May whirled and twirled around us and was over in a flash.
Sadly, we lost a friend and fellow blogger, Joseph Datoli (Joe Dat) to a battle with cancer that can only be described as courageous and inspiring. Joe was always full of mirth and merriment, and that the only way to remember him. Joe always took joy in reconnecting people and celebrating the memories of their PR days; we will keep his blog posted on ours (SHU Pershing Rifles) as a tribute to the wonderful friend that he was.
Professionally speaking, May is the "black Friday" of the academic and landscape architecture worlds. We worked most weekends, but made sure to carve family and friend time out wherever we could. It was exhausting....it was exhillerating...and then it was over!
The exclamation point of the run-on sentence that is May is always commencement. Although I had been hired by this time last year, this was my first graduation as a Dean! Fancy robes, fabulous hats and a stage....I was in heaven. On a serious note, it is a wonderful time of year that celebrates the accomplishments of our students and shares a glimpse of all of our futures. It is a very long day for us, but you will never find overwhelmed state workers in better humor than at Rutgers commencement. It is full of tradition, honor and promise.
Late in May, we headed to upstate New York to visit our cousins, Jen and Tim, and their gorgeous new son Conner. All babies are cute....all babies are loved...all babies are smart....Conner takes all of these things to the next level. His precious little face gazing up at you melts all of the world's problems away. He was exactly what the doctor ordered for us!
Jen and Tim have always been an inspiring couple to me; they make their opinions known, but always approach life as a team, looking out for the best interest of one another and their relationship. But none of this is done in a somber way - they are just about as goofy and fun and two people get and put everyone at ease. Conner has completed them in a way that no man could imagine; he is truly a gift and part of God's plan for Jen and Tim. We're so glad to be able to share in their joy and excitement.
After eating our weight in amazing sushi and mainlining "Dexter" for a few days (how amazing is that show?!), it was time to journey onward. We headed another 45 minutes to Niagara Falls for an overnight. We were only there for 1 full day, but managed to get quite a bit of sightseeing in.
Below is a photo collage of graduation, Conner and Niagara. Here's to a great launch to summer! Hope to be spending a bit of time with all of you!
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