One of the first things Leah said to me yesterday when we talked on the phone for the first time: “I didn’t realize you’d have a southern accent!” Lucky for her, I decided to forgive this outburst after she admitted that my accent isn’t nearly as noticeable as people who live in the southern-southern states. (I have nothing against accents; I’d just prefer not to have one that someone would be able to pick up quite so quickly.)
Leah was a lot of fun to hang out with, and I felt comfortable with her right away. In addition to being energetic, she’s one of those people who can spout off random facts that normal, everyday people (like myself) don’t know. She talked about such things as Mondrian, and the length of time bullfrogs spend as tadpoles (answer: up to two years).
Leah’s also been a supporter of my 101 Things list since I started it last year (she’s currently putting together a list of her own), so when she offered to help me knock out a few entries, of course I thought was a grand idea.
How many things was I able to cross off yesterday? Four. Which means I basically completed an entire month’s goal in one day, but since I fell short in January and February I’ll continue doing more this month so I can catch up.
What did we accomplish?
64. Visit the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
When we got off the metro, apparently we exited the station from the wrong side and it was hard to tell which way we needed to go. There weren’t many people around so we approached a bus driver who was just about to board his bus – he told us to “hop in,” and drove us to the bus stop closest to where we needed to go. It was very kind of him.
As for the Kenilworth Gardens? I have to admit I wasn’t impressed. I figured it wouldn’t be all beautiful and blooming since it’s not spring yet, but…yeah. Lots of grass and water. As a grad student in biology, I think Leah found it more interesting than I did.
47. Eat a picnic lunch in a park or by a body of water
We started off the day with a stop at Eastern Market; while we were there we picked up sandwiches and fruit and ate them once we arrived at the Kenilworth Gardens.
61. Visit 5 of the Smithsonian museums
I needed to go to two more in order to reach my goal, so we went to the Hirschhorn Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery.
57. Attend a non-mandatory lecture or seminar
This one actually happened on the spur-of-the-moment. Leah and I were looking at a collection by John Alexander when a security guard came up and handed us a card; an art historian who’d written a book about this artist was about to give a lecture. So we went to that.
(I was almost able to cross off a fifth thing (#67: Visit the National Geographic Society’s Explorers Hall), but it closed at 5pm and it was 5:20 by the time we got there.)
(Edited to add: Here’s what Leah had to say about our meet-up!)
11 Comments
See? I wasn’t the only one who thought you had a southern accent!
I stand vindicated.
you have a slight accent but in a good way!
You were in my ‘hood! Did you discuss Mondrian because you saw the Mondrian paintings under the overpass near Eastern Market?
I love the 101 list….I am now thinking of doing one myself. Love the blog!
Janet — we discussed Mondriaan because we were at Hirshorn and I saw a Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass piece that reminded me of Mondriaan. He’s one of my favorite artists
I’m sad I missed the ones near Eastern Market!
I had a fabulous time with Zandria too. For my part, Zandria helped me push my comfort boundaries a little
Plus, I love visiting museums. And I did like Kenilworth — I think it’ll be much more awesome in the late spring.
I agree that the accent is awesome and not bad. By the end of the day, I didn’t notice it anymore.
Yes, I did help Leah “push her comfort boundaries.” (Yeeeahhh, Saturday nights in Old Town Alexandria!) I never really thought I’d be the person to help someone do that…but I’m not complaining!
Humm…sounds like a really cute friendship
I love the Hirschorn. The whole adventure sounds like a great time!
Oh your picnic sounds divine. I love picnics! I so want to visit the Smithsonian. Now, more than ever since I started watching Bones. I’m so brainwashed by TV sometimes…lol..
Can’t wait to meet you when you’re out here for BlogHer!
I am a little jealous you got to meet Leah! She sounds like a lovely person.
you have to go to the aquatic gardens in the summer when the lotuses are blooming!! i can’t imagine why anyone would bother to go in the winter.
In my defense, I didn’t realize that they were outdoor gardens when I suggested going
But I still thought they were pretty in the winter. They’re just pretty in a really raw way.