Falling leaves , puppy dog tails and denim jackets

I got out of the city again because someone asked me to work. I wasn't totally sold on going back home for the second weekend in a row, since it always takes me a bit to get back into my groove into the city when I go back and forth. My dog, as well as my parents, seemed happy to have me back and I enjoyed seeing the leaves and relaxing.

I was barely home long enough to eat spoonfuls of Nutella and grab my denim jacket to bring back to school. York was very pretty in the autumn sun but I got back on the train on Sunday morning to meet my friend for brunch. We went to this adorable little cafe in south Philly called Ants Pants Cafe. I had a sandwich with eggs, ham, tomato, avocado and brie. Delicious! I would recommend it as a treat, because it's a little pricey but even the coffee was a memorable aspect. I'm also happy to have my denim jacket, now it feels like fall.

    

Take me out of the city

It's hard to explain to people how boring the city can be. Don't get me wrong, Philly is full of so much dynamic and amazing culture that one can never see it all.But the city never changes - hardly any trees to change colors, a smoggy atmosphere and general dullness. I was so grateful to go home for the weekend and see the river, hike up some rocks, and drive on some dirt roads. Nothing helps the soul like a weekend of exploration and chilly fall days.

Brother in the city of brotherly love.

Last week was pretty low key as far as my school work went. However it got pretty lonely here, which tends to happen following a visit from Sam. It's not only that I miss him, which I do a lot, but it's also that having a loved one here helps fill in the emptiness. The white concrete block walls and hard linoleum floors feel less harsh with love filling in the cracks.

So it was very nice this weekend to get a visit from my little brother, Chris. I haven't blogged about my little brother much before, but him and I are really close and have always sort of been each other's support since we were really little. Since life at our house is hectic right now and I haven't been there to help, the poor guy has kind of been a little stressed in all the new adjustments. 

After he got off the train, we grabbed some food truck food in West Philly. I got some Carribean soul food and he got a cheese steak  I was excited to get the chance to show him around the city - take him on the subway for the first time, his first train ride, his first cheese steak and his first concert. I reluctantly took him to my school's homecoming concert, which was Big Sean. I'm not much of a rap music fan but I know Chris has been wanting to go to a concert since forever and my parents haven't quite found the time.

Museums and fall weather.

 Sam was here, again...Not as though I'm mad about it. His visits never seem quite frequent enough though they happen about every two weeks. I actually am so distracted in the mean time that it seems like it's only a few days between visits. This weekend we were fortunate enough to have lovely autumn weather and got to see great friends. The very cool part was that the Smithsonian was having Free Museum Day. Living in Philly, I am fortunate enough to be close to a bunch of museums - we decided on the Academy of Natural Sciences. The area there is really pretty with a big fountain in the middle. Of course we had to go to Rittenhouse afterwards and get our hot dogs from Underdogs.

Saturday night was quite chilly so we got coffee and hot chocolate from Seven Eleven to cuddle at the Bell Tower. Talked about dreams and stuff and took in a wonderful night in the city. So we wandered through the city until it was time for the bus to pic up my boy and whisk him away to western Pennsylvania. 

Now I'm left to write this paper about revolutionary women and their view of marital institutions - hope everyone gets to have as great a start to the week as I do!

Smiles, Morgen.