Sharing the spoils of summer

*warning: picture-heavy post right he'er*

Summer twenty-thirteen was good to me. Very good to me in fact. I regaled some of my adventures along the way - the weddings (btw: I went to two more weddings after that double-header), the move(s) and temporary house, my Pennsylvanian road trip adventure. And because I am a person so generous of heart, I am back to test your patience with some more anecdotes.

Up first is a weekend pleasantly spent in Chicago in late-June. While in town for a wedding shower, I joined my sister, Rosie, for a roof-top BBQ at her beaufriend, Matt's amazing top-floor condo just north of the downtown area. 

lovers in Chicago

The food was delicious. The views were amazing. And Matt has the coolest fire pit I have ever seen in my entire life.

the coolest, prettiest fire pit I have ever seen

In mid-July, after three rip-roaring awesome years in a first job that will go down in infamy, I peace'd out in anticipation of starting graduate school this fall.

my now-former office, snapped moments before I switched off the light and closed the door for the last time

They are big fans of my work. I wish I were kidding...

Because I enjoy the quiet life, and am exceedingly humble, I used the occasion of my last day of work to throw a "Last-Day-of-Work-Appalooza" party. The guest of honor was a unicorn piñata.

 

       

I had three weeks between the end of work and the start of graduate school. Two of those weeks were spent dashing around like a crazy person, packing, moving (for the second time), unpacking, and grad-school-prepping. One week was spent in the glorious state of South Carolina with my beloved family.

howdy-do, Dad and Dan

Vacation was extra-great this year because all eleven of us were there (something that had not happened since 2010). To assure family bonding, we packed all eleven people into the familymobile and drove ten hours to our destination.

Grace and I taking life seriously in the back seat

Dan kindly humored my effort to document his catnapping efforts

John and Katie (SIL)

artistic shot of Betsy drooling on her pillow

While most of our time was spent lounging in the sun--some tanning nicely, others burning to a crisp, and still others perfecting our imitation of beached whales--we did throw in some excitement with a day-trip to Beaufort, SC, and a night on the town.

Rose is the reliable party-pooper of the family

Rose had the brilliant idea of having a family talent show one night. Hidden talent abounds.

anxiously awaiting the first act

Rose, the evening's MC. (the soup ladle was her "microphone")

We had dancing:

   

Acting:

Mom, Rose, and Betsy re-enacted this Sesame Street classic

And singing:

    

Betsy and Gracie, in an impressive re-enactment of this scene from the Phantom of the Opera

The vacation ended on a bit of a dramatic note: On the last day at the beach, Mom and Helen (the youngest) were met by two sand sharks while wading in the shallow waves. Seeing two sharks between yourself and your mom and baby sister definitely ranks as one of the scariest moments of every one of our lives. My dad and brothers ran into the waters, ready to beat the crap out of the fanged fish if they got any closer to Mom and Helen. Most thankfully, shark-interactions were avoided and Mom and Helen got back to shore safely. Needless to say, I was a little too distracted to get pictures of the event...

The end of the summer was bittersweet. Okay, actually, it totally stunk: my BFFs Johnny and Holly moved 800+ miles away. You will remember that I lived with Holly for two years. She and Johnny are two favorites in my life. I don't know this town, or adult-life in general, without them!

at the going-away dinner for Johnny and Holly (far left)

I didn't have much time to mope after John and Holly's departure. Grad school was nigh upon me. The two-week orientation flew by and then classes started! After an incredibly overwhelming first day (of orientation), I solemnly informed my older brother that I hadn't met a best friend yet, but the prospects were promising.

Things have only been looking up since then. I am thoroughly enjoying every bit of being a grad student (okay, not everything--loans are totally the pits). Classes are interesting. Course work is engaging and practical. People (i.e. new friends!) are interesting and fun. Oh, and there also is football.

LaSandruh is the coolest person I know

surprise visitors are so much fun!

old and new friends!

Gabsauce had her sassy pants on

I mention "classmates/new friends" above, yet none make appearances in this post. These pictures are of people I've known for years. To be honest, I sometimes feel a bit timid (I know, I confound myself too sometimes) about getting pictures with people I don't know so well.  Also, being that all of the people pictured know that I have a blog and my new compadres don't, I would feel a bit awkward (Wait, MK, you have qualms about being awkward? --Believe it or not, my friends, I do [sometimes]) about broadcasting people's faces on the inter webs . If you are one such "new friend" reading this, be forewarned ;)

Was that disclaimer-slash-explanation necessary? I don't know, but whatever, there it is.

business-school-besties

A whole lot of brand spanking new.

Usually, when I take an unannounced hiatus from blogging, it's because my life has suddenly become enormously exciting and I just don't have time to blog.




.................Yeah, I don't believe myself when I say that either.

Anyway, about a billion years ago, I told you guys that I was considering changing the name/purpose of this here blog. After wasting plenty of time mulling over potential options (and checking to see which of my options were actually available, based on other URLs...and thus being reminded how many people are way more creative than I am), here it is!

The MKDaly Show

Terribly exciting, no? You don't have to answer that question. I know you love it.

In other news, the new blog name is not the only (most?) exciting thing happening in my life. Indeed, in the last month this chiquita quit work, moved houses, and began graduate school. I also got a new computer, which means I presently have zero photos prepared to share with you of any of these events. Don't worry, though, in no time I will have an unseemly amount of snapshots with which to over/underwhelm you. In the meantime, please get your photo fix from this collection of houses (plus two churches) from around town that I am not living in. 

Until next time: Have a nice life!

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Dear Pennsylvania: I love you.

Last weekend I fell in love with the woodlands of the late Mr. William Penn (a.k.a. "Pennsylvania"). 

It was love at first sight, I tell you. I didn't see it coming and all of a sudden BAM! I got smacked in between the eyes. How romantic.

Pennsylvania, "you had me at 'hello.'"

Earlier in the spring, I decided that I wanted to take a summer road trip out to Philadelphia to see one of my BFFs, Kelly. Being that Philadelphia is 10.5 hours away from me, it had been well over a year since I had seen Kelly. It so happened that Kelly would be co-hosting a party that weekend, along with our other, mutual BFF Margaret (who also lives in Pennsylvania, though in Pittsburgh). I decided to invite myself to the party (and thus Kelly's home since I clearly was not going to drive ten hours, party it up, and drive ten hours back). Good thing Kelly was more than happy to oblige me. Whatta gal, that girl!

Kelly, me, Margaret (looking fiiine on Sunday morning, post-party)

The drive was totally worth it. I am Midwestern born and raised. I am most familiar and comfortable with long drives that consist of farm fields and the occasional rolling hill. Once you pass over the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line the landscape changes dramatically!!

 

Hills. Hills. And more hills, I tell you! There was a nasty rainstorm at one point; the hilly landscape looked reallly cool against the clouds.

The rain passed just in time for us to catch the most exquisite sunset...

I found the views so breath-taking that the drive itself was very enjoyable and passed quite quickly (it helped that I stopped in Pittsburgh to pick up Margaret's sister, Emily, who accompanied me for the second-half of the drive...and assisted in taking pictures for me!). After such a wonderful drive, the City of Brotherly Love did NOT disappoint!

Kelly knows how much I love design and architecture. She was awesome at indulging my oogling eyes, craning neck, and oohs-n-aahs as we drove around the city.

City Hall: topped off by Ben Franklin...who, at certain angles, looks like he is peeing. This snapshot is not of that angle, btw

                               

 

More shots of City Hall, as reflected off a nearby building

the Masonic Temple...classy Philly.

This next shot is of Philly's ship-building yards. Not terribly exciting, but I thought the picture looked neat. I took it as we zoomed by on the express way, which was lined with metal gates.

This is "Smashy's." It's where you send your car when it doesn't work any more.

And they do this to it:

No. I'm not kidding.
Another aspect of Philly that I totally loved was their practice of incorporating mini-parks through out the downtown area. This was the best shot I could get of one such green space. Trust me, it was tres charming.

More pictures of downtown:

Philly also had a nice dose of "weird" in the form of artistic murals such as this. It was kind of cool looking. I can't really tell you much us about it though...

After cruising around downtown, Kelly and I went to her parent's house in the suburbs. Oh my gosh, guys, I felt as if I were in the English country side!!

Sunday morning, we hit up the Traditional Latin Mass with Kelly's family, a large, predominantly-daughters family. All together, we were ten women sitting in our pew.

The church was 'okay.'

The church was located within walking distance of the city's Italian Market. We ambled over after Mass (actually, it was more like trotting, since it was raining). Kelly insisted that I try a FOR REAL Philly Cheese Steak sandwich. I am so glad I did. Those things are divine. 

I found the Italian market to be incredibly neat. Such ethnic/cultural hubs do not exist in my town. 

While waiting for the (fresh) sandwiches, Kelly's mother very kindly treated us to some delicious Italian coffee. 

I told you there were a lot of us! 

I spotted this classy-sassy joint across the way. Yup, folks. That is an alcohol-serving bar.

 After inhaling the Philly Cheese Steaks in the ever-most ladylike fashion, we zipped back to the family abode for some more quality time before hitting the road. But not before enjoying an impromptu tea party. It was absolutely delightful.

total failed attempt at an artistic shot of said tea party

After some long good-byes, I climbed back in the car with Margaret and Emily, who were driving with me to Pittsburgh, the city they call home.

Pittsburgh: The city of bridges 

Pittsburgh, another favorite city of mine, is also the home of yet another BFFL, Kathleen. Kathleen too is friends with Kelly and Margaret, but was not able to make it to Philadelphia for the weekend. Nevertheless, I was able to extend my weekend a little bit by staying with Kathleen that night.

a picture of the four of us from Kathleen's 2012 wedding

Kathleen, who is currently working in Cleveland, and I were up suuuper early the next morning to start our respective drives.

The last 100 miles of the 1250+mile trip were a little rough. A sighting of the Oscar Meyer wienie mobile gave me a hearty laugh, providing enough endorphins to hold me over until I got home.

#borntobun, indeed

It was a fantastic weekend. I am so grateful that I could visit with my girl-friends. Being with them enriches my life, replenishes my soul, and gladdens my heart. The 21 hours of driving was more than worth it! Not only is Pennsylvania an awesome state, it also is the home of three of my closest friends. It has so much going for it that I can't help falling in love with the "virtuous commonwealth," as some are inclined to call it. (though it's not as if I was trying not to!)