Last night, Matt and I went to dinner with our lovely real estate agent. He is quirky, but wonderfully nice - Keith and Amy's friends referred him to us. Finally, after several months, we went out to dinner with him as a congratulations for getting our house.
First, we went to his house and he introduced us to another young couple who also recently bought a home in our neighborhood. They seem very nice - the husband is also a resident physician and the wife is a critical care nurse. Hopefully we will reconnect with them in the future. After having drinks with them, we went to a neat new restaurant called Bibou. It is a thirty seat, tiny cafe that is a BYOB. Apparently, it has been receiving wild reviews and reservations were hard to come by. The French chef, who owns the restaurant, used to work at Le Bec-Fin, which is one of fifteen five-star restaurants nationwide that is located here in Philadelphia and is owned by Georges Perrier. (This is, apparently, all very impressive stuff!) Here is a link to the restaurants menu - http://www.biboubyob.com/menu.html - for proof that we braved a scary menu. It is a French restaurant and they serve things like pigs feet! No - we weren't that brave - but both enjoyed the amazing steaks that we ordered. (The steaks certainly were the safest things on the menu!) Our agent ordered smoke salmon as an appetizer. It was an individual portion but he let us taste it. It was served with the most divine guacamole that I have ever tasted in my entire life. I thought about staging a sit-in in the kitchen until they showed me how to make it, but then I realized that I would be forced to sit in the same kitchen as uncooked pigs feet and other scary animal parts, so I relented. Many of you know that I am not a fan of salmon, but I decided to try a bite of this smoked salmon. It was so - well - weird. Good, but totally unexpected. It was a weird raw fish texture because its not really "cooked." Surprisingly though, it was a really mild flavor - smokey and salty. It oddly reminded me of a deli ham or something like that. I am glad I tried it, thought I can't imagine ever eating more than a bite or two because of the weird texture. Matt really enjoyed it though. It really was great food and we had a wonderful time. It also taught us to not be scared away by a scary looking menu. I would have taken pictures if it had just been Matt and I, but I felt awkward about taking pictures with people we don't know well. Next time I promise that I will.
In other news, I have finished my first week in my new (and hopefully temporary) career as a nanny. (Nanny sounds way more sophisticated than babysitter - right?!?) I am taking care of a 22 month old little girl, named Chloe, and a 6 month old little boy, named Dylan. They are sweet and low key kids with very nice parents. They only live about two miles away from our house, which makes for an easy drive three days a week. The up side is that I make more nannying three days a week than I would working full time at a minimum wage retail job. Obviously, I hope to find a real job soon, or at least find a way to supplement this job. Otherwise, it is going well and I find that I am settling into the job quite well. '
Matt also is loving his job. He certainly is happy to finally be doing the job that he has waited so long to be able to do. Last month he was on a rotation in the ICU, where he saw mostly chest scans. This month he is a on a rotation doing CTs of the body - no head, neck, sinuses, or extremities (I guess that is some other time!) I'm not sure what's up next, but I'll be sure to have Matt update you soon.
Next weekend Matt and I are going camping, so I'll be sure to post pictures when we return from our trip.
Much love to everyone who is reading!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Oh Canada!
During the last week of July, I joined Matt's family in Canada for their long-established trip to Southview Cottages on Rice Lake. Matt, sadly, had to stay in Philly to work (and to row!). It is a wonderful trip that his family has taken every other year for most of his life. In addition to Matt's immediate family, his cousins x2, his cousins' cousins, and family friends all go on the trip. Now many of the "kids" are also bringing along significant others. It is a great big group of about 30 people, who drive many hours to relax, fish, relax, play cards, swim, water ski, kayak, chat, and relax some more.
Here are some of my favorite pictures:
Me with Jenny (Matt's brother David's girlfriend - wow - these labels could get confusing!) and our highly necessary fish rags.
This year, the pontoon boat became a favorite fishing boat - the more, the merrier!
Matt's dad, Mark, readying their boat for a morning of fishing.
Fresh fish goes fast!
Classic Canada - hanging out and chowing down.
Matt's brother, David, can't catch a fish from that side of the pontoon. But if he had only moved to the other side, his luck would have been better!
Lots of poles = lots of fish!
Beautiful sunset while fishing.
Matt's cousin, Elly, demonstrating how to remove a hook from a fish.
A little demo session prior to the traditional Euchre tournament.
Matt's brother, David, and mom, Nancy, battle out an intense game of Euchre.
Posing with my twin/Matt's cousin, Elly.
David and Elly - priceless.
Matt's cousin, Will, sipping his beer through his Twizzler.
Moments later, I catch Will's wife, Ayn, sipping her beer through a Twizzler, and no, she was not copying Will!
Proof that Brad joined in on the spa day.
David and his keeper walleye.
Matt's cousin, Luke, and his girlfriend, Angel.
Matt's cousin, John, and his girlfriend, Susie.
Here are some of my favorite pictures:
Me with Jenny (Matt's brother David's girlfriend - wow - these labels could get confusing!) and our highly necessary fish rags.
This year, the pontoon boat became a favorite fishing boat - the more, the merrier!
Matt's dad, Mark, readying their boat for a morning of fishing.
Fresh fish goes fast!
Classic Canada - hanging out and chowing down.
Matt's brother, David, can't catch a fish from that side of the pontoon. But if he had only moved to the other side, his luck would have been better!
Lots of poles = lots of fish!
Beautiful sunset while fishing.
Matt's cousin, Elly, demonstrating how to remove a hook from a fish.
A little demo session prior to the traditional Euchre tournament.
Matt's brother, David, and mom, Nancy, battle out an intense game of Euchre.
Posing with my twin/Matt's cousin, Elly.
David and Elly - priceless.
Matt's cousin, Will, sipping his beer through his Twizzler.
Moments later, I catch Will's wife, Ayn, sipping her beer through a Twizzler, and no, she was not copying Will!
Proof that Brad joined in on the spa day.
David and his keeper walleye.
Matt's cousin, Luke, and his girlfriend, Angel.
Matt's cousin, John, and his girlfriend, Susie.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Updated: Thunderous Triathlon
So - I thought I would share my triathlon story with all of you - ie: my story of being scared that I was going to be struck by lightning while cowering in the rain next to a concrete barrier on a bridge over the Schuylkill River. I'll try to give you the short version.
This morning, storms were in the area and the race directros decided (much to my disappointment) to turn the triathlon into a duathlon because the storms, current, and debris made the river unsafe. That means that I had to do a 1.5m run, then 15.8m bike, and followed by a 3m run. They delayed the race by about 30 minutes while they were trying to make that decision - and in the long run, I really wish I had those 30 min because it would have saved me from cowering on the bridge. The 1.5m run went well and was dry. I grabbed my bike and headed off. Right away it started to sprinkle and then it really rained. The rain went on and off all during the bike portion, which was a 2 loop course. I finished the first loop, and I was tired but it was going ok. I settled in and was feeling a lot better on the second loop. Then the lightning and thunder really started to pick up. Everyone was chatting out on the course, and we were all ready to be off our bikes because it was getting scary. I was really hoping at that point that they had cancelled the second run portion. Then the bridge happened, and I knew that the run had been cancelled. I was in the middle of the bridge and I saw the wall of water coming. I stopped and jumped off my bike. I was looking all around and could see the clouds level with us and the lightning all around. We all ran up against the concrete walls of the bridge and ducked down to get some protection from the driving rain and lightning. Finally the lightning let up some and we ran our bikes across the bridge because the rain was coming down too strong for us to ride. Then we finished out the last mile or two on the bike. There was flash flooding and at some points I was biking in up to a foot of rushing water. I could barely see and the rain hurt because it was coming down so hard. When I finally got back to the transition area - it was mostly deserted. They had told the spectators to leave immediately, and later Matt told me that it was like a mass exodus. I had a hard time finding anywhere to return my timing chip, and I didn't get my participants medal :( Everything was flooded and totally chaotic.
Needless to say, there is no way that my next triathlon could be as bad as my first triathlon. Seriously insane - but somehow it was still fun and I want to do it again. Does that make me insane? If any of you have a desire to do a triathlon, I would highly suggest the Danskin Women's triathlon series. It is an all-women's triathlon and is geared at first-timers. Even if you have done one, I would still suggest it. It was so supportive and a lot of fun - really a great environment.
Here are the pictures as promised:
Setting out all of my gear the night before. Unbelievable how much stuff you need.
Lots and lots of women getting ready to run. They sent us off in 6 minute increments and I was one of the last groups. It seemed to take forever.
Somehow, Matt found me in the crowd - impressive feat.
Finished the run and now jogging to get my bike.
Bike and helmet - check!
And I'm off - headed into the storms to bike 15.8 miles. Sounds like a brilliant idea!! :)
This morning, storms were in the area and the race directros decided (much to my disappointment) to turn the triathlon into a duathlon because the storms, current, and debris made the river unsafe. That means that I had to do a 1.5m run, then 15.8m bike, and followed by a 3m run. They delayed the race by about 30 minutes while they were trying to make that decision - and in the long run, I really wish I had those 30 min because it would have saved me from cowering on the bridge. The 1.5m run went well and was dry. I grabbed my bike and headed off. Right away it started to sprinkle and then it really rained. The rain went on and off all during the bike portion, which was a 2 loop course. I finished the first loop, and I was tired but it was going ok. I settled in and was feeling a lot better on the second loop. Then the lightning and thunder really started to pick up. Everyone was chatting out on the course, and we were all ready to be off our bikes because it was getting scary. I was really hoping at that point that they had cancelled the second run portion. Then the bridge happened, and I knew that the run had been cancelled. I was in the middle of the bridge and I saw the wall of water coming. I stopped and jumped off my bike. I was looking all around and could see the clouds level with us and the lightning all around. We all ran up against the concrete walls of the bridge and ducked down to get some protection from the driving rain and lightning. Finally the lightning let up some and we ran our bikes across the bridge because the rain was coming down too strong for us to ride. Then we finished out the last mile or two on the bike. There was flash flooding and at some points I was biking in up to a foot of rushing water. I could barely see and the rain hurt because it was coming down so hard. When I finally got back to the transition area - it was mostly deserted. They had told the spectators to leave immediately, and later Matt told me that it was like a mass exodus. I had a hard time finding anywhere to return my timing chip, and I didn't get my participants medal :( Everything was flooded and totally chaotic.
Needless to say, there is no way that my next triathlon could be as bad as my first triathlon. Seriously insane - but somehow it was still fun and I want to do it again. Does that make me insane? If any of you have a desire to do a triathlon, I would highly suggest the Danskin Women's triathlon series. It is an all-women's triathlon and is geared at first-timers. Even if you have done one, I would still suggest it. It was so supportive and a lot of fun - really a great environment.
Here are the pictures as promised:
Setting out all of my gear the night before. Unbelievable how much stuff you need.
Lots and lots of women getting ready to run. They sent us off in 6 minute increments and I was one of the last groups. It seemed to take forever.
Somehow, Matt found me in the crowd - impressive feat.
Finished the run and now jogging to get my bike.
Bike and helmet - check!
And I'm off - headed into the storms to bike 15.8 miles. Sounds like a brilliant idea!! :)
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