Summer Semester Update

Seth and I at the Charleston Beer Festival with D!

Wow! We've been a lot busier than I realized this semester, between classes, going to the beach, and hanging out with friends, and just enjoying our lives. We live in Mount Pleasant now, and we LOOOOOVE it.

Our dock! This is at high tide...

Rosie loooooves the smells.

Our backyard view = tranquil escape.

Poor Seth was eating, but it's still cute of us.

To start the summer off, our friend T came to visit! She loves historical preservation, and had never been to Charleston, so we were stoked to help show her around. :-) We went to Middleton Place, took her to Shem Creek Park, and tried a couple new restaurants, including Andolini's, which has AWESOME pizza and Taco Boy with delicious tacos, of course! We also went to see Back to the Future at Waterfront Park in Mount P, which was so much fun! We found friends.

Cooper River Bridge at twilight, and the side of the screen.

We have been able to explore the parks around here some-- we've been to the beach a couple times, and I spent an afternoon working for the ALS 5K on the beach with the lovely C. C's gone walking with me (and Rosie) several times now. It's been so much fun! I love Charleston in the summer, especially when there's not that much heat compared to last year.

Beaching it up with C!

Seth's work has been going awesomely-- he loves it, which is about all we ask for. :-) He's learning a lot, and enjoying himself and the people he works with. Always a plus.

Relaxing on the dock after work at night with Rosie.

We did a painting class together!

I LOOOOOVE this semester. I'm working on a research project that I'm insanely passionate about, and have finally worked out how to do it. I should actually be working on that now rather than updating the blog, but, eh. I've also been tutoring for anatomy, which makes WAY more sense now, including why the heck origins and insertions of muscles are so important! Neuro is AMAZING, and I love it. It's just so much fun, and the people are so inspiring-- between CARES and this summer, I've found another passion of mine, which I didn't expect to love nearly as much as I do. Between classes and work, we've just had a wonderful summer with great food, lots of relaxation, and good time together.  We're going home in 2 weeks to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday-- so excited!

Our first Riverdogs game. :-) 

Rosie loves the crab pot... 

Rosie and I in Shem Creek.

It's not a super exciting life, but especially after the insanity of last semester, it's seriously been the perfect prescription. I just need to find out where I'll be on fieldwork in January, and it'll be truly perfect! We've had lots of small moments that have added up to awesomeness-- we signed up for the Color Run 5K in October, watched Rosie scare away a turkey vulture, have enjoyed swimming, played board games with friends, enjoyed a few new restaurants, and just spent time outside, loving the sunshine. Rosie's gotten a couple haircuts, and I just learned tonight that my longest hair is now 8 inches-- the minimum to donate! It needs to grow more to really be as long as it should be all over, but still-- that's way longer than I thought it was. I'm going to keep going for at least another few months. My goal is to grow it out until graduation, but we'll see if I make it that long; it may be gone well before then. :-) Even so, I'm excited! It's been a personal goal for ages, but I tend to get sick of it and chop it all off well before this point.

On that note, Rosie needs a walk, and I need to finish my homework-- the end of the semester is nigh!

Home Sweet Home

Seth was finally able to take a break with me, and we went home to Norfolk to visit our parents! It was so, so, so much fun to be able to spend time with both the Powells and McFarlands. We went to Stockley Gardens Art Festival, where for the first time in 24 years my grandmother (who turns 90 in August!) chose not to show. It was probably for the best, as yesterday was cold and wet, but still, it was the end of an era, and people were sure to ask after my grandmother. <3 She is amazing. We had lunch with her, and while lunch itself was less than exciting, it was fun to hear about her life down here in Charleston and just get to see her for a little bit!

While in Norfolk, we were able to go to the one and only Busch Gardens Williamsburg!

It was amazing to ride Verbolten the day it opened. I was sad that we  missed the Physics presentation-- it brought back good memories of high school with some of the most amazing friends, including my MOH, Chach! She was having fun in New York this past weekend, so I feel less bad, but I miss our Busch Gardens dates. But, yeah, Verbolten was amazing! Mom and I knew what to expect more, having watched the Virginian Pilot dude go on the coaster, but the free fall was still amazing. We also got ice cream (for me, for the first time in 4 years!!!!!) and went on my all time favorite ride, Griffin. I am totally a roller coaster junkie, so this was a lovely way to get my fix with my family.

My parents in front of the Verbolten ride! (Dad didn't catch the 1-2-3 cue, but they still look cute.)

We got to see aunts and uncles as well as my younger cousins, who crack me up. I helped clean my aunt's place, which has cats, so I realized when I went home that my smile of hello behind the allergen mask probably didn't look all that welcoming....  Whoops. Seth was a champ and a half and was able to help my dad move everything out to prepare for my brother and his roommate to move in as soon as Jon's done with Navy stuff.

Seth and I enjoying Busch Gardens!

It was so nice to have relaxation time with Seth. He and I are both now proven contortionists in the McFarland household. Rosie napped at my feet while I curled up into an easy chair to take a nap while Seth worked on the computers, doing the IT thing quite nicely.  We loved seeing both sets of our parents, and remembering how amazing (and COLD) Virginia is. We were truly pathetic the first couple of days-- the 60 degree damp weather was positively frigid compared to our normal Charleston weather.

On another super happy note, Seth's parents and aunt and uncle may be joining us for part of restaurant week! I am so, so excited. About the only thing to make it better would be my parents joining in the festivities. :-) We'll get there, though!

Anyways, yes, we had an amazing trip home, got Jon's Christmas present (which I left in Norfolk by accident, but compared to normal isn't bad to leave), and just in general had a wonderful, relaxing, family-filled trip. Next item on the list: get my camera so I can better record everything! I might give in and just get a cheaper camera, but I think I'll try to hold out for the camera I really want.

Cheers,
Cassi

A Fabulous Break

Break has been wonderful so far! To start...

Rosie swims! Woo.

Rosie loves the walks in the grass.

It's been a good break. I've been catching up on reading, including devouring the Deanna Raybourn series of Lady Julia Grey (<3), and packing the house primarily. Today, I finally got to try Raising Cane's, which isn't as good as Zaxby's but is still pretty dang enjoyable. We've been watching various shows I ignore all semester, like Eureka (which angers me in this current season) and Dr. Who (which is love!). Rosie hates the moving aspect, but is enjoying having me home. Seth's looking forward still to a short week, and then we go home!

Rosie keeps a close eye on me at the dog park.

We're (hopefully) going to Busch Gardens on Friday, and then enjoying Stockley Gardens Art Festival and seeing my amazing Grandmother and her art!

Rosie also says it's bedtime.

Cheers,
Cassi