iBook funeral

I won't only be saying goodbye to 2009, but also to my beloved iBook. It's been acting up a lot lately, but I had no idea how sickly my poor computer was. All of a sudden it wouldn't turn on, but I could still hear the fan blowing. So I let the battery run out and tried plugging it back in and ta da! it came back on!! I was relieved until it I shut it like I always do after use, and I came back, opened the screen, and BLACKNESS again!! BOO!!! Looks like I will be spending my Christmas bonus on a brand new macbook. I am a little bit excited since the new macbook has a built in camera, better iPhoto, and lots of other really cool features, but I am so sad to be losing my baby. The iBook changed my life! Cheers to you iBook..and here's to a bright future at the recycle shop!

My 2009 slideshow will have to be postponed until January. Stay tuned...

Happy New Year!

Photobooth Fun

This year at our Company Christmas party, they had a photobooth from Moore Photography. Turned out to be the highlight of the evening!!

ROAR times two

The most annoying thing in the world is losing cell phone reception in the middle of a conversation. "What did you say? I can't hear you, you're breaking up! What?? Repeat the last 5 minutes of what you just said because I could only here every other syllable!" UGGG that crap drives me INSANE.

Edit: Mom, don't worry I'm never annoyed with you - just the cell phone! With all this advanced technology, I don't see how not having reception is even possible!!

SO for those of you who can never talk to me anymore since I don't get very good cell phone reception at my house - we now have a land line with unlimited long distance. If you want the number, I'll give it to you. But, if you know me at all, you know I prefer email over phone calls anyday. Is email too impersonal? I dunno, but I bet those of you who email me and read this blog know more about me than those who strictly use the phone. Get with the times people!

Ok, enough ranting for now.

(I've noticed a trend where if my contacts are really bugging my eyes, I get irritated about other things more easily. That is the case right now. ROAR eyeballs!!)

Twenty Seven

Steve took me out to Madonna Inn on Saturday night to celebrate my 27th birthday. I chose Madonna Inn because I wanted to go somewhere festive and bright! Oh my, Madonna Inn was the PERFECT place for holiday cheer. They had the entire place decked out in snowy Christmas trees, giant ornaments, garland galore, flowers, tinsel, and everything else that you might consider to be a gaudy Christmas decoration. They had it all! My favorite part was the old-man band playing Christmas songs and other lovely tunes and watching all of the cute couples cha-cha-ing and swinging. I had a tender Filet Mignon (what else?!) and a complimentary (giant!) piece of Black Forest Cake, complete with a sparkling candle. What a treat!! Thank you Steve for taking me out for the third year in a row! I'm a lucky girl.

Twenty Seven

Steve took me out to Madonna Inn on Saturday night to celebrate my 27th birthday. I chose Madonna Inn because I wanted to go somewhere festive and bright! Oh my, Madonna Inn was the PERFECT place for holiday cheer. They had the entire place decked out in snowy Christmas trees, giant ornaments, garland galore, flowers, tinsel, and everything else that you might consider to be a gaudy Christmas decoration. They had it all! My favorite part was the old-man band playing Christmas songs and other lovely tunes and watching all of the cute couples cha-cha-ing and swinging. I had a tender Filet Mignon (what else?!) and a complimentary (giant!) piece of Black Forest Cake, complete with a sparkling candle. What a treat!! Thank you Steve for taking me out for the third year in a row! I'm a lucky girl.

Urine Scented Carpet #2

Last week we finished our second bathroom re-model. And by re-model I mean replacement of the urine saturated carpet with something more sanitary. We also installed another new toilet so now our guests can find comfort in the fact that they no longer have to expose their precious bums to a crusty-butt-rusty toilet seat with 20+ years of who-knows-what all up in it.

BEFORE

AFTER

A Plan for Japan

A friend of mine has a co-worker that grew up in Japan. She asked him for suggestions for our honeymoon. Here is what he said:


I suggest below.

Tokyo Area

O-daiba --> Bay Area / Great night view / Nice restaurants / amusement park / good mood for honeymoon

Asa-kusa --> Traditional style Tokyo / Sen-so-ji (Temple) / Mon-Ja-Yaki (Local special food) should have it / Restaurants are not much clean but do not worry Japan is not same as China.

Ueno --> Many Museums / Zoo

Kabuki-Cho --> Most energetic night area in Asia. Very bright at night like Las Vegas. Please be careful to get into Bar or mysterious store, you will get unbelievable charge. And if you refuse that charge, you can see Japanese Mafia. You can try if you want. It calls Bo-tta-kuri. Becareful.

Rop-pongi--> many many many foreigners dancing all night. A lots of night clubs. You can find your friend, may be.

Aki-ha-bara--> The town for Electric store / Holy land of Man-ga (Japanese Comics) /Maid Caffe / You can see strange young Japanese people. (always wearing costume but not Halloween.)

West of Japan

Kyoto is oldest town in Japan. They have many (more than 100) temples and traditional style town. Some of them are world heritage.


Did that make you laugh too? Did it also make you really want to check out Japan? Me too! I can already tell this is going to be an insanely awesome vacation.

Winter Wonderland

It snowed in Arroyo Grande!!!! Just kidding. This week, we had a few mornings where we woke up and it was a brisk 31 degrees outside! The frost shimmered all over our lawn and it's probably the closest we'll ever get to real snow, so I had to capture the moment! It really does look like a light snow powder, doesn't it?! Unfortunately, our avocado tree and tomato plans bit the dust due to the frost :( They are all brown and saggy and forlorn!!!!!

We decided to put up our very first REAL Christmas tree this year because we are going to be home Christmas Day this year. Every other year, I had a mini tree that I set up in the corner of my small apartments, but now we had an entire room to fill with Christmas spirit!! Wahoo! I got some really snazzy LED lights and a few new ornaments and a tree skirt. Now we just need some gifts under that tree...

Actually, that reminds me of one of my best Christmas-time memories. A few years ago when I was living in my quaint little studio cottage, my mom came to visit for my birthday. I've already written about this visit but I just want to say how I will always remember it! My mom is really really good at making my birthday and Christmas sooo special. She has the best eye for holiday decor, does incredibly thoughtful things (like stocking my fridge!!), and makes everyone feel warm and loved. And she always knows just what to get people - whether it is a soft plush blanket, a classic movie, or some homemade popcorn, she gets it right every time! She is the most selfless person I know! Every time we spend time with my mom, Steve always says, "Your mom is SO nice." Last year we spent Christmas in Montana and she was always busy making us yummy meals, baking cookies, and ensuring everyone was comfortable. I am sad we won't be spending Christmas with my mom and Phil but at least we had a nice Thanksgiving all together. But, I must say, it's never the same without her festive spirit! I hope to be JUST like her because she is incredible!

It's the little things...

I am madly in love with rice krispie treats drizzled with marshmallows, chocolate chips and peanut butter. If I had more self control with sweet treats I would probably cut it up into small portions and eat a yummy morsel every so often. But no, instead I plan on indulging in the entire 4" x 3" slab in under 5 minutes. OH the freedom of being an adult! (Steve just came into my office and asked what I was chomping on...he asked to try a bite and his eyes lit up and he said, "wow, who knew!?" hahahaha that was the best reaction to a rice krispie treat ever. )

Anyway, I am also glad that I live in California because whenever I have to fill out any online forms, and it asks for my state, I don't have to scroll way down forever.

I am also thankful that I have a cozy home that isn't as cramped as this one in NYC. Although, I would have probably liked that three years ago when I was single and living on my own.

If you know me at all, you know I hate being cold!! Steve got me the coolest blanket that plugs into the cigarette lighter of the car and heats up! Now, when Steve is burning up with the heater blasting, he can turn it down and I'll be just fine! Best. Invention. Ever.

Christmas came early this year!

Today is the perfect day to try out my new Bogs wellies! These were an early Christmas/birthday gift from my dearly Beloved. Now, I can splash in the puddles and slosh through the mud...in style! Thanks Billy!

I know what you're thinking - how on earth do you find a gift for him that is as good as purple and green wellies? Well, I got Steve a brand new Echo weed trimmer! Now he has a nice collection of tools and power equipment to make our new home shine!! Cheers!

Cozy

Steve's first attempt at making a fire in our fireplace. Success!!!

Look how they shine

Last night on So You Think You Can Dance, a group called The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers performed a number to "Yellow" a Coldplay tribute by The Vitamin String Quartet. This dance blew my socks off. I had to watch it a few times and even Steve was impressed. I accidentally deleted the episode so I am so happy I found a video of the performance so that it lives on my blog forever!! These dancers are incredible - some of the stuff they do is mind-boggling and defies gravity AND to top it off, the song is so beautiful that I'm considering it for walking down the aisle...take a look (and a listen!)