Monday, September 29, 2008

Taking Stock

taken from Dad Gone Mad:

1. There’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, but you haven’t done it because you think you lack the time, money, or support to do so. What is that something? And what are the REAL roadblocks keeping you from it?

Hmm. I have a lot of dreams, so it's hard to narrow down which one to write. I guess the most salient one is my dream to own a house. The real roadblocks to that one are: the current economy/tightening of loan standards, lack of a down payment, and the expense of the LA housing market (even with the downturn). We're hoping to make some progress on this front in the next year or so, but for right now, it's on hold.

2. Name something you would eat more of if health, cost, allergy, and caloric intake were of no concern.

Steak. Rare steak. Ooh, and blue cheese. And red wine.

3. What is the one singer/band, book/author, painting/painter or author artist/work of art that “speaks to you” most? Why?

"Persuasion," by Jane Austen. I think it speaks to me because it touches on not only the importance of knowing your own mind, but also the value of listening to others, and not making rash decisions. It explores themes of responsibility and maturity, which I appreciate more as I get older.

4. If your country’s government handed you a check for $10 billion and empowered you use that money to support a single program, cause, or organization, where would you send it?

Comprehensive sex education for middle school children. Giving young women (and men) the opportunity to make educated choices about their sexual and reproductive lives allows them to get higher education, get better jobs, be happier and more productive, which strengthens the economy and provides growth and stability for the country.

5. What really, genuinely pisses you off?

Closed-minded people who believe that their way is the only way. The only way to God, the only way to happiness, the only way to fulfillment, the only way to prosperity.

6. Describe your current level of happiness and contentment in your life. Are you living the life you imagined for yourself when you were younger?

On a scale of 1-10, I'm probably about an 8 1/2. I finally have a good job that I enjoy where I feel valued and challenged. I have a loving family and am financially secure enough to enjoy some of life's pleasures. I don't have a house yet, but it will come eventually. No, I'm not living the exact life I thought I would (in junior high, I thought I would go into politics!), but it's a life that I think my younger self would appreciate.


Feel free to answer all or just few of these questions in the comments. Or, if you prefer, contemplate your answers privately.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Hope on a rope

This is the most random thing I've come across all morning. I just had to share.


And here is the second most random thing.

Scattered, smothered, covered and hitched
Couple marries at Waffle House

I love me a good Waffle House story.

Friday, September 19, 2008

A fortune for everyone

After the greasy Chinese food I had at lunch, I needed the palate-cleansing nothingness of the included fortune cookie. Here is what it said:

You are good-natured, practical and firm in your point of view.

Ok, it's not a fortune, but it's nice. I even thought it was pretty on-the-money. I'm an easy-going person, yet I believe I have my feet firmly rooted in reality. So, hey, my fortune cookie got it right?

And then I realized, who the heck doesn't that fortune apply to, at least in their own minds? I mean, who says, "well actually, I'm ill-tempered, impractical and wishy-washy?"

So instead of a real fortune, I got a sham platitude. I feel cheated.

Now I think I need a real cookie.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Mash Game: Predict Your Future at eSPIN-the-Bottle




































Behold... My Future
I will marry Johnny Depp.
After a wild honeymoon, We will settle down in Rome in our fabulous Apartment.
We will have 2 kid(s) together.
Our family will zoom around in a silver Suburu Outback.
I will spend my days as a lactation consultant, and live happily ever after.
whats your future

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Vocab by Viv

MAO = cat
DOGGIE! = dog
BAA = sheep
GACK = duck
MOO = cow
OUTSIDE = I would like to go outside now
DEWEY = my cat Doyle
DEH! = my cat Deano
BABY = my Teddy Bear
DADA = I'm so happy. Please do _________ with me.
MAMA = I'm so tired, in pain, hungry. Please hold me.
DA-TAH! = Ta-da! Look at me!


Monday, September 08, 2008

I have seen the future

and OMG, I hope it's here to stay.

Last night, my dear friend Julia came over for dinner. We splurged, and had filet mignon wrapped in bacon and wild mushroom risotto. Sooo good. It would have been better if I could have timed things better so that everything was ready at the same time (the risotto was so laborious, I couldn't start the filets until I had finished it, so it was a bit cool by the time we sat down to eat). And for dessert, I made a lemon-ginger pound cake (it was supposed to be a lemon-poppyseed cake, but I didn't know that
poppyseed filling is a seasonal item -- most commonly used for hamantaschen). The ginger worked out well, and everything was lovely. We also broke out our bottle of Fresno State wine from our trip over Labor Day up to Kingsburg to visit the family (yes, Fresno State makes their own wine). My review of the Primativo: a lot of sediment, but still a tasty red.

Vivian had only had one nap yesterday (she refused to take her afternoon nap), so I was a bit worried about how she would handle a guest and relatively late night. I shouldn't have worried. Vivian was her normally charming self -- she was bubbly and happy for most of the night.

Julia left about 9:30, which is about an hour later than Viv normally goes to sleep. She went to sleep easily, and was down for the count until about 12:30, when she woke up with either a nightmare or teething pains (she has a new tooth coming in on the bottom). I was able to nurse her back to sleep, and then I went to sleep.


And then, the miracle.


First, let me say that Vivian normally wakes up at about 4 a.m., wanting to come into bed with us. And that's fine to me -- my basic rule is that if it's after 2 a.m., she can come in.


But this morning, nothing.
Richard woke up about 7 a.m. and went in to Vivian's room to see what was going on. And Vivian was awake, but just sitting up in her crib and playing and reading to herself.

Wow. This is so cool. If this is a sign of things to come, it's awesome.