From September 1, 2015
Michigan, Virginia, Boston, Jamaica: My summer has been crazy. And of course, in between the fun bits I've shared, there's been a lot of other things going on too.
I've been a student (yes, in the summer!), working extremely hard to formulate my research and finish some existing projects...
(Proof of my hard work? One of my articles made it here!)
I've been spending some much needed time with loved ones and trying to catch up from the last few years away...
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| Visiting Cona, a friend from college (and soon to be "Dr.") |
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| Made a little detour...Two paintings by Sue Williams. |
I've been a muscle woman, moving into a new place with the help of three amazing friends!
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| Four flights of stairs and three hours later... |
I've been attending dissertation defenses, as two of my friends have reminded what's possible!
And, once I finish unpacking boxes, I'll be an interior designer too!
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| I'm envision eclectic meets modern contemporary... |
So what better way to refresh and regroup before heading into another academic year that promises to be even more jam-packed than the last two than with our annual family vacation. This year's destination: a road trip to New York, New York!
Our road trip to the "concrete jungle" took us from Michigan through Ohio and Pennsylvania out East. After a complete day of driving, we spent an afternoon in Baltimore, an evening in Silver Springs, and a night in Richmond, VA!
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| One of my closet friends, Jenn, and my parents at her new place. |
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| Grabbing a drink and celebrating a birthday just outside of DC. |
Eventually we drove to East Harlem, New York, our home away from home for the week. We spent the next week checking out the sites of the city in full-on tourist fashion (minus the fanny pack, thank goodness!).
I played tour guide for most of the trip, and discovered a lot of new sites in the process:
We went to several museums, including the New York Public Library, American Museum of Natural History, and the interactive Sony Technology Lab.
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| Astor Hall of the NY Public Library - a must see! |
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Lego replication of "Patience" and "Fortitude" (the lions
in front of the NYPL) |
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| Interactive music mixing at Sony's "playground" |
We walked through Central Park, the Highline, and Times Square - in the day time and at night - and even managed to get our face captured on our own ad!
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| We're on the right hand side of the "billboard..." |
We spent a morning checking out Harlem, walking through the west African markets, seeing historical sites, and eating some delicious soul food!
We walked through the financial district and enjoyed the historic-turned-hip(ster) Seaport community.
And, to spruce-up the Statue of Liberty viewing, we took the Shark speed boat tour on the water.
One of many things that I love about the city: You are always bound to stumble upon something interesting. This trip, we passed by presidential candidate Ben Carson and caught the red carpet for America's Got Talent.
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| Ben Carson and his entourage. |
There was no Broadway show on this trip, which I confess hurt my heart a little, but passing by Fashion Ave and the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
And after our quality bonding time, we road tripped it back to the Midwest!
It's the first week back to school, and I can say with certainty that I had an awesome summer!
