Mom and Dad are here and we are experiencing a full range of emotions everyday. It is exhilarating and exhausting at the same time!

Every visit of theirs is varied. We do the usual touristy thing for the most part - visit monuments and museums, go to parks and gardens, attend some shows, travel a bit, spend time with my older brother’s ever-growing family, meet relatives, indulge in good food, go shopping, take in the ambience of curiosity and self-gratification, relax, and express our opinions unabashedly on everyone and everything throughout all this!

Last visit, they also experienced the nightlife in DC. Dad particularly enjoyed the live music in all the bars. Mom was mostly caught up in the excitement of it all.

This year, it has been two days since they arrived, and our days are already action-packed. We are barely out of one event, and there is frenzied planning on where to go and what to do next. The center of interest seem to be festivals and shows. I have a feeling we will end up doing everything.

When my younger brother was here last month, even while we used our hands and feet a lot more, it was less chatty and therefore less tiresome. We did some hiking, attended some concerts, drove around a lot, but everything seemed so much more chilled out. I can’t think of anything we did that was particularly touristy. It was an ambiance of "quiet activity"!
When I think about this whole family bonding experience with my brothers and parents (throw in a few friends and relatives here and there), I have to wonder about what is more gratifying at the end of it all. Is it the tranquility of action, or all the fun wrangling and passive spectatorship.

One thing is for sure: On the whole, it is a good mind and body workout! ... and to think that we have just begun.

During my parents stay in DC, my most favorite uncle and aunt (my dad's siblings) will be spending time with us for a few days each. I can’t wait to see them.