One of the reasons I chose journalism as my major was because I love meeting new people. Being a passionate person with passionate values and interests, I get fueled and stirred by the passions of other people as well.
That is also precisely why I love blogger meet-ups. I get to meet people who share the same common interest as me (food!), but still have their own individual and different hobbies and dreams.
Today, I met up with two more amazing food bloggers: Rebecca from All Vegged Out and Karena from Run, Eat, Repeat. They live all the way in DC, and Rebecca first let me know about this really cool place called Busboys and Poets that is not just a restaurant but also a bookstore, fair trade market and gathering place for poets. Of course, I grasped at this chance to meet up with the fabulous Rebecca and Karena!
We decided to meet up for a late lunch. I told Rebecca to look out for a “skinny Asian girl who looks lost” but I should have told her to look out for a “skinny Asian girl with eye bags and a green pallor who looks lost”.
I must have been super-tired from my trip to NoCal, because I slept all the way to 12:30 pm!! I awoke in a hurry, grabbed something light to gobble down, then rushed out to the metro. I also stupidly read a book in the metro, and by the end of the hour-long metro ride, I was nauseated and close to hurling into the streets.
So yeah, I definitely was not looking my best when I first met my two dear fellow bloggers! But the sight of their bright faces cheered me up a lot and my nausea abated.
Okay, can I first give a loud applause to Rebecca for choosing the most fabulous place ever? I just had to take a picture of the indoors, but this just doesn’t do it justice: 
The decorations were hip, yet quaint; upscale, yet casual. I don’t know how to describe it, but if you’re ever in DC, you just have to hit by this place!
We took awhile to decide on what we want, because every single thing in the menu sounded so. freaking. good. I wanted to order everything in there! But we finally made our respective choices by the time the waiter came by for the third time.
Rebecca ordered the Grilled Brie Panini: 
Brie with spinach, caramelized onion, tomatoes on ciabatta. Side of sweet potato fries. 
Karena ordered the Avocado Panini: 
Avocado with havarti,sprouts,roasted pepper spread on ciabatta. Side of sweet potato fries. 
I ordered the Sweet Fuji Apple and Gorgonzola sandwich: 
Sweet Fuji Apple and Gorgonzola with fig spread on walnut raisin bread. Side of seasonal fruits. 
I’d ordered the fruit as a side because I was still feeling pretty sick and the thought of greasy fries made me want to puke, but when I tried a bite of Rebecca’s fries, I totally regretted not ordering them myself! They were freaking awesome, with the natural sweetness of the sweet potato, sort of chewy, and not greasy at all. Oh well. This’ll be a good excuse to visit again! 
Anyway, my sandwich was…oh my God. I would have broken up into a love ballad if I hadn’t wanted to embarrass Rebecca and Karena, but it was just…just perfect. Words fail on me. 
Crusty grilled bread chock-full of crunchy walnuts and plump juicy raisins, smeared with the perfect amount of gorgonzola cheese, paired with that sweetness of the fig spread and the thin-sliced crispy apples…
The best part was when the food arrived, all three of us swiped out our cameras. Yo, what can I say? We’re food bloggers. We take pictures of our food. We’re cool. We’re super amazing. I say people who don’t take pictures of their food are the weirdos! Ha ha!
I won’t bore you with every single detail of our conversation, but I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. The great thing is we don’t just talk about food. I loved getting to know them better, and it’s so nice to get more personal with someone you only know through the World Wide Web.
Rebecca is this really sweet girl who actually has a character of iron-steel inside. her. She left her family to live all by h
erself in DC, just to be able to teach in the nation’s worst education system! And Karena is a really fun, vibrant personality, and I really admired how she is living life to its fullest. She has already run two marathons, and will be running her third one in New York soon. Even if you can’t go personally to cheer her on the sidelines on that big day, please jump over to show her some support! 
Thanks, Rebecca and Karena, for a great afternoon!
By the way, I was so happy to come back home to three packages!
First is a bunch of candies from Nat of Eating to Live, who sent this over all the way from Britain! 
And the giveaway I won from Meghan: 
And the other giveaway I won from Heather of Girlichef! 
I can’t wait to bake! 
Dang, how lucky can a girl be? *GRIN*
Well, I’ve got to go take another nap (what is wrong with my body? I never sleep this much!) but tomorrow, I’ll update on Part II of my trip in San Francisco!
Question of the day: Have you had a blogger meet-up yet? What do you like most about it?
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Ooooh that place has my favorite color in the background, haha. The other décor is gorgeous too
Oh yeah, reading a book in the car for me = motion sickness. Except I get it a minute after a pull out a book. Sorry to hear that happened!
Oh my gosh, those I adore sweet potato fries (Did I just start all my paragraphs with “Oh”?)!! Looks amazing!
I sadly have not had a blogger meet-up yet (although it hasn’t been too long since I started blogging). I only know 1 Seattle blogger, but we plan to meet up soon
Hey thanks for visiting my blog! I love yours–too cute. I’m obsessed with tart frozen yogurt and just scrolling through your blog I’ve seen it several times! I can’t wait to spend some quality time reading through it.
Those sandwiches look amazing…I need to go there. I live outside DC and I’ll be home in about 1 1/2 weeks…perfect.
I’ve been to one blogger meet-up in January with Kath, Sarah (Ghost World), and a couple other readers. It was so cool and I can’t wait for more now that I’m blogging. It’s like having free instant friends
What a wonderful lunch with fellow blogger friends.
I have not had a meet-up but would absolutely LOVE to. Sadly, I haven’t met too many people who live in PA or even close to me, so I guess I will just have to wait for a trip somewhere.
Next time I am in DC, I will be sure to give you a call!
(Actually, now that I think about it, DC is only an hour and a half from me, totally worth making the drive to meet up with you someday!)
I LOVE DC!!!!! Seriously my fave city
I wish I lived there!
I LOVE sweet potato fries! You should definitely try some soon…and if you make them yourself you can make sure they aren’t too greasy
Your sandwich looks phenomenal! All of the sandwiches look really good but I think yours won! Lots of apple slices on walnut raisin bread with gorgonzola? What a flavor combo!!
Your meal looks so drool-worthy and possibly able to copy at home! I have not had a blogger meet-up yet but would love to meet some of the people whose lives I read about and that have great taste in food!
Look at all those goodies you received!
And all of those sandwiches look to-die-for. *mouthwatering*
I’ve never met any bloggers, but perhaps one day!
I am so jealous of your blogger meet-up! Those sandwiches look so awesome. I can’t decide which one to try to recreate first…I love brie SO much, but then yours had the fig spread…decisions decisions.
I have never had a blogger meet-up…maybe that means you should come visit me in NYC!
SO much fun! That place looks super cool. I love the strawberries on top of the sammies- such a cute touch! Great packages too- I’m totally jealous. I recently met up with kath and Tina and it was an absolute blast!
Your lunch looks amazing. So does the little place you ate at!
I’ve never met with fellow bloggers as I am very new to the community, but maybe one day! Sounds like you had a lot of fun
Wow those sandwiches look great! It’s hard to find different types of sandwiches
What fantastic looking sandwiches, each one looks better than the others. How could you choose? Love all those goodies you got–lucky you!!!
That restaurant looks like a place I need to visit next time I’m downtown. Your sandwich looks just amazing.
Those sandwiches look fantastic! Sorry that your stomach was a little queasy!
Your sandwiches all look amazing! I think I would have chosen the same one you did. Yum!
How fun to get to meet bloggy friends! I loved meeting Cathy at farmer’s market.
Forgot 2 things! 1. Congrats on your prizes. 2. I have just been munching on my zucchini all by itself. I suppose it could go into a sandwich or burger or how about with some sushi!
Sounds like a nice outing! And that place looks gorgeous
You probably are having sleep debt and just need to catch up on some sleep!
LOVE the decor of that restaurant… seriously, you go to the coolest places.
<3 <3
That restaurant sounds and looks amazing, holy yum at those sandwiches! And you are a lucky girl for winning all those giveaways!
<3
I sadly have not had a blogger meet-up yet. Japan is too far away, haha! Congrats on winning all those great items. You sure are lucky!
Oh, those sandwiches look sooo delicious. No wonder you had a hard time deciding which to order.
Sounds like a good time. I’ve never had a meet-up with bloggers, yet. Hopefully one day I will.
Congrats on all the lovely packages.
That restaurant looks so sunny and happy!! And the food looks amazing!!! What a fun time. I have not yet met up with any other bloggers in person, but plan to one day. I was thinking of you when I heard USC plays at ND this year (football)…as you are a Trojan and I (am not, but do…) work for the Irish.
Aren’t sweet potato fries just the best?! Yummo!
I actually met three bloggers, who blog about miniatures– at a mini flea market! I had been stalking their blogs, and knew that they would be there. They were just as sweet and fun in person as they are on their blogs! One of them actually offered to help me start my own blog, and the rest is history!
I already know that you’ll really like journalism!! I majored in journalism in college as well and absolutely loved it! I always dreamed of becoming an international news correspondent, but that hasn’t worked out yet. LOL ~Mina
yes yes yes i’ve had a blogger meet up! and it was magical!
glad you’ve been having a good time…get some rest girlfriend!
So glad you guys had a great time today! Rebeca invited me, but I don’t work in the District anymore
It would have been wonderful to meet you!
I love Busboys and Poets!!
I am actually meeting a blogger (jen from pieces of me, I think you know her too) tomorrow =)…we met on self.com about a year ago and have been internet friends ever since. We are going to American Museum of Natural History and then grabbong lunch…ohhh and my niece is coming too =)
Great eats! And I am glad you had a good time
The place you met looks fab! And your sandwich, well, …it looks seriously amazing!
i’ve never had a blogger meet up! i would love to though! get some good sleep, girl!
-JB
http://cardiovegsular.wordpress.com
i just attended an event with a couple bloggers tonight, and it was wonderful to see the girls in person! this community is so fantastic and welcoming.
that restaurant sounds so delicious – every one of those sandwiches look just perfect.
Wow, fabulous ambiance–definitely worth a picture.
I’ve never had a blogger meet-up, but I am hoping to change that when I visit Chicago in a few weeks!
I’m so jealous…those paninis look fabulous!
I haven’t met other food bloggers but really want to. What a fantastic bunch of sandwiches you all got – I think yours looks the best.
I actually started blogging because one of my best gal pals is a food blogger (Katie at LilVeggiePatch). Does that count as a “meet up” if we hang out regularly?
That sammie looks divine. I love apple or pear on my sandwiches; it pairs so well with a salty cheese like gorgonzola or chevre!
Sounds like a fun blogger meet-up! And all the sandwiches sound absolutely delicious. I just love good cheese paired with just about anything…
haven’t done a blogger meet up yet but would love to with you once you’re more settled in los angeles eventually!
What a fun time! I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well, but glad you had a good time with the other girls. I’ve never been to a blogger meet-up but I’d love to have the opportunity some day.
So fun!
I LOVE meeting bloggers…though admittedly, have only met one. Was amazing! I agree that people who don’t take pictures of food are the weirdos…food is art/love/life.
Cool packages!
I’ve never had a blogger meetup before. I think one would be awesome. I tend to get slightly shy and paranoid though the few times I’ve met people off the internet. Everywhere has to be a public place, lol. But maybe that’s just good common sense?
That resturaunt looks so cool, like something I’d love to go to. I’m still jazzed about the coffee house we have in the old Dundalk shopping center with the poetry readings and music and such.
Wow look at all of that filling in your sandwich! :O Seriously no-one does sandwiches like Americans I’ve decided. I better get my bottom over there tout suite! You see I am not a huge bread eater so I eat the fillings mostly and this is right up my alley
dear dear!!! We should meet sometimes soon too!
Blogger meet up is so fun! I’ve done 3 times during the last month and enjoyed so much. What I like most about it? mmm… meeting the person that I feel like knowing somehow for real, talk about food all the time, share foodie experience with other and of course, the excitement of meeting new people!
that place sounds delish!~ I’ll go there sometimes!
Sounds like you had a grt time, u lucky girl
Never had a food blogger catch up. There are not many of us here in Brisbane.
Love the little gifts. How did you like the British ‘candy’?
Three giveaway wins!!!??? Share your secret please!!!
Your sandwich looks crazy delicious. I probably would have chose the same thing, minus the fries, because I’m also the type of person who reads to nausea in moving vehicles
And yes, the real weirdos are the ones not taking pictures of their food
SO jealous of your blogger meet up! Sounds so fun! I haven’t had a blogger meet up yet but really, really want to. You would be on my list of people to meet up with missy! Hehe
Oh wow, those sandwiches look amazing! I have yet to have a blogger meet-up, I guess I don’t leave town enough! Not to mention, not many people travel to columbus
Glad to see you enjoyed yourself. I’m sure they wouldn’t have minded a ballad all about your delicious sandwich 
Wow, those sandwiches look incredible!
I love blogger meet up and have had a few. It is always so fun to meet everyone in person!!
Busboys and Poets is a simply AWESOME restaurant! My hubby and I just ate there for the first time this past weekend. Everything was FAB!
Omg I wish I had a blogger meet up! Then pulling out my camera to take pictures of my food won’t seem so weird!
I’m so glad you had a great time! And the fuji sandwich sounds uber amazing! Congrats on recieving such wonderful packages
I have never had a blogger meet up but it sounds like fun!!
DARN look at all of those packages!
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