Saturday April 16
So it begins... by Tessa (8 comments)
First report coming up! Let’s hope I manage to work out how to do this and don’t mess up James’ beautiful website! Righty-ho…
Well I arrived in Washington D.C. with my dear Father on Thursday afternoon, and my Godmother Therese picked us up from the airport. We drove to the conference centre/well posh hotel where Dad will be staying for his Big Von Balthasar Conference (that is Hans Urs Von Balthasar, the Catholic theologian- this conference is in honour of the 100th anniversary of his birth). Dad is very excited because lots of his brainy theology friends are there, as are awesome types like Kenneth Schmitz and Tracy Rowland, and Fr. Fessio who looks like Captain Archer from Star Trek Enterprise!! (Mum you were SO right!) We also saw Cy and Julie Olsen (yay!). Therese and I stayed for Mass and dinner, and then she took me back to her lovely typically suburban house. Jet lag plus general exaustion= zzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
Therese hasn’t seen me since I was about 8, so we have had a lot to catch up on! Yesterday she took me to the Air and Space Museum and National Gallery (er.. I think it was the National Gallery) and we drove around Washington a bit. Then in the evening we went to see the Magic Flute at the Kennedy Centre’s Opera House which was great classy fun.
If this is incoherent and badly spelt that is because I am still jet-lagged so please forgive me! (Or it could be because I am me but anyway.) The sun is shining, the cherry trees are blooming , the neighbours are mowing their lawn, and I am about to go out to see a real American Mall- Oh Yes! Love to you all,
Tessa xxx
p.s. James, I don’t think I’ve forgotton much, don’t worry! Actually I have brought too much stuff and may dump it on Dad to bring home rather than lug it all around :D Although it is hard to figure out what I don’t need. *sigh*
1: Julia says:
Hi Tessa,
I really just wanted to see if you would actually be able to get this little message. It sounds like you are having an absolutely fabby time in the US of A. Don’t forget to count how many different people say to you, “Oh my god I love your accent!”
2: Pip says:
Actually I have brought too much stuff and may dump it on Dad to bring home rather than lug it all around :D Although it is hard to figure out what I don’t need. sigh
Come on, cuz, own up - how many pairs of shoes?
3: Sophie says:
WOW!!!! What a groovy website thingie. Much respect to James for your clever computerness, I can just about manage having my own email address…! Sounds good so far my lovely Tess, I hope you’re enjoying every minute of it. I miss you loads already (how will I cope?!) but hopefully with this mega-cool website will be able to keep in touch and pretend you’re not thousands of miles away. And am expecting many presents to make up for the fact that I’m stuck here doing exams. Humph. Just joking. So news from this end - Carrick and Florence and baby William visited us on sunday (baby is CUTE! but you already knew that) and some distant australian cousins of dad’s turned up randomly for tea. Now that was bizarre but interesting. And I went back to school today and promptly dashed my good intentions to use my ‘study periods’ to actually work by spending a double peroid stuffing myself with yummy apple crumble cake from M&S and reading magazines. Naughty. And I’m going to the Magdalen ball on friday which should be fun (will be wearing my pink dress of course:) I’d better go as I have to finish a TS Eliot essay that was due in last term. oops. LOVE YOU LOADS!!!! and thank you for the use of your bedroom btw, very useful. Between my room, dad’s room and your room I have turned the house into my own personal studio;) We recorded Doctor Who and the OC (much cute Seth-ness in the latest one)
xxxxxxSophiexxxxxx
4: Betsy says:
TESSA! I’m VERY excited you’re coming to visit. So do email me, once you know more about your Friday plans. [And I am glad you seem to be having a grand time.]
5: Maddy says:
Hey Tess!
Just left a message on James’ bit to tell him this website is unbelievably clever, so as you’re both equally wonderful, of course I had to leave on for you, too! :) Hope you have the best trip ever and I’ll no doubt be round chez-Caldecott when you get back to catch up on all the goss! Love you x x x
6: Ruby says:
Baby! You got there, you independant woman you (well soon anyway) Enjoy you’re time and see you in the Big Apple. Elliot tells me some story about why its called that - something to do with Newton’s friend and an apple seed, but bearing in mind he’s Elliot, he is probably making it all up. miss you! Send Jimothy all my love! Xx
7: Lucy says:
It’s so exciting and weird to think of you being on the other side of the world! Have the most fantastic time (I know you will!). Can’t wait to see you when you get back and hear an account of your adventures. Btw have definitely accepted Durham so hopefully we’ll be there together! Lots of love and hugs (and Monica sends hugs too). The Nashes are all thinking of you!
8: Tessa says:
Not sure I’m supposed to comment on the comments but it’s probably easiest so I will!
Soph, what Australian cousins? I didn’t know we had any! Neither did Dad! How facinating.
Thanks for commenting everyone! Keep it up, I really appreciate it. See you on Saturday Ruby! Have a safe journey. Exciting!
And Lucy, yay I so hope it works out! It would be wicked cool to be up there with you!