Program in Writing Spring Party 2017

Gene hosted the end-of-the-year party on Friday. Lots of fun as always.

Gene, Miranda, Kevin

Jennifer, Cynthia, Dennis, and Emily

Michelle, MaryAnn, Dennis, Emily, and Daniel

Kristina talking to Rashmi (back turned)

Clare, Wilbur, Adam, Colleen, and Joe

Eva, Miranda, James, Maddy, Um

Sarah, Soni, and Joe

Photo by James, Photobomb by Miranda

Program in Writing Holiday Party 2016

Kevin's work had a holiday party and he took me and Miranda with him. James was at school at the time. The lunch party was at Pita House, a little Mediterranean-Turkish restaurant in East-Setauket. It was so delicious! It was my favorite SBU get-together so far, I think because sitting around a table made it so relaxed. The company was very fun, and of course, brilliant.

Having fun chatting before lunch. 

Me and William

Kristina and Clare

Cynthia, Sarah, and Jennifer

Adam and Wilbur

Rashmi, Rita, Shyam

Becky brought baby Simon and made me so happy! (with William and Joe)

Patty, MaryAnn, Rita, Adam, and Michelle in front

Sarah and her mini, Maddie

Clou Cookout 2016

We had a cookout. Everyone that came was super awesome. They also brought lots of goodies. They chatted, they mingled, some of them played games in the backyard. I got too tipsy to take enough pictures. Rob, Erika, Nick, and Emily also partied especially hard. Thank you all for being the best!

Rob and Erika are the bomb

Kevin with former students Heather and Rachel 

Nick and Emily visited for the weekend!

Rita gave me a flower chain

Jaz, Kristina, Joe, Shaf, and Avi

Shaf and Nick did all the grilling for us because they're awesome!

Dave and Jaz

James telling Jilleen about all his video games (sorry!)

Kalyna, James, Maksym, and Miranda

Cuban Selfie

Picture fail: Not pictured: Darren, Adam, Colleen, and Rita.

Pokemon with Adam and Colleen 2016

Okay, so I've been playing Pokemon Go since July 11, about a week after it was released in the US. It's not the big time waster that people assume it is because you have to walk to play so it overlaps with the time I spent walking and exercising before. The thing that makes it a bit of a time-waster is that now it's harder for me to listen to podcasts or audiobooks while walking.

One problem is that there are no "pokestops" (not to be confused with "gyms") anywhere near my house. You need the things you collect from pokestops- such as pokeballs- to catch the Pokemon. I tried to walk to the closest ones and they are way too far. Also, there aren't a lot of sidewalks in my neighborhood so it's not super safe to be focused on my phone while I'm walking.

Adam and Colleen offered to take me with them to the park nearby where there are a ton of stops around a walking track. I had so much fun! I had great company, we got exercise, and the track was full of other locals playing. We were all talking to each other and would randomly run to catch a Pokemon or to tell other people where to catch one. A bit ridiculous, but very fun.

The park- I'm the mean mom that went without my kids, haha.

The virtual version of the park.

This was our big catch of the night!

Fourth of July 2016

Happy 4th of July! Kristina and Darren invited us over for a little house party. Had a blast!! Margaritas! Burgers and dogs! Corn! The best bean salad ever! Music! Lots of laughing!

My little independence-takers

Darren, Kristina, Kalyna, Adam, Colleen

Cynthia, Kevin, Miranda, Frank, Jennifer

James and Maksym playing croquet 

Fun with the neighbor's kids

Miranda is mostly modeling this look

Catching the football. Miranda held her own- seriously.

Oh I almost forgot the best part- smores!

Just a bonus picture of Daddy's girl

Program in Writing Spring Party 2016

A few pictures from the end of the year party at Kevin's job. Fun!

Maryanne, Gene, and James

Colleen and Adam

Chris and Becky talking to Shyam's kids

Actually behaving themselves (sort of) at an adult party!

Drinks with Adam and Colleen 2016

Kevin's coworker Adam and his wife Colleen came over for drinks. We also ate many chocolate chip cookies. Mostly I did. They live nearby though our streets don't really connect in a logical way. So exciting to have new neighbor friends!

My first cookies