bettendorf = blissful weekend.
The trip to Iowa was great. I feel like at home I have so many things hanging over my head (will's book, latin final, corrupting sea, conference paper, quals books) and so little summer quickly slipping away, it's hard to feel like I'm accomplishing anything when I actually can get work done. It's been SUCH a busy summer with all the traveling and visiting guests and the pasta house work and academic work... it was SO Nice just to leave EVERYTHING that is hanging over me behind for a few days, and go relax in Bettendorf. I was worried I'd be stressed about all the work I wasn't getting done, but I really just put it all out of my brain, which was GREAT.
We played a lot of Wii Resort with Riley, and I actually kicked their butts in archery and managed to compete quite well in frisbee golf once I got the hang of it. I was so tickled that I was actually GOOD, and I think that made it more fun for Riley and Casey too to play with me. Riley also advised me about cameras while I was in, and he says to def. stick with Canon, which I was pleased to hear.
The whole time in Bettendorf was so fun and relaxing. We hung out with Bryce and Julia and Julia at Old Chicago which was GREAT fun, and then spent a good bit of time in the pool the next day, just floating and chatting before a nice summer walk to DQ. It is so good to see friends. I have actually seen Bryce and Julia (or at least Julia) like nearly once a month since spring, which is wonderful! I would LOVE to be able to keep that up. Since I saw her in August, that's a check for this month, and then next month I'll be in Boulder for the conference, so BAM, September's taken care of too!
It was also really nice to spend so much time just chatting with Casey's parents. When we first got in we all stayed up until nearly one just talking! We'll have to find more weekends to go back, since it is such an easy trip. They also totally hooked us up too - filled my gas tank and also sent us back with a cooler packed full of groceries (including some sweet corn!), which is really nice of them.
Since getting back I've hooked Casey on Alias Season 1, and now that I am done with work (I got tipped today - yay!) and Casey will be home from his MMA gym soon here, I can't wait to pop in another episode before we both just crash and start it all over again tomorrow!
We played a lot of Wii Resort with Riley, and I actually kicked their butts in archery and managed to compete quite well in frisbee golf once I got the hang of it. I was so tickled that I was actually GOOD, and I think that made it more fun for Riley and Casey too to play with me. Riley also advised me about cameras while I was in, and he says to def. stick with Canon, which I was pleased to hear.
The whole time in Bettendorf was so fun and relaxing. We hung out with Bryce and Julia and Julia at Old Chicago which was GREAT fun, and then spent a good bit of time in the pool the next day, just floating and chatting before a nice summer walk to DQ. It is so good to see friends. I have actually seen Bryce and Julia (or at least Julia) like nearly once a month since spring, which is wonderful! I would LOVE to be able to keep that up. Since I saw her in August, that's a check for this month, and then next month I'll be in Boulder for the conference, so BAM, September's taken care of too!
It was also really nice to spend so much time just chatting with Casey's parents. When we first got in we all stayed up until nearly one just talking! We'll have to find more weekends to go back, since it is such an easy trip. They also totally hooked us up too - filled my gas tank and also sent us back with a cooler packed full of groceries (including some sweet corn!), which is really nice of them.
Since getting back I've hooked Casey on Alias Season 1, and now that I am done with work (I got tipped today - yay!) and Casey will be home from his MMA gym soon here, I can't wait to pop in another episode before we both just crash and start it all over again tomorrow!