Episode LIX: A Short Vacation

So I got a good deal on flights and was able to take a quick weekend getaway back to California to watch my cuz get married. I flew Southwest, and love was already in the air.

I didn’t have much time to spend that weekend, but I did have time to eat at one of my favorite eating establishments in the world. Also in this picture you will see that I ate with my old friends Rachel and Emery, who are themselves soon to be married. One other thing to note in this picture: the beautiful, beautiful sun!!!

Later that night I got to spend some time with some of my Norris family, which was a very good time. As an added benefit, I found one of those old View-Master toys where you see 3D photos through a binocular-like contraption. I got to learn a lot about flowers and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (which, by the way, took place in 1952).

Oh- and there was a wedding!

And of course another California wedding means another too-cool-to-be true photo shoot with the Norris boys.

Episode LVIII: A Happy Birthday

My apologies for falling off my routine of regularly posted updates, I guess I’ve been a bit distracted. Well this time I will tell you about a nice birthday that I had about three weekends ago. It was my lucky day because I was turning 25, it was a Saturday, and it was warm (in the sixties)!

First, a few friends and I went over to Kansas City for a couple of things. The first was an early lunch at Andre’s, a Swiss confectionery and restaurant (serving lunch only). It was a very nice place in terms of service, ambiance, food and charm. By the time I blew out my candles and enjoyed the desserts, there was probably a 30-person line waiting to be seated.

Next we went a few blocks over to the Nelson-Atkins Museum, a really nice place with a world-class collection. The main reason we went was to see a new “modern” building that had recently been added to house the modern-art collection. It was pretty cool.

Speaking of cool, the sun that day was not enough to melt the solid ice of the reflecting pool outside. As seen here, I was able to walk halfway across the pool (walking on [frozen] water!) before a security guard came and kicked me off.

Later on, back in Lawrence, I opened presents from family and friends (of which there were quite a few!) and ate some birthday cake. It was a nice time.

Later on I also went out to eat with some friends at a Mongolian / Chinese / Japanese buffet, where I got to show off my presents and have a good time. It was a very pleasant birthday.