Some Really Great Things

I know what you’re all thinking, “finally, the much needed update is here!”

Well, I can’t promise you’ll get every detail, just more of a broad overview of what’s happening in life for the past month.

May: a time of adventures and travels.

Preakness Party at my BFF Anita’s house was the beginning of a series of very fortunate events. Part of the Triple Crown horse races, guest pooled their money, getting assigned a horse number and hoping for a win. Black-eyed susans were adorned by all who attended, and after a few minutes mixed with eagerness and anxiety, my lovely housemate Beth won a share of the pot. Getting served dessert on a platter, dressed in the genre of middle-aged woman and man, Athos, Porthos and Aramis joined together for a celebrated weekend.

Visit to the city of Philadelphia for a Mumford & Sons concert, whose crowd turned out unexpectedly filled with college bros and yuppy girls who took pictures the whole time. Still a very enjoyable experience. Except when we bumped into our Arabic coffee shop owner “friend” after the show who had previously forced us to stay in his shop, take pictures with him, and write a review on google.com right in front of him. A pretty uncomfortable time.

MVS Retreat in Divide, CO at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp was beautiful! While traveling across the country with our DC counter-part, for the next few days I met and reconnected with some fellow volunteers around the country, relaxed because it was hard to catch my breath due to acclimation of altitude (0 to 9,000+ feet in 5 hours), did a little contra dancing and hiked a mountain. No big deal.

Memorial Day weekend for me meant visitors from the Midwest! Mom, Carla and really great friend Danielle all came to visit for the long weekend. After hopping in the car at 6 am, they all arrived safely at 4 in the afternoon ready to paint the town red after a quick rest. Taking them on a driving tour of the city, trying the famous crab cake, picking up some “souvenirs” at the Book Thing, visiting the touristy spots of Baltimore gave them a good taste of the city. We made a special 2.5 hours trip around DC to see some of the important sights of our Nation’s capital. While getting stuck on the opposite side of the road from a street vendor who’s Polish Sausage we were craving by a gang of bikers called “Rolling Thunder,” we celebrated Memorial Day weekend. Stopping at IKEA on the way back made for a number of first for Danielle.

Once the family and friend were gone and headed west, I relaxed the rest of the week at a HSH (stands for House-Sitting House), were AC, movies and a hot tub were available. Last night was the end of that “week away” from my regular house, sad to say. But, life goes on.

Good news, I’m getting a new bed for the next few months I’ll be here! A frame and possibly mattress/box spring. I’m hoping I’m motivated later to assemble the whole thing since the temperature this week is only supposed to be in the 70s. That means my new walking-around-the-park-after-work regimen will be off to a good start.

Here’s to more adventures in the months to come! I love toasting.