Bryan's graduation - BSc 2012

On May 5, 2012 Bryan graduated from Penn State University with a major in IST (Information Sciences and Technology) and a minor in Supply Chain Management. Yahooooo!

Bryan in front of his IST building

Bryan Gill, BSc

It was a very special weekend for so many reasons - being so proud of our son and celebrating his achievement with our family. Carolyn joined us, of course!, and Don's sisters, Kathy & Barb, with their families drove down from Ingersoll and Beeton, Ontario for the big event. We know H&B and John & Vicki were all with us in spirit.

Anticipation in the auditorium; the kids: Brandon, Bryan, Carolyn, Eric & Michael; posing with the Grad

Chillin' at Phi Kappa Tau 

Dinners with the Smit / Kowalinski / Gill gang

Bryan has yet to come home from State College, enjoying a little post-college freedom with his fellow seniors. Once home he will be planning his summer - traveling around Europe. In Sep he will start working for KPMG in NYC.

Bryan, we are excited for you and all the possibilities ahead of you. And we love you so very much.

Orchid paradise in the Bronx

Recently I attended the NY Botanical Gardens featuring the Orchid Show. I took many, many photos of these amazing fake-looking flowers - so many varieties, colors, features. Just one jaw-dropping beauty after another.

 

After the orchid exhibit we walked around the expansive grounds taking in all the in-season flora. Standing downwind from the peonies and lilacs was amazing. Then a stroll through the azaleas was like being back in Maryland in the spring - anywhere not overrun by deer like our neighborhood where azaleas are picked clean of buds before you can say "deer spray" (which doesn't work).

One swan couple per lake please

Lake Kinnelon

Yesterday as I was walking by the lake, these two beauties landed on the water with so much water-slapping noise I thought a small motorboat was putting by. I was surprised that these two graceful birds could make such an ungraceful landing. I mentioned this to friends who said that apparently there are three swan couples on our lake this spring and that the couple I saw were probably making enough noise to mark their territory.

Meeting Crosby & Nash

Just got our photos from our concert evening with C&N on March 16th.

David Crosby, me, Graham Nash, Don

A fun evening.

to Bryan & Carolyn

More of my theories or pearls of wisdom gathered that I hope will enrich your journey:

First from an interview of Michael J Fox in the Parade magazine today,

article by Dotson Rader, Parade

Second from something I heard Brian Tracy say:  You can always change your mind. Nothing is so cast in stone that you can't change a situation that is not working for you anymore, or one does not fit your new goals. There's freedom in knowing that it is okay to change your mind.

Love you guys.

Crosby & Nash, Don & Cathy

On Friday we went to a fundraiser featuring a concert by Crosby & Nash. We were invited as part of someone else's table and it was wonderful - meet & greet with photo with C&N, delicious dinner, then great seats for the concert. There was also a post-concert party but we couldn't all stay. 

Don & I at the dinner before the concert

Graham Nash, David Crosby, & Crosby's son on keyboards
Two beautifully harmonizing 70-year-olds!

They did a few old CSN/CSNY songs, like Teach Your Children and Our House, and told a few stories. The event was sponsored by The Peak, my fav radio station, so I got to meet one of the owner/DJs, Jimmy Fink, and scored a t-shirt! If we ever get our photo with the boys, I'll scan and post. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Williamsburg in Brooklyn

Two weekends ago, when our kids were home on spring break, we went on another NYC neighborhood adventure walk. This time we chose to check out Williamsburg because Bryan had read it was an affordable neighborhood to live in. ("Affordable" ... relative to NYC rents.)

Quick drive in, parked in the Lower East Side, and walked to the foot of the Williamsburg bridge. The bridge has an easily accessible, painted in pink, pedestrian walkway over the cars and subway track - far enough from the edge that acrophobia types comme moi could relax and enjoy the view.

En route to Williamsburg over the East R.

Halfway across - looking south to the Manhattan & Brooklyn bridges

The final descent into Williamsburg - notice the colorful graffiti and pink railings!

Home to the "hipsters," Williamsburg was very eclectic with its young families, single twenty-somethings, and occasional corner drug dealer. Great access into NYC via subway or on foot. We found a trendy, dark restaurant for pints and lunch, then walked back across to our car in Manhattan.