The best dog show ever

Last week TMH told me he got me a surprise for finishing the writing of my exams, and that he would give it to me on the weekend. I asked him if maybe he wanted to wait to give it to me until I actually passed my exams (that date, 10/27, is still looming, and you know I can be superstitious, and often prefer delayed gratification). He said no, I had to get it on the weekend, and I should be proud of myself for finishing the writing. OK.

So, on Saturday we had a nice morning... relaxed for a while and then went for a short hike to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. It really was gorgeous. The hike also gave us a chance to talk some about the future. Well, the future meaning next year, my plans, and a bit about the wedding. I feel a lot better. Nothing really new happened, it was just nice to have some time together to actually talk. We've been so busy that we really haven't! TMH always makes me feel better, which bodes well for our relationship, I think. [We decided, as of the information I have right now, that I should stay here and keep my job and my apartment until May. We'll plan to find a place to move into together on June 1. I will also try to have a more flexible schedule next semester so I can go there for longer periods of time, which will be good for my relationship and my research.]

Anyway, I digress. He said we had to be ready to go somewhere at 3:00 for my surprise. So we left the house at 3:00 and I had no idea where we were going. We got on the train and I continued to speculate. A show? Nope, we passed the theater district. A cruise? Nope, we weren't headed to the water. Then we got on a train that I knew TMH had never been on before and I was really stumped. I still didn't get it when we got off the train... but we started walking with a big crowd to an exposition center. At which point I saw that the banner said something about a dog show. So, I asked "TMH, are we going to a dog show?" "Yes! Yes, PMP," he said. "A dog show." Hmmm. Well that seemed weird. I mean, why would going to a dog show be a surprise for me? But TMH does love that movie Best in Show ["We both like soup. We could talk, or not talk for hours."] So I went with it. I mean, he was surprising me, how could I question it? At the same time I saw a sign for Cirque du Soleil. Hmm. So I said, "TMH, are we going to CDS?" "No," he said, "why would we do that? I would much rather go to a dog show." Um, OK. But as we walked and walked with the group of people, it seemed very much like we were going to CDS. I still believed him, though, until we got to the tent and he said, "PMP, why would I take you to a dog show?" Hah! I'm gullible, I know.

The show was really amazing. I had never seen anything like it before. The performers were unbelievable: it was just so good! I couldn't believe he took me. So, yes, I'm a lucky woman. Lucky, lucky. We had such a wonderful weekend, and now I am back at school, trying to mentally prepare myself for the stressful weeks ahead. I just better make sure I pass my exam next Monday, especially since I already got my surprise!

A crazy cat...

Gemini has been a source of great amusement and comfort lately. Sometimes I look at her and wonder whether she might start talking back (me, myself and my computer have gotten a little slap happy lately). She looks like she has so much to say, you know? She definitely has her ways. Gemini has not, however, attacked the printer recently (though she certainly doesn't like it when objects make noise and do unpredictable things).

This link really made me laugh, which I definitely needed on this Monday morning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REQRHdMRimw

Yes, yes, I know, back to work. I can't stall out now!

Oh, and Happy Autumnal Equinox... it really is the best time of year here!