Sadness...Alana has left London for her world tour. It's so weird - people come and go all the time here, but she's been here longer than I have, which makes her feel like a fixture of the city. It won't be the same without her.
On that note, here are some ridiculous pictures from her going-away party. Enjoy.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.3q2d6ypj&x=1&y=-8wdtv5
= :)
Apr 28, 2006
Apr 27, 2006
Apr 26, 2006
Amsterdam!
I went to Amsterdam this weekend, I had the best time ever, and now I want to live there. Prepare for a recap in about a month or so.
= :P
= :P
Apr 21, 2006
Fine, don't read it then
Denis said my blog was "boring".
Denis, you are no longer allowed to read my blog.
So there.
:P
Denis, you are no longer allowed to read my blog.
So there.
:P
Apr 20, 2006
Thanksgiving Pics
Yes, I realize Thanksgiving was back in November, but I actually only got these pictures on Sunday. They're not taken by me, but they give an idea of how excited I was about cooking an entire Thanksgiving dinner (and not giving anyone food poisoning in the process). View and be amazed!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.8x14o0tj&x=1&y=-5k8gpn
= :)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.8x14o0tj&x=1&y=-5k8gpn
= :)
Apr 13, 2006
Ireland pics
Here's a small selection of pics from Ireland. (And by "small selection" I mean the only ones I actually took. So sue me, I'm lazy) Enjoy!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.9avkvbjr&x=1&y=-dnq7e6
= :)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.9avkvbjr&x=1&y=-dnq7e6
= :)
Apr 12, 2006
Dublin, Part a do*
Last time, on Anne's blog...
Anne & friends almost didn't make it to Dublin, but they actually managed to arrive in the city, where they discovered sunshine, traditional music, and The Most Beautiful Irish Man in the World. To continue...
Then off to Doyles, across from Trinity College, and I believe, the scene of Erin's notorious fling of her Dublin summer. :P That was fun, except for the requisite carding (i.e., asking "how old are you" and expecting us to be honest), which we got everywhere in the city. "I'm 24," through gritted teeth. I know, I know, I'll be happy about it someday. It's just not cool to look 17 now.
After a round of tequila shots, some Bulmers (btw, Erin, I love that stuff - it's called Magners in England) and a particularly animated competition between me and Joe to identify the music playing (yaay Doyles for having a fantastic selection), we headed off to a random gay bar, where Alana and I had to pose as a couple to get in, but then were surrounded by straight couples when we got in (??). Hm. Then, in a complete coincidence, the yummy-smelling kebab shop next door was none other than Sultan, which was apparently Erin and Jody's late-night haunt. Strange. But oh so tasty.
We stayed up until 5 watching the A-team (yaay Mr. T!) , marveled at the fact our clothes didn't smell of smoke (England is just about light years behind everyone else - I think it's going to take another year for them to go smoke-free), and woke up and lazed in front of the TV watching American Idol (what is that doing on the air in Ireland?). Then off on a bus to Kilmainham Gaol, which is a jail with an amazing history, holding prisoners from the range of Irish history, from the struggle for independence to the potato famine. Our tour guide was fantastic, even though I think he made Joe (the sole Englishman with us) feel like a bit of a villian.
That night, we went to an Italian restaurant, which could have been an awful mistake, but had the best pizza I've had in Europe outside of Italy, and then a Temple Bar pub called, coincidentally enough, Temple Bar (what came first, the pub or the neighborhood?) This is also where I got completely schooled by an Irish bartender. When he asked where I was from, I gave my automatic response of "New York." Hey, I know it's a lie, but no one knows where New Jersey is - or cares, for that matter. He then proceeded to ask me "what part," at which point I was forced to say Brooklyn and then give my Grandma's address as mine. Whoopsies. Really - what kind of European knows all the NYC boroughs? Anyway, the bar wasn't as good as the previous night's entertainment, and it was pretty late - we didn't even finish dinner until after 11 - so we headed home.
Monday morning we woke up at 5:30am (ugh), and flew back to London so some of us could go to work. I, on the other hand, had taken the day off, which meant a nap, early afternoon movie with Nic, and a trip to Bodean's, an honest-to-God barbecue joint in London. They even had Nascar on the TV. Weirdness. I actually forgot where I was a couple of times until I heard the accents of the people around me. I got ribs and they were delicious. Mmmm, ribs.
Just so you know, my trip was basically a two-day approximation of Erin and Jody's summer. My friends had next to no plans, so I took our entire itinerary from a shortlist of recommended sights from Erin and Jody. All I can say is - great list, guys. What a summer it must have been.
= :)
* "two," in Irish Gaelic. I know, I know - I AM awesome.
Anne & friends almost didn't make it to Dublin, but they actually managed to arrive in the city, where they discovered sunshine, traditional music, and The Most Beautiful Irish Man in the World. To continue...
Then off to Doyles, across from Trinity College, and I believe, the scene of Erin's notorious fling of her Dublin summer. :P That was fun, except for the requisite carding (i.e., asking "how old are you" and expecting us to be honest), which we got everywhere in the city. "I'm 24," through gritted teeth. I know, I know, I'll be happy about it someday. It's just not cool to look 17 now.
After a round of tequila shots, some Bulmers (btw, Erin, I love that stuff - it's called Magners in England) and a particularly animated competition between me and Joe to identify the music playing (yaay Doyles for having a fantastic selection), we headed off to a random gay bar, where Alana and I had to pose as a couple to get in, but then were surrounded by straight couples when we got in (??). Hm. Then, in a complete coincidence, the yummy-smelling kebab shop next door was none other than Sultan, which was apparently Erin and Jody's late-night haunt. Strange. But oh so tasty.
We stayed up until 5 watching the A-team (yaay Mr. T!) , marveled at the fact our clothes didn't smell of smoke (England is just about light years behind everyone else - I think it's going to take another year for them to go smoke-free), and woke up and lazed in front of the TV watching American Idol (what is that doing on the air in Ireland?). Then off on a bus to Kilmainham Gaol, which is a jail with an amazing history, holding prisoners from the range of Irish history, from the struggle for independence to the potato famine. Our tour guide was fantastic, even though I think he made Joe (the sole Englishman with us) feel like a bit of a villian.
That night, we went to an Italian restaurant, which could have been an awful mistake, but had the best pizza I've had in Europe outside of Italy, and then a Temple Bar pub called, coincidentally enough, Temple Bar (what came first, the pub or the neighborhood?) This is also where I got completely schooled by an Irish bartender. When he asked where I was from, I gave my automatic response of "New York." Hey, I know it's a lie, but no one knows where New Jersey is - or cares, for that matter. He then proceeded to ask me "what part," at which point I was forced to say Brooklyn and then give my Grandma's address as mine. Whoopsies. Really - what kind of European knows all the NYC boroughs? Anyway, the bar wasn't as good as the previous night's entertainment, and it was pretty late - we didn't even finish dinner until after 11 - so we headed home.
Monday morning we woke up at 5:30am (ugh), and flew back to London so some of us could go to work. I, on the other hand, had taken the day off, which meant a nap, early afternoon movie with Nic, and a trip to Bodean's, an honest-to-God barbecue joint in London. They even had Nascar on the TV. Weirdness. I actually forgot where I was a couple of times until I heard the accents of the people around me. I got ribs and they were delicious. Mmmm, ribs.
Just so you know, my trip was basically a two-day approximation of Erin and Jody's summer. My friends had next to no plans, so I took our entire itinerary from a shortlist of recommended sights from Erin and Jody. All I can say is - great list, guys. What a summer it must have been.
= :)
* "two," in Irish Gaelic. I know, I know - I AM awesome.
Apr 11, 2006
Dublin!
So I went to Dublin two weekends ago. Actually, I also went about 6 years ago, but that trip doesn't really count since I was in Dublin for about a day and a half and asleep for most of that, due to jet lag. And the company this time was fantastic - Alana, Joe, and Aurelie, Alana's French housemate. So this is the real trip. And a fantastic one.
We actually almost didn't make it to Ireland, since Alana took the meeting time of "around 6-ish" to mean 7:30. Hm. But we got there, and after battling with the staff over our "2-bedroom" apartment (1 double, 1 single, and a couch), got to sleep, since it was ridiculously late and cold. Very exciting, I know.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, which was an amazing change from most of the weather in London. Unfortuntely, it only lasted the morning, but I made the most of it and got up early and took a walk around central London, including Merrion Square. Then I picked up a bagel and headed back to the flat, which made my friends laugh, since it is apparently a running joke that I'm obsessed with bagels. Not my fault if they can't make enough/good enough ones here in Europe and I have to vocally pine for them. Every day, in fact.
We went shopping on Grafton Street (where I almost got the cutest red trench ever, only to remind myself I already had a red coat - rarr!) and then off to the Dublin Castle, which kinda looks like a movie set, because it's a basically an 11th-century stone castle in the middle of a parking lot. Strange. Then off to the incredible Chester Beatty Museum, which had a lot of Asian and Islamic art, and a collection of religious artifacts. This museum was also the site of my favorite fact of the weekend - the best brushes for painters of Islamic manuscripts were made with the hair from the neck of a 2-month old white kitten. They don't teach you THAT at Harvard, let me tell you. (Yaay Art of the Mongols!)
Then off to the Porterhouse to see Sliotar, this band Erin & Jody were in love with. They were really great, but the Porterhouse was probably the only place in central Dublin that didn't serve Guinness, so that was a bit disappointing. Had a great red ale, though. Weird - I'm a beer drinker now...who would have thought? Oh England, what are you doing to me? Then off to this fabulous restaurant called gruel (mmmm, tasty, and no capitals, of course) which had a basement dining room that looked like my friend's rec room (minus the washer & dryer) and fantastic food.
Back to the flat (right on the Liffey, across from Temple Bar - couldn't be more convenient, really) before heading out for the night. First stop: The Celt for traditional music and our first Guinness of the trip. It really is more tasty there. I also appreciated the yellowed pics of JFK on the wall. Also: The Most Beautiful Irish Man in the World. He was standing across from us and wearing this white button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and he was the most effortly gorgeous thing we had ever seen. And all of us being inclined towards the male sex, he provided a lot of exciting viewing while finishing our drinks.
Part two, in all its scintillating glory, coming soon.
= :)
We actually almost didn't make it to Ireland, since Alana took the meeting time of "around 6-ish" to mean 7:30. Hm. But we got there, and after battling with the staff over our "2-bedroom" apartment (1 double, 1 single, and a couch), got to sleep, since it was ridiculously late and cold. Very exciting, I know.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, which was an amazing change from most of the weather in London. Unfortuntely, it only lasted the morning, but I made the most of it and got up early and took a walk around central London, including Merrion Square. Then I picked up a bagel and headed back to the flat, which made my friends laugh, since it is apparently a running joke that I'm obsessed with bagels. Not my fault if they can't make enough/good enough ones here in Europe and I have to vocally pine for them. Every day, in fact.
We went shopping on Grafton Street (where I almost got the cutest red trench ever, only to remind myself I already had a red coat - rarr!) and then off to the Dublin Castle, which kinda looks like a movie set, because it's a basically an 11th-century stone castle in the middle of a parking lot. Strange. Then off to the incredible Chester Beatty Museum, which had a lot of Asian and Islamic art, and a collection of religious artifacts. This museum was also the site of my favorite fact of the weekend - the best brushes for painters of Islamic manuscripts were made with the hair from the neck of a 2-month old white kitten. They don't teach you THAT at Harvard, let me tell you. (Yaay Art of the Mongols!)
Then off to the Porterhouse to see Sliotar, this band Erin & Jody were in love with. They were really great, but the Porterhouse was probably the only place in central Dublin that didn't serve Guinness, so that was a bit disappointing. Had a great red ale, though. Weird - I'm a beer drinker now...who would have thought? Oh England, what are you doing to me? Then off to this fabulous restaurant called gruel (mmmm, tasty, and no capitals, of course) which had a basement dining room that looked like my friend's rec room (minus the washer & dryer) and fantastic food.
Back to the flat (right on the Liffey, across from Temple Bar - couldn't be more convenient, really) before heading out for the night. First stop: The Celt for traditional music and our first Guinness of the trip. It really is more tasty there. I also appreciated the yellowed pics of JFK on the wall. Also: The Most Beautiful Irish Man in the World. He was standing across from us and wearing this white button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and he was the most effortly gorgeous thing we had ever seen. And all of us being inclined towards the male sex, he provided a lot of exciting viewing while finishing our drinks.
Part two, in all its scintillating glory, coming soon.
= :)
Apr 10, 2006
Oh, and in case you were wondering...
...the grad program I've been accepted to is a 2-year Masters in City and Regional Planning. Details...
= :)
= :)
Apr 6, 2006
It's Official
So I got the results from the grad schools I applied to, and - drumroll, please - I'm going to...
UNC Chapel Hill. Woo Tarheels!
So I got into UNC and UVA, but decided Charlottesville was a little TOO Southern for me. Waitlisted at Berkeley and outright rejected from MIT. Boo. They're nerds anyway. :P
So yeah, looks like I'll be down in North Carolina for the next two years. Anyone want to come visit?
= :)
UNC Chapel Hill. Woo Tarheels!
So I got into UNC and UVA, but decided Charlottesville was a little TOO Southern for me. Waitlisted at Berkeley and outright rejected from MIT. Boo. They're nerds anyway. :P
So yeah, looks like I'll be down in North Carolina for the next two years. Anyone want to come visit?
= :)
More Patrone pics
My collection, this time:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.bbjyt4tb&x=1&y=e0p0co
= :)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.bbjyt4tb&x=1&y=e0p0co
= :)
Apr 4, 2006
The Italian-American Invasion, Part II
To recap: my parents visited. It was fun. Read on.
Wednesday and Thursday were an adventure. On the advice of Nic and a couple of other people, we headed off towards the Dorset coast. This meant renting a car and navigating England's quaint roadways. Quaint, indeed.
The English really like their roundabouts, apparently - there was one about every five minutes. Confusing in and of itself, yes, but then add the fact that my dad was driving on the wrong side of the road (for him, not for England), an experience he likened to "taking your brain out of your head, turning it backwards, and sticking it back in." We knew we were in for some real fun when Dad started the trip on the right foot by opening the passenger side of the car. Oh dear.
We did a whirlwind tour of British sights, including Stonehenge (which we saw through the fence - it's basically ON the highway), Bath (where we spent about an hour trying to keep out of the freezing rain), and Glastonbury (the Abbey was closed). After only a couple angry outbursts and two near-misses, we ended up in Dorcester, where we stayed at a nice little B&B and had one of the best meals I've had in the UK. Nice. Then off in the morning to Durdle Door, a really nice rock formation on the coast, Lulworth Cove (where we got snowed on), and fish & chips by the sea. Then back off to London, to end what was a short but satisfying trip.
On Friday, we went to the British Museum, where we were educated on what it takes to stuff and wrap a mummy, and then commented on how just about everything in the museum was stolen from somewhere else. Yaay England. Then we went to Borough Market, which is this fantastic weekly market that has all sorts of gourmet food and desserts. Lest we forget where I get my love of food from, my mom and dad raved about their sandwiches, and mom even seriously thought about getting a second one, just to be able to try everything.
After freezing a little more, we went to the Imperial War Museum, which is possibly the best museum in London. Dad and I checked out the submarine exhibit, while we all went on the hilarious Blitz Experience, where you go on this completely low-rent tour of a model of WWII-era London during and after a "bomb raid". Mom (and I don't blame her) laughed inappropriately throughout the entire thing. It was awesome.
Dinner that night was at an Italian restaurant in Mayfair (recommended by my parents' friends), which would have been great - except for the fact I got food poisoning that night (although I haven't ruled out the venison sausages Borough market). Other than that, though, the restaurant was fun. Nic seemed a lot more comfortable with my parents, and my mom seemed comfortable enough to flirt with the waiter, snap many, many pictures of me and Nic, to our collective horror, and sing along to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin - loudly. But really, the place was full of other loud Americans, so no need really to be embarrassed. (Funny how much you notice them after being here for a while, and how grating they sound.)
So, all in all, it was a pretty great week. Cold, yes, but lots of fun - it's always good to be a tourist in London again. And it couldn't have ended more fittingly. Since my parents' hotel was right across the street from me, I had grand plans to wake up at 4am and see them off to the airport. Did that happen? Nope. Of course not.
= :)
Wednesday and Thursday were an adventure. On the advice of Nic and a couple of other people, we headed off towards the Dorset coast. This meant renting a car and navigating England's quaint roadways. Quaint, indeed.
The English really like their roundabouts, apparently - there was one about every five minutes. Confusing in and of itself, yes, but then add the fact that my dad was driving on the wrong side of the road (for him, not for England), an experience he likened to "taking your brain out of your head, turning it backwards, and sticking it back in." We knew we were in for some real fun when Dad started the trip on the right foot by opening the passenger side of the car. Oh dear.
We did a whirlwind tour of British sights, including Stonehenge (which we saw through the fence - it's basically ON the highway), Bath (where we spent about an hour trying to keep out of the freezing rain), and Glastonbury (the Abbey was closed). After only a couple angry outbursts and two near-misses, we ended up in Dorcester, where we stayed at a nice little B&B and had one of the best meals I've had in the UK. Nice. Then off in the morning to Durdle Door, a really nice rock formation on the coast, Lulworth Cove (where we got snowed on), and fish & chips by the sea. Then back off to London, to end what was a short but satisfying trip.
On Friday, we went to the British Museum, where we were educated on what it takes to stuff and wrap a mummy, and then commented on how just about everything in the museum was stolen from somewhere else. Yaay England. Then we went to Borough Market, which is this fantastic weekly market that has all sorts of gourmet food and desserts. Lest we forget where I get my love of food from, my mom and dad raved about their sandwiches, and mom even seriously thought about getting a second one, just to be able to try everything.
After freezing a little more, we went to the Imperial War Museum, which is possibly the best museum in London. Dad and I checked out the submarine exhibit, while we all went on the hilarious Blitz Experience, where you go on this completely low-rent tour of a model of WWII-era London during and after a "bomb raid". Mom (and I don't blame her) laughed inappropriately throughout the entire thing. It was awesome.
Dinner that night was at an Italian restaurant in Mayfair (recommended by my parents' friends), which would have been great - except for the fact I got food poisoning that night (although I haven't ruled out the venison sausages Borough market). Other than that, though, the restaurant was fun. Nic seemed a lot more comfortable with my parents, and my mom seemed comfortable enough to flirt with the waiter, snap many, many pictures of me and Nic, to our collective horror, and sing along to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin - loudly. But really, the place was full of other loud Americans, so no need really to be embarrassed. (Funny how much you notice them after being here for a while, and how grating they sound.)
So, all in all, it was a pretty great week. Cold, yes, but lots of fun - it's always good to be a tourist in London again. And it couldn't have ended more fittingly. Since my parents' hotel was right across the street from me, I had grand plans to wake up at 4am and see them off to the airport. Did that happen? Nope. Of course not.
= :)
Apr 3, 2006
The Patrones come to London
So my parents came to visit in February. I know, I know...yes, it takes me this long to post something to the blog.
Anyway, their visit was fun for many reasons, the most obvious being that I got to see my parents after about two months of being away. Less obviously, it also meant I got useful/tasty presents from home, including American pancake mix and a lifetime supply of saline solution. (You'd never believe it, but London appears to be going through some kind of saline drought. My drugstore - and every other branch I've been to in the city, for that matter - has been out of saline for over a month, with no end in sight. CVS, where are you when I need you?) Also, it was a huge novelty to have my parents in London. Worlds colliding, indeed.
We started the trip off on the right foot when I discovered I couldn't pick them up from the airport because the damn tube didn't start running until AFTER their flight got in. This would have been okay, if I then didn't sleep through picking them up at the tube station. Whoops. I think they made it to their hotel ok, though.
We didn't do too much that night...just went for a Sunday roast and walked in the freezing, bitter rain. This is a theme that will recur the entire week, by the way. The weeks before and after my parents' visit were dry and generally mild. The week they came to visit had weather magically transported from Siberia. Ah. C'est la vie (in London).
On Monday we took a ferry to Greenwich, which is the home of British Naval History and the Prime Meridian. Meaning we had plenty of pictures of us standing in two hemispheres, and my dad had the BEST TIME EVER learning about naval navigation. I think we were at the tiny museum for over 2 hours. Then that night, (dum dum duhhhhhh!) Nic met the parents. We decided to go to this little tapas place that's usually fantastic, but which kinda sucked this time. Oh well. Dinner was moderately awkward, with my parents convinced Nic was quiet (??) and Nic convinced my Dad's relative silence wasn't due to jet lag, but rather to the fact he was plotting on the best way to kill Nic and dispose of the body. So, yeah. That went well.
On Tuesday we did the London tourist thing, and went to Harrods, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tate Modern. Wandering through Harrods (huge jewelry, expensive clothes, saddles) is always an experience, but I have to say my parents' favorite part (and mine, really, let's be honest) was the food halls, where you can get anything and everything pertaining to prepared food or raw ingredients, and all of it arranged in a gorgeous manner. After picking up a few sandwiches, and some macaroons from Laduree, this fantastic bakery I wanted to go to in Paris but didn't, I headed off to work for a bit while my parents headed off to St. Paul's, where they apparently took more pics of Mom looking freezing (recurring theme: see pictures below). I met up with them again for some coffee at the top of the Tate Modern, which again resulted in my Dad being fascinated by all things nautical (i.e., watching the boats and tide on the Thames).
Dinner again, this time at my local cheap Chinese restaurant. Nic was also there, and things went slightly better this time around, with more relaxed conversation on all sides (although Mom was forever lowered in Nic's eyes for ordering a bottle of Budweiser with dinner). Also, my parents had crispy duck for the first time, which they loved. And you think I'm the only one interested in food. Come on.
I don't know how to write a brief description, so stay tuned for part II.
= :)
Anyway, their visit was fun for many reasons, the most obvious being that I got to see my parents after about two months of being away. Less obviously, it also meant I got useful/tasty presents from home, including American pancake mix and a lifetime supply of saline solution. (You'd never believe it, but London appears to be going through some kind of saline drought. My drugstore - and every other branch I've been to in the city, for that matter - has been out of saline for over a month, with no end in sight. CVS, where are you when I need you?) Also, it was a huge novelty to have my parents in London. Worlds colliding, indeed.
We started the trip off on the right foot when I discovered I couldn't pick them up from the airport because the damn tube didn't start running until AFTER their flight got in. This would have been okay, if I then didn't sleep through picking them up at the tube station. Whoops. I think they made it to their hotel ok, though.
We didn't do too much that night...just went for a Sunday roast and walked in the freezing, bitter rain. This is a theme that will recur the entire week, by the way. The weeks before and after my parents' visit were dry and generally mild. The week they came to visit had weather magically transported from Siberia. Ah. C'est la vie (in London).
On Monday we took a ferry to Greenwich, which is the home of British Naval History and the Prime Meridian. Meaning we had plenty of pictures of us standing in two hemispheres, and my dad had the BEST TIME EVER learning about naval navigation. I think we were at the tiny museum for over 2 hours. Then that night, (dum dum duhhhhhh!) Nic met the parents. We decided to go to this little tapas place that's usually fantastic, but which kinda sucked this time. Oh well. Dinner was moderately awkward, with my parents convinced Nic was quiet (??) and Nic convinced my Dad's relative silence wasn't due to jet lag, but rather to the fact he was plotting on the best way to kill Nic and dispose of the body. So, yeah. That went well.
On Tuesday we did the London tourist thing, and went to Harrods, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tate Modern. Wandering through Harrods (huge jewelry, expensive clothes, saddles) is always an experience, but I have to say my parents' favorite part (and mine, really, let's be honest) was the food halls, where you can get anything and everything pertaining to prepared food or raw ingredients, and all of it arranged in a gorgeous manner. After picking up a few sandwiches, and some macaroons from Laduree, this fantastic bakery I wanted to go to in Paris but didn't, I headed off to work for a bit while my parents headed off to St. Paul's, where they apparently took more pics of Mom looking freezing (recurring theme: see pictures below). I met up with them again for some coffee at the top of the Tate Modern, which again resulted in my Dad being fascinated by all things nautical (i.e., watching the boats and tide on the Thames).
Dinner again, this time at my local cheap Chinese restaurant. Nic was also there, and things went slightly better this time around, with more relaxed conversation on all sides (although Mom was forever lowered in Nic's eyes for ordering a bottle of Budweiser with dinner). Also, my parents had crispy duck for the first time, which they loved. And you think I'm the only one interested in food. Come on.
I don't know how to write a brief description, so stay tuned for part II.
= :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)