Oh what a weekend it was. Penn. Alumni Weekend. Tradition. All the fun of time with my college friends without the stress of finals and papers. The grounds of our University awash in red and blue, with alumni descending on the campus in droves, young and old. And can you believe, the 65th reunion for some - you do the math! It's all I could have asked for, to let me reminisce about my college days days of ole walking on the same ground tread by many before us, spending my time in the breadth of study - ok, just sometimes - and parties - well, all right, most of the time.
And as we hugged and cheered, and met our friends again as they came from near and far, we danced into the night while the rain pitter pattered on Locust Walk and cast a quietude over the entirety of the campus. It's this Penn that I always remember - the quiet campus, too often so as I headed out late after long hours in studio or in study, just in time for rambunctious revelry at a friend's house or at our favorite watering hole (can you believe, Smokes still smells the same after all these years!). There was something wonderfully romantic about the campus this past Saturday night, as three of us walked arm in arm from one party to another, under an umbrella just big enough to leave our heads dry. And as we recalled distant memories from our days on campus, our freshmen fascination when we first set foot on these grounds in West Philly, our stroll along Locust Walk engulfed me in the breath of life I felt when I lived, at Penn.
May I take care to add, that Hubby was not part of our evening festivities, as he stayed home to take care of our little ones so that I may spend the time in revelry with my fellow classmates! Gracious, gracious thanks.
The campus is still amazingly romantic. It's like an old sweater to me - well worn, familiar, and much loved. We had a great time with the reunion festivities, between parades, picnics, and photographs. And the kids' tent at our picnic, complete with kid-sized chairs and tables; straw bales for outdoor seating to watch the jugglers, magicians, and acrobats; and activity tables where the kids can make beaded Penn keychains or decorate a Penn frame for your photo from the nearby photo booth - just perfect for us parents with little ones. Our enjoyment of the weekend events even led Hubby to entertain plans for how we will celebrate my 20th reunion, in just 5 years. To think - the kids will really be ordering me around by then. Amazing.
So to toast our dear ole Penn, I pass along the recipe for my drink of choice. While I didn't realize it until I googled it just now, my signature drink happens to be a highball. Providence, I tell ya.
Highball (I call it a Jack and Ginger)
2 oz whiskey
Ginger ale or soda water/lemon
Ice
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in whiskey, add ginger ale to top off, and stir. Enjoy cold, any time.
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