WHOO-HOO !!! I passed my first ARE! (Architect Registration Examination) and so did my study partner. Such a relief. And the champagne is on the way. Now, only eight more tests to go.

February has really gotten to me. i was already crabby today when i got to work today. and then we didn't have heat again until after lunch... around two, i think. my toes are still thawing. times like these i just want to go home. and then move some place warmer. why put up with this?

i guess i like to think that i enjoy winter. it's great to have changing seasons and see everything die and then regenerate in the spring. and snow can be really beautiful, especially since it covers all the dirt of the city.

but snow is really only fun when you get a "snow day," and that doesn't happen in new york city because the subway doesn't shut down. okay, it shut down twice since i've been using it, and those were momentous occasions: it took a multistate power grid meltdown to stop the trains, and everything else, and then there was the transit strike, which didn't stop me from having to go to work; it just involved lots of walking and bike riding in the freezing cold for a few days.

Perhaps if NYC got 6 feet of snow like upstate. maybe then i'd get a snow day. or that one town that had 12 feet! that would be awesome! excpet new yorkers as a rule don't eat at home, so everyone would probably starve.

i don't know where this complaining was headed, so i'll end it. i guess it's almost March. i think i can make it through the winter. i'm feeling better already. aren't you glad you read this?

Okay, the Puerto Rico pictures are online. (link below) I only uploaded a selection of the images from the picture pool, but these are still a lot. photography credits go to ryan, christina, omar, connie, and me.

here's the itinerary so you can understand what you're seeing:

day1: arrive at rented apartments, walk around Old San Juan
day2: drive to El Yunque rainforest, rehearsal dinner in San Juan
day3: Ocean Park beach, wedding at old fort, reception dinner
day4: drive/boat ride to Culebra island, Flamenco beach, dinner Old San Juan
day5: walk + shop Old San Juan, fly home

picture link: H E R E

two weeks ago i was swimming in a rainforest waterfall, napping on an island beach, and sipping pina coladas. The temp didn't go below 70 or above the low 80's. perfect.

it was 8 degrees going to the gym this morning, and has warmed up now to 16. we didn't have heat in the office this morning until about 11. the gallon jug of water in our fridge was frozen solid, and i was cadding in scarf and a hat. Paul made me some tea to sip and thaw my hands until the heat came back up. but my toes are still frozen.

i miss you, Peurto Rico!

(note: inappropriate contents have been replaced)