Last weekend, we went to Rice University for our friend's graduation. He is Seventh-day Adventist, so he did not participate in the graduation that took place on Saturday. The school officials gave him a short, individual graduation ceremony on Sunday with all his friends and family invited.
The Rice campus is really beautiful, with European architecture such as arches, stone masonry, decorative bricked paths, and long walk ways with pillars and columns. It would be a nice setting to take outdoor wedding photos. The landscaping is impressive, too.
The Rice campus is really beautiful, with European architecture such as arches, stone masonry, decorative bricked paths, and long walk ways with pillars and columns. It would be a nice setting to take outdoor wedding photos. The landscaping is impressive, too. 
I really like walking around the campus. We took a few photos, but didn't spend much time there accept to attend the graduation.
After we left Rice, we took a short drive over to the Museum of Natural Science to watch a 3-D IMAX on the Galapagos Islands. It was a gorgeous day, so while we were waiting for the show to start, we took a walk to the nearby Houston Rose Gardens. The roses and other flowers were really beautiful. One of my favorite sections there is the Herb Garden. I like to rub the leaves and smell the various herbs --one of our favorite scents is the pineapple mint plants. The most beautiful ones to look at are usually the sage or lavender plants, because they have tiny, bright purple blooms on long stalks that sway in the wind. They smell good, too--especially the lavender.
On a side note. . . we had a couple of unusual and (I guess) humorous experiences on our little IMAX date. First, we got an ice cream cone and some french fries from the McD's inside the museum, and decided to eat our snack outside. They have some really nice sitting areas with tables, fountains, and butterfly-attracting plants on a huge patio outside the museum. So, we went out there to enjoy the sunshine while waiting for the IMAX to start.
Suddenly, the first slimey "bomb" (a gift from the bird overhead) landed on our bag of french fries--don't worry, no damange was done to our food, just the bag. We laughed it off, and decided it was just a freak occurance of bird droppings. Afterall, you don't expect to have that happen to you (at least not very often). However, a few short minutes later, I felt something nick my nose. "Jason?" I said with fear and disbelief on my face, "Is there something on my nose?" He couldn't hold back the laughter! (he tried). So, thoroughly grossed out, I ran inside to wash the "bird gift" off my nose. DISGUSTING! Fortunately there was lots of soap and paper towels in the rest room, and I managed to sanitize my nose. I lost my appetite, so Jason got to finish my ice cream cone. (boo hoo).
As if getting "dropped on" was not enough excitement for the day...our 3-D IMAX was interrupted by a fire alarm/drill. It happened right as the movie was getting especially interesting, too. They wouldn't let us back in to finish the movie, but did give us free IMAX passes. The ending of our date was pleasant an uneventful--dinner at Niko Niko's (Greek), and a little shopping at Central Market (one of my favorite specialty stores).
Cabbage and Zucchini
Tomatoes
Squash
Sugar Snap Peas
Strawberry