Life is a balancing act

This week has been action packed to say the least. I got TEXT announcements (what is the world coming to) that my dear friend and college roommate Liz is getting married. And that Des is pregnant. Those who know me well have heard Des stories she forms 1/3 of the formidable threesome Jenster, Mills and Deslee. As if that wasn't enough this weekend Uhle Street hosted an engagement party for former Uhle Streeter Suzy and her husband to be Stewart and all this made for an introspective, exciting and nostalgic week. I have realized that it hurts me to see that I can't relate with a lot of my good friends as they are going through this life changes, but at the same time I am so happy for them and this change and progression in their lives.
All of this excitement was compounded by a quick spring break trip to the Dominican Republic (I got back last Wednesday), Courtney's birthday party at Medieval Times Friday, a trip with good friends to Cici's (an all you can eat pizza buffet) Thursday, the arrival of spring in D.C. that prompted a morning roommate run, an all girl brunch, doubles tennis, and mountain biking at Foundtainhead on Saturday, and visits from D.C. ex-pats and good friends Jeff H. and Katy V. left me not hurting for fun. Then there are the logistics of my truly adult world with mid-terms this week, entertaining an office intern (she merits her own post which will come later) and prepping for Easter weekend.
Now that I've mentally vomited my last week onto this keyboard, let me post a few pictures to accompany the sound bites.
Here are the roommates (minus Steph) reunited and proudly showing off the results of an impromptu bridal shower for Suzy. We all painted our fingernails, I know that all these hands look a little creepy so I had to explain myself. We asked our friend to tell us which girls he would date based on our finger nail color only. After looking at our hands he decided Katy's color was hooker red and she would be easy, Erika was high-maintenance, I was fun loving and Jeanette was a hippy. Infer what you will, but it was an entertaining exercise.
That blurry body there is me. Coming down one of the 27 waterfalls on a hike we did in The Dominican Republic, which was called appropriately, 27 waterfalls. It was my kind of hiking, scrambling up rocks and swimming through crystal blue pools for two hours and then on the way down you jump off rocks and slide down natural water slides. B-L-I-S-S
This is Playa Grande in Dominica Republic. The beach was beautiful and relaxing, but getting there and away was another story. Our means of transportation included cramped mini-bus, three people on a motor cycle taxi, racist French surfers who picked us up hitchhiking and then finally a car where another passenger had an open container of alcohol he offered us and there were ten people in one sedan. The driver sat on someone's lap, there were two others in the passengers seat, four in the back seat and then two in the trunk. I loved every minute of it, while fearing for my life.
Friday was Courtney's birthday and to celebrate we went to Medieval Times where you are transported in time in a castle that is attached to the mall to the 1500's. It's unlike anything else, you wear a crown, eat with your hands, watch a performance where knights fight for the affection of a princess and battle each other in jousting and hand to hand combat.
Spence isn't sure if this piece of chicken is big enough for him. And yes we are a bunch of adults in our mid twenties and early thirties who consistently engage in activities better suited for nine year olds, I know, I know.