Front door visions

When I leave to go to work and return in the evening, this is what I see at the front door of my apartment complex.



How could this earth that flowers and renews at any odds be anything but a gorgeous, precious creation?

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Parental visit

Isn't it cool when you realize that your parents are basically awesome people? I am aware that I have a bit of a biased perspective (and, after all, I am admitting to this publicly on my blog so perhaps I am just writing for my audience -- hi, mom and dad!). However, I mean it genuinely. Flying all the way out to Washington from Gillette is no small journey, and I think it is safe to say that there are few commonalities betwixt the two (save that they are in the same country). I mention the distance and differences because I think that part of what makes my parents so cool is seeing them in a new light and an alternative context. Not that they aren't well-traveled and interesting people when I normally see them in Wyoming, but we got to meet each other outside of busy routines, obligations, and habits that bind us in my home nest habitat. We were co-explorers here in the Capitol with plenty of time for ruminating, telling stories, plotting an up-coming wedding, reminiscing, celebrating Easter, and exploration!

Here are some of our greater shared experiences over Easter weekend with Mom and Dad (yee-haw):

I was finally (!) able to use visitors as an excuse to cruise through town on the sight-seeing double decker bus.



My mom got to revisit and retell her past life as a professional working on Capitol Hill.



Spring was in full bloom and the tulips provided a colorful backdrop to our sometimes chilly/rainy outings.



The Uhler family made personal connections to the area when we went for breakfast on Uhler Avenue in Alexandria!



The famed cherry blossoms were largely past their prime, save for these trees located near the parking I artfully obtained near the Lincoln Memorial.



We were co-hosts to an Easter celebration (menu: ham, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, peach cake, salad... yummy!)



All in all, the visit was anything but a loser (love you, Dad!).

Wales and other tales

I was in Wales for a teaching conference recently and had the most fantastic experiences (beyond the obvious professional development): frolicking in tulips, letting my hair blow in the cool coastal breeze while traveling via water taxi, cheering for Deutschland (even though my heart was with the Welsh underdog but we were sitting crammed amongst German fans and I just didn't think a cheer for the opposition would be appreciated) at a soccer match, deciphering morning television programming for children in Welsh, eating plenty of delicious and very sharp cheddar cheese, reconnecting with my wayfarer former self, gobbling up greasy fish and chips with a pint, and sitting down at a pub to listen to live music and ponder the meaning of life as a language teacher with a superb travel partner and friend.

Eang yw'r byd i bawb