Big crystal bowl
Well, I'm back in Ithaca after a very nice visit with my family. Adam looked great in his graduation gown with all his stolls, hoods, and clangy medals. Northwestern conducted the ceremony in straight alphabetical order instead of placing the honors kids first as they had when I graduated, so we had reason to pay attention throughout the ceremony. The school decided to do everything in its power to keep people from celebrating until the end of the ceremony, which means we received cards and phone calls warning us to follow the dress code and not to make noise. Police lined the arena. One lady was removed when her baby was crying a little bit. Other than that, the only peep from the crowd as names were called was a relatively quiet "woo woo woo" delivered by a man at the top of the arena who clearly expected to be removed instantly (and who was removed). I understand that they want respect and that other kids may not have as great an experience if their names can't be heard over air horns and the like, but I think the school went overboard. I felt like I was a prisoner who had been escorted to an opera on a field trip for cultural enlightenment. The kids were so afraid to detract from the solemn nature of the event that almost all the honors students held their medals as they walked to the stage and back, fearing the noise the medals made as they clinked together.
After many threats of not getting any graduation presents, Adam told me he'd like a DDR dance pad, so I got him one of the wireless versions, along with the game DDR Max 2. He's been progressing pretty well and has unlocked many songs already. I really impressed my family with my DDR skills, but their shock was almost insulting.
My runs have been giving me some pretty serious black toenails and blisters, and I finally gave in and bought another new pair of shoes. These are Brooks and are a half-size bigger than my previous shoes. I am supposed to have a lot more room in the toebox now, so I hope my duck-like feet respond accordingly. It's a bit scary when the thought of sticking a needle into your nail bed no longer makes you cringe. I bought the new shoes, along with a new sock wardrobe, at the Charlotte specialty running store Run for your Life. My dad needed some energy gel packs and was looking for the 26.2 bumper sticker, and I'm the one who spent all the money. My grandfather got a new pair of shorts though.
I had a really great time going to spinning classes with my mom. She's a much tougher cyclist than I am though. We went to one bridal store, and the dress I tried (which was in the size I generally wear) was way too small. Stupid wedding dresses and their ultra-tiny sizing. I really don't care about the size--just the fit--but I didn't realize they would be so small. Maybe it was just the one I tried though.
We got Adam a Cookie Bouquet, and when we unwrapped it, we discovered one of the cookies read "You dit it." Now, this thing cost my mom $70, so we were a bit frustrated. When we called, the Cookie Bouquet people were mortified and gave my mom a full refund. Those were some good cookies!
Jud's parents visited him while I was in Ithaca and investigated possible spots for the rehearsal dinner. They brought along an engagement gift from them and one from Grandma Powers, which I learned are my gifts (Grandma Powers knows all the social traditions). The Powers gave me a very nice Bodum Assam Tea Pot that is a tea press for loose teas along with a set of the matching Assam glass mugs. Grandma Powers gave me a very large, heavy crystal bowl. I don't know what this bowl is for. It's too small to be a punch bowl. Maybe it's a big salad bowl. I need to find out soon because I want to send a thank you card. It is basically a cylinder with a base (but it's one solid piece with a slight curve in the transition from sides to base). The crystal is 1/4" thick. If you have any ideas, please let me know ASAP. Here are some pictures of the bowl:
I had a good long run with my dad last week. It'll be a bit lonely running 11 miles by myself this Saturday. Oh, well. I tried to convince Jud to go with my for my easy three-miler yesterday, but I failed to convince him.
Well, this thing is long enough, and I'm basically out of things to talk about. Maybe I'll discuss the new game Turbo Cranium some other time. =)
After many threats of not getting any graduation presents, Adam told me he'd like a DDR dance pad, so I got him one of the wireless versions, along with the game DDR Max 2. He's been progressing pretty well and has unlocked many songs already. I really impressed my family with my DDR skills, but their shock was almost insulting.
My runs have been giving me some pretty serious black toenails and blisters, and I finally gave in and bought another new pair of shoes. These are Brooks and are a half-size bigger than my previous shoes. I am supposed to have a lot more room in the toebox now, so I hope my duck-like feet respond accordingly. It's a bit scary when the thought of sticking a needle into your nail bed no longer makes you cringe. I bought the new shoes, along with a new sock wardrobe, at the Charlotte specialty running store Run for your Life. My dad needed some energy gel packs and was looking for the 26.2 bumper sticker, and I'm the one who spent all the money. My grandfather got a new pair of shorts though.
I had a really great time going to spinning classes with my mom. She's a much tougher cyclist than I am though. We went to one bridal store, and the dress I tried (which was in the size I generally wear) was way too small. Stupid wedding dresses and their ultra-tiny sizing. I really don't care about the size--just the fit--but I didn't realize they would be so small. Maybe it was just the one I tried though.
We got Adam a Cookie Bouquet, and when we unwrapped it, we discovered one of the cookies read "You dit it." Now, this thing cost my mom $70, so we were a bit frustrated. When we called, the Cookie Bouquet people were mortified and gave my mom a full refund. Those were some good cookies!
Jud's parents visited him while I was in Ithaca and investigated possible spots for the rehearsal dinner. They brought along an engagement gift from them and one from Grandma Powers, which I learned are my gifts (Grandma Powers knows all the social traditions). The Powers gave me a very nice Bodum Assam Tea Pot that is a tea press for loose teas along with a set of the matching Assam glass mugs. Grandma Powers gave me a very large, heavy crystal bowl. I don't know what this bowl is for. It's too small to be a punch bowl. Maybe it's a big salad bowl. I need to find out soon because I want to send a thank you card. It is basically a cylinder with a base (but it's one solid piece with a slight curve in the transition from sides to base). The crystal is 1/4" thick. If you have any ideas, please let me know ASAP. Here are some pictures of the bowl:
I had a good long run with my dad last week. It'll be a bit lonely running 11 miles by myself this Saturday. Oh, well. I tried to convince Jud to go with my for my easy three-miler yesterday, but I failed to convince him.
Well, this thing is long enough, and I'm basically out of things to talk about. Maybe I'll discuss the new game Turbo Cranium some other time. =)
posted by megan at
10:45 AM
1 Comments:
My new running shoes are Brooks, too! They feel excessively spacious in the toes, but after your tales of blackened toenails, maybe that's a good thing.
I remember my wedding etiquette guide explained what to do if you can't figure out exactly what a gift item is. Oddly enough, the sample thank-you note was in reference to a nebulous crystal object - it simply read, "Thank you for the beautiful crystal piece." And you can say what a beautiful addition to your dining table it will make on special occasions.
Personally, it looks like something I would float flowers in. It seems ornamental.
Lucky you, either way. Stupid us for getting engaged in a foreign country - no engagement presents! :Þ
By
RebeccaP, at 4:11 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home