The past 6 weeks

Where the hell have they gone!? Time really does fly when you are working the good old 40 hour work weeks.  It's almost September, which means that fall weather and autumn foliage are just around the corner and I couldn't be more excited. I can't wait for the a-holes who use the pool behind our apartment building to stop taking up all of the street parking!  It also means that I have been gainfully employed since mid-July and my mind is reeling with all the new information I have learned and have yet to learn.  Just in case ya'll don't know what I'm doing, I'm working as a NP for a dermatology practice based out of NJ.  I LOVE it so far, though training is near the coast which has led me to rent out a room from an incredibly nice family three nights a week just so I don't have to spend 3 hours driving every day.  It's working out well, so far.

The past six weeks have been full of firsts.  First time seeing a true melanoma.  First time my car driver's side window has ever been smashed.  (Not a fun experience, btw).  First time my phone has ever died on me, leaving me without any form of communication for two days (another very un-fun experience.  PS, Verizon has the worst policy on replacing phones under warranty). First time performing a biopsy.  First time performing a punch biopsy and placing sutures.  First drug rep dinner at a very swanky restaurant.  Some good firsts, some not so good. Many more firsts to come.

Since Clark and I have limited time together during the week, we try to enjoy our weekends as much as possible.  The first three weeks were filled with finishing the first 8 episodes of Season 5 of Breaking Bad, ordering Allergro's pizza every Friday, getting Clark a computer, and snuggling/pillow talk.  Then we decided we should try and make an effort to see sights in the city on Saturdays.  So, we have decided that Saturday will be our official Museum Saturday (permitting that we are actually in Philly) and our goal is to visit all the museums/places of interest that sound enjoyable to us (I'm ashamed to admit that we've lived here nearly two years and have just recently been to only ONE museum): The Franklin Institute's Spy exibit, the Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, the Mutter Museum, the Eastern State Penitentiary, the Magic Gardens, and the Art Museum.  So far, we've only made it to Penn's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.  It was FREE for us (Penn alumni and Penn hospital staff), so we were stoked on that.  Philly ain't equivalent to D.C. Museums ain't free here.

Here's Clark with his new computer.  He's so excited!

A couple of weekends later we ventured out for a full-on date day.  Brunch at Sabrina's Cafe and then the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.  It was a blast! I am by no means a history buff, but seeing ancient Egyptian relics was so fascinating!  

  

Sugar overload. I'm always left longing for something savory.  When will I ever learn that a savory brunch will be much more satisfying than a sugary brunch? It was good, nevertheless. Oh, and my pancakes had bacon cooked INTO them.  

Our first museum outing in Philly!

This feller has a tail. I'm not sure how to feel about it.

SPHINX!!!

We're excited to go back and explore more of the exhibits.  The museum was way bigger than I anticipated.  Hooray for getting out and doing things!

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Last Friday Clark rode the train into NJ and we stayed overnight at the "landlord's" house.  They were so generous to allow us to stay; they had been asking for weeks when he was going to come over and stay the weekend. 

Clark had worked the night before so he was a bit of a pill.  But he powered through and we 

had a pretty good date night in Atlantic City.  Clark even got to cross something off of his bucket list...photo booth photos!

Waiting for dinner outside of the Buddakan restaurant, and watching the sun disappear over the horizon.   Let me tell you why we weren't thrilled with our dinner (and Steven Starr restaurants in general). The food is good but not great.  The music is always blaring and loud...Clark wouldn't talk to me while we waited for our meal because he said he couldn't hear anything and he didn't want to lean over the table the whole time.  I told him he needed to make a little effort and then he started to argue with me on a subject of no importance. And then we became that awkward couple to sit next to. You know, that couple that is arguing but trying to play it cool.  I'm still embarrassed. Which brings me to my next issue.  We were literally right next to strangers.  Really? The tables couldn't be spaced one extra foot apart?  It would definitely keep people from hearing our ridiculous arguments.  El Vez is similar in atmosphere.  I feel strongly about not wanting to sit next to strangers on a date, Mr. Steven Starr!!  

Yep, sitting in beach chairs on sand, inside.

Not quite the Bellagio in Las Vegas, but hey, AC is at least trying.

This was the best part of the night! Clark was so excited about these photos, like a little boy in a toy store. 

The next day we got to play on the beach a little.  The weather was just right and the beach wasn't as crowded as I expected it to be.  Next year I think we may get beach tags for the Ocean City beach, which is about 10 miles south.

Hey Clark, just try to look like you're not having any fun.

(In spite of the above photo, we still had fun.)

This weekend Clark is working, which means we're both doing non-fun activities: working and studying.  We're looking forward to next weekend though, when we can go visit the Baltimore Toblers!

I'll probably let you all know that we're still alive in another six weeks. 

Toblers are good eaters (for the most part)

Another trip to Baltimore, another weekend of unbridled feasting.

Greta earned a whole dollar from Aunt Rachel for eating a predetermined amount of Clark's mac and cheese.  Charlie, unfortunately, did not earn his dollar and made it clear he would much rather eat Arthur mac and cheese than Clark's real mac and cheese.  

Toblers for the most part really are good eaters.  There's always the exception that would rather have frosted "Winni Wheats" than steak and mac and cheese, I guess.

I told Greta to hold still! and she took it to heart.  The chocolate ice cream goatee just cracks me up!

The next weekend of riotous eating will consist of a variety of healthy foods... we have collectively decided this, so we'll see how that goes!

This and That

It's been a while. But nothing much has been happening with us, SO DON'T WORRY.  In a few short weeks I'll likely go on a blogging hiatus. Because I gots myself a job.  A job that requires an excessive amount of commuting into "the belly of the beast" aka New Jersey (Clark's reference, not mine.).  Clark says in a year's time we will be beautiful.  He better be right. Otherwise, it'll prove I'm really not good at my job. 

I've been cursing the humidity lately.  Every day when I finish my morning run dripping with sweat, I shake my fist at the sky. I shake it really hard, but my threat is empty and the sky knows it.  The humidity will continue, relentless, and I will just have to deal with the sweat/sunscreen mixture that will inevitably end up in my eyes halfway through my run. Why can't the East coast have temperate, Nor-Cal cool weather?  

On a positive note, I have a windows phone now and it has seriously changed my life.  I have never felt so attached to an electronic device. If my charger was just a bit longer I could sleep with my  phone tucked safely under my pillow at night.  I really would if I could, I love it that much.

Anywho...

We're on a quest to find the best BBQ in Philadelphia (this city has got to have one good BBQ joint).  Before we began our quest a couple of weekends ago, we had already tried two of the establishments on this list.  We tried a third and ended up sorely unimpressed.  I've learned my lesson, at least.  Always, ALWAYS ask if the ribs are fresh or if they were cooked earlier in the day. Reheated ribs just ain't that tasty. Thanks for nothing, Tommy Gunns.  So out of the three Philly BBQ establishments we've tried, I would say all are misses.  There is no gray area when it comes to BBQ.  It's either a hit or a miss.  If I would never bother returning, it's a definite miss.  

Since BBQ is no cheap meal, our mission is to try a new establishment every 3 weeks. It just pains me to think that we spent nearly $50 on mediocre at best BBQ. What a shame.

Nevertheless, Tommy Gunns is located in the awesome Manayunk area of town, and after dinner we decided to drive around a bit to explore the neighborhood.  That's when we found the most amazing custard establishment.  Seriously, Rita's ain't got nothin' on this place! I can't wait to go back!  $3.50 for a HUGE custard waffle cone.  Well worth every penny.

Last week we went out to dinner with Kyle and Kim.  We tried something new...Afghan cuisine.  Kyle was able to keep his eyes open during this photo op, thanks to some coaching. Though I LOVE being around their kids, it was so fun to have a night out with just the two of them! 

After dinner we walked around the Mt. Vernon area of Baltimore for a bit.  Double rainbow all the way across the sky...it's so intense! Go ahead, play the youtube video if you haven't seen it in a few years.  It never gets old.

Back at Kyle and Kim's, we examined some of Charlie's artwork.  This is a "cup with a straw".  You might interpret it a little differently.  I happen to see a catheter and a.........

We got to spend quality time with the kids and even spent some time at the pool with them! Georgie likes to crawl around with the bottle hanging from her mouth.  It's pretty dang cute. 

Awkward sibling photo?  

Later on we stopped by the Washington D.C. Temple.  Wish I would have had the DSLR.  The lighting was just right.

The other day Clark and I drove all over NJ to find the offices where I'll be training and the offices where I will potentially be working once my training is complete.  Oh my gosh, I can't believe my summer--my life as a stay at home wife--is coming to an end.  I'm ready to be productive and contribute to society, but it's still bittersweet.  I love wasting time on the internet, or curling up on the couch with a book.  OR curling up on the couch and watching Pretty Little Liars. Worst guilty pleasure ever.  

Seventeen year old Mary Cain...on to World's!!

The high school runner I blogged about a few weeks ago just qualified for the World Championship meet in the 1500 meter run!  

Final lap was a blistering 57 seconds.  I wish I had been there to witness it in person.

Florida's still there. We checked.

To beat the heat in Philly we headed down to...Florida...which was much more hot and humid than Philadelphia...for several days.  Clark had a stretch of days off from work and we thought a trip to gator country would be fun.  

Lots of water/pool time, good eatin', bbq meals x 2, waffle cones, family, and finally meeting my precious little niece who is now 18 months.  Fun times, indeed.

No photos from the first couple of days because it didn't seem safe to bring any sort of camera along while canoeing on the Rainbow River (which is incredibly beautiful and clear, btw) or while tubing down the Ichetucknee Springs (also beautiful and clear).  But we got in the photo snapping spirit on the third day, when we spent nearly all day at the pool with Presley.  

Little Presley is fearless when it comes to swimming.  At 18 months she's already jumping off the ledge of the pool and willingly swims out and back to her Daddy (with just the smallest amount of assistance). No floaties for this girl.  Quite impressive, if you ask me.  

Presley has a tendency to make the cutest faces.

That's my hunk of a husband.  

Presley was the keeper of Clark's soda for a while.  She enjoyed handing it to Clark when his thirst became overwhelming.

The next day, we drove out to St. Augustine, the oldest city in America. Cute town, but a little to commercialized. But I guess every noteworthy place is, really.

Castillo de San Marcos

Walls made of oyster shells.

Later that afternoon we drove down onto the beach for some ocean action. 

On our final day we hit up a bbq joint just outside of Gainesville. Part country mini-mart, part restaurant.  It was good, but Adams BBQ Co. (a different bbq place we hit up after tubing a couple of days before) ribs were much better.

We were supposed to fly out of Jacksonville that evening, but wouldn't you know it, there was bad weather in Atlanta and our flights were delayed.  So, we had to extend our stay in a hotel for a night and fly out early the next morning.

We had such a blast in Gainesville and the surrounding areas.  Thank you Jeff, Amy and Presley for your hospitality and for letting us come visit!  Big thanks to Presley for letting us take over her room.  Love you guys, and good luck with the upcoming move!