Anna and Greg

(Map of the farm, made by Anna.)

Anna and Greg got married this summer on their farm in Maryland. When we found out we were moving to DC, we had no idea Anna would be there too. We were overjoyed when we learned that not only was Anna marrying her perfect match, Greg, but they were going to live and work just 45 minutes away from our new home.

At the reception, David gave a speech about his first interactions with Anna back in the dorms during undergrad. She would sit in her room and play an old, broken guitar, and even though it was old and broken, she could make it sound beautiful. David wished the same for their marriage- that when Greg was feeling down and broken, Anna would bring the beauty out of him. That she would make him sing.

New men in my life

My sister and my best friend both went off and had perfect, amazing little dudes this summer. I am so proud of them (and the dads too, of course).

Conor and Blaine, since I had to be so far away when you were born, you are not allowed to grow any more until I get back. And when I finally see you, I get to hold you the whole time and no one else gets a chance except maybe if you won't stop crying but then when you stop I get you back. And we will love each other.

Before we left

I'm going to admit something I don't want to admit. We were very homesick our first couple of weeks here in Sierra Leone, and we spent a lot of time daydreaming about what it would be like to live back in California. It is not that we didn't like it here, it's just that the time before we left was packed full of family, friends, and so much love. I keep having to remind myself that weddings and baby showers and friend reunions are special and rare occasions that will not be happening every weekend while we are gone. If they did, I'm pretty sure I would have been incapable of leaving.

College roommate reunion

Sister's perfect weddingLaughy family

Beautiful pregnant sister Beautiful pregnant best friend (who is now past due!) High school friend reunion

I am glad to be in Sierra Leone, I really am.... Just so long as all you people agree not to have any fun until we get back. Deal?

Florida with the Greenes

We had the chance to stop in Florida for a visit with our friends, the Greenes. They are back from Uganda for a couple of months and we haven't seen them in a year and a half. We shared stories and reflected on the past year, read books to the kids, wondered how the kids grew so much, walked on the beach, and just felt so loved. We have really missed them.

Things I'll miss about Baltimore #3

Playing Catan with these crazies.

Marek's visit

Reasons I'm sad to leave school

These faces.

Dreaming of Maui (and friends)

Now that I'm in the final weeks of my program, I've been thinking back on how it felt to finish undergrad. I'll just say it: leaving undergrad was the end of an era that I still haven't quite gotten over. You see, I had the best college friends ever. I lived with 4 amazing girls for the last 2 years of college and my heart aches to think about it. The big house on Buchon with the porch swing and fountain, the green kitchen where we would talk for hours, "family dinners" and snuggle sessions, taking over the dance floor wherever we went, and the laughter, oh the laughter.

After graduation, we went to Maui for a week. This trip ranks among the most fun experiences I've ever had. We played in the waves, swam with turtles, had drinks and snacks every day at happy hour, sat in a hot tub under the stars, skinny dipped in the ocean (!), went to a luau, jumped off cliffs into pools, danced and sang to JT in our hotel room, and just loved each other as only best friends can. I miss these girls. Can we go back, please?

Afternoon tea

Today is rainy and cold, and I'm dreaming of an afternoon of tea, jam, cream and friends.

Old friends

(Kyle- Sorry I have no pics to prove you were here too!)

Meg and Kyle (and Baby!) visited during my spring break, and we had an amazing few days of exploring DC, wandering throughout Baltimore, talking and talking and talking, and playing an addicting dice game called Farkle. We love these people.

I got to feel the baby move in her tummy and tell him that I love him. Has it really been 15 years since Meg and I were 5th graders? Since the days when we played 6 square during recess and had slumber parties on a trampoline? Since we talked about what it would be like to be married and have kids in the distant, distant future?

Anna in Kisumu

I know I posted about Anna before, but if you have the chance you should really read her blog. She just recorded the stories of her journey from Cape Town to Kisumu. British trains, baboons, singing and praying with strangers, the Ngong hills from Out of Africa. Amazing!

Farewell, Anna!

(Years ago, after her first trip to Kenya.)

One of my most wonderful, creative, loving, lovely friends just moved to Kenya. This is not the first time Anna has up and left us for months/years at a time. One of her returns was the day of my wedding. She yelled my name and ran across the beach to give me a hug. I'll miss her hugs, but I know people there will enjoy them too.

She flew into South Africa and will travel up to Kenya by bus and train, making friends and having adventures along the way. I can't wait to hear her stories!

Christmas break #4: Roommates

We spent the weekend drinking coffee and wine, eating homemade treats, hiking at a monastery, shopping, dancing, snuggling, and laughing. We even got to eat here with Nessie's dad. We were chatting so long after the meal that the manager suggested we move to the fireplace and gave us free wine. Quite the treat. We could, and do, chat nonstop for days when we're together. I love these girls.

(Is this Babysitters Club-worthy or what? Especially Erin's smile at the bottom of the pile.)

My favorite pictures of the weekend, all of us captured in very sassy moments:

And Gabe in his Snuggie:

My "cohort"

It is amazing how fast people can become friends. The diversity of both background and opinion, the thoughtful conversations, the stories from all around the world- I am very thankful for this group.

(Mieko, on the left, was in an avalanche in Japan. She was rescued by a dog. Just try being cooler than that.)

Happy Halloween!

(LOST, Halloween 2005. From left to right: Shannon, Kate, Danielle Rousseau, Claire, Locke,Random Pregnant Other, Charlie.)

Last visit before baby!

Tapas, Orioles game, all-dessert restaurant, exploring Federal Hill, and, of course, youtube videos (it's a sort of tradition with Matt and David). It feels so good to have friends again. Next time....Baby!