March for Science and University of Nottingham

Julia attended the March for Science in Columbus--great pics! The funniest picture of Julia is the one with the temperature: She looks real happy, huh? She is done with all of her classes...just has to make it through the final exams. Only one more radio show, Alt Expose with Ruth & Rose (you can check out a recording of the most recent show on their site)! She attended her last USG event (which included free food, of course)! No more days in the research lab.

Steven and I visited the home of British Deputy Head of Mission to the U.S., Patrick Davies, for incoming students and alumni of the University of Nottingham. Gorgeous home; and although networking is out of our immediate comfort zone, we were both really glad we went. So excited for Steven to embark on his next legal degree in the UK.

We went to CAVA (successfully, with no allergic reaction)!

Working Girl Rocks Her First Week

While we had major plans for making and bringing lunches to work everyday...it just didn't happen. Julia's new boss took her to Anita's, Steven took her to Roll Play Vietnamese Grill  and Cava, the accounting department had a birthday celebration at Cheesecake Factory...then there was Dunkin donut day and an afternoon contract win company-wide party.

Julia met up with John Robert for the EU Open House at the German Embassy. Yummy bratwurst.

Her knee has been bothering her--thus the knee band over her stockings at work--but hopefully she'll be OK. It has been wonderful to have her home. By the time I get home, she has worked out, fed the cat, and started dinner. Sweet!

Soccer, Spider, and Stitch

This week, Julia played her last Green Engineering Scholars (GES) soccer game. She also had the opportunity to be inspired by Megan Rapinoe (professional soccer player) and Abby Wambach (retired soccer player and born in Rochester, NY!!). Busy social week...she went to the Wild Child concert and Caitlyn and Sarah celebrated their birthdays. Julia "demolished" (that's a good thing) her Spanish quiz this week. She is definitely her mother's daughter, rewarding herself with a yummilicious dunkaccino. Steven and I went to CAVA (again, yes, and we could go there every night if it was walkable). Actually, they just opened a new CAVA at 18th and Connecticut Avenue; that is definitely doable on my route home from work.

We found out from our breeder, Brandi, that our little girl Bambino was bit twice by a spider Friday night. She died within hours of getting to the veterinary hospital. Poor little girl. The breeder was a wreck; and we were sad too. Thankfully, everything fell into place over the weekend when we found Stitch, a hairless platinum Bambino that will be available in June. He was born March 7, 2016. The new breeder, Jayme, seems very nice. A special thank you to Teidi and Brenda who served as references for us--and yes, Jayme really contacted them within minutes of receiving our application. We cannot wait to meet him (taking name suggestions); we are hoping to visit him when Julia comes home in a couple of weeks.

Chop Shop, Brio, Cava, Dupont Farmers Market

Columbus and Washington enjoyed warm, summer-like temperatures this past week. Julia was busy wrapping school work up before spring break. She had dinner with Matt at the Chop Shop--awesome, gourmet burgers right near her apartment. Sarah and her mom took Julia to Brio Tuscan Grille over the weekend. Here in DC, we enjoyed dinner at Cava and bought a ton of meat at the Dupont Farmers Market--rabbit, water buffalo liver, pork short ribs, buffalo sausage, pork steak, and pork belly--along with jam, knuckle bones, and sauerkraut. It is hard not to go crazy, when the local farmers are providing pasture-raised, grass-fed, organic products. Julia is off to Nashville, then New Orleans for spring break. We miss her!

Concerts, Cava, Kitty

Missing this beauty! Julia is having a great semester. She went to Patrick's gig, as well as Dark Star Orchestra. Sarah and Julia met the rugby team and chatted with the coach. Maybe a new sport to try next year? They are thinking about it.

Steven and I visited CAVA...a new favorite, love the lamb. I forgive them for messing up my order last week. We've decided on our next new addition to the Simpson tribe: a Bambino girl kitty. We are still working on a name; suggestions are welcome.