California

Two weeks ago Joel and I took a much anticipated vacation to California. I hadn't seen my family in a year so it was really great to see them. In addition to seeing my family we went to an amazing music festival called Coachella (as posted earlier). Mostly I took photos from Easter and then walking through the desert preserve with my family. Easter started off our trip really wonderfully. We went to Joel's grandma's house for an Easter lunch. We also enjoyed walking through the garden and playing cards as well. Grandma and grandpa have a really great cat called Lumpy -- a fantastic cat name if ever there was one.

Then grandma Becky showed us around the garden.

They have these wood-boring bees that coexist with two different kinds of wasps under their eaves. The perfect drilled-looking holes are where the bees have made their homes. They're really big black bees too.

It was a really wonderfully sunny and warm day and we all reveled in it.

That night we drove to Columbus with Andrea and Will (Joel's sister and our brother-in-law) and stayed at a hotel since our flight was headed out the next morning from Columbus. We left drizzly Ohio and arrived in sun-bathed California, hurray! The day after we arrived we all went to the EFBC Cat House on a really lovely day. We got there just a couple minutes before feeding time which was very exciting.

All the cats were prowling around their cages, some of them growling or making other similar noises of anticipation. They were so excited about lunch!

Then we went to the desert preserve (a family favourite) that has a bunch of walking trails. We saw plenty of wildlife -- including a rather large gopher snake (a first in the desert for me!).

On wednesday we got to meet up with my best friend from MICA, Alissa, which is always really great. Then thursday we took off for Coachella! And these are the only photos of Coachella that I took -- which aren't even of the festival. We got to stay in a condo which was really great.

It was a really wonderful time though it felt like the time with my family was too short. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I saw them. It's can be really hard to live so far away from your parents and brother. The first couple of days back in Ohio were really hard for me but I'm getting better about it now. On a brighter note: I have officially accepted UW-Madison though we're still waiting to hear from Financial Aid before making the decision to do on-campus or a distance program (the distance program tuition is comparable to in-state tuition making it a really desirable option). We'll see what happens, we'll know in a couple months where we'll end up, we just have to hang on until then!

California & Back Again

Joel and I went to California last week for the Coachella Festival and to see my family. As soon as I get my computer to behave I'll post more photos but for now, I swiped a couple from my friend Tom.

And no: I didn't see Tupac's hologram. I was there but my lack of height puts me at major disadvantages at concerts.

Cincinnati Trip 3

This is what it looked like a month ago.

This is what it looks like now.

Last weekend Joel and I went down to Cincinnati to check out houses. We met up with my mom's friend Johnny and his friend Marie to check out the properties. I've never done this before so it was a completely new experience. Johnny started off by bringing a whole bag of books for us!

While there we stayed at Will's flat, however he wasn't there cause he was out of town visiting an old friend.

Saturday we looked at houses with Marie & Johnny, mostly looking at multi-family units.

Photo Credit Johnny San Phillipo

Photo Credit Johnny San Phillipo

Photo Credit Johnny San Phillipo

Photo Credit Johnny San Phillipo Later in the day we checked out the Enright Eco-Village in Price Hill (a neighborhood in Cincinnati).

It was all very informative, then sunday Joel and I went with the realtor and checked out single-family homes.

We're still not 100% positive about what the next year or so looks like but it shouldn't be bad, that's for sure. And clarity will come with time, there's no sense in rushing it.

Cincinnati in February

We visited Cincinnati in February and have another trip planned for the upcoming weekend (more photos from that too!). Joel and I are looking for a more permanent residence in Cincinnati and so have spent some time scoping it out before we officially move down there. Will has been our Tour Guide Extraordinaire.

We went out to breakfast with him to a place called Tucker's in Over-the-Rhine.

He showed us around the city, including some really great views.

Joel went to college at University of Cincinnati but his program was so intensive (including 3 internships in other states) that he isn't as familiar with Cincinnati as well as someone who stayed there beyond undergrad, namely Will. While driving around we saw this German-inspired-yet-slightly-off house.

We spent a lot of time walking around Northside which is where Will lives and we may eventually end up.

Will lives here at the American Can Lofts.

We visited a couple years ago before it was full of lofts and instead was an empty warehouse full of concrete rubble and ancient blueprints covered in dust. So when we visited the first time after that I was blown away. I had a hard time envisioning that shell converted into sleek, modern lofts. But that's why Will does what he does and I do not. He has a lovely view from his window.

In other news, I finished my third pair of knitted socks.