Friday was the 4th of July. Several of us young adults at church took a big group of youth to the beautiful outdoor amphitheater in town to enjoy the festivities. Our minister of music camped out from early in the afternoon to save space for everyone, and we took up a good long row with our blankets and lawn chairs. One of the youth had bought a ton of patriotic gear for everyone (think red-white-and-blue hats, beads, sunglasses, and headbands). The youth leader, J, made some really delicious orange pork and rice. Another guy made awesome chicken salad sandwiches and Spam sushi (he's Hawaiian and that's how they do it there. Don't knock it till you've tried it). There was also cheesecake pudding and fruit and lemonade and a number of other lovely things. On the stage they had a Motown-type group singing who were very good. Then a community band played lots of patriotic music, including the 1812 overture (with VA National Guard cannons and the park carillon accompanying). Finally, we all enjoyed some lovely fireworks overhead. A most excellent day!
Saturday my friend A and I had decided to buckle down and have an intense thesis writing day at a local coffee shop. We worked for about 6 hours and both got a lot done. I did 3/4 of my analyses and wrote them up, still need to talk to my advisor about how to go about analyzing my last question/hypothesis, and write up some sort of discussion section. Ugh. My friend K joined us a little later on to work on a paper she's been procrastinating (the only common theme of grad school, really). She came over for dinner later and we made an awesome meal featuring the first zucchini from my little garden!
Yesterday I had church, which felt a little weird/off for some reason. Our senior pastor is on sabbatical and the associate pastor was away, and things were just kind of disjointed. I went out with some friends for a nice brunch afterward, though. We went to one of my favorite eateries in town, and they had chicken and waffles on special, but with a twist - a honey-sriracha glaze for the chicken! It was good stuff. This evening we had a lovely church small group potluck/dinner party. Victuals included the host D's delicious dry-rubbed and grilled wings, two types of delicious pasta salad (I brought my mom's tasty tortellini one), strawberries, cantaloupe, brie and baguette, grilled veggies, peach cobbler, and homemade strawberry italian ice. Then we lit off a bunch of the host couple's leftover firecrackers and fireworks and smoke bombs (all courtesy of South Carolina) from Friday.
Now, to stay on task the next few days with work and thesis and home preparations before I head back to NH for a much-needed vacation!
Saturday my friend A and I had decided to buckle down and have an intense thesis writing day at a local coffee shop. We worked for about 6 hours and both got a lot done. I did 3/4 of my analyses and wrote them up, still need to talk to my advisor about how to go about analyzing my last question/hypothesis, and write up some sort of discussion section. Ugh. My friend K joined us a little later on to work on a paper she's been procrastinating (the only common theme of grad school, really). She came over for dinner later and we made an awesome meal featuring the first zucchini from my little garden!
Yesterday I had church, which felt a little weird/off for some reason. Our senior pastor is on sabbatical and the associate pastor was away, and things were just kind of disjointed. I went out with some friends for a nice brunch afterward, though. We went to one of my favorite eateries in town, and they had chicken and waffles on special, but with a twist - a honey-sriracha glaze for the chicken! It was good stuff. This evening we had a lovely church small group potluck/dinner party. Victuals included the host D's delicious dry-rubbed and grilled wings, two types of delicious pasta salad (I brought my mom's tasty tortellini one), strawberries, cantaloupe, brie and baguette, grilled veggies, peach cobbler, and homemade strawberry italian ice. Then we lit off a bunch of the host couple's leftover firecrackers and fireworks and smoke bombs (all courtesy of South Carolina) from Friday.
Now, to stay on task the next few days with work and thesis and home preparations before I head back to NH for a much-needed vacation!
Yay for lovely weekends -- fun, productivity, friends, good food -- good for you! Can't wait till you are back in NH!! <3 <3 <3
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