A Surprise Gift!

chenheart
chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
OMG~ I know it will be crowded, I know it will be hectic, I know it will be expensive, I know it will be tiring, but guess what? Today, my Reggie booked us flight and hotel reservations to go to Washington DC to see the inauguration!!!! We have tickets to some "events" as well~ the Native American ball, among other things~ I cannot believe that I will be part of the millions witnessing something HISTORIC, with President Obama taking the oath of office using the same Bible president Lincoln did!!!

Some of us (including KathiM and me) were honored to represent the ACS, and specifically CSN in 2006 where we participated in a Relay For Life and saw luminarias 7 deep around the Reflecting Pool. I remember Kathi being frazzled, as keeping her appointment with her legislator was not going smoothly~ but we had a grand time and made fast friends in 3 days time! Our first full night in DC we went to a "meet and greet"~ and the speaker was an unknown (to me) Senator from Illinois who spoke about losing his mother to cancer, and vowing to fight to keep cancer funding from being cut. This eloquent speaker had such a funny name: Barak Obama. Within minutes of him speaking, my b/f and I looked at each other and almost in unison said ; "This man should run for President"!! Who knew that the man with the funny name overheard me?? And took my advice? LOL

So, I will be there~ btw Mimi, did I read you are in DC as well? I would love to say "let's meet"...but who knows if that will be possible at all in the hub-bub of activity?

Sorry for any incoherency~ this is so amazing to me I had to share!!!

Hugs,
Claudia
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Comments

  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    DC in January!
    Yes, Claudia, I work in DC and live close by in Alexandria, VA. I would love to do a "let's meet" if possible. We federal government workers have a four-day weekend for inauguration (and MLK day), but I have heard that coming into DC from VA will be damn near impossible. They are closing down bridges and everything. Now, if you are not familiar with DC, let me know and I will help in any way. I'm not a native, but I've lived in the area for eight years. Which hotel are you booked for? And how the heck did you get reservations so late?!

    I'm very excited for you!!
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    good speaker
    My husband heard a speech by Obama also before he ran for president and was impressed. Congratulations! Have fun! I know you will!
  • Irishwhispers
    Irishwhispers Member Posts: 96
    Holy Mackerel Andy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    GF all I can say is W O W!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    How amazing!! How incredible !!! How fantastic!!!!
    How Cool!!! How Historical!!! How Wickedly farout!!!!!!!

    Wooooooooooooooooooo hooooooooooo!!!!

    Take lots of pictures!!!!!

    love ya more than my luggage!!
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    Claudia, that is AMAZING!!!!
    Claudia, that is AMAZING!!!! I wish I could witness this historical event myself. Please take lots of pictures and post them on the expression page. Hugs, Lili
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    mimivac said:

    DC in January!
    Yes, Claudia, I work in DC and live close by in Alexandria, VA. I would love to do a "let's meet" if possible. We federal government workers have a four-day weekend for inauguration (and MLK day), but I have heard that coming into DC from VA will be damn near impossible. They are closing down bridges and everything. Now, if you are not familiar with DC, let me know and I will help in any way. I'm not a native, but I've lived in the area for eight years. Which hotel are you booked for? And how the heck did you get reservations so late?!

    I'm very excited for you!!

    I have an idea that Va/DC/Md
    I have an idea that Va/DC/Md will truly be nutso...I will email you my cell number though! Even if we can't meet in person~ let's talk, anyway! I have been to the area a few times~ visiting a boyfriend who was going to the University of Maryland, recently I have been to
    an Annopolis graduation, and, as mentioned earlier, represented CSN in DC in 2006.
    The hotel we wanted to stay at , the Melrose, was booked~ and many others took our breath away at the prices~OMG gouging! We saw one online, a Hilton or a Hyatt which was still available at $7,350.00 PER NIGHT! Even the 1 1/2 star ( shudder) Holiday Inn Express types in Va or Md were 600.00 a night! The prices were so high that I started being afraid of what a hotel for "only" 300 a night was really like!!! We found a package deal, hotel and flight through Expedia~ and are staying in an Inn in Georgetown. I believe my b/f told the reservations clerk that his g/f is the 50'woman, and who knew? A room was suddenly available!!! Wish I could remember the name. At this late date, I promise to be happy if the beds are clean, comfy and the rooms relatively quiet...I am kinda familiar with Georgetown, and if it is not too far off of the beaten path, I trust it will be fine. Not planning on spending too much actual time in the room~ and whereas I admit I can be a snob, at this late date, I am lowering my impeccable standards and hoping for the best! LOL LOL Turns out, there is NO grace period; if we cancel tonight, too bad for us~ we will still be charged for 4 days!!! So, we are going!

    Speaking of cancelling, not that I am expecting anything bad of course, but I have an onco doc appt on Jan 23...I am not getting home until the night of the 22nd, and so NO, I am not keeping the appointment! If there is good news, it will wait, and Lord knows, if there is bad, that can REALLY wait!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • ninjamom
    ninjamom Member Posts: 142
    Claudia this is
    Claudia this is fantastic!!!!! I will be looking for you on tv. Make sure you take lots of pics

    Patty
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    ninjamom said:

    Claudia this is
    Claudia this is fantastic!!!!! I will be looking for you on tv. Make sure you take lots of pics

    Patty

    15 mins of fame
    Well, of course you will see me on TV...even with a MILLION ppl there, I am 50' tall!!! How can you miss me??? HAHAHAHA

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    chenheart said:

    15 mins of fame
    Well, of course you will see me on TV...even with a MILLION ppl there, I am 50' tall!!! How can you miss me??? HAHAHAHA

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    Fame
    Now Claudia, don't take all the attention away from Obama.LOL I'm excited for you. Sounds like lots of fun but, I must say that you are a brave one to face that crowd.

    Hugs
    Jadie
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    Don't forget...
    Claudia,
    I'll tell you what my mother used to tell me whenever I went off on my own somewhere...."Don't forget who you are representing, and make us all proud!"
    LOL...no pressure, what?
    Have a blast! Couldn't have happened to a nicer person.
    (Does bf have a bro?)
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    You GO, girl!!!
    Ah, yes, I remember it well!!!

    What a grand time you will have!!!! I will watch 'West Wing' and think of you...lol!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    WOW WOW WOW
    Totally awesome, I am so happy for you. Can't wait till you get back and share all the neat things you see and do!

    Like I said WOW! WOW! WOW!

    RE
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    KathiM said:

    You GO, girl!!!
    Ah, yes, I remember it well!!!

    What a grand time you will have!!!! I will watch 'West Wing' and think of you...lol!

    Hugs, Kathi

    Kathi, been reading the
    Kathi, been reading the paper and it's saying it's extremely cold in Europe this year. I hope your bundled up in front of the fireplace with lots of hot cocoa. It even snowed in the Cote D'Azur, wow! Hugs, Lili
  • ladybug22
    ladybug22 Member Posts: 646
    surprse
    You go girl. we all will be ther with you in spirit so thank you for all the fun we are going to have. clara
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    chenheart said:

    I have an idea that Va/DC/Md
    I have an idea that Va/DC/Md will truly be nutso...I will email you my cell number though! Even if we can't meet in person~ let's talk, anyway! I have been to the area a few times~ visiting a boyfriend who was going to the University of Maryland, recently I have been to
    an Annopolis graduation, and, as mentioned earlier, represented CSN in DC in 2006.
    The hotel we wanted to stay at , the Melrose, was booked~ and many others took our breath away at the prices~OMG gouging! We saw one online, a Hilton or a Hyatt which was still available at $7,350.00 PER NIGHT! Even the 1 1/2 star ( shudder) Holiday Inn Express types in Va or Md were 600.00 a night! The prices were so high that I started being afraid of what a hotel for "only" 300 a night was really like!!! We found a package deal, hotel and flight through Expedia~ and are staying in an Inn in Georgetown. I believe my b/f told the reservations clerk that his g/f is the 50'woman, and who knew? A room was suddenly available!!! Wish I could remember the name. At this late date, I promise to be happy if the beds are clean, comfy and the rooms relatively quiet...I am kinda familiar with Georgetown, and if it is not too far off of the beaten path, I trust it will be fine. Not planning on spending too much actual time in the room~ and whereas I admit I can be a snob, at this late date, I am lowering my impeccable standards and hoping for the best! LOL LOL Turns out, there is NO grace period; if we cancel tonight, too bad for us~ we will still be charged for 4 days!!! So, we are going!

    Speaking of cancelling, not that I am expecting anything bad of course, but I have an onco doc appt on Jan 23...I am not getting home until the night of the 22nd, and so NO, I am not keeping the appointment! If there is good news, it will wait, and Lord knows, if there is bad, that can REALLY wait!

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    Inauguration Fever
    Yes, it will be crazy! I am definitely watching on TV. It will be week two of my second chemo infusion, so I don't think I'll want to be out in those crowds anyway. It'll be good to have those days off. The Georgetown area is nice, so I don't think your inn can be that shady :). I used to attend film school in Georgetown, and I really like the area. You'll have access to tons of restaurants (get a drink, but don't eat at the ones on the waterfront). I am completely a hotel snob, too. I LOVE nice hotels. My husband and I have stayed at several hotels in DC just to try them out. I love the Mayflower, Willard, Park Hyatt, Hotel Monoco. Haven't stayed at the Melrose, but it looks beautiful. If you like hotels check out the Mandarin Oriental and eat at CityZen there if you can. Otherwise try to go for afternoon tea.

    Have the best time!!

    Mimi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member

    Kathi, been reading the
    Kathi, been reading the paper and it's saying it's extremely cold in Europe this year. I hope your bundled up in front of the fireplace with lots of hot cocoa. It even snowed in the Cote D'Azur, wow! Hugs, Lili

    Yup....it's cold, but dry....
    PERFECT for skating!!!!

    Thanks for your thoughts, dearheart!!! I am, after all, a 'lizard' from Southern California!!! ROFL!!!!

    The house has radiators...and they work REALLY well...and my 'Electrische onderdeken' (electric blanket for under the sheets...) is sooooo yummy! Makes it hard to stay out of bed!

    Last night/this morning is the coldest time so far...minus 10 celcius!!! It's clear and calm this morning...so I will do something that I have never done (and my beau not since he was 17)...I'm skating on the canal in front of the house!!!! There is talk of the 11 cities race...a 125 mile skate race around the northern part of The Netherlands...it's a BIG deal here...the last time it happened was in 1995...ice has to freeze at least 10 inches thick.

    Right now, (8:30am), the sun is rising, and the frost-covered trees behind the house are pink with the sunrise. It takes my breath away!!! The trees look like they are covered in lace...it is so incredible!

    As we meet people, we see their smiles when we talk about the weather...and then I ask if global warming was put on hold by the Dutch so they could skate....ROFL!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • dorothyt
    dorothyt Member Posts: 103
    ladybug22 said:

    surprse
    You go girl. we all will be ther with you in spirit so thank you for all the fun we are going to have. clara

    Claudia, I'm so happy for
    Claudia, I'm so happy for you. This will be a day we all will remember for the rest of our lives. I wish I could be there to see our first African American President, Barack Obama take office. Have fun.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    You know my husband and I
    You know my husband and I were glued to CNN during the primaries (and I'm Canadian). I even got on Hillary's email list just to see what she was up to. Needless to say we were holding our breaths during the election and I was glad they called it early so I wouldn't stay up till 2:00 am waiting for it to finish (like I did during the Gore/Bush election). I gotta tell you I still get wet eyed thinking about it. I sniffled for days and could hardly get the words out that he had won the next day without getting choked. Then I found out my neighbour felt the same way. All in all I think Canada loves Obama, we were cheering him on. And I still can't figure out why I get so emotional about another countries president. I felt so proud that states who were very unlikely to vote for him actually did......and it all renewed my faith in people.

    So Claudia, I am so thrilled for you. This is certainly a once in a lifetime event. And isn't it great that we are living in times like this. Remember when the Berlin wall came down. That was another proud moment. Your Reggie is a real sweetheart!
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159

    You know my husband and I
    You know my husband and I were glued to CNN during the primaries (and I'm Canadian). I even got on Hillary's email list just to see what she was up to. Needless to say we were holding our breaths during the election and I was glad they called it early so I wouldn't stay up till 2:00 am waiting for it to finish (like I did during the Gore/Bush election). I gotta tell you I still get wet eyed thinking about it. I sniffled for days and could hardly get the words out that he had won the next day without getting choked. Then I found out my neighbour felt the same way. All in all I think Canada loves Obama, we were cheering him on. And I still can't figure out why I get so emotional about another countries president. I felt so proud that states who were very unlikely to vote for him actually did......and it all renewed my faith in people.

    So Claudia, I am so thrilled for you. This is certainly a once in a lifetime event. And isn't it great that we are living in times like this. Remember when the Berlin wall came down. That was another proud moment. Your Reggie is a real sweetheart!

    The Wall
    Thanks for your kind words~ this is truly a momentous occasion, isn't it? Funny you should mention the Berlin Wall~ my dad was a journalist, I was raised in Germany, and remember when the Wall went UP~ I still have those images burned into my psyche. Families separated by bricks, concrete and mortar..waving white hankerchiefs from apartment building windows to their loved ones on the other side. And, as if that isn't enough, at this exact moment, the radio is playing U2 singing "In The Name Of Love", which references those who lost their lives on that Wall...as they say, there are no coincidences!

    I will represent us well~ and feel honored to be there!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    dorothyt said:

    Claudia, I'm so happy for
    Claudia, I'm so happy for you. This will be a day we all will remember for the rest of our lives. I wish I could be there to see our first African American President, Barack Obama take office. Have fun.

    Inauguration
    Not only is Obama being sworn in using Lincoln's Bible, the inauguration falls one day after Martin Luther King Day~I am awed by the implications of that!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    ladybug22 said:

    surprse
    You go girl. we all will be ther with you in spirit so thank you for all the fun we are going to have. clara

    I could have danced all night!
    If your feet are tired on January 21, it is because you have danced at a Ball through me! :-)If we here in BC walk in each others shoes, it stands to reason we dance in them as well!

    Hugs,
    Claudia