Post by Lady Edfeil on Nov 13, 2005 10:11:17 GMT -5
This is a 'play by play' so to speak of the visit to Saint Louis, written in a dialogue between my wonderful suitor and myself...
My suitor
So, those of you who have been paying attention have noticed that Eva was out here in St. Louis visiting me and meeting the folks last week.
To answer all of your questions: no, we're not engaged yet.
Other questions might include, where did you go and what did you do?
Well, our first day actually consisted of a trip across the state to Kansas City to meet up with another friend that Eva knew from online. Among other things, the trip included an "authentic" KC barbecue meal at, uh, Applebee's (don't ask).
Other highlights included trips to the Arch, the St. Louis Cathedral (where we went for the All Saint's mass), the Botanical Gardens, and the Art Museum. Yes, Eva also sat in on one of my classes and critiqued my teaching style.
She and her mother got along quite splendidly with my parents, which was a definite good thing.
Now, I'll let her take it from here with the details....
---------------------------
Me
Let's see... the details...
*chuckles*
My mother and I arrived on saturday night, after a 19 hour flight (including two four hour lay overs). As we had woken at 6.15 am to arrive at 11 pm, plus a 7 hour time difference... you can imagine that jet lag had us pretty much in our grip. I don't remember much anymore about saturday except for the food on the airports (good), on the plane... (not so good) and running towards my suitor when we finally arrived in Saint Louis...
I know that I must have spoken to his parents, but to be honest I don't know anymore what about... the bedrooms my mother and myself were given were wonderful and sleep was ever so sweet!
-----------------------
My suitor
Ok... well... on Sunday we got up at the crack of dawn and started driving to Kansas City to meet Eva's friend D. The car trip largely consisted of Eva marvelling (or being appalled) at the numerous billboards along I-70. It's a 4-5 hour trip, and when we got to D's place, he wasn't exactly ready since we forgot to call him.
We went to a church that afternoon to attend mass, and spent some time in the perpetual adoration chapel at the church we found. D kept talking about this great barbecue place that he knew, but ended up taking us to Applebee's instead for some reason. We basically stayed up chatting for a while that evening.
---------------
Me
*chuckles* The evening ended early... jet lag was still upon me, and D. had been up for about 24 hours due to a double shift. Let's say that by 9 pm I was asleep in D's bedroom, and my suitor was trying to sleep in the living room with D snoring in the relax chair next to him.... how brave a suitor he is!!! ((and gallant, he doesn't even mention my irritation at the perky waitress in Applebees)
Monday...
The trip home was the first thing on the menu that day. Another car ride of about five hours in oposite direction, back to Saint Louis. Jet lag still upon me, I prefered an afternoon nap to sitting in on my suitors class. I did however have lunch first with his father and my mother at a place called the Saint Louis Bread company, since we couldn't lunch at home due to a power outing.
That power outing lasted through my nap (but that of course didn't hinder the nap at all). In the late afternoon early evening while my suitor was at work and after my nap, I crocheted and read a bit. The evening was spend with the family together: diner of crockpot beef and nice vegies and rolls. And afterwards my suitor and I played chess together on a Civil War chessboard. He beat me. *L* (though it took effort!)
Still tired from travelling all of us retired early, which leads us to tuesday.
----------------
My suitor
((The next morning, I beat her at chess with considerably less effort ))
On Tuesday, we decided to hit the tourist highlights. We started off at the St. Louis Art Museum in the morning. Unfortunately, I had scheduled a lunch with a colleague of mine that day, so I had to bail for lunch, but my parents met Eva and her mother at the museum and ate with them. Afterwards, I took the two of them downtown and went to the Arch.
We saw a ridiculously cheesy movie about the construction of it in the museum at the bottom, and then got into the cars for the ride to the top. The weather, I might add, was absolutely BEAUTIFUL, which complemented the company quite nicely. So, we got some good views from the top.
After the trip down, we decided to head to the Cathedral for the All Saint's Day mass. We arrived about an hour early, so I could give them the freebie tour of the building. Mass was nice, but we got a priest that talked a mile a minute, so I fear that Eva didn't learn many of the English responses.
Afterwards, we went out to an Italian restaurant that a friend of my parents' owned, and had an absolutely wonderful dinner. Afterwards, I dropped Eva and her mother back at my parents' place for a good night's sleep.
------------
Me
The Saint Louis Art museum has a wonderful collection, and it's displayed very well! The only point of criticism would be the fact that the map is so difficult to follow that you basically just follow your nose and see what you meet instead of being able to decide which galleries you're going to visit.
My suitors father took us through a few of the galleries with American painters after he had left for lunch and his explenation added to the experience. We lunched in the cafe of the museum which was uncommonly full, according to his mother.
The museum at the arch, in which we only spend a little time was quite nice, the movie -as my suitor said- quite cheesy. The elevators for the arch are a treat in themselves and quite like something from an old James Bond movie.
And the restaurant in the evening had absolutely the most magnificent Italian food I've ever eaten! (I had a divine seafood ravioli!)
Wednesday was shopping day in the morning. After breakfast at my suitors parents house, we were 'set free' in the Galleria, a large shopping mall. I'm still proud of myself for being able to limit myself to two t shirts and some skin products.
Afterwards, I went to sit in on My suitors class and my mother enjoyed the time for a walk on campus grounds and int he nearby park. As my suitor said, the weather was extra ordinary as you can see on the pictures.
I took two full sheets of notes on his class and teaching techniques... *EG* But he must have done well since at the end of the lesson I could reproduce what he had been teaching and I've never taken any economics classes!
After the class I visited his office, we picked up my mother and after a small stop at a Mc Donalds drive through (I hate it when the sign spells it 'thru') we went back to his parents house. There we entertained ourselves with talking and reading till later that evening it was time for diner. His mother made a lovely brocoli/ cheese casserole with honey smoked ham and other vegetables.
We spend the evening talking and enjoying eachothers company.
------------------
My suitor
So that brings us up to Thursday... On Thursday, we went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, which Eva has reproduced in some lovely photos. They're quite a beautiful spot, and I enjoyed showing her and her mother around. We were there for much of the late morning and early afternoon.
After we left, I felt like I just HAD to take her to Ted Drewe's, which is a frozen custard stand that has been in St. Louis for 60ish years. It's great stuff and VERY filling. Afterwards, almost literally right across the street, is the Catholic Supply store, which Eva had discovered a while back on the internet while searching for some teaching supplies. Hence, we had to go... and I think that Eva bought out half their inventory.
We then got dinner with my family at a pub near my father's office. Honestly, I can't remember what we did afterwards.
----------------------
Me
*swats at my suitor*
He forgets to mention of course that he nearly did not beat me with chess on Thursday. He had me in a bad position and then I fought back valiantly. To no avail in the end, but it still took over an hour. (If you know it's about thirteen years since I've sat behind a chessboard... that's impressive)
*swats at him again*
My mother and I barely spend eighty dollars together! I did not buy half of the inventory. (but I was tempted by quite a bit of it. And he bought me this lovely lil statue of a teaching nun with a wooden ruler!)
Now... friday..
We spend the day amongst the two of us on friday, at least we didn't take my mother or his parents with us. In the morning we went to a nearby convent for adoration, till shortly after 11 am... The small church was peaceful and beautiful and we spend an hour in silent prayer and adoration. They had a wonderful initiative called 'the army of one thousand' in which a thousand people pledged to come in each week and visit the sacrament in that church for a time.
After that we went to visit his apartment and from there on had a lunch meeting with an old friend of him that has known him since highschool. She was a very nice young woman and of course it was an experience to eat in a typical American 'diner'. *L*
Afterwards we went back to his place where my suitor spent an hour and a half grading midterms while I puttered around on the computer and expressed my amazement at how horribly empty his pantry was!
Later that afternoon we went to visit his grandparents who themselves have been married for 67 years! It was lovely meeting them and I think they liked me. We went to his parents home, took an order for take out chinese, went to pick up some orange juice in the supermarket and went back home to eat before going to the IMAX cinema to see Batman Begins.
Needless to say afterwards we were sort of tired and went to bed soon!
------------------------
My suitor
So, on Saturday, we went, erm.... shopping. I have nothing to contribute beyond that.
On Saturday evening, my university had their annual Founder's Day dinner, which is basically a big fancy dinner where they have guest speakers and hit up alumni for money. Hence, Eva got dragged to her first American university "function". The food and wine was quite nice, and they had Rudy Giuliani as one of the guest speakers. He's quite a good public speaker.
After a week of absolute terrific weather, however, the sky hit back at us with a vengeance that evening. On our way out, it was pouring ridiculously hard with lots of lightning, and our car was parking a block or so away from the convention center. I, however, valiantly got soaked sprinting for the car (in my suit and dress shoes, I might add) and pulled the car around for Eva and crew. (Yes, yes, I know I'm a hero. )
By then it was pretty late, so we said goodnight after arriving at home.
-------------------
Me
*chuckles*
I might add that the shopping was NOT my idea, but aparently my suitors mother and sister had the idea that we would truely love to do some more shopping. *L* In the end they came home with more bags than we did, but we had some fun all together, pouring through christmassy and other shops.
For the ladies here, I wore a very nice black gown that evening, covered from neck till ankles and halfway my upper arms with a white and golden shawl. My suitor wore a... (*grins and looks at him*) suit.
Diner was nice, the speeches were not too long and Rudy Guiliani was indeed a very good speaker.
My suitor did indeed run valiantly to get the car afterwards, and thus we were at the end of our last evening together... *sniff, sniff*
After the official function, I packed my bags... and we just sat together for a while.
Sundaymorning we went to my suitors home parish for a brief sundaymorning mass and then had breakfast with the entire family before going to the airport. Luckily we went early because the flight schedule had changed and my mom had the old times on her ticket. There was no time for a long goodbye, just a quick kiss before running to the gate, where of course they were late with boarding.
We had only one two and a half hour lay over in Washington where my mom and I closed off the vacation by having diner at Fridays. We then spend seven hours on the plane, about three of which were VERY turbulent.
My best friend picked us up from the airport at 7 am mondaymorning when we arrived. I took a small nap at home and at 1 pm... I was teaching again!!
My suitor
So, those of you who have been paying attention have noticed that Eva was out here in St. Louis visiting me and meeting the folks last week.
To answer all of your questions: no, we're not engaged yet.
Other questions might include, where did you go and what did you do?
Well, our first day actually consisted of a trip across the state to Kansas City to meet up with another friend that Eva knew from online. Among other things, the trip included an "authentic" KC barbecue meal at, uh, Applebee's (don't ask).
Other highlights included trips to the Arch, the St. Louis Cathedral (where we went for the All Saint's mass), the Botanical Gardens, and the Art Museum. Yes, Eva also sat in on one of my classes and critiqued my teaching style.
She and her mother got along quite splendidly with my parents, which was a definite good thing.
Now, I'll let her take it from here with the details....
---------------------------
Me
Let's see... the details...
*chuckles*
My mother and I arrived on saturday night, after a 19 hour flight (including two four hour lay overs). As we had woken at 6.15 am to arrive at 11 pm, plus a 7 hour time difference... you can imagine that jet lag had us pretty much in our grip. I don't remember much anymore about saturday except for the food on the airports (good), on the plane... (not so good) and running towards my suitor when we finally arrived in Saint Louis...
I know that I must have spoken to his parents, but to be honest I don't know anymore what about... the bedrooms my mother and myself were given were wonderful and sleep was ever so sweet!
-----------------------
My suitor
Ok... well... on Sunday we got up at the crack of dawn and started driving to Kansas City to meet Eva's friend D. The car trip largely consisted of Eva marvelling (or being appalled) at the numerous billboards along I-70. It's a 4-5 hour trip, and when we got to D's place, he wasn't exactly ready since we forgot to call him.
We went to a church that afternoon to attend mass, and spent some time in the perpetual adoration chapel at the church we found. D kept talking about this great barbecue place that he knew, but ended up taking us to Applebee's instead for some reason. We basically stayed up chatting for a while that evening.
---------------
Me
*chuckles* The evening ended early... jet lag was still upon me, and D. had been up for about 24 hours due to a double shift. Let's say that by 9 pm I was asleep in D's bedroom, and my suitor was trying to sleep in the living room with D snoring in the relax chair next to him.... how brave a suitor he is!!! ((and gallant, he doesn't even mention my irritation at the perky waitress in Applebees)
Monday...
The trip home was the first thing on the menu that day. Another car ride of about five hours in oposite direction, back to Saint Louis. Jet lag still upon me, I prefered an afternoon nap to sitting in on my suitors class. I did however have lunch first with his father and my mother at a place called the Saint Louis Bread company, since we couldn't lunch at home due to a power outing.
That power outing lasted through my nap (but that of course didn't hinder the nap at all). In the late afternoon early evening while my suitor was at work and after my nap, I crocheted and read a bit. The evening was spend with the family together: diner of crockpot beef and nice vegies and rolls. And afterwards my suitor and I played chess together on a Civil War chessboard. He beat me. *L* (though it took effort!)
Still tired from travelling all of us retired early, which leads us to tuesday.
----------------
My suitor
((The next morning, I beat her at chess with considerably less effort ))
On Tuesday, we decided to hit the tourist highlights. We started off at the St. Louis Art Museum in the morning. Unfortunately, I had scheduled a lunch with a colleague of mine that day, so I had to bail for lunch, but my parents met Eva and her mother at the museum and ate with them. Afterwards, I took the two of them downtown and went to the Arch.
We saw a ridiculously cheesy movie about the construction of it in the museum at the bottom, and then got into the cars for the ride to the top. The weather, I might add, was absolutely BEAUTIFUL, which complemented the company quite nicely. So, we got some good views from the top.
After the trip down, we decided to head to the Cathedral for the All Saint's Day mass. We arrived about an hour early, so I could give them the freebie tour of the building. Mass was nice, but we got a priest that talked a mile a minute, so I fear that Eva didn't learn many of the English responses.
Afterwards, we went out to an Italian restaurant that a friend of my parents' owned, and had an absolutely wonderful dinner. Afterwards, I dropped Eva and her mother back at my parents' place for a good night's sleep.
------------
Me
The Saint Louis Art museum has a wonderful collection, and it's displayed very well! The only point of criticism would be the fact that the map is so difficult to follow that you basically just follow your nose and see what you meet instead of being able to decide which galleries you're going to visit.
My suitors father took us through a few of the galleries with American painters after he had left for lunch and his explenation added to the experience. We lunched in the cafe of the museum which was uncommonly full, according to his mother.
The museum at the arch, in which we only spend a little time was quite nice, the movie -as my suitor said- quite cheesy. The elevators for the arch are a treat in themselves and quite like something from an old James Bond movie.
And the restaurant in the evening had absolutely the most magnificent Italian food I've ever eaten! (I had a divine seafood ravioli!)
Wednesday was shopping day in the morning. After breakfast at my suitors parents house, we were 'set free' in the Galleria, a large shopping mall. I'm still proud of myself for being able to limit myself to two t shirts and some skin products.
Afterwards, I went to sit in on My suitors class and my mother enjoyed the time for a walk on campus grounds and int he nearby park. As my suitor said, the weather was extra ordinary as you can see on the pictures.
I took two full sheets of notes on his class and teaching techniques... *EG* But he must have done well since at the end of the lesson I could reproduce what he had been teaching and I've never taken any economics classes!
After the class I visited his office, we picked up my mother and after a small stop at a Mc Donalds drive through (I hate it when the sign spells it 'thru') we went back to his parents house. There we entertained ourselves with talking and reading till later that evening it was time for diner. His mother made a lovely brocoli/ cheese casserole with honey smoked ham and other vegetables.
We spend the evening talking and enjoying eachothers company.
------------------
My suitor
So that brings us up to Thursday... On Thursday, we went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, which Eva has reproduced in some lovely photos. They're quite a beautiful spot, and I enjoyed showing her and her mother around. We were there for much of the late morning and early afternoon.
After we left, I felt like I just HAD to take her to Ted Drewe's, which is a frozen custard stand that has been in St. Louis for 60ish years. It's great stuff and VERY filling. Afterwards, almost literally right across the street, is the Catholic Supply store, which Eva had discovered a while back on the internet while searching for some teaching supplies. Hence, we had to go... and I think that Eva bought out half their inventory.
We then got dinner with my family at a pub near my father's office. Honestly, I can't remember what we did afterwards.
----------------------
Me
*swats at my suitor*
He forgets to mention of course that he nearly did not beat me with chess on Thursday. He had me in a bad position and then I fought back valiantly. To no avail in the end, but it still took over an hour. (If you know it's about thirteen years since I've sat behind a chessboard... that's impressive)
*swats at him again*
My mother and I barely spend eighty dollars together! I did not buy half of the inventory. (but I was tempted by quite a bit of it. And he bought me this lovely lil statue of a teaching nun with a wooden ruler!)
Now... friday..
We spend the day amongst the two of us on friday, at least we didn't take my mother or his parents with us. In the morning we went to a nearby convent for adoration, till shortly after 11 am... The small church was peaceful and beautiful and we spend an hour in silent prayer and adoration. They had a wonderful initiative called 'the army of one thousand' in which a thousand people pledged to come in each week and visit the sacrament in that church for a time.
After that we went to visit his apartment and from there on had a lunch meeting with an old friend of him that has known him since highschool. She was a very nice young woman and of course it was an experience to eat in a typical American 'diner'. *L*
Afterwards we went back to his place where my suitor spent an hour and a half grading midterms while I puttered around on the computer and expressed my amazement at how horribly empty his pantry was!
Later that afternoon we went to visit his grandparents who themselves have been married for 67 years! It was lovely meeting them and I think they liked me. We went to his parents home, took an order for take out chinese, went to pick up some orange juice in the supermarket and went back home to eat before going to the IMAX cinema to see Batman Begins.
Needless to say afterwards we were sort of tired and went to bed soon!
------------------------
My suitor
So, on Saturday, we went, erm.... shopping. I have nothing to contribute beyond that.
On Saturday evening, my university had their annual Founder's Day dinner, which is basically a big fancy dinner where they have guest speakers and hit up alumni for money. Hence, Eva got dragged to her first American university "function". The food and wine was quite nice, and they had Rudy Giuliani as one of the guest speakers. He's quite a good public speaker.
After a week of absolute terrific weather, however, the sky hit back at us with a vengeance that evening. On our way out, it was pouring ridiculously hard with lots of lightning, and our car was parking a block or so away from the convention center. I, however, valiantly got soaked sprinting for the car (in my suit and dress shoes, I might add) and pulled the car around for Eva and crew. (Yes, yes, I know I'm a hero. )
By then it was pretty late, so we said goodnight after arriving at home.
-------------------
Me
*chuckles*
I might add that the shopping was NOT my idea, but aparently my suitors mother and sister had the idea that we would truely love to do some more shopping. *L* In the end they came home with more bags than we did, but we had some fun all together, pouring through christmassy and other shops.
For the ladies here, I wore a very nice black gown that evening, covered from neck till ankles and halfway my upper arms with a white and golden shawl. My suitor wore a... (*grins and looks at him*) suit.
Diner was nice, the speeches were not too long and Rudy Guiliani was indeed a very good speaker.
My suitor did indeed run valiantly to get the car afterwards, and thus we were at the end of our last evening together... *sniff, sniff*
After the official function, I packed my bags... and we just sat together for a while.
Sundaymorning we went to my suitors home parish for a brief sundaymorning mass and then had breakfast with the entire family before going to the airport. Luckily we went early because the flight schedule had changed and my mom had the old times on her ticket. There was no time for a long goodbye, just a quick kiss before running to the gate, where of course they were late with boarding.
We had only one two and a half hour lay over in Washington where my mom and I closed off the vacation by having diner at Fridays. We then spend seven hours on the plane, about three of which were VERY turbulent.
My best friend picked us up from the airport at 7 am mondaymorning when we arrived. I took a small nap at home and at 1 pm... I was teaching again!!
