I struggle with the need to over-achieve. I intended this blog, originally, to just be a sort of journal...in fact, I think I wrote a post every day (perhaps that was simply another form of over-achieverment, though!). I don't think I used to feel compelled to be brilliant and insightful, though. Now I do. I am not satisfied with myself unless I am either sharing some insight, or relating an episode so dramatic that it will be engaging in and of itself. Perhaps I've been "fortunate" in having so many of those! Actually, I've had too many lately. Ironically, too often the things that would be most interesting to write about are the very ones that take up every waking moment! Oh! The stories I could tell! (If I had both the energy and the time.)
Meanwhile, this is a non-brilliant post. What I Did On My Summer Vacation
A week ago today, we (Sergei, Zhenya and I) went to Virginia to visit Aidan and Lydia. Lydia lives with her friend Marianne in Virginia Beach, and we headed there first. It turned out to be something like fifteen hour drive, so we stopped at a motel somewhere in Maryland.
We had the typical fun - but because it was so new and different, it was more than fun.... Zhenya could hardly tear himself away from the water, and after a late dinner, Lydia went home, and Zhen and I spent another hour, at least, walking in the waves. I let Sergei go off and do likewise on his own. He loved it.
In the morning, we headed to the beach once again... The weather was perfect, warm but not too warm, sunny but not blazing. It was heavenly, and after a few hours enjoyment, Lydia led us to a wonderful place for brunch. There were two dishes I have to try at home - granola pancakes (I think you'd make regular pancakes, and just sprinkle a handful of granola on) and parmesan tomatoes. They grilled tomato slices with a spoonful of parmsan on top. Those are amazing!But, too soon it was time to head to DC to see Aidan. There is a tunnel on the way out of Virginia Beach and we spent over an hour waiting to go through it; fortunately that was the worst of it. As we were heading toward the city, the rush hour traffic wasn't too terrible. But I will say that one of my chief impressions of the DC area is of congestion. Not just traffic congestion, but parking congestion, housing congestion. Aidan and Susan took us to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner - and I do not exaggerate when I say that we spent at least fifteen minutes circling round and round, round and round just trying to find a parking spot in the mall! I'm not sure I could stand to live like that.
It was wonderful, of course, to see Aidan and his family. Susan is the most wonderful daughter-in-law! She's gentle, sweet and such a patient, attentive mother - a heck of a lot better mom than I am!
On Saturday, Lydia and her gentleman-friend, Vance, arrived, and the whole passel of us took the metro to DC and visited the Smithsonian. Hate to say my main thought was how cool it was - just like "Night at the Museum"! We also saw the White House, from quite a distance....noteworthy was that we saw it amidst a group of Russian visitors.
The main purpose of our visit was Patrick's baptism on Sunday. Aidan's church is spectacular - a lovely, vibrant parish in the most gorgeous church building. I picked up lots of good ideas, just from wandering around. Though it has been two years since I was responsible for baptisms at STA, I still remember the rite by heart. The celebration was simple but lovely.....and Peej is now a Christian!
It was a splendid trip. Coming home was less salubrious.
0 comments:
Post a Comment