Excitement

New things are happening.

Good things.

(On the work front people.)

My company was acquired by a much larger one. Much larger. And we're all excited to be given this great opportunity!

Here's the news!

:)

Dad's Favorite Place

Going to head over to one of my father's favorite places.

I'm not sure if it's "of all time", but I'm pretty sure it's up there. Or the concept of the place is.

I am speaking of Goodwill.

There just happens to be one five minutes from our new apartment, and I want one of the shower container things for shampoo and stuff. And I don't want to buy one full price. Or go somewhere to actually get a new one. And I think I've donated a couple myself.... so we'll see.

I also want to get a shower curtain, but not sure if they have those. Sigh. Is it gross to get a used shower curtain? I mean, I'll clean it and all. (Or at least I'll tell people I did, kidding.) Now I don't think I'd do towels, but maybe if they were new looking (had this conversation with my sister the other day). But I think I would with a comforter because I would use my old comforter, you know? But would I have used Darin's? I guess we did for some time, so probably would use a strangers as well.

Wish me luck on finding bathroom stuff. Don't want to buy new - so Goodwill here I come.

Quick Labors

The family all got together on Labor Day - as well they should!

Didn't take too many pictures (busy eating), but I did manage to grab a couple of fun ones.

The men outside. Grillin' meat.

Is this what Darin would look like with some extra lbs?

We ate a nice lunch - adults at one table and kids at another... memories. Then the kids found a lizard in the kitchen and their father proceeded to show a fun trick that he, Diana, and Darin used to do when they were little.

Gross.

And that's about it. Ate, mingled, and then went back to work. For cells didn't know what 'days off' were.

Texan Visit

A couple days before Labor Day Weekend, my friend LaShan came for a quick visit as she was meeting her family in Orlando to celebrate summer and all that Orlando has to offer!

I haven't seen her since she graduated and headed to Texas, so I was pretty excited to hear/see how she was doing and just spend time talkin'.

She ended up getting in semi-late on Wednesday night - we headed out for a quick dinner with Darin, and then headed home.

Thursday, I took the day off (woo hoo) so we could relax and enjoy the sunshine with her. We headed over to Cocoa Beach but I was a little afraid because we had a hurricane off our shores and the water was supposed to be crazy strong.

* Which it was! We were afraid (as was everyone else at the beach) to go in too deep.

But it was a beautiful day to spend enjoying the sunshine and breezes.

Dark water - can you see it in the photos? The water was this dark brown color - not from gross stuff in the water, but from the waves turning everything up from the ocean floor. There were also tons of fish jumping out of the water at every moment - I've never experienced anything like this before. It was cool and gross at the same time. (I'm not too fond of fish. Yak.)

Shan at our spot!

We ended up sitting right in front of Coconuts and right in front of the life guards - we didn't want to take any chances.

Where did her feet go?

As I've mentioned, the water was crazy strong - we walked a lot up and down our little stretch of sand and did go in the water to cool off a bit. While we were there, three little sea turtles washed up on shore. I guess there was a casting off of sea turtles by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society that morning and some of them got caught up my the rough seas. The life guards ended up taking them back to the preservation area.

Had a good fish lunch, drove around to see the sights, and then I dropped her off.

It was a brief yet fun (and relaxing) visit!

Darin vs. Jake's Toys

Beware.

While moving (yes I know I'm blogging a lot about this recently because well that's what we had been doing for the past couple weeks), we found the box of need I say 'retired' toys from Jake. They were all lovingly given to us from various people, loved by Jake for maybe 10 minutes, and then killed by Jake shortly after.

(I've kind of learned since that he can only have a stuffed animal toy for a short part of time before he starts trying to get to the squeaky).

We thought it would be fun to add some photos of them (with Darin's help).

Enjoy:

Killer upside-down duck?

Vampire lion and bear?

Ninja hedgehog?

One legged sheep

No eyed cow.

Attacking an already attacked purple monster!

He has more. Don't worry. At least I didn't show you a picture of what happened to the blue arm of the 4-armed Kong toy. It was a very scary sight.

Random Ramblings

This week has been busy. (It was my birthday week in case you didn't know.)

Updates?!

Darin made a wonderful meal last Monday night - chicken pomodoro. It was supposed to include angel hair pasta but upon cooking ours and then straining it, we realized there were little pepper specks all over it. Bugs. Gross. Ended up having to use the macaroni from our mac & cheese container.

We have been currently obsessed with McDon@lds cheeseburgers. I blame the Doritos chips. Guess it's alright as we eat only one of them each and do NOT share with the dog. (Almost got him one - and I think Darin would have if I wasn't in the car!)

Had a big presentation for our journal club here at work on Tuesday. This one was the second one I've done for my company, and I was much more relaxed this time around. The first presentation was on a couple of papers on an immunology subject. Giving this made me very nervous because I am not a 'trained' immunologist - and most of my coworkers are. Yikes. But I felt as though I did a good job, so was feeling pretty good about my second presentation which was on this. And in this instance I actually knew what I was talking about. Amazing?

That's it. Nothing too exciting!

The Real Deal

Birthday blog.

I have a lot of older pictures/fun times to talk about, but this has been on my mind this morning because my desk decorations were hard to explain to people last night as I told them about my birthday day.

Here was the story:

I walked into the office and saw streamers coming down from the ceiling. I was thinking my coworkers were going to do something for my birthday, but I wasn't thinking it would be so extravagant!

And there were balloons too. 30th Birthday Balloons!

Black streamers were everywhere!

Black tarp paper - around everything!
My whole desk was completely covered.

Glitter stars (for some much needed color)!

It was funny. And awesome. I guess overall it's a nice feeling to have people remember you on your birthday. And make it special.

I received birthday treats too. Rice crispy treats (my favorite), fantastic chocolate cake (see below), and ice cream cake too!

And poor Uncle Sam. He got it bad too. They mummified him - though we kind of think he looks like a ninja. Ninja Uncle Sam. With guitar.

With my birthday tiara (which I wore out for lunch)!

And then after all that - I got some beautiful flowers delivered from my sister! Aww!

And though she didn't pick out the exact colors, I'd say she got it right (Go Clemson!). They were gorgeous - purple, fuchsia, and bring orange. Loved them!

It was a wonderful birthday - made special my my family, friends, and coworkers!

Big 'n Black

Will add more pictures, but I must say I was very impressed.

My whole desk was in black shiny stuff - everything wrapped. Computer, speakers, keyboard, mouse, stapler, paper-clip holder. Everything. Poor Uncle Sam was wrapped up too.

More pictures to follow...

The Ongoing Obsession

Since my car is about to reach the 100,000 mile mark, I for some strange reason have been majorly obsessing about getting a new car.

Disclaimer:
I am not getting a new car. Nothing (for the most part) is wrong with my current car and I almost have it paid off.

Anyway. It comes and goes every other month I'd say. Darin has been pretty good about it - semi-supporting my obsession but then making me see reason. He doesn't say anything to make me see reason, mind you. It's that he doesn't say anything. Which is annoying, but at least consistent. And then I realize myself it's probably not a good time to get a new car especially when you don't need one. I'm being responsible, see?

So to get on to the cars.

(1) Ford Edge

I think this is the cutest car ever. And yes, I like cars on how they look. Come on, my first car was a Saab people?! And there are a lot of them here in Florida for some reason - when I was up visiting my parents awhile ago, I tried to spot one for my Mom to see, but we never found one. I really love the eggshell color. So cute! So I see them all the time which just adds to my obsession about getting one.

(2) Ford Fusion Hybrid

Both Darin and I like this car. Could be that it was named (2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year) as best car of 2010. It's very sleek and suave. Ahh. And I think a car would be ideal for us compared to an SUV/Crossover just because of all of the driving we do. But it's such an adult car. You know?

(3) Honda Element

I know this car was made initially for men (did you know this?), but I love it anyway. I think it's because I like the strangeness of how it looks. And how very modern and simplistic it is by design. And I love the colors it comes in. This obsession is particularly bad because there is one currently for sale in front of a bank I drive by every day going/coming to work.

Make it stop.

Kidding. I have enough self control to handle this for awhile longer. Plus I really like my car - it's just not a new cute car, but a boring almost-paid-off car. There is no excitement there. Maybe I should just paint it purple?

To Celebrate

Oops. Forgot to publish the aftermath of Anu's graduation.

See below:

On Saturday night after Anu officially became a Ph.D (not sure if that was a true statement. I guess the diploma was the official part? Or was it the defense? Not sure...), we decided to celebrate at Buca di Beppo. Anu's a big fan of Italian food. And it's a great place to get together to eat!

Suz and I.

Raji and Darin

LOVE this photo. Kucku and Anu.

Buca had a family style dinner - it was actually pretty fun to decide what we all wanted to eat. Especially because we had a vegetarian in our mists (and a gluten-free eater)! We got a super tasty huge salad, spaghetti, manicotti, and a chicken dish.

But we got like the perfect amount of food. Or at least I though so. And it was all very good!

Peace from Darin.

Candid shot.
Kucku, Anu, and Dominique

Cathy, Craig, and Raji

Did I mention the two bottles of wine we also ordered? Numm. I think only 5 of us drink them. Oops.

We exchanged gifts, made Anu give a mini-speech, and just enjoyed each others' company while celebrating with Anupama.

Great idea! We all got to sign it.

My gift to her. :)

Our Group (CW):
Cathy, Craig, Raji, Darin, Suzanne, Del, Kucku, Anu, and Dominique

Once again, congrats to Anu. Your Ph.D was an amazing accomplishment!

The Obsession with Blue

I hate white walls.

I think it's because I lived in an apartment for too long and didn't have enough color stimulation.

Which is strange by the way because my room at the house I grew up in was all white (fact: I got to re-due the whole room style when I went into high school). I wanted white walls and white carpet. It was a fresh cool feeling in that room - also semi-country feeling. But never-the-less white.

Sigh.

I guess tastes change. Or maybe I was in color overload at the other house (I don't think was true but you never know). Or it could be college and graduate school housing over time just took it's toll.

Whatever the reason, I must have color. Must.

I could be as easy as a neutral beige or pretty light yellow. But for me, color was a must.

So the day we got our keys to our new place, even though I was super stressed and uber busy, I painted the walls blue. Or one wall blue. Whatever.

I have before and after pictures.

(Strange photo color, sorry.)

Blue. With spots.
(The spots weren't there when it dried completely).

But I'll have more after pictures when we get the paintings up!

And if you have a keen eye, you might realize that the blue was the same as our old family room. It was left-over from when we painted three years ago. Yikes. Man did I stir that paint! If you like a color, why not stick with it?

And I only really got paint on my hands. Woo hoo. I'm becoming a better painter.

Score.

Random Ramblings

I decided to write every Friday about the daily and weekly strangeness that happens to me every week.

Some weeks might be a little more exciting than others, but I often find myself telling people the funny stories that happen to me at work and beyond regardless.

Hope you enjoy.

***

This week.

(1)

Since we have the new apartment, we have a new area to do stuff in (which we've basically already lived in before we moved out to the house), and there is a new drive to work. For some weird reason, when I turn out of my apartment complex and go right, on Tuesday and Thursdays it's super busy. But other days it's not. I though it might be the time I was leaving, but I think now it has to do with the community college further south of us on our same road. I can't figure it out, but I LIKE routine. So it is annoying me greatly. We will see how it works out.

(2)

I listen to books in my car when I drive. I think most people know this - and if you're interested in what I have listened to in the past, I have a list of the side of the blog. Right now I'm listening to "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter".

It has (so far) completely taken me by surprise - love how it's creative and historical at the same time. And now whenever I think of our 16th president, I think of vampires.

This author has another book out. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Can't wait to read/listen to it.

(3)

Most of my company eats together at lunchtime. We definitely have little cliques here, but overall we mostly get along. A lot of people walk to the grocery store and pick up food for the week - lunch meat and chips, etc. The other day they got cheeseburger Doritos.

Now I am not a chip person. Or a sandwich person for the matter. But these are the strangest things you have ever tasted. They taste exactly, and I mean exactly, like McDon@lds cheeseburgers. It's creepy. You should check them out (but get a little bag because they're kind of overwhelming).

***

The end.

To Be a Better Blogger

One of my favorite blogs I read (every day mind you) is The Pioneer Woman.

Ree's fantastic, don't you know.

She wrote yesterday about blogging.

And it motivated me.

(And even though I didn't blog yesterday it wasn't because I didn't try - my home computer is on the fritz - aka sick - and I haven't been able to upload photos or even turn the darn thing on. Alas, blogging from work. Don't do it that often.)

So I will try more. To write random things down - to tell you (and future me mostly because I have an awful memory) what we're up to.

Hope you don't get too sick of us. And by us, I mean me.

From Jake's Perspective

1. For a couple of weeks now, we've been packing up the house. Spending time going though stuff - creating a lot of trash. Making sure things were organized.

2. We went through his stuff - throwing away old toys, etc. He can see them in the trash can (and would often try to rescue them).

3. Boxes upon boxes were stacking up everywhere.

4. He was tied up outside while people came (though very known people) and removed all of the boxes from his house. He wanted to help, but alas was tied up and couldn't.

5. His Aunt Diana took him with his Uncle Gus for a car ride and dropped him off at a strange place where they cut his fur and trimmed his toenails. His parents abandoned him. He was a sad dog.

6. His Darin found him again at the scary place, drove in the wrong direction from his home, and placed him in a new place where all the right smells were.

7. He found his bone and bed. But still, the carpet was new. But the bed was the same. He was a little confused.

8. He realized there were so many new smells outside - his nemesis the rottweilers were nowhere to be seen. But he did see an unknown cat.

9. The next day he went back to his old house, through his dog door, and got to talk to his buddies - the golfers. But nothing was in his old house. No dog bed outside to sit on and enjoy the sunshine. No couch to lay on.

10. And then more boxes and another trip to the place with the new smells.

11. But his Mama and (most importantly) his Darin were there. So all was well.

What have we been up to?

We've been packing - because we're moving.

I guess (or assume) that most of you already know this. But we have been having a pretty hectic week (with packing/going through stuff/work/friends visiting), but we are getting very excited for this big day to happen.

And there is crap everywhere - it's amazing really how much stuff we have accumulated over the three years we've lived here (and I guess all of the other places we've lived). We decided to really try to go through everything and get rid of the "stuff". We both really don't like having all of this stuff, so I guess that's a good thing!

Jake got to join in the fun too when I found a box of his 'old' babies - I say 'old' because they are really the ones who are dead, need to be stitched-up, or thrown away. It's hard to throw away a good loved toy.

Happy Jake!

More news to follow.