Christmas Part 2

The day after we got back from Alabama I flew to DC to see my aunt and uncle and mom and sister. I was only there for a couple days, but it was really great to see them all and spend at least a little time together. I was also much better about taking family photos so I'll share some of the better ones.

Here is Caroline in a tunnel between the Smithsonians.


Caroline at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art


Caroline and Me


Me


Caroline and Mom


Caroline and Mom again


Mom


Aunt Linda


Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob


Aunt Linda and Me

Christmas 2008 Part 1

I realize it is now fully into the new year, but I was lazy and enjoying my break so I'm just now getting around to posting pictures of our Christmas escapades. Dan and I went to visit his family in Alabama for a week and had a great time catching up with everyone and spending time with family. I didn't take as many pictures as I should have but I'll share what I did manage to snap.

First, though, I have to share the horror/wonder that is the Bass Pro Shop. They are truly the Redneck Wonderland that I always knew must exist somewhere but couldn't find. The vastness of the store is amazing. Fishing poles, camping equipment, guns, deer stands, and novelty items span two stories. There is even a restaurant and an arcade with animatronic targets. It truly has everything the Alabama man (or woman) could ever want. Pink hunting rifles for the ladies? Check. Camo armchairs? Check. Thousands of dead stuffed animals silently juding you as you pick out hunting gear? Check.

Here is a shot of the centerpiece of the store. I've heard that each Bass Pro Shop decorates according to the region. Apparently Alabama has waterfalls...?


The store is HUGE


You're buying that brand?



Anyway, now that I've got that out of my system here is a picture of my mother-in-law Carolyn's tiny dog dressed in her holiday outfit. Can you say awwww?



It was actually hard to get a good picture because she was trembling the entire time. Apparently having a stranger dress you up and take your picture on a bed is a scary thing.Who knew.

Later the family came over to open presents and spend quality time. Here are some shots of the nieces enjoying the aftermath of present opening.

Laura Jane (they got remote control cars)


Campbell


I didn't get a good picture of our nephew Thomas, unfortunately. Next time I'll have to sit everyone down for a real photo. But these will have to do for now. We really did have a great time and I wish everyone didn't live so far away.

Alright Baton Rouge, I take your snow day and raise you this

Snow in front of our apartment building



After a couple of hours, there was enough snow on our porch for a small snowman


Of course we had to subject the cats to the cold wet horror that is snow. Apollo was not a fan.


But then neither was Mike


Diana just cried and looked confused


Dan making a snowball.


Dan quickly got bored with chucking snowballs at inanimate objects, but I decide to take a stroll around the neighborhood and check out the snowfall.


In between catching snowflakes in my mouth I took a few shots of the snow around the reservoir.


Tree by hiking path


The path around the reservoir


The lake looked so cold and ominous


As the lake slowly freezes it makes these strange cracked pockets in the snow

Dan's Swearing in Ceremony

Dan was sworn into the Massachusetts State Bar on Monday, December 8, 2008 in historic Faneuil Hall. The building dates from 1742 and as you can see it is really beautiful inside.



After taking an oath to always be a good lawyer, he got to sign the official records to prove he was there.


In a nice tradition, a loved one could give the official certificate to the new esquire. So I got on stage with him and got to hand it to him. Here he is on the stage right after getting his tiny little piece of paper that lets him officially practice law.



The new (again) lawyer and me right after the ceremony!

First Snow

Today was the first snow of the season for Boston. Sadly, I had so much homework that I never even left the apartment. But from the third floor, I leaned out the window and managed to snap a few shots of the snow settled on tops of cars and nestled into the elbows of branches. Enjoy.

Thanksgiving

Dan and I went to my Aunt Kap and Uncle Jon's for Thanksgiving this year. The weather here in Massachusetts has grown colder and most of the leaves have fallen from the trees.

My cousin Zack flew in from Michigan where he is going to college so he could spend the holiday with the family.


And my cousin Jake, along with his girlfriend, are currently living with my aunt and uncle while he applies for grad school and prepare for the next step.

We played with the dogs outside for a while but poor Rufus has been in poor spirits ever since he had all his hair shaved off.

The air was brisk so Uncle Jon decided it was the perfect weather for a classy little trash fire.


Aunt Kap used the opportunity to burn off some items lying about.

Apparently men need to kick and poke flaming things.

How I spend my Saturday nights...

I was lucky enough to go to another Vodou ceremony this past Saturday. Here are a few pics. Enjoy!

Altar decorated for Gede (spirits of the dead). I know the blocks over people's eyes look silly but they help hide their identities.


Veve for Ogou (Firey war-like spirit)

Altar in the back for Gede



By the way, I do have better photographs but again I'm not posting any that clearly show participants' faces. As always ask before using any pictures from this site!

Gede Ceremony

Through Mignon's amazing contacts we were able to attend a Vodou ceremony last night. My head is still pounding from the cigarette smoke, the drums we sat next to, and the Haitian rum. But I thought I'd post a few pictures from the ceremony. I'm so excited to be doing fieldwork again!




Note: Out of respect for the people at the ceremony and the fact that this is a public blog, I purposely picked pictures that do not clearly show anyone's face. As always, please ask permission before using any picture from this site. Thanks!