Snowicane 2009

The Snowicane landed in DC Friday night. (Also called the Snowpocalypse.) Emily was already snug in a hotel room at the Hotel George near Capitol Hill. I was less snug finishing my last final for my third semester of law school. Once I finished my exam I headed home packed up for our second annual stay-cation in the city. After a few minutes of frantic packing so that I could get me and Octavia (our scooter) to the metro station before the snowicane got going in full force.

I made it safely to Emily and the Hotel George after a stinging ride on the scooter. The rest of the evening was spent watching weather forecasts exclaiming, "Worst storm of the century!" "Lock up your windows and doors, we're in for the long haul!" "One million inches for sure!" Looking out the window of our hotel room confirmed, in part, the forecasts.

We woke up in the morning to several inches, but we had great plans for our stay-cation, so we bundled up and forged into the winter wonderland.

The metro escalators were dusted with a healthy layer of snowdrift.



To our dismay, the Smithsonians were all closed. But that didn't keep us from touring the city. Here's a couple of pictures of us in front of the Smithsonian castle.



We trekked past the Smithsonians and on to the Washington Monument. (Can you see it to the left on the first picture?)



And finally, we made some snow angels.




























So, now we are still at the Hotel George waiting for the Metro to offer above ground service, or for the buses to start up service again. Otherwise, we will be staying in the city for always and forever.

Top 5 Best GRE Words

The GRE is over and done with... horah! horah! I made a vow immediately after taking it that I would no longer try to incorporate silly GRE words into my every day life anymore, because (a) I was probably using the words incorrectly some of the time, and (b) it tended to make me sound bombastic.

However, I have a special place in my heart for these 5 special GRE words that I will never forget (sadly, none of them were actually on the test, but no matter):

(1) Quaff- Official definition: to drink (a beverage) copiously and heartily. Why I love it: Kristen and I were reviewing some GRE words on the way down the Florida Keys a couple of months ago, and came across this gem. It was sort of a running joke on the trip, and last week I received a frantic voicemail from Kristen saying she was "going to quaff some alcohol" if I didn't call her back immediately (joking, of course). Also, it makes me think of ducks.

(2) Hummock: Official Definition: A small hill. Why I love it: As soon as I read this definition, my two completely adorable nephews (with the last name Hill) flashed into my mind. My sister cleverly added on to these nicknames, and they are now known around our apartment as Chop and Squash Hummock.

(3) Gossamer: Official Definition: any thin, light fabric. Why I love it: The day after I learned this word, I was rereading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" for the 80th time and they use this word twice within like 2 chapters! I had been reading over it for years without stopping to think about what it meant. I was so excited that these words were actually used in real life!

(4) Pariah: Official Definition: an outcast. Why I love it: The sentence in Barron's for this word is "If everyone rejected Mariah Carey, would she then be Mariah the Pariah?" It made me laugh and momentarily contemplate a job as the person who comes up with vocabulary sentences. I have since reconsidered this career choice.

(5) Avuncular: Official Definition: of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an uncle. Why I love it: First of all, it's just a fun word to say! Secondly, it inspired the Peterson Family Mascot: "The Avuncular Canadians." [T-shirts and more info about this mascot to come]

Merry Christmas!