Pennsylvania and Washington DC

Between 7/13/07 to 7/22/07, I travelled to Washington DC and Hagerstown, PA. I stayed for about a week in Hagerstown and 2-3 days in Washington DC. This is my first time travelling to this part of the country. I have travelled often to places outside of the North America continent that I fail to explore the rest of the good ol' US of A.

Signature Schu's Feet Shot

In Hagerstown, I stayed at my friend, Howard's folks and gotten to attend his family's reunion. Needless to say, I was the only Asian. Buy I was glad that they did not look at me like some strange alien from outer space. However, one thing for sure...people here sure eat very greasy stuff....and definitely don't know what is good Chinese Food (yes, there are Chinese Restaurants here).

What's on your dirty mind??!!!

I did not do a whole lot during my stay. I got to experience what is it like to live in a small town in America. I don't think I can ever live here....I am a City Boy after all.

In Washington DC, Howard and I did all the main attraction in basically one afternoon (7/21). We walked all over the main area, visited all the museums. My foot was exhausted.


Every Big US City has to have a Chinatown...

...and a Holocaust Museum...

As Howard and I got close to the Lincoln Memorial, we encounter some very familiar folks....the crazy Falun Gung cult!! They were just meditating on the steps to the memorial. They were obnoxious as they pretty much blocked a lot of pathway. Worst of all, they were in my camera's way!!!!

This is what I came to see....

...but I got this instead!!! AIYA!!!!

When I got back to the hotel, I was exhausted...but there were lots of people at the bookstore across the street from the hotel. They were getting their hands on the none other, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. So now, I can forever remember Washington DC via Harry Potter.

The Final Phase Complete...My Favorite Room!!!

This is the entertainment room where I spend lots of my time. It contains some of my most treasure collections: DVDs and CDs. The old entertainment room was a mess. I had too many collectable things (most call them junk) and don't have enough storage space.





Now this is new makeover. The biggest change is the NO CLUTTER look!!! I actually have enough storage throughout the house that I don't have to leave things on the couch and floor anymore!!! The cabinets on the left are from IKEA (The Billy Bookshelf Series). The configuration was able to house all my DVD and CD collection with some room to spare for my future Blu-ray collection!!!





The ceiling recessed fixtures (Contrast Lighting R2000V Series) are of better quality and design from the ones I have upstairs. They are more sturdy and much more contemporary looking. They are of brushed aluminum trim finish with frosted-glass reflector. Simply beautiful.

The only two big items I am missing now is a new 52" LCD (or Plasma) TV and a Salamander Entertainment Cabinet. Both items are super expensive, so I am taking my time to acquire them. For the time being, my entertainment center is out of commision even though recessed surround speakers are all in place in the ceiling and rear wall. :(

The rear area and the kitchen downstairs are still a mess...when that area is more presentable, I will have more pics. Stay tuned....

The Final Phase Complete...the Guest Bathroom!!!

Here is my guest bathroom connected to the Ground Floor Entertainment Room. For some reason, my friends like this layout and design more. It is a bit dimmer than the other bathroom, but does have some character. The tiles are exactly the same as my guest bathroom on the 2nd floor, but they have been rotated to go vertically. This really make the bathroom seem a lot taller.



The faucet and shower were all purchased via bids on Ebay, thus they are very inexpensive (ie. the Grohe handsink faucet was $80). I have purposely made downstairs to be more handicap friendly (grab bar in tub), just in case in the future I have a hard time climbing up the stairs due to injury.



I have made the decor here to be for my doggies: Milo and Cookie. The picture frames and shadow boxes were floor sample sale items from Pottery Barn. The vanity cabinet is of the same series as my kitchen and the lighting fixture (Lightolier Vetro Series) is the same as the staircase, to provide the house with a more continuity feel.