Week 16-Finals, Freedom and Texas

Monday, after a very long weekend of studying my last exam finally arrived.  It was a comprehensive biochemistry exam...yikes!  Fortunately, it wasn't too bad and I got an A in the class.  I just finished my first semester of 7, on to the celebration!  It startted with some celebratory champagne at Lauren's house, before we headed to happy hour at the Front Page.  It's a newspaper themed restaurant in Dupont Circle, I hope that's the right name, I always call it the News Stand...  Here me and about 15 of my classmates enjoyed drinks and food, while waiting for the sweet freedom to sink in.  No time for waiting though, on to the next event... We headed to Lima (a bar/lounge/restaurant) where we participated in a wonderful free salsa lesson and an open bar for the ladies, that's right I said "OPEN BAR".  It was a great way to end what I feel has been a very good semester.  On one hand it's hard to believe I am already one semester into school, but on the other I feel like this was a pretty lengthy semester.  At least I get a pretty lengthy break to recover before the really rough stuff begins.

Tuesday: Welcome to Dallas, Local time is 5:30 and it's 47 degrees!
 I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to be home.  I cried during the entire descent, until I got to the car, I was so happy to be back in Texas!   I feel like Texas is like Cheers, it feels welcoming like everybody knows my name. 

I forgot to mention all the fun to get here, this was Angel's very first airplane ride.  I feel like taking a dog on a plane I got my first taste of what motherhood may actually be like...  Let me preface this with the statement "Sheffields NEVER check bags!", this is Richard and I's motto when travelling.  So Angel is in a doggy bag and I'm carrying her being very cautious not to bang her into the seats or the passengers or tilt her on her side or head.  All the while pulling a roller bag down the narrow aisle while carrying my coat, scarf, and book.  When I got near my seat it was time to hoist my bag into the overhead bin... Unfortunately Richard usually does this and I couldn't get it up on my own.  So the guy behind me attempted to help, but it wouldn't fit.  Now what?  Well, I emptied out the front pockets as the line of passengers grew behind be, I took out 3 pairs of shoes, all my toiletries, and my glasses (none of which were in a bag).  I then gathered up all my stuff, the dog, the book, the scarf, the 3 pairs of shoes, the glasses and the sunglasses, and all my toiletries.  Once I arrived to my seat, I had the window, but the two seats next to it were already full.  So, as I climbed in, I started throwing my bundle down in my seat, which I then had to sit on while I tried to organize myself...I was chaos.  Fortunately Angel is much better that any child I've ever seen on an airplane.

Once, I landed though my parents picked me up and took me home for mom's homemade fried chicken and gravy...clearly you cannot get the Texas outta me!

Wednesday: Heaven in Texas!
Went shopping at TJMAXX with Mom, followed by lunch at my favorite dive in Dallas, Shuck N' Jive, where I had some delicious fried shrimp and raw oysters.  Shout Out: TARA!  Then some more shopping, followed by Paciugo, if you haven't tried it, you must and I highly recommend the Caramel Sea Salt.  Shout Out: LISA!  That's not all the day's not over yet, we met my entire family and Christa at Manny's Uptown for some delicious Tex-Mex (Lord, how I've missed you!).  Recommendation: Nuestro Shrimp 
Then we headed to Fair Park for 101 Dalmations the musical.  I'm a huge musical fan so here is my critique of 101 Dalmations: Cruella played by Rachel York was wonderful gave a commanding performance.  It was also great when they incorporated the live dogs, but overall not one of the best shows I've seen.  As far as music goes, not great and missing Cruella De Ville, which was surprising.  As far as Disney goes stick to the Lion King or Beauty and the Beast.  It was great to see the fam and to have the opportunity to get together just us girls!

Thursday, finally got a haircut which was much needed it's funny the things you don't want to change if you don't absolutely have to.  I took Richard lunch at work so he could show me off :), did a little more shopping with mom, and had dinner with the Paces while Richard was at SMU taking the last final of his Master's Degree.  It was great to see Jason and Amanda, I enjoyed chatting.  Carly and Jonah are getting so big.  We went and looked at Christmas lights, then met Richard for ice cream at Coldstone to celebrate!

Friday, I love seeing my friends.  I've made some good friends in DC but I sure do miss the ones at home.  Hopefully I'll have time to catch up with everyone while I'm here.  Tonight, we met Nick and Kandice at Chaucer's in Addison (they have amazing sushi, but don't ever go here on a Friday or Saturday night if you plan on trying to have a conversation).  It was so nice to see them and catch up, they've had quite a busy couple of months and blogs are nice but it's good to hear it in the flesh as well.  We had a great time with you guys!

I think that's about enough for one post, the rest of Week 16 to come...