Crazy week

My quiet and relaxed holiday weekend has quickly become one of the crazier weeks I've had in a long time. Tonight is the start of an alumni summit on schooling in America that I've been coordinating over the past few months. It's going to be a ridiculous affair with more than 60 distinguished University alumni, who have founded or are leaders in schools across the country. The press is coming too! I am really looking forward to the various talks and panels, which range from "Princeton in Education's Service" to "What does it mean for a student to be preparaed for the 21st century?" to "Why & how should all Princetonians be engaged in education?" On top of all this excitement, tomorrow is the first day of Reunions, and in keeping with my desire to attend every single one, I cannot wait. Even better, so many of my closest friends will be nearby for a few days, or even staying in my house. It's going to be the best. Just what I need :)

Kate & I by their sweet ride to Prom

Annie's Lovely Lilac Dress

Garden Cake

Surprise Visiting

This past weekend I drove home for a surprise visit. While the driving part was not so fun, the being home with everyone was really nice. I had a chance to catch up even more on what people are doing, see high school friends, send my sister off to her senior prom, and even surprise her with a birthday cake. The cake was fun and made to look like a garden, but during the long, traffic-filled drive home, it became an "earthquake" garden cake. Was a bit sad, but Annie thought it was great anyways. Going home also gave me a chance to grab my beer jacket for Reunions (just one week away!!) and begin organizing things that I'll need down in D.C. next year. Even though I ended up very tired when I got back to Princeton, it was just what I needed to do last weekend.

Voila Tasty Freshness

Me & My Strawberry Jar

Pretty Spring Flowers

Jess's Favorite Plant

Marigolds, Basil & Sunshine

Today, my friends, was a brilliantly gorgeous day. After spending most of it in my office (with the exception of a lovely lunch at this new sushi restaurant with Jess), I was eager to be out and about. Despite the predicted 80% chance of thunderstorms, it was lovely. On a semi-whim, Jess and I trucked out to Home Depot in hopes of finding a collection of flowers to perk up our patio. If you've been to visit already, you surely understand our lack of love for our cement haven. Buuuut, since it's getting nice out, we wanted something to encourage our presence outside. We found the best flowers ever and had such a great time planting it all. I even found a strawberry jar, which is usually used to grow strawberries. However Ryan said it was probably too late in the season for that, and I agreed. Still thinking the jar was really cool looking, I decided to plant some tastyness. To be more precise, I added chives, rosemary, cherry tomato plants, and basil. I'm very very excited! Jess is too. Especially for the prospect of fresh pesto every now and then! She picked out some tasty seeds too. If all goes well, we'll have fresh lettuce, carrots, peas and cucumbers too. Yay for the spring! Now if only I could have more time to sit outside....but first we need some furniture out there.

Guenther

Yay for Shannon!

Girls are not the root of Evil.

Houseparties 2006

Two days later, I'm almost recovered from Princeton's classic weekend of fun: Houseparties. I'm happy to report that good times were had all around from Formals on Friday night to Lawnparties on Sunday afternoon. I also had the great fortune to spend the weekend with Amy, Diana and Jessie, all of whom were entertaining and cute. The highlight for me though--other than seeing all sorts of old friends--was definitely the music! Friday night Tower had a swing band, the Slicked Up Nines, who played through the wee hours for those brave enough to stay out. Saturday we all enjoyed the classic DJ Bob. Ahh Princeton. Sunday we wrapped up with Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers and of course, who could forget, Guenther and the Sunshine Girls...straight from Sweden. It was a weekend to remember!