Park Avenue & 72nd St. - 7:05am
Good morning, good morning! It is wonderful to be home in NY after a great trip home to Oregon. I chit-chatted extra long with the doormen today. It's nice to know that they noticed I was gone and were happy to see Sofie and me again. NYC has a reputation for making you feel alone but I disagree - I've thought it much friendlier than Philly but not quite Portlander status. I had such a great time with my Mom, Dad, and Sister. Honestly - you could have tacked a few more days on before I was really ready to go home. I had 2 beautiful days of skiing with my mom. One at Mt. Hood and then the next day in Bend at Mt. Bachelor (one of which days included a trip to Joe's donuts). I slept in every day, drank my coffee & ate breakfast, went running, went on long walks into Portland and through Tryon Creek Park in the sublime weather. I went bouldering with Dad one day - which I'm still a bit sore from. I did yoga at Bikram of West Linn. I ate at Corbett Fish House three separate times and got my fill of Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale. I ate myself sick on Papa Haydn's English Toffee Cheesecake. Watched a lot of 30 Rock, layed in front of the fire with Jolie and Sarah, spent an evening with my cousin, aunt and uncle, had dinner twice with my Grandma Clark. It was the perfect vacation. The hardest part was leaving for sure. Every time I'm at home it feels a little bittersweet because I spend a lot of time far away from them - such is life I suppose.
Upon my return to NY, I got the greeting of a life time from you know who. Brian made fettuccine with lots of zucchini, onions, garlic, ricotta, fresh lemon juice, pine nuts, and a little parmesan cheese. It was fantastic! I wasn't hungry enough, but he'd also gotten a few other little treats that I will surely have this evening. It is beautiful in NY. During my 9 days away, all the remaining trees bloomed and, as you can see, the Park avenue median is filled with Tulips. NYC is stunning right now. We opened all of the windows in the apartment to let in the fresh Spring air and I gave Brian his presents - a Deschutes Brewery glass and t-shirt, and 2 enormous bricks of Tillamook cheese (cheddar & pepper jack)....ok maybe the Tillamook is a present for both of us. I got bag-checked in Portland because of the big cheese blocks in my carry-on. The TSA people loved it and carried on about it. The TSA guy said I could bring them only because they are the best cheeses in the country. To be honest, I think they only bag checked me b/c they wanted to see which one's I brought.
Finally, I returned to NYC with my tax refund waiting for me. YAY!! I meet with Carl Nathan and Sabine Ehrt, my new co-mentors on Wed. at 9am to start my final rotation. I still have to finish my rotation report for Joao Xavier's lab - it's mostly done. I just have to proofread, add the references, and finish the figures. I also have LOTS to read & research to prepare for my meeting on Wed. I have class starting again tomorrow and journal club this Thursday.
I'm feeling mightily grateful right now for having such a great life. I am so happy & fortunate to be able to spend time with my family and re-charge the batteries. I'm also a bit euphoric at seeing Brian and Sofie again.
Happy Easter, Passover, Spring and enjoy seeing the World bloom around you for another year!
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