The Mentor

I am now published. Check out my article here: http://www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/. Now I just have to graduate, and I'll be a real professional!

Fruit

Have we ever told you that we have fruit trees in our backyard? We've got a fig tree and an apple tree (but the apples seem to be tiny!) Tonight we picked some fruit to try. Take a look!They were pretty tasty!

Weekend Fun and Our Little Patient

This weekend Nick and I joined some Air Force friends for dinner at a great restaurant here in Columbia. It's called Gervais and Vine, and it's a wine and tapas bar. You can find it here: http://www.gervine.com/. Here's a picture:

Now onto more pressing matters. Finlay was neutered today. He seems to be feeling ok, still a little loopy from the anesthesia. Here are some pictures of him and us this evening. We love our little patient!

No, he doesn't wear this all the time, but we can't have him biting his hoo-ha!This is where the anesthesia went in. He kind of looks like a poodle.He loves hugs from Dad!

Maybe not so crazy about those kisses from Mom, but she gives them anyway because it makes her feel better.

Shout Out

This post is a shout out to Dwight and Lauri, Nick's mom and her husband! First, we want you all to see what the Houston Chronicle recently had to say about Dwight. They were very complimentary, and you can see the article here:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/robertson/5856821.html

Dwight and Lauri just got back form a trip Dwight led to the Holy Land. Lauri sent us some great mementos from their trip - thanks! Tonight I tried the Dead Sea mud body mask. I thought a self-pampering night was in order since I've got to wait up until after midnight for Nick's plane to land. My bathroom is a bit messy now, but my skin feels so soft! I can't wait to try the bath salts, but I'm going to wait until I get in my big garden tub in the new apartment. Thanks for the gifts, you two, and we are so glad that y'all are enjoying your new life together!

Nicholas' Travels

Unlike Gulliver, Nick may not be headed to the land of the liliputians. However, it feels like he's been about everywhere else this year, and he's off on another trip today. In case you're counting, here's the roadtrip rundown since November 07:
3 weeks in Omaha, Nebraska
8 weeks in San Angelo, TX
1 week in Washington DC
2 weeks in Death Valley, CA
And now he's off to spend the week in Tampa. We'll see what voyages August brings.

Nick told me a sweet story a few days ago that I should have posted for July 4th, but sorry, I didn't. Here it is now, maybe you can still enjoy its patriotic spirit. Now, you know we don't get misty at our house over patriotic stuff, but I thought this was heart-warming and a validation that the sacrifices we make, like when Nick is gone as often as he is home, are appreciated.

This story happened to Nick when he was in transit to California. He was walking through the airport, rushing to make a connection when a little hand shot out into his path holding a piece of paper. He tried to walk past it, but the girl to whom the hand belonged called out to him. Still thinking that he had misunderstood, Nick paused a minute and then kept walking. The girl then walked up to Nick, placed the piece of paper in his hand, and walked back to her seat. Continuing toward his gate Nick opened up the piece of paper and was touched by what he saw. The note read "Thanks for everything you do, from a free thirteen-year-old girl."

Isn't that sweet? People like her make it a pleasure to serve.

4th of July

This independence day the Hall family showed our patriotism by stimulating the economy. We headed up to the Southpark Mall in Charlotte, NC to pick up a few things for Mark and Lauren's wedding weekend.

Fin did not enjoy all the fireworks. He spent the night cowering like this:

Happy Saturday everyone!

5 Weeks To Go!

Well, I did it. I survived the Summer I semester. To do this I had to turn in an original short story, design my ideal college, and complete a comparative organizational analysis by midnight last night. Fortunately it didn't take me quite that long, and I finished up yesterday at 3pm. It feels so good to be done! Now I'm really in the home stretch. I'll still be working full-time, split between Parents Programs and the History department, but since I'll be completing a practicum and and independent study for Summer II I won't be spending any time in the classroom. Phew! (Incidentally this means that I won't be spending any more time in the classroom before I am awarded my M.Ed on August 9th - crazy!)

Today Nick and I are celebrating with a shopping trip to Charlotte to buy clothes for Mark and Lauren's wedding weekend. We'll try to post some more pictures ASAP. We hope you're all enjoying a relaxing Fourth of July!