We were thankful to have Grandpa John with us this year! The apt on campus has a lovely kitchen that is not ideal for cooking and baking large holiday meals. We decided not to cook, and instead went to Bondhu. Farrah's restaurant is a gem! The building is beautiful and was once a different restaurant. Decades before that, it was one of the first buildings in New Ashford (Small town between Pittsfield and Williamstown) that was home to a judge. Fascinating history there.
Anyway, Farrah uses the bottom of the house as a restaurant and the second level as her family home. We really like their brunch; it's always highlighting locally sourced food and different cultures. Her intentionality and research adds to the overall experience, creating this vibrant space to eat and learn.
Thanksgiving did not disappoint!
Matt was invited to give a small workshop for our college step team, Nexxus. They have been preparing for a fall show.
We got outside when the sun made an appearance! This hike was lovely and we stopped at a co-op, surrounded by trees, birds, and not much else for amazing food. They have great ice cream, lots of vegan desserts, fresh bagels, soups, sandwiches, a grocery store, and whole lot off other things and supplies.
Our volleyball team played in the conference finals! They worked so hard. Came in a respectful second place. The gym was packed and excitement was high. Super proud of them.
Porkchop is THE cutest dog who continues to be a puppy.
Matt celebrated a birthday! He was on duty for the actual day. So we brought him cake and sang in the lobby.
R.O.P.E. had a great first Saturday session with a presentation highlighting how we experience, feel, and process microaggressions.
The return of the hockey team was a big deal on campus. I have mixed feelings. The students are wonderful. The coaches are good. The year+ process of how it all came together, and how we still are building this plane while flying, is not my favorite and a good example of what happens in higher ed when aspirations and expectations are prioritized over capacity, budget realities, and inclusion of voices of those most impacted. I'm ever the optimist, and know this will all work out, and the burnout and exhaustion of managing this one, both directly and indirectly, has been super stressful. A highlight was the creation of the first women's team for the college and the maturity and lived experiences of the mens team (typically an older student pop) that has had a positive impact off the ice. A second highlight was the community support and presence at their games. This is one of those times when I lean heavily into the positive as motivation to keep going...
And finally, Cass played on the varsity volleyball team as a first year student! She is thriving at Miss Halls :-)
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