A break for two weddings

Between working with the real estate agent/lawyer/inspector/contractors/house sellers and going in for a job interview, Seth and I managed a week-long getaway to reconnect with family and friends.  The driving force behind the trip was two weddings: one cousin from Dad's side, one cousin from Mom's side.  I was exceptionally pleased that Seth could finally join me on this trip, especially since it was a quick and efficient way for him to visit with or meet for the first time nearly my entire, massive family.  He was quite the sport :o)

Our first stop was Orange County, CA.  We stayed with my Aunt Phuong and cousin, Que, and over a brunch of broken rice met Que's new boyfriend, Ed.

Que and me!

It was so much fun to hang out in Westminster.  This city has the highest population Vietnamese outside of Vietnam and is like a totally different country. The snacks are great, too ;o)

The afternoon before the first wedding, we caught up with the Donnellys and the Baileys in Oxnard, CA.  The coast was windy and beautiful!

Eileen!  Uncle Kevin photo bombed.

Our littlest cousin, Emily, getting married off to Cody.

Newlyweds!

It was so exciting to see my cousins :o)

No wedding is complete without a rousing game of Kubb.  Barn owls watched from their boxes.

House swap, job swap

The past month has been a period of preparation before transition.  Over Easter weekend Seth and I began looking for homes in Hamilton, NY; on Thursday afternoon we toured a couple houses and by the end of the weekend we signed a contract for one in the village and handed over a down payment (we will close at the end of July).  The following weekend I flew to Raleigh to pack up my old bedroom and closet to help my parents get ready for their own big move to Pearland, TX; just a couple weeks ago they found their new, downsized home and yesterday they closed the sale.  They plan to put their house of 21 years on the market in the next month or so. 

One last big point of change is in careers.  Just yesterday I interviewed for a lab position at Colgate.  By the afternoon I was offered the job and I accepted it. 

As a person who prefers stability and predictability, it takes a few deep breaths and nice, long walks to more effectively face major life transitions.  I give thanks, however, to have some time to mentally adjust before the physical changes commence. 

Cleaning out my room, yikes!

Trying to decide what to keep...

Dad getting ready to sell.

Almost ours :o)

New Orleans

After a week on the ship, Andrew's family headed back home and Mom and Dad got me settled in for a short stay in New Orleans, which was our port of departure and arrival.  I had never been to New Orleans before and was thrilled to finally get to see the great city in the south.

Mom, Dad, and I wandered around Lafayette Cemetery No 1, located in the Garden District.  It is the set for many movies and books, including "Interview with the Vampire".

The tombs are still in use!

A house owned by Ann Rice. 

After a walk around the Garden District, lunch, and getting settled into my Airbn, I said bye to Mom and Dad and wandered around sunny downtown.

Jackson Square, right in front of St Louis Cathedral, was the place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Art vendors, musicians, and tarot card readers lined the square.

Music is everywhere in New Orleans, even up high on the tops of buildings!

Oysters in French Market

Frenchman Art Market

Bourbon Street is fun after dark ;o)

Actually, Bourbon street was really just a bunch of loud bars playing annoying country music and full of tourists.  

The next morning I took the first Canal streetcar heading north and it deposited me in the city park area.  Not really being one for manicured parks, I headed in the direction of the nearby art museum.  However, the park was so peaceful I decided to go for a little walk instead.

The moss is wonderful!

The park was home to a small amusement park, and one section was called "Storyland".  I wish it wasn't closed--I would have loved to soak up its strange nostalgia.

There was also a funky little sculpture garden.

I followed a little trickle of people all the way to the Morning Call cafe.  Beignets and cafe au lait, and a lady playing children songs on the accordion, of course.

After the pit stop I returned to the Canal streetcar and transferred over to the St Charles line for a second look at the Garden District. 

Mardi Gras was just two weeks earlier and the cable lines and trees were still showing off their beads.

Beads, bead, beads.

Classic New Orleans "shotgun" style homes.  The Airbnb where I was staying was also shotgun--there are no hallways and all the rooms connected like beads on a string (ie. in order to get to the bathroom one would have to walk through three living areas and the kitchen).  A fun novelty but I wouldn't want to live in one!

An icon of the Garden District

I spent the rest of the afternoon revisiting Jackson Square and the French Quarter.

Chicory cafe au lait at Cafe Dumond.  Had I known that there would be no line I would have saved my beignet splurge for here!

The cajun combo for dinner in Jackson Square

To top off my stay in New Orleans I squeezed into a ghost tour of the French Quarter.  It was worth staying up late for!  One story was about this restaurant, Muriel's, that had a ghost that was only happy when a table was set for it every night--with wine and bread, of course. 

Hmmm... do the tarot card people never leave Jackson Square?

It was a great introduction to New Orleans, but I was definitely ready to go home!

Days at Sea

We spent two days at sea (as well as afternoons and nights, of course), and even though it seems like it would be boring there was always something to do!

The top deck was a popular place.  The Spring Breakers mostly confined themselves to this part of the ship.  Thank god.

Spring Breakers could still be found in the hot tubs even in early morning hours, enjoying the beautiful sunrises.

The boys got to take part in the kids activities, which they loved.  On the last day they put on a circus performance for us!

Every night we got dressed up for dinner.  
 

There was always lots of well-presented food! 

I was good friends with the gym, so much so I was the only one there the last morning.  Actually, the gym door was closed and I was kinda locked in :o(

The ship was full of wonderful characters!