Somehow a home-cooked dinner of canned black beans isn't quite as good after you've spent the last three days eating out every meal at fancy New York restaurants. I deposited a check today but it still hadn't shown up in my bank account this evening when I went out to do my grocery shopping so instead I scrounged up some food from the depth of my pantry. I made some weird black bean soup that was more of an experiment .... 1 can of black beans, two tablespoons of peanut butter for thicker broth, a teaspoon of mustard (the peanut butter made it too sweet), salt, and a dash of balsamic vinaigrette. Sounds utterly disgusting but actually the tangy sweetness of it was pretty good all around. Definitely better than garlic-butter noodles. I think the countless nights I stayed up watching Food Network with Alex has given me some ideas about what can and cannot work together and so I think overall my "experiments" are becoming tastier.
Everyone wants to know what is going on DC and I guess there really hasn't been that much. Last week was pretty fun, I got to go on some lobbying trips up to the Hill (one was unsuccesful, the other mildly so) but Congress was distracted because it was a recess week. It was exciting to be asked along though. On Sunday I got to take a tour of the West Wing of the White House (AMAZING!) and got to stick my head in the Oval Office. It was a great experience and I'll be sure to upload some pictures once I get home. I left the cable that hooks up my camera to my computer at home so I am unable to share them with you.
I found out last week that I might have TMJ (it's a joint / muscle disease in your jaw that is really painful) so my dentist put me on some muscle relaxers. They've been helping some but I'm still in alot of pain in the morning. I think when I get back I might have to get a retainer thing which will probably be uncomfortable (but preferable to jaw pain!)
That's all that is going on with me at the moment. Sorry if it's not very deep or thoughtful! I've actually been having some thoughts on where this blog might go after this summer. It might become more of a place I voice my opinions on social matters or highlight things of interest but for right now you are just going to get some updates on my life in our nation's capitol and I hope that is exciting enough.
