We arrived Thursday 5pm after departing home 11pm the night before. The flights were smooth just the interrupted sleep was hard on me. After we arrived, my Portuguese teacher picked us up from the airport, stopped at my former assistant from Manila’s apartment to pick up air mattress, and we got our little French home around 5:30pm. We were exhausted so we stayed in and got Amazon fresh delivery.
After a very nice sleep, I felt ready to go for a run at my favorite running path in the entire world! I can’t describe how happy I was during the entire run! I want to live here!!!
I got home, showered, ate and we left home for a busy shopping day. First Nordstrom rack and we all got few things.
Next step was chipotle, Sofia’s favorite fast food, the burrito was so big, she did her best to finish 3/4 of it.
Then we stopped by the playground we visited almost everyday during our month long stay during the pandemic, 5 years ago! Girls still remember it.
Next was Georgetown, mostly Tjmaxx for more deals. And got free ice cream.
Final stop, Trader Joe’s, our favorite groceries store in the world. We got so much!
Then I made dinner for us and had for-us-late dinner at 7:30pm. The sun was up until past 8:30 so we all stayed up almost 9:30pm to get to sleep mood.
Our home is really tiny, the person who sublet for us (from my work) is a nice French lady. Despite how small it is, it’s super French style and cute. The air mattress occupies the entire living room so we only pump it up for sleep.
Today Saturday I did my long run, another amazing run, making plans to find a small house near by for retirement (gosh! I can’t decide where I want to retire now).
We then spent too long time doing nothing (coloring, manicure, just chill), and finally left home by 11:15am for a quick target visit
Then got back for more Trader Joe’s quick food. Orange chicken!
It was super hot so we stayed chill at home until 5pm for a quick visit to Apple Store to repair my AirPod. And got back walking through the lovely neighborhood.
Tomorrow we will take Sofia to her camp, sad sad. But she’s excited and I’m so proud of her. This is her second sleep away camp. Last time was 5 years ago when she was barely 8 years old. Now she will have a camp at a university for 3 weeks, all by herself, including doing laundry on weekend.
Meanwhile Lizzy and I will do our work, I go to office while she goes to her day camp. then be each others bestie for three weeks. How fun!
I feel extremely grateful and privilege to be living this summer the way we planned out.
My mind keeps popping out the following:
This is the best time of my life!
Our New Journey 
Hehe just as I was reading your post, your comment on mine popped up! lol! Looks like you are living your best life in DC! Are you really thinking of buying a house there?! That would be cool!! Sofia looks so grown up, oh my goodness! That camp sounds very exciting for her. Do you have a car in DC or how are you getting all around?
LikeLike
We don’t because dc is quite walkable and we take bus or metro to move around and uber. To take Sofia to camp, I rent a car as it’s an hour away.
LikeLike
How wonderful you get to spend some time in DC. Your TJs haul made me laugh (I also love TJs so much!). I hope you have the best time.
LikeLike
Which running path is your favorite? I lived in DC for two years and absolutely loved it. Actually I was a little north of DC in Silver Spring, and stationed at the National Naval Medical Center. I love hearing about your meals on vacations well I like hearing about your meals anytime but it’s amazing to me. how healthy you can continue to eat while traveling.
LikeLike
Rock creek park trail. It’s my absolute favorite!
Trader Joe’s have many quick meal options that could be still relatively healthy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I know silbes spring, close to college park where I lived for 4 years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This IS the best time of your life, Coco! I love how you are soaking it all in and making memories as you go. Enjoy DC, especially your trail!!
We also go into the same shopping mode when we get to the US. But mostly only for leisure clothes/sports gear. And the grocery stores are fascinating to me – not only in terms of the products, but also the XXXL sizes!!
LikeLike
Lizzy’s expression with the TJ bags is so funny!
I’m so happy for you – are you there all summer? I was thinking it would be rough with the change in time zones BUT then I realized that there is probably almost no change at all. Have fun with your girls! These are the good old days!
LikeLike
Yes that’s the beautify of living in the same time zone. Yes, we are here for a month.
LikeLike
Enjoy your time in DC! After living there before I am sure there is a strong sense of coming back home. I want to say you own a home in that area that you rent out? My sister is in that area currently (Springfield) and I was hoping they’d be there for the long haul but it sounds like they might move back to Tucson, AZ in the next 6-12 months. I know she misses the community they built there over the last 20+ years but I was selfishly hoping they’d stay in DC as I love visiting that city!
LikeLike
we have a house in virginia that we rented out. unlikely we will ever go back there to live as a family of 4. thus maybe downsizing when retiring and get a little townhouse in this area, close to rock creek park.
LikeLike
This is wonderful! I love “This is the best time of my life.” You are really living the summer of your dreams. I hope the girls love their camps!
LikeLike