dinner dates

all if this for $17! Happy hour is my new favorite time of the day!

I have been a busy lady for the past few evenings. It has been great because I have gotten to catch up with old friends and get to know new ones. Last Thursday, I met up with my high school friend, Emmy for dinner in Virginia. Emmy is actually a resident at Memorial where I used to work. We just missed each other! Well, she was at a conference in Virginia pretty close to me, so we met up. We had not seen each other since high school and ended up reconnecting in a totally different place. I think that is pretty cool. We ate at an Irish-style pub/restaurant called New Devines. We both had these mini pot pies (called Australian pies). They were really, really good! I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and the company. We chatted for about 3 hours. It was really fun. Oh.. and bonus, when I crossed over into Virginia, I had to pay a toll.. but don't fret folks.. it was one of those tolls where you just throw your change into the bin and keep on driving. I have always wanted to do that, but every toll I have run into before either has a ticket or you pay a person.. so it was one of those special life moments I guess. Seriously, I was actually excited to pay the toll- but not on the way back. I mean, been there- done that. :)
So Friday I went out with Jamie and Brittany from work. Jamie is the traveling nurse that I worked with in Seattle, and she is pictured above (from our time in Seattle). Both girls are really fun, and we had a good time. We ate at Caddies on Cordell Street in Bethesda. It was a really cool sports bar, and the atmosphere made me feel like I was in college again. I liked that! It was fun, and we are making more plans. We might take a side trip to NYC if possible! Brittany and I also have a date to see Twilight: New Moon.
On Monday I met up with my doctor friend from San Diego, Paul. We went to Galaxy Billiards in the Silver Spring CityPlace (which is a mall). Until I drove down to this place, I had no idea there were so many things in Silver Spring! There were so many shops and restaurants- including Chick-fil-A! We had a fun dinner, and I am going to get to meet and hang out with some of his friends this weekend. So that will be fun. He also talked me into buying some shoes. Sorry Kraig, he is a bad influence- but a fun one!
Anyways, I did not expect too much from this trip to Maryland, but it is turning out to be great. I have had plenty to do and plenty of people to do it with, and I still have my college friends to visit. I even have an open invite to my old roommate, Ashley's house to watch tv. Now, I am all set! Now if I could just get Baxter to stop meowing and to stop clawing me and the furniture.. hmmm