blue LOVE park and the Comcast Center

I've been documenting the many faces of LOVE park. We've seen no water, regular water, radioactive green water, purple water, and the latest is blue water.

A nice blue, like the way it looks without color, but better. Although I'm not sure what the occasion was.

I think I've mentioned the Comcast Center before, the new tallest building in Philadelphia with a giant TV in the lobby. Our friend Amit works for Comcast, hence, works in the new Comcast Center. Employees can bring guests, so Amit invited us to see where he works, and enjoy breakfast at their cafeteria on the 43rd floor. It was great to spend a little time with him, and enjoy the best view of the city!

me and Ian with Amit. did I mention they have several gaming systems for the employees on their floor? and awesome gigantic beanbags...

looking straight out the window on the 43rd floor at the Liberty Towers and another building I don't know.

the Schuylkill.

our complex. our building is the one closest to the top right corner.

some stairs Ian loved.

looking down on the dining area from the upper area with conference rooms and the bathrooms.

a cool light fixture with the Liberty Towers in the background.

Thanks Amit! There are so many people and places we will miss! But we're excited to be leaving for home in TWO WEEKS!

July 5th

I'm going to attempt to be caught up before we move, so I can blog about the move in transit... we'll see how that goes. Anyway this will be one of two shorter posts, before blogging about our last two visitors, Jordan and Karen (don't worry, I'm not forgetting about you!)

July 5th, after walking Megan to the train station, Ian and I decided we'd join in the festivities — here 4th of July continues past the 4th of July. And we also wanted to get in one of our must-see-before-we-leave attractions: the Camden Adventure Aquarium. After lunch, we took the River Link ferry over to the Camden side of the Delaware waterfront.

An uneventful trip, but we did see lots of Ducks. As in Ride the Ducks.

We arrived at the Aquarium only to discover that the line for tickets was over 1.5 hours long in waiting time. Apparently everyone in town for the extended independence celebrations wanted to bring their kids to touch sharks. Given it was already approximately 2:30 p.m. and they would close at 5 p.m., waiting did not seem like a logical option. However, we didn't want to waste the $12 in the ferry for nothing, so after some discussion, we decided to call family and friends to find someone to go online and buy us tickets we could pick up at the no-wait will call window, and plan B the Battleship New Jersey. Ian's parents, call 2, successfully purchased tickets for us, enabling us to skip the line! Dane and Micki, you are awesome, and we WILL get you the check for it! The aquarium was packed with little kids (perhaps we should have gone back another day, but c'est la vie), but we had fun and got to touch weird sea creatures anyway, so we were happy!

Ian touching a shark.

the cool something hanging from the ceiling.

penguins!

a dire warning.

Ian contemplates jellyfish (we got to touch jellyfish, too).

On the ferry coming back to Philly.

By the time we left Camden on the ferry at 5 p.m., we were so exhausted and Penn's Landing was so crowded, we decided to scrap staying there until 10 p.m. for the fireworks. So we got some Cosi and camped out in the lovely grass in a park across from Independence Square.

It was lovely and romantic, having a picnic in a historical landmark national park!

I shall conclude this post with a few shots of the birthday flowers Ian got for me. He makes me feel so loved!

David, a.k.a. C-Scale

First off, I have to say happy birthday to my dad! I think this is my favorite photo of him. I can't look at ivy/vines without thinking of him and his pride in Cornell's ivy. I love you, Dad!

I realize I have lots to post to get you up-to-date. Ian and I's day at the aquarium, Jordan and Karen's overlapping visits, moving preparations... and I will get to that. But I had an experience that I want to share with everyone. Yesterday after work as I was leaving the market, I saw a man playing the harmonica on the street corner.

Tall and lanky with old glasses so thick they appeared to be yellowing, he was playing, with such passion, a tune I didn't recognize. A few people slowed just enough to toss change into his plastic-bag-covered box, but didn't pause long enough to actually take in the scene. They were too busy engaged in their own conversations. I glanced back and smiled again before calling Ian as I walked further from the market. No answer. I could still hear the harmonica. I had to go back and give him the little cash I had. I couldn't ignore a person who had suddenly brought such joy to my day. As I dropped my dollar into his box, he enthusiastically said "thank you, my sister!" with the largest missing-teeth smile I've ever seen. I asked him if he did this often. He replied he was an aspiring street musician. He played the guitar, but there were too many people who played the guitar, so he was learning harmonica. His previous song had been "Let's Twist Again." His name is David, but he goes by C-Scale, because he plays everything in C scale. I gave him some words of encouragement, and asked for a photo. He played a short song just for me, so I could take the picture. He said he was on myspace, and sent me off with a "see you around the block" and another "thank you, my sister!"

I should no longer find it strange how such a small, simple interaction can make such a big impact on the people involved. I should remember more how much it means to someone when you pay attention, saying with your time that they are worth something. And you both walk away with that deep-down joy. I think on how this is what God does. He reminds us with his unconditional love that we are priceless to him. I cannot fathom the joy he gets from this when we respond with acceptance and gratitude. And I'm glad he lets us experience all of this through those around us.

A week with Stewie

So it wasn't exactly a full week, but it has more of a ring to it, don't you think? Anyway, our wonderful friend Megan came to visit us last Tuesday and stayed through Saturday, so she was able to celebrate both my birthday and Independence Day with us!

Tuesday was mainly a settling day. I picked her up at Suburban Station (she took the train into Center City from the airport), we purchased some lunch for her, ran errands, went past the Comcast Center to see the 5x high definition gigantic screen, the usual. We also took Megan up to the steps of the Museum of Art after it got dark. Unfortunately our view was impeded by the construction of the stage for 4th of July festivities. We also saw rollerbladers going down the steps backwards. I was impressed.

The next morning, I woke up to a wonderful virtual birthday card made by my handsome husband. He is so sweet! Megan and I set off, me to work and Megan to Old City to see the historic side of Philadelphia. Megan surprised me at work when I got off at 4 p.m. We picked up some pretzels before walking home and watching The Bachelorette until it was time for bible study. Fun girl bonding time! Ian met us there since he had to pick up my angel food cake accompanied by a surprise of beautiful purple spider mums. It was a lovely birthday, and we had a great discussion at bible study. I really appreciate the teaching we get through Tenth, and that's one thing we will miss when we leave here (but we're very excited to come back!). On the way home, we stopped at Whole Foods and picked up some dinner. Megan took some funny photos of Ian and I post-food.

checking Ian's teeth for food particles.

Thursday I gave Megan a tour of Penn's campus, then we came home to get all dressed up for our reservation at Fork for my belated birthday dinner. The food was good, and the atmosphere was fantastic!

eating dessert.

After dinner, we went to Independence Mall and witnessed the marriage of Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross. Not the real ones, of course, but the historical re-enactors.

Ian and I before the wedding. (the photo of all 3 of us is on Stewie's camera. I NEED IT!)

don't they make a cute couple?

After the wedding, we stayed for Pops on Philadelphia — a concert by the Philadelphia Pops orchestra. It was wonderful to listen to Aaron Copeland's "Hoedown" from Rodeo (Beef. It's what's for dinner.) and "Fanfare for the Common Man" while sitting in front of Independence Hall. Cheesy as it sounds, I just felt so happy to be American and celebrating Independence Day Eve. I've never really experienced the holiday while feeling so much pride in our heritage.

laying on the lawn while taking in the music.

our view of Independence Hall.

To celebrate the 4th of July the next day, we wandered around Rittenhouse Square and Walnut Street for some shopping.

pigeons bathing in the fountain at Rittenhouse.

me and Ian in Rittenhouse.

We then took Stewie for her first authentic cheesesteak, this time trying Sonny's on Market Street.

the sign. you don't see the line, which is out the door.

Ian skeptical about the Whiz.

We concluded Sonny's is better than Pat's, and Whiz really is where it's at.

Next, we wandered around to Christchurch, Penn's Landing, and toured a few historic buildings. One was Carpenter's Hall, the home of the oldest trade guild in America, which is for architects and builders (still in existence!). They have a secret book with pricing and designs, and when a member dies they reclaim the book from the widow.

Ian took this lovely artistic photo of Carpenter's Hall.

After exploring this beautiful area of the city, we headed back for the Party on the Parkway, where we partook in funnel cakes. Ian can't resist it.

the Parkway was packed.

After the shindig, they cleared the parkway for the parade. We went back down to watch some of it while we waited for dinner to finish in the slow cooker.

Ben shows off his new ring and Betsy looks pretty.

a cute little drum line kid.

We watched the rest of the parade on TV as our window doesn't overlook the Parkway. This resulted in the discovery of why the parade was moving so slowly: each entry stopped in front of the museum and performed for the TV cameras. So we actually saw a lot more by watching on TV. After dinner and Wii bowling, we headed back down for the John Legend concert and fireworks in the drizzle. We'd never heard of John Legend before this event despite his five Grammys. We were impressed, and I wouldn't mind listening to him again!

the concert venue.

apparently I have cooties.

excited it's the 4th!

The fireworks were great too! What a beautiful setting!

up close. there was lots of smoke.

Megan, thanks so much for choosing to spend your vacation with us! We had a great week with you, and I look forward to seeing you again!