Hilton Garden Inn Columbia

... story is a cute 4 year old panda who obviously enjoyed his giant kong toy. A gentleman standing next to me was a DC resident who confessed to being addicted to PANDA webcam (http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Gian tPandas/default.cfm) and said he was saving his money to take a trip to China where there is a special program where you can pet the baby pandas. That's some pandamania! We buzzed around the zoo as quickly as possible and man it was a work out. By the time we got ...

... take, which bridge we had actually walked over etc (I sure wish I had worn a pedometer today, I am sure we walked many miles, sorry kilometers). Not sure if the 'free' parking was worth it especially when we saw lots of parking closer to where we wanted to be for only $10 all day (the benefits of being there on the weekend). Although there was predictions of rain it has been a beautiful day, clear sky, no wind and therefore crisp but not uncomfortably cold.

... white-hou se.jpg - The Lincoln Memoral: http://www.tourist4life.com/washingtond c/memorials/WashDC05_52_b8.jpg - Washington Monument - Korean and World War II Memorials - Smithsonian Museum Castle: http://www.thedctraveler.com/wp-content /uploads/2008/03/washingotn-dc-cherry-b lossom-weeping-cherry-higan-tree-at-the -smithsonian-castle-sm.jpg - A Jim ...

... many funny looks. I got completely soaked and laughed at all the up tight East coasters. Oh how I love to be the weirdo rebel :) Well I really need to go to bed though I could rant on Karen's Life philosophies for ages no doubt. I hope you are all doing well! I miss you and will hopefully get to see those of you in P-Town during one of my trips home. I always love to hear from you (You wouldn't be on my mailing list if I didn't want to hear from you). Have a splendid week! Much love!

... The List: *Sweden (where I've been many times, have many friends; booted because it is really far and a different country, a bit difficult for a first big move) *Hawaii (I've never actually been, but I know I would love it, I love tropical areas, could have a very different lifestyle that would be great to try out, easier to move to because it is US; booted because it is also very far for a first move, more expensive to get to [making it difficult for ...

... been a doddle here and people are ultra friendly everywhere (well..maybe not in NY) but one main problem keeps cropping up. Soda water is my favoured daytime drink of choice in hot weather. The words 'Soda water' draws a blank with everyone working in shops? I have tried 'Sparkling water', 'Fizzy water', 'Carbunated water' and I've even resorted to making bubbling noises. Its given me a complex now so I'm on the plain water now until I can get to the bottom of this.

I purchased my tickets to the trip today. I got a pretty good deal on American Airlines, my preferred airline when I go to Central or South America because they have their hub in Miami and there are several BWI to Miami flights per day. This makes most of my trips have only one stop, which is ...

... of old, dead coral. I headed back up to that area - and while looking up to find Larry, I stepped on a slippery rock - and BOOM! SPLASH! I went down HARD, landing with all my weight on my right knee, while trying to keep the video camera safe. Larry heard the "clang" as the camera hit the rocks, whipped around and saw me sprawled on the rocks, half in the water. "Are you okay?" "Yeah, ouch! I'm fine." "Did the camera get wet?" "Nope, no, I kept it ...

... a few inches, so depending on how road cleanup occurs, I still may be able to make it to the class I'm attending. I had planned on leaving this afternoon and staying overnight since the class starts at 9:30, but it would probqbly be better if I start out very early tomorrow. The highways around here look like parking lots with accidents and snow blocking the way. Dad went into work, but I don't think I'm going to venture ...

... travels. When we were leaving, the LRA and Museveni had just signed a monumental cease fire agreement which is hopeful. The political climate in Uganda is cooling down, but there is still much left to be desired. Corruption is rampant, and Uganda has a long way to go before it is ensured that all parts of the country have equal representation within the central government and army. But, I am optimisticl because even though Uganda ...