Random trip details

I don't think I blogged about my trip to Washington DC at the beginning of the month.  It was work related.  Spend a Sunday traveling.  Meetings Monday and 1/2 day Tuesday.  Fly out.  Nothing glamorous.  Any free time was spent roaming the city with some colleagues.  We dined out both nights, walking leisurely to a local restaurant.  I love the feel of DC.  I love the old buildings, the hub-bub of the city, it almost had a capital hill (Seattle) type feeling.  The diversity of the population, both in ethnicity and sexual orientation.  And everyone is so comfortable.  Not so friendly, but comfortable.  I love that you could walk any block and find an amazing restaurant.  You could tell people walking were going to or from work.  Women, you didn't see high heels with that business skirt but flats.  Flats everywhere, no pumps.  Many had "to go" bags of food, maybe picking up dinner on the way home from work.

I had the chance to visit the Barack and Michelle.  Well, I stopped by.  They weren't expecting me, so I didn't really get to meet them.  But I waved from the gate.  They have a beautiful house.

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Just got back tonight from Portland.  Well, actually about 15 minutes south, Tualatin.  Sofia had a soccer tournament.  Our travels looked something like this.

Thursday:
8:30 finally depart the house with the girls
9pm pick up Rhea in Tacoma.
Midnight arrive at the hotel
unpack, to bed

Friday:
conference call until 11am
head to Bridgeport Mall.  Very cool.  Has the same feel as U-Village.  Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Crate & Barrell.
2:30 to game
5:30 dinner at Teriyaki.  See a woman throw her shoes into the street and cause an accident
6:30 back to hotel
7pm Sofia with team for "bonding".
Rhea, Lilia and I head to another mall -- Forever 21 and Victoria Secret
9:00 back at hotel with Coldstone for the girls

Saturday:
11:40 game
Rush to a "barnhouse" sale and pick up some cool finds
3pm back to field for another game
5:15 done for day
back to hotel for quick swim
7pm, family dinner at hotel
9pm, upstairs
10pm lights out

Sunday:
hello 6am alarm
7:15 at field
9:30 we lost, done for the tournament
out for breakfast
at hotel at 10:45
checked out at 11am

girls shopping, shopping and shopping.

8:30 arrive home

Portland area is beautiful.  It's so green, everywhere, trees galore.  In all the places I went, none of the "towns" felt like Federal Way with strip malls.  I saw many parks, which looked to be maintained.  Some had scheduled events this weekend  -- 1 music and 2 outdoor movies.  I think I could live there.

But I'm back home with my family.  Getting caught up with it all, and loving it.

Night.