New York

We had such a wonderful time in New York. I wanted to post a few pictures. I have posted more extensively on my blog, so I'll keep it short here. Elinore spent most of her playing hours rocking in this little kid-sized rocking chair that Grandma has. "Wee" she would say once she got herself going.

Never a dull moment with Caitlyn around. Elinore loved the attention she got from her aunt. As soon as we got home she saw her picture on the wall and said, "Caity".


The last one is of Elinore giving "Nana" a big kiss. We miss it already.

 

1st Week Back

I have made it through my first week back at Albion and I'm still alive. The girl I was living with last semester was not able to get moved to a different housing arrangement with her friend who had returned from India, so she and I are back together. So far it is going ok, hopefully it will continue to go well.

On Mondays I have my riding lesson and I got to see my favoritist horse ever, Mason, I think he recognized me when I walked by he perked up and whinnied at me. Tuesday I have lab, Wednesday I have lab, and Thursday I have lab. It's going to be an interesting semester, VERY busy but I really like my classes so far, especially vertebrate paleontology. It's kinda weird with Mike not being here but I'll get to see him for spring break, he's going to meet me in Huntington.

When I woke up this morning and went out to do my laundry I found myself in a winter wonderland. We got about 5 maybe 6 inches of snow today, it was a blizzard out. There were 4 inches of snow on the roof of my car, it took me about 20 minutes just to brush the snow off. I was very tempted to go for a walk in the snow but I decided to make baked potato soup instead. So that's the story of my life as we know it, not very interesting but hey that's how it goes.

DA BEARS

Even though I live in Chicago, I have to admit that I was not glued to the TV all day yesterday watching the game. In fact, I took advantage of the small crowds and went ice skating in Milennium Park. It was a gorgeous evening--not too cold, with soft snowflakes sticking in our hair--and to our surprise, we made the turn in the skating rink and found even the buildings were celebrating the Bears!

See you at the Superbowl!
 

Haircut

I got my hair cut a few days ago and it's a littler shorter than I had anticipated. What do you guys think?? Mom thinks it makes me look soooooo much older. I'm not so sure about it yet, plus I'm having a hard time figuring out how much shampoo and conditioner to use now haha.

Jump Start Epilogue

AAA came at 10 and ran a battery test. I failed with flying colors, and the only option left was a replacement. Luckily the mechanic they sent to me was a battery tester AND installer and happened to have his whole trunk filled with fresh batteries.

As it was about 18 degrees last night and the buying process would take a few minutes, I went inside to wait while he punched in the numbers and got approval. 15 minutes later I got a phone call to come back outside because my card was declined. IS ANYTHING GOING TO WORK FOR ME TODAY??? (I yelled to nobody)

I had to charge it on my corporate card, but I now have a fresh new battery with a 3 year warranty. And a $108 debt to my company. Hot dog.

Jump start on life...

Today was itchin' for a bloggin'.

The day began at 3 am when a teacher called to let me know that she was too sick to go to work. Now I understand wanting to be prompt and professional, but really, 3 am?

7 am I got another call from another teacher who was going to be out sick.

7:19 I ran to the cleaners to pick up my pants (they are open from 7 am-7 pm so it was my only chance) and the door was locked. No pants.

8:28 I got a call from another teacher who was stuck in traffic and would be late.

8:31 another teacher arrived in tears because she had fainted and fallen while walking to the train station this morning. She was ok, but naturally quite shaken about the whole incident. After feeding her cheerios and juice, I called the on-call nurse hotline (aka: Mom) to give her some peace of mind about the whole thing.

After that the morning plodded along until the late afternoon when another teacher was confirmed out the next day and we had to start calling families to cancel programs. My favorite part of the job!

6:00 rolled around and everyone left except me because I was supposed to be going on a date at 6:30. Except that my date neglected to tell me where were meeting and when I still hadn't heard from him at 6:45 I went home.

At home I didn't even take off my coat because I had to go to the grocery store and return my Blockbuster rentals (today was the day they would charge my card if they didn't receive them by store closing!) When I got in the car, I turned the key in the ignition, and the "sound of silence" took on a whole new meaning.

I called home while sitting sadly in the cold, silent car, and my life advisors told me I had to call AAA to have them come jump it.

And now I sit here and wait.

2007 Discoveries

New things I've learned this year:

1. My winter clothes weigh 7.8 pounds.

2. You can carry your umbrella when it is snowing too.

3. Zucchini tastes good sauteed with thyme and sliced almonds.

3. Don't accept dances with men who have lips tattooed on their necks.

4. It is possible to sprout oregano in Chicago in January.

Dance Baby Dance

We know you may not think this is as funny as we do, but we thought you would enjoy it anyway. Just remember, you saw it here first. It is funnier when you watch it multiple times...check out that hip action...and make sure you have the volume up.

New Year's photos part 2

Wishing on grapes under the table...
Ready for love and travel in 2007!
Happy New Year! 

New Year's photos

These are a few photos from our New Year's gathering on Eastwood Ave. Everyone brought something to share and our breakfast table ended up with quite an ornate spread!







Finally, a photo of my roommate, Colleen! She really exists after all!

It was a night filled with a mixture of traditions... including the grapes, the yellow underwear, the backpacks, salsa lessons in the kitchen, etc, etc.

New year, new hobby

In line with my new year's resolutions (cook once a week and get a life), I've taken up a new hobby. I've decided to become a gardener. Today I went to the garden center of Home Depot to outfit myself with the necessary tools. I called Mom for advice since she has a well-known green thumb, and she warned me that January in Chicago is an unusual season to take up gardening. However, I am determined. I bought the following:

a watering can
a few pots
a mini herb garden (the add water and watch it grow kind)
a few packets of seeds
potting soil
a bonsai

Since I don't have a patio of any kind and because it is January, all the growing will take place indoors. Currently I am waiting for my mini greenhouse's peat pellets to soak up some water, and then I'll plant the herb seeds. Maybe if they grow, they'll inspire the cooking portion of my resolutions. Good luck to me and to my plants, I'll let you know if anything lives.

Happy New Year!

According to South American tradition, if you want something specific in the new year, you have to do certain things at the stroke of midnight. My Chilean friends filled me in on a few things during the day, and then my Peruvian friends added onto the tradition last night. Apparently if you want to find love you have to wear yellow underwear. I didn't have any, but Colleen did, so I put hers in my pocket. If you want to travel, you are supposed to wear a backpack or carry your suitcase. Then there's discrepancy because the Chileans said you are supposed walk outside with your backpack or suitcase, and the Peruvians said you're supposed to run around the block. They also brought a bunch of grapes over because at midnight everyone is supposed to get under a table and eat 12 grapes. One for each month, and make a wish on each one.

We counted down to 1, banged on pots and pans with cheese graters and avocado slicers because we didn't have enough spoons, toasted with champagne, hugged and kissed everybody, got under the table, ate our grapes, and ran around the building with our backpacks on. It was a busy New Year! I realized this morning that we forgot to sing Auld Lang Syne. Next year I'll sing it twice.

Happy New Year and an Auld Lang Syne!