How I spent my summer vacation

The year was 1998 and I had a brand-new favorite tv show - Felicity. (Yes, I used to watch Dawson's Creek, too.) I loved this tv show...couldn't miss it. And when it ended? I was devastated.

When the show started, I was still in college. When it ended, I was living in an apartment on my own, in a new city and had my first professional job. I kind of feel like Felicity and I both did some growing up together. I remember getting together with my girlfriends to watch episodes and debating over who Felicity should end up with - Ben or Noel.

Fast-forward eight years after the series ended and I'm on break in between summer and fall quarters. I hadn't realized just how much time I had on my hands without classes and homework. And then one day, on a whim, I decided to watch an episode of Felicity. Then another. Another. And another. No, I'm not proud that I have managed to spend my break watching four years worth of television but I am so glad to finally revisit Felicity, Ben and Noel. And now that I got that out of the way, I probably won't have to do it again for about another decade.

Baby Brylea

I haven't seen Baby Brylea since she was a week old but my mom has done a great job of sending me pictures. Here's one I got yesterday of sleeping beauty.

Quite a day

Early this afternoon, Joe and I went downtown to see Rock of Ages. Our tickets to this 80s jukebox rock musical were my birthday present from Joe and I've been looking forward to it for months. We had such a great time! I mean, what other musical have you been to before where you get "lighters" on your way in so you can sway along to the ballads? And, even though I am not an American Idol fan, I am now a fan of Constantine Maroulis - he was great! It was so much fun to sing-a-long to all of my favorites and if you love hair bands (I do!) than this is the show for you.

Afterwards, we saw the documentary, Catfish. I have been completely intrigued by this one since I saw my first preview. And it didn't disappoint; it was so suspenseful! I highly recommend it. Both of us have put it on our short-list of the greatest movies we've seen so far in 2010.

Sadly

Sadly, I am sitting in front of the television on a Friday night watching a CBS drama only because my all-time "boy" band crush is starring in it. (Um, Donnie Wahlberg. Hello.)

More SLC and Park City

Saturday we visited the downtown Salt Lake City farmer's market which was wonderful and full of great art and delicious smells. We also checked out the local public library. Might not sound like a trip-worthy experience but check out this picture. You can even walk to the rooftop and see views of the entire city (which we did). After the library visit we went to Gilgal sculpture garden. From the garden we headed to Park City for hours of shopping and dining to finish out our day. What a wonderful ski resort town. Loved it!!  Sunday we had brunch, did some shopping and finally headed to the airport - what a great weekend!*

One of the views at the sculpture garden.

Another picture from the sculpture garden. Can you pick out the head, torso, foot, legs and arm? 

Here I am with a new friend in Park City, Utah

*Minor incident (because no trip would be complete without one) we checked our bags with our hotel on Sunday morning while we were out and about once we checked out. We came back to retrieve our bags before heading to the airport and they had mistakenly given one of our suitcases to someone else...who had already packed it in their car and left the hotel. Gulp. Some real panic set in but the hotel was able to contact the people who turned around, came back and the suitcase was, once again, ours. Whew!

SLC and 33

On Friday, Joe and I traveled to Salt Lake City to visit Joe's brother, Tommy and his mom who was also meeting us there; it was also my birthday (the big, uneventful 33). On day one of our trip we spent a lot of time checking out the city and taking in Temple Square.  

We had lunch at the Red Iguana. You may have seen it on the Food Network on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Yum!

Joe, Jo Ann and Tommy in Temple Square

The Mormon Temple. This photo doesn't show its vastness but I could never get far enough away to get the full effect.

My mother-in-law, JoAnn and me sitting at a fountain in Temple Square

We also visited the Utah State Capitol where Joe's brother, Tommy works.

It feels like fall!

It feels like fall here which couldn't make me any happier. And my friend, Monica came to Chicagoland over the weekend to visit with four groups of friends - including me - so that has been an extra treat. Last night we went to see Jailbait. I will say it is truly one of the best plays that I have ever seen; I can't stop thinking about it. We also spent some time shopping yesterday and took in some nature this morning at the Arboretum.  Of course, my husband is spending his Labor Day at the office working but hopefully not for the entire day. Maybe a bike ride is in our future?

A girl needs to dream, right?

I am looking for a sponsor. Someone to fund my spot on the NKOTB cruise who would also like to accompany me - anyone?? I am pretty sure when I mentioned it to my husband he paused long enough to roll his eyes and then went back to what he was already doing. Sigh.