3/9/09

Miserable Spring Break


My so-called "Spring Break" in Columbia Heights

Ever heard that saying, "if you want to make G-d laugh, tell him your plans?" Absolutely could not be more true for my pitiful excuse for a Spring Break.

First, let me back up and say that Spring Break is cherished in a law student's year, not necessarily for the opportunity to travel to exotic locales and imbibe tropical drinks, but more often just for the much needed opportunity to catch up! I was excited about my break for the most mundane of reasons- I speculated I could study for the MPRE, start my outlining, and finish some job applications. How lame is that? Yet even those most soporific of plans could not be completed, because almost immediately I came down with the absolute WORST flu... and didn't recover until break was over and it was back to the grind. No studying, no progress, just 7 days of staring at the ceiling and choking down the occasional potato or bowl of oatmeal...

And to think, I had planned to make a different cookbook recipe every day last week! HA!

Directly prior to my gloomy illness, however, I got to partake in an extravagant vegan lunch at one of my favorite spots, Teaism. Teaism has been around forever, and is sort of a new-agey tea salon for posh people with a few locations around DC. They shill bubble teas, loose leaf teas, and various nibbles (including an ostrich burger, wtf?) and have sort of an Asian bent. And despite how yuppie and expensive it is, I find myself haunting there on those occasions that I have a very specific craving... their tofu bento box. Behold!

Now, as far as I know, this is the only vegan thing on the menu. But what a vegan thing it is! The box is stuffed with freshly steamed edamame, brown rice covered in gomashio, silky tofu in a ginger scallion soy sauce, and the best part- a sweet potato salad drenched in creamy miso dressing.

I have no idea if this is authentically Japanese, but it is the best combination of flavors and always makes me feel like I have a total protein buzz. If you happen to be in DC and heavy of pocket, definitely give it a shot.

Although I cannot vouch for its healing properties, since I immediately got the flu afterwards... oh well. Upon returning to school I found out that lots of others had this dread illness as well, so I'm hoping that none of you in blog-land were struck down in recent days! You probably weren't, because unlike me, you probably weren't heard bragging to your Mom the day before, "That's why everyone should go vegan. I NEVER get sick, like, EVER! I can't even remember the last time I've had a cold that lasted more than 2 days! Blah blah blah...." What a dumbass.

Oh well. Spring break may be over, but Spring is just around the corner! I can't wait!

Song of the Day: Neko Case- People Got a lot of Nerve

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You poor thing! It is so not fair to be sick when you're supposed to be on break! I had a similar experince my second year of grad school and it was so unfair (or so I kept saying at the time!). That bento box does look super-yum, though. Maybe it has magical powers?

Sara said...

Oh, sorry to hear you were sick, T! Do they still have those ginger scones at Teaism? I still remember how good they were!

jessy said...

oh no, T! sorry you had the flu. that's supersadfaced! man, that stinks! :( hooray for some snow though! sorry you didn't get to catch up on stuff!

i've never heard that saying before - but i really like it! going to have to remember that one, fo 'sho!

huzzah for one helluva glorious tofu bento box at Teaism! oh my word, that looks divine!

sorry that ya didn't get to enjoy your break, but i'm glad you don't have the flu anymore. :)

J said...

Oh man, what a crummy way to spend your break! I hope that you are feeling better now!

Brett and I went to Teaism when we visited DC, we really liked the place, super tasty food, and not very expensive at all.

Unknown said...

As someone who has heard that particular line about never getting sick many a time...

well, I'll leave it at that. But I am terribly sorry you were miserable your entire break. Good luck catching up, doll.

allularpunk said...

aw! i'm so sorry you were sick over your break, that stinks! that's exactly the type of thing that always happens to me... so i understand your woe. at least you got to eat a fabulous lunch before it all happened. and...you got some rest? ah well, summer will be here before you know it ;)

Liz Ranger (Bubble Tea for Dinner) said...

hates flus!!! I do love how your diet was of potatoes and oatmeal though, cause that's pretty much exactly what I ate in Phase 1, haha.

Also, that japanese box looks addictively scrumptious... I can see why you go back.