New friends and family

OK...this is the last post...I was seriously backed up.

October continued with a wonderful night out with new friends Michelle and Carl. We went to Snack Bar and had all kinds of fancy, schmancy drinks that were quite yummy. I really like Michelle - she is a wonderfully sweet and open person who has helped me to feel at home here in Philly.

We also were privileged to attend Cousin Darnell's graduation from a Leadership Fellows program. We are very proud of him...this group constitutes judges, mayoral chiefs of staff, etc. - all looking to make progressive changes in government and other public-facing institutions. He kind of made me want to get back into policy and politics. Yikes...like I need another thing to work on right now ;)

Some nice pictures of the events.

Birthday pics

I had one of the best birthday weekends ever (yes..it's been a good month) a couple of weeks ago...I went on a lunch cruise with my future mother-in-law Ms. Evans. It was fantastic to see Philadelphia from another angle, on the Delaware River with the various bridges and foliage in the background. The best part was the fact that unbeknownst to us it was a gospel cruise, which meant I FINALLY got to hear African-American gospel music...something I've been dying to do for years. It was always looks so festive and energizing when I see performances on TV but I have never made it into a church to see for myself. Just down our block, there is a church where all the ladies and gentlemen come so finely dressed every Sunday...big colorful hats and all...which has been making me want to go listen even more. Lo and behold I got to do so on my birthday! It was SUCH fun and very energizing. Then Hasan and I went to dinner and then to see Billy Crystal's new play 700 Sundays, which I highly recommend if you get a moment. Can you imagine his family....they started Commodore Records on 42nd Street and produced Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday. In fact he went to his first movies with Billie Holiday. How very cool...



The Monday after I got to see some of my family...drove up to Parsippany NJ at the crazy hour of 5 am and spent the day eating, eating and more eating. How nice is it when your aunts and uncle make everything you want to eat? They even had a surprise birthday cake and balloon for me - which by the way is the gift that keeps on giving: our cat Roxie cannot get enough of this balloon and string; it's making her practice her jumping skills in a big way.



Here are some pics of the weekend...with captions on all of them, as per Hillary's request.

Best time in San Francisco ever

September ended with a 10 day trip to San Francisco that I wish I had the time to write about in detail but I am so busy that pictures will have to do.

Suffice it to say that it was the best time in SF EVER. I got to stay with Ben, Wendy, Tallulah and Sushi and realized more so than I had ever how much I love them and what good people (and cat) they are. I missed them terribly on the plane ride home and still miss them. Good news is that I might have a chance to go back and visit in a couple of weeks.

During the week, I had a wonderful dinner with Emily, whom I have known for 16 years, which is crazy. Spent a lovely afternoon with Katie and her son Adam, after going to Lisa & Michelle's beautiful wedding. The weather during my trip couldn't have been better - 70s and 80s all week long, and the wedding day was no different. I had a yummy dinner with Tracy and Susan at Nopalito in SF - they are such wonderful and strong ladies...I really look up to them. And I even got to meet my future brother-in-law Reggie's girlfriend Adriana...who was nervous to meet me (how cute is that?). I missed a few other friends whom I hope to see the next time.

Here are some pictures of the week - note, there are LOTS of my girl Tallulah...it was really all about her that week. Truth be told, I could have put even more pictures up there. I find that every one with her not smiling or scowling (which are most pictures of her) is just so cute.

Happy Birthday to me!

Then...

And today...

Thanks to my mom for sending me the baby pic!