Thanksgiving '08

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Week! William and I went over to my parents on Weds afternoon to do a full-on cooking/baking session. It was so fun to have 4 people in the kitchen working together. I set the table with some decorations that we brought from my classroom and brought out the fine china. Thanksgiving was great too. William was in charge of the games and somehow we still had a "kid table" after all these years. :)

On Friday, we had a splendid day in the city with the rest of the bay area population. I can't wait to go back for our year anniversary-- we actually stopped into our hotel since it was so close to Union Square!! I love the city..and the shopping! Our men went with us so Mom and I were extremely tame. I only bought some tea! But a great place to people watch. This weekend was good. We went to our monthly game night at our friend's house and had a blast, went to church, and tried to walk off as much turkey gravy as possible!

Saturdate!

Today was finally a "slow-down" day where I finally felt like I was on vacation and a great day for lots of dates! First, I actually went running in the morning with Jojo then met up with my mom to have tea at English Rose, a lovely little place-- perfect for girlie outings. We walked around main street and the farmer's market afterward. Retro Martini was having a great sale and I got a really cute sailor dress more than half off. Then I watched my newly arrived Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants from Amazon as William caught up on some zzzzs (he started work at 2am). Such a joy to relax! In the evening, William had planned out a wonderful dinner in Berkeley (bordering Oakland) at Wood Tavern. It was such good food and wine. We drove to the Chabot Space and Science Center for their free viewing through telescopes. But the best part was the view! Wow! On Skyline Dr, we could see all these lights and the city far off in the distance with fog slowly rolling in. It was a sight to see. And for some reason, at all of these memorable events, I took no pictures!! So sad! But what a wonderful day it was! 
(picture from Wood Tavern)

My Parents' Lovely House

It's absolutely beautiful! Yes, Mom, we were careful when we got into your lovely precious pots!

Hip-Hop

It was so fabulous! I was..ok. :) They had been working on the routine for 2 previous sessions, but I was starting to get it. I just think I have to rein in my cheer bouncy-ness... hip-hoppers don't bounce... yo...They groove.

Keep Trying Something New

So I picked up sewing this summer and I'm content with the fact that I'll probably buy a machine next summer. It's kinda hard to pick up and put it down when I'm not very good at it. I still need more practice and mentorship. I'm ok with it being my summer outlet. Well I still felt like I'd like to try something new...something more exercise related since I need a better de-stresser than shopping (so says my husband) And I'm so not the dedicated gym member I once was in college. :)

So over our day off yesterday, I signed up to try a Hip Hop class through a Dublin dance studio. I've been wanting to try hip hop since the last season of SYTYCD and finally actually did something about it. Although it wasn't as easy as I thought. Most dance classes are for kids... since we are living in a family-oriented area. So I was so excited to find this studio that had a teen/adult class on Tuesday nights. We'll see how it goes next Tues! I really hope well because it'll be a fun outlet.. I miss my cheerleading days.. and dancing! But I don't think I'll be learning moves like those above... I'm so not flexible or strong anymore!! :(

Our Wedding Quilt

When my parents had the Grand Opening House party last month, William and I were bestowed the most memorable and precious gift: a quilt. My Granny had been making it for the past year! She has an incredible talent and we were so blessed by it. At our wedding, she was passing out ivory hearts for people to write notes, blessings, wisdom, etc on. She then quilted these all into a queen sized quilt for our "marriage" bed. :) What an honor to receive one of her quilts. Thank you, Granny. And see, Granny, still no babies, just like you made me promise... you can rest your tired and weary hands for now. Your next quilt tradition won't be for awhile.

Tag...I'm it :)

Tara tagged me!


1. What time did you get up this morning?
6:45..I wake up anywhere around 6:30-7

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Both, actually

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Dark Knight..wow, we haven't been in awhile

4. What is your favorite TV show?
We don't have cable but my parents DVR So You Think You Can Dance and Project Runway for me :)

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Depends if my husband is around in the morning or not
Around: eggs, bacon, toast
Not: oatmeal, yogurt..something to go

6. What is your middle name?
Erin meaning Peace

7. What food do you dislike?
I don't think there is a food that I don't like...although we recently ate Vietnamese food and I wasn't too excited about it... give me Indian or Thai any day!

8. What is your favorite CD at moment?
The Magnificent Seven Series...Vitamin String Quartet..excellent music!!

9. What kind of car do you drive?
VW Cabrio

10. Favorite sandwich?
Anything with chicken, avocado, pesto on it..oh, and grilled

11. What characteristic do you despise?
Hard-heartedness

12. Favorite item of clothing?
Jeans, Sweaters

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
I would love to go to Europe, Jerusalem, Australia, and New Zealand

14. Favorite brand of clothing?
Roxy, J. Crew, Gap, Norstorm..but all bought at Goodwill :)

15. Where would you retire to?
Somewhere in the woods/country

16. What was your most recent memorable birthday
None really come to mind...and sometimes I have a really hard time remembering how old I am... is that sad? maybe I should slow down a bit?

17. Favorite sport to watch?
None

18. Furthest place you are sending this?
I have no clue

19. Person you expect to send it back first?
Perhaps Jill or my mom

20. When is your birthday?
May 15

21. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Morning.. with coffee in hand..and early evening as the sun is setting person

22. What is your shoe size?
a solid 8

23. Pets?
Pancho (Villa) and Jojo

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
My husband is hopefully transfering to Cal State Hayward next quarter..exciting to be moving closer to the end of school! Other than that, I love my husband, but thats not new news :D

25. What did you want to be when you were little?
An actress

26. How are you today?
Pretty overwhelmed since report cards and conferences are just a few weeks away, but definitely excited for the coming holidays to relax with my husband

27. What is your favorite candy?
Sour patch kids, Hot Tamales

28. What is your favorite flower?
Sunflowers, Tiger Lilies.. anything bold, colorful, and fragrant

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
December 28th.. our 1 year anniversary!!

30. What is your favorite pastime?
Shopping...but I've gotten SO much better since we have no money to spend :(

31. What are you listening to right now?
My husband ranting about our mail being full of propaganda

32. What was the last thing you ate?
String cheese and an apple

33. Do you wish on stars?
No, but I love gazing up at them

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
a brown or dark auburn, earthy one

35. How is the weather right now
Cold and Dark...it's 68 degrees in my house.. I'm cold!

36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?
William

37. Favorite soft drink?
Root Beer

38. Favorite restaurant?
Don't have one.

39. Real hair color?
I'm not sure...light brown, blondish...

40. What was your favorite toy as a child?
My Little Ponies, Poppels, Barbies

41. Summer or winter?
Both. But Fall the most.

42. Hugs or kisses?
Both.

43. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate

44. Coffee or tea?
Both, but coffee much more regularly

45. Do you want your friends to email you back?
Sure!

46. When was the last time you cried?
I'm not sure. I got teary-eyed on Sunday while watching family home videos with my grandpa in them. The last "cry-my-eyes out" was probably when I found out my dad had cancer (he's clear now)

47. What is under your bed?
Clear bins with my tank-tops, scarves,etc

48. What did you do last night?
Went to my parents for William's tutor session with Mom while my dad & I were lazy on the sofa.. avoided my grading and started reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns" (thanks Mom, great book!)

49. What are you afraid of?
irrational fears like someone breaking in, following me when I'm alone, crashing--stupid movies!; not doing a marvelous job at the various roles I do during my lifetime

50. Salty or sweet?
Both

51. How many keys on your key ring?
8

52. How many years at your current job?
3 years (I'm counting all that subbing)

53. Favorite day of the week?
Sunday..a whole day with my husband!

54. How many towns have you lived in?
6

55. Do you make friends easily?
I think so

56. How many people will you send this to?
Everyone who reads this post

57. How many will respond?
Who knows


I tag Mom, Jill, Megan, and Stef

Today's the Day!

Make your voice heard and VOTE! I hope people took the time to not only vote but also to learn about the issues, ask questions, and make commitments! My 5th graders all voted...did you?

Both my husband's and my ballots were cast today...

I guess I'm ready for the results...