1) My blog went down while I was on my European bike trip. That said, I was so exhausted from the cycling that I could barely draft daily summaries anyway. I started on the first two days, then gave up. I'll post a summary/pictures soon.
2) The Queen of England Enjoys Four Cocktails Every Day #lifegoals
This past weekend, Dad and I went away for a weekend in Boston — mostly just to spend some quality time together. We each took the train from our respective homes (NYC and Portland) and met up in Boston, staying at a cozy AirBnB on Newbury Street. We started our weekend having a drink and catching up with friends who have a cabin down the road from us in Casco, then headed to dinner at Harvest, where my uncle used to work when he lived in Boston many years ago (somewhere in the family archives, there is a picture of me, aged 6ish, dressed as a waitress there with a napkin tied around my tiny waist). On Saturday, I started off with an early morning FlyBarre class, then joined dad for coffee at our local coffee spot, Wired Puppy. Afterwards, we headed out to the JFK Library for a little American history, then had a tasty lunch at Flour in Back Bay. We than proceeded to stroll around the city, wandering through the Public Garden, the Boston Common, Beacon Hill, and down towards South Station and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. After a much-needed rest, I went out to Cambridge to have a drink and catch up with my cousin Warren and two of his daughters (one was at a slumber party), then back into town for dinner with dad at Select Oyster Bar. We rounded out our weekend with more walking around the city to work up an appetite, then dim sum brunch at Myers & Chang to fortify us for our walk back and respective trips home. All in all, a fantastic weekend!! Here's a goofy and totally unflattering selfie commemorating the trip.
Where to begin? Let's see . . .
First, I just returned from a wonderful weekend celebrating my brother and Becky's wedding on a lovely farm in Western MA. Welcome to the family, Becky, and congratulations to you both! Also got to spend time with family, friends, and (best of all, but don't tell everyone else), my nephews.
Next, I'm down to the wire for the NYC Triathlon, which is happening this Sunday whether I'm ready or not (but I feel pretty ready). More details to come on how to come out and cheer me on if you're so inclined.
Finally, thanks to an enthusiastic co-worker's recommendation and a major sale (40% off plus credit card points means I got it for $22), I am now the owner of an Instant Pot. Stay tuned for the culinary experiments.
I was lucky enough to have a lovely and relaxing weekend up in Beacon. My initial impetus for the visit was the #AEKarpediem wedding (where I got to see many Tufts friends in addition to the groom), but I stayed with my dear friend John, so I got to catch up with him as well! Over the years, my friends Lynnette and Ty have invited me up to their weekend place in Beacon, so I wanted to make sure I saw them as well (in addition to introducing them to John, who lives up there full time). They graciously invited me to stay for an additional night, and we proceeded to catch up with Jess (and her adorable new baby!) and cook up a storm. We made lamb three ways — lamb liver pate, kofte, and lamp chops, grilled up veggies galore, and washed it down with rose while relaxing around the fire pit. All in all a food, fun, and friend-filled weekend, with great weather to boot. Thanks to all for the hospitality and big mazels to Anna and Ethan!!
Is it too late to go back?
In a few hours, I'm flying to Guayaquil, Ecuador, where I'll be spending roughly 24 hours before heading to the Galapagos. Once I've reached the Galapagos, I'll have no cell or internet for about 8 days until I'm back in Guayaquil on the 2nd. Merry Xmas and happy early New Year, everyone — see you in 2016!
Had a wonderfully relaxing end of summer weekend on Fire Island, complete with a Saturday night dinner on the grill. If only I had a grill in NYC. . .
The menu:
(a.k.a. First World Problems). I'm heading to SF/Napa/Sonoma in a few hours and was all excited that I had purchased an upgrade with my miles. I woke up to an email that my flight was cancelled. I'm now on a later flight, in the second to last row. Sigh. I really can't complain — at least I can get out today, my miles (and the fee) will be refunded (assuming I don't get upgraded at the airport) and I got a travel voucher as an apology for the cancelled flight. SF friends (and many others) — see you soon!
I feel like I've barely recovered from last week's travel to Austin & Boston and this week's conference and catching up. Updates to come, I promise.
