Wednesday, March 31, 2010

More Please

(Reads a friend's gchat status. It says: "Planning Australia and New Zealand.")

Me: That's cool.
Hubster: What?
Me: They're going to Australia and New Zealand
Hubster: Awww.....
Me: Really? You're going to complain? Mr. Costa Rica and Italy. Soon-to-be NYC.
Hubster: What about you? New York and Chicago. Anyway, just because I had a slice. Doesn't mean that I want a bigger slice. I want to go to those places too!
Me: (laughs)

*Happy that the traveling bug is finally getting him!

Catch Up: Kelby's 1st Picnic

Last weekend, we spent Sunday with our friends Ashley and Michael. It was quite a special day because we got to meet their kiddo Kelby for the first time. It's amazing watching our friends be parents. It's almost like meeting them for the first time. They are just head over heels for their wee one. We enjoyed a picnic on the hillside and looking at wildflowers. The boys flew a glider. What fun!



Had to Have It

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Could Listen to This All Day Long

Busy as a Bee

When I'm all alone at home during breaks, I can turn into a total grouch. I seem to get really restless. I totally need something to keep me busy. For this spring break, my hubster and I decided my project would be putting together my craft room. Today, I spent a good part of the day painting it. I woke up as if it was Christmas morning. My excitement faded half way through, and I pooped out. I had to take a few breaks to give my little hands some much needed rest.

While I rested, I was getting inspiration for the decor. All the photos below are from Pottery Barn Design Library Collection. I had put the box set on our wedding registry. I had really wanted it, but didn't think anyone would get it for us. Luckily, Alex did get it. Yay! It's been a wonderful source of ideas while decorating our little home.

The teal color is what we used for our wall color.
I'm using the other colors of the color palette as accent colors along with some touches of yellow.


I love all of the different shades of blue. They're so calming.


I'm trying to figure out how I can include the clocks in my room.
Eventually, I would also like to start collecting different cameras.


Throwback Tuesday: Hey Mr DJ - Zhane

Monday, March 29, 2010

Strike a Pose, A Yoga Pose

*For my hubster's background at work. You're welcome babe.

I {Less Than 3} My Friends


I am so fortunate to have amazing friends. They do so many different and interesting things. Jove is participating in her first triathlon in a couple of months. Alex is part of a comedy improv group called The Gentleman's Club. Eliot moved up to Washington without any hesitation. Mark went and studied frogs and other amphibians in Belize for a month. Jenn's been soaking up Japanese culture and language the last couple of years.

A few nights ago, Mychal told me about this awesome non-profit organization called Reins on Manes. He designed the website, and his sister is the program coordinator. I totally fell in love with Kahlua. Her story is a must-read. She's a bona fide hero. After our vacation schedule settles down, I'm looking forward to making a donation to keep her fed and taken care of at Windfall Ranch. It's such a good cause!

mainkahlua

source

As you can tell, they are all a constant source of inspiration and entertainment. I heart all of them.

Way Back When: Getty Trip

My hubster and I have tons of photos. Like with any collection, they get stored somewhere, and I forget that I have them. As I was flipping for photos for my photo collage in my craft room, I found these awesome photos from the Getty taken with our Pentax point-and-shoots. I love the one of our legs. It says a lot about us.




Sunday, March 28, 2010

Yellow Beauty



Off to the Windy City!



May is going to be quite an exciting time, not just because it's almost the end of the school year either. I'll be going to New York for a week. Then, two weeks later, I'm off to Chicago with Nicole. Nicole had mentioned that she was thinking of visiting her cousin in Chicago before she ends her master's program. I had already missed out on going to Chicago when my friend Andy went to school there. I wasn't going to miss out this time. I asked if I could tag along. Luckily, she said yes! It's going to be my first vacation without my hubster. I'm excited but a bit nervous. Deep dish pizza, here I come!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Sweetness for My Ears

"Squeezin' the Watch Won't Stop Time"


Unexpectedly, 3:10 to Yuma came from Netflix instead of This Is It. It ended up being a pleasant mistake. I really enjoyed 3:10. It reminded me so much of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which I loved. It was a buddy movie with a twist. Of course, some parts were cliche since it's a western. For instance, Ben Wade (played by Russell Crowe) wears all black and rides a black horse, which obviously makes him the bad guy. We couldn't help but pity Christian Bale who played the one-legged-dirt-poor rancher. I found myself completely wrapped up in the story the whole two hours. Another movie worth watching.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

A Confession

I'm a total book junkie. My addiction to books surpasses my serial napping and potato chip munching. I buy books when they're recommended to me. When I walk into a bookstore to buy a book, I usually see 2 or more other ones that I would love to have. Good thing, I have enough self-control to stick with my original intended purchase. (At least, that's the case most of the time.) Unfortunately, I still have many unread books lying all over the place: on my nightstand, on my bookshelf, on my desk, and in the car. I can't wait to get my custom bookshelves done in our study. With all of that said, meet my new acquisition:

http://www.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/0/9780060557560.jpg
source

I fell in love with Jones' prose when I read The Known World for a literary history class at Cal Poly. Whenever I read his writing, I feel like I'm sitting in a rocking chair on a weathered porch rocking slowly back forth. I'm gladly sitting across from my favorite storyteller and sipping on sweet tea. I can feel the warm breeze sweep across my face and hear the flies buzzing on the warm summer day. Pure literati bliss.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Unexpected


*Saw this nifty label on the back of my hubster's chair while eating delicious pizza last weekend.

A Happy Day

Whenever I'm feeling down and out, I always seem to have a good next day. Today was one of those days.
  • A kiddo kept calling my name over and over while I was helping another kiddo. I thought it was because he had a burning question. Nope. He just wanted to tell me that the Polynesians thought Captain Cook was a god because his boat had white sails similar to that of their harvest god. p.s. He's doing a report on Hawai'i.
  • I got to hear the roar of "Yays!" of every kid on the playground when the principal announced that there was still 15 minutes of recess left as part of their extended recess.
  • Watched authors and illustrators of children's books be treated like rock stars as part of Author's Day. Kiddos were so excited to show me their autographed books.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Another Analogy



Whenever Humpty Dumpty would show up on my favorite early morning cartoon rotation on the Disney Channel, I used to think he was such a weird character. Perhaps, this is where my dislike for eggs comes from?

Well, I may have to rethink my dislike for him. I've realized that I've kind of become him. It feels like I keep falling off and have to keep rebuilding myself. Thankfully, I have my hubster who definitely takes on the role of all the king's horses and all the king's men who have to put poor Humpty together again.

Queen of the Missions





Throwback Tuesday: Steal My Sunshine - Len

Monday, March 22, 2010

Even When I'm Sick

Even when I'm sick, I like to read blogs. In between napping and trying to nap, it feels like the perfect thing to do. I read this post by Junshien and just had to share. I hardly ever get through long posts or even posts without pictures. This post kept me captivated. Enjoy!

*p.s. My hubster and Junshien went to middle school together.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

A Weekend with Carlos








We spent it looking for wildflowers, napping, and eating at Flatbread. Another near perfect weekend.

For Georgia

Some of my favorite times spent in art class as a wee one was trying to mimic one of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings. I still remember my art teacher telling me, "Look at how she uses the space. See how much of it is filled with the flower. What parts of the flower do you see?" I used to try so hard, but I just couldn't get my picture to look like the one in my imagination. Frustration would ensue until I took my painting home, and my mom would say it was gorgeous. Don't all moms say that?

As an adult, I have put away the watercolors and now use my camera to mimic Georgia. Thank God it somewhat works. I'm gradually developing a love affair with flowers, especially ranunculus. They're now my second favorite kind of flower. I love bringing the home shut tight. Then, waking up the next morning to a partial bloom. Then, finally there is a full bloom. So beautiful. So enchanting.


Friday, March 19, 2010

This Weekend's Project

Favorite Words

un chapeau
une pomme de terre
un petit chou
una zanahoria
una farfalla
uno spinaci

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Fortunate


Today, I knew what was coming, but I was still surprised that it came. I subbed at a totally different school for the first time. I was just down the street from the school that I love and call home. I knew this day was going to be the day that I learned how fortunate I was to be at that school with those teachers and those kiddos. I am beyond thankful for all of those smiling faces and the laughter that follows funny little jokes. I'm so tempted to say it wasn't a good day. That it was a hard day. I've thought about many moments on my drive home and have come to the realization that it was just different. It was new. It was not my cup of tea. It may have to be my cup of tea someday. We'll just have to see.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Impatience is My Middle Name

We Are


"We are whatever we eat--junk foods, well-balanced meals, the books we ingest, the people we listen to--but most marvelously we are the eternally loving power of creativity." - Madeleine L'Engle

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

"It's All Those Good Things You Have In You."


I thought Away We Go was an endearing movie. It's not one of my favorites, but it meant a lot to me. I relate to it in so many ways. Trying to find my place in the world by traveling aimlessly but finally coming to the conclusion that home is where I belong. Learning home is where the love of my life is. Wanting a family of my own some day and terrified if I'll be good enough to be a parent. Having someone to laugh with even when I didn't know that I had any laughter still left in me. The icing on the cake was that soundtrack is just like my playlist. Maya Rudolph's performance was heavy without being over the top. I wouldn't mind watching it again.

Throwback Tuesday: Semi Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind

Monday, March 15, 2010

Love Being Anywhere With Him

Where the Pines Meet the Sea









Cambria has my heart. Yes, one main reason I love it so much is it's where we got married. Generally speaking though, it's simply gorgeous. I always get the best pictures when I'm there. It's fun keeping a lookout for wild turkeys, quails, and deer. I'm happy to say that we were able to share all of our favorite Cambrian things with both sets of parents. What an accomplishment! Yay!