Weekend with Andrew in The Capital and The Land of Mary (with Photos)

Hi, folks and friends! How are we all doing today? Did you guys have a wonderful weekend? Hope you had a good, relaxing weekend.

Well, my wife Freny and I spent the weekend with our young adult son Andrew in The Capital and The Land of Mary. That's right, in DC and Maryland where he currently works and resides, respectively. As you may well know, we've visited him a couple of times last year, though. But in his old address, that is. We've met his housemates and they also shared, one time, with us the dinner they collaboratively cooked or prepared. (They graciously invited us to partake what they've cooked that night. And we were so thankful for their hospitality.) I still can vividly remember the dishes they served us: Andrew did cook fried asparagus, he said, while one of his housemates did pork chops. Beth did the (boiled) white rice. We had a lively dinner, with red wine. We had a great time that night. Eventually, we ended up spending the night there. Truly, we did enjoy each other's company, with animated, engaging conversation.

This time, Andrew and his housemates have moved to another house last month. Knowing that they've moved to another rental house with same housemates, Freny and I have decided to visit him. And his housemates, too. But before leaving Hampton Roads Saturday, we went to a Filipino restaurant in Virginia Beach where we bought a tray of "pancit bihon" and "lechon kawali" and that sweet banana fried rolls for Andrew and his housemates.

Arriving in DC/Maryland, after almost four hours on the road, (thank God for GPS), Freny and I learned from our son that Beth wasn't there. Andrew said that the latter left that Saturday morning for New York. But she told Andrew that we could spend the night there if we so decide. We found out that she left us a note (in her room) welcoming us to their new house. She graciously offered her room for us if we decide to spend the night there which we did. Likewise she told us to feel at home and that she'd see us next time. (The following day, Sunday morning, while getting ready to go to Sunday Mass at the Basilica, Freny wrote a note thanking her for her hospitality. We left her also a present---a box of chocolate and a bottle of locally produced wine from Chesapeake.) Now, I don't know if it's inappropriate (rude or impolite) for us, her guests, but we used our own bedding since we brought our own pillows and blankets (which we don't normally do. And most of the time, we spend the night at one of the chain hotels there where we usually do.) Anyway, Freny and I had the opportunity to see graduate students Den and Kev again, and to meet another graduate student Pat, and a Professor by the name of Chuck, other two of  Andrew's housemates whom we haven't met before. We shared with them the cooked food we brought from Hampton Roads.

The following day, Freny, Andrew and I attended Sunday Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in DC, next to Catholic University of America. As you know, each time we're in DC, we always visit the Basilica.) We had lunch there at the restaurant adjacent to the store shops at the Basilica. (Wish Tintin was with us, too. She's in D-ville where she got her first job after college.) Afterwards, we took pictures as souvenirs. Then, we drove Andrew back to his house prior to leaving DC/Maryland for HR. We had a great time together with Andrew, I'd say. At least, we had the opportunity to see him again because the last time we saw him was when he came home for the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

It was past 8:00 o'clock p.m. when we arrived home. As always, Freny did the driving. Man, she's a pro when it comes to long distance driving. As she said, she loves driving. No doubt about it.

Well, this is all for now, my dear folks and friends. Until next time around. Take care and have a great day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 25Feb2013

Post Script: Photos below were taken on 24 February 2013 in "The Land of Mary" and The Capital.

Here's a picture of Andrew. Behind him is the new house where he and his housemates reside somewhere in "The Land of Mary."

A snapshot of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC, where we attended the 10:30 Sunday Mass, 24 February 2013.

Here's Andrew and me, in front of the Basilica after attending the Sunday Mass and having lunch at the restaurant there.

Here's me and Freny at the facade of the Basilica, after the 10:30 Sunday Mass and lunch at the restaurant inside the National Shrine where there's also gift shops.

 On our way back home to Hampton Roads, we stopped by at this Welcome Center/Rest Area in Northern Virginia. Here, we took the time to have our picture taken by a fellow traveler. To him I say, thanks, man.

Thanks for taking the time with us. Hope you enjoyed and learned something from me/us.-caq

Saturday Post from D-ville

Good Saturday, everyone! I wonder if others out there miss my blog posts for I haven't had blog posts for the past three days? Well, I'm okay, doing well actually. Thank you, dear and loving God. And thank you, Jesus!

Yes, my dear folks and friends, we're out of town since yesterday, and spent the night at our favorite "da Best in the West" hotel in D-ville. Got it? I personally don't want to go to other hotels in D-ville, except at "da Best in the West." I love it here, matter-of-factly. We've been here before and if you guys happen to visit D-ville in Virginia, da Best is the place to stay comfortably. Excellent, clean and spacious rooms, excellent food (free continental breakfast, with free daily newspaper, courtesy of the hotel), excellent staff-personnel and excellent service! Their free breakfast (served between 6 am to 10 am) is absolutely great! Free tea and hot chocolate 24/7, by the lobby. The price to stay per night is reasonable, under $100. You can't beat that. Just for their free breakfast you'll be contented and, I believe, this is what people like me keep on coming back to this hotel. (Please don't misconstrue me if you think I'm promoting or advertising the hotel. No. I'm just sharing with you my "boarding and lodging" experience, away from home.) Check it out yourself and you'll thank me afterwards. "Yeah, Chris, was right!" you'll remark.

Just to let you know, I just had my breakfast downstairs in one of the lounges of the hotel. Now, as I got out of the elevator, going to our room on the second floor, guess who I met? My wife Freny and our daughter Tintin. They're going downstairs to have breakfast, too.

Here, in our hotel room, I'm writing this blog post of mine while the two are having breakfast.

First things first. This morning, as soon as I woke up, I grabbed my laptop and my rosary, and used the rest room while Freny was still in bed but already awoke; Tintin still asleep in her bed. So, while doing my daily routine in the rest room, I listened and prayed along the rosary using one of the videos on YouTube. BTW, thanks, YouTube, and the uploader of the video (I believe, he's a priest or a lay Catholic person very much devoted to our Blessed Virgin Mary.) Since it's Saturday today, I meditated on the Joyful Mysteries which are prayed on Mondays and Saturdays, fyi. (The Joyful Mysteries are 1. The Annunciation 2. The Visitation of the BVM 3. The Nativity or Birth of Jesus 4. Presentation Jesus in the Temple 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple.) While my blog post is in progress, I'm listening to Catholic Church songs/hymns playlist on YouTube, of course. I'm so inspired. Thank you , gracious God! Thank you, Jesus!.

Afterwards, I took a quick shower and prepared myself for today's happenings. Had breakfast downstairs, with sausage and eggs with bacon, one piece of bagel, a cup of orange juice, and waffle! (You make your own, it's easy. Just pour one small cup of that prepared liquid mixture on the hot waffle maker. Rotate it 180 degrees and in a few minutes, there's your waffle!) Yummy! I'm full! Thanks to God!

Previous day activities of mine? Well, I did prepare and mail our bills, paid our property taxes in the city's office of the revenue/treasurer, for four vehicles (all Toyotas, BTW. That means we're a Toyota family, eh? Dunno about that but we love the cars.) And, I also went to pay that semi-annual storm water bill, in a neighboring city where we have that rental house (since 2001, and managed by a realty company). I dropped by at the library and read the local newspaper. And, of  course, I did prepare for our dinner in those early or late afternoons, and watch my fave international soaps, again on YouTube. Ah, life is good. I can't complain. As I've posted in my Tuesday's post, I have "to live life and enjoy it as much as I can with all its perks and problems." With my faith, family, folks, and friends, I am so thankful to be alive and well. Thank you, God, for all your goodness and blessings!

On Thursday, 29Nov2012, I drove to the Car Dealership and Service Station for that regular maintenance/oil change on one of our cars. There I came to know a FilAm family for the first time and found out later that they live in the same subdivision as we do, only in the other end of the cul de sac. The service station's assistant manager Kevin interrupted my conversation with the family when he came to me, telling me about a couple of things recommended to be done for my car. I told him that I have to discuss it with my wife. He then printed out a copy of that list of recommended things to be done, not necessarily at that time. I thanked him for accommodating me, even if I didn't make an appointment. Just plain walk in at the service station. I guess, I'm familiar with some folks there at the office.

Yesterday, I went to one of the world's largest chain retail stores and bought some Christmas gift stuff for a kid (size 14-16) for the Giving Tree Outreach project in our parish, St. Paul's. I could imagine, he'll be happy this Christmas 2012 when he opens his gift from me and my family. God bless this boy and his family!

Well, what's for the rest of today, the first of December, at D-ville? We're planning to go around the city and at a Community Market, prior to leaving D-ville for home this late afternoon, probably. Anyway, I've got to sign off now, my dear folks and friends.

This is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and have a wonder-FALL weekend, everyone! Just a reminder to us all, tomorrow, Sunday, starts the Advent season. (I'll talk about it next time.) As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!" Peace be with you all!-chris a. quilpa, 01Dec2012.