Back Home Again, in Indiana

Happy belated Fourth of July! I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing weekend. So many things have happened since I last wrote- I don't even know where to start! Let's start from the beginning...

I left the office Thursday afternoon with all intentions to head to Indy that night. There were a few scattered storms in the area, but the T.F. Green Airport website said that everything was right on time. I boarded the plane, looking forward to getting some more work done. Little did I know that I would get an extra 3 hours!! My plane was delayed because of storms in the flight traffic pattern, and we sat on the runway for, yep, 3 hours. Not surprisingly, I missed my connecting flight to Indianapolis. Due to the delay being caused by weather conditions, the airline company did not pay for a room. (From a business perspective, how can you blame them?)

Welcome to the Cleveland Airport.

They say that there's a first time for everything, but I wasn't expecting Thursday to be my first overnight stay in an airport. Maybe not the most exciting first, but a first nonetheless. I wandered around Terminal D, only to discover that there were no restaurants open! Since it was 11:00 PM and I hadn't eaten dinner, I finally made my way to Terminal A where there was a bagel/deli spot open. Not exactly the greatest food or customer service, but it worked. I ended up sleeping in one of the newly refurbished Southwest Terminals (Terminal B), which I highly recommend. They had put in new benches that did not have arms between the seats, allowing one to take a cat nap. WARNING: The air conditioning in the airport was set on artic blast. If you ever get stuck, make sure to borrow a blanket (or two) from the airline to cover up with overnight. They are approximately the size of a wash cloth, so stock up if you can. But please do return them! I have a feeling that I will get to know this airport really well by the end of the year!

I finally made it home Friday morning to start my long weekend, and it was definitely worth the wait. I spent time with my parents on Friday- running errands, out to lunch, etc. I had dropped off a dress at Toula's (my alteration specialist) several weeks ago that was ready to be picked up.

This dress actually belonged to my mom's mom. She wore it in the 1950's to a cocktail party or two. Everything on the dress is original- the seamstresses did an amazing job of expanding the top using parts of the dress without changing its look. I can't wait for a special occassion to wear it- she was very special to me. Friday evening Nick and I went to dinner with David to celebrate his birthday at St. Elmo's. If you have never had their shrimp cocktail, you HAVE to try it! It will definitely make your nose run and your eyes water! I'm not a steak fan, but Nick and David both loved the porterhouse steaks they got. After St. Elmo's, we went to the Rathskeller, one of Nick and David's favorite establishments in Indy (they have Weihenstephaner on tap!). The weather was perfect for a night out spending time with friends sharing stories. Some of their friends from med school dropped by to celebrate with us, too.

On Saturday, Nick, David, and I went to Hoaglin on Mass Ave, which is one of my top two restaurants for brunch. (It is a close second behind Taste.) They have an amazing selection of both breakfast adn lunch dishes. I had the cinnamon raisin french toast with berries, Nick had a BMLT (bacon-mozzerella-lettuce-tomato), and David had some kind of benedict omelet with steak. It started to rain, and I definitely wanted to stay in a watch a movie, BUT, we had more to do...

Nick and I met Kim and her boyfriend, Nate, in Cincinati. Nick and Kim grew up together in Carmel, and she was one of the four people that went to Europe with Nick. She is working for an advertising agency right now (at least that's what Nick told me) in Cincinati, but who knows where she will end up next! Kim is energetic, friendly, and has a great sense of humor. Nick is lucky to have such a great friend. (Sorry I didn't get a picture, Kim!)

THEN, Nick and I went to Danielle and Kyle's wedding in Cincinati. Danielle was the first person I met in pharmacy school when I visited Purdue during December of my senior year of high school. I still remember sitting at the lunch table with Danielle and her parents, my parents, and Mr. George, who would become my academic advisor for 6 years. She wasn't sure if she'd be attending Purdue, but we kept in touch through e-mail. In late spring/summer, I was delighted to learn that she would be coming to West Lafayette! We have been friends ever since. Here is a picture of Danielle and I at our White Coat Ceremony in September of 2005.

At the wedding, we got to see two of my very favorite people in the whole world, Kyle and Chelsea (different Kyle than Danielle's Kyle). We had a wonderful time catching up, telling old stories, and making new memories- I even caught the bridal bouquet! Here are some pictures from the night... it was a beautiful wedding and great celebration.

Chelsea and I

The wedding favors

Kyle and Chelsea

Nick and I

It tasted as good as it looked!

Didn't the bride look gorgeous? Hope you are having fun in Mexico!

Although it rained, everything about the day was wonderful. Our view from the Drees Pavillion was just like it was from a postcard, even if we couldn't see all of the fireworks.

We spent most of Sunday lounging and relaxing, which was a great way to end the long weekend. I wasn't ready to leave Indy, but I will see everyone again soon- I am coming back for a long weekend at the beginning of August. Until then, I've got to concentrate on studying for the NAPLEX and law exams for both Rhode Island and Indiana! (Yes, I JUST scheduled them!)

Tonight I got to have dinner at Trattoria Romana with my old boss and mentor, Ron. Ron is the person that hired me as an MPCR intern, got me exposure to top company personalities, and told me about this job in Rhode Island. Ron, thank you so much for all you have done for me- I wouldn't have gotten here without you. It was great to see another familiar face from Indy in Woonsocket. (I just realized that I don't have any picures with Ron! Shame on me!)

One more piece of exciting news... Lisa is coming to visit me for my birthday! What a great way to start my week...

From left to right: June, Vanessa, Lisa, Me