White House Easter Egg Roll

Last Monday, we had the privilege of going to the White House Easter Egg Roll! DC locals know that the Egg Roll is quite the event and tickets are very hard to come by!

Maki, CJ and I got all dressed up, as dictated by my sister, a White House Easter Egg Roll veteran. Unfortunately, Easter was very early this year, so despite the blue skies, it was quite chilly and the boys never even unzipped their jackets. So much for dressing CJ in his snazzy vest.

We expected a simple Easter Egg roll, and were pleasantly surprised by all the activities and entertainment. CJ got to do some coloring, he got an Easter egg painted on his face, and yes, he did participate in the Easter Egg Roll. We also saw Gordon, Elmo and Zoe on the Sesame Street stage; we watched an animal trainer show off a baby alligator; and we watched Jordan Pruitt sing her new song. (Jordan Pruitt is more popular among the High School Music crowd, not toddlers, so we didn't actually know who Jordan Pruitt was until after the event.)

The volunteers were great. One volunteer took a family photo, and a National Park Service staffer patiently answered CJ's many questions about crabs on the Eastern shore. It was a fun morning, I got a ton of great photos, and CJ got to go to the White House!

I have a new method for packing for a trip

Wow, packing for a trip doesn't normally make for the most exciting of topics, but I'm so thrilled with my new packing technique, I just had to write about it.

Ever since I got married and now that we have CJ, I pack for the entire family when we go on trips. In the past, I would group all the like items together and put them in the suitcase. So, all of Maki's shirts would go in together, same with my shirts, CJ's clothes, etc. During the course of a trip, I would dig through the entire suitcase or suitcases to put together an outfit for any of us, on any given day.

For the Florida trip, I tried something different. I put together outfits for every day, for every member of the family. Then I would pack each day's clothes together in the suitcase. In essence, I created little piles for each day and only that pile would come out of the suitcase when we got dressed in the morning. This method worked like an absolute dream in Florida. I didn't spend all morning looking for matching clothes and even Maki could figure out what CJ was supposed to wear. :-)

Of course, this method requires more advance planning than just throwing a bunch of t-shirts and undies in the suitcase. And if the weather is different than what I had planned for, things shift around.

This method also seems to create less mess in the hotel room because the clean clothes stay in the suitcase until I need them. In a small room, this is key to keeping my sanity. Give it a try on your next trip and let me know if this method works for you.

STS-123 Takes Off into the Night

Around 2:00am, we settle down on the bleachers. Three female astronauts are on hand to give us updates and take questions. Two have gone up before, another will go in the future.

There are less than a couple hundred of us on the bleachers. Thank goodness that the cold weather and wind from the weekend were gone. We are told that the astronauts have been on a modified time schedule for several weeks to accommodate the night launch. They woke up at 5:30pm, and had lunch at 9:00pm. Around 10:30, they get ready for launch, and get strapped in a couple of hours before launch.

Both the commander and pilot are trained to flew the Endeavor. The other astronauts are there to set up the Kibo experiment module and conduct experiments in space. In the event of a problem, Endeavor will not launch. In the event of a problem after launch, usually within two minutes after takeoff, Endeavor will come back to KSC, which is why good weather is so important. The commander and pilot need visibility to bring the Endeavor back to earth and KSC.

After holding for a while, the countdown clock starting counting down at T -9:00. This time, the countdown was for real. We got to two minutes and we knew the launch was going to happen. Updates from mission control are now frequent. We even got to participate in the countdown, and it was cool to say 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and know that we were counting down to an actual rocket launch!

At T-0, the rockets started, the launch area got very bright, almost like daylight. A few seconds later, Endeavor blasted off into the air, creating a thick cloud of smoke and steam in its trail. The sound was not as loud as we expected, but you could definitely feel the rumbling from 3.5 miles away (the Vertical Assembling Building is 3 miles away; we were as close as civilians can get). We quickly lost sight of Endeavor because of the clouds, but we continued to get updates from mission control until about 10 minutes after launch.

Wow, you wait hours and hours for the launch, and then the launch happens in just a few seconds. But it was all worth it. A night launch is certainly spectacular. Yes, you actually get a better view on CNN, but you don't get the ambiance, the updates from the astronauts, the enthusiasm of the volunteers, and the actual knowledge that you are just a few miles from the actual event. Wow.

After 10 minutes, we were hustled back to the buses because an acid rain cloud was expected at T +28:00. The acid rain is created by the chemicals used at launch. It's not going to kill you, but it will irritate your skin. So we got on the buses, and headed back to Kiwanis Island to get into our cars. We said good-bye to Maki's parents and brother at Kiwanis, since our flight back to VA was the next morning.

Would I recommend a visit to Kennedy Space Center? Absolutely. It's about 30-45 minutes from Orlando airport and Disneyland and there are dozens of viewing areas from the so-called space coast (you don't have to have an invitation from an astronaut).

The night of the shuttle launch

The launch of Space Shuttle Endeavor was Tuesday, March 11, 2:28am. We were all excited because night launches are rare and supposed to be spectacular. The only problem is that night launches are just that, launches in the middle of the night.

The plan was to take a nap, then head to the launch. Unfortunately, CJ was not going along with the program. He simply did not want to nap. He was just too excited to be in Florida, with mommy and daddy, both grandmas and grandpa. Oh well. At 10:30pm on Monday night, we set off for Kiwanis Island, where the buses for family members were scheduled to pick us up.

After fighting nap time all day, CJ fell asleep in the car. Maki bundled him up, and put him down on a park bench to keep napping. Kiwanis Island is south of Kennedy Space Center(KSC), and we were told later that the various guests were picked up at various locations to avoid bus and traffic jams. At Kiwanis, we met Maki's parents and brother, and three Japanese astronauts. One had been up twice before and was scheduled to go up later in the year. Naoko was also there with her daughter and husband.

We boarded the buses around 11:30pm and drove to the Saturn V building, which is now a museum, since the program was cancelled many years ago. The Saturn V building is like a mini-Air and Space museum, with cool exhibits and a food court. An actual Saturn V rocket is on display, as well as a lander. CJ stayed asleep and my mom was good enough to park on a bench and let him sleep on her.

Guests of the astronauts had a prime viewing location behind the Saturn V building, an area called Banana Creek. The area was restricted to astronaut guests, although other guests were in nearby viewing areas. There were many volunteer guides, including Jack Martin, who were assisting the guests and answering questions. We also had three female astronauts explaining the launch sequence the entire time.

There was even a countdown clock and we received regular updated from the KSC mission control tower. The countdown clock is really interesting. It doesn't count down as you would expect. There are several hold periods, during which the countdown clock just stops. For example, the countdown clock stopped at T (takeoff) -20:00 and T -9:00m. A volunteer explained that the holding period allows NASA to extend the prep time. When the clock stops at T-20:00, it doesn't mean that launch will happen in 20 minutes. It means they did a countdown, they are holding, and are waiting for the next signal to keep counting down. Continuing the countdown means all is well and the launch is proceeding.

We met several volunteers in their 70s who say they volunteer at every shuttle launch. They seemed just as excited about STS-123 as any other launch. And boy did they know about seemingly everything to do with the launch.

At around 2:00am, things got serious. The astronauts encouraged us to get settled on the bleachers and wait for the countdown and launch.

Tour of the Shuttle Launch Area

Monday, March 10 was the day of our tour and briefing. We had to be at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) by 9:15am to get our credentials checks and board special buses. Our group boarded the bus devoted to Astronaut Doi's family and friends, which meant the tour was in both English and Japanese.

Jack Martin, retired NASA contractor was our tour guide. He was joined by Naoko Yamazaki, a female Japanese astronaut who I believe is scheduled to go up later this year.

Our bus took us to the shuttle launch area, past the Vertical Assembly Building (VAB), and then to the shuttle launch area, which is 3 miles from the VAB. Jack said it takes five hours to move the shuttle from the VAB to the launch area; the move is done about 30 days before the scheduled launch.

The shuttle launch area is surrounded by a fence. You know the pictures you see of the shuttle on TV? We were very close to where the TV cameras are stationed. During launch, they are obviously unmanned while taking photos and video. We got to leave the bus and take pictures. Mom and I got to spend time with Jack and ask him questions I'm sure he's answered a thousand times before. He says that KSC is in charge of the shuttle until it leaves the ground and when it touches down for landing. Otherwise, mission control in Houston at the Johnson Space Center is in charge. So that's why the astronauts always refer to Houston in the movies and on TV.

We learned about the tremendous heat and sound that the rockets generate at liftoff. Jack said that the sound is more likely to kill you, which is why 400,000 gallons of water are dumped on the ground at liftoff to dampen the noise. The noise dampening also helps to prevent damage to the shuttle and equipment from the sound waves. Makes sense, but I guess I never really thought about how sound waves can bend metal and kill you. Eeek.

Jack is a neat guy. He's a retired contractor, he's been with NASA since the 50s and he has volunteered on nearly every shuttle launch. Mind you, this week's launch was the 123rd launch (STS-123) although not all launched successfully.

Naoko was neat. How cool that we met a female Japanese astronaut!

After the tour, we attended a mission briefing by a female astronaut who has already flown on the shuttle and Naoko. They gave us background information on the astronauts, the mission, the schedule for launch, etc. Astronaut Reisman is staying on the space station, allowing another astronaut currently on the space station to come home. There is usually four astronauts from different countries on the space station at any given time. Just think about it. The space station is being built, piece by piece, by just a few dozen men and women, over vast distances.

After the tour, we lunched at the food court, enjoyed more space dots ice cream, saw a 3D IMAX movie about the space station (this one narrated by Tom Cruise), then headed back to the hotel for some rest.

Unfortunately, CJ was not in the mood to nap, so we headed to dinner at a popular seafood restaurant called Dixie Crossroads. We enjoyed some rock shrimp and lobster. Yum. After dinner, it was back to the hotel for a few hours of rest before heading out to the shuttle launch area around 11pm.

First visit to Kennedy Space Center

NASA had arranged for guests of the astronauts to have a tour of Kennedy Space Center and the shuttle area on Sunday, March 9.

We met Maki's parents for lunch in Titusville. Of all things, we found a Malaysian restaurant, the Pineapple Bay, in Titusville. The food was good and Maki and I enjoyed introducing Malaysian food to our parents.

The main activity of the day was getting our special passes to the family tour and launch. We had to go through a security screening at Kennedy Space Center before entering the administrative office to get our credentials.

Once we got our tickets, we were free to wander around Kennedy Space Center, which is kind of like a NASA Disneyland. We watched a 3D IMAX movie about the moon (narrated by Tom Hanks, of course), we walked through a couple of exhibits, we went inside a space shuttle, and went on the Shuttle Launch Experience ride. The Launch Experience ride is a trip. You get a little briefing, then you go on a ride that is meant to simulate a launch, complete with 45 degree angles and a bit of G force. Of course, we enjoyed space dots, the space age, frozen ice cream, which CJ just loved.

I especially liked the posters that showed the different technologies that were developed through the space program, like food safety testing, breast cancer screenings, climate change detection, etc., you get the idea. We all enjoyed seeing the inside of a space shuttle. The space shuttle is like a smallish plane, with pretty much just room for the astronauts and cargo.

After a full day or sightseeing at Kennedy Space Center, Maki's parents left for a NASA reception and to pick up Maki's brother. We had a fun dinner at Taco Bell. I could tell I was going to get a lot of junk food on this trip. So much for Joe Dillon.

Florida, here we come!

Last Saturday, Maki, CJ, mom and I flew out to Orlando to visit the Kennedy Space Center to view the night launch of the space shuttle Endeavor. So how did we get this gig? It goes like this. Maki's dad works for JAMSS America.

JAMSS America, Inc. (JAI) is part of the Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS), the prime operations contractor to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). JAI is an aerospace engineering consulting company that provides various support for the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Yes, Maki's dad is a rocket scientist.

To make a short story long, Maki's mom is good friends with Hitomi Doi, the wife of Takao Doi, one of the astronauts on the Endeavor. Hitomi invite Maki's parents and us and my mom to view the shuttle launch as their guests. Astronaut Doi is part of the Endeavor crew because Kibo, the Japanese experiment module, was scheduled to go up with the launch.

So, on Saturday morning, we flew to Orlando. Kennedy Space Center is a mere half hour away from Orlando Airport. Who knew? I've been going to Orlando all these years and kept missing the Florida space coast.

We arrived around lunch time, got our rental car and drove to the Best Western in Titusville. The weather was surprisingly cold (30s), so I broke the news to CJ that he was not going to get any beach time.

Titusville is not much to look at. The Best Western, which bills itself the Space Shuttle Inn, is surrounded by fast food restaurants and big box retailers. We were next door to Home Depot, McDonald's, KFC, Target, well, you get the idea. We met up with Maki's parents for dinner and turned in early so that we could get a jump on Sunday.

What was that all about?

A couple of weeks ago, Maki and I went to dinner at La Tasca in Clarendon with some friends. After dinner, we decided to have a drink at Harry's Tap Room next door.

So picture this. All six of us are having a drink along the back side of the bar, three women chatting together, the men in a group on their own.

Suddenly, these two guys join us ladies. I thought they were on their way to the restroom, but it seems they wanted to stay and chat with us. One guy had some line about how he was sure we all had Masters degrees. Whatever.

It has been a looooong time since I was part of the bar scene. Come to think of it, I was never really part of it, so these guys coming up and talking to us was just weird. I honestly didn't even know what was happening. Come on, I'm old and I'm married and I'm wearing a ring. And my husband was eight feet from me!

Anyway, the gentlemen finally clued in that our guys were right next to us and they scooted back to another part of the bar. Sue says the whole thing happened coz her super attractive sister was with us and she's single. I bet she's right. What a riot.

I toured a green building last week!

I got to tour the building of the National Association of Realtors last week, the first building in DC to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the US Green Building Council.

So, what's the building like? First, the building is on Capitol Hill, not far from Union Station. The architecture is absolutely stunning; the building has rounded walls and is narrow at the ends and wider in the middle. All floors are flooded with light as a result of the floor to ceiling windows.

I didn't get all of the details, but here are some of the things that make the building green:

• the rooftop collects rainwater; this water is used to irrigate the plants
• high efficiency windows
• a super-efficient HVAC system
• the use of renewable bamboo wood for the wood paneling inside
• recycled carpet
• compact flourescent lighting that is sensitive to sunlight, i.e., when it's sunny outside, the bulbs grow dimmer
• motion-sensitive lighting in the bathrooms and other areas of the building
• water-free urinals in the bathroom; yup, I got to see them; they use carbon filters and don't smell bad at all
• all construction materials are sourced within 500 miles of the building
  

In addition to being green, the building is super-high tech, with electric window coverings, the latest in audio and videoconferencing capabilities in every conference room, and on and on.

You can read more about the NAR building at:
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2004/naropensbldg04.html

You can learn more about LEED at:
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

I'm a bit of a green buff, so it was a total treat for me to tour the building! Thanks to Pamela K and Susan M for arranging the tour.