an affair to remember...

This weekend proved to be quite enjoyable. Although I spent most of Friday afternoon doing paperwork, taxes, and other unenjoyable things, the evening brightened up after training at NUAC. I have made a new friend, shocking I know, at training... her name is Ana and she is from Holland. We have both been running together, getting back into shape (or fit as they would say it here) and generally enjoying ourselves. Anyway, a good training and a relaxing bike ride home, and a good long chat with Mom, I went down to the great hall to see the remains of a makeshift bonfire in the courtyard. The flat stayed up, chatted, and just the nine of us had a good evening. Early, but not too early, the next morning, I got up and went to Lincoln with Mary, Emily and Kate... as all of us could not go with the group last weekend for various travel reasons... We took the train there and meandered through the city. It was a cute city early on a Saturday morning. As we walked through the pedestrian streets the bakeries and pastry shops were opening up, the market was in full swing, and the swans lazily perusing the canal. We hiked up the big hill and made our way to the cathedral.

The imposing cathedral was beautiful, as we knew it would be, but even better than a regular floor tour, we managed to get into a roof tour. We were led through all of the tightly spiraling staircases, through the roof, out onto the roof, and into secret passageways and hidden rooms. I am certainly grateful that I am not afraid of heights. (Yes Mom I did think of you and I was careful... just remember, they wouldn't give unsafe tours...)

Our tour guide was windy at times, but the history of the building and city were really interesting. We whiled away the last few minutes of our brief visit to Lincoln eating our packed lunches as we walked through the streets and ended up in a bookshop looking at cookery books. The train ride home brought with it the reading of Barchester Towers, which led to sleep. As usual. I was so tired, apparently, that even though the sun was brightly shinning, I slept through the conductor coming through and checking our tickets. It was a good thing Mary was still awake since Kate, Emily and I ALL slept through that...

We got home to find the boys had been busy all day preparing for our 'Black and White Affair' which we had been planning for some time. It all started with the idea of us surprising Aaron for his birthday dinner and being all classy and what not, but it turned into a flat party (just the nine of us) in which we went all out. We had hors d'oeuvres, champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries, delectable main courses, wine and cheese, and ingredients for fancy cocktails. The music was all classic Jazz and we even got to watch the moon become fully eclipsed. It was a great night of flat bonding...

Sunday was a day of cleaning and attempted studying, fine in the end. Today was full of classes and online business. After many good chats with Mary and a much more successful seminar than two weeks ago, I came home for a few minutes to ... do ... something. Anyway, I lost an hour magically and then was biking to campus for training. There was a large turnout and the run went really well. I ran with Ana and several other girls... surprisingly we all kept together for the most part and then for the last mile four of us took off. It was a great finish to a good run. Another bike ride and I was home for a great dinner. Kev and I cleaned up and now I am off to read for the next couple hours. Mom and Dad, I hope you're feeling better and I love you. Kim, I would call and chat, but I have a bunch to read... I love you too. Have a great night...