A Week of Family, Friends and Food

Hello, yet again my friends!

So, when I left you last week, I had hinted about my weekend.  Well, said weekend turned in to one of the best I've had since I moved out here.  On Saturday, I got up VERY early to drive to Milford, NJ (which is almost Pennsylvania).  Milford is home to the Better Image Conservation studio, which is located in Milford's old opera house.  I got there way too early, but the man we were meeting with had already opened the place up and had coffee and donuts waiting.  Another early classmate and I talked with the conservator and his intern and looked over the building (it's not that big).  Once everyone had arrived, we sat down and proceeded to learn almost everything one can learn about the history and chemistry of photography in three hours.  It was amazing!  Unfortunately, we had to be out of Milford before 2:00 pm, because the town was having it's annual fall festival and they were closing the only main street in town for bed racing! 

I hopped in my little car and proceeded toward Princeton, NJ.  I had made up my mind to visit an ice cream shop that my cousin, Mark, had recommended.  It took about an hour by backroads to get to Princeton and, once there, I realized that I had hit Princeton on its University Weekend.  The town was PACKED with students and their families.  So, no ice cream for me.  I still plan on going, maybe just not on University Weekend.  I drove another hour home.  What I got out of this trip was some sight-seeing of the nice, rural part of New Jersey.  I like it better than the area I live in, since it feels more like home :D

On Sunday, I spent the morning doing chores that there hadn't been time or energy for on Saturday.  That evening at 4:00, I was going to have dinner with my cousin, Mark, and his girlfriend, Katherine.  Finally, at 1:45, I left for the train station to go into NYC.  I just barely made the train, thanks to a VERY slow elevator and stupid drivers.  But, I got on the train in time and rode in to NYC.  I wasn't supposed to be at Mark and Katherine's for another hour, so I took my time and walked up to a subway stop.  I was still incredibly early when I got up to Spanish Harlem, so I walked around the neighborhood, which was a portion of NYC I had never been in before.  Finally, at 3:45, I rang up to the apartment and was buzzed in. 

Mark and Katherine's apartment was beautiful and very quaint.  They have a great kitchen and used it to the best of its ability.  They cooked me a very nice and fresh italian meal that was mixed with some great wine.  We talked and told stories and Mark and I caught Katherine up on family history.  Finally, when I looked at the clock it was 10:00!  So, Mark and Katherine packed up leftovers for me (YAY!) and walked me to the subway stop.  I wasn't back in my apartment until midnight and I had to be at work at 7:45 Monday morning.  But it was worth it just to be with family and have good food.

This week, school-wise, has been fall break.  Tonight will be the first time this week I have had class.    Work used my free time and gave me a bunch of hours.  Luckily, I didn't mind it since I would have had nothing else to do but watch TV. 


That about catches you up on this week's funtimes!  I'm not sure how exciting this next week will be, but I'll keep you all posted!

XOXO,
K