Amazing race adventures!

I didn't get to talk about it yesterday, but our USINDO group went on an awesome amazing race scavenger hunt all around Yogya and we learned a bit about the transjogja, which is the metro system here in the city. We went to Sanata Dharma, the university we'll be studying at and went to the museum and had some amazing food at an Indonesia restaurant, family style. We also practiced some traditional Indonesian dancing which was great, but tiring after a while. After that we went to the traditional market, which is pretty similar to Chinatown in Downtown LA. 

Took a horse carriage back home to the hotel. 

This is my awesome tutor, Lea.  

The traditional market! 

Delicious coconut drink with berry syrup.  

Roomies

Honestly, no offense to any of my previous roommates, but this it the first time in my life where I feel a really deep connection with my roommates. I know its only been a a little over a week and its probably the honeymoon phase, but I feel so happy to be living with women that known what they are doing. They are responsible adults and understand what cleaning up after yourself means. I know it sounds weird, but it really is a blessing to be living with these girls. I'm excited to bond with them and create unforgettable memories. I know i'm cheesy. Deal with it. I'm lucky to be in a room where we all get along and all of us are in the DC Scholars program together. Time for some introductions: Melissa is one of the people I actually know and she is also a geography major like me. Stephanie goes to CSUN as well and the two of us love Above&Beyond and I love her for that. Noor is the youngest in the room and has awesome Spongebob Squarepants impressions and Tran is an amazing cook and is like the mom of our apartment. They both go to CSUF. Yuri is from Cal State San Marcos and is an artist that has great taste in music that i'ver never heard of, but I will definitely learn soon.

Georgetown

You hear about it and read about it and see it in movies. Georgetown is a place where most think of prestige and privilege. When I explored it today with my friends it was exactly what I expected it to be. Beautiful. The architecture, the cobblestone sidewalks, event the way the stores were laid out were perfection. It would be wonderful to walk down these streets everyday just to pick up some hippie crack at Baked & Wired and do a little shopping after work. We walked to the ice rink and took selfies by the Potomac river. Trader Joe's was a definite must visit because its one of the only ones in the area. We all got some groceries for our spontaneous potluck dinner for the night. I made my alfredo mushroom pasta, and Vincent made tiramisu. Everyone pitched in with some delicious grub. I just really fell in love with the tiramusu and I learned how to make it. Yay. After our food comas we went to Adams Morgan and got down to some 90s hip hop and R&B at Shenanigans irish pub. We went bar hopping all around. It was a fun night. 

National Mall

When I hear everyone keep talking about the National mall I was puzzled at first because I was told the closest mall was in Virginia. So I kept asking over and over what mall are you people talking about and it took me some time to finally realize where this mall was. Today I explored this gorgeous mall with my friends Johnny and roommate Melissa. We went to the American History museum for a bit and saw all of the cool exhibits and this adorable doll house from the early 20th century. We walked back all the way home. Walking everywhere has been an enlightening experience. I feel a weight lifted off me because I don't need to use a car. Yuri, my roommate took me out to this political event at Local 16 on U Street and it was a great networking event watching the State of the Union Address. Its really amazing how we were watching it right here in the capitol. Eep! Close by was the legendary Ben's Chili Bowl. So delicious. I fangirled and sat where Obama sat. Another fun day. 

MLK Peace Parade

The White House

Washington Monument with Reflecting Pool