Going through my iphone camera roll of the exam period. Feeling slightly masochistic and nostalgic of my last days as a law student, and the amazing friendship and camaraderie that made it all possible.

Every now and then I lug my giant SLR around for no good reason. It gets x-rayed, poked and prodded by airport security but stays comfortably tucked away in my luggage upon arrival. It’s a (rare) sign that I’m on vacation, and not traveling. The difference between a getaway and an adventure.

The last three years has been an adventure of a different sort, and with graduation only a week away it’s time for some much needed R&R. I was lucky enough to steal away to the Bahamas for a few days, where the only photographing I did was with my mind’s eye… and my iPhone . I feel refreshed, and maybe even ready to tackle the bar exam. Maybe.

I love commencement season. I know some find the speeches silly but each year some truly inspiring ones emerge that remind us of what the big picture is. This year Oprah will be giving our commencement speech, and I’m excited to hear what she has to say (and maybe the slight glimmer of hope that one of her new favorite things will be under my chair)

I came across this incredible commencement speech by David Foster Wallace, originally given to the 2005 graduating class at Kenyon College, but wasn’t popularized until his death three years later. It’s a powerful reminder to be conscious of the invisible, and the true meaning and value of an education

[This is Water - David Foster Wallace]

I never understood why my brother constantly talked about the weather in Boston. New England in winter often feels like it’s never going to end. And just when you’ve forgotten what sunshine feels like, Spring arrives bringing along with the irresistible urge to be outside.

Last Sunday I joined some friends for brunch at the Harvard Faculty club. We’re all graduating in three weeks, and it was a really special way to round out our year together. The Harvard faculty club is hidden just beyond Harvard yard and is open to all Harvard affiliates, even students who are attending summer school. It serves up a really impressive brunch. Mimosas? Eggs Benedict? Oh stop. You had me at unlimited macarons.

Spotted in the Harvard Yard quad – giant teddy bear, small dorm room.

“Do you talk to your plants?” She said, smiling

I paused for a minute, not sure whether she was making fun of me or just kidding. And then it hit me. I’ve probably become the plant version of the crazy cat lady, haven’t I. Any newbie gardener will be able to relate to the little victories I experience. Signs that I’m slowly developing a green thumb, like seeing sprouts rear their heads, or watching a wilted plant spring back up after forgetting to water it for a couple of days. This morning I reached out of my window and saw my first strawberries ripen. I swear, it was like being Captain Ahab, and spotting Moby Dick. Strawberries, AHOY!!!

I’m currently growing Quinault and Sequoia strawberries (and possibly a third variety, I’m not entirely positive). Quinault is an ever-bearing variety, which will put out berries throughout the season, whereas the Sequoia is June-bearing and will give me a flush of berries in a month’s time.

The above two are what remains from the first batch of flowers the Quinault plant produced. I either need to get my own bees, or get better at pollination. Apparently prodding flowers with a Q-tip isn’t really effective plantsexypartytimes and I only got two berries, while all the others shriveled up. (You see what I mean by little victories? It feels like one step forward, two steps back.)

I did manage to get two beautiful strawberries which finally ripened today. I’ve heard the first few aren’t very sweet, but I assure you – they were delicious. Sun-ripened, and freshly plucked from the plant. Willy Wonka couldn’t make candy that tastes better than this.

And just to round off a strawberry-laden post, here’s a shot of a baby strawberry plant developing on a runner. Strawberries are creepers and will shoot out little clones of itself. It is by far the easiest way to grow strawberries. Once the runner gets big enough, just stick it in some potting soil and it will take root and even send out additional runners. Strawberries. Truly the plant that keeps on giving.