Cheesesteaks, Rocky, LOVE, and Walgreens!

Who knew King of Prussia/Philadelphia had so much to offer?!? Diana, Hope, Wayne and I took off for a weekend in Pennsylvania and we couldn't have dreamed up more amazing adventures! We knew we'd hit the jackpot when we rolled up and found a Super Wal-Mart (having its Grand Opening!) just down the street from our Motel 6! Heaven...we walked around that goodness for awhile then headed to the M6 to check-in. What can I say about the M6...uhh, it was really cheap ($13/a person!).
(doesn't my ugly face say it all!?!)

The next morning we took off down I-76 (gotta love the tribute to 1776-USA's b-day!) to the City of Brotherly Love-Philadelphia! We hit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Important stuff happened here folks...this is where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Constitution of the United States was drafted and the foundations of this great nation were established. Beautiful and historic-who could ask for anything more?


All that history worked up our appetites, so of course we had to try a Philly Cheesesteak! We put Pat's and Geno's steaks to the test to determine which is really the best! These two are across the street from one another and battle over the title of the original and best Philly Cheesesteak. Geno's is flashy, painted bright orange with an orange convertible parked out front, and Pat's is a little more dive-ish. We ordered 2 sandwiches from each, cut them in half, and held our own taste test. Pat's was the hands-down winner...super good bread, nice and juicy filling, and all around tastier! YUMMERS!



We took in more Philly sites...

The LOVE statue


Running the Rocky Steps

The man himself

and now for the highlight of our trip-Walgreens! We didn't know the excitement that would come from this little drugstore! We walked in and poor Wayne was just targeted by everyone around us.

Here's the story in Wayne's own words (with a lil Kami commentary in parenthesis)... "As I am waiting an 80ish year old lady steps right in front of me. She looks at me a little surprised to see me and the other people waiting. I tell her it is ok if she cuts, I really wasn't in a hurry and didn't mind. Dorthy (WE NEVER REALLY CAUGHT HER NAME) looks at what I am buying and tells me to take it and leave. Dorthy says she buys enough stuff from the store that I can take it and leave she has me covered. She then turns to Kami, who has joined me in line, and tells her drink is no good for her (COKE IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE, ALWAYS) and to take it and leave.

At this point I am mildly amused with this sassy old lady and so I strike up a conversation with her. She tells me she moved to Philly when she was ten and has lived there for 40 years. Thinking she is hilarious at telling me this joke she basically falls into my arms laughing.(TOTALLY FLIRTING WITH WAYNE) The conversation moves on and we talk about politics, her living two blocks down but still taking the bus because it is free, and how she is being a good neighbor for buying adult diapers for Mary (wink/wink).

During the conversation, Diana joined us in line as well as a cross-eyed fella. Dorthy begins to establish that Kami, Diana, and I are all together. She then proceeds to see which one of them is dating me. Dorthy discovers we are "just friends." She then says something about me not being their type but being her type and that she is more than happy to take me home. We all get a good laugh...but it is ruined by the cross-eyed fella. He had joined in some points of the conversation but when Dorthy said I was her type....he pipes up and says "Well he is my type."

Dorthy's eyes just go big and the store kind of goes silent. Not another word is said and we all buy our stuff and leave. Kami, Hope, Diana and I walk out of the store and bust up laughing."


Oh Philadelphia...good food, good friends, and good memories!

West Winging it...

My good friend Jared works for President George W. and gets access to the WEST WING of the WHITE HOUSE, you know, oval office, situation room, rose garden, press gallery-where it all happens! He hooked me and some coworkers up with an awesome tour of it all! If you know Jared, you know this tour was far from ordinary. This guy is a blast, so full of energy and just so entertaining!

The White House was actually the Pink House in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! So cute!


I love the press room...even when its empty you can tell magic happens in here!

Sometimes I forget how awesome it is to live in the nation's capital...and associate with such high rollers! Really cool places and really cool people! Thanks again Jared!

I've grown a bit since moving to DC...we all thought this pic from inside the Executive Office Building was pretty funny :)

They call me Fukudome....

but not because I'm good, only because I'm Asian.

This summer, thanks to my friend Shule, I took up an old hobby I let die many, many years ago. The last time I played softball (not including the one intramural game I played in college-when my newsie friends laughed me off the field) my mom was my coach, we wore hot pink jerseys and chanted things like 'mayonnaise, mustard, lett-uce, ketch-up.' Oh to be 10 again!

Anyways, it's been a lot of fun playing with the Raucus Caucus. We play our games on the National Mall-anywhere from the Washington Monument (bad idea-hitting uphill with left field sloping off into oblivion) to the foot of the US Capitol. It's the most beautiful setting to play America's favorite pastime!

I've shown some promise this season.
Exhibit A: My awesome head over feet, shoulder roll slide into first. Okay, so I really tripped over my own feet and stumbled my way to first. Nothing like sacrificing your body for the team (I'm still counting it as a sacrifice even though I was out.)
Exhibit B: My ability to "bunt" (disguised with my homerun swing) and then outrun the throw to first 50% of the time.
Exhibit C: I made a few catches, tagged one person out at second, fielded at least 2 or 3 grounders and proudly filled the third girl spot on many occasions-preventing forfeiture for lack of females.

The season is winding down and I must admit, I'm really going to miss the Raucus Caucus! I met some really great people-ones that laugh with you when you strike out. Wish us luck as we continue our quest to become champions of the congressional league!



FYI: for those of you who don't know who Fukudome is...

The Beehive State...

Time seems to buzz on by whenever I'm in Utah! Considering this trip was a quick one (not even a week) it seems like I was unpacking and packing my suitcase at the same time! Trying to cram friends, family, school shopping, birthday partyin', and fair fun into 4 short days was a challenge-but one that I was more than happy to take on!

Isn't my bro Justin sweet? I walked in and found some "Welcome Home" balloons! He made sure to get credit-he scribbled "from Justin" on one of the balloons. According to Justin, "It's like a card." (Sidenote: Any Aggies out there? Give Justin a hard time if you see him on campus-he started at USU this week! And yes, that makes me feel old! Good luck bud!)


I went from the airport to the Box Elder County Fair Parade to watch this little one (not so lil anymore-she's growing like a weed!) cheering in the parade! She's quite the cheerleader-look at those toes!


Thursday some of the girls (and babes-Kalli is mine) went to Maddox for a little lunch date! I can't believe how much Sawyer and Nick have grown! It's been over a year since I've seen Mandy and Sawyer, but thankfully when we get together it's like nothing has changed! Love good friends! I'm going to miss Sawyer kisses and playing with Nick and his trains.:(

Here's a glimpse at what Capener's do for fun!! Thursday night we "put up" corn! Here's step by step directions for all of you city slickers that don't know how it's done! And just for clarification-we don't do it because we're too poor to buy canned. (My DC friend asked that when he heard what I was doin') It's all about the taste!

Step 1: Make the boys pick and husk dozens and dozens of ears of corn.



Step 2: Put your sister in-law to work washing all the corn!


Step 3: Drop the corn in boiling water for 5-6 minutes. Then cool it down in cold water! (I know this pic has nothing to do with that, but look at all that corn and my cute sisters and grandma!)


Step 4: Cut all the kernels off the cob-and remember to scrape out all the cream (or else mom and grandma will get mad).


Step 5: Make your little sister and Ashley, your brother's friend, put all the cut corn into freezer bags.


Step 6: Drag your little brother out of the basement to haul the cobs out to the garbage.


Step 7: Freeze the corn...and enjoy it all winter long!

I can't wait until I get to be the supervisor like my mom ;)

Friday I spent the day with the coolest 8-year olds in the neighborhood!

Kalli waited to have her birthday party so I could come-she's such a sweetheart! We played on the inflatable toys, climbed coconut trees and rock walls, and ate pizza! Good times!


This is my mom-she's quite the party animal!

Oh, and I met my first neice! Meet Lucy...isn't she adorable!


I love the Beehive State!

As Promised...

I made it back to the Delaware State Fair!

Wayne was kind enough to invite me to see Miss CARRIE UNDERWOOD with him! If you know me at all, you know I love the country and I love Carrie, combine the two and that's as good as it gets in my book!

We started the evening right...you can never go wrong with fair food! (Unless you're trying to prevent a heartattack!)



We walked around the exhibits...who knew Elvis was alive, and in DE!?!



Then we headed to the stage to get ready for Carrie! Soldiers passed out American flags at the gate...patriotism at its best!



The stage had the most beautiful backdrop...silos and fields! AMAZING-it made my heart sing!



Full disclosure...I cried when Carrie sang "Don't Forget to Remember Me." I swear she was singing about me...mom putting $50 in her glovebox, lil sis at home, and with the silos behind the stage-who am I kidding of course I cried! Good thing Wayne has sisters...he just smiled and gave me a lil hug! We sat next to a darling little girl, dressed to the nines with a light up crown on her cowboy hat-adorable! Oh how I love the country!

The concert was awesome-I laughed, I cried, I sang my heart out, and completely enjoyed myself! I love Carrie, I love the country, and I love awesome friends that love the same things!


Oh, and on our way home we might have stalked a certain someone's tour bus...hey Carrie!!!

LEGENDARY!!!

Let me start by saying, my friends are amazing and Wayne gets all the credit for this weekend-he never gave up on Delaware or the rodeo or the beach. Thank you DeWayne and Delaware, you made my birthday weekend... LEGENDARY!

Wayne, Jenny, Di and I bolted out of DC and into the Delaware countryside (who knew there were cornfields in DE!) to get back to our roots.

It was the Delaware State Fair, and there's no way we'd miss that. The fairgrounds came out of nowhere...right in the middle of a teeny town, down the street from the local John Deere dealer-perfectly placed in the countryside!

It's been too long since I've been to a good fair-I literally ran to the gate! My heart was so happy! Wayne and I even sported or "country" gear to celebrate-gotta love a good boots/cow tipping shirt!

Of course, we began our fair adventure at the rodeo. Mercy me, I've never enjoyed a rodeo more. I'd like to personally thank the one cowboy that managed to ride for 8 seconds! Come west, young men, and we'll show you some real bullriders. They did their best, and I enjoyed myself, even if they weren't as talented as the cowboys I know!

Next stop, the pre-fab home! Wayne and I thought it only proper that we enter our new trailer in style...

And what's the best part of the fair? FAIR FOOD!!! We had homemade rootbeer, corndogs, gyros, kettle corn, fried twinkies, and a heartattack-but it was all worth it!

All the rodeoing and eating left us pretty bushed, so sadly we had to say goodbye-but don't worry, I'll be back Delaware State Fair! (seriously, for the Carrie Underwood concert on Monday!)

We said goodbye to the sights and sounds of the state fair...and headed to our luxury suite at the Super 8.

What are true friends for? Brushing your teeth at the Super 8. Don't ask me why...we're just that weird sometimes.

We woke up early-ish Saturday and headed to the Super Wal-Mart (I love America) to load up on beach food! Then headed off to Rehobeth Beach to meet up with more of our friends. It was a magical day in the sand...


We lounged, strolled the boardwalk, and played volleyball (Aggies v Cougars, and girls v guys-do you even need to ask who won?!?)



We paid tribute to America, then hit the road back to DC...



Delaware did not disappoint...

All-American Traditions

I celebrated Independence Day the All-American way-reveling in the things that make the good ole' USA great!

Here's the timeline:

7.4.08
9am-Pancake breakfast with the locals...

Notice how festive everyone looks!

5pm-Walking the National Mall, eatin hot dogs, and chattin' with friends!


9pm-Here's comes the rain...


10pm-Fireworks, Fireworks and more Fireworks!


11pm-Tabs and I running out of the metro to escape lil white guy v. large black dude fight.

11:01pm-Tabs and I running back into the metro to escape crazed roman candle girl shooting fireworks at people walking down the street.

7.5.08
1:30AM Tabbi, Wayne, Shule(bravely, sans bullet proof vest) and I board the Chinatown bus bound for NYC, baby!

Tabbi was really really excited to ride the bus!

5:30 AM! Dumped on a corner in NYC. We sat in a bus stop and waited for Starbucks to open.

6am-Good Morning Starbucks! I ordered a Cinnamon Dolce Steamer. In my early morning fog and halfway through the "steamer", I thought...this doesn't taste very good. Tabs tried it and started laughing. I guess I looked like I needed a boost so instead of skippin the espresso like I ordered, the lady went with a double shot instead. Tabbi's still laughing about this one...

We also took some time at Starbucks to get ready for the day. We didn't dare dip our toothbrushes in the bathroom sink (NYC-dirty!), so we used some good ole' American ingenuity to get the job done right at our table!


7am-Checked in at our -4 star hotel! We were upgraded to a "suite"-I'd hate to see the regular rooms.


8:07am Brunch at Sarabeth's. (Posted Hours of Operation:8am-11pm-but don't try to get in at 8-they're not open yet)-It was a delicious start to the day.


10am-A stroll through Central Park, including Strawberry Fields!!


11am-Hello Deli, Times Square, Rockefeller Center and a quick pic with the Naked Cowboy (he's dirty). It was Shule's first time in NYC, so we tried to show him all the sights!


And "fate" (as Wayne would put it) rewarded us with Jamba Juice, not once, but twice in NYC. Love, love, love JAMBA!

12pm-Escaping the rain at Rockefeller Center!


3pm-YANKEE STADIUM for the Yankees v Red Sox!!! It doesn't get much more American than a baseball rivalry! AWESOME-I love America!


We couldn't have asked for better weather-we were a little nervous the big game would be rained out or delayed. Luckily at game time, the skies cleared and we had absolutely beautiful baseball weather! Sitting with rabid Yankee and Sox fans was great...especially during the top of the 9th when the Sox (down by one) loaded the bases with no outs! There were some tense moments for Yankee fans...but Rivera pulled it out, and the Yankees won 2-1! The game set a record for most hit batters in a game-7!! Gotta love this rivalry at this stadium!


7pm-Dinner at the Carnegie Deli-our waitress was a gem (definitely an antique). She yelled at us, told us we wouldn't have enough food, etc. Perfect little slice of NYC hospitality! It's a good thing we knew going in that good food was on the menu not quality customer service!


11:30pm-Wayne, Tabbi and I finished our very long day with some Pinkberry! Yum...

7.6.08
We made it through our night in the Bate's Motel and set out to explore NYC!!!

We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge...


Ate some cupcakes from Magnolia's Bakery (food was definitely our friend in NYC)



And just took in the sights, and sounds of NYC before heading back on the bus!


Happy Birthday America!