You can tell we've had exams recently

You can tell we've both had exams recently due to the lack of update. This is in part due to time, and in part because there isn't much to update when we sit at our desks and study all day and night. BUT, now that it has been a few weeks, we have accumulated a few fun things to share.

Two Wednesdays ago, we went to a neighborhood lecture given by Bernard Deczuk, put on by our church. He gave us a great account of black history in DC over the last 100 years, and then narrowed in on some of the recent change in our neighborhood, as well as how the DC government works and how to be involved both as a neighbor and citizen.

Last Friday, LauraBeth and her friend, Jen, drove up from Atlanta on their way to Philadelphia. On the way, they stopped to see us in DC. We got to feed them, catch up a little, and exchange some quality hugs.


Last Sunday, Jonathan's sister, Mary Robin, was in town and spent some time with us. Unfortunately, we were not the most fun to be around, seeing as we both had exams the next day. Still, it was great to catch up in person before she heads back to Turkey for another year!

This past Monday, Jonathan had the first of his "comps" (comprehensive exams taken between the first and second year of his Econ PhD program), and Stefanie had her first set of exams as a second year med student. Needless to say, we ended the day feeling pretty exhausted. Jonathan then went on to take his second comp on Thursday. Both Jonathan and Stefanie are glad that they are over!

After a quick meal together yesterday, Jonathan headed off to Philly to meet up with his friend Nick. The two of them will be road-tripping out to Wheaton, Illinios to help Jonathan's youngest sister, Catherine, move into college and drive her things out there. From what Stefanie hears, their trip has already begun with some interesting adventures.

A Weekend of Fun

This past weekend was filled with several different fun outings and time with friends.

The big neighborhood news is the new park that was built on our street corner. It has a baseball diamond, grassy area, 2 basketball courts, a tennis court, and playground equipment! Nothing like election season to get community projects completed quickly. Each corner of the park proudly displays a sign ensuring that all who walk by know exactly who was responsible for this addition to the neighborhood development and renewal campaign.
Friday night we went to the Gala Hispanic Theater (no picture of it, but here's a picture of the Tivoli theater next door) to see a showing of Los Treinta, a series of monologues about the history of Salvadorians in DC, and particularly in this neighborhood. The show was thought-provoking, funny at times, and left us with some philosophical questions about the dynamics of culture, immigration, and urban housing.

The weekend thankfully brought cooler (below 90) temperatures. We were grateful, as we were able to do several things outside. Saturday afternoon we enjoyed good company and delicious burgers at a cookout at our friend Lindsay's house. Her spacious backyard and proximity (across the street) made for a relaxing afternoon study break. But this was only the beginning.

Jonathan's college roommate and best man Nick was in town, so after some afternoon studying, the two of them watched baseball, chatted, and generally distracted Stefanie for much of the evening. On Sunday, Nick and Jonathan went to see the Phillies-Nats game, where they were treated to an extra-innings comeback victory, and got to see the most expensive twisted ankle in recent history firsthand.

There was much rigorous studying of bugs and drugs (Stefanie) and dollars and sense (Jonathan) squeezed into all other free moments of the weekend.