Our foreign visitor

Last week Clark received a surprise facebook message from his former manager in Australia. She has family in Pittsburgh and flew out to PA for a month long holiday.  Being the independent traveler that she is, she traveled to Philly via Megabus for a weekend excursion. And she was kind enough to get in touch with us.  

We picked her up downtown and took her over to Tony Luke's for an authentic cheesesteak. Only, Clark thought American cheese would be synonymous with cheese wiz, and ordered all of our sandwiches incorrectly.  So Juliette didn't even get to enjoy a Philly cheesesteak the way it's supposed to be experienced.  She didn't mind, but I made sure to give Clark a hard time about not clarifying the order with the cashier. Typical guy mistake.

Then, in our continued effort to support Man v. Food featured establishments, we decided to indulge ourselves at the Franklin Fountain.  Now, when the Mount Vesuvius ice cream sundae was presented on Man v. Food, it looked MASSIVE and pretty intimidating for even the most fervent ice cream lover. Since we thought it would be huge, we decided to split the sundae three ways.  Turns out, the Mount Vesuvius isn't so massive after all. I definitely could have handled it on my own. It was tasty, but I'm all about quality AND quantity.  I just expected more, I guess. 

After ice cream we walked around downtown, drove back to the apartment for some quiet time, then returned Juliette to her hotel downtown when it got kind of late.

It's always nice to see a familiar face, and we're so happy she reached out to us while she was here visiting.  We're excited for a couple of other Australian visitors in July!  We are always excited when people want to visit us.

Apparently my car has over 300,000 miles. That, and I'm just talking nonsense today.

Hi guys.

Wow. Never did I think I would become such an inconsistent blogger! I blame school entirely.  It's a killer.  Case studies are wearing me down one by one, by one, by one.  But I'm not on here today to blog about school.  I'm here to blog about anything BUT school.  Specifically the dudes at the lube station who claim that I should return for an oil change by May, or when my car reaches 308,000 miles.  What? Really dudes, my car is in the 40,000 mile range, so how did you screw this reminder sticker up so bad? Bad day, I guess. I get it, and I'll let it slide this time around.  But I will have you know that if my car ever reaches 300,000 miles, I will deserve some sort crown or prized jewel along with a reminder sticker.  My Versa ain't never gonna make it close to 300,000.  Frankly, I'm shooting for 140,000.  If she can make it that far, I'll consider it a success.

We really haven't been up to much lately, aside from school and work. I've felt so tied down lately, and with our current schedules, we just can't get away for day trips or weekend trips.  This is unusual for us, since we always make the effort to get out and see things.  It's frustrating to want to explore the surrounding areas, but not be able to due to time constraints.  Being a grown up sometimes really, really sucks.  The good news is, however, that Clark has recently sound some talented musicians to jam with! We are both excited for this opportunity  because he has had the toughest time finding people to play music with since we moved out here.
So what are we looking forward to most this spring?? Welp, spring break is right around the corner and I cannot wait to get out of Philly for a few days!  We'll be heading down to Baltimore and Alexandria, and then on our Anniversary we'll be heading over to the Jersey Shore (the classy part of the Jersey Shore, that is.  I.e. Cape May.) to celebrate year 4 as husband and wife.  I got a killer groupon deal for a bed and breakfast, and I made sure to call right away to stake claim to sweet suite with a whirlpool tub for two.  Rock on. I'm crossing my fingers for decent weather, but I'm not counting on sunshine and 60 degree days.  Today it snowed while I was on my long run. I basically ran into a blizzard, turned around to play it safe, and within 20 minutes the sky had cleared and the sun was out shining. Crazy East coast weather. 

We were at Kohl's the other day trying to find some new kicks for Clark.  In the process, we found him some awesome sweaters/long sleeved shirts, and I found my most favorite novelty tees in the whole wide world.  The first time I saw these were probably two years ago at Kohl's in Vegas.  Each store's inventory must be a slightly different, because I could never find them at other Kohl's stores.  Anywho, these shirts just make me smile.  They are so funny!  Especially if you have an immature sense of humor like myself.  Clark told me I should try on the size small.  I told him I would never wear these types of shirts, I just like them.  He said if I like it I should wear it.  Uh-oh.  Clark, DO NOT buy me these tee shirts.  I WILL NOT wear them.  They are funny and I like to look at them, but I will not wear them on my person.  I'm making this very clear publicly so you know I am serious.

So glad my phone has a decent camera and I can email myself photos. How can you not smile and laugh at this??

Have I mentioned that I am taking a sabbatical from running? I am.  It's the truth.  I'm switching gears and hoping to focus more on weight lifting.  And eating clean. Today was my last long run for at least 9 months.  I'll continue to do short runs a few times a week, but I will primarly be focusing on gaining muscle and getting toned.  Ohhhh yeah.  

Like the title of this post reads, I'm just talking nonsense today. And it's so cathartic!  I'm going to try to be more diligent with my blogging.  Being busy with school is a lame excuse, even if it is true.  

New Milestone

Remember when I posted about this larger than life goal?? Naw, you probably don't, but that's OK.

Well, I'm pleased to announce that I, Rachel Tobler, successfully completed one whole chin-up tonight!! ROCK ON!

Seriously though, I'm really stoked about this accomplishment.  I'm only disappointed that Clark was in the other room and did not see me attain this long awaited goal.  He only heard my squeals of excitement before I ran up to him to tell him the news. I tried to do another with him watching a few minutes later and failed by a slim margin.  So, I'm hoping that by Sunday I can do a chin-up in his presence, while he records my miraculous feat.  I know I successfully did the chin-up, I just need to see the proof.

I guess the resistance band wasn't a waste of money, after all!

A friendly reminder of Australian cookie superiority

I'm sorry Pepperidge Farm, but your version of Tim Tam cookies is in no way equal to the authentic, Australian produced Tim Tam. Don't get me wrong, I'll still eat them because they are pretty dang good and I can use them to TIM TAM SLAM, but they do lack a certain quality. I attribute the problem to the type of chocolate used.  The Commonwealth countries just have better chocolate altogether.

Our short but oh-so-fun trip to Beantown!

 Last weekend, Clark and I took a very quick trip up to Boston to visit Chad, Janet, Violet and Lucia. We left after my pharmacology class on Thursday night, drove through the rain which never...let...up, and arrived in Waltham in the wee hours on Friday morning.  Though the trip was brief, we had an absolute blast and look forward to our next visit to Boston, which will be when the weather is more accommodating for outdoor adventure (and when I have a break from school).  Chad and Janet were amazing hosts.  We were treated to an awesome Brazilian buffet AND the decadently rich chocolate cake from Russo's, there were condoms and pregnancy tests available just in case (explanation and photos below), and rooster Violet served as our alarm clock each morning.  We felt pretty dang spoiled.

On the top of the toilet in the girls' bathroom: a complimentary toiletry basket for guests.  A closer look shows...

GASP! Oh Janet, you are too clever! Mixed in with razors, sunscreen, dental floss, and toothpaste, one can find condoms and even a pregnancy test. Cause you might one day be visiting family or friends and think, dang it, I really need to take a pregnancy test right now! Where will I quickly be able to find a test?? If you ever visit Chad and Janet, you'll never have to worry, that's for sure!

My Friday morning goal was to get Lucia to hug me without having to chase her down.  I accomplished my goal within minutes of setting it.  Fortunately, she loves playing games where she gets lifted up in the air.  That improved our friendship immediately :)

Lucia and Violet fighting for space on the step stool.  

Friday morning consisted of a lot of eating and lounging. Violet pretended to sleep, however she does not nap that easily.

Have I mentioned that Friday was pretty rainy and dreary, and more of a stay-warm-and-cozy-indoors type of day?  I guess we all got a little restless and decided to take a drive around Boston.  We made it to Bunker Hill as the rain slowed to a drizzle.  Clark, Violet and I decided to tour the monument while Janet stayed behind with a napping Lucia in the car.

It was a little too foggy to see downtown Boston from the monument.

Violet loved splashing in the puddles!

Apparently you can walk up the 294 steps to the top of the monument.  Of course Clark and I were game.  And Violet, she had to do whatever we wanted because she was stuck with us!  Lucky for her, she got a free ride all the way up.  And all the way down. Courtesy of Uncle Clark and Aunt Rachel.

Unfortunately, the views from the top were unimpressive on this particular day.  We'll just have to do it again when it's NOT winter !

Back at Chad and Janet's, Lucia was looking cute as ever, getting ready to eat dinner.

She is an eating machine. I know this picture doesn't prove it, but most of the food does make it into her mouth and not on her face/bib.

Later that night after touring Chad's work and going to the Temple, we had the delicious chocolate cake from Russo's that Chad and Janet always rave about.  And since they like to use their wedding cutlery, we deemed it appropriate to get a few special cake cutting photos!

Awwww, young love.  Just as exciting as cutting the wedding cake back in 2004?

Oh my gosh, it was sooooo good!  Really rich, which is the only way to go if you're gonna eat chocolate cake.

Saturday morning we had a breakfast fit for kings and queens.  Hootenanies (not sure about the spelling here, this is Tobler tradition I just don't buy into) and pancakes. 

We visited the Waltham Museum of Industry, and got in for FREE thanks to the pass that Janet got from the library. Violet was not thrilled at the idea of taking photos on the bridge.

An old Waltham Fire Truck.

Watches, bicycles and other items were manufactured at this museum ,which was once a manufacturing plant.

After the museum tour and a delicious lunch at a Brazilian buffet, we drove to downtown Boston.  Hooray for a sunny day!  Though it was still cold, at least it wasn't foggy.

The Massachusetts State House

Walking the Freedom trail! The red bricks in the middle of the walkway lead to many points of interest in the city, the last being the USS Constitution. We did not make it to the end of the trail, which only means we'll be coming back when it's warmer to walk it again!  

Old headstones in the Granary Burying Ground.  Paul Revere, John Hancock and Ben Franklin's parents are buried here.

The Old South Meeting House.

Clark double fisting it in front of the Old State House...I think.  Around this area is the site where the Boston Massacre took place.

Cobblestone streets near Paul Revere's house.

The Old North Church beyond the statue of Paul Revere.  This is the oldest church in Boston.

Sunday morning before we had to depart, Violet and I put together a snow globe.  She was very focused on mixing together every color of glitter.  It turned out beautiful, although I don't have a photo of the finished product.  

And....afterward she decided to let off some energy by running around the house.

Little Lucia...such a daddy's girl.

We were able to capture a couple of self-timed photos, though none of us adults were looking too presentable.

Clark had such a tough time figuring out how to take a photo of us from the chest up.  First he took close ups that were so close, they cut off part of Janet's face.  He needed extra instructions not to zoom in on the faces, but just not to take pictures below the waist.  As I mentioned, no one was really wearing presentable attire.

THANK YOU Chad, Janet, Violet and Lucia for such a wonderful visit, and for being so hospitable!  We are so glad we could make it work and that we could at least see you all for a couple of days.  We are so excited to come back in the spring and continue to see all that Boston has to offer! (And maybe take some more self-timed photos when we're all wearing street clothes and not pajamas!)