Fatness

As I am typing this new entry, I am stuffing my face with microwaved Christmas M&M's (not the peanut ones...that's Paul).  Tis the season to stuff your face, and we have been doing just that.  Although we didn't get to enjoy Thanksgiving at home, we did spend it with some delightful people up here.  Not only that, but I finished a bunch of papers, that I am sure would never have occurred amidst my nieces and nephews.  Upsides and downsides to both, but nonetheless, we were here.

We began the day with Paul making his annual dish for the year: Deviled Meggs.  We should've also brought Paul's big huge corn bucket that we found at Costco and that we do every year for Thanksgiving, but alas we didn't.  Shame on us.  I added to our dishes with Potato Gratin and made Paul's mom's infamous Carrot Cake that everyone loved.  I made it so I could give Paul a taste of home, which I think I did since he hovered over me in the kitchen until I let him lick the bowls.  This he did right when I said "I think I'll make the cake now".  How he loves to try my patience :).

 Waiting on the T with the food

 Thank you Ryan and Kate (Dosses)!

Making some 'taters

We arrived at the Dosses and found that Ryan had peeled part of his thumb and was at MIT medical trying to get fixed up.  Luckily, it was just bandaged up, no need for stitches or anything serious.  Poor guy!  He missed all of the grazing, but at least not the main event.

Ana making the turkey (it was awesome!)

So much... and that wasn't all of it

There are two Rachels!

The meal was so good, it was worth the wait (3 PM).  But Paul and I decided that was for the best because we had another Thanksgiving to go to after and we didn't eat so much there.  So, we think we didn't gain as much weight (this is what we tell ourselves).  After dinner, we played games then went to the next house after dessert.

Games get intense

Males...notice the beard on Paul in the foreground?

So, that was Thanksgiving.  Great success!

It is now almost the end, and only 2 big weeks until we are back in Charlotte for our break.  Christmas is in the air and I'm of course pumped.  I decorated everything!  I changed out my soaps for the holiday ones, put the wreath on the door, and got our Christmas tree!  Will post the finished product of our tree later, but here is our adventure getting our beloved, huge....

CHARLIE BROWN TREE!

I am actually quite certain that last year I said to Paul that I wanted a Charlie Brown tree at some point because I felt so bad for them.  I got my wish!  Next post will be of our tree, as soon as Paul can do it.  He's going on a retreat with the MIT Student Senate (he's a senator...forgot to mention that) this weekend.

Well, that's about it.  First semester of graduate school almost complete.  What have we learned?  Or at least for myself?  

\

Yeah...that's real.  And surprisingly small right?

Don't stress so much, work efficiently, read everything, STUDY STUDY STUDY, do something that you love every once in a while or you'll strangle someone, never get less than 8 hours of sleep, and every once in a while, make Paul snuggle with you, whether he likes it or not.  

:)

  

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3 More weeks to go!

As the title suggests, we are beginning the countdown to the end of semester.  Thanksgiving is this week and I figured, might as well update on our latest happenings before we get into the festivus of giving thanks.

A couple weekends ago, MIT had their annual Fall Ball.  This is when students get together, look nice, and have a pretty good meal.  Every year, there is a Fall Ball and a Spring Fling.  The Spring Fling is much more formal and in a mansion (!!!), but this was a lot of fun as well.

With some friends

My best friend

We do look pretty together.  

Another important event...FIRST SNOW!!  Of course, it was slightly disappointing because it was a rain/snow mixture.  So, after the snow fell, the rain just took it all away.  Sadly, Paul did not get his first big snow.  I guess his first Nor'easter is the big thing here.

Snowflakes

So pretty.  Oh well.  Maybe next time, it will be at least 3 feet.

That's basically been it.  We have been doing the normal things of hanging out with friends and maintaining a very busy life.  But, we are excited to announce that over New Year's, we will be going on a trip to....SWITZERLAND!  Although it is only for a few days, we debated whether to do it or not.  In the end, we said while we are young, we should travel while we can.  It's also our Christmas/birthday gifts to each other, since we no longer exchange presents.  So, AHHH!  I'm too thrilled.

We are sad that this Thanksgiving we will not be able to go to Charlotte to see our families.  Nothing beats home cooking.  Luckily, loads of other people will still be here and we can have a merry time with them as well.  Christmas though is looming and we are too eager to see it.  Even though it isn't even past Thanksgiving, Christmas lights are everywhere in the city, and the ice rink on the Frog Pond is already set up.  I just love this city :).  

The next post will probably be my last one for the semester since it will probably get pretty hectic as we finish up our first semesters in grad school.  Unless I get ambitious over break.  But, I think I will have a lot more to discuss, since it will probably be the holiday post.  Until then.

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Hockey video

For those interested, here is Paul's team playing hockey.  We wanted the new hockey photos to be done like this, but we just haven't had time.  So here it is!

Video click here!

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Hurricane, Halloween, and Hockey...oh my!

Let me start off with the good stuff.

After our anniversary, Paul's parents came up for a visit.  We loved having the both of them up and they had real adventures in the Northeast, with great weather.  On that Saturday, we walked approximately 8 miles with them around town and saw a bit of the Charles Regatta.  The Regatta is a rowing competition of sorts and apparently a big to do...it didn't seem all that thrilling to me.  But, nonetheless, we saw it.  We even got another nice Italian meal in the North End.  I know we are starting to sound like a broken record with how we show our guests a good time, but hey, when you have great places to visit, you don't mind visiting more than once.  Or even increasing your waistline.  So, if you do come to visit, expect the North End.  Because it's delicious.  

Paul and his parents in front of Sloan

I wanted a good picture with BU boats in front of the Citgo sign because that's where BU is.  Success.

Next, is Halloween, which was super fun.  This year, Paul and I were....

HAMBURGLAR AND THE GRIMACE!

I know I wasn't an amorphous blob of purple that is the usual Grimace.  Sue me for wanting to be pretty.  Everybody knew who Paul was and most just smiled at me.  And then I told them they needed more Happy Meals as a child.  I bet you didn't know the Grimace and Hamburglar were best friends?  Well, for those who don't know, here's a video to remind you on who the two are:

Click here

Grimace and Hamburglar

I know, getting fancy with my blog entries...multi-modal. 

Also, with the ushering in of November, it is now hockey time for the LGOs.  Which means Paul on ice.  Which means Rachel sitting in the stands with the camera anxiously awaiting every fall Paul does.  The first game was very disappointing because Paul only fell once.  At least the second game was spectacular.  Paul fell at least twice and the second one was glorious.  I know it sounds like I revel in my husband's pain...and it's true because he's so funny on ice.  The first game, Paul's team lost.  

The second game, the team got their jerseys and won the game!  I will also upload a video of that game on the next post, since it is still in the works.  Paul worked so hard and I was so proud of his efforts (his jersey says Coldbelly).  Good job Paul!

The team (the maroon side...not red)

Coldbelly shoots!! 

Game face

Also, midterms have happened at BU (and apparently still going on at MIT?) and I must say, I survived.  I got a B on Research Methods...I've never been more proud of a B in my life.  I actually never had a formal midterm session at Western, so this whole concept is new to me.  But, we survived with only a filthy apartment.

As for the hurricane, thank you for all those who were thinking of us.  We appreciated it and turned out we got the day off, but no real considerable damage.  However, poor NYC and New Jersey.  They are basically underwater and most of my peers from BU have family and friends in those areas.  Think of them and try to help as much as you can.  We were so fortunate.  

I will have another post soon, as tonight we are having our Fall Ball, where we dress nicely and dance the night away.  So, until then, have a great day!

Also, Happy early Birthday Nichole!  We love and miss you!

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