Flashback I

Well, now that exams are over, and I have a life once again, I can get to some unfortunately neglected but very cool things that have happened of late. Like Frank Pepe's. 

Frank Pepe's is "the best pizza in New Haven." It's REALLY famous, in the pizza world. It was featured in a pizza cookbook I got for my birthday years ago. But I had never been. So, when my mom was here for Easter (A full month ago, almost),  we had dinner there.

 

We walked down to Wooster Street, across State Street and the train tracks, the "Little Italy" of New Haven. As promised, the line was was out the door--and down the sidewalk. The man in line ahead of us was a retired Yale Med professor. He verified that it was, indeed, the best pizza in New Haven. 

Despite the line, we managed to get in in about 10 minutes. Over the kitchen hung a neon sign: "The Original Tomato Pie." They sat us in a big booth in the very back of the restaurant, by a window. The wall was lined with neatly framed photos of the original Frank Pepe. From the simple menu--they only do pizza--we ordered a tomato pie, half pepperoni and garlic (whole cloves!), half veggie. They served us water in small glasses, and left the pitcher on our table. They are all about efficiency. 

The pizza was brought out on a big metal tray, with two plates and a pile of napkins--necessary. It was good. Really good. 

But of course more than we could eat (The table next to us, four kids, demolished four--count 'em, four.) 

Was it better than Yale Farm pizza? Well... I'm inclined to say no, but it's apples and oranges, really. Definitely deserving of the fame, no doubt. And a great experience. The Pepe's experience. 

Community Gardens in Santa Fe

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Food-gardens-to-take-root-in-city-parks

Check out the article in today's New Mexican, and get involved. I want to!

New Leaves

The rain brings in something new, 

it whispers summer

Tells you you’re making good time.

Rushing down the hill, air sweet

And full of pending nectar.

In the street, pink petals strewn

Like sunlight through leaves.

It has become all right to go without an umbrella.

This is the kind of rain you dance in.

 

Now is the tome to dance and sleep soundly,

To sit in the sun,

To finally stop waiting. 

Well, it's that time of year again...

Exam time. The library will be open 24 hours a day for the remainder of reading week. Scary. I am so close to being done, and yet can't quite even think of how wonderful that is, because of all that has to get done before then. I've already handed in one 10-page paper, and I'm about to hand in another 12-pager. Then, I have two exams on Thursday, and a take-home exam due that same day. I just have to keep telling myself, Yes, Yes, Yes, I can. I can get this all done in a good way. 

If it's any comfort, I know plenty of people who have far more to do. Hmm... Not really a comfort at all. 

Meanwhile, it's May! Trees have leaves again. Squirrels are frolicking in the tree outside my window, which is adorned with bubblegum-pink flowers. I will be home in 6 days. Inconceivable!

And  Fantastic. 

A portrait of the artist as herself

Tuesday afternoon, 8o degrees, gorgeous. I can still pretend that I don't have to do work. I head up to the new Environmental Studies building, LEED Platinum certified, to have my advising sheet signed, since I am now officially an Environmental Studies major. 

I bike up the hill, wearing chacos and rolled-up jeans, my hair in a braid, a green woven Peruvian bag aver my shoulder. My earrings are made of beans. 

If it dresses like an EVST major, and it smells like an EVST major, and pedals like one... Alright, God. I accept. I accept that I was destined to become this. Almost comically so. Onward!