As I was researching my dinner plans yesterday, I came across some exciting receptions. First, I wanted to attend the inaugural event of the Black Professionals Connection, which is Washington’s newest organization of young Black Professionals. It was designed for black professionals to meet one another in a unique and upscale setting. And the best part was it was open to all people, not just African-Americans! Since it was an upscale event, I think they were asking for donations so I decided against it.

I was bummed out because I was looking forward to meeting some sexy young black professions, but I’m glad I decided not to go because I got lucky! (Well, not really... but I’ll explain) I sent out a mass-email to my friends that work on the Hill and to my roommates to see if they knew of anything going on around DC. I got several responses, one from my uber conservative friend who is a Hill staffer, one from my roommate and another from the Hill office I worked in last summer. Of the many responses, the two that seemed the most promising were the fundraising event at the Cantina Marina for minority leader John Boehner. It was invitation only, but I gots mad connections so I managed to get on the list. The second was a welcoming party with the secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. She was scheduled to host a reception to welcome Asian Pacific American interns to Washington, D.C. The latter was obviously right up my alley. I figured, even though it would be so fun to go to the Boehner event (what an unfortunate name…) I decided to go disguised as my roommate to the Elaine Chao event. 

So, I left CAP and ran home quickly to change into business attire and to grab my roommate’s I.D. I channeled my high school and early college days when I had to memorize everything on my fake I.D. I made my way over to the Department of Labor on 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. When I arrived, I saw a swarm of Asians all suited up to meet their hero, Elaine L. Chao!

I guess it’s true what they say, “All Asians look the same” because the man checking the IDs at the registration table didn’t even give me a second look. I’m about 4 shades darker than my roommate, my hair is jet black, hers is light brown, and basically we look nothing alike. Let’s just say, I got REALLY LUCKY!! I entered the enormous room where about 200 young Asian Pacific Islanders were awaiting Secretary Chao’s arrival. Of course I had one thing and one thing only on my mind. “Where’s the food at?”

I saw some refreshments and appetizers (cheese, veggie platters, mini sandwiches, coke, sprite and water)… I took about 5 mini sandwiches, a bowl full of cheese bites and two-three celery sticks (with some yummy ranch dipping sauce).

As I was enjoying my small, but delicious goodies, a young woman asked me if the tuna sandwich was any good. We then engaged in the ‘who are you interning for’ ‘what school do you go to’ ‘do you like D.C’ bit… until we were all informed on the microphone that the one and only, Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao was here and ready to speak to us all. Chao got on the mic and gave a short welcoming speech. She told us to make the most of our time in D.C. and to network a lot. I noticed that there were about 20-25 camera men there from various media outlets. So, I was grouped with some interns to wait in line for my photo with Elaine Chao. I got my picture taken with her and was assured that it would be sent to me (err, my roommate) within the week.

Overall, opting against the young black professionals’ reception and the fundraiser for the minority leader got me lucky with some Asians!

My lunch plans were all set. I was to go to the Heritage Foundation for a lunch briefing from 11:30am-1:00pm about, “Southeast Asia's Forgotten Tier: Burma, Cambodia and Laos” I arrived at Heritage, drenched in sweat and panting heavily. I asked the man at the front desk where the event would be and he so graciously told me that IT HAD BEEN CANCELED AND RESCHEDLED FOR THE 26TH!

No fear, I thought, I’m Super Sonal. I can do this. So I went to Union Station to re-connect with my trusty friend Gautaum. I ended up sampling from every single vendor… I had my fair share of delicious teriyaki chicken and tiny tuna melt sandwiches and even managed to score a free apple from the nice Ethiopian ladies working the Paradise Smoothies joint… Even though this seemed satisfying for the lunch portion of today’s free food-a-thon, it actually left me feeling as though I needed to do more.

The day picked up when I got a phone call from a friend (I won’t mention any names) telling me about the free hotdogs and Italian ice on 14th and K. I picked up my bag (and camera) and was off to devour some yummy hotdogs and cool off with some icy goodness.

I arrive to find that the hot dogs were not your standard everyday baseball game hotdogs. They were in fact gourmet hotdogs with delicious poppy seed buns. It was all for the promotion of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Resort on 14th and K, which is now my most favorite hotel in all of D.C.

The nice man asked, “What flavor Italian ice would you like? We have lemon, orange and raspberry.” I said, “I would love an orange one, please!”

Later, I inhaled my tasty hot dog and then began to enjoy my scrumptious orange flavored Italian ice.

 Super Sonal with the hot dog men

 
Eating my yummy hotdoggie!

My orange tongue after I had my free Orange flavored Italian Ice. It's worth displaying, right?

More from the Free Food-A-Thon -- click here.

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 After the Medicaid event on the Senate side of the capitol....I went around to all of the “international” food places in Union Station and had my share of samplings. But it was at Aditi India Kitchen that I had the most luck. As I was looking at the menu, Gautaum (the nice man at the register) asked me where I was from in India. I so cutely said, “I’m Guju, from Gujarat!”…he excitedly said, “Oh! Guju! Very good. Your deddy has hotels?”…I laughed and said, “No he doesn’t. But good guess!” I winked and batted my eyes. Then I said, “You know, I don’t really like Gujarati food… I really love Punjabi food, like Naan!”… then exactly what I wanted to happen… happened…..He went to the back of his small kitchen and pulled out a small fresh piece of naan. He gave it to me and said, “For the road” and tilted his head slightly, revealing his sweet smile.

My initial reaction was, “Ew I just flirted with a man to get free food…” but then I thought “Success!” Even though I felt horrible about leading my dear friend Mr. Gautaum on… I got my free piece of delicious naan! Yay!!

Feeling accomplished and extremely full… I trekked back to the Center with three pastries (from the Medicaid briefing) for my favorite judges. On my way out of Union Station, I saw a man with a sign that said, “Hungry and Homeless”… so I gave him a cherry pastry. He looked at me with deep, sad eyes and said, “God Bless You”. I left with a smile. I felt as though I actually had been blessed.

I redeemed myself from feeling horrible about going to an event (Medicaid) just for the food, missing work in search of food and well, generally obsessing about food for most of my morning. The guilt-factor crept up on me and I began to think about people in Sudan inflicted with genocide, mothers that do not have ANY food to feed their hungry children and the millions of people living on welfare. (Sorry to bring in the reality of the situation but I must)…

My experience this morning made me realize something deeper, something beyond the fact that so much food is wasted at these political events…it made me realize that instead of sitting and enjoying our morning pastries, sipping our coffees and listening to political hogwash… we must always remain aware, divinely aware, that some people do not have these luxuries. Be thankful. Be joyous. Do not waste… and if you have some free food or left overs, give it to the homeless.

More from the Free Food-A-Thon -- click here.

I woke up at 7am this morning to make a Senate briefing, sponsored by the glorious CATO Institute titled, “Medicaid’s Soaring Costs: Time to Step on the Brakes”. I was sort of dreading it because, I'll be honest, I have absolutely no background knowledge on this issue nor was I looking forward to listening to Senator Judd Gregg spew his political rhetoric. I get out of Union Station, walk with the flock of Hill staffers…. And make my way into the Russell Senate Building. I scribble my name onto the sign in sheet, give a generic email address, and make my way into the room.

I enter and discretely search for the food. I’ve heard that CATO’s got the big bucks and usually have bangin’ breakfasts, lunches and dinners. My expectations were met when I placed my eyes on the baskets full of muffins (bran, lemon poppy seed, blue berry!), pastries (cheese and cherry!), donuts (glazed, chocolate, cinnamon!) and orange juice in cute little cups, oodles of coffee. But then, I notice that I see someone already by the muffins that I recognize. Athletic, attractive, dirty blonde, strong jaw line… wait, that can’t be. Oh my god, it is. Zach Marks. Get out!

He was chatting up a woman (go figure…) who ended up being an employee of the Bureau of Economic Analysis. So, I walk over… and say hello. The woman and Zach seemed to be getting really into their discussion but all I could think about was getting a taste of those gorgeously decorated pastries.

Right when I dove for a plate, the woman asked Zach and me who we were with. I hesitated but Zach said, “The Center for American Progress.” (I wanted to go disguised as a gun-tottin’ republican from Florida and he totally blew my cover) and as if he couldn’t make matters worse… he continued, “You know, definitely to the left of CATO.” She assured us that many organizations are to the left of CATO. But then… she asks if we are interested in this topic… Zach says, “Well you know, it’s great to get out of the office, attend these events, you know get some free food.”……

BUSTED!

She replies, “Well, I hope you aren’t here just for the food….”

Ha. Only if she knew.

*Before everyone hates on a sister for not caring about Medicaid… I do care about it. I wouldn’t normally attend an event on this subject but I’m glad I did.