Earth Day on the Mall

Earth Day means a lot to me.  One, the River that I pass through each day either over bridge or under river tunnel and runs through the heart of the Nation's Capital has been called one of the most endangered rivers in America.  Polluted stormwater runoff, trash both commercial and residential, an antiquated sewer system and years and years of neglect have besieged and deluged this mucky, murky river, where I have made home -- a legacy that will certainly take a generation to remedy.

Two, in the past, some of the streets and sidewalks along my stomping grounds have become horrendous eyesores washed with trash and litter and there are not enough cans for people to do the right thing and to dispose of waste properly, in containers -- it's as easy as that.

So Earth Day at the Mall touched me personally in many ways.  Both the tree that my friend planted in historic Anacostia, yesterday and touring the EPA People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) National Sustainable Design Expo would be something that I will always remember.  As part of our weekly Sunday run, we had a chance to visit the Expo tent, and I almost jumped up in joy when I saw my alma mater (UF) showcasing their irrigation project in West Africa.  I was both pleased and very proud at that moment to be a an Earthian, Anacostian and a Gator.

After a couple of loops around the mall in another just perfect weather run -- overcast, mid-60s with not a puff of wind in sight, I had to divert to Arlington to take a mock LSAT test -- Uggh.

Then after the long, treacherous 4 hours of logic reasoning and scantron bubbling, I made my mecca to the Mall to catch the remainder of the Earthday Music Fest, complete with a giant main stage and two LED jumbotrons with crisp, clear video and sound.

It was great to see the Flaming Lips bringing their psychedelic rock to the Mall, and I enjoyed looking around and seeing a sea of people, young and old, awash in a sea of colors:  bright, rich sapphire; soothing ocean and bright azure, all trendy and eco-friendly.

Finally, I was so glad to be a part of Earth Day --the educational displays, the music, and speakers who discussed the environment and creating a green world.

General Powell and the Inaugural Run

Easter Service at National Community Church with friends -- Pastor Mark spoke about Lazarus and how Jesus raised him from the dead. "Never put a comma where God puts a period and never put a period where God puts a comma." The resurrection changed the punctuation mark. Death is not a period. It's a comma. It's not an end. It's a new beginning.

Skipped lunch @ Union Station. Gotta save that digestive system for the run ahead, yes my friend's inaugural run.

First no parking--bumper to bumper, was something goin' on?

All the cherry blossoms had fallen, symbolic of life swept away. Finally, this never happens to me fortune. While waiting impatiently in a slow crawl, the guy in front of me, all of a sudden decides to pull out. I almost drove ahead, couldn't believe my eyes and finally instinct got the best of me, and I rolled right in, the best parking spot, on primetime Constitution Ave, minutes away from the Wall and the Lincoln Memorial

We started our warm up for my good friend's inaugural run, a nice stroll along the Mall to the Lincoln Memorial to witness history in the making

We were once again in luck. The concert was just wrapping up. We had made it to see the 70th anniversary of Marian Anderson's landmark concert in 1939. The opera singer had been turned away from performing at the DAR Constitution Hall near the White House because she was Black.

Marian Anderson never wanted to be a Civil Rights icon -- all she ever wanted to do was sing, and on April 9, 1939, her dream came true in front of 75,000 on Easter Sunday.

You Never Know Who You Might Meet:

The "President's Own" decked out in red and gold with those funny shoulder ropes.

We climbed the steps to catch a better view until the National Park Service ranger stopped us cold.

Minutes later, we tried again, this time we were able to proceed unapprehended. We couldn't believe our eyes who we saw instead -- former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State,

General Colin Powell, standing just inches in front of us.

Gen Powell was in the ceremony to read portions of Lincoln's second inaugural address and to congratulate 200 immigrants who became new U.S. citizens at the event -- wow, what a great American honor, and not bad for our historic, inaugural run.

Then we pressed on with our memorable run along the Tidal Basin to watch the last remnants of the Cherry Blossoms and the 2009 Cherry Blossom Festival. Though the blossoms had all by now fallen into the tidal basin and along the banks, we were still captivated by the beauty of it all, so entranced that we ran all around the basin and continued on past WW II, Washington and halfway towards the Capitol before we couldn't go on -- we were impressed and it exceeded our most ambitious expectations on this, her inaugural run of the season.

How I Got Started in Running:

While this was my friend's first run, it was not too long ago that I had started running. Just 2 1/2 years ago, a co-worker asked us at the office if anyone wanted to run the Army Ten Miler that coming Saturday. At the last minute, his wife couldn't make it, and he was willing to give me her bib. I raised my hand, mainly because no one else showed interest. And after that experience, there was no turning back. I have been addicted ever since like it's my new drug. I got into marathons because I like running so much. However, as I started developing knee pains, I decided to cross train with other sports. So I started biking and swimming. That is how I crossed over into triathlons.

Fireworks and Finish Fest -- Capping DC's Gala Event

It's been a fabulous three weeks of Cherry blossoms and celebrations, DC's Gala event of the year.  Opening festival at the Building Museum, Parade, Street Fest, Anacostia Festival including a sneak preview to my community's first classic venue: Jazz N Soul on Shannon St.  And today, it all came to a glorious finale at the Prelude and Fireworks at Waterfront Park.

The entertainment included performances by the US Army band and a local band--one of DC's best kept secrets, I'm sure -- that wowed the crowds and rocked the boats in their slips, "Sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tide roll away."

It was comfortable, cozy and relaxing all in one.  Felt like family and festive at the same time.  For a while I thought we were taken away and transplanted to a friendly, small town in New England, or a Midwest village somewhere along the mighty Mississippi, or to a community somewhere in the Deep South where I had once called home.

In Honor of a Compassionate Provider and a Selfless War Hero: LT Florence Choe

Today I received very sad news -- I lost a friend and fellow shipmate to enemy fire in Afghanistan.

I had the privilege to work with Flo at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. Florence was a Medical Service Corps officer who was very giving, charismatic and someone who I deeply admired and respected.

Florence was taking an afternoon job on March 27 along a well-worn path on the outskirts of Forward Operating Base Shaheen in Afghanistan with a fellow Sailor, a Seabee, LTJG Francis "Frankie" Toner.

This is when an Afghan soldier turned insurgent raised his weapon and shot the two Sailors.

And Florence had given the greatest gift of her life.  In Bethesda, she worked with the Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) contingencies team helping returning casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan as they arrive in Andrews Air Force Base transfer to Bethesda.

In Afghanistan, Florence had volunteered for a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan, even though it meant a year away from her husband, a urology resident at Naval Medical Center San Diego, and their three-year old daughter.

Florence had given her time and service to the casualties and to our Freedom many times over.

I will never forget her sweet smile and compassionate heart.

My deepest condolences to Florence's family. Flo, you will be deeply missed. I will never forget you and the ultimate sacrifice you made to make this world a better place for all. 

I will never taken life for granted.  Neither will I take running for granted.  Even on a hot, sweltering summer afternoon or on a cold, blustery winter morning, being able to run in freedom and without the threat of being shot at is a gift.  

Especially on those long, hard runs -- I will remember and honor Florence's ultimate sacrifice.

Thank you your service Florence and God Bless you and your family.

Chasing Cherry Blossoms and Finding the Meaning in Life

I came because the wood thrush called me: They were out in mass and perhaps for another day or two.  The bloom that blushes every spring and rings the Tidal Basin pink. Blindingly beautiful and then before you know, are blown away, like everything we own, not meant to last forever, not even for a lifetime or a season of change. Like the most pure virgin smile will certainly wrinkle or the undying lovethat may one day fade away, the majestic sakura as the baby blossoms fall.

So I hit the road with weary feet, still trembling from last week's 26-miler, the one that wasn't meant to be, and now I tried to wipe away.  But my mind was fresh and my heart anew,  hungry to steal a glimpse of those pastel petals floating loftily with every puff or sprinkle. The ground, my Nikes covered in white like the foot of snow from the errant blizzard flight, imposed on us like a long-forgotten great uncle that blanketed this city just last month, if I remember right.  Other than that night, DC no longer knew pure white from the haze of snow except this fortnight, the cloud of bloom rising high and purple sepals raining nigh on the grass and foot paths something magical, idolic and ripe.

I ran with all the might I could muster but soon found myself frozen still in the light of the Pearly luster searching for the inner meaning and peace that had escaped me and hoping that this model of love and transience of life will stay indelibly etched in my enigma even if I have to chase them down before they all floated away.

 

Sakura Matsuri

Today we visited the much anticipated Sakura Matsuri, Cherry Blossom Festival in downtown DC.

We exited the metro at Archives, so we first visited the Navy Memorial to celebrate the "Year of the Seabees and Civil Engineer Corps"

Found the Seabee mascot, the fierce-looking bee complete with Tommy gun and tools, cute and the center of attention.

Then the Navy's Ceremonial Guard in unison poured water from the Seven Seas (Black, Caspian, Persian, Red, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Arabian) and the Great Lakes into the foundation to charge the fountains. The fountains lit up and the audience cheered.

Enjoyed Navy Bean soup prepared by the White House Mess. Then we walked next block to the Street Fest. Truly enjoyed the music (J-POP, taiko drums), the culture, Japanese arts and craft, the food (udon, sashimi, calamari and chicken sate) and of course the Japanese beer garden.

Finally, a nice long walk around the Tidal Basin (Jefferson, FDR) to walk off the big meal, then the WW II Memorial. The sun shone brightly. Billowy clouds formed over the windswept waves, looking magical and majestic covering the peacefully idyllic Tidal Basin. The cherry trees, flowery and low, were definitely at peak bloom and people appeared happy and elated all around.