I'm Baaaack!!!!

Geez...it feels like I have been back in Texas forever. And yet, after a whole week back, I still haven't quite managed to get going again. Disruptions to my schedule are always a dangerous thing. I start spending inordinate amounts of time on the computer, sleeping in waaay too late, and generally being a lazy bum. However, I'm starting to finally come around and get myself moving again. Making myself get up at 6:30am has been the most difficult part of transitioning back, but the longer days that result are well worth it! I've already finished a 2-mile run, 40 minutes of pilates, a video project, and now I'm uploading pics and wrapping up other loose ends on my to-do list. Ahh, the joys of a productive Saturday!! :)

Alright, enough about my scheduling habits. This past week has been a whirlwind, so I'm just going to share highlights. Thankfully, the trip back to Texas went smoothly (at least for me - AnnaGrace got delayed again!!). I sat by an adorable old man on my flight to Memphis, who shared with me all the details about how computer chips are made, how plane wings works, and air travel navigation. :)

On Wednesday, I had to make a trip down to Waco to get something from the condo. It was weird making the drive...especially considering I don't have to be done there for another month and a half at least!! While we were there, AnnaGrace and I had lunch with Sara at George's. Their Southbound fries are the best!!! They are what originally got me interested in creating a french fry recipe. Unfortunately, I have yet to come close to their winning seasoning!!

We drove into Dallas on Thursday to see Erin again, and met her friend Sarah, who just finished law school! It was really awesome to talk to her about what she is doing, and get some advice. I feel like a sponge - I'm trying to soak up as much advice as I can, and then filter it all through my goals and priorities. It's tough work, but I'm hoping it pays off!! I guess we'll have to wait to find out...

Since the weather has been soo hot, I've been doing very little running. Even if I'm out the door around 8:30am, the humidity is so awful, my body feels like concrete by mile 2. Thus, my workout schedule has changed into doing lots of pilates, with the occasional run when I whip up the nerve. I've also accompanied AnnaGrace on the trail for a couple of her long runs. Hurray for 16 miles on the bike! It's amazing how much easier even an 8:30 mile is when you have wheels. :)

Well, that's all for now!! I need to get lunch and do some vacuuming before I head off to work. Only 7 days left!!!

Ignorance of the Law...

is no excuse. Unfortunately, I had personal experience today with my professor's mantra.

We started off the morning at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. There are tons of cute little shops, as well as some regular shops like Gap, American Eagle, and Build-A-Bear Workshop (really?!? this should not be located in a historic location...it's just sacrilege).

There were lots of neat gifts, though I managed to keep my wallet intact. :) I did, however, want to take these little owls home!!

Aren't they so cute??

Honestly, I was a tad disappointed with Faneuil Hall. It was beautiful, but it just wasn't as impressive as I was expecting. Maybe adding a few colonial patriots arguing about taxes would have done the trick!! . :) It's also just plopped down in the middle of downtown - you would never know what it is from the outside.

I thought this hotel was adorable - I LOVE the window boxes!!!

For lunch, I had New England Clam Chowder. It was the best I have ever had!!! Of course, come to think of it, I can only compare it to the canned kind, which I suppose isn't really a comparison after all. :) It is really cold here today (high of 60 degrees!!!), and I forgot my jacket, so soup was the perfect meal to warm my insides!!

I plan on making these bad boys when I get back to Texas:

Reese's cup brownies?? YES PLEASE!!!

After lunch, we headed back to the car since we were nearing our 2-hour limit. When we rounded the corner, this view was what met us:

Now, as much as I may wish my family drove a BMW, we don't. A look at the ticket on this guy's car confirmed that parking in front of the fire hydrant was the offense for which our car was towed. However, I would like you to note the complete lack of any kind of marking...and the fire lane on the other side of the hydrant. Also, the yellow line marks every single parking spot on the street...making it look like this spot is the same as the rest.

The traffic cop was completely not helpful. Her response was, "Well, I just know not to park in front of hydrants." I'm sorry we're from South Carolina, where they mark the curbs when you can't park there!!! Grrr...

We ended up having to take the Metro across town to rescue our car from the impound lot. The train station just so happened to be located in the Old State House, which I was wanting to see anyway (just not under those circumstances!). :)

On our way to get the car!

After we got our car, mom went to City Hall to contest the ticket, which she ended up getting dismissed (though not the towing fee). If anyone asks where my belligerence comes from, all fingers point to her. :)

We're currently hanging out in the dorm room (we're staying on campus this week - I get to relive college days!!), attempting to bake cookies in an oven that does not appear to have temperature control. :) I put Jocelyn in charge while I tried to blog. The cookies had only been in for 8 minutes when we started smelling burning...

Mom made the mistake of asking, "Okay, so what else can go wrong today??" Here's hoping she didn't jinx us. :)

Boston, Take 2 tomorrow!!!

So Far From Home

I love big cities. I don't know that I will ever actually live in one - I want a yard and a garden too badly!! However, I love visiting cities. Metro systems, tall buildings, ethnic restaurants, sightseeing...ahhh, so wonderful!!!!!

We stopped on Sunday night in Cranford, New Jersey (isn't that such a cool name??). After a night of sleep that was not nearly long enough (still recovering from all the wedding festivities!!!), we headed off to Liberty State Park to try and catch views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately, all the Statue of Liberty tickets were taken for today, so we weren't going to get to go up in it.

Once we got to the park, however, we decided to take the ferry out to Ellis and Liberty islands and back. We didn't get off, but it was cool to be able to get some close-ups of the Statue of Liberty. I can't imagine being welcomed to America by the Statue of Liberty after weeks at sea - how cool would that be?!?\

On the way back to our hotel, we stopped at a little deli for lunch. I decided to be adventurous and order a pastrami sandwich for lunch. It was TO DIE FOR!!!!! I will definitely be ordering/making lots of pastrami sandwiches in the near future! I also tried mazza ball (spelling?) soup. It was different, but I liked it!




I've spent the last hour or so enjoying the sights on the road up to Boston. The sky has been beautiful today - partly cloudy, and the clouds look so cool!!! I know, I'm easily entertained. :) But sometimes it's nice just to put in some music, stare out the window, and think (or not). However, the traveling is getting a little tiresome, and I will be glad to arrive at the hotel and be able to stretch!

My reading for this trip is "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," by Jonathan Safran Foer. It's written from the perspective of a 9-year-old boy whose father was killed in 9/11. It's very different than anything I have ever read, but I am enjoying it so far. The book not only contains your typical chapter, but it also includes portions from diaries, letters, and pertinent illustrations.

I am currently sitting in the car listening to the running mix in my ipod and wishing I was out of the car and running down the road!! Despite my best intentions, I haven't been able to run all week, and I'm actually starting to  miss it! I think a visit to the hotel gym (at a minimum!) is in order tonight! I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the cooler temps up here - high of 76 degrees today!!!! I'm really dreading going back to the Texas heat on Thursday. Here's hoping I can switch my flight for a slightly later one!!