Andrea Hickman: April 2006

The Best Day

I know I said I had finished with my postings from Philly, but I had such an amazing weekend that I felt it deserved it's own posting. I've never been much of a diary keeper, but I wanted this day saved forever.

Sat. April 15 started as an early one. Raj and his friend Schwabie registered for Raj's first 5k run, which started at 9 down by the Philadelphia art museum. Em and I also decided to get our butts out of bed early so we could go down and cheer them on. After grabbing some Dunkin' Donuts coffee, we headed into the city, only to arrive minutes too late. We missed the boys crossing the finish line, but perhaps that is not such a horrible thing, as Raj had thought the finish lines was .1 miles sooner than it actually was, and after a sprint to what he thought was the end, he promptly vomitted into the Schuykll river. He was a trooper, and finished the race. We then set off for breakfast after the boys ran the famous steps at the Philadelphia Art Museum, 100 step run to the top that I am more than familiar with. Breakfast at the Marathon Grill was tasty, and the good food and beautiful weather inspired our little family to take a vacation.

After stopping for gas and refreshments at WaWa, we headed for the shore. Never in my dreams would I have ever thought that New Jersey would be a vacation destination, but that is exactly what it was. We headed south to Cape May, parking at the historic lighthouse and taking a trip to the top to see the view. Then it was off to play in the ocean, which was freezing, but the warm sun and fresh air were what we all needed after the stress of big city living. Aside for a scuffle over seals doubling as buoyies, the walk on the beach was amazing. We walked down the promenade, ate salt water taffy, played skeeball, all saw a seal at the mini-golf course, and had dinner at an outdoor restaurant.

A windy and cold walk back to the car had us off to the city to finish the night. We found perfect parking, which never happens, just outside the bar where Em and my adventures in Philly started, Euology, and the discovery of the perfect beer, Nostradamus, and went to close this chapter where it was opened. A bottle of Belgian beer later, we walked down to Dark Horse to laugh for my last time at the drunk Norwegians and play some darts.

It was one of the best days of my life, but definitely bitter sweet. Moving to Philly was one of the best decisions of my life, and I think it is saddest because I may never return. I've shed more than a few tears, but I am looking forward to all of the new beginnings that lie ahead of me.

Raj and Schwabie lookin' tough after their 5K

Yes, these are the famous steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, but that is certainly not Rocky

Breakfast at Marathon Grill (but I thought it was only a 5k?...)

Em loves her WaWa

diet peach ice tea

At the top of the lighthouse in Cape May. Yes, that is the ocean in the background

Can you believe that I kinda like New Jersey? (p.s. it was not windy....my hair is just that big)

Raj and Em playing in the ocean

Our family vacation

The lighthouse in the background, the waves

, a photo op I couldn't pass up

Skeeball at the shore. Classic. As is the whoopie cushion we won

Em and the infamous seal. Yes, she really did see one!

Nostradamus

: The best beer ever!!!

Dancing at Dark Horse. Thanks for the tunes, Derek!

The last dance...

Last Blog from Philly!!!!!

I am very sad to report that this is my last update from Philadelphia. It has been a wonderful 8 months, and I am very sad to leave. However, the last month has been SOOOO crazy, it will be nice to come home and unwind for awhile.

I am currently doing a month of infectious disease at Frankford Torresdale Hospital. It is turning out to be a wonderful rotation, and I am learning so much. The group of physicians that I am working for are all wonderful and so patient and such good teachers. I have seen some crazy stuff, including cryptococcal meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and thoracic empyemas (if anyone knows what any of that is!). I am really enjoying it, but they are wearing me out!

My weekend in NYC with Nicole was wonderful, we went out with her lawyer friends on Fri. night after having dinner at a restaurant called Chummley's, which used to be a speakeasy. On Sat. we went to the Guggenheim Museum and to an off-broadway show called "naked boys singing!", and they were, naked, about 90% of the time. We just spent a lot of time catching up b/c goodness knows when we will be in the same time zone again.

My sister Kirstin came out the following weekend, which happened to be the same weekend that Emily's dad, Dan, came out to visit. We started out her trip by taking her to infamous McGillian's and subjecting her to a good night of karoke. Unfortunately I did have to work while she was here, but we went to dinner together on Thurs. night and did a little sisterly bonding. It was so good to get to know her again! Friday night we went and saw a band called Gaelic Storm, and they were awesome! We even got Molly to do a little Irish stepdancing for us and the crazy group of guys we met. Sat. we hung out down in the city and walked around in the beautiful weather and did a little shopping. I kept Kirstin out way too late, but I think we all had fun.

Last weekend my very dear friend Matt flew up from Texas to hang out with me and have a cheesesteak. I think he was more impressed with the Tastycakes. Unfortunately it POURED on Sat., so we ended up doing a good old fashioned pub crawl, but Sunday was beautiful and he got to see the sights, have a cheesesteak, and take a carriage ride with me around Independence Hall and Olde City. It was wonderful to have him up, but boy was I exhausted at the end of it.

I am stopping at my friend Cindy's wedding on the way back from Philly, but I should be rolling into Des Moines on April 23. I am looking forward to seeing all of you who will be in DSM, and sad to say good-bye to all my friends out in Philly. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and think that it was by far one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I am very sad to go, but look back with many fond memories, and this blog to document many of my crazy times.