17 GOP votes for HConRes63, good.

I came across this interesting editorial from The Hill, one of the newspapers that circulate around DC (I'm not sure if it also goes around outside it). Remember that last week, the Congress voted on H. Con. Res. 63 supporting the troops in Iraq but is against the escalation desired by Dubya. Out of the 246 that voted for the resolution, 17 of them were Republicans including my representative. Several posts ago, I put his speech regarding that matter. I only took it to mean that he was a good man for voting against the escalation and for thinking that it's a mistake to place the American troops between the feuding Shia and Sunni; I didn't dig further to give it some political interpretation. I think the article I saw today gives quite a good one on the 17 GOP votes.

Instead of excoriating Republicans who said no to Bush’s plan, they should be privately thankful that someone in their party broke ranks. In the long run, if handled right, those “no” votes will benefit GOP candidate recruitment and electoral success in swing districts, helping the party recapture majority control.

...Republicans, both those who voted yes and no, must have been motivated by their principles rather than partisanship. Otherwise, it would have been a straight-line party vote. It speaks volumes [that] some Republicans feel so strongly about their principles that they chose to walk the hard path of defecting. It says that Republicans think. It says that Republicans listen to the people they represent. It says that Republicans are principled. It says that Republicans stand their ground even when it’s tough. These messages benefit all Republicans.

A key problem with the war in Iraq is that it’s become a partisan affair in the minds of too many Americans. And a difficulty with GOP partisan strategies regarding Iraq is that they are perceived as the personal agenda of just one man, George Bush.

The whole article can be found here

Eau de Toilette

The two most addicting scents right now for me are:

Polo Black (not the double black): so many people said this smelled so good. I understood why.

and

Abercrombie Fierce: the first time I smelled this from the polo I got from A&F, I knew that if they're selling it, I'd heck get it. Apparently, they have it and so... I got it!

Parteeeh Tracks

Now I know why Hawk N' Dove keeps on playing the same songs over and over again. They're addicting and they're just the best at the moment.

1. I Wanna Fuck/Love You- Akon
2. Sexy Back & My Love- JT
3. Irreplaceable- Beyonce
4. Fergalicious- Fergie (BEP)
5. Like A Prayer- Madonna
6. Hollaback Girl- Gwen Stefani
7. Smack That- Akon
8. Hips Don't Lie- Shakira
9. My Humps- BEP
10. Since U Been Gone- Kelly Clarkson

Honorable Mention: Pour Some Sugar On Me- Def Lepard

I'd dance to any of these songs anytime.

Becoming Fit?

I wonder how many calories I burned last night after dancing for so long.

Chinatown Chinese Restos

Every Friday. I've made it a point to go to Chinatown and try the different Chinese restaurants around. So far I've tried 3, plus one seafood (non-Chinese) restaurant. It's quite difficult to actually write a review since I've only tried a dish or two. Perhaps comments- both on the place and the food I've tried- would be more appropriate.

Legal Seafood Restaurant: 3.5-4 Spoons
The place looks classy enough for semi-/formal meetings. A good one for some casual brunch/dinner. They're located just right across McDonald's, near the metro station. The atmosphere is a bit relaxed, laid-back and cozy. The food I tried here was a Crabstick sandwich, which was for $14-16. It came with fries if I'm not mistaken. It was pretty good. The prices of the entrees and other sandwiches are a bit high-end so if you're on a tight budget, this might not be the place for you. But I wouldn't mind going back there once I'm done exploring the Chinese restos in the area.

Full Kee Restaurant: 4 Spoons
This looks like your traditional Chinese restaurant; it could be easily felt once you enter. The resto is located along H street, 1 block away north of Starbucks (when you're facing CVS). It comes in 2 levels (somewhat), with the lower level providing more seats. It might be hard to do justice commenting on the restaurant since I think I got the wrong dish that time. It wasn't bad but it wasn't the best either. But the spring roll that I got was just VERY GOOD. That somehow leads me to thinking their other offerings could be as good. I will try out their noodle soup next time. I heard they have very good ones.

New Big Wong Restaurant: 4.5 Spoons
I was able to eat here twice and so I think I can more easily comment (fairly) on what they serve. Probably the best I've tried so far. Their lemon chicken priced at about 10.00 is big enough to get you full but also small enough for one. And it comes with rice! They give you fried egg noodle (is that what it's called) for you to munch on while waiting for your order. On weekdays, they have lunch specials which cost around $5-8, so not bad. Really not bad. I was able to try their Triple Delight rice meal, a combination of chicken, pork and beef then rice. For 5.50, if I remember it right. I'd definitely come back here again. They are located along H street, on the same block as the metro station and is just past SunTrust bank. There's a staircase going down. One shouldn't miss it.

Li Ho Food Resto: 3-3.5 Spoons
Last Friday, I went here for I heard they have good food. I tried their Shrimp and Ground Pork Dumpling Soup with Noodle, for $5.50 and it wasn't so bad. But there was not much meat on the dumpling. Only I think the place needs some fixing for it looks old. The place is well lit and you can somehow see how your food is being prepared. The tea that I had tasted kinda funny though. They gave me tazo tea, which I think they shouldn't have. I was looking more for traditional Chinese tea. Their own recipe. I'd probably think twice about coming back here since there are better restos around.

Next Week: Tony Cheng or more of Full Kee (therefore the rating is subject to change).

Hawk 'n' Dove

Simply one of the best bars I've been to so far.

It was Mardi Gras Party, College Party night. (But the 2-million dollar question is, why was there a 40-something-looking lady? SERIOUSLY. READ: The party was for college students, not the MOM of college students.)

It was just the young people out there on the floor. (Again, with the exception of that old lady. Party crasher!!!)

A couple of Baileys on the rock, a couple more beers. Makes for a good dancing night.

Saw Bobby, met Joshen/Josen/Jochen/Whatever, Sarah, Laura and Rutgers, the hilarious crazy Dutch guy from the other building.

Tonight was probably my best night so far.

There was some good dancing, there were some good ladies dancing.

This reminds me of the time I met Antonella. Yes, indeed, it was memorable.

Although music was almost the same as the other times I was there. DJ, you gotta change the music. Or not. Never forget to play JT and Usher.

But really, is it the dancing or the necklace? You gotta tell me.

PS Hawk and Dove were images used to identify the two American responses regarding the Vietnam War. Basically, the Hawks at present times will represent the Republicans, or most of them, who are pro-war. On the other hand, the Doves will be, well, the democrats who do not see the use of military in Vietnam.

Review

I shall make a review of the restos and bars I've been to, soon. Yes, that's one way of showing I am trying out different things. =P

MYX

It's been another week of work, half week of school (no classes twice!), more stories to tell. It's Thursday night and I am exercising my right to stay up late for tomorrow shall be my Chinatown day. Another day of discovering good Chinese restaurants in DC.

So I have my weekend all planned out. I feared earlier that the whole plan will be ruined because of the paper supposedly due on Tuesday. As a procrastinator, apparently, I still haven't started it. But he was nice enough to move the deadline to two weeks from now. PROCRASTINATION IS ON THE WAY!!! My plans aren't enough to keep me busy for my very long weekend (Friday-Monday) but anyway, this is the plan:

Friday: Chinatown and possibly Pentagon City

Saturday: Fado, an Irish pub (again in Chinatown) to watch FA Cup clash between Chelsea and Norwich. (By the way, 2 weeks from now, it's gonna be Chelsea and Arsenal!) Time to meet Chelsea fans!!!

Sunday: Holocaust Museum. I'll probably be the only one since my flatmates have already been there. (When they went there, I was being a nerd and stayed home to read.)

Monday: Study. (And try to reach as far as the 4th week of Econ readings.

Somewhere in between, there should be a slot for going to a bar, drinking and dancing, and getting drunk (and still dancing). Paging Farid.

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Today probably is my worst day at work. I kinda did some stupid things. No biggie but mistakes are mistakes. Shame.

1. ... I'd actually rather not list them down here. Anyway I can only recall 4. Crap, that's a lot.

But I've learned so I guess fair trade.

PS1 It was a good thing I decided to stay yesterday after having breakfast at the beautiful Longworth caf. I almost went home after Pasha told me no need to go to work. Apparently, it was because of the weather. But I thought, I was already there so might as well see if anybody's already in. (Before going to Longworth, I waited outside the office for 30 minutes and nada, nobody came. So I thought, crap, no work today?!?!?!) But becuase I am such a motivated and inspired person, I decided to go back to the office and voila! It was already open! I became a one-man team yesterday and today. Coolness. Although for today, I seemed to have worked a LOT slower. Could it be that I was just really slow today or that there were so many calls coming in from constituents expressing their views on the ongoing debate in the Congress regarding H. Con. Res. 63.

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American Idol is back. 6th season. Top 24 sing next week. The competition is ON! Funny thing is, I met one of them in one of the local bars here. I met her first before I saw her on TV. And I was stunned when I saw her there. She is in the Top 24!!! I actually thought she was gonna leave even before she reaches Top 40 and that the reason why she was there in DC was because she didn't make it. BUT NO. She made it there! Thing is, when I met her in the bar, she was a bit of a snob. Well, she's a semi finalist. Fair enough.

My eyes are closing and I want to go to bed SOON! But I'm not yet even done with my Capitol Lounge food for dinner. At 1130PM and as I type this, I am still eating.

That's it for now. I already want to go to bed.

H. Con. Res. 63 re: Iraq Surge

H. Con. Res. 63, 110th Congress: Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.

Yesterday, the debate on the Iraq surge began. Each representative is given 5 minutes to give their position on the concurrent resolution, which votes against deploying another 21,000 troops in Iraq. The House is expected to vote on the matter on Friday.

Of course, I was excited to hear what my congressman has to say. After all, I became curious about his position on the issue a couple of days ago. I've been wanting to know. But here it is now. I expected him to side with Dubya for they are both Republicans. Unfortunately, I was not able to watch him give out his speech probably because I was trapped by a phone call from a constituent.

Mister Speaker:

In this debate, our first care should be for the safety and morale of the men and women serving in the American armed forces. Whatever the way forward, nothing said here should be heard by friend or foe as disrespect for the work and sacrifice of those who willingly fight our battles in a dangerous world.

It took U.S. and Coalition forces less than three weeks to topple a brutal Iraqi regime that had held an iron grip on power for almost thirty years. Since then, they've battled a growing insurgency and rampant sectarian violence with professionalism and bravery. Of all the instruments of national power we could and should be discussing today -- diplomacy, economic policy, intelligence and warfare -- our military is the only one that has performed predictably, consistently, and well.

Still, knowing what we know today, after almost four years of attempted nation-building on the shifting sands of Iraq, the plan to put twenty-one thousand more Americans in harm's way there has to be viewed with a cold-eyed skepticism born of that hard experience. Putting American troops between feuding Sunni and Shia in the middle of Baghdad is a mistake. This is the appropriate place for Iraqis, not Americans.

The Iraq Study Group concluded that, "Sustained increases in U.S. troop levels would not solve the fundamental cause of violence in Iraq, which is the absence of national reconciliation." They quoted a U.S. general who said if the Iraqi government does not make political progress, "all the troops in the world will not provide security." I agree.

Like many Members, Republicans and Democrats, I voted for the resolution authorizing President Bush to use force in Iraq, just as I supported President Clinton's decision to take military action against the former Yugoslavia. Four years ago, we were trying to persuade Saddam Hussein to comply with United Nations resolutions on disarmament and weapons inspections. Only a credible threat of force could possibly convince him it was finally in his interest to respect the lawful demands of the international community.

Voting to support the President strengthened his hand in the diplomatic effort to get the Iraq regime to comply peacefully. Saddam Hussein chose not to comply. When diplomacy fails, and military action becomes necessary, politics should stop at the water's edge and every American should stand united behind the Commander in Chief.

But no grant of authority is a blank check. Today, naive notions about a quick or tidy victory in Iraq have given way to far grittier options on how best to achieve our strategic objectives in that nation, in the region, and in the global struggle against Islamist extremism.

We want the President to succeed, but we are disappointed our hopes and good intentions for Iraq remain unrealized. Many are frustrated by the mistakes and missed opportunities that plagued this noble but star-crossed effort. Poor planning for occupation and reconstruction of a devastated nation, and missteps by the Coalition Provisional Authority, allowed the insurgency and long-simmering factional hatreds to erupt and take root.

At this point, it seems clear to many that only Iraqi interests, not ours, can be advanced on the streets of Baghdad. U.S. and Coalition forces were tasked as protectors of Iraq's hard won sovereignty, not referees in unchecked sectarian vendettas. From here, the "surge" looks much more like the status quo on steroids than a serious alternative policy to reach a realistic goal. Some way must be found to cut the Gordian knot that ties us to an Iraq strategy that says we can neither win nor leave.

Moreover, so long as American troops are the ones on the ground, taking fire and being objects for sectarian and terrorist hatred, other stakeholders, who have more at stake in the region, will refuse to step forward.

But whatever else it might accomplish, this resolution still doesn't do enough to illuminate a new, sustainable strategy in Iraq. The profound and complex issues central to our international position today cannot be reduced to simplistic political statements. We took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, not just strike poses on how that duty applies to the key question before us as a nation. In the end, these are purely political statements, when the debate we really need to have is about the most apolitical subject of all -- national security in a time of global peril.

Today, the House sends a purely symbolic message to the President. It is a message that will also be heard by our troops, by the Iraqi people who've relied on us, and by our enemies who are hoping we'll quit the fight soon. It doesn't say enough. We should be debating the elements of an effective policy to stem the tide of jihadism infecting growing swaths of the globe. This resolution stays only what some Members are against; nothing about what we are for.

The Iraq Study Group Report put forth seventy-nine specific recommendations, many focused on the need for far greater engagement of regional powers -- friends and foes -- in taking realistic steps to stabilize Iraq. I joined my colleague Rep. Frank Wolf in supporting creation of the Iraq Study Group and I wish he and others were allowed to offer those recommendations for discussion by the House. Those are the debates, and the votes, I'd hoped to participate in today.

The lack of substantive alternatives before us, particularly on the question of adequate funding for deployed troops, betrays the Majority's empty, conflicted position on Iraq: Against the President, but for nothing. The Senate majority attempted to straddle the same contradiction recently, confirming without dissent the new commanding general for Iraq while claiming to be against the very mission they know he's been ordered to undertake there.

On the genuine questions of security and strategy in Iraq we cannot remain, as Winston Churchill admonished, "Decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-power to be impotent."

Mister Speaker, we must decide, and I have decided, to support this resolution because it is the only option made in order by the Majority today to engage this House in the formulation of our Iraq policy. But once troops are committed by the Commander in Chief and are engaging the enemy, symbolic gestures like this must confront the more complex realities of how to support those forces in the safe and speedy completion of their mission.

I thought this was a good speech. Thank you for supporting the resolution Boss.

Not studying.

While typing this, I'm listening to "I'll Be" through a friend's myspace site. And yes, that's all I'm listening to, over and over again. Feels soothing and healing while I'm sitting here bothered.

I'd really just talk about it with a friend rather than blog about it.

Fortune Cookie.

I decided to be anti-social this weekend. Looking at the pile of books waiting for me, I thought I'd have to be anti-social or I'd be way behind the readings (as if I were not already), which means, I'll have the most miserable of times a couple of weeks from now if I don't catch up. Although it seems to me that I'm the only one from the whole group who stayed home and lived like a nerd. This is becoming like Ateneo life all over again. The only difference is, I only have time to read in the evening. My internship doesn't allow me to read during daytime. Actually it does, I just refuse to do so because I don't think it's right. Daytime is work time, not study time.

I came home a little less than 2 hours ago from Starbucks, my reincarnated study place Just like last week, I spent hours just reading. I think I'd make it a habit of going there every Sunday to do my readings. Once a week in Starbucks isn't so bad. At least not for me. That's when I become most productive, of course, academically speaking. There are quite a lot of things I do in the office so nothing could possibly beat that.

Speaking of internship [again], Thursday is my favorite day. That's when I am able to do a lot of things, almost everything in fact since I'm the only intern. I kinda love the idea of having all the responsibilities for the day, which somehow motivates me to do things as fast and effective as I can (of course 'fast' also comes with the idea of efficient. So yes, efficient and effective.)

At this moment, I am only taking a long break from reading. I spent another 5 hours in Starbucks today just reading. Again, just like last week, the time I spent there wasn't enough. The only I hope for tonight is that I don't go to bed at 530 again. That's just too much. And I don't think I could keep on doing it. It was a good thing I decided to stay home last night. I already went out last Friday [and danced really hard] so I'm pretty satisfied. By the way, I almost barfed again. Thank God I didn't. Of course, I had a plastic by my pillow again, just in case the worst thing happens again. Apparently, I didn't drink too much that night. Several bottles of beer and a glass of fucking strong long island. IT DIDN'T TASTE LIKE LONG ISLAND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! The one I had in the other club in Dupont Circle was good. At least I had a good one for my first time. It better be good the third time around. ESPECIALLY THAT THE DRINK IS FUCKIN' EXPENSIVE.

Last Friday I went to Chinatown to have lunch. I went to the resto our professor recommended. The food was good, I can tell. I just got the wrong dish. Anyway, just like any other Chinese resto, they gave me a fortune cookie afterwards. And the strip of paper said, From now on, your kindness will lead you to success. Now isn't that amazing. After all, I think the whole time, I have been nothing but nice to the people here. (Nice, but not necessarily talkative. =P) I liked that. That somehow made my day and my week. It's worth giving some thought, I think.