I was so looking forward to spring coming because I simply thought it would mean warmer weather. What I didn't know was what spring means in a place with real seasons. I cannot begin to explain the beauty in nature around me...outside my work window are trees of deep purple, of lavendar, of light pink, and of a bright fuschia. There are bushes with white flowers. There are dandelions EVERYWHERE. As I drive to and from work, there is just an incredibly display of beauty with trees, bushes and flowers of all the different colors (yellow, red, eggplant, orange, lots of purple, and so on) and sizes right next to each other. I've never seen so many shades of green before even! It's really quite spectacular and I'm thankful to have such a surprise. It really makes me like this place a bit more.
The warmer weather is nice too :) In April, we had a few days of 85+ degrees which then fell back down to mid 60s. I am fine with mid 60s, although again yesterday we had an 85+ day. I actually didn't go outside at all because my legs were so tired. I've been working out a lot gearing up for our trip to Miami and the Bahamas this week (need to lose the weight I've gained since becoming a Philadelphian) and I was just too exhausted to walk around. Plus I'd worked like a madwoman making brunch for Hasan and his mother in the morning. (Banana & raisin pancakes FROM SCRATCH, eggs with mushrooms, red onions, spinach and cheese, and a fruit bowl of strawberries and blackberries) I was content to watch Tivo and eat popcorn and nap.
In April, we've been getting out more. Went on a driving trip into Montgomery and Bucks Counties, north of Philly. Spent some time walking the streets of Newtown, which is the town Ben Franklin built to get out of the city. Very charming and cute. Had some yummy ice cream here at the Zebra Striped Whale, which is owned by the same people who wrote the children's book. Lots of churches on this drive. I mean LOTS. Felt a bit guilty to be out driving on a Sunday.
We went to northern New Jersey to visit my cousin Deepak and his wife Teja, who are about to have a baby soon. Very excited for them! Enjoyed some nice Indian takeout and watched the two gents play chess - not sure exactly if someone won...I was looking at pictures from their wedding the whole time.
We also got to go to the Boston vs. Philly basketball game thanks to our friends Greg and Rashida. We even got premier passes which got us into the "exclusive" restaurant/bar. The really cool part was getting to walk right next to the players/teams area on the court, seeing Cheryl Miller (she is pretty tall) and having everybody look at us and wonder who we were. Yea...I said it - It was cool to act like a star. Wish Kevin Garnett was playing, but even without him Boston won.
And....we met our new kitty!! We named her Roxie. She was rescued along with her mom and 3 brothers and sisters. We went to meet her when she was about 5 weeks old and was still with her family. They were all sooooo cute. They were living in one of the rescue lady's parents bathroom. They were so playful and running all over us etc. The rescue people told us that she was their favorite. :) Normally you can bring a kitten home at 8 weeks, but our doctor at U of Penn advised us and the rescue people that it would be better to wait until 12 weeks since we had the virus in our house. No matter how good you clean, you neverknow. So she comes home to us on May 29th...we're so excited. I talk to Rachael, the rescue lady, often to see how she is doing. Yesterday she told me that Roxie punched her little brother in the eye, so much so he needs medication now. Boxin Roxie, that's her new name. I hear she loves attention and doesn't much care for her sibling getting any. She'll be fine here - going to be doted upon to no end, I'm sure. She's a climber - when we visited her, she climbed all the way up Rachel onto her shoulder and was playing with her hair - crazy! And what's more fun to climb than a 6 foot 4 inches guy.
Here are some pics. Next up, pictures from our vacation!
No comments:
Post a Comment