Imaginary Deadline

Orlando view from office

2012-01-25T11:00:00.000-05:00

...

2011-12-11T22:55:00.001-05:00

Hemmingway

2011-12-11T22:32:00.001-05:00

An Italian Greyhound joins the family

2011-11-15T17:53:00.001-05:00

We named him Hemmingway. ;)

He is such a sweet little thing. I am technically a "foster parent" for him since the Greyhound Society needed a home for him. He is 6 years old, and had pretty bad cancer last year. He'd been left in a back yard in Miami and Italian Greyhounds can't handle a lot of baking sun. A little round of chemo fixed him up. What's nice about being a foster parent for a dog, if you're not responsible for the vet bills. Though I think I would adopt him outright if we ever moved. I'm terribly attached to him.

Here's the result of a morning I took off last week, my sweater revamped into a beret, cape and sweater!

Ben picked up an extra canvas I had laying around and started painting last week...

2011-08-01T15:49:00.003-04:00

I was really impressed with how naturally he seemed to get it.

iPad 2 for $179

2011-07-15T16:24:00.002-04:00

Um, this is on Sears' website. I'm not sure if it's a scam, but does look legit.

Do I need an iPad? No. Am I tempted to buy one for that price? Kind of.

A great kangaroo on a bike

2011-07-13T15:01:00.001-04:00

Thought I would share this gem.

Thai food late...

2011-06-28T21:54:00.006-04:00

Of late, I've not been hungry much. I got a nice little stomach bug a few weeks ago and haven't been able to shake the feeling of, "Food? Gross."

We both worked late tonight so husby is out getting Thai food. Yum. That always does appeal. I still love ordering in Thai and hearing the voice of the waiter saying, "Oh my god, you speak the perfect Thai." Hmm, maybe just an ego boost of some sort.

But I do love languages. I love them. I really love studying verbs in the past tense. Albeit, I can only go on for so long until I get a sudden burst of ADHD. But there is something just so fun about words rolling off your tongue. If I can use it for good purposes, all the better.

At work these days it seems there's a push towards doing charitable things, which is great. It's just a challenge sometimes explaining why your idea of charitable isn't someone else's I suppose.

I like this pictures of Legna a a lot. I think it looks really intriguing. I'm tempted to attempt a painting. She's so glamorous without being-aware-of-it at times.

Sometimes I get attached to a photo, stare at it, work on it for hours, then Ben comes in and say "Oh that's awful." And then I realize I've been getting so into it I missed that initial impression. Or I went at a photo with the thought, "I wonder if I can find something in this."

June is very hot in Florida. Anyone not here should be thankful they are not here.

Adopt an Italian Greyhound Day

2011-06-07T18:02:00.001-04:00

There is a free Italian Greyhound adoption society. They are having an event this Saturday.

Sounds like a great chance to see some cute puppies. ;-)

A client I used to work with...

2011-06-06T11:41:00.002-04:00

A client I worked with formerly posted their promo video on youtube.

Interesting sci-fi men. They are cracking me up this morning.

A Nautical Adventure

2011-06-06T11:24:00.001-04:00

from on Vimeo.

roast of Ben...

2011-05-20T17:34:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mCZFdl0Hrk

Iowa - Getting out of mud...

2011-05-16T17:40:00.004-04:00

The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la!

2011-05-10T22:49:00.006-04:00

Man, it's been ages since I've seen the Mikado, or any Gilbert and Sullivan play. Ben mentioned the other day that we should watch one. (I'm not sure if he' knows what he's getting into.)

Maybe you have to be raised on it to really appreciate it.

I have a talk in español tomorrow. Trying to finish that up. Hurrah! I still feel like a preliminary type of infant speaking it sometimes. A functional infant, but oh how I wish for más fluidez.

We're going to Iowa Saturday to see Timmy & Marja! Should be fun (and chilly.) I used the last of my "personal money" in our budget on a sale pair of boots. I've never made it to the 10th of the month without completely spending all my personal money. Hah. Mint has been so helpful for budgeting!

Someone remarked on my "obscene use of the exclamation point" at work the other day. I didn't realize, but apparently I'm pretty liberal with my opinion of what's exciting.

It's so IRONIC that Sam and Antonio are assigned to the little town in Malaysia -- Kota Kinabalu -- where Sarah, Ben, Jonathan and I went. Just cracks me up.

wow

2011-05-09T18:11:00.000-04:00

Bizarre cat dance.

my chart works for many things, actually

2011-05-09T15:49:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking about getting a dog. So I made myself a chart today.

2011-05-09T15:43:00.002-04:00

The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night-Time

2011-04-25T22:59:00.007-04:00

So, I spent the past couple of months reading this book.

It was so well written that I feel like I've been autistic part-time for the last few months. The problem with great writing like this, is that I start to over-relate. I start to see characteristics in myself that might indicate I am autistic. I count when I'm angry; I count to concentrate; and I can see numbers in front of me sometimes to do math. (But isn't that because someone taught us to count to calm down, somewhere in life? --good point Ben.)

Well, slightly more chipper was the war novel Ben handed me. Buzzed through that too. I was glad when the guy finally died, *spoiler*, as I found it kind of a relief from all of his inner turmoil. He so stubbornly refused to forgive himself, I was ready to let him go.

After hearing that the Perrymans moved to Sri Lanka (somewhere I've always had a hankering to go), I really want to learn more about it. Time to brush up on my travel books.

Nina-bina is going to India with Amira this Winter. I'm so excited for her. (And meditatively contemplating how to get us in on part of this action.)

Now the music divides us into tribes

You grew your hair so I grew mine

You said the past won’t rest

Until we jump the fence and leave it behind

In the suburbs I, I learned to drive

And you told me we would never survive,

So grab your mother’s keys we leave tonight

Nina is sitting next to the blasting air conditioning vent curled up cat-like in a down feather blanket reading. Reminds me when she was about 5-yrs-old.

free yogurts!

2011-04-25T10:16:00.001-04:00

There is a $1 off Voskos yogurts coupons on the internet, and right now at Publix they are $1….which means they are FREE!

Yum, yum. I am addicted to the Exotic Fig one.

Alas, it's Friday

2011-04-23T00:18:00.004-04:00

I am determined to find out who watched The Princess and the Pony while logged in to my Netflix. (And that's when you know you've been a little liberal in handing out your password.)

Just finished reading Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut. (Ben's recommendation.) Heavy is an understatement, but it was rather fantastic. I mean, when a novel can create a character that gets you to really not know whether he's good or bad, right or wrong, guilty or innocent -- they've done some kind of job spinning the tale. The protagonist was the main Nazi war propaganda voice, and yet an American spy; influencing so many willing to kill other. Anyways, read it for yourself. It's worth a go.

Ben's so good at making his chicken chickpea curry thing with spinach. He made it again tonight for us. Man, I love Men's Health magazine. Why? Because it's gotten Ben to really conquer (for an extended period of time) cooking! It's great. They have these articles that are "15 minute skillet meals for men." (i.e. one pot, less mess, not more than 15 minutes in the kitchen.) And they are so good! Ben went out an bought himself an "appropriate skillet"...since I guess my cast iron wasn't sufficient, then really made them his own.

Por ejemplo today, I was like "let discuss what we'll make for dinner for friends coming over." Ben made the excellent point that in the time that we could take to discuss it--he could make food. Ahhhhh. Sure. ;-)

Well, I hope I didn't make an gigantic errors in our tax return. I worked on it all night (until 6 am) Sunday. And I really, really hope I got everything right. We should have a $31 refund. Yae!

A couple we study with came to the memorial which was very nice. They are so quirky and adorable. Love them so much. We had 306 which was very exciting.

Went and saw Caleb give his first highlights in Chinese last night. Wow, he sounds like the Chinese man in Inception. (Did he every actually speak Chinese?) So incredible though. He sounded so Asian. Very slow and precise, kinda Yoda'ish. Just amazing. Of course, we get in the car and Soph has comments for all of us ready. It's amazing to hear people who didn't speak a lick of Chinese 6 months ago going on with such (apparent) fluency. Hat's off.

I found Tangled to be quite cheesy, honestly. The horse was a nice character. The prince felt a tad recycled, but still filled the "prince role" I suppose. "Up" didn't need songs. I'm pro-animated movies that deliver the drama sin musica. That's right... hold the music aspect. Some of us are over that.

Open space...

2011-03-21T12:11:00.001-04:00

So, we moved into our new apartment. It is so nice! Feels big and empty in a refreshing way. It's nice to have space to walk in. The block walls are super hard, so hanging anything involves a drill, but I like it. Feels like a New York loft apartment. I want to keep it very empty and open.

Some of the Spanish friends & Kathy Oh helped us move...and they were amazing! We'd realize we'd forgotten to pack something, and three seconds later it was done. So nice.

It was nice to see Ava & Travis too...had a classic game of family charades last Saturday...always interesting to see my mom try to guess Lady Gaga. And Tenzing Norgay, Ben's charades, made everyone quite frustrated. (Ideas of what constitutes "famous person" and "pop culture" vary...though most knew who Wes Anderson was.)

Avril is always so full of energy! Inspiring.

And Travis, wow, such a nice guy. Not to mention, those push-up-clap-hands things are incredible. I don't know many guys who wake up at 2 am to eat cottage cheese to make sure they're getting their 6,000 calories a day. Him and Ava are hard-core.

Lately, I have been loving these Voskos yogurts. They are literally the best yogurt ever. Try "exotic fig" and you will be addicted. You can print coupons on their website here.

Ava's coming!

2011-03-08T14:21:00.001-05:00

Tonight Ava and Travis get in for a visit. This should be fun! It will be nice to see them. ;-)

I learn many things from my sisters. Recently Alice taught me I can throw my ballet flats in the wash, and they come out and no longer smell! This is important information for anyone who wears a pair of ballet flats for 4 months, realizes they smell, and discards them.

Poor cheetah flats, a casualty. If only I'd learned sooner.... ;-(

We're moving Saturday! (Not so nice that this would coincide with Ava's visit.) Yep, we got our apartment. And the rental company is being real sticklers about their rules. I have to have a written permission to hang a box of geraniums outside my window, my mailbox can not have a lock unless all the mailboxes have a lock. (My neighbors are a little ghetto, thus that request.)

But, alas, if they're that strict with me, they'll be like that with others! (The place is nice, but the street could use a little fixing-up.) It will be fun to be in Winter Park. New area, easier to get to work, a bit more closet space.

They are serving cappuccino beer at work today. Yummy, but no. That won't help with my status reports. I don't want to over-bill for production hours. I'd end up with some grumpy clients.

I'm helping out with social media buzz here...reading articles on it...responding to twitters, or tweets. I don't really do this with my own time much, but doing it for work is rather fun.

Hung out with some really inspiring people from Tanzania last Saturday. I've never really wanted to go to Tanzania, but seeing their pictures and hearing their stories was really, really inspiring. It's so true, if you really want to do something, and you count the cost and pray about it -- it's amazing what can work out. Very refreshing to meet others who are pursuing goals and having such success!

Ahoy, March is nearly here...

2011-02-28T17:36:00.002-05:00

Well, February just flew by. It's a short month anyway, and with the wedding of our friends Mike & Legna and our awesome sub-CO visit, it went quickly.

Allan y Jennifer, the CO couple from Georgia, were very nice. Very encouraging.

We've been looking for an apartment and are waiting to hear back tomorrow if we'll get this one we're really hoping for in Winter Park. It's in a good location, close to work and to our friends, and it's a great price. It's 2 bedrooms as well. Whoh-hoo! For the price, hard to believe. We'll have a real office at home, which will be great for Ben--since he works from home. Closer to my work is better for car-sharing on our work days too.

We also managed to have band practice again. Pas Secret is not dead yet...

I've been trying to track down Ikea items on craigslist -- and it's vicious! If I call about something at 8:50am, there is no guarantee that the woman still has it at noon. One woman was selling a desk, dresser, and two birch bookcases for $25 …but I was too late ;-( I called to find out what happened. (Well, I had Ben call, and he said that it was gone, so then I called.) And the lady said "we" had come! She had my name on it, then someone came and said they were Ben and Vi, that they had called, and gave them money.

I found a (mildly) useful website today that can generate pictures of kittens based on the dimensions you need them in your website!

It's almost as fun as googling "kitten piles" when you're in a grumpy mood. Try it! Or "little foxes"…also a good one.

Spanish is coming along, little by little. Ben is doing good making his sentences! I'm very proud of him.

Our new apartment will have no outside storage *sigh*…but I was very impressed by these bike pulley things I found.

Mural Art That Awes Me...

2011-02-25T14:18:00.001-05:00

Such cool ink drawings!

Ben

2011-02-07T00:01:00.001-05:00

2011-02-06T21:37:00.001-05:00

Legna gets married...

2011-02-05T16:49:00.001-05:00

2011-02-03T20:08:00.001-05:00

Meagan

2011-02-02T18:15:00.001-05:00

2011-02-02T18:09:00.003-05:00

2011-02-02T18:09:00.001-05:00

Cocktail party

2011-02-02T18:08:00.001-05:00

Meagan & nina

2011-02-02T18:07:00.001-05:00

Sophie & Tina

2011-02-02T18:06:00.001-05:00

Cocktail party

2011-02-02T18:05:00.001-05:00

A rather morbid spam email...

2011-02-02T17:13:00.002-05:00

Re: Payment Notification:

We are writhing to know if it's true that you are DEAD? Because we received a notification from one MR. GERSHON SHAPIRO of USA stating that you are DEAD and that you have giving him the right to claim your funds. He stated you died on a CAR accident. He has been calling us regarding this issue, but we cannot proceed with him until we confirm this by not hearing from you after 7days. Be advised that we have made all arrangements for you to receive and confirm your funds without anymore stress, and without any further delays.

All we need to confirm now is your been DEAD Or still Alive. Because this MAN'S message brought shock to our minds. And we just can't proceed with
him until we confirm if this is a reality OR not But if it happened we did not hear from you after 7days, then we say: MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE"

YOUR JOY AND SUCCESS REMAINS OUR GOAL.

May the peace of the Lord be with you wherever you may be now.
Your Faithfully,
Mrs.Farida Waziri

Why Babies Cry – An Entirely Unserious Guest Essay

2011-01-31T16:09:00.002-05:00

Most assumptions of the above are made entirely on the obvious. Thank you captain, one might say. However, the obvious is going to be stated – if just to contextualization the startling obvious revelation whence to come.

Babies are not unlike the rest of humanity. That is to say, if you had a bag of feces strapped to your bare skin I would sincerely doubt the outcome would be any less than hysterics. Crying, as I am told, is par for the course with that behavior. Yes, that is an obvious reaction to such stimuli, as is becoming extremely agitated when deprived of food or sleep. Something else I’m told happens to babies and in startling quantity. Yes, they are not unlike the rest of humanity.

What though when none of the aforementioned symptoms seem to be present? Crying simply for the sake of crying, as some might put it, something those little devils seem to be so good at. That, my dear reader, is exactly where eureka is to be had.

An aside: Surely those who seem to cry just to cry, in the same way a spoiled adult may carry on to manipulate matters to his or her advantage (read: others appease them to shut them up), exist and shall continue to exist. Just like adults, however, these individuals would make up a minority. The majority appear to be simply crying out for silence.

Silence?!, but why? There in lies the overlooked obvious. Imagine being around another language for an entire day. Communication: impossible. Now imagine that situation lingering for a week, and then a year. Frustrating? Yes. To the point of tears? An absolute certainty. Tears would be endlessly streamed in the hopes they might soon swell to the point of drowning out all the noise makers – which would be us. At least, that is one logical conclusion.

Evidence is compounded and the theory bolstered, indeed made sound, when the nagging habit of adults to speak baby gibberish “all up ons” is considered. Imagine, just when you are to the point of discovering the cipher to this cryptic language a barrage of goo-boldie gaga is aimed directly at you. You thought you had this. Now who knows what this new phrase is. Cry inducing indeed.

Science may have other “theories” about this phenomenon, but I challenge all to go out and to try and learn another language. You just may develop some compassion for our miniature counter-parts. I know I did.

we all need more energy

2011-01-31T14:45:00.001-05:00

So, Fitness Magazine has a good article this month on how to have more energy. One of the suggestions is to eat half your lunch, put it away, then eat the other half in 2 hours. Eat your fruit/chips 2 hours later. Basically, each less but more often. (Okay, we've heard that for years.)

But now I'm actually doing it. Putting my lunch away, and eating it later. And it's true -- it does make me have more energy.

Another suggestion is listening to classical music for 45 minutes as you get ready for bed, read, brush your teeth or whatever. I tried that last night. I think my "classical music" of Michael Tilson Thomas Villa Lobos was a bit intense, but I plan to try it again with Ravel tonight. It's supposed to give us better quality sleep.

Also, water. No big news. But the less water you drink, the more your cells shrink. Less energy.

Road rage was mentioned too. When you let yourself get mad in traffic, it causes your adrenaline to rise, and the resulting let down brings tiredness.

REGULAR cardio, 4-5 times a week, for 20-40 minutes was another biggie. The more energy we use, the more we have! (I'm in the 1-2 times a week category there...need to up that a bit.)

I've been loving this beautiful Florida weather lately. For the first year ever, I also can't wait for it to get hot. I've become such a Floridian, I actually miss wearing shorts. Nina and I jogged right after dawn through Mead Gardens last Tuesday. It was so fresh and beautiful out.

This story does a great job explaining why the housing crisis happened...(in less than an hour)

2011-01-24T10:22:00.002-05:00

reaffirms I was right to get the Air...

2011-01-21T16:07:00.001-05:00

I read this article today, and was reminded that I didn't indeed need a macbook pro. (This was a torturous month-long debate for me, and a test of patience for my close friends.)

My generous employer offered to help me purchase a computer...BUT WHICH ONE?!?!? (was the question I had to answer)

Truly, it comes down to what you actually do on it. Sure, that sounds simple. Only I could massively over-complicate that question.

I'm glad I got the Air instead. It's fast as lightening, and weighs as much as a "tube of lipstick" to quote Sophie.

rigmarole

2011-01-21T10:53:00.001-05:00

Sarah and I met a guy yesterday to sell him my laptop at Austin's Coffee. Initially, he wanted to meet in the parking lot, and didn't want to go in. Nope, we wanted to meet inside.

He spent the majority of the time looking at the outside of the computer, asked me repeatedly if it had "good webcam" and looked at one youtube video. He then offered me $100 less (no thanks) and finally tried to write me a check for my price.

When I asked for cash, he claimed he didn't know how to use his GPS, so I drew him maps to 2 nearby banks.

He hadn't come back 20 minutes later so I called him, and he said he was having second thoughts about buying a laptop used. Perhaps he wanted a new one from the Apple store with a warranty? What do I think? Do I think he should buy it? He's buying it "for his daughter" he tells me, and she may want a new one. (Ah, dilemma you should work out, perhaps, prior to meeting us?)

I'm trying to SELL you my computer. Please know if you want a used computer when you come to buy it. That's what I think. Then I remembered the text from this week about being honest when you sell a used car, so I tried to mention its faults--basically that it doesn't have a warranty and that it's not brand spanking new in a package.

He said he'd call me back in 20 more minutes. 20 minutes later, he called and said he'll call me in the morning.

Arf. I hate craigslist sales.

Not to mention, the apartment we looked at earlier in the afternoon. Yeaaaah, slightly less than 400 sq feet I'd say. It was like our apartment, minus our bedroom (higher priced). Just because it's in Winter Park does NOT mean you can overcharge for a teacup-sized place and expect us to be none-the-wiser.

To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.

-Oscar Wilde

Fold Up Bike

2010-11-29T13:08:00.001-05:00

This is the most amazing bike ever! I love how it folds up. So adorable.

Helping clients know what they want...

2010-11-09T12:12:00.003-05:00

At work, I help people to figure out what their website should do. Then I help it to do just so.

Sometimes clients have ideas which are amazing, something my ears start to cringe. This article made me think about the difference between delivering something nice and something useful.

Reminds me of shopping with a friend who finds a high quality garment for a great price...if it looks bad on you, you still shouldn't buy it.

Nice, Cold Weater

2010-11-08T16:18:00.005-05:00

It's beautiful out. I love cold weather.

I'm trying to write a skit for Austin's going away party. I wish I wasn't so busy. But it's good. Mint tea with honey and lemon is tastely. I'm 10 days off coffee. I feel so much more awake in the mornings being non-caffeine dependent. We'll see how long I last.

My job said they'll help me buy a computer, but computers are so expensive. Even with the help. I'm trying to figure out if portability is more important than a larger screen, glossy or matte. These are simple choices, but since I spend 30 hours a week staring at this baby, I want it to be right. It takes me so long to make up my mind.

Ben is going to do temp work! He's very excited; Caleb too. They said it would take a year before we both could get accepted, so off he goes in December to freeze. ;-) I'm so excited for him!

Played Risk last night with Geraldine and friends. It's fun to play on teams. Mini-alliances.

I'm finally over my stupid 10-day cold. I hadn't been floored by a cold in a while. I rented Endless Ocean. I admit it's a bit boring. It's like National Geographic on the tv. Sometimes reading National Geographic articles put me to sleep. I'm always glad I read them (once I finish them), because they're interesting to think about, but sometimes the writing style just makes me doze off.

I fell asleep playing Endless Ocean as well.

Fun things to do in the Big Apple

2010-11-05T16:50:00.004-04:00

So, an acquaintance of mine is going to NYC soon, and he asked me what he might do there. It got me thinking. Thoughts evolved into this list. I generally do the same things over and over, because I enjoy them. But please feel free to let me know your additions to my little list.

1. See the impressionist in the MET, along with some furniture in the French wing, some modern art and a few Egyptian buildings.

2. Eat at JOYA. Amazing Thai for less than $8.

3. Get a cheap theatre ticket for a Broadway show last minute. Walk around 42nd street about 6:30 and see what's cheap. Have a list of a few of your favorites before you go.

4. Visit the small art galleries in Chelsea. They are small and interesting.

5. Eat amazing organic waffles near central park in nice cafe. (I keep meaning to do this myself.)

6. Try Beacon's closet in Brooklyn for vintage clothing. (Williamsburg area is very cool.)

7. After Beacon's Closet, get some coffee and great music at The Fix.

8. The next day, have a latte at Oslo in Brooklyn. Yum!

9. Eat pizza, a lot, in Manhattan.

10. Visit the Frick Collection. Great museum on a small scale.

11.Visit the 2nd avenue or the 7th Avenue Whole Foods. So beautiful. Such yummy coffee.

12. Visit the Indian section of NY on 6th-8th ave and 46th street. Eat delicious food for under $9 in a restaurant there.

Picnic Weather

2010-10-22T17:31:00.007-04:00

It's very nice out. Great for picnic'ing outside.

I like the concept of book clubs. Reading my Jeremiah book on a schedule is stimulating, and motivates me to keep on schedule. We are all a bunch of night owls, I'm discovering.

At work we have a book club to encourage us to read useful books and discuss on Friday. Today it was a little dry. But I think it has potential to make things run even more smoothly around here.

Settled one of our major debts last night. It feels so good. Painful to hand over the funds, but good. One down.

Trying to plan our anniversary around the KM school is a little tricky. I'm still brainstorming that one.

Yum!

2010-10-21T00:59:00.005-04:00

Instead of pouring hot sauce on my grilled cheese, habanero cheese is so good! I love it. On sale at Publix right now (Cabot) for $2.

Ben's talk tonight was excellent. His Spanish is improving. ;-) Worked out tonight afterwards at Sarah's apartment gym. Exercise just makes one feel so great.

Ben and I are watching an episode of Chuck right now. The show is cute, but why does Chuck wear such a pancake-of-foundation on his face?

A few wedding shots...

2010-10-14T01:01:00.019-04:00

How can you not love this girl!

2010-10-14T00:45:00.005-04:00

I opened up the wedding photos tonight, and my ocd kicked in. I need to go to bed!

So, we're in Mike & Legna's wedding! Everyone's getting married (ok, not everyone...but we go to a lot of weddings.) How exciting is that. It's really nice and peaceful to have almost two years behind us. It just keeps getting better. (Is that a Toyota commercial?)

I got a new fresh rv book. I am so excited. I love fresh notebooks. Makes for clean starts. Indeed.

Fitness Magazine has me hooked on their workout programs. The downside is when I lost my paper temporarily, I felt quite lost. I love programs with check-off boxes. Structure. That's the key to productivity. Wanna learn a language? Get some structure. Wanna achieve fitness goals? Structure. Wanna deliver a website? Structure. Wanna improve spirituality? Structure. Yep. I'm a believer. And I really am just talking to myself here. But I think my readers (my sister and a few random long lost friends) know what I mean.

Adieu.

Mandibles gets married...

2010-10-11T14:14:00.003-04:00

Ah, Mandy's wedding was lovely. Cute, vintage, chilled, interesting.

It was held in an old restored train depot that was beautiful for photos. (Nina and I kept sneaking off to play with our cameras.) Mandy's 1950s dress and small white veil (with green accent jewelry of course) was fresh and lovely.

Torry seems really nice. It was a pleasure to meeting him (finally), and I only wish I'd gotten to spend more time with the two of them. 4-day weekend trips are lovely, albeit rushed, affairs. Every night we stayed somewhere different. It was also nice to see Patty all aglow excited about getting married next weekend.

Minnesota was beautiful. It was sunny and gloriously warm with chilly breezes. Sitting on Britta & Cameron's porch after mexican soup was delightful and sleepy. I love trips where you hang out and talk and sunbathe.

We stayed for a girl's night at this resort on the lake in Duluth. It was a suite Julee got--2 Jacuzzis, three bedrooms, eight girls. It was awesome to see Mandy's friends all together. Such world travelers they are. We took a lovely walk around the edge of this lake, talked and walked through rose gardens.

It's been nice to see so much of Julee and Shaphan. Julee was hilarious in her fur coat (a là donate.) It was nice to hang out at Fitgers and chat post-wedding as well, sipping on apricot wheat home-brewed beer and trying elk burger.

*Yes, the elk burger made the blog. ;-)

Ben kept asking me what was my favorite part of the trip. Hard to say. (The car ride back to St. Paul?) Some nice, intense family chats! Hah.

Michael and Judy and his neices were a lot of fun. They visit us all the time, so it was so nice to see them in their home state.

We dropped Nina off in St. Paul with her new friend Krista to study Hindi and go to museums. Her apartment was so visually stimulating. Cuter than most Anthropologie sets. Yet slightly smaller than ours (which I find inspiring.) She made us squash soup and we just rested as we waited for our delayed flight.

This morning at work, I am one tired bunny. Ready to find a nap spot as soon as I get home. In the mean time, keeping up with clients. ;-)

It's FALL!

2010-10-04T13:34:00.006-04:00

I've gotten in the habit of drinking 60 oz. of water a day. When I don't have water near me for 2 hours, I now feel like a fish trying to breath on a pool deck.

La moustache was a crummy movie that went from weird to weirder. I don't recommend it….unless you want to play a prank on someone where you bring over this movie and say "We're going to watch the best film ever made!" and watch your friends scratch their heads and get frustrated, and wonder why the main character all of a sudden goes from a strange movie in Paris to a random jet flight to HONG KONG where he rides a ferry daily and all of a sudden the French lady (is he imagining her?) shows up in China and was apparently always there. Well, at least the ending was (not) satisfying. Why didn't they just look at photographs!! Arrf. I was telling the main characters to do this for a half an hour, but I guess they couldn't hear me in the tv.

Erin Rache's wedding was really nice. I loved the Irish talk, and it was just a really nice wedding. I'm not crazy about the whole wedding she-bang party in general. Typically, I think weddings are a little bit formulaic. But Erin's was really pleasant.

Speaking of weddings…Mandy's getting married on Saturday! How great. Can't wait to meet the guy. ;)

Thank goodness the weather cooled off. I love chilly breezes. What's with that alert on the news about European travel. Yes, you can go, but just "be careful of terrorists in tourist destinations." We're not telling you not to go, just watch out. Thanks.

Not than I'm planning on going to Europe anytime soon. Nope. We're trying to wipe out the rest of our debt. But if I were...this is where we might stay in Paris: Oops (luxury) Hostel. It looks really nice for the price! They have private rooms & baths. Apparently there is a new brand of "luxury hostel" gaining popularity.

The coffee they make at work is so strong and thick it reminds me of Guinness. Only not as yummy. It's nice to enjoy hot drinks. I just adore the cool weather. I left the house grumpily this morning (late) with Ben reminding me to be happy because it was cool out.

Avril's in town...

2010-09-24T11:15:00.012-04:00

Aw, it's so nice to see Avril. Crazy that it's been a year. You get back together with your sisters though, and it's like no time has passed at all.

Instantly, I'm reminded why to wear to make-up, "Makeup makes you feel nice, then you want to work out (you want your body to match your face), then you want to wear makeup and do your hair, because you want your face to match your body you've worked out, and so on, and it's one big, great, fantastic, healthy cycle!!!"

"If I lived near you, we would exercise EVERY DAY." She should be a trainer. Ah, the energy. Such a little piece of dynamite. Love her. Her crazy pharmacy stalkers are pretty hilarious.

She cooked up some mean steak shish ka-bobs!

Last weekend we watched this awesome video on Bolivia. Ben and I were so wanting to go. It was like an infomercial made by the branch for serving there. We had dinner with this really nice family who made all this awesome Spanish food. Simple Spanish food is so hearty and delicious. Rice and beans and fried beef and salad...yum. Alice is going to Panama for a month! I'm so excited for her.

A client is launching a website today. A rushed website. In front of a huge crowd. Makes my stomach feel knotted up and worried. I wish people would do things with more testing.

My boss suggested coming in early for a business breakfast. I suggested French bakery items...and voila. I love strawberry tarts! I never knew I did. Oh, but I do.

Gave me a reason to get out of my city...

2010-09-17T09:55:00.006-04:00

Gilead graduation rocked. It just overwhelmed me. So many good ideas to chew on.

We got to NY Friday, and we were staying with Althea's crazy sisters. Love them. We took off for the Gugenheim and walked around for a couple hours. That building is so beautiful. I liked the singer posters from the 1940s in the basement. Wish I could kidnap them and put them in my living room.

Saturday was the graduation. Afterwards we ate yummy (cheap!) Thai food and walked around Brooklyn. Shaphan made a superb latte with the espresso machine that occupies half of their kitchen. Ended with some delicious lemon martinis on Julee's roof and some experimenting with the skateboard.

Sunday we toured the Met -- focusing on Greece & Rome. I'd never taken a tour there before, so it was nice to really focus on specific artifacts and think about them and what the significance of them is. It made me want to do more of my own research.

It was so nice to get out of Florida for a bit. I know, I just left for Costa Rica, but it just felt so invigorating to see old friends and walk around in the chilly weather. It was so nice to just hang out together and play music too.

Loved meeting Caitlyn. She is so much fun. Wish she lived closer than South Africa.

This fall is going to be crazy. Mandy's wedding is next!

The adorableness of animal icons...

2010-09-09T14:39:00.007-04:00

Squared Eye just has this charming whale, and I visit their website sometimes just to look at it.Those little waves are so nicely done too.

Clean, refreshing websites give you such a nice feeling. Ahh.

13 Favorite Paris Moments Slideshow at Frommer's

2010-09-09T14:36:00.000-04:00

13 Favorite Paris Moments Slideshow at Frommer's

Costa Rica, Convention, and Rice Salad...

2010-09-07T12:35:00.005-04:00

Costa Rica (as the flickr feed shows above) was so much fun. We just loved Trish to bits. Even though it was only a week, leaving Limon was sad. So many people just stole our hearts there.

We then spent a week in the Nicoya peninsula (were Ava lived). It's very refreshing to go to different parts of the earth and see how others are living their lives; what's going on in the day-to-day in a group of people completely outside my own. I really enjoy how it helps me to stay focused on what's important in life.

Elizabeth joined us on the trip, which was loads of fun. I lived with her for nearly a year, but felt like I got to know her much better in those two weeks. I will never forget her helping me bargain for the rental car in the airport. Tough as nails -- "We are on a limited budget, and this trip is not for pleasure!" -- and down goes the price. Oh, what fun! ;-)

We went to a wildlife refuge run by this intriguing (slightly nutty) woman from Spain. Leopards that play with her, warthogs in love with kitties, sloths and snakes all inhabit parts of her backyard. Sloths are cute despite themselves.

Convention flew by. Ron Wayne sold his share of Apple in fear, right before it exploded in value. Don't let fear get in our way. So many great points. And I feel spoiled hearing so many gb parts lately. Jackson was so awesome; I loved the South Pacific stories, and his personality was just generally hilarious. Down to earth people.

Oh, well, I nibbled on some rice salad the other day that was SO good. So I made some myself. I secretly detest brown rice, no matter how hard I try to brainwash myself into liking it. But this recipe is delicious!

-Brown Rice (cooked, obviously)

-Juice of one lemon

-Chopped tomatos

-Chopped black olives

-Chopped scallions

-Load of fresh dill

-Greek salad dressing

-Feta cheese

Mix is up, put it in the frig. So good!

Random Friday in August...

2010-08-13T09:55:00.004-04:00

Last night Alice and I (tried) to do the P90 cardio boxing kill-yourself workout. We couldn't get through it. But it's good to have goals! Today I'm wearing flip-flops at work...because I'm having trouble walking.

The lay down, throw your feet behind your head, then do a crunchie, leap up, do a jumping jack and lay back down on the floor again thingy really got me. (Note to self, do not start any workout with a half a glass of wine.)

I got such an encouraging email from Trish in Costa Rica...if anyone if thinking of moving there, let me know and I'll share it.

I've worked 5 days in the office this week. Usually I'm only here 3. It is amazing how much I get done, but I miss my studies. ;-(

I know I will like the new Arcade Fire album if I keep listening to it. It just takes a while for these things to grow on me. Their first one was just so good.

I'm such a dork. I've been reading books on the agile process, and enjoying it a lot. Whereas this mystery novel I started 6 months ago...ya...haven't finished it. Every time I revisit it, I find I've forgotten parts of the plot and it's rather confusing.

Today Mike picked Ben up for service and told him to bring extra clothes. Hah. They are apparently taking a detour to hack down banana trees for Mike's grandpa who has leukemia. There is some kind of liquid in the banana tree stumps that is very good for it.

Ben found the guy online who made the original bull-whips for the Indiana Jones movies. So now he has a special savings account to save-up-to-buy-a-bullwhip. They are like $600. He thinks there are infinite uses for one (especially if we ever end up in Africa in a heard of antelope.)

His little "extra piggy bank" philosophy (literally a small black box) is actually pretty effective. That's how our ridiculous t.v. showed up. Funny to remember, I actually complained about it because it took up too much space in our apartment.

Mandy Got Engaged!

2010-08-13T09:50:00.005-04:00

Staring at my new plants...

2010-07-23T18:47:00.001-04:00

We've only been in doing Spanish for a week and it feels like a year. Really. It's pretty intense, in a good way. We're super busy. Ben's gotten several tutoring offers.

Today I ran to Ikea on lunch to buy a couple plants for my office. I was in the middle of a big Spanish family and it was cool to see I could understand everything being said. It's amazing how you can "re-perk-up" your ears to a language.

The summer seems to be flying by. My mom made the best stuffed peppers with quinioa and melted mozzarella cheese the other night. We've been crashing there Thursdays with a search work group. It kinda morphs into band practice too.

My backpack grew mold (accidentally got left outside--didn't make it all the way into the shed.) Oh, the decision...get a cute WWII looking military backpack. Or get the practical one with the padded laptop space. In the end, I went for laptop protection. Then Ben bought the cute military one I was thinking of getting. So, now I can stare at it and wonder if I got the wrong one forever. JK. Clara's so great, reaffirming my purchase decisions.

I do love plants. I just can't help staring at this beautiful green jungle I put on my desk today. It feels so tropical.

Sam and Antonio are in the October class of Gilead! Awesome for them. What inspiring little troopers. Apparently Alissa & her husband may be joining them. Felt like not so long ago I was photographing her wedding. What a wedding. Good times.

Clients

2010-07-13T13:25:00.006-04:00

Sometimes, I sit in a room with a client, and I have to use all the muscles in my face to keep a look of "intent interest" when I want to BURST out laughing.

The bottomless pocketbook; it commands a straight face. And my job entails, at times, taking seriously things I otherwise would not.

A small example I feel I can mention, is trying to convince someone that "tab" and not "enter" is the way you are supposed to get around a website. And we will not create it to work differently, even if one does think "enter" should be the chosen way to navigate. We will not "be the leader here, and see if others follow."

I was so sick of finding things in my closet that I hated, that I did a major purge Sunday...only now I find trouble finding things to wear. Life.

Pas Secret is supposed to have a performance coming up...I know...I know...but we've been so busy. July has been a crazy month so far. I'm sure my band-mates hate me. Deservedly so.

We switched to Spanish! yae, time to hit the books.

Suri needs a home, any takers?

Remembering Michio Kushi

2010-06-30T01:11:00.004-04:00

As a child, whenever we got sick my mother would always head to the kitchen and begin to cook. She was usually cooking anyways, but any bout of illness was an additional incentive. Quoting what Michio Kushi ("the founder of macrobiotics," she'd remind us, even after we were WELL aware who he was) taught us...pause...dramatic pose..."Let food be your medicine, and medicine your food." Back to the kitchen to chop vegetables.

Funny enough, I remembered this today as I was standing over the stove, stirring the two soups i was making--tamari onion garlic, and a veggie miso. Ben, on the couch with laryngitis and flu symptoms, stared sadly at me, worried at what he'd be asked to eat. It's so true, whenever anyone is sick, I jump into instant cook mode, feeling I can really fix something if I can get enough vegetable miso soup and kombu in someone.

Ben eventually asked for "real food", which I made. But now, feeling my own sore throat starting, I'm digging into my miso soup.

I don't remember living at the macrobiotic institute with my parents; I was quite young. But the quotes of these figures of such great importance were so thoroughly drilled into me, as a 28-year-old they still echo.

We heard more than we admitted to Mom.

weekends are great

2010-06-27T10:48:00.005-04:00

How can anyone listen to This American Life and not understand how the government is falling apart? The Social Contract episode from last week really reminded me of just how sad politics are.

Ben went out in service and I'm supposed to be doing bookkeeping, but I was determined to beat level three of Mario World and find the secret exit. I did! And it was so satisfying. And now, I don't really need to play video games for another six months. I made this killer spinach and feta omelet today with Spanish onions. Yum, yum.

Watched "The Girl From Paris" last night. The guys were such good sports. I admit, it was pretty lame. It had so much potential though! Parisian city girl leaves her life to become a goat farmer...just the kind of thing I put to the top of my Netflix queue.

Thursday, and it's sunny

2010-06-17T13:30:00.003-04:00

THREE trips to Ikea later...we finally have an assembled bed.

I've been pretty busy this week. Spent three days in a room with a client who is the mirror image of my uncle Dennis. Massachusetts, indeed, reminds me of days long ago.

It made me call my grandma last night. Haven't talked to her in a while.

"When are you coming to visit, and bringing that lovely Benjamin?" she asks.

Awww, I should visit. I forget I have such sweet grandparents. They sound so much the same as always. Digging up the weeds, caring for the flowers full-time.

Maybe after our New York trip...we are going to Gilead grad! Yae!!!

Chicken salad with grapes in it, lawn work, hand and foot, and some white wine...

2010-06-14T00:28:00.003-04:00

I like hanging out at my mom's house. It's so relaxing. We went over there to help her with some lawn work (which Ben mostly did), but really her dinners are so amazing--the privilege is ours. Gazpacho and chips with her home-made spinach dip, then green salad with nectarines and blueberries hidden in there, home made banana blueberry bread, cheese, and chicken grape tarragon salad. My mother's summer meals are divine deliciousness. Alice is still trying to get help writing those essays, and Nina is always offering to sell me her unwanted clothing.

It's nice to chill over a leisurely dinner with family, which eventually turns into cards, which eventually goes from wine back to coffee. Picasso wanders in to check out the scene, and wanders out again.

It's June. Hot time in the city here in Florida. Today was a good day spent with friends though. As much as I detest the Florida heat, I will really miss people one day when we are all not together.

National @ House of Blues

2010-06-08T13:53:00.007-04:00

The National is playing at the House of Blues in Orlando on 10/6/2010. How great!

My credit card was hijacked by someone in Washington, DC who apparently buys lots of Puma sneakers and ships them at the post office (to places far away?) for hundreds of dollars. Not to mention, he drinks coffee for $1.62. It's shocking to log in to your bank account and find your money gone. Arrh.

My back feels incredible though. Ben's right - all those gym exercises for posture make one feel amazing. I've been trying to give my resistance pilates bands more attention in my week. It always feel terrific to be in a good workout routine.

Saw a couple of nice photographs of Cuba in the cafe near Orlando City Arts Factory today. Makes me really want to go to Antigua, Guatemala. I've been reading about it lately. Seems like a very unique place -- sort of an atmosphere nothing like the rest of Guatemala.

I love this guy's flickr photos of Antigua.

A Change

2010-06-02T15:43:00.005-04:00

I will miss seeing Alice early mornings, but alas, it's better for Ben and I both that I not to rise at dawn. I've started a new job doing project management for Ruby programmers. It's a fun challenge. I wouldn't say overwhelming, but it demands that all my brain cells engage. I like it.

I didn't realize how much music I took illegally until I decided to completely stop taking any. I'm savoring those NPR streams now, and getting mad at Pandora when it won't play what I want. Alas, it's good to have a good conscience.

I crashed from exhaustion last Saturday afternoon and vegetated and watched French and Hindi movies. Sorry I missed Jessica's show ;-( Salesman of the Year was pretty entertaining. I like the colors in the cinematography.

Andrew and Sarah came for dinner last Friday. They kept forgetting Ben doesn't speak Spanish and they'd burst out into dialogue with him. Their little kid Danielito is so stinking adorable. He drew all over my coffee table (kinda missed the paper I set out for him). It was $10 table at IKea, really not a big deal. But afterwards his mom talks to him, and he tells me "I'm being punished, so I will clean it now." And he vigorously scrubs at it trying to get every crayon mark off.

He tried to get the cat out from under the couch by every manner imaginable - jumping on it, singing to her, throwing things under there. It was very entertaining just to watch. (Suri was not interested in becoming friends with a 2-year-old.)

Costa Rica...Here We Come!

2010-05-25T18:00:00.003-04:00

Ben and I snagged Costa Rica tickets -- $440 for both of us! Gotta love Spirit, even if they do charge for carry on luggage now. We're going late August. Should be fun to drop in on his cousin Trish. Michael and Judy are going for an entire month.

I met the folks at Envy Labs today. Quite a nice bunch.

Alas, Alice had sold me on the benefits of ballerina flat Crocs--after singing the praises of her feet for a solid week. She needs to sell for a living. Her talent is innate. (I found mine on eBay, however.)

This week's This American Life on Haiti was hard to listen to, but amazing. Who knew is was so hard to carry water to a mango tree. The magnitude of the challenge is seen in so many small battles.

OTSB - Goodbye (Ben, Tom & Caleb playing at Tatames, Winter Park FL)

2010-05-24T17:42:00.002-04:00

Great video work Kevin!

High Violet

2010-05-18T11:18:00.004-04:00

I love the new National album. It's different, a little slow starting. But it is just as good as the others. Al and I really want to try to cover one of their songs.

You can listen to the whole High Violet album free on NPR.

A Beautiful Day

2010-05-17T20:52:00.011-04:00

Well, Sarah's wedding was amazing. Couldn't have been more story-book beautiful. Mead Gardens were a tad warm, but great light for photos. Afterwards we danced the night away on top of the Orlando Science Center. Ben sure rocked that Sherlock Holmes inspired suit.

As if that wasn't enough for my poor feet, the next night we had our debut performance of our "Pas Secret" band. What fun! We'll miss you Latifah! But off to Ukraine and New York you go...

The guys played a great OTSB show as well. Really great energy.

Alice showed up at work today with crocs on. It took will power to not rush off and buy myself a pair. Two days of dancing wore me out! Great week.

I talked to Michael a bit about the Costa Rica/Panama plans for this summer...it's getting Ben and I excited. Feels like a long time since I've been away. Ben's cousin (in law?) Trish is so nice! I sat with her at the wedding and talked to her about life in Cameroon and Limon, her city in Costa Rica. Apparently lots of Jamaicans moved there.

Now, back to trying to create expense categories in Quickbooks. Zzzzzzz.

1940s Jazz Club Dress from Chic Star

2010-05-11T13:29:00.003-04:00

I was browsing Chic Star and I saw this dress with a halter and polka dots on top. Reminds me a little bit of a nightclub singer in Paris singing smooth French songs to candle light with a large bass playing somewhere in the background.

I like the way the bottom part flares out into a mermaid hem, quite fetching. ;-) Why don't more dresses have mermaid hems these days? I recommend it.

I think it would look awesome with some red suede heels too. Not to mention dark red lipstick.

Have I mentioned that Chic Star gives away credits for blogging about them? It's kinda cool...this company makes reproductions of expensive vintage dresses, and sells them at very affordable prices. You can also get credits if you wear their dresses and put photographs of yourself up on the their website. That's nice because you get a feel for how a dress would actually look on you.

Here, I'll include a picture of the Black Polka-Dot Satin Dress:

It's a little late in the game to plan "Pas de Secret" outfits, but we will definitely give that more attention next show. This one is coming up so fast!

jessica indulges my film noir inspiration

2010-05-08T00:47:00.001-04:00

computer upgrade time!

2010-04-30T10:42:00.009-04:00

I gave my accounting client the bad news that her computer (which I use for her stuff) was on the fritz. The well-used (read: belongs in the grave) ACER had a good 6 year run.

First, she tried to get me to have the breaking keyboard repaired. (Not worth the money.) When I showed her excellent deals on computers on NewEgg.com and at Office Depot, she wasn't sure she wanted to spend the $349.

Okay, whatever, when Quickbooks crashes for good, we'll deal with it.

Then today I get an email...she went on the Apple website and ordered a MacBookPro, which will be at my door today. They seem a good value, and they have an excellent website, and free shipping.

Yep, aesthetics sell.

C is for Suspension

2010-04-30T10:29:00.005-04:00

Well, it's baking hot...again. But I don't mind so much. My neighbor is this really ancient sweet lady who screams hellos at me when I get home. She generously offered me the combination to her beautiful pool, so I've been swimming lately for exercise. Really nice after a hot day to dive in.

Our band (yes, we're amateurs and we've only been together a few months) "Pas de Secret" will be performing at Tatames May 16th. HAH! It will be a hoot to say the least.

Ben generously said I could spend our income tax refund HOWEVER I wanted, so I tried to get him to book these $150 tickets to San Francisco Wednesday, for today. But alas, we didn't hitch onto Alice's California trip. None the less, we will have a ball at the picnic this Saturday. I'm dusting off my bocce balls and trying to find my croquet sets.

I've been listening to the soundtrack for The Tango Lesson. SO beautiful. I found a pair of used (great quality) tango dance shoes at Dechoes last weekend. I've worn them pretty much every day. They're great, very comfy, and inspire spontaneous tango.

Goat Tears

2010-04-20T22:39:00.000-04:00

Vintage Red Pencil Dress

2010-04-19T12:26:00.005-04:00

Admittedly, vintage clothes shopping can sometimes be a bust. I went on a Decos hunt last Saturday--drove to both of them, and it turned out rather dry. (Except for a pair of sturdy used tango shoes I found. YAE!)

This vintage-inspired red pencil dress from Chic Star is rather fetching. I like the length and the detail on the bottom. It's 97% cotton, so I imagine it won't feel itchy (like detestable polyester.) And the 3% spandex--I imagine--will make it fitted enough to be flattering. I like the classic 1940s below the knee length too. Reminds me of women strolling the streets of Paris in the summer time.

Unfortunately, red is sold out right now, but they have black. I'll wait it out and keep checking for red. It's just got something special to it.

Sure, Stop Staring dresses are amazing, but Chic Star is about one QUARTER the price. Not bad, for a decent cut. I will consider perusing here more in the future. Also, some Stop Staring dresses look so fantastically vintage I don't think I could even wear them on a normal day, for fear of looking like a showy fashion peacock. After all, don't want to "wear too many ruffles," right Alice?

Chic Star also offers gift cards if you blog about them...*eh-hem*...so I'll most certainly post a picture of myself wearing this dress if if arrives anytime soon. ;-)

The News...

2010-04-16T09:28:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I took an accidental dive into the lake. I was trying to rescue Alice's water bottle, which Gidget had knocked in while we were exercising. I thought if I had the resistance band wrapped around the dock, and I leaned in -- sort of in plank position -- I could get it. But no. Head first I went.

Suri is really cute, but she is just so unfriendly when petted. It is, I admit, a tad frustrating. (She just put a nice tear in my favorite orange sweater during breakfast.)

I am considering one of these adorable creatures as an addition to our life. Ben's open to the idea. The head is a bit fox like, and foxes are very cute. These guys are quite bizarre, but admittedly intriguing.

the dynamics

2010-04-15T00:02:00.003-04:00

Creating music with other people is HARD. Period.

It's something I've wanted to do for years--and it does have its rewarding moments--but it's a tough cookie. Persistence. Everything bows to the power of effort, right?

FreshBooks - Invoicing Couldn't Get Cleaner

2010-04-14T18:53:00.001-04:00

I love Freshbooks!

Such a great invoice program...if you haven't tried it -- do.

Monday again...

2010-04-12T14:18:00.005-04:00

So much to do today! Catching up on tax stuff for my accounting client here. When you get one returned check from the bank MONTHS ago, it throws off your checkbook reconciliation for MONTHS. I used to detest numbers. But I'm rising to the challenge of you guys. I shall conquer yet!

Heard today about an 11-year-old autistic girl in Oviedo who was abducted. This stuff is terribly close to home. She was playing "explorer" in her woods. Gotta keep kids close; that's the world we live in today. That's pretty much a mom's worst nightmare. When someone looks grumpy, you really have to be patient and show insight, because sometimes you really don't know what they're going through. I can't imagine having to wake up and function a few days after that.

Oh a happier note, we had a good time at the Spanish meeting yesterday. Ben commented twice! Such a cutie, so "in earnest" with his facial expressions and precisely practiced pronunciation. The friends are so warm and welcoming! Andrew was in town and gave such a good talk. Lightening fast Spanish, but clear as a bell. It's hard to believe their kid is 2-years-old! They look like a full-blown grown-up family!

Ben got me a Nook for our 1-year anniversary (a gift for me, and a sly attempt to cut down our ever-growing library here in the apartment.) I do love having a portable library. You also get the first chapter of things free. Like for cookbooks, I have several first chapters (usual the soups section) of cookbooks. I want to try making french onion now that I've read about it from 6 perspectives.

I have been reading Sherlock Holmes stories on it, which are awesome because they're free to download. However, the printing in the books on googlebooks is a tad bit hard to read. This makes me want to spend the 1.99 and buy the books. But then I feel as though I ought to go the economical route. Thus the conundrum of free, but slightly inferior printing, of the googlebooks project.

Suri Cat

2010-04-09T20:00:00.000-04:00

Hmmm, the smell of thyme and white wine

2010-04-09T19:29:00.004-04:00

I made a Julia Child pot roast yesterday, and we are still eating the remains of it. Don't tell me movies don't influence us. Bah! I watched Julie/Julia last week and yes, trotted myself off to the local library, and yes, BOUGHT a dutch oven, and yes, made a pot roast. And it was divine.

It's really quite easy! You just take the huge piece of roast meat, fry it in seasonings and olive oil for a few minutes, then toss it in the oven for 3 hours--covered in 1.5 cups of white wine, herbs and onions and tomato. Then you take it out of the oven, strain out the juice, throw out the veggies (so I ate mine, ok, it's against my nature to throw out things.) Then you put in NEW veggies (potato, carrot, baby onion, turnip--surprisingly) and you cook it for another hour.

When you pull it out an hour later, you toss in a few peas. They cook themselves in the pot--as it's blazing hot.

Voila! Two days worth of yummyness, and really only about 25 active minutes of cooking-work. Not too shabby.

I was reading about her turkey roasting. Sure, we just stuff our turkey with Pepperidge Farm. NOT Julia. She hacks her turkey up with a cleaver, then stuffs every possible nook and cranny of her turkey with her (homemade) stuffing. You stuff the legs! And the wings!

Oh, dear me, I love stuffing. Stuffing is just one of those lusciously delectable foods. I roast the turkey just FOR the stuffing. Ben's requested some fish though, so we'll steer away from roasted meat for the time being and hit the seafood, with lemon-caper-butter sauce. Yum!

Good thing we're recently started P90x...or we might just start looking as big as houses. Hah.

We fed the Moske's Wednesday and I subjected them to my butternut squash, ginger, pepper chicken soup. YUM. Thanks to the P90x "diet plan" Ben is suddenly interested--"committed" I should say--to eating things like quinoa, wild rice, and squashes. (Hey, if it takes a guy in spandex to sell him on it, I don't mind.)

I boiled butternut squash with butter, onion, ginger and chicken broth; blended it up; and added some cayane. Man! It was delicious. Intense (I'm usually kinda heavy on the ginger) but really good!

Feast or Famine

2010-04-05T12:52:00.004-04:00

Work seems to come in waves. Perhaps its Springtime, so everyones getting their gears in motion, movin' and a shakin', thus the economy wakes up.

I endured Vr's annual tax fiasco. I seem to be on her annual schedule now. I get a message, usually from Sophie, that she's hunting me down (having lost my number again.) I arrive to do her business taxes and discover an avalanche has fallen this year again in the living room. It's Mont Mess. You certainly work fast when you want to flee, that is sure. I intentionally didn't get any coffee so that I would keep my caffeine fix in mind as a reward for finishing. It's amazing how people can run international real estate in a giant pile of mess. Yet, it functions. Everyone has their own system. Every year I try to reform her's, and fail. We are equally stubborn, I suppose.

"But you can just come back next year and fix it again!"

"Heck no! Next year you are going to be organized!"

"But look, you've put it all in order! It is no problem!"

"This is no way to function!"

"Oh, but *heeeheehee* my properties always make profits!"

Kayak in the Mangrove Tunnels

2010-04-01T00:56:00.000-04:00

and I discovered...RESISTANCE BANDS!

2010-03-08T19:47:00.005-05:00

So, I got my one free issue of Fitness magazine. Which led to me ordering this resistance band with handles, which led to Alice and I embarking on a work out regime after work.

Seriously, this resistance band is a fantastic product.

All these sit-ups and lat-pull type of exercises are so much fun to do against the strength of the band. I have NEVER had arm muscles to speak of, but I actually feel toned in my arms now. All the exercises you do end up working your arms because you're holding the handles. Much fun!

It's cool, too, that you (well, at least we) can NOT do the exercises in the issue of Fitness magazine. The girl is a mutant apparently, since she is using "green" -- the hardest one. I'm still working up to being able to get into "hooraye-squat" on the magenta (medium level) band. It's nice to have something to work up to though, as it keeps you motivated.

Latifa's project

2010-03-02T20:28:00.005-05:00

Family

2010-03-02T18:59:00.005-05:00

Did a photo shoot with Latifa today for her class...her concept was the mom didn't want to adopt them all, but the dad did. I think we just look a tad creepy. But I did find them a a bit intriguing all the same. (Austin stood in since Ben is still sick.) The kids had a great time; they loved being little actors for Latifa.

Keeping up with Mandy in Africa...

2010-02-19T17:00:00.002-05:00

She did it, off she went. To Thailand, Kenya, Egypt and soon to Spain as well. I've had fun following her stories and pictures here.

Bizarre Hotels

2010-02-19T13:12:00.001-05:00

Some of these hotels are really strange, but kind of fun to look at.

Our Esther Play

2010-02-18T14:43:00.003-05:00

Here is on youtube...thanks Josh!

great weekend...

2010-02-08T12:19:00.008-05:00

Last weekend was so terrific. Super encouraging to spend time with the Chiltons. Several great talks were given and we subjected everybody to another one of our acting endeavors! Esther returned again!

(soon to come...Jonah, the MUSICAL)

T'was a lot of fun. I had never thought about how if Achan had just waited for the "next city" where all the plunder was, his life would have been so much happier. Silly man, stealing things to burry, things that he couldn't even wear.

Alas, my cat is giving me a death stare, and I must prep for Whitney, a new friend of mine who studies with me twice to four times a week! Very exciting. January was a good month. It's kept me on my toes.

I've been riding my newly acquired bike to lakes in the morning early. My body is now actually getting used to waking up at the crack of dawn. On the days when I don't work, I often get up anyways. It's been nice.

Kayak in the Mangrove Tunnels

2010-01-04T17:22:00.003-05:00

We took New Years Day to go kayaking in Sarasota. It was a tad FREEZING and rainy, but a lot of fun. The best part was the mangrove tunnels that we explored (and used as shelter from the winds.)

The picnic lunch on the beach didn't last long (I for one ate in my kayak.) It was a great adventure though. I'll have to piece together the other videos...like the one of Ryan and Josh sinking.

I've never been happier to shed wet jeans. Next time, we're going for sailing!!

Mind Games & Improv

2009-12-10T12:02:00.004-05:00

This week's episode of This American Life (of which I am quite a fan) has a section on the improv actors in NYC who do this loop in Starbucks 12 times in an hour, repeating the same sequence to see how long it takes for people to notice they are actors. It's pretty hilarious.

The section on the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart is, however, pointedly creepy.

if what I think is happening is happening, it better not be

2009-11-30T11:55:00.006-05:00

The Fantastic Mr. Fox was so good! I loved it. The nervous smile cracks me up.

Cardamom and it's many uses...

2009-11-29T12:07:00.003-05:00

Lately I'm been so entranced by the smell and taste of cardamom. It's in this lotion I found at Sarah's house. It's in a soap my mom gave me. And now I can taste it, sure enough, in my chai tea.

Cardamom: Traditional Medicine

Green cardamom in South Asia is broadly used to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids and also digestive disorders. It also is used to break up kidney stones and gall stones, and was reportedly used as an antidote for both snake and scorpion venom.Amomum is used as a spice and as an ingredient in traditional medicine in systems of the traditional Chinese medicine in China, in Ayurveda in India, Japan, Korea andVietnam.Species in the genus Amomum are also used in traditional Indian medicine. Among other species, varieties and cultivars, Amomum villosum cultivated in China, Laos and Vietnam is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat stomach-aches, constipation, dysentery, and other digestion problems. "Tsaoko" cardamom Amomum tsao-ko is cultivated in Yunnan, China and northwest Vietnam, both for medicinal purposes and as a spice. Increased demand since the 1980s, principally from China, for both Amomum villosum andAmomum tsao-ko has provided a key source of income for poor farmers living at higher altitudes in localized areas of China, Laos and Vietnam, people typically isolated from many other markets. Until recently, Nepal has been the world's largest producer of large cardamom. Guatemala has become the world's largest producer and exporter of cardamom, with an export total of US$137.2 million for 2007.

Don't buy herbs online...

2009-11-25T11:47:00.008-05:00

I'll admit, I'm a little susceptible to the occasional pop-up offer. (I thank pop-ups for my phone and my computer.)

So, I ordered a colon cleanse thing the other day, $1.99 and if you like it they charge you $69.99 a month or you cancel -- the usual deal. I get my bottle of stuff, and immediately cancel before they can charge me.

Then I go online to research the ingredients. The number one ingredient is hydroxycitric acid. Research that, and find that hydroxycitric acid has been recalled by the FDA in 2009 for causing liver failure, resulting even in liver TRANSPLANTS. Yikes! Reminder to self, go to a trusted herbalist.

Free Audiobooks Online!

2009-11-23T14:01:00.003-05:00

I discovered public domain audio books today! Check out LibriVox.org.

The voices don't always match the nationality of the book; for instance The Daffodil Mystery would be a little more authentic with a British accent, but hey, they're free. That sure beats hunting down library holds.

I love reading, and audiobooks just help me actually get through novels with my tight schedule.

Greek Pita Sandwich

2009-11-23T12:16:00.004-05:00

I found this recipe in USA today for a turkey pita.

Mix:

8oz feta regular

1 cup non-fat yogurt

lemon juice

cracked pepper

salt

oregano

mint

Put that nice creamy sauce on a pita with turkey, lettuce, cucumber and fresh red tomato in a fresh whole wheat pita. A few Cape Cod chips on the side.

Oh my, that was such a good lunch. Great way to use the ton of turkey I have leftover from baking last week. I love Greek food, it always tastes so fresh.

I know you're a serious lady

2009-11-20T23:05:00.010-05:00

living off a teacup full of cherries...

Today, we slept in; exhaustion hits sometimes and one must listen.

I do thinking work so much better when rested anyways.

I talked to an old friend in New York this afternoon. It's fun to laugh hard at ridiculous stories I'm glad you know I'll understand. And I love that some things are constant with us.

Focus is such a benefit, when we can keep it. I think about Rudy sometimes. Good old Rudy. He didn't have the brains, he didn't have the finances or the benefactors, but he had an unmistakable will to accomplish something. Growing up, I think Rudy made a real impression on me. Such a silly football movie. The more focused you are on something--anything--the more likely you are to succeed at such. Simplistic? Sure. But true. In some ways, (not all, but some), the universe does fall to will.

It's been a year since I've been married now, or nearly such. I think my marriage has helped to bring out the best version of myself, cliche as that may sound. It's great to watch something get better every day.

Every talk about something until it's gone? Sometimes you just talk it out, and repeat yourself in three ways (or six), and it goes away. No response necessary. No fixing necessary. Things dance away in poufs of smoke as if they did not exist. And the laughter erupts. And those are some of my favorite moments. And that's why we should listen.

Sometimes in the process of giving up things, I do forget what I'm gaining. And then there's a moment, now and then, when I connect to someone and it's overwhelmingly satisfying. I'll be teaching someone something and I'll see their face light up with wonder, appreciation, or just understanding, and my excitement is aglow within me. I just want to invest my talents so they create interest, not bury them.

Our goal in Costa Rica, or a similar place, in 1.5 years. Time marches on.

Fill your life, with something else baby.

-Editors, Colours

and it's a lovely thursday afternoon...

2009-11-19T12:58:00.003-05:00

I have to get OFF the Unicef email list because they are too distracting. I read about what's going on in one country, then I have to research when this or that conflict started, then it's been 30 minutes, and I'm just depressed about the state of the world.

Well, worked with Ali this morning. Yeppers. Did pretty good. Nina came in for a while to do search work. I'm sick of coffee and espresso drinks. I brewed up a batch of my special ginger lemonade. Boiled the ginger for a couple hours, then added lemon and raw sugar. Yum, now THAT is some tea with a kick.

Been reading about Solomon's wives. Some men just have no appreciation for the good women they have in their lives. He could have focused on appreciating what he did have, but no, had to go and take on who-knows-how many women until he went from being richest, most intelligent king in history to rejected. Reminds me how obedience sure is paramount to success.

I met this really hilarious Thai family the other day, super nice. It's been encouraging me to pull out the 'ol Thai dictionary and brush up. I love the mannerisms of Thai people. They have such distinct "tell it like it is" mannerisms. Very cute.

I'm off to a meeting with a TESOL school. Teaching an adult TESOL class. We'll see how that goes. Mandy told me today a teaching visa in Peru is only $25 a year! That is very cheap. Hmm, makes one reflect. I have always wanted to see Machu Pichu. Someday perhaps.