Everything we say we'll do.

Last night was Valentine's Day II: dinner at Koreana (Korean BBQ is amazing), candlepin bowling and beer at Sacco's Bowl Haven, then homemade peanut butter cup ice cream at home and cuddling on the couch. It was fun giving Mike his scratch tickets with each new clue and seeing his face light up when he realized what each new thing was. We've been saying we wanted to go to Koreana for a while now--same for Sacco's--and last night was as good an excuse as any. Funny story about Koreana's BBQ: the servers cook the food for you. However, I was under the impression that we were in charge of the cooking. So there was an uncomfy moment when I was moving the meat around and the server walked up. I took the hint and put the tongs down, which she promptly picked up and, you know, did her job. (I'd even sent a text to Jenna asking what we were supposed to do, or not do, but she didn't respond in time.) I was only embarrassed until I took the first bite; there's no embarrassment in heaven. 

Candlepin bowling is not easy, but it is fun. And nothing beats looking ridiculous with your boot socks sticking out of bowling shoes. This morning I slept in until 7 and decided to take the later bus to work (the 8:26 instead of the 8:06) so I could make some oatmeal and coffee and have some quiet moments before the day started. Mike and I stopped at the library last night before the festivities and I picked up Congenial Spirits: The Selected Letters of Virginia Woolf. Lately I just want to read and write letters, and I always mean to pick up a book of letters from a great female writer. I guess these days I'm finally getting around to all those things I always said I'd do. What's next? Europe? 

North Bowling

Mike and I have been to Philly several times this past year, whether it's visiting for a Valentine's Day Massacre party, July 4th celebrations, or just because. It's been fun having more time to explore the city, do some touristy stuff and get a feel for the different neighborhoods. Now that Mike's two close friends (who introduced us) live there, we're getting nudged to move down eventually. For now, I'm enjoying the visits and the familiarity the city has taken on.

In one of our just because trips, Mike and I went exploring while our hostess babysat. We walked from Center City to Northern Liberties and discovered an adorable little bowling alley called North Bowl. Mike absolutely loves bowling so we stopped in for a beer, a couple games and some photobooth fun. 

I could stare at that heiny all day. TMI?

First up, we went upstairs to play some arcade games. They had so many options from pool tables to table hockey, air hockey, and, well, the one we ended up choosing: Buck Hunter. You see, Mike likes to tease me for being from the south. He calls me his southern belle, and often slips into a southern accent. He's convinced that southern people use words like "waint" and he drops it into conversation whenever it's convenient for him. By now the "word" has about 48 different meanings, depending on how he decides to use it. So he got a little excited when he saw Buck Hunter and was convinced I would be good at it. I'm sad to say, however, that Mike was much better. I guess this means he's ready to go hunting with my dad, no?

Next up, we did a little bowling. The games are a bit pricier than in Western Mass, where we usually go bowling, but the alley was so adorable and hip, it didn't really matter. The main downside? The lanes were so slick that Mike's curve ball (what's it called?) kept going straight to the gutter. That's what happens when you usually play at an alley whose lanes haven't been shined in a while. Despite Mike's many gutter balls, I still don't think I won a single game. 

After our failed bowling attempts, we decided to drop our final bits of cash on some photobooth pictures. I get giddy whenever I see one of these booths, a trait I get from my sister who is always on top of squeezing everyone into a booth and cheesing away. Our photos came out super underexposed, so we took some free ones on my point and shoot. I love them just as much. 

His favorite face to make. I usually just close my eyes and love him anyway.

Oh yeah, and there was gummy bacon. But unless it tastes like bacon, I don't want it. Actually even then, I probably don't want it. Just give me real bacon.

 It's been so amazing having a traveling and exploring partner these past (almost six) months! More adventures and crappy point-and-shoot pictures to come! Who's your partner in crime when you travel?