A Love Letter to #PHILLY

Dear Philly,

  As anyone who has known me for maybe an hour knows that I love you. I am a #PhillyTransplantInDC. I love my life in Washington, but I will always consider The City of Brotherly Love my home. 

 Here are a few of my favorite things about you:

Chinatown 

  My first apartment after college was at 9th & Arch Streets, above Eddie's Tattoo Parlor in Chinatown--one block from the Chinese Friendship Gate.

  I loved that apartment. It was two stories, definitely rustic, and I threw several epic parties at my "Little House Above The Tattoo Parlor."  

  Living in Chinatown was an unforgettable experience. This was before condos popped up all over and it was a hip place to reside. I love the steamy dim sum carts at Joy Tsin Lau and Ocean City, the big bags of fortune cookies in my mini-market/laundromat on 10th Street, and how the neighborhood felt completely separate from the rest of Center City.

Rittenhouse Square

  My next apartment was at 20th and Spruce Streets, across from Audrey Claire and above what everyone used to call "The Beer Store."

  I love the Square lightly covered in snow, and all the dogs (groomed to within an inch of their lives) coming and going, year-round.  I love the sculptures that always seem to have children hanging on them, the wall at 18th and Walnut where bike messengers hang out in between assignments, and the giant tree, menorah and clear lights over the holidays.

  Something else I still love about Rittenhouse Square is D'Angelo's Ristorante Italiano.  I could see D'Angelo's from my kitchen window, and if given the option, for almost five years, I usually preferred that they cook for me. 

  The D'Angelo Family were fantastic neighbors.  The list of their kindnesses would be a mile long. Their food is delicious and reminds me of my late Grandmother's cooking (Sal D'Angelo has always said this is the greatest compliment anyone could ever give him). 

  When The Big Guy and I got married in Washington in September of '09, we were honored that Sal made the trip for the occasion, but even more so that he serenaded me in Italian at the reception. 

Photo Credit: Moshe Zusman 

  

The Phillies

  I love my Phillies. It doesn't matter where I live in the world, I will always be a #truephan. As Chris Matthews said, "The more they lose, the more I love them."

  The Phillies also have the greatest mascot in the history of sports, the Phillie Phanatic.

  I loved the Phillies' former home,  Veteran's Stadium. Referred to as a concrete beast by some, it was the first ballpark I ever knew. Citizen's Bank Park is a beautiful new home for the team, and I love all the nooks and crannies of the building.

  This could go on forever, how:

  I love buying produce in the Italian Market.

  I love the fried ravioli at the Locust Rendezvous.

  Pat's is infinitely a better cheesesteak than Geno's.

  I love how the sun streams into the window panes of the Plough and the Stars in Old City.

  When in need of cannolis and rum cake, it is always Isgro's over Termini's.

  At my most stressful "grown-up" days I would be delighted to sit in the Japanese Tea House room at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  And I love everything about the PMA, especially the view of your skyline from the "Rocky Steps."

 It's been almost six years since I started a new life for myself in Washington, but luckily I live train-distance from you, so I will always be back!

Go Phillies,

CVZ

La Lumiere

  The day after my last blog post, I attended the February Membership Meeting of the Washington Area Concierge Association at the Loews Madison Hotel.  As a Board Member, I usually have more of a handle on the workings of the meeting. This particular month, I knew that I would be honored as that month's "La Lumiere," recognizing my contributions to our local concierge community. 

  I had known about this honor for about two weeks, but as I told my Director of Rooms Joseph, "People will say nice things about me and light candles, that's all I can tell you."

  I was happy that Joseph and my wonderful General Manager, Jean-Christophe, attended our meeting. The La Lumiere ceremony took place after the usual business had been discussed.

  Julie from the Four Seasons spoke about the origins and meaning of the honor, and how my love affair with hotels started on a family vacation when I was six, and my mother let me order an ice cream sundae from Room Service. (True)

  Those that spoke about me were Leslie from the St. Regis (a good friend and the President of our Association), Cameron one of my colleague at the Sofitel, my friend Dan from the Ritz-Carlton, Azi from the Mayflower (who works on-call at the Sofitel as well), and Shujaat from the Capital Hilton (also the President of Les Clefs d'Or, USA). 

  To say that many of the remarks were moving would be a complete understatement. If they hadn't made me stand in front of the room, I definitely would've started crying. The friend I am, my patience when training someone in the job, plus my work in Washington over the last 5+ years, as well as my recent personal challenges were all highlighted. After each Concierge spoke, they lit a candle on a candleabra. 

  My GM also said some lovely things, even though we've only worked together for six months.

  As I tweeted later:

  The flowers I am holding in the picture are from my friend Stef, who along with a few other "civilian" friends came to cheer me on. 

  Sometimes, my personal challenges can distract me from why I love my job. The whole evening was a beautiful reminder for me.

  Other things that have made me happy lately:

  A few days after the WACA Meeting, I traveled to Abington, Pennsylvania to visit my Aunt Karen, Uncle Bob, and their dog Abby. I spent two nights catching up, eating hoagies, playing with the dog

and recharging my batteries.

  March 9th I welcomed my Aunt Linda and Aunt Joan for an overnight visit to Washington.  They stayed at the Sofitel, and loved it.  We visited the National Gallery of Art, the Newseum,

and saw the "American Cool" exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery.  We had a lovely visit, and I really enjoyed making new memories and reconnecting with my late Mother's sisters. 

  On the 12th I had my monthly checkup with my oncologist, Dr. Smith.  #TheBigGuy had to work, so my new friend and colleague Emily came to keep me company at the office, and I showed her around Friendship Heights a little bit. Dr. Smith said if my tumor marker blood test didn't go up, I wouldn't need a PET Scan before I saw him in April. The next day, I was told my tumor marker number went down by almost HALF. So, I don't need a PET Scan before my April checkup, and for now, my treatment seems to be working. Thankful for Small Victories.

Stay Warm,

CVZ