8 Days of Summer

Such is the life of a grad student that we don't get the whole summer off. From June 2nd to July 7th I have my dysphagia class two nights a week for 3.5 hours, and from June 7th to July 30th I will have clinic on M/W afternoons. I'm really looking forward to clinic, and the class shouldn't be bad, I'm just bummed I don't get to spend the time at home.

Anyhow, as I have a meeting on campus tomorrow at 9 am, I have to go back to the condo tonight. However, I've managed to have an enjoyable week here at home. And the summer bliss can continue in August.

My mom and Dave picked me up from the condo Thursday morning. We stopped for lunch at In N Out on the way home, and relaxed the rest of the day, including some jacuzzi time before bed. Friday I caught up on my tv shows for the week, and then had a CCLVI conference call. It was a much more exciting day for my roommate Anja, who got engaged that evening :D

On Saturday morning, my mom suggested we check out the sale at Kohl's. I came home with 3 new pairs of capris, and several cute, clinic appropriate shirts. We spent the afternoon at home, and then set out north for Biola. I wore one of my new shirts, and we snacked on edamome on the ride up. Needing a little more in our tummies before Christine's recital, we got strawberry cream scones and iced tea at Panera.

Christine gave a beautiful recital. She performed works from Brahms, Beethoven, Saint Sans, and Bizet. After the recital was a delightful reception with sandwiches, fruit, veggies, cake, and punch. I got a chance to catch up with quite a few people, including Monica, Becky, Krista, Dorothy, and Justine. And my mom got to catch up with Christine's parents and some oher friends.

Sunday after church was quiet until dinner time when Tad picked me up and we headed over to Del Mar to meet my friend Justin. I met Justin at a summer program I did at the California School for the Blind. We've minimally kept in touch over the last 6 years or so via IM and facebook. He happened to be in San Diego for the weekend visiting another friend, and offered that we could get together. Tad and I took him to Rubios (a SoCal favorite) and chatted over our tacos. After dinner, Tad brought me back home and I watched Old Dogs with my family.

On Monday, mom asked if I would go with her to volunteer at Braille Institute. After her job ended, she started thinking about volunteer opportunities and started volunteering in the talking books library at Braille in April. Now her friend Liz goes with her too. We picked Liz up and got a delicious lunch from Real Texas Barbecue beforehand. I was able to spend some time chatting with a couple of the other volunteers I know, and helped a bit with odds and ends things.

The rest of the week was pretty mellow. Tad came by for a bit on Tuesday after work. I went with mom to her Bible study on Wednesday morning, which ended up being just a potluck and chat time. Thursday afternoon I got frozen yogurt with Raelene, and then went back down to the condo.

Summer classes already? August, you can't come soon enough!