More Details on Georgetown Cupcake Reality Show

The rumors of a Georgetown Cupcake reality show must be true as I learned from a Georgetown mom whom I babysit for that her daughter's class at Hyde Elementary School will be featured on an episode to be shot around Valentine's Day. The parents have already signed permission forms, so it looks like things are at least moving forward. She referred to the show as "Cupcake Sisters." So I may not be one of that elusive "special Georgetown community," but I can at least say I'm associated with one of its elite.

Several bloggers and Twitterers, including DC Fab , are reporting that Georgetown Cupcake founders Katherine Kallinis and Sophie LaMontagne will be getting their own reality show on TLC. DC Fab says the show will be an "educational, how-to show that will probably showcase the special Georgetown community along with going behind-the-scenes in their bakery." I don't think I exactly qualify as part of that "special Georgetown community," but this does mean that I will have to limit my trips and purchases at GC, so I'm not that girl that gets several cupcakes on weekly trips to the bakery.

My Top 20 D.C. Restaurants to Try in 2010

One of the great things about living in D.C. is the food. I'd love to think of myself as a foodie-in-training. I've always loved food- cooking it, eating it, reading about it-but my interest in and appreciation for it has grown recently. The three places I've lived in my 23 years have all been interesting food destinations in themselves. Bon Appetit Magazine called Chapel Hill "America's Foodiest Small Town" in 2008. My hometown of Yanceyville features the Yancey House, which won "2009 Best Dish in NC Casual Dining". Quite a feat for a town of 2,000. (I was lucky enough to waitress/host at the Yancey House. Looking back, I wish I'd helped out in the kitchen more.)

I didn't really get to appreciate much of Chapel Hill's best dining options since I lived there on a college student's budget. Now as a resident of D.C., I'm determined to try out the city's many great restaurants and cuisines. In less than a year in the District, I've been able to dine at: Zaytinya, Oyamel, Sushi-Ko, Vermillion, 2 Amy's, Matchbox, Ray's Hell Burger, BGR The Burger Joint, Tacklebox and Jaleo. (Among other delicious, but maybe less-heralded restaurants).

Here is my list of restaurants to try in 2010 greatly inspired by Washingtonian's 100 Best Restaurants and Cheap Eats and The Washington Post's 2009 Fall Dining Guide by Tom Sietsema. I tried to keep them within my budget and paid special attention to places close to home:

Rasika: Although Indian food is not my favorite given its spiciness and my low tolerence, the reviews this restaurant has gotten is enough to make me take a chance.

Bibiana:Awesome Italian food at a reasonable price. Count me in.

Black's Bar: Boyfriend's request because of the proximity to his apartment.

Addie's: I'm a sucker for choosing restaurants as much for ambiance and setting as much as for food. When you combine good food with the fact that Addie's is in a cool little bungalow, I'm sure to get roped in.

Cava: I heart Greek food. An added bonus is that the Capitol Hill location has several takes on the Mojito (my favorite drink).

Cork Wine Bar: Although nothing on the menu stands out at me, something makes me want to try it out.

Pete's Apizza: I was turned away by the surprisingly high (for what we want to pay for pizza) prices when I went to the restaurant late last year, but with a new location opening in my neighborhood, I doubt I'll be able to stay away.

Etete: In college a couple of my friends had a list of several ethnic restaurants to choose from as part of a "Food & Culture" class. I went with them to "Queen of Sheba" in Chapel Hill and my Ethiopian food experience remains one of my most memorable meals. Would love to see how it compares to Etete.

Faryab: Curious to try this Afghan restaurant.

Eventide: The lounge and brunch menus are calling my name. Not to mention the cocktails.

J&G Steakhouse: Special occasion meal.

Potenza: More Italian.

PS 7's: Copy-paste from Eventide.

Ray's the Steaks: If it's as good as Ray's Hell Burger...

Comet Ping Pong: Even though it's in my 'hood, I've only been there for a band and a beer. Time to try to the pizza and pong.

Good Stuff Eatery: Burgers+milkshakes+Top Chef=guaranteed happiness.

Surfside: When I want to go to the beach...

Cornucopia: I want to go in this gourmet shop every time I walk by.

Teasim: Affordable and interesting.

Birch & Barley and Churchkey: Good beer & good food put this as perhaps one of my top choices.

Helping Haiti

Every morning, I scan the Washington Post Express on the metro. I feel like most of the actual news in the Express is old news by the time it makes it to this paper, so I usually stick to the celebrity interviews and more lighthearted news that my brain can grasp at 6:30 in the morning. The reader poll always catches my attention because I like to know others' opinions on what's going on in D.C. or around the world (no matter how biased the poll may be). Today's poll question: Do you trust that money donated to Haiti will help earthquake victims? Seventy percent who answered the poll, answered "No." SEVENTY PERCENT. I realize that people are very skeptical about donating, but 70 percent is way more than I expected, even given the questions that have arisen from Wyclef Jean's Yele foundation.

Normally, I'm not very big on donating to causes outside of my usual American Cancer Society donations, but I did not hesitate to text "Haiti" to 90999. Maybe I decided to give because Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80 percent of its people living below the poverty line. Maybe I gave because a friend was working in Haiti as part of the Peace Corps. Maybe it's seeing the pictures and constantly hearing the stories of Haitians struggling to survive. But never once did I hestitate to donate because I wasn't sure if all of my $10 would actually make it to Haiti. I'm confident that at least a portion of my donation will make an impact in Haiti one way or another.

Charity Navigator gives a list of charities that have a history of working with disaster relief or with Haiti, so people can make an informed decision of where to donate (American Red Cross does make the list). Better Business Bureau also offers tips and its approved charities to aid in your decision. My friend volunteered with The Children's Nutrition Program of Haiti, which does not show up on Charity Navigator, but I have no doubt that they do great work. I hope those who have not donated yet (and are financially able) will overcome any hesitations and make a donation. Now is the perfect time to improve conditions in this suffering country and help in any way we can.

Online "Window" Shopping

I've become a sortof online shopping addict recently thanks to the abundance of free time I find myself with at work and the convenience of sitting in front of a computer for seven hours a day. I guess it started around Christmas when I realized I had only one free weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas to shop. So naturally, online shopping was the way to go, especially since I could just have my selections shipped to N.C. ready for me to attack them with my incredible wrapping skills.

Of course, after Christmas I moved on to shopping the after-Christmas sales to satisfy my own personal wish list. My addiction has even extended to Redbox as I find myself now reserving and paying for my movies online rather than in the store (this is actually a great idea for frequent Redbox users who are oblivious to the line that begins to wind its way through the front of the grocery store as they contemplate whether to rent District 9 or The Proposal).

Now I've found myself filling up various virtual shopping bags and periodically looking at them throughout the day to decide if I really do need them. Ultimately, I decided today that those two pair of Old Navy workout pants will not make me more motivated to go to the gym...tomorrow I may feel differently.

As long as I don't follow through with these purchases I see no harm in my new addiction. But I think I may start leaving my debit card at home in the morning.

I'm Blogging

I've heard it over and over again. "You have a journalism degree? The best thing you can do right now is blog."

So here I am. With nothing to say. As much as I've heard "you should be blogging," I've heard "only blog when you have something to write about." I guess I'm breaking cardinal rule number #1 on my first blog post.

Quote of the Day (babysitting twin 22-month-olds and their 5-year-old brother):

Twin boy (as I change his diaper): I like downstairs.

Me: What do you like about downstairs?

Boy: Games.

Me: Do you like upstairs?

Boy: Yeah.

Me: What do you like about upstairs?

Boy: The bathroom!

Spoken like a man.