Friday, June 15, 2012
The definition of Awkward
Verb: Trying to find a comfortable position to sit while on a Greyhound bus, while simultaneously trying not to touch the stranger sitting next to you.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Atlantic City
Joseph and I have recently discovered the joy that is the Jersey Shore.
With Joseph's internships over the last two summers we really haven't spent a lot of time in Philadelphia during the actual summers and since we don't have a car we thought it would be really difficult to get to the beach, so we hadn't gone down to the Jersey Shore before this year.
That is when things changed. Over Memorial Day weekend, we didn't want travel out of town since we had just had several busy weekends previously but we also didn't want to sit around all weekend. This is when we devised the plan to travel to Atlantic City. As it turns out the other beaches at the Shore are difficult to get to without a car, but they make it very convenient to get to Atlantic City by train, straight to the shore. So we decided to check it out even though everyone always talks trash about AC, and we were pleasantly surprised.
There was a really big boardwalk, not very many "Jersey Shore types" and big beach, sun and the ocean.
We were happy.
Oh, they also had outlets.
Needless to say we have now been twice over the past three weeks. It is a great way to spend your Saturday when you don't have papers to write, relaxing under an umbrella.
The first time we went I didn't get in the water, it seemed to cold, but the second time I got all the way in and it was so refreshing. So glad it was hot enough to get in the water.
I also, have been able to break in my new sun hat, which I love.
With Joseph's internships over the last two summers we really haven't spent a lot of time in Philadelphia during the actual summers and since we don't have a car we thought it would be really difficult to get to the beach, so we hadn't gone down to the Jersey Shore before this year.
That is when things changed. Over Memorial Day weekend, we didn't want travel out of town since we had just had several busy weekends previously but we also didn't want to sit around all weekend. This is when we devised the plan to travel to Atlantic City. As it turns out the other beaches at the Shore are difficult to get to without a car, but they make it very convenient to get to Atlantic City by train, straight to the shore. So we decided to check it out even though everyone always talks trash about AC, and we were pleasantly surprised.
There was a really big boardwalk, not very many "Jersey Shore types" and big beach, sun and the ocean.
We were happy.
Oh, they also had outlets.
Needless to say we have now been twice over the past three weeks. It is a great way to spend your Saturday when you don't have papers to write, relaxing under an umbrella.
I also, have been able to break in my new sun hat, which I love.
Night Market
On the day that I got home from babysitting I was tired. I had gotten up really early to catch a 7am flight back to Philadelphia so that I could make it back to work that morning. My flight was delayed slightly and I missed my train by just a few minutes back to the city, so I didn't end up getting into work as early as I had hoped, but honestly I didn't really care about missing a few hours of work.
After finally making it home, and spending the rest of the day at work I was worn out.
But then, Joseph suggested that we hit up the Philly Night Market. Where basically all of the fancy food trucks gather in the city on the same street for crowded night of food happiness. So we took the subway up to a hip part of the city that we don't go to very often, Northern Liberties to check it out. I was really glad we went, it was just what I needed to welcome be back home, to this city that I have grown to love and will really miss when we move.
It was so crowded that we decided the best course of action would be to get some food and then wait in line at another truck while eating the food we had just gotten. We managed to have delicious pizza and some delicious authentic tacos this way, and I was a happy girl.
It was a fun night.
On a side night, it felt amazing to go out on a weeknight and not have to be worrying about the homework I was blowing off and not have to be in class. Being done with school is so awesome.
After finally making it home, and spending the rest of the day at work I was worn out.
But then, Joseph suggested that we hit up the Philly Night Market. Where basically all of the fancy food trucks gather in the city on the same street for crowded night of food happiness. So we took the subway up to a hip part of the city that we don't go to very often, Northern Liberties to check it out. I was really glad we went, it was just what I needed to welcome be back home, to this city that I have grown to love and will really miss when we move.
It was so crowded that we decided the best course of action would be to get some food and then wait in line at another truck while eating the food we had just gotten. We managed to have delicious pizza and some delicious authentic tacos this way, and I was a happy girl.
It was a fun night.
On a side night, it felt amazing to go out on a weeknight and not have to be worrying about the homework I was blowing off and not have to be in class. Being done with school is so awesome.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Being Parents for a Week
So, we agreed to babysit my niece for the week after graduation. My brother and his wife wanted to go on a vacation sans-kid, and we naively thought it would be a relaxing little vacation to watch their 3.5 year old for a week. Ha. Ha. Ha. Parents are hardcore, and we were only there for a week and she was really good the whole time, but by the end of the days I was exhausted. Negotiating with a three year old, and keeping her entertained and alive all day is serious work.
The best line of the week came from Joseph towards the end, he said "I am really glad they don't come out 3 years old" It still makes me laugh.
We did have a great week, our niece is super fun, and I am glad we got to spend the week with her.
Went to ballet class.
Swam in the pool.
Had Pinkberry, and other various icecream treats.
At the end of the week I left with some major respect for all parents, because that is not easy.
Joseph's Graduation
Finally, Joseph's big day. Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 3:00pm in the Academy of Music, Philadelphia.
In the morning we relaxed and got ready, we walked over to LOVE Park to take some pictures, and we went to Reading Terminal for some lunch.
Then we went home to change and get fancy for the ceremony. It was so fun, we got really good seats, the first row of the balcony so we felt really close and we had a perfectly unobstructed view of everything. We also got lucky because Joseph ended up sitting almost directly below us, which was really cool.
Also, due to some complications and confusion on the part of the law school there were some problems getting everyone the proper hat for the ceremony, so in rebellion Joseph said he wasn't going to wear any hat at all, and that is what he did. He was one of only 3 people not wearing a hat out of the whole graduation ceremony.
The ceremony was really fun. Afterwards we went to pizza, then we went to the apartment Joseph's parents were staying at to hang out with them. As it got a little later we went to the official graduation after-party to congratulate everyone. It was a long, but also a really fun day.
I will have to get Joseph to write some of his feelings about graduating.
It is crazy to think that after only three years he is now a lawyer, with all sorts of lawyerly knowledge. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work to graduate and to get an awesome job. It feels so fancy to be married to an Ivy League graduate. I am so proud.
In the morning we relaxed and got ready, we walked over to LOVE Park to take some pictures, and we went to Reading Terminal for some lunch.
The ceremony was really fun. Afterwards we went to pizza, then we went to the apartment Joseph's parents were staying at to hang out with them. As it got a little later we went to the official graduation after-party to congratulate everyone. It was a long, but also a really fun day.
I will have to get Joseph to write some of his feelings about graduating.
It is crazy to think that after only three years he is now a lawyer, with all sorts of lawyerly knowledge. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work to graduate and to get an awesome job. It feels so fancy to be married to an Ivy League graduate. I am so proud.
Graduation Weekend: Sunday
It worked out perfectly that this day was also Mother's Day, and I got to see both my mom and my mother-in-law this year.
After church we headed over to the Penn Law School for a pre-graduation reception party they had for the graduates. It was a fancy little reception in the law school court yard. It was fun to talk to some of Joseph's friends and to celebrate another graduation.
After the reception we headed back to the apartment to relax and get mothers day dinner ready. We had roasted pork loin, roasted veggies (beets, carrots, and parsnips), salad, mashed potatoes, and bread. I of course forgot to take any pictures, so you can just imagine. I also made a German Chocolate Cake from scratch, which is a feat for me, since lately I have been really unsuccessful in my baking attempts.
And, although this is much over due I am so grateful for the great mothers in my life. I am grateful for the love and support of my mom and I am grateful for my mother-in-law for raising such a great son. I am grateful for the examples of my sister and sisters-in-law, who are all truly amazing moms.
Mom's are awesome. I am glad we get to celebrate them.
After church we headed over to the Penn Law School for a pre-graduation reception party they had for the graduates. It was a fancy little reception in the law school court yard. It was fun to talk to some of Joseph's friends and to celebrate another graduation.
After the reception we headed back to the apartment to relax and get mothers day dinner ready. We had roasted pork loin, roasted veggies (beets, carrots, and parsnips), salad, mashed potatoes, and bread. I of course forgot to take any pictures, so you can just imagine. I also made a German Chocolate Cake from scratch, which is a feat for me, since lately I have been really unsuccessful in my baking attempts.
And, although this is much over due I am so grateful for the great mothers in my life. I am grateful for the love and support of my mom and I am grateful for my mother-in-law for raising such a great son. I am grateful for the examples of my sister and sisters-in-law, who are all truly amazing moms.
Mom's are awesome. I am glad we get to celebrate them.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Graduation Weekend: Saturday
By Saturday we were pretty worn out. We ended up sleeping in and getting a fairly late start to the day, but I will never complain about getting to sleep in.
We were with Joseph's family so we spent the day wondering around the historic sights.
The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Christ Church, Elfreths Alley, and other various sights along the way.
We hit up the noodle house in Chinatown for a delicious lunch.
We had ice cream and cantalope for dinner.
We were with Joseph's family so we spent the day wondering around the historic sights.
The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Christ Church, Elfreths Alley, and other various sights along the way.
We hit up the noodle house in Chinatown for a delicious lunch.
We had ice cream and cantalope for dinner.
Graduation Weekend: Friday
Friday morning we woke up fairly early, got dressed and headed up to the Eastern State Penitentiary. We had been wanting to go ever since we moved here, but had never made it up. We thought that it would be a great activity to do with a lot of people. Since my parents were in town, Joseph's parents were in town, and Joseph's brother and sister were here too. We had quite the crew.
The prison was pretty cool. It is the first penitentiary in the world, and it was huge. From the outside it looked like a giant castle, and it just sits right in the middle of the city. We saw the cell were Al Capone stayed when he was locked up there for 8 months, and we got to pretty much wander the grounds to our hearts delight. It was interesting to hear the stories of some of the prisoners and the history of the place.
After the penitentiary, we went home, rested up, changed and went out to our celebratory dinner. We had also been saving up to go back to our favorite restaurant when the whole family was in town. We had gone the second year we lived in Philly for my birthday, and had been dreaming of it ever since. Modo Mio, definitely did not disappoint. It was a nice evening and delicious food. We are so thankful for our parents for spoiling us and taking us to dinner.
The prison was pretty cool. It is the first penitentiary in the world, and it was huge. From the outside it looked like a giant castle, and it just sits right in the middle of the city. We saw the cell were Al Capone stayed when he was locked up there for 8 months, and we got to pretty much wander the grounds to our hearts delight. It was interesting to hear the stories of some of the prisoners and the history of the place.
After the penitentiary, we went home, rested up, changed and went out to our celebratory dinner. We had also been saving up to go back to our favorite restaurant when the whole family was in town. We had gone the second year we lived in Philly for my birthday, and had been dreaming of it ever since. Modo Mio, definitely did not disappoint. It was a nice evening and delicious food. We are so thankful for our parents for spoiling us and taking us to dinner.
After dinner my parents had to head back home, and we headed back to our apartment. We ended the evening relaxing watch the Fantastic Mr. Fox. I liked it, I thought it was pretty cute.
My Graduation
As I previously mentioned in my last post, I finished my Master's degree, and it feels good.
My graduation ceremony was on Thursday May 10th, in the evening. It started at 7:00 PM. I had gotten an email in the morning informing us that Bill Cosby was speaking at the ceremony. I had not realized previous to this email that he was also a Temple University Alum. So needless to say we were pretty stoked, I had high hopes for this ceremony. Spoiler alert, his speech was bad, pretty boring, not really funny, sort of rambling. And then to top it off he didn't even stay for the whole ceremony, he just walked right off the stage and out of the building when his speech was over. Not Classy Bill, not classy.
After I easily found my friends from the program, there was a very high level of excitement that I had not felt previous to the ceremony. This level of excitement stayed with me through the rest of the night. I hadn't realized how freaking good I felt about myself for finishing until it was actually official. And it hadn't felt official before that.
That was partly one of my professors fault, in my social determinants of health class, for scheduling a final the night before from 5:30 to 8:00. Super lame. Anyways back to the ceremony. I got all dolled up in my cap and gown, and I felt pretty fancy in my pink velvet hood that we got to wear. I love the outfits at a graduation.
Since Temple prides itself on being a diverse, urban school, offerring a diverse urban education, you can imagine that the spectators at this graduation were very rowdy, even more than I had expected but I didn't let it ruin the experience for me. I loved getting to walk across the stage, and then refusing to take my cap and gown off when we went to get celebratory frozen yogurt after it was over, getting congratulated by all the people on the street. It was slightly embarrassing, but also awesome. I figured I might as well live it up, it might be the last time I could wear a cap and gown and public and get away with it. Unless of course I decide to get my PhD.....
So anyways, that was lots of rambling but the moral of the story is, I did it. I graduated. It was a lot of fun.
My graduation ceremony was on Thursday May 10th, in the evening. It started at 7:00 PM. I had gotten an email in the morning informing us that Bill Cosby was speaking at the ceremony. I had not realized previous to this email that he was also a Temple University Alum. So needless to say we were pretty stoked, I had high hopes for this ceremony. Spoiler alert, his speech was bad, pretty boring, not really funny, sort of rambling. And then to top it off he didn't even stay for the whole ceremony, he just walked right off the stage and out of the building when his speech was over. Not Classy Bill, not classy.
After I easily found my friends from the program, there was a very high level of excitement that I had not felt previous to the ceremony. This level of excitement stayed with me through the rest of the night. I hadn't realized how freaking good I felt about myself for finishing until it was actually official. And it hadn't felt official before that.
That was partly one of my professors fault, in my social determinants of health class, for scheduling a final the night before from 5:30 to 8:00. Super lame. Anyways back to the ceremony. I got all dolled up in my cap and gown, and I felt pretty fancy in my pink velvet hood that we got to wear. I love the outfits at a graduation.
Since Temple prides itself on being a diverse, urban school, offerring a diverse urban education, you can imagine that the spectators at this graduation were very rowdy, even more than I had expected but I didn't let it ruin the experience for me. I loved getting to walk across the stage, and then refusing to take my cap and gown off when we went to get celebratory frozen yogurt after it was over, getting congratulated by all the people on the street. It was slightly embarrassing, but also awesome. I figured I might as well live it up, it might be the last time I could wear a cap and gown and public and get away with it. Unless of course I decide to get my PhD.....
So anyways, that was lots of rambling but the moral of the story is, I did it. I graduated. It was a lot of fun.
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