My mom called me this morning to update me that the jeweler back home could indeed tighten the loose prong(s) on my engagement ring, so I can wear it again as soon as Ian or my family brings it back (this weekend or the next, pending on how long it takes the jeweler). She also mentioned my grandma called this morning and said last night a tornado went through the area of Chapman and Manhattan. My family hadn't heard much because it wasn't in their news coverage area, but mom didn't make it sound too bad — just some damage to a couple buildings on campus, I assumed more due to high winds, not that it had touched down in town.
I went to the computer to start working on the bulletin, and, out of habit, checked my e-mail. I had several messages in my inbox relating to the tornado: photos, "I'm fine, it didn't hit us" updates, and news articles. I checked some blogs, as well, and saw even more photos. Both Vanessa and Sarah O. (in my blog list on the right) have photos/links to photos: you should take a look. I read it was two to four blocks wide, and millions of dollars of damage. Thankfully, there haven't been any reports of deaths (as far as I've seen). It seems like we (meaning the Little Apple area) have been hit hard these past 6 months or so. In December it was the ice storm that knocked out power for days and caused campus to close, during finals week no less. And speaking from experience, K-State doesn't cancel classes often at all (1.5 days, 5 years ago during my freshman year, for a large amount of snow was the last time previous to the ice storm). And now in June it's a tornado which devastates the area and campus.
I've always empathized with updates of devastation, but this is a completely different experience. I feel like I missed something, that I should have heard about it as it was happening — how did we miss hearing about it? It feels like we should have heard it on the news, or heard the sirens, or something. Because there is home; we're just temporarily not there. These are neighborhoods I walked through. These are places I drove past on a regular basis. These are people I love. It feels more surreal, and at the same time, more real than other disasters I see in the news. And while we can't help with cleanup, I want to say you are in our thoughts and prayers, and we are so thankful you are safe. Keep us posted, and let us know if there is anything we can do, and any more specific prayer requests. That's one thing that our distance doesn't affect!
Also, to pass along information, I just got an e-mail from the K-State Foundation, which has established the K-State Tornado Relief Fund. Visit the site if you're interested in donating. They also have lots of photos of the damage on campus, campus news updates, and a YouTube link for the news report I have at the beginning of the post.
I'm still behind. But, if I do a couple posts this next week, I should be caught up. And Ian is going home for Mike & Trista's wedding (congrats, and I wish I could be there too!), so I'll have a nice relaxing catch-up weekend (I think).
First up, we saw Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It had all of the elements of an Indiana Jones movie (chase scenes, canned witty banter, type villain... you name it), with some tongue-in-cheek comedic referrals to Harrison Ford's current age. And I was mildly impressed at the combination of two major genres — adventure, which Indiana Jones is the epitome of, and science fiction. We decided, however, it was missing the spark, or essence, of the films. Perhaps because it doesn't yet have that nostalgia.
Saturday, the first day in this year's Memorial Day weekend, we cleaned the apartment and enjoyed the weather by wandering over to Penn. We discovered some neat little spots we hadn't seen before. (And a warning — this blog post is going to be very photo-heavy!)
a funny photo of me taken by Ian. I put this in so I can justify putting a funny one of him in later... keep watching!
a really cool fountain.
the garden area we found.
some sports gargoyles on the dorms. and you thought they were all scary monsters...
Sunday was fairly normal, except we booked our trip to New York the next day, for our Memorial Day outing. It's not far, and there's Bolt Bus, which is an express service to NYC from Philadelphia (they do trips to/from other locations as well), for fairly cheap. We ended up booking Amtrak, a little more expensive, for the trip back, because the bus didn't come back late enough for us to do everything we wanted (some spaces done by Olin, the MoMA, and Prince Caspian). But the bus would be great for another inexpensive round trip day trip sometime this summer.
Our Manhattan trip began at 7:30 a.m. from the 30th Street bus stop. We napped a little, but woke up in time to see the skyline before rocketing into the Lincoln Tunnel (if you enjoy the movie Elf, like we do, you'll recall Buddy walked through this tunnel after he "passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest," and then "through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops.")
and here's the funny Ian picture (in the Lincoln Tunnel).
After stepping off the bus, we wandered around a bit, and decided against touristy things like going to the top of the Empire State Building, because it costs $20 per person. We're trying to be more frugal. At any rate, from this point on, there are lots more photos, so I'll just narrate our trip via and in between the photos.
The Empire State Building was the first big landmark we saw.
The second landmark: Macy's. I thought their old signage was pretty sweet. It is a huge store, but we agreed that the one here in Philly is nicer on the inside because they used an amazing old building — they even have an organ that someone plays in the late afternoon.
Ian captured the taxis. There are several more behind these three. It's nice they are all yellow. You really do notice them more, unlike most of the taxis here.
This is in front of the New York Public Library, the location of Bryant Park, which was designed by Laurie Olin himself. So we had to see it. It was beautiful! Ian admired and was inspired. It's a landscape architect's goal to have a successful (a.k.a. well-used and loved) space. I could tell you more design things, like the chairs you can carry anywhere in the park, and the reasons for everything, but there are lots more photos, so onward!
Ian and I enjoyed the Great Lawn (formal name, not my opinion, although it is great!) in Bryant Park.
We went inside Rockefeller Center, but most stuff here was closed.
This is where the ice skating is in the winter, but in the summer it's a dining area, so it's currently a sea of huge umbrellas for tables.
We walked by Radio City Music Hall.
This is the floor at the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). This isn't the entire floor for the whole museum, just the first floor past the lobby section. I'm fairly certain this is all tape someone put down. It looked awesome!
Following are some highlights from our museum visit — this is a neat installment of an artist featured right now, Olafur Eliasson, whose work is spread throughout the museum. The pamphlet about this "first comprehensive survey" of his work, called Take Your Time: Olafur Eliasson, mentions he likes (or liked? I'm not sure if he's alive still, but I think he is) to engage people and make them think about perceptions and society, or something. This was a light in the center of the room with various colored pieces on a rotating disk so the white walls were ever-changing, and you became part of the art, as shadows. It was pretty amazing.
This is another by the same artist. It took me a bit to realize it's a cube of light. It was hard to get a photo of just that though, with so many people in a small, stuffy room with a fog machine. Hence why Ian got my silhouette in the photo.
Andy Warhol. They had lots of his work, including this famous set.
Picasso. What else can you say?
VanGogh's Starry Night. Even if you didn't know what this was, you'd know it is famous by the constant crowd in front of the painting. It is pretty amazing to see a famous painting in person. The texture and concreteness of it make it so much more vibrant than just seeing a photo, and I wish I could share that experience with all of you!
Jackson Pollock. It is much more interesting, again, to see this work in person. It looks strange, but it feels like it has so much meaning when you see the weight and texture of the painting. It conveys a feeling. I think I'm more intrigued by him right now, as well, because of recently discovering the site where you can create your own Jackson Pollock.
This is Columbus Circle, another Olin Partnership project, which won lots of awards. It was a really great place to just sit and enjoy the city. We hung out here for a while, and this is where Carissa met up with us! After this, we went to the theatre to watch Prince Caspian. I enjoyed it so much, and I'm excited for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader!
This is the New York Times Building. This is my favorite paper to read (online, it's free to subscribe via e-mail!). And I recently read how a couple people climbed up the outside a few days ago (separately). You can read the article here. It's crazy!
Times Square... this photo is mainly for Cold Stone, and thinking about how different it is from the one in the Little Apple. This spot is also where we saw a guy smoking a cigar that was roughly the size of a small pillar candle (seriously, 3 inches diameter!).
Carissa and I in Times Square.
a final shot of the city.
Congratulations if you made it this far! You've basically spent a day in the Big Apple with us! After wandering around a little more, we got some pizza with Carissa, then headed back to catch our train home. Overall, it was a great trip. We'd love to go back and see more, although its not the kind of place we'd like to live. And one thing they never mention is how dirty the city is. Even the nicer tourist locations seem really trashy. Here in Philly, they keep places like Independence Hall and the area as immaculate as possible. But in New York, it doesn't seem a priority. In fact, they don't have dumpsters in back — businesses just put trash in bags out on the street. It doesn't smell so nice, as you can imagine. Despite this minor issue, we are looking forward to going back another day sometime, before we go home!
Well, I'm sure I've kept you long enough, so I'll end this post. Keep watching the blog for Sarah's visit, and our Danny DeVito sighting!
Between Purse Day and our trip back to Kansas, the biggest exciting event was that I got my WiiFit age down to 27. I won't say what I started out as... hah!
Wednesday afternoon we took a cab to the airport. We decided we don't really like Philadelphia's airport, and the security there stressed me out more than usual. While we waited for our plane, Ian worked on finishing up the presentation he was going to give for a high school class — one of his old teachers asked him if he'd come talk about landscape architecture. Ian also worked on some thank-you notes on the plane ride. A very funny flight attendant (male, 40s, in pre-flight instructions referred to the oxygen masks as "designer butter dishes" and dryly told us what to do in the event of a water landing "between Chicago and Denver") asked if I was making him write them and then said preprinted with a short handwritten note was the way to go. He was quite the entertainer! And for the record, I didn't make Ian write them, I only asked for his help...
We arrived in Denver fairly late, which was aggravated by the time change from Eastern to Mountain time. While we waited for his Aunt Susan to pick us up (thanks Susan!), I managed to get some funny photos of Ian!
Here he looks very grumpy and important and busy...
... like those people who hurry out of buildings and avoid reporters.
But I properly apply a kiss...
... and voila, he's happy!
Anyway, halfway home, Susan needed a nap, so Ian took over driving, and I fell asleep too (again, I was running 2 hours later than the clock showed at that point). We got to the house, and no one was home! Ian was mildly offended — "they didn't say they were going to be gone!" but Dane and Ren got home soon after. Apparently it was the project graduation party. Oh, and you should ask Ren about smoke bombs. I'll say no more here, except that it's rather humorous.
Thursday was another jam-packed day. I worked on the bulletin while Ian went to school to give his presentation, twice. Then Ian took me to help Dane dress a body. My first time, even though Ian has been saying I need to go with them for the past 3 years. It was an interesting experience. Then it was guest night! The whole thing went off pretty good. Josef was the guest, so it was really good to get to see him again. There were some great performances, and Ren did amazing with "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" by Jack Johnson. I didn't manage to get a good photo of it, because the lighting for his solo (with band accompanying) didn't get along with my camera.
However, I did get some decent photos of another performance. X-Pressos pulled "Men in Tights" out of the vault, and Ian and Josef joined them.
I also had the wonderful opportunity to talk to my good friend Jessica, from back home. It was great catching up with her!!
Friday, we went to see my family, which was absolutely wonderful. Nathan wasn't home yet though. He had a final that afternoon, and my family left that evening to help him move out of the dorms Saturday morning (so they could make it back to Ren's post-graduation family dinner to celebrate, and also so Nathan, Ian, and I could actually see each other). Mom made some great meals, and she and I made biko and talked while Ian took a nap. Apparently, the sushi rice we found isn't the right kind of rice. We needed the long-grained glutenous rice. They are so white, they look like little plastic bits. Fortunately, mom had some, and now I know what to look for the next time we make it!
Before my family took off, mom and I took some photos together, of me with my "short" hair and her with her "long" hair. Her hair is growing out really nice, by the way! She just has Herceptin until September, then she's completely done! The first photo is mom trying to look like she has long hair by using mine. I think maybe it would have worked better before I chopped it...
Karen came over and we had a wonderful chat with her out at the park (after getting a drink at One Stop. Which is closing/closed. It's sad. My high school hang out. Gone. *sniff*). Then we went to see Britni, ahhh!, and Joe (exciting too, but I don't think he'd appreciate the scream as much). I got to see her in her dress, gorgeous, and Karen and I practiced our bridesmaidly duties and helped her into it. We'll need some practice. I can't divulge details because the dress is a surprise, but let's just say it's a little tricky. We also did a birthday present exchange, since Brit's was coming up, and she brought early birthday presents for me from her and Meg.
Ian didn't actually capture the present, or my excited face, but Meg, I really love the mug, and can't wait for a coffee date when we get back in August!
Britni opens her present — relaxing bath stuff, since I can't be there during stressful wedding planning.
Britni got me a Monopoly book! (Which is fascinating so far — did you know it's all based on Atlantic City?)
In summary, we had a wonderful evening with the Kelly family + Karen (Bob discusses using a typewriter in college and the transition from manual to electric. Steven: "much like that of leather to papyrus." implying Bob experienced that one too. Maybe it was just funnier in person...). We headed back to G-town, as graduation festivities started early, and fully enjoyed the music and comedy available on XM radio.
Saturday. Graduation Day. What's there to say, really? It was great to see Emily (with her beautiful new purse!) and her dad. The ceremony was long. Ren, along with others, had silly string. The giant 8-person reception was busy. I did get to see a few people I knew (Ashley, good luck with Florida!). Ren schmoozed. Tired and sore, we packed up and returned home, where Patti, Alli, and Grandma Judy had prepared a wonderful lasagna dinner for us all. My family arrived. We ate. The guys discovered how much my dad can laugh when you get him going, while we had a wonderful girl-table talk. We slowly dispersed. Before going to bed, Ren and Ian partook in some fancy cigars Ren acquired (not a habit, just an... occasional guy thing, which I'll never understand), as celebration for graduation and getting to hang out again. They even wore special attire for the event (note their shoes).
Sunday morning we woke up way too early so we could get to DIA in time (we agree, the nicest airport we've ever been to — even the security maze is nice). Dane, Micki, and Ren were wonderful to shuttle us there, and it was great to spend a little more time with them! The flight home was uneventful, spent mostly napping, and we arrived back in Philly by early afternoon. Getting home took a little more effort, and involved a crabby cab driver. It felt good to be "home" but we're reminded how much we love the Midwest, and we can't wait to be back in August!
We keep doing things, and I keep getting further behind. However, I ended up with today and Friday off (things have slowed down a bit at work), so I'm taking full advantage of this to do laundry, read, and catch up on the blog, of course! So I'm going to go back 3 weekends ago and tell you a little bit about my purse.
Purse Day took place 3 weeks after Emily, Micki and I designed purses at 1154 Lill. I'd been excited about a purse from here for quite some time even before that, so Ian and I made a day of picking it up.
Walking down the parkway, we saw the LOVE Park fountain was purple, in honor of Mother's Day! This worked out much better than the green did...
We walked down Market, had a cheesesteak from a street vendor, then made our way over to the shop. On the way, we saw a stereotypical south Philly man. Note his saunter, leather jacket, and feather in his hat.
When we got there, I saw my purse hanging on the wall, it was so exciting! And it's nice, Ian, with his design background, appreciated it too! Apparently people designing that weekend (Mother's Day was the next day) really liked my purse too, as an idea, so that's quite the compliment as well! After that, we went around the city more and made our way to Penn, where we spent some time at Starbucks. I read and Ian worked on his presentation he was going to give to a couple high school classes when we went home. After we got home, Ian took some pictures of me with my new purse.
Anyway, I'll stop here and make our trip back to Kansas a separate post, so these don't get unbearably long!
To conclude, I'd like to say, since this is a post-pre-Mother's Day post (being after Mother's Day but about before Mother's Day) that I love BOTH of my moms very much — the one who helped make me into the woman I am, and made it such a fun journey, and the one who raised my husband to be the incredible man he is, and adopted me as her own! They are amazing, inspiring women and a true blessing in my life!
Vanessa had a funny post a little while back entitled "You might be a geek's wife if..." I thought of this while we were wandering around Boston, and Megan and I had fun coming up with a few of our own architect's wife version. Here's that list, with some others I've thought of. Some are probably specific to landscape architecture, I must admit.
vacation involves visiting random areas because a well-known firm or person designed the space (like the Stata Center on MIT's campus).
you know who Frank Gehry is.
you can rattle off a list of projects, past and present, of a specific firm.
traveling through a space involves close analysis and critique of materials, design theory, and technical aspects of things like green-roof installation.
your husband was very involved in creating your wedding registry, and picked out some great and artistic dishes and silverware.
project boards are part of your home decor.
you look through your vacation pictures and discover a large portion of them are detail shots of things like paving and plantings.
you know the plot room is the room with the giant printers, not the place where you scheme to take over the world.
you are familiar with and can identify different paving materials.
you can identify trees and plants by scientific name (genus and species).
you have Adobe Creative Suite on your computer.
you can read CAD documents.
while walking home, he has to stop, borrow your camera, and take photos of trees in bloom for stock photos for future renderings.
sometimes you use the words bushes and dirt to tease your husband, because the "correct" terms are shrubs and soil.
you see skateboarders with cool tricks and wonder if they are damaging the granite curbs.
the importance of going green is a big discussion topic in your house.
the term environmentally responsible doesn't just include recycling: you know how it relates to selecting building materials (carbon output from selecting materials that have to be shipped long distances, versus native building materials) and other construction components.
black water, grey water, and potable water are everyday terms.
you know what LEED certified means.
people don't draw, they sketch and render.
For the record, this isn't a complaint list! I love experiencing the world through a different viewpoint, and I love sharing Ian's passion (and I'm sure Megan feels the same way about Daniel). It's fun blending lives, and learning about new things and places. I really appreciate this new perspective Ian had given to my life. And of course, entertaining when you discover those random pictures on your camera...
