TBWOTY

We had the first annual sibling-cousin shin dig last weekend. A.k.a. The Best Weekend of the Year. It was so fun! We met in NYC. I got there early so I had a day with Dr. Baby Brother. I cooked him a bunch to have in his freezer for when he was too busy to cook. Don't want him losing weight!

We didn't do a whole lot, but we ate good food, talked and laughed in various locations like the Met, FAO Schwartz, The Strand etc. I soaked it all up and felt happy to have such great family (& significant others). I was pretty exhausted the whole weekend from the busy week before, the red eye flight, and general lack of sleep. Yesterday was rough, coming back to freezing temperatures (literally, it's 2 degrees and we're in the middle of an 8 inch snow storm. no snow day.) I rallied hard with no second coffee, no nap, and a trip to the bike at the gym.

In other news, I went to a Conference for Women in International Trade yesterday. Only so-so. The talk I really wanted to hear was canceled, but there were still some other interesting talks.

I also discovered and bought new music by a South African guy, Vusi Mahlasela. It's beautiful. Have a listen:
River Jordan

At long last

Quick update:

Philly was fabulous. I love it there. I went to campus and the button, walked by Clark Park farmer's market, ate Ethiopian food, saw my bestest of friends, played with little O., walked around campus, got a new comfy Penn sweatshirt.

Marathon - PR!! WOOOoooo! I finished in 3:10. More on that in another post. I was just so happy, felt stronger (mentally and physically) than I had in other marathons and had an awesome time. I was extremely sore for 2 1/2 days and then life got better.

D.C. was pretty good. Saw the lovely E. for tea at a beautiful little shop with nice wood floors and tables upstairs. Then, got to A. & S.'s place, which was awesome. Such a nice neighborhood, I thought I was walking in the wrong direction because I didn't believe they could live in such a grown-up, nice neighborhood. A. made a delicious dinner, which we enjoyed while visiting with our friends S. and G. (Soooo many couples!). Broken escalator at Dupont circle was my worst nightmare, give post-marathon soreness. Next day I spent with A., visiting her apartment, walking around the mall, work at a cafe and then dinner at good Thai. We baked a little to bring with her for Thanksgiving to M.'s family in Jersey. Finished the day watching an episode of The Office and collapsed into bed.

Wednesday - at long last - saw the family!! Walked a mile down to the Nat'l Geo Museum and waited in a cafe until family trickled in. We went to the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit (didn't compare to Incans!) and saw a photo exhibit, too. Walked by the White House, had lunch in the old post office building and then Nat'l Gallery of Art. People peeled off in their own directions and baby brother L. and I walked down to the capital building. Sat there and watched the sun set, then got a snack and took the Metro out to 'burbs. Made Cheesecake & watched a movie.

Thanksgiving - hung around, had the meal at cousin's house. Pretty good food, but skimpy on the vegetables and no stuffing! Watched Brother's Bloom with L. that night.

Friday - unveiling. Spent the morning with grandma, went to the cemetery for the unveiling. It was nice, a little sad, but mostly just a nice family gathering. Bummed around at Aunt's house eating without being hungry and talking to sibs.

Saturday ended up being flying back, getting a new phone because the old one died and going to the grocery store. Welcome back to Denver. :/ Miss the fam. already. :(

Back to studying for me...4 finals, 1 paper and 1 presentation before it's over and I go home to play with D.

Twenty-six

Happy Birthday Dinta Bint and Bouie!

:)