Imagine our surprise when Kate jumped up on a nearby chair,joined us at the table,
and stealthily "stole" her share.
I've never know a cat to like sourdough, but Kate sure does. That, and olives.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sourpuss
Apparently, Mark and I aren't the only ones in our house that enjoy this San Francisco treat.
Imagine our surprise when Kate jumped up on a nearby chair,
joined us at the table,
I've never know a cat to like sourdough, but Kate sure does. That, and olives.
Imagine our surprise when Kate jumped up on a nearby chair,joined us at the table,
I've never know a cat to like sourdough, but Kate sure does. That, and olives.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Okay, time for an update
I've been battling the longest cold that I can remember in recent years (12 days and counting), and I am sick of being sick! My cough is starting to die down, my voice is almost back to normal, the eye infection is gone, and hopefully I'll be rid of what remains, soon.
On top of being sick, a recent promotion at work has kept me more than busy. I feel like all I've done in the past two weeks is work and sleep. And work. And sleep.
As a result, I realize that I've failed to share some of the fun we've been up to. So here you go:
Two weekends ago...
Melissa and Steven came to visit us, and we had a great time catching up with dear friends. Wine tasting was at the top of our list of things to do (surprise, surprise!) and we enjoyed our first introduction to Sonoma County wines. We discovered that the feel of the Sonoma tasting rooms is different from Napa - more relaxed and laid back, generally providing more personal attention, and often the tastings are free!
Our first stop in Sonoma.
We were all quite happy with many of our findings, including a newfound favorite. Honestly, every SINGLE wine we tasted at Williamson was delicious, prompting us to join our first wine club!
Other weekend highlights included a trip to Bodega Bay on the California coast, enjoying Mark's performance in a concert at school, more wine tasting in Napa, and visits to Muir Woods and other San Francisco highlights.
For once, I didn't take a single picture on my camera, letting the true photographers do all the work. Melissa has posted a few more photos here (and I'm looking forward to getting a hold of the rest sometime soon!).
And last weekend...
The temperatures soared into the 80's - even in San Francisco! As much as I love warm weather, I was feeling sick enough to want to simply sleep all day. Thankfully, my husband rescued me and suggested a leisurely afternoon drive into SF on Saturday, where we enjoyed walking along the bay, soaking up the sun, and some of our favorite San Francisco eats.
Yes, it was even warm enough to head to the pool for a few moments on Sunday (or, rather, sit by the pool as I tried to catch up on work)!
On top of being sick, a recent promotion at work has kept me more than busy. I feel like all I've done in the past two weeks is work and sleep. And work. And sleep.
As a result, I realize that I've failed to share some of the fun we've been up to. So here you go:
Two weekends ago...
Melissa and Steven came to visit us, and we had a great time catching up with dear friends. Wine tasting was at the top of our list of things to do (surprise, surprise!) and we enjoyed our first introduction to Sonoma County wines. We discovered that the feel of the Sonoma tasting rooms is different from Napa - more relaxed and laid back, generally providing more personal attention, and often the tastings are free!
Our first stop in Sonoma.We were all quite happy with many of our findings, including a newfound favorite. Honestly, every SINGLE wine we tasted at Williamson was delicious, prompting us to join our first wine club!
Other weekend highlights included a trip to Bodega Bay on the California coast, enjoying Mark's performance in a concert at school, more wine tasting in Napa, and visits to Muir Woods and other San Francisco highlights.
For once, I didn't take a single picture on my camera, letting the true photographers do all the work. Melissa has posted a few more photos here (and I'm looking forward to getting a hold of the rest sometime soon!).
And last weekend...
The temperatures soared into the 80's - even in San Francisco! As much as I love warm weather, I was feeling sick enough to want to simply sleep all day. Thankfully, my husband rescued me and suggested a leisurely afternoon drive into SF on Saturday, where we enjoyed walking along the bay, soaking up the sun, and some of our favorite San Francisco eats.
Yes, it was even warm enough to head to the pool for a few moments on Sunday (or, rather, sit by the pool as I tried to catch up on work)!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
And the verdict is....
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I guess I can't expect to win EVERY random drawing:) Honestly, I'm not sure whether to be disappointed or relieved. A little bit of both is to be expected. Whereas I had started to psyche myself up for another training season, the truth is that thought of scheduling long runs into my life again does make me cringe a little.
When I signed up, I felt great about taking myself out of the decision process, so I should be okay with this response, right?
Well then why does this part of the e-mail catch my eye?
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Monday, March 24, 2008
Sweeps!!!!!!
Its officially, OFFICIAL! And therefore, time to share one crazy story....
Two weeks ago, as I was on a flight home from a brief visit to Vancouver (incidentally, the same day that I posted this list), Mark answered a call on our home phone from United Airlines. Initially, he was rather disturbed to see the name on our caller ID. Why would the airline that I was traveling on be calling our home? My poor husband's mind went to the worst possible place.
Thankfully, they asked to speak to me, which quickly reassured him that I was OK. But the nature of the call remained a mystery for most of the evening because the caller insisted that she needed to talk to me.
When I got home, Mark told me the story that I've just shared with you, and asked why I thought they might be calling.
"I don't know," I said. "Maybe I won something. Like a free plane trip for all my loyal travel. Or that Beijing sweepstakes I registered for last year." We both laughed at my speculations. Yeah, RIGHT!
Crazy thing is that when the phone rang later that night, the woman on the other link informed me that this was EXACTLY what I had won! She congratulated me as the potential Grand Prize winner for the Sights and Sound of Beijing Sweepstakes.
"What does that mean?" I asked, my mouth open in a silently scream as I jumping up and down, and danced around the room while trying to make as little noise as possible.
"Round trip tickets for two in United Business® to Beijing, five nights of deluxe accommodations at a four-star hotel, two tickets to the Beijing Opera, and transfers to and from the Beijing Airport courtesy of United Vacations," I was told.
SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?! my mind screamed. Could this even be true? Let me tell you, I will NEVER doubt a sweepstakes again.
Our suspicions were lifted when we received FedEx paperwork with details the very next day. We also learned that potential winner would be turned into official winner after returning notarized affidavits of eligibility.
Which brings me to today and the congratulatory e-mail from United's elite rewards program administrator.
Can you even believe it? We WON a trip to BEIJING, CHINA!
When we'll actually go is still to be determined, but I'll be sure to keep you posted! (And no, we can't pick dates surrounding the Olympics.)
And wouldn't you know it? Mark's Dad is visiting Beijing right now with a tour group. We can't wait to here his thoughts on the best places to visit.
How's THAT for a story:)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Quality Friday: Green Thumb
A bit of earth, She wants a little bit of earth,
She'll plant some seeds.
The seeds will grow,
The flowers bloom,
Their beauty just the thing she needs.
- lyrics from "The Secret Garden"
Some day, when I grow up, I want to have a garden. A house, on a pretty street, with a yard, a swing set, and a garden.
There is something very appealing about the thought of having fresh vegetables at arm's reach. Imagine being able to simply step out your back door to pick out the perfect bell pepper, tomato and fresh herbs for your meal, and not having to wonder how they've been grown. Wouldn't that would be wonderful?
Truthfully, though, I have no idea if my thumb is green or black - I've never grown a thing in my life.
So why not try it out, I thought?
Our balcony is currently home to our stainless steel grill, two white chairs with beige seats, and a little white glass-topped table. With spring in full gear around here, this weekend Mark and I decided to swing by the gardening section at Target and to try to infuse a little bit of color into our lives.
After much deliberation, searching through the selection of flowers for the few that might survive in the shade, almost giving up because I had no idea what I was doing, and then running out of soil half-way through transplanting them, I was finally able to successfully (I hope) plant my first flowers ever! Here's what's blooming on our patio:
Some day, when I grow up, I want to have a garden. A house, on a pretty street, with a yard, a swing set, and a garden.
There is something very appealing about the thought of having fresh vegetables at arm's reach. Imagine being able to simply step out your back door to pick out the perfect bell pepper, tomato and fresh herbs for your meal, and not having to wonder how they've been grown. Wouldn't that would be wonderful?
Truthfully, though, I have no idea if my thumb is green or black - I've never grown a thing in my life.
So why not try it out, I thought?
Our balcony is currently home to our stainless steel grill, two white chairs with beige seats, and a little white glass-topped table. With spring in full gear around here, this weekend Mark and I decided to swing by the gardening section at Target and to try to infuse a little bit of color into our lives.
After much deliberation, searching through the selection of flowers for the few that might survive in the shade, almost giving up because I had no idea what I was doing, and then running out of soil half-way through transplanting them, I was finally able to successfully (I hope) plant my first flowers ever! Here's what's blooming on our patio:
Think I can manage to keep them alive? I sure hope so!
***Any suggestions would be more than appreciated!***
***Any suggestions would be more than appreciated!***
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Oh, the places I've been
Well, folks - its officially the 366 Day of the First Year of my (Not So) New Job! As hard as it is to believe how quickly the time has passed, I find myself struck once again by the numerous ways our lives have changed in just 12 months.
Inspired by this avid traveler, my list of cities visited in the past year shows the extent to which traveling is now a standard in my life:
March '07
New Orleans, LAApril '07
Charleston, SCClearwater, FL
May '07
Vancouver, BCLos Angeles vicinity, CA
June '07
Oakland, CAJuly '07
Van Nuys, CA
Chicago, IL
August '07
Toronto, ON
Chicago, ILSeptember '07
Spokane, WACalgary, AB
October '07
Vancouver, BCPortland, OR
November '07
Los Angeles, CASeattle, WA
December '07
Cypress, CAJanuary '08
Cypress, CA
Chicago, ILMarrakech, Morocco (and 20 hrs in London, UK)
February '08
San Diego, CALa Mirada, CA
Seattle, WA
March '08
Vancouver, BC
WHEW! I can only imagine what Year Two will bring.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Quality Friday: Back on Track
Its always a challenge for me to get back into the groove of exercise after letting it fall to the wayside. The most difficult part for me is mustering up the motivation to start over again.
As I've said before, I have a tendency to be an all-or-nothing type of girl when it comes to exercise. As much as I've tried, I still haven't learned how to make it a consistent part of my life. I either work out like crazy, going to the gym for hours a day or I sit on the couch for months thinking about starting again. Kind of like I've done this winter.
Over the last few weeks, my business trips have taken me to lovely hotels with nice fitness centers - and I've made a point of using them every morning of my stay. They certainly got the ball rolling, but it wasn't until this past weekend that I finally felt like I was back.
On Sunday, the 70 degree sunshine coaxed me into my very first run outside since October. The weather was perfect, I discovered a new waterfront route, and as hard as the four miles [also the longest distance I've run in 5 months] were for me physically, I felt AMAZING. It wasn't until that moment that I realized how much I've missed running.
As a goal-driven person, I've found that the thing that makes the most sense in my quest for consistency is to sign up for an event. Races are concrete endpoint to work towards, which helps to motivate me. With these inklings floating about in my head, in early February at my company's National Sales Meeting, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet, listen to, and be inspired by Sarah Reinertsen - an amazing athlete and the first woman with a leg amputation to complete an Ironman.
"To Audrey - The marathon is waiting for you. Run strong!"
Even with her inspiration, until this week, I hadn't even CONSIDERED another marathon for 2008. And then all of a sudden, my run on Sunday had me thinking about doing one again soon. And thinking, and thinking.
Wouldn't you know it? Yesterday, I found myself signing up for the random drawing for the San Francisco Nike Women's Marathon. [I know, even as I type this my heart is racing. Am I really doing this again?!?!] On April 1, I'll find out whether my name was selected. AHHHHHH!
For now, though, its kind of nice not knowing. I can spend the next few weeks continuing to work on consistency and getting back on track.
As I've said before, I have a tendency to be an all-or-nothing type of girl when it comes to exercise. As much as I've tried, I still haven't learned how to make it a consistent part of my life. I either work out like crazy, going to the gym for hours a day or I sit on the couch for months thinking about starting again. Kind of like I've done this winter.
Over the last few weeks, my business trips have taken me to lovely hotels with nice fitness centers - and I've made a point of using them every morning of my stay. They certainly got the ball rolling, but it wasn't until this past weekend that I finally felt like I was back.
On Sunday, the 70 degree sunshine coaxed me into my very first run outside since October. The weather was perfect, I discovered a new waterfront route, and as hard as the four miles [also the longest distance I've run in 5 months] were for me physically, I felt AMAZING. It wasn't until that moment that I realized how much I've missed running.
As a goal-driven person, I've found that the thing that makes the most sense in my quest for consistency is to sign up for an event. Races are concrete endpoint to work towards, which helps to motivate me. With these inklings floating about in my head, in early February at my company's National Sales Meeting, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet, listen to, and be inspired by Sarah Reinertsen - an amazing athlete and the first woman with a leg amputation to complete an Ironman.
Sarah shared the story of her first attempted to finish the Kona Ironman World Championship in 2004, and how she was disqualified when she failed to meet the qualifying time for the bike leg by 15 minutes. Her dream was incomplete that year - a story that resonated deeply with me as I reflected on my own first marathon experience.
"To Audrey - The marathon is waiting for you. Run strong!"Even with her inspiration, until this week, I hadn't even CONSIDERED another marathon for 2008. And then all of a sudden, my run on Sunday had me thinking about doing one again soon. And thinking, and thinking.
Wouldn't you know it? Yesterday, I found myself signing up for the random drawing for the San Francisco Nike Women's Marathon. [I know, even as I type this my heart is racing. Am I really doing this again?!?!] On April 1, I'll find out whether my name was selected. AHHHHHH!
For now, though, its kind of nice not knowing. I can spend the next few weeks continuing to work on consistency and getting back on track.
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