Summer plans taking shape

Lately, with the temperatures in the 70s in DC, I've been thinking about the fantastic summer that I am going to have, after I take my comp exams in June. My trip to California for the summer is starting to take shape... here's the lowdown so far.

I've come to the startling realization that I am only going to be
able to spend a very limited amount of time on the Westside this
summer. Specifically, I am probably only going to be out there from
the 4th of August until the 18th. Chris Nichols gets married on the
4th, and my brother on the 18th, so my vacation will be bookended by
these formal events.

My plan is as follows - I will fly into the bay area on the 3rd, and
either borrow, rent, or steal a car.
After attending Chris' wedding on the 4th, and all manner of
festivities associated therein, I will proceed north, to the state of Washington. This journey may or may not involve a stopover in Bend or Portland, Oregon. Sometime on the 6th, I will arrive in Chelan, Washington, having passed through the 'Apple Capital of the World', the 'Buckle on the Power Belt of the great NorthWest', and the landing site for the first trans-pacific airplane flight, my father's hometown, Wenantchee, Washington. Note: this journey will be interspersed with all manner of entertaining activities, 'hey cow' games, obligatory fresh fruit stand stops, and random detours, historically important or otherwise. Upon arrival in Chelan, merriment will ensue, as I reunite with much of my extended family, eat their delicious food, and rejuvenate after the long journey.
Soon after arriving, we will board a boat for the 40-some mile journey up to the end of that mighty lake, the 3rd deepest freshwater lake in North America, Lake Chelan. At the northernmost tip of the lake, nestled amongst towering, glacier-capped peaks, in the thick of
North Cascades National Park, is our destination: Stehekin, Washington. We will be met at the boat by my beautiful grandmother, who will whisk us to the valley bakery for freshly-baked treats. After arriving and unpacking, we will consider the most difficult decision that we will face: how to best allocate the next 4 days between hiking, camping, fishing, exploring, eating, berrypicking, sleeping, and just chilling.
The trip will conclude in an approximate reversal of the way it started - down the lake, driving south to the Bay Area. My eventual destination is Santa Barbara on the 14th, to prepare for my brother's wedding on the 18th. I will leave on the 19th to fly back to the east coast.
Joining me throughout this excursion will be the ever-so-lovely Ms. Rebecca Ng, and, hopefully, many of my friends on the left coast. I can't wait! Only 5 more months!!!

superfun

I am happy, tired and sore from a long weekend of eating, drinking, and merrymaking. The last stretch of few weeks have been a bit of a bear, preparing for exams which took place last week (Monday and Friday). Things were a bit stressful, and I hadn't got to get out much, so I'd been planning on some fun time for awhile.
Friday night started out with a trip to the Verizon center to witness the Washington Capitals slaughter the Maple leafs of Toronto. The score was 5-1! Although her team was soundly defeated, Rebecca was appreciative of the game, hot dogs, and beer that I treated her to. Saturday was spent sleeping in and running errands - going to REI to spend dividends, going to the supermarket, and just generally hanging out... I was a man of leisure, and it felt great! Saturday night was a friend's birthday party, which featured, among other things, bangers and mash, delicious carrot cake with green frosting, lots of dancing, a cap gun, and trivia prices (I won a travel shaver!) It was much preferred to going to a crowded bar and buying overpriced green beer, which much of the rest of Washington DC seemed to be doing.

Sunday I was supposed to run a race in the morning with Eric, but we both opted out in favor of getting some sleep, and Eric and Kristin came over to Reb's house for a run followed by some brunch. In the afternoon, Rebecca and I and 8 of her friends played a soccer game in the park! It was coed, so it wasn't too serious, but some of the guys took it pretty seriously, and there were many shin kicks, especially between the Scots and the Englishmen. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and good exercise besides. Following the soccer, we went to a film at the French embassy, followed by a wine and cheese reception, then home for a mellow dinner. True, I didn't do any work, but it was nice to have a weekend of doing nothing.

finger (and doctor) fine

The right fifth finger appears to be on the mend. The official prognosis: slight ligament damage, but should be self-healing within a month or so. When I went to see the hand specialist guy, I was treated to a bit of waiting room entertainment (really, what trip to the sawbones would be complete without it?!) While I was patiently (no pun intended) waiting the mandatory 2 hours after my scheduled appt, before I could be seen, I watched a woman emerge from the office. Mind you, I wasn't the only one there, several other patients patiently waited with me. It was probably at 10-12 person capacity waiting room, so not cramped, but not super big either. A windowed wall separated us riff-raff from the receptionists/money-collectors. Anyway, this woman emerges and begins to talk to another woman, her friend, who had come in with her. I'll briefly relay the conversation that followed:

'Well, I broke it.' (You broke it?) 'Yeah, snapped it like a chicken bone!' (Noooo) 'Yeah, I told you girl, I knew it was broken'

Now, there was nothing particularly abnormal about that exchange, save perhaps the total lack of privacy sought by this woman about her condition. But, I suppose that is more of a personal preference thing, and it didn't really bother me that I was a eavesdropper by default. But then, the conversation turned to..

'Girl, mmmmm, you should have seen him!' (Oh yeah?) 'Yeah, girl, he was so fine!!! (note licking of lips here)' (Why didn't you get me?! You should have got me - told him that you needed your girlfriend to come in!) 'Oh, but I look terrible right now?' (No, girl, you look fine. You're just upset cuz your finger. Let's go get some ice cream.)

At which point they both left. The conversation certainly piqued my curiosity as to what the doctor looked like, and, I can assure you, he was pretty dreamy. Fortunately, I had time to do my hair and look my best prior to going into the office, so I think I might get a second date! It was a thoroughly enjoyable visit, for that reason alone, and it left me marveling at what kind of information some people share loudly, in public.
Had dinner last night with Eric, Kristin, Rebbecca, Janessa, and friend Andy. It was a really nice evening, and it was great to see my family. Now it's back to studying for two midterms next week. yee-haw!