linkismyhero

Tuesday and yesterday I went to the library and hung out for a while.

On Tuesday, I went to the post office first (the bus stop to reach the library is the same one to reach the post office). I had some things to mail MollyMolly.

I was coming to the library from the back way, and was thinking to myself that I'd really like a sub from Subway, if one was near. And, wouldn't you know it, in the shopping center by the library, there was a Subway! I had a lovely lunch there of a Veggie Max sub, limeade (they had limeade!), Lay's potato chips, and a chocolate chip cookie! I ate lots!

Back at the library, I read Hermann Hesse's Demian (recommended by Molly ) for a while, then got a bit restless after an hour or so and decided to head home.

Yesterday, I read at the library for a while first, then had lunch at Subway when I got hungry.

I knew that there was a Petco (big chain pet store) in the other half of the shopping center next to the library, and I was running out of food for Sabrina. She has been on the prescription weight loss food, but she's actually rather underweight right now.

I was feeding Sabrina a really small amount every day. She wasn't complaining about the amount of food I was giving her, so I had no idea I was underfeeding her. She has so much extra skin from having been obese for so long that it wasn't readily obvious from looking at her that she's underweight, except for how narrow it is around her waist. Still, there's quite a bit of padding, even there.

So I decided to stop with the weight loss stuff when it ran out (which it did yesterday), and feed her non-prescription food. I was checking out the Kitties group here on SG, and it just so happened there was a thread where people were recommending different foods to buy. My plan had just been to buy Sabrina food from the grocery store, but people in the thread were saying how much filler and sugar is in that stuff. Stores like Petco and Petsmart were recommended, as were a few higher-quality brands, including Science Diet.

Sabrina is about 8 years old now, so I got her some Science Diet senior formula food. Just a small, 4lb bag, so I could carry it home on the bus. I have yet to try it out on her, but hopefully she will like it. I'm a bit concerned that I'm just switching her completely, rather than gradually introducing the new food, but as I said, I've run out of the old stuff. I've done switches like this before, and Sabrina didn't have any problems. I'll knock on wood that she does ok now. *knock on wood*

I didn't really hang around Petco to check out the animals. I went into the bird enclosure, but there were some really loud Conures in there, squawking away, so I couldn't stand to be in there too long. I did check out the rats. I love rats. Not the nasty sewer rats, of course, but I think pet rats are super- cute.

After the pet store, I went by the Giant (grocery store), because my former co-worker, who also rides the bus, told me you can get 20-trip bus tickets there, for a discounted price from the normal bus fare. 20 trips would normally cost $25, but you can get the card for $18!

There is also a hidden advantage (sometimes, if you're lucky) if you use a 20-trip ticket. To use it, you present the ticket to the bus driver, and he/she will punch a hole in one of the 20 boxes on it. Well, it often happened that my co-worker would show his ticket, and the bus driver would just wave him past! My co-worker got a lot of free rides that way. I don't know if I'll have that luck (I'm guessing not), but it's pretty cool, anyway.

I was all excited to get to use my new ticket to get home, but when I got to the bus stop, another woman arrived and offered me her bus transfer! I got bashful and was going to refuse it, but I ended up taking it. I got to ride home for free!

Getting out these past two days has really helped me feel happier, and less anxious. Maybe I'll get myself to check out the museums some time soon. I have a Frommer's guide to D.C. but it's for last year. :p I mean, the museums and monuments and stuff haven't gone anywhere between last year and now, so maybe it's not a big deal. Some of the touring schedules and such may have changed, though.

I guess since there are always a lot of tourists in D.C. year-round, I wouldn't be all that conspicuous checking a guide book or city map down there... I should still be careful, though. I don't want to end up getting pickpocketed or something. I think when I go into the city I won't even bring a purse; just a small amount of cash, and a Smartrip card for the Metro (subway). I would hesitate to bring my credit card, but it might be smart.

The National Cherry Blossom festival is coming up, and there are zillions of events, including a Japanese Anime film marathon. It's on April 1st. I should go. There are many other events celebrating Japanese culture, and I should really try to check those out.

It is now seven in the morning, and I think I will make breakfast.