I am in the Washington, DC area this week visiting the National Fisheries Institute office during the day and trying my best to catch up with friends who live here at night. Its been a little more hectic than my usual Hawaiian schedule, but I am always energized versus exhausted by city living.Though Hawaii is nothing short of paradise, I know Im a hustle and bustle gal at heart.Yesterday was particularly hustley and bustley because I traveled from DC down to Newport News, VA and back to visit Icelandic Seafood Company.Icelandic makes all sorts of seafood products, many which go to restaurants and schools.This is a peek at the research and development kitchen where they are working on some exciting new product ideas.I just love to see companies working hard to make seafood more do-able for Americans.

On the way back to DC from Newport News, I swung by my dear friends new house on Marine Corps Base Quantico. They recently moved from Hawaii and we miss them and their five-year-old daughter, Elena, a lot. Heres an example of why.This is little Es welcome note for me (as transcribed by her mom). I especially like the snake artwork.