Tour Guiding, Summer 2009 Edition

Y'all, it's September! How did this happen? My last post was over two months ago, and in that time I've welcomed my mom, four different cousins, one family friend, 30 college students from Shanghai, China and a high school friend/long distance suitor to summer in New York City. Needless to say, things have been busy.

In June when the Texas cousins were here, I finally rode the Staten Island Ferry, like every good NYC tourist should.

Hey, look! There she is!
The Texas cousins and I took a bus to Jerz for our New Jersey cousin's bat mitzvah in Asbury Park. In addition to her party, the hotel was also hosting Mr. Gay New Jersey 2009, which made it that much more awesome. Those ladies were amazing, to put it mildly. I wish the pics I took on my phone when I snuck down to watch the evening gown competition had turned out. Oh well. My cousin's little shin-dig was completely over the top, as befitting her theme of "Club Bat Mitvah" and decor included life-size portraits of her hung all over the hotel ballroom. Super fab.

Suzanne (aka Mom) made an overdue trip to the big city and let me drag her all over Manhattan. We made it to the opening day of the High Line!
I got to make a quick trip to the Great State in July for the fambly reunion in New Braunfels, mostly so I could see this cutie!
And my favorite thing about family gatherings: watching my 83 year-old grandmother smoke everyone at whatever game we are playing - usually dominoes (42), Canasta, or Spades. If she's not an advertisement for clean living, I don't know who is!

The most eventful part of my summer definitely was hosting The Chinese (as I like to call them) for four weeks. I was the program coordinator/tour guide for thirty undergrads from Shanghai, China who were in a summer program at Teachers College. They were an amazing group, and I loved every day they were here. It was the second best job I've ever had - the first being working at J.J.'s Sno-Cones with Sharon the summer after we graduated from high school. I mean, seriously, what beats free sno-cones every day?? Nothing, that's what.

While the Chinese were here, I took them to a Mets game, among other things. It was my first Major League baseball game ever, and I dragged my roommate along, too. That place is awesome! They had a blast, to put it mildly. I wish I had pictures of me putting all 30 of them on the M4 bus outside of TC to head across town to the Guggenheim. The locals did not appreciate the delay, to say the least.

Some other stuff happened this summer that I hope I eventually get around to telling you about, but if I don't, just know that in the future I will not be trying to set up my roommate with any random dude I may or may not know well enough to recommend him. Also, here's a tip: when cyber-stalking potential dates, google email addresses, not just names. (Thanks to Wendy for changing the names to protect the innocent!)

And now here we are, September 1 - the beginning of my fifth year in this fantastic city. Can you believe it? I can't. Have I had a great summer? Yes. Have I finished my dissertation proposal? *crickets*

Oh yeah, one more thing. This guy crashed my family reunion in New Braunfels (which is a bit of a drive from his town) and then came to visit me in NYC a few weeks ago.
Depending on how this weekend goes in Austin, you may or may not hear more about him later.

And you, what have you been up to?