Fake Graduation

Last weekend was what my classmates and I like to call "fake graduation."
So I went down to KC, had my graduation banquet, got hooded, walked across the stage, and threw my hat up in the air, but I still have another 5 weeks of fieldwork to finish. That's how it goes, I guess.

Even though it was slightly anti-climatic, I still had a blast.  Patrick, Alexa, Matt, and I basically spent the whole weekend together.  We had nothing but fun.  This "them living in Phoenix thing" is really cutting in on my social time with Alexa. I hope we get to see them again soon!

Here are pictures from the banquet on Friday night.

Aren't these two just adorable? 

Of course Alexa and I were not going to let another themed photo opportunity go to waste.  We decided that we were dressed like spring.  I am the flower and she was the watering can.

And once we realized that Alexa was wearing blue with red shoes, AND we were in Kansas....well you can figure out what we did next.

Speaking of "no place like home," if you were in Merriam on May 16th and saw a car drive up to our old apartment buildings, just sit in front of them and stare, that definitely was not us.  

Alexa and I were excited beyond excited when Patrick and Matt took a selfie together.  We kind of designated them as best friends without them knowing, so we were pretty stoked when they took this without any coaxing from us.

 My other Nebraska OT friend, Stacey! Can't wait for her wedding soon!

My class and professor together one last time!

And then the day of the ceremony came.  

And then it was time for every combination of picture possible.

And then here are the best friends again :)

And then the looooooooooongest ceremony possible happened, but we got an awesome selfie after getting our diplomas.  Coincidence that we were alphabetically placed by each other during the ceremony?  I think not.  Obviously Alexa planned to marry a "Benson" so our names would be right by each other.....before we even met.

Since my parents couldn't make it, Alexa's parents graciously offered to step in for them.

So that makes us sisters, right?

Couldn't have made it through without this guy :)

Thanks for reading!

We're gonna party like it's your Birthday

Guess whose birthday it is today?
Gabby's!!

Want to know how old she is?   Just ask her.

My horse is brilliant.  What can I say?

Gabby was one of those surprises that change your life forever.  Stacey always wanted a horse when she was in grade school.  She saved every penny and finally was able to buy the first Brichacek family horse, Babe.  Babe was the sweetest mare ever.  About 6 months after getting Babe, she started to act strange.  She wouldn't let us ride her anymore and she was getting very fat.  On May 21, 1999, I was outside helping my Dad with fencing.  He walked behind our barn to get a fence and stopped dead in his tracks.  He turned around and started yelling, "Babe had a baby!!!"  That's right, we were sold a pregnant horse and didn't even know it.  (That really puts a whole new meaning to buy one, get one free, huh?)  Gabby has been a part of this family ever since.

Once Gabby was born, we realized we had no idea what to do with a  foal.  Some of her training was a bit delayed which may account for some of her stubbornness, attitude, and (I'm going to be honest here) downright laziness at times (In the words of Kara when the vet asked if she was an active horse, "She doesn't have many hobbies.").  Despite the fact that she will not lead anywhere unless food is involved, will not pick up her back left hoof to save her life, and will hunt you down if you get between her and dinner, she has learned some nifty tricks along the way.  The one shown above is great when kids come over.  They ask Gabby to count to a certain number and solve math problems.  My dad said that I should start teaching her square roots.  Never gets old.  She is also able to "guess" which hand I have a treat hidden in and will roll her lip back to "smile" when I ask her to.

Cannot believe she has been part of our family for 15 years already.  (Am I having one of those weird "mom moments?" sorry)

Thanks for reading!

Echo Coffee

I have been living in Omaha far too long without showing off some of the amazing places here. (Hopefully when spring/summer weather kicks in I will be able to do more of that.)

There are quite a few coffee places in downtown Omaha, but not one is cuter than Echo Coffee.  This is a relatively new coffee shop on 10th and William Street.   Patrick and I accidentally ran across it last summer, and I'm so glad we did!

This place is so cozy that you could stay there for hours (which I have). It has a dark wood finish, the chairs are teal with chevron cushions, the menu is on a chalkboard, there is a piano for anyone to play, and there are antique lamps on the tables.  Oh, and you can bring your dog there :)  Are you on your way to see it yet?
Besides the adorableness of the place, the coffee is bomb dot com.  This place is the real deal when it comes to coffee.  Quality before quanity.  It may take longer to get your drink (but if you are planning on staying for a while, does that really matter anyway?), but it is made right.  A macchiato is actually a real macchiato, not the Starbucks version (which is pretty much just a vanilla latte).  The water for a French press is heated to perfection.  The latte art makes it almost too pretty to drink.

Please bear with the ugly brown grass in the pictures.  These were taken a while ago.

You definitely need to stop of you are ever in the neighborhood.  It's a great place to sit outside and sip your coffee during the summer months!

Thanks for reading :)