I purposefully stayed in bed until 12 noon then slowly made brunch and watched movies. I know that I would've been tempted to head to Wheaton Mall or maybe even H&M or Macy's in downtown DC, so it's best that I kept to myself. Working so hard this season, I've not had a chance to move about the city as I would like, however I have been watching a few football games at Galaxy in Downtown Silver Spring (Dallas Cowboy's games are the best, the crowd is so rowdy)! I've also been to the Pour House in Cap...

I spent the last week in my psuedo-hometown of Orlando, Florida to welcome to the world my first niece, London Simone. I first have to say that my niece was born in the beautiful Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies which is something like the W hotel. After you valet park your car for an unheard of $5 you walk into the sliding doors into a waterfall section where water cascades overhead and on the sides of you. You then walk to the welcome desk where you check-in, and get a colored sticker with your picture on it and the room that you are going to visit. (The colored sticker changes daily). When we got to my sister's floor of the hospital the rooms are in a circle, and the rooms are like private hotel rooms. There is a television with cable, and padded art above the bed. The windows are window seat to ceiling along the length of the room. Her view overlooked two ponds. Also the food (which my sister got for free and her husband was able to order for $5) was restaurant quali...

If you would have told me that the highlight summer vacations 2009 would be Tennessee, I would have laughed out loud. For some reason, slowing down and taking time to enjoy the little things really make for a fulfilling vacation. The Road Trip: Maryland to Richmond/ Richmond to Johnson City. The Arrival: Thursday 4:35pm, Doubletree Hotel The Activities: Mall shopping, 3 days of BBQ's, Umoja Festival full with African Dancers, friend foods and music. Clubbing: Karma Niteclub, Visions "Grown & Sexy" party There is so much that happened during the trip, but since this blog is travel specific, I will only share that Johnson City is very family oriented. Everyone seems to know each other. Green hills are the background to this "city" and there is only one High School which is also connected to the Middle School. The Departure: Sunday @ Sunset, post final BBQ. Not sure that I would run back to JC, TN but I certainly wouldn't be opposed. Next time Memphis or Na...

I did my annual NYC trip this past weekend. I took a midnight bus from DC to NYC and arrived in my birth city around 5am. One of my best friends, and former roommate picked me up from 33rd and 7th (in her new car nonetheless) and we headed straight to Tick Tock cafe to get some much needed breakfast. The food was ok...but the conversation and post-club crowd made it interesting. I then made my way to Jamaica, NY to spend some quality family time, and then went over to Kew Gardens to hang with friends. Exploring the city via car is a VERY new experience for me, and although I'm a subway train rider at heart, I have to say that it was refreshing to be able to just jump in a car and go. Saturday night was spent with the girls at a place called Columbus 72, located as the name implies, at Columbus and 72nd. The crowd was mixed, the music was great (2 rooms, one with hip hop and the other with salsa). It rained the entire night, but I was so glad that I was able to hit up a night spot ...

I haven't had much time to get out and about, however, I was able to sneak off to Philadelphia again, and this time (just as last) I enjoyed my self thoroughly for such a short turn around trip. My 9 hours in Philly took me to a cute baby shower off in Ardmore, PA, then to the movies to see Transformers 2 with my brother near Temple University. My brother now resides in the heart of downtown off of Chestnut near Broad...I think. There are so many cute jazz clubs, and lounges in the area, not to mention restaurants reminiscent of NYC, on a smaller scale of course. We parked near a very upscale Mexican restaurant, and my brother (5 years younger than myself) proceeded to take me through the alleys and back streets of downtown to what he said was a perfect place to have dinner. We ended up at El Vez Mexican Restaurant. What a great choice! The place was packed and the 4 hostesses were swamped with customers. When you walk in there's a circle bar full of beautiful, fashionable peop...

My new DC eateries have me excited for my DC summer. They are places to see and be seen. They are also places that give me a sense of being in a thriving urban environment. Unique from the New York's and the LA's of the world, however just as urban-chic. EATONVILLE : Large space, cool vibe, interesting murals, great story behind the place and southern food that makes me feel like I'm at Grandma Lizzy's for the summer in Charleston, SC. Policy: Interesting space, posh look, AMAZING top floor with murals and chandeliers, and the food that matches the chic factor of the place (although pricey for the small portions). The Park: City networking and partying at its finest. This place screams DC, with its suits for happy hour, and DC Black A- listers . I'm warming up to this spot, and I feel like I'm in a Black Hollywood film whenever I'm there. I have more, but time doesn't permit at the moment. More DC spaces of interest coming up...

SO as of late, I've been uber-busy in DC. ( I understand that uber is reserved for teenagers and valley girls, but I'm somewhere in-between, the two, so leave me be!) DC is full of things to do in the Spring/Summer, and my interest is blooming (get it bloom...spring...). I've now started to partake, once again, in Salsa during the week. I plan to pick up on my karaoke next week, and then eventually, dare I say it, start jogging in Rock Creek Park. I know, it seems far fetched, and may even be too hard to believe. I guess you will just have to wait and see. My latest motions in DC have uncovered the following: EATONVILLE restaurant...I'm biased on this one, but it's good I promise. Lima Salsa Monday's...so much fun, so many people, the summer is looking promising. SILVERDOCS...their doc festival starts soon, and will have me taking in the cinematic arts. Bar Louie...been here a few times (Mardi Gras & Superbowl included) and it's the new NBA Playoff's...

DC FINALLY had a beautiful weekend of never-ending sunshine, and I was way too ready to enjoy it. I put on the most flowy dress (spell check says that flowy isnt a word, but you get the meaning), and the cutest sandals and headed out to the harbors. I stopped first in Baltimore at the Inner-Harbor, which was packed with performers, families, couples and even left-over cheerleaders from a nearby competition. I ate with a friend at Hard Rock Cafe, then strolled along the strip of restaurants and shops. The weather was perfect, not too hot, and not too cold or breezy. We even had an opportunity to eat Italian Ice as we tried to walk off the pounds gained at lunch. The strip of stores do not offer enough to keep someone at the harbor for hours on end, so we decided to see about another location. We were going to go towards Georgetown or the SW waterfront, but then decided on the National Harbor. The Gaylord Hotel in all its grandeur is the staple of the harbor, however I was pleasantly sur...

My little cousin, and by little I mean 21, convinced me to escort her and her boyfriend to the zoo this past Sunday. First I need to mention that it was one of the most beautiful days in DC, it was the day after the Cherry Blossom Festival, not too hot, not too cold or windy, it was perfect. We arrived to the zoo with what I believe had to be about 50% of all of the children in the DMV area. The place was packed, and the kids were running, laughing, crying, complaining, begging parents, eating messily and just being kids. Our mission was simple. My cousin wanted to see the lions, tires and bears, her boyfriend was all about the reptiles, and I had to see the monkey's, koala and polar bears. Fortunately for us, we got to see the king of the jungle, as well as a tiger and cheetah...but honestly outdoors that was about it for us. The place was packed, but the animals must have been hibernating. The reptile house looked more like an amusement park opening with a long line...to see liza...

So the little brother of mine moved to Philadelphia...aptly named the city of brotherly love, get it, my brother moved to the city for brothers. Anyhow, he says that besides the first day of his move being the worst snow day of the season, he actually likes it. This is coming from someone who has just left the Miami/Orlando area mind you. When I went back this time, the traffic was much less, since there was no basketball, football or baseball games going on this time. I arrived in 2 hours flat. I ended up in the Temple University area, which is very urban, which I love. We headed out to find a famous Philly cheese steak spot, not realizing that EVERY CHEESE STEAK SPOT IN PHILLY CLAIMS TO BE "FAMOUS." The first one we went too was in a very congested part of town, and since I was not in the mood to find parking we headed to another location. We ended up on South street. Traveled through the city's center and ended up in an artsy neighborhood, with tattoo parlors, skateboa...

So I moved to Washington, DC fully supporting the man with the plan Mr. Barack H. Obama. I did not know that he would actually be elected President of these United States, however the audacity of my hope knew no boundaries. This past week has been more than memorable for me. The city that I've moved to over 7 months ago has embraced me, spit me out, then embraced me again. Now DC was going to have to buckle down for the biggest event of it's history to date. My Experience: 2 friends stayed with me throughout the historic weekend Free concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, Jan. 18th (Stevie, Beyonce, Mary J., Bono, Bruce S., Garth B., will.i.am., Shakira, Usher etc....I could go on and on). MLK day was supposed to be Service day for our trio...however sleep trumped it...and we ended up eating only one meal and decided to party for the King that night MLK Night partying in Dupont Circle in 2 clubs, with 2 bottles of champagne, shots of patron and music to keep us moving unti...