Sunday, January 31, 2010

Mixing It Up

Best $40 That We've Spent


We went to watch Ingrid Michaelson perform and she was amazing. I had already been a huge Ingrid fan, having her Girls and Boys cd as a mainstay in my car. A bunch of her songs are also on my playlist that is featured here. After watching her perform, I have an even greater appreciation of her talent. She did an acoustic performance, playing either the ukulele or keyboards most of the time. She sounded just like her cd. In between songs, she would tell anecdotes or jokes that were actually pretty funny. My hubster was even impressed. He told me that it was the best $40 that we've spent. I definitely recommend seeing her wherever she plays.

*Special thanks to my hubster for enjoying my chick music with me.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Waiting to Spring Forward...

It's Love, It's Not Santa Claus

http://www.imperfectwomen.com/wp-content/uploads/500DaysPoster.jpg
source

A bunch of people had recommended that we watch (500). Honestly, we meant to watch it sooner. It's just we've gotten so spoiled with our Roku that we haven't been really watching any of the movies that have been coming by mail. Back to (500), it was one of those intentionally awkward stories about love, which totally makes sense because love can be totally awkward. I really loved the supporting characters especially Tom's two best friends and little sister. I think they help to make the movie awesome. The opening disclosure and narrator are those little extras that need to be enjoyed. For some reason, it reminds me of Garden State. I do have to say, in terms of how the move is composed, it's beautiful. That is enough of a reason to watch it.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Makes Me Giggle

In 10 Years

I've been some of the posts on my friend's little brother's blog. Someone asked him where he sees himself in 10 years. It totally got me thinking about where I see myself in 10 years. It's such a hard question. I would never have imagined my life would be what it is now or it to be as good as it is. Here are some of my hopes though:
  • Celebrating my 13th anniversary with my hubster.
  • Spending time with our adorable and healthy rugrats.
  • Looking at pictures of Paris and Provence on our wall that we actually took.
  • Telling stories about our trips to Zion National Park and Mt. Rushmore.
  • Still loving teaching kiddos.
  • Partaking in long phone conversations and reading long emails from friends.
  • Pondering when it will be a good time to go back and get my PhD.

On Replay

Monday, January 25, 2010

Happy Birthday Carlos!

We made our way down to LA to celebrate Carlos' birthday and had a grand time. To celebrate, he planned for us to go to Nethercutt Museum and to eat at Pizzeria Mozza. At Nethercutt, we got see vintage cars, nickelodeons, and orchestrions. There will be a separate post for Mozza because it was so delicious!

We just had so much fun being with him and his family. Carlos kept saying thank you to both of us for making the time to see him. The thankfulness goes both ways. We're so thankful to have such a good friend. I'm happy he's one of my hubster's best friends. Hopefully, we'll be able to make more trips to LA to see him.









Sunday, January 24, 2010

"I See You"

http://www.vinelanddriveintheater.com/images/avatar_poster.jpg

As part of Carlos' birthday extravaganza, we went to watch Avatar in IMAX and 3D. Fancy, no? We had been hesitant to watch it for a bunch of reasons. My hubster's normally not that interested in sci-fi or fantasy movies. I had heard that the plot was pretty simplistic. My friend's little brother even said it was like a grown-up version of Disney's Pocahontas. Overall, I think the movie is visually stunning and watching it in 3D is definitely worth it. As for the plot, I'll have to say it's like a hybrid of Pocahontas and Ferngully. I had loved Ferngully as a kid and watched in numerous times. Because I was so familiar with the plot of that movie and the numerous similarities with Avatar, I was really craving more. I would say Avatar is a good movie, but not one of my favorites.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Bonjour Quebec!


A week ago, I got to teach the kiddos about the French settlers in Quebec. It was a lot of fun. My favorite part was when the movie mentioned that the settlers were excited about the shipping season because brides came on the ships. When I reviewed with the kiddos about the shipping season, the first thing one of the kiddos mentioned was the part about the brides. The following is a conversation I had with a kiddo today about Quebec.

Miss S: Mrs. Trac, do you remember when we learned about the French and Quebec?
Me: Yes.
Miss S: Well for spring break, I'm going to Quebec.
Me: Really? I've been there. I love Quebec.
Miss G: You've been to Quebec?
Miss S: Yes, I'm going to take pictures of the settlement to bring back.
Me: Are you going to see the Hudson River?
Miss S: Yes because I did my report on Hudson.
Me: Are you going to learn some French?
Miss S: I already know some French. I know how to count up to ten because I used to do it with my third grade teacher.

Gotta love a kid that remembers stuff from class!


Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Monday, January 18, 2010

Happy MLK Jr Day!

Wishing On a Sea Star

This past weekend, we spent a bit of time in Cambria, which is one of our favorite places in the whole wide world. There's seriously no hyperbole going on in that statement. On our way out, we stopped by Home Arts, a beautiful artsy home goods store. Then, my hubster was struck by inspiration. He turns to me and says, "I know what we could put on the walls in the downstairs bathroom. You could paint a couple of starfish. You could also do seahorses if you want to."

I love how I get volunteered for this mural project. There was definitely not a "we" tossed anywhere in there. Feeling inspired by the store and agreeing that our bathroom could use a neat mural, I willingly took on the challenge. With one change, there will definitely not be any seahorses going up. They are out of the scope of my mediocre artistic abilities. I spent all morning creating an inspiration board. Thank God for Flickr and Etsy. Next steps, deciding on the wall, making a few preliminary sketches, then picking colors. I've been jonesing for a project. I guess I got what I was asking for.

1. Whale Series, 2. Detail of Air Conditioner Mural - Starfish on Surf Shack/Tiki Hut Door, 3. Shell vignette 03, 4. handpainted starfish, 5. Octopus' Garden, 6. Under The Sea..., 7. Not available, 8. Not available, 9. starsandtinsel12.26.08, 10. Jelly Star, 11. Not available, 12. Wild Things13. Not available14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

Friday, January 15, 2010

Everything & The Kitchen Sink

One of my many TV guilty pleasures is Man vs. Food. As my friends have poignantly noticed, the dark circles and his tummy seem to get exponentially darker and larger as the series goes on. I got around to watching the San Francisco episode. I am now in love with the San Francisco Creamery and wouldn't mind trying the kitchen sink sundae. I don't want to try it on my own, but I do think it would be fun to do with a bunch of friends. What is a kitchen sink sundae? 8 enormous scoops of ice cream, 8 different toppings, and tons of whipped cream.

source

I also posted the part of the episode of Man vs. Food that introduced me to this beautiful ice cream mountain.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Monday, January 11, 2010

My Mom Told Me So

My mom likes to share fun animal facts and cute animal stories with me. She told me that there was a type of German Shepherd called a White German Shepherd. I didn't believe her. She was so set that she was right that she was willing to make a bet. Good thing, I didn't make that bet. She was right. Here are some adorable White German Shepherd pups.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Burnt

Last spring, the mountainsides near my little school was set ablaze. My little school was closed for several days. Ash covered streets, cars, and homes. We waited anxiously to see if our little school was going to be okay, hoping homes would not be burnt to ash, and praying for the safety of firefighters.

Months later, my hubster decided that we should go hiking, and we happened to pick where the fire had started. We had been on this trail so many times before. Some parts are still unrecognizable. It looks barren as it would in winter, but you know the season is not to blame for the change in appearance. My hubster's favorite house on the hill is gone. However, there are bits of green bearing the weight of our hope.



Friday, January 8, 2010

Have I Told You...

How much I heart my hubster? Here are two silly conversations that we have had recently.

Today:

Me: Do you want to play video games tonight?
Hubster: Sure.
Me: Or do you want to watch a movie?
Hubster: I think we can do both. We are grown-ups.
Me: (laughs) True. Just wanted to give you some options.

A Few Days Ago:

(After seeing this adorable little girl at the supermarket.)
Hubster: Didn't that little girl look like she could be a brat?
Me: Why? She was adorable. All decked out in pink with her matching pink cookie box.
Hubster: Well...you didn't think she looked like a brat?
Me: She looked like me when I was little.
Hubster: (laughs) Oh...ok! So you admit it.
Me: I guess.
Hubster: Yea, when you look up "brat" in the dictionary there's your picture next to it.
Me: (laughs)


Just As Sweet the Second Time


I'm in the middle of rereading My Life in France. When I first read it, it was after our Mediterranean cruise and I was missing La Belle France (as Julia calls it). That was two years ago. Again, I find myself longing to see pretty apartments, small Virgin Mary shrines, street menus in cursive and the most perfect fruits and veggies. Now, My Life is back in my purse and being toted around with me daily. It's just as enchanting as before. Julia Child's wit and humor shines through. Her husband must have kept her on her toes because he sounds like quite the character as well. I now want to watch Julie & Julia and read The Sweet Life in Paris. I must prepare for our eventual trip to Paris. It's not a matter of if we will ever go. It's just a matter of when. Just ask my hubster. :)

Monday, January 4, 2010

Better Late Than Never

http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/photo_opoly_board_game.jpg

Last year, my friend Mark got us Photo*opoly for Christmas. (
Gosh. I really hope it was last year and not two years ago.) Very thoughtful gift. Well, I've finally made time to open it and started to sort through pictures to place on the board. There are some examples in the guide to show how to lay it out. Apparently, there should be a theme instead of just a random collection of pictures.

Now, I have to come up with a theme. The theme I started with was vacation and I was going to call our version Vacation*opoly. After I sorted through all of our vacations, I realized that it might seem a bit narcissistic. See, the problem lies with the fact that most of our vacations have been with just the two of us. There are no group pictures. I could mix it up with landscape/monument photos. I don't I'm at a crossroads.

Once I finally pick a theme, then I have to photoshop it to the appropriate size then get them printed. I think when I get over the fact that this isn't an easy project and is more like a multiple-weekend project I'll be golden.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Two Weeks Notice

We're back to our home after spending two weeks at my parents' house. It's become an annual tradition that we spend the last two weeks of December down there. This year, I've spent some time thinking if two weeks are too much. I've never had that thought before. I guess it's a little bit different because we're finally really settled into our little home. While we were there, I started to feel homesick for our home.

I've talked to my hubster about it. He was feeling totally the same way and completely understood. We went back and forth about it. In the end, we decided it's a tradition worth keeping. I hardly spend any significant amount of time at home anymore, so it's definitely something we should do. My mom just checked in with me a few minutes ago; I miss her terribly already. I also miss my daddy and the other meows. No matter how much I would like to freeze time, it's time to get 2010 going.