tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4913694429796618082024-03-12T17:36:55.356-07:00From the Desk of M.E. Brownemmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-82094482886077720932023-12-31T17:19:00.000-08:002023-12-31T17:19:43.536-08:00New Year's Eve 2023<p>It's the close to another year, and it's time for the annual blog post!<br /></p><p><br /></p><h1 style="text-align: left;">A Return Visit to California</h1><p>I wish I could say it was for a happy reason. My Uncle Mario passed away on January 15th from complications related to diabetes and several members of the family gathered to celebrate his life a few weeks later. He was a larger than life personality, a favorite family member of mine, and my Mom's next closest sibling in age. "I had a front row seat to his childhood," Mom said at his memorial before she proceeded to pay touching tribute. That is also how I learned the bittersweet truth that I was actually named after him and not my grandmother. I am so glad that the last time that I saw him in August 2021 when we buried my grandfather, I told him that I love him and gave him a big hug.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLRnL-8UZUcVY8OZE6tTdKln3B5gTxBIG90rJ7TCsZstfPcvt1ruL7GPjmEfaqZGXXSvhL83ATfI2b86BxjEeJH-hMGv-p95rowFGLnp4CPauvVroDCwhgvveXvCWjBUoLeqypCKQVtxWNGckU84xz09dPwqIxFmq8mWf8A8AuGFGIek9Fzav2a9P-FCQ/s1800/190EEBC9-105B-45EB-B5ED-A24E2A45167A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLRnL-8UZUcVY8OZE6tTdKln3B5gTxBIG90rJ7TCsZstfPcvt1ruL7GPjmEfaqZGXXSvhL83ATfI2b86BxjEeJH-hMGv-p95rowFGLnp4CPauvVroDCwhgvveXvCWjBUoLeqypCKQVtxWNGckU84xz09dPwqIxFmq8mWf8A8AuGFGIek9Fzav2a9P-FCQ/s320/190EEBC9-105B-45EB-B5ED-A24E2A45167A.jpeg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Mario and me at my Mom's Air Force retirement party, August 2005</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK1VCPLj0qIZ5g1GTZ6x2kGosXMChOWn1pA35DBwSkdWPlwLB2Wr7xg6yGJ0VzXgaM5WP8PmCcr7vReoGErCxh1NhFa1eASQdTNoDp_74cVqjHvE-RhBcFY4QsYvjPYUq19FopKjNM1fILzQnZ373karxr3xyXhhcJL6TPI_0aZhrzT2V7JuNX93ZhCMi/s2049/7C49C23E-697F-468D-99B7-A9CD83A66131.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK1VCPLj0qIZ5g1GTZ6x2kGosXMChOWn1pA35DBwSkdWPlwLB2Wr7xg6yGJ0VzXgaM5WP8PmCcr7vReoGErCxh1NhFa1eASQdTNoDp_74cVqjHvE-RhBcFY4QsYvjPYUq19FopKjNM1fILzQnZ373karxr3xyXhhcJL6TPI_0aZhrzT2V7JuNX93ZhCMi/w400-h300/7C49C23E-697F-468D-99B7-A9CD83A66131.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of Uncle Mario's nieces and nephews at the memorial<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h1 style="text-align: left;">The One Where Will Goes to Bootcamp</h1><div style="text-align: left;">My husband took medical leave in spring 2020 (unrelated to the pandemic, but the timing was uncanny) and ended up leaving the company permanently for good reasons that I won't go into here. The next couple years were a journey of career rediscovery that culminated in a 14 week coding bootcamp learning Java with Tech Elevator. Even though it wasn't me doing the work, we were very much going through it together because it meant long days of class, homework and group projects that bled into evenings and weekends. We had to adjust our household duties and schedules, but it was all worth it in the end. Will thrived in the program, made great friends and contacts and finished with flying colors. I could not be prouder! Hiring in the tech sector has been a real slog this year, so even after graduation the next several months of job searching was also very challenging mentally and emotinally. However, I'm pleased to say that Will did accept a job offer as a scrum master with a state university and started in October. Woohoo, we're DINKS again!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfj6FytQfEL8tWb4G1kdSA-ngZ17xkZmcVXgq6KrxbeyE4MvPIQhLyJV9CSSEuonTPlD3rlqvwX-m4hhfHeIV2cIGrNWaMsOYSer43BpO-Nwg5LNWpeQTjYn1VON_aw7vJCuk8In07wnsZ_h6Nenjj_yY5KAuY5IdXIQx9zQ1lHbMxMJ86Ul6sVsXCH-f/s4032/2D0D8938-5FC9-46B2-83FE-597087FE2856.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfj6FytQfEL8tWb4G1kdSA-ngZ17xkZmcVXgq6KrxbeyE4MvPIQhLyJV9CSSEuonTPlD3rlqvwX-m4hhfHeIV2cIGrNWaMsOYSer43BpO-Nwg5LNWpeQTjYn1VON_aw7vJCuk8In07wnsZ_h6Nenjj_yY5KAuY5IdXIQx9zQ1lHbMxMJ86Ul6sVsXCH-f/s320/2D0D8938-5FC9-46B2-83FE-597087FE2856.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Day of Bootcamp, January 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gzaD5o8aUmSji70mBPW4HdbEe1BpFTUO2xKF-sB2MNAXQHwYiZCAj4eOGKZ6jogLg0f733Ma7vgXecYcsmKmrP0nH_gOhyhBaipkuKdc794OhRnqsbJYoxfhsoxY18kHshzfQC4xoBIZzCMxp9IBm_MsyEAb5MxjqZNKEUtLRiaR34pknu6up4GUSTAZ/s1170/E807F259-AA0A-450A-BEBF-D748C6E23063_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1170" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gzaD5o8aUmSji70mBPW4HdbEe1BpFTUO2xKF-sB2MNAXQHwYiZCAj4eOGKZ6jogLg0f733Ma7vgXecYcsmKmrP0nH_gOhyhBaipkuKdc794OhRnqsbJYoxfhsoxY18kHshzfQC4xoBIZzCMxp9IBm_MsyEAb5MxjqZNKEUtLRiaR34pknu6up4GUSTAZ/w400-h226/E807F259-AA0A-450A-BEBF-D748C6E23063_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bootcamp Graduation, April 2023<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"> Friends 4 Life</h1><div style="text-align: left;">I got to see so many of my besties this year! It's a big deal for me because now I don't live in the same state as any of them anymore. In March, Liz joined Club 40, so naturally I went out to celebrate with her, and in June we went to our 4th Dave Matthews Band concert together. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw-DS96BuUhwAB26Aw7jhdKpjfTxGEF4hZXeEY2x8inoxkAKycrDZaFCjchskCC-TxUOAgSD_S0HVIBrmPfVPH8YLE5JKY4RqBMJzQOCikrplPqO48He25ck2DHTrjtTszTTPpMA6f1siwhyo_97TwVXExp7BBD8V2U923JtNHAlF6X-vwY41iqnQZ5cY/s3088/IMG_3092.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw-DS96BuUhwAB26Aw7jhdKpjfTxGEF4hZXeEY2x8inoxkAKycrDZaFCjchskCC-TxUOAgSD_S0HVIBrmPfVPH8YLE5JKY4RqBMJzQOCikrplPqO48He25ck2DHTrjtTszTTPpMA6f1siwhyo_97TwVXExp7BBD8V2U923JtNHAlF6X-vwY41iqnQZ5cY/s320/IMG_3092.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduated from the lawn to pavilion seats, baby!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I got two visits in with Lindsey this summer, on account of her sister getting married and my attendance at the bridal shower and wedding. My enjoyment of weddings has grown 125% since my own, now that I can appreciate everything that goes into them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqW9Tfk8WAxMS-haqRilLCIFpbv5nqu3DmAochdIW3OxZdIaNDrXYFr1uV8XEjan_VFaZ7KdsMDHl6eHJoJ-OdQrVt72gLOn_wF_f1W0UbKP1HkvYMHpSRJZ8rQ8OtlH2evVnX-f7vPzZIDxmNuVq2PS1O0Apl3UOXcE-YCgfewoEA-UAin04o3z0SVW7/s1668/FE0BD8C7-8E81-4E12-9A26-DED54A9F3ABC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1668" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqW9Tfk8WAxMS-haqRilLCIFpbv5nqu3DmAochdIW3OxZdIaNDrXYFr1uV8XEjan_VFaZ7KdsMDHl6eHJoJ-OdQrVt72gLOn_wF_f1W0UbKP1HkvYMHpSRJZ8rQ8OtlH2evVnX-f7vPzZIDxmNuVq2PS1O0Apl3UOXcE-YCgfewoEA-UAin04o3z0SVW7/s320/FE0BD8C7-8E81-4E12-9A26-DED54A9F3ABC.jpeg" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone is showing off her pockets<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And speaking of my wedding, that's the last time I had seen Alyse. The pandemic kept us from visiting one another, of course, but so did <i>her move to freaking Tokyo!</i> I will go more into that trip in a different section, but suffice it to say that it was so wonderful to see her again after the longest period we've ever gone without seeing each other.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkhYOGeb3uNQISchg6VqYw3Cpd5IVhcvwQeZJA16sA-kwQY8FqHwqSrNJRr0GlKPkyHyBAAnzNasN4GZtKGnRA1O1UHeedI2mur79uy6lA1dPIEJ_Y30H-j2aZ4HrgZ2blHZifqdsnG1m5JQdqXRzZ9k37pC0RZPOOuALRjqfgMO5Rpn3RaqZcxLwwfV_/s4032/IMG_9311.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkhYOGeb3uNQISchg6VqYw3Cpd5IVhcvwQeZJA16sA-kwQY8FqHwqSrNJRr0GlKPkyHyBAAnzNasN4GZtKGnRA1O1UHeedI2mur79uy6lA1dPIEJ_Y30H-j2aZ4HrgZ2blHZifqdsnG1m5JQdqXRzZ9k37pC0RZPOOuALRjqfgMO5Rpn3RaqZcxLwwfV_/s320/IMG_9311.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello from TokyoDisneySea!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Goodnight, Sweet Prince</h1><p>I had the honor of taking care of Norman when my grad school friend put out a call for someone to take in her Siamese cat after the birth of her second child. Siamese cats are well known for being chatty and in need of lots of attention, and she needed him to be with someone who could provide that to him. The next 8 years were full of fur and kitty biscuits as only he could make them. Norman was a ball of demanding affection and loved nothing more than to be loved. And oh, how Will and I loved him. Among his many nicknames was "My Little Prince", said in the way of Pam Shipman from the British show Gavin and Stacey. He turned 16 this year and was our silly old duffer who napped a lot and had been living with chronic kidney disease since 2017, but still enjoyed life as the senior-most cat in the house. One day in late September, Norman spent the entirety of it parked in one spot on the couch and didn't get up for food, water, or the litterbox until I physically carried him downstairs. He was lethargic and listless and the only other places he was interested in being were either sprawled out on Will's chest or loafed up in his cat house. I looked into his face and saw the same pinched expression that Trinny wore in her final days and in my gut, I knew what we were facing. We took him into the vet's office the next morning and received confirmation that Norman was very ill. An X-ray showed a large mass in his abdomen that the doctor couldn't officially diagnose as cancer without further and more invasive tests, but his bloodwork told us everything we needed to know. My Bubba Kitty was ready to say goodbye to this earthly plane and move on. We had him put to sleep in the vet's office before he suffered another day's pain, with both of us by his side. It's a heart-rending thing to do, but it's the steep price we pay when we love a pet deeply.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6z0M1QGRyuyEy-tyJQz0WJcP8iYBEXdzCKtRGvupJMicXs3uDWgLJJPGs1u7UArm9vYG4rE2bglK-zijezNjgI_O1VXJpWtv3jfmb1l3z0tybNAKxVXIB2ij2GdNVbvA0ZoiYRy5lpN_A1SBV2Mok5O35KQ_D8ZfnB8Q0ve5FkCfwVrEpA8WwtGIrhxsi/s4032/IMG_5159.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6z0M1QGRyuyEy-tyJQz0WJcP8iYBEXdzCKtRGvupJMicXs3uDWgLJJPGs1u7UArm9vYG4rE2bglK-zijezNjgI_O1VXJpWtv3jfmb1l3z0tybNAKxVXIB2ij2GdNVbvA0ZoiYRy5lpN_A1SBV2Mok5O35KQ_D8ZfnB8Q0ve5FkCfwVrEpA8WwtGIrhxsi/s320/IMG_5159.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Norman. You big baby.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> </p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Checked Japan Off the Bucket List!</h1><div style="text-align: left;">The reason why Alyse moved to Tokyo is because she got an incredible job opportunity with Disney to go there on assignment. And while her husband holds down the fort in Orlando with their kitties, they visit each other multiple times throughout the year while she takes advantage of the adventure of a lifetime. I had wanted to visit Japan ever since one of my sorority sisters studied abroad there, and over time it moved up the ranks to become a Bucket List item. And once Japan re-opened to tourists last fall, it was decided. Will and I spent 2 weeks between Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka and just took it all in. The food was incredible, the dollar was strong and therefore eating was super cheap, and the language barrier wasn't as high as you might think. Most street signs were also available in English and smartphone apps made it possible to translate text in real time on screen. Not to mention, if you go to touristed areas, many people do speak enough English to make basic transactions go smoothly. We learned a few words of polite Japanese and quickly picked up on things like bowing to others, walking on the correct side of sidewalks and escalators, and staying quiet on trains. I know that I've only barely begun to scratch the surface of all that Japan has to offer, but I experienced enough to say that it lived up to my expectations and that I would go back again and again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp88rvCPExBiNiGzS8qPCwYdymyqt5uIJxiCfEOXDFQYalYxYShZz3XAMMbknf18oFp_BPPiQmaPrV0fynziLZgnFhWCiSOYCwZwnOfozKNrV_PG_P-RztFs38cshK2lc1FxXZY6GpsLlvRFwYiHzWqIugrTW6-iHUG71kyxqEDkgvZ1evNlNl2ut3VPQ/s3088/IMG_0400.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp88rvCPExBiNiGzS8qPCwYdymyqt5uIJxiCfEOXDFQYalYxYShZz3XAMMbknf18oFp_BPPiQmaPrV0fynziLZgnFhWCiSOYCwZwnOfozKNrV_PG_P-RztFs38cshK2lc1FxXZY6GpsLlvRFwYiHzWqIugrTW6-iHUG71kyxqEDkgvZ1evNlNl2ut3VPQ/s320/IMG_0400.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking in the temples in Kyoto<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">At the Close of 2023...</h2><div style="text-align: left;">I can say that it's had its rollercoaster moments of ups and downs, but on the balance it has been a good year. I'm still keeping up with Kappa and serving on Fraternity Council, Will and I had another fun and restorative CabinCon trip with our friends over the summer, and I've relaxed the gluten free restrictions up a bit. Do I still get joint aches? Yes. But it's also really wearisome to avoid it sometimes, so it's more like an 80/20 thing. I still go to CrossFit and have made a couple of PRs that I'm proud of (275# deadlift and a 200# backsquat, baby, and I'm aiming to do more next year), and the older I get, the more I'm learning just how crucial my strength training is becoming for my long term health. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next year we can look forward to planning our next big trip--this time it's going to be Europe for reals--and just generally trying to get the most we can out of life and the pursuit of happiness. As ever, I wish all of you readers a Happy New Year and buckle in for whatever is to come in 2024. It's sure to be another doozy.<br /></div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-3499087061603926242022-12-31T16:28:00.003-08:002022-12-31T16:28:46.934-08:00New Year's Eve 2022<p> How do these years keep going by so fast? I swear, they get faster every year. These are the beats on my 2022.<br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">California Love</h2><p style="text-align: left;">Over MLK Day weekend I went to California to celebrate my eldest uncle's 70th birthday at the surprise party that my cousin organized for him. The look on his face when he walked into the party room and realized what was going on was absolutely priceless. I really got to maximize my visit by extending the trip by a couple of days and renting a car to go from Los Angeles to San Diego to visit my old stomping grounds and to catch up with old friends.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghviOpivAOlLlTBcvrOHiMc94MmZQH9dmUgNj_7wPePnPS9kBPCwQMdseSx9IwXy2dn2q4MLjgpyBLcxZKDcY0IxmvaNobbajJskHSys-xFvrcVfkfeYGJjp6yDYZ7hnPV0m8UI6oebZuSsIrkgt3qVQvD_vFhaQ2F-uLDBScfG2tgQZGJx1F2k7E6qA/w480-h640/IMG_5552.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday, Uncle Rick!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghviOpivAOlLlTBcvrOHiMc94MmZQH9dmUgNj_7wPePnPS9kBPCwQMdseSx9IwXy2dn2q4MLjgpyBLcxZKDcY0IxmvaNobbajJskHSys-xFvrcVfkfeYGJjp6yDYZ7hnPV0m8UI6oebZuSsIrkgt3qVQvD_vFhaQ2F-uLDBScfG2tgQZGJx1F2k7E6qA/s4032/IMG_5552.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP973vjYqwg6L4751iYvLq-xD2KRLVbffgxCQO7P6w8i8KnTEEQo_4ot1i50kL32plwYlJDy7Lz1gJQ30om_tRbqucWXrUaUZdf0ekoLYA6mULTexjfqIVA8TQf4T6S7XG3ednQb9NgEPubf8pwdzBCdh6XoikHhIVdjQe4efESH1vORAHHHYNpKtZfg/s5363/IMG_3192.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2270" data-original-width="5363" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP973vjYqwg6L4751iYvLq-xD2KRLVbffgxCQO7P6w8i8KnTEEQo_4ot1i50kL32plwYlJDy7Lz1gJQ30om_tRbqucWXrUaUZdf0ekoLYA6mULTexjfqIVA8TQf4T6S7XG3ednQb9NgEPubf8pwdzBCdh6XoikHhIVdjQe4efESH1vORAHHHYNpKtZfg/w640-h270/IMG_3192.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon in San Diego</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Have you heard of CrossFit?</h2><p>At the end of January, Will and I started going to CrossFit. For a long time, I had regarded it as something for adrenaline-junkie athletes and certainly not something for my 39 year old body to take on. I've generally always had to trick myself into exercising, like taking dance classes, or working towards a mileage goal when I was a runner. One of my best friends has been doing it for 7+ years and I eventually thought, "Well, if she could do it and stick with it, maybe I could give it a shot..."</p><p>We took the "CrossFit 101" intro class and were immediately hooked. I describe it as the perfect exercise for people with ADHD. No two classes are the same and you're constantly changing movements, so there is no time to get bored. Frustrated and sometimes injured, yes. But never, ever bored.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmmVFpH5sVJfa_ZPxiZfcq8ZV9Fc8SPRqbN--4qxvVtS9UB2z3ElFQ7vb13RnUc4VDi-YooCRcVH9aSdjvlGl2oKNB77Z2bRM5tv3lAhuvCfUxy8BsgLXOoUCjJIv3eRepCV1iRvOXZZJews85NA5npp7AYvANP_AP8XRwg6dVSCAtFnfQdBT-qL6NA/s4032/IMG_1044.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmmVFpH5sVJfa_ZPxiZfcq8ZV9Fc8SPRqbN--4qxvVtS9UB2z3ElFQ7vb13RnUc4VDi-YooCRcVH9aSdjvlGl2oKNB77Z2bRM5tv3lAhuvCfUxy8BsgLXOoUCjJIv3eRepCV1iRvOXZZJews85NA5npp7AYvANP_AP8XRwg6dVSCAtFnfQdBT-qL6NA/w480-h640/IMG_1044.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't find the pic of me and Will after we "graduated" the 101 class, so there is a stand-in from a summer day when I saw a rainbow while waiting for my class to start.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Back At It With KKG<br /></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0uRL6u_Ub3TpZ3K3IXICqNeogH7yiYid-ZEGHKlNuVjUR0ZMJwTp7LAgnLEVZnnoekPh2GQjihvI4my_knD3i1RDr4dbo6aXGQObGBHL4W_V2UDfXZYDrZv-9uCjGtvtOVgJ9XVzSvNJ2TcJQGRO7q3n74qF85ZN2MXWh0a6hlndozxSvsThXaAuuA/s1600/IMG_5589.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0uRL6u_Ub3TpZ3K3IXICqNeogH7yiYid-ZEGHKlNuVjUR0ZMJwTp7LAgnLEVZnnoekPh2GQjihvI4my_knD3i1RDr4dbo6aXGQObGBHL4W_V2UDfXZYDrZv-9uCjGtvtOVgJ9XVzSvNJ2TcJQGRO7q3n74qF85ZN2MXWh0a6hlndozxSvsThXaAuuA/w640-h480/IMG_5589.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2022-2024 Fraternity Council, let's go!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;">I'm still heavily involved with Kappa, and at this year's biannual convention, I was re-elected to another term on the Fraternity Council as one of the four VPs. It was a doozy of a week in Palm Springs, let me tell you. Because of the pandemic, our 2020 convention was virtual and consisted only of electing the 2020-2022 Fraternity Council and district directors. Since we've been able to return to in-person gatherings, we had a lot of business to cover. It was a long, exhausting week, but it was worth it and I've enjoyed getting to know and work with my new fellow council members ever since.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">New Baby!</h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4L2ObA6GFDFI5byi5iARwC3Opj578LOzgS3PfwqJ00LLsU-736QenN9qZS_onDgFZEHLtgE0_vI8MzFobP5JR8tmjaQnBtmON7ccV9OtQCAP4kp-SnOI3ZWJ1zuuM3O4IovLDcG2aZiWZZdu5nmvc_EA84RAXL_4okC2HyW0Lnf3wqRWTS018Od5sA/s3088/IMG_1149.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4L2ObA6GFDFI5byi5iARwC3Opj578LOzgS3PfwqJ00LLsU-736QenN9qZS_onDgFZEHLtgE0_vI8MzFobP5JR8tmjaQnBtmON7ccV9OtQCAP4kp-SnOI3ZWJ1zuuM3O4IovLDcG2aZiWZZdu5nmvc_EA84RAXL_4okC2HyW0Lnf3wqRWTS018Od5sA/w480-h640/IMG_1149.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGRlsW4GLkjhbTTWg4unj1mf8qtMOFLuZ5H2udTmVXnXZKw8gZ-Qsk801FSX9w0P8PRoOJHJKatv5PKXFD0JXH9KHJHZF160_UFLD4Ib551V3Z7ZDYdagXgkO38xtyXiA4BHxG5MMKbSDzisD1_Sv2Cd28yyKuJR8M_XJsQCO0hJF-31Z0sH7_jhrlg/s1795/6E9649F2-950D-47F0-8AEE-0401DE8E47CB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGRlsW4GLkjhbTTWg4unj1mf8qtMOFLuZ5H2udTmVXnXZKw8gZ-Qsk801FSX9w0P8PRoOJHJKatv5PKXFD0JXH9KHJHZF160_UFLD4Ib551V3Z7ZDYdagXgkO38xtyXiA4BHxG5MMKbSDzisD1_Sv2Cd28yyKuJR8M_XJsQCO0hJF-31Z0sH7_jhrlg/w514-h640/6E9649F2-950D-47F0-8AEE-0401DE8E47CB.jpeg" width="514" /></a></div><br /></h2><p style="text-align: left;">Late in the Spring, our friends Zeek and Mere found a cat and her kitten while they were doing yard work and they took them in and got them fixed up. However, they already had 2 cats and a dog, so their long term stay was uncertain. Upon hearing this, Will told me that we may have found my next “familiar”. If you’ve known me for a while, you may recall that I have had two other brown female tabby cats in succession—Trinny and Amelia. Somehow, these cats just find me. And I felt ready to take on a 3rd after having lost Trinny last January.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br />Our friends’ son named her Maple on account of her coloring, and they quickly surmised that she was friendly and even affectionate, if not a little quirky because of the fact that she’s spent most of her young life as a stray. She’s estimated to be only about a year old. For this, we jokingly call her a teen mom.<br /> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Over 4th of July weekend we drove out to PA to meet her and, if she seemed amenable to us, to bring her back to Ohio the next day. We met her kitten too, whose name is Juniper and she’s absolutely adorable. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Once we got her home, we officially declared her name to be Odessa Maple, and we've since given her about a million nicknames, several of which involve the word "baby". She's much younger and smaller than Norman and Watson, so it's a natural fit. After about a week of slow acclamation and introductions, she integrated with the rest of our little pride. Having 3 cats has restored balance to the household--we swear that the boys fight way less with a female cat in the house. She's extremely affectionate, curious, playful, and is absolutely living up to her role as "my familiar". <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Cabin-Con 2022<br /></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj3lPNylbxxACy997UpFSMezrbdj42Ku9SfzwCp0UXoXLMsRkAVfQ-V75auxLCxQH6S91d8T2Me7GLDG4GazRGGp9pM7ok5KCZKxUnWyzkWRJp_nuCw0zL-XJPRHU2XuRmYarp0hKEECBv7LlGmoGwGCmph9-3SCJyHrV0cRlDlHWYZMgsjbkaRFGHg/s3088/IMG_1119.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj3lPNylbxxACy997UpFSMezrbdj42Ku9SfzwCp0UXoXLMsRkAVfQ-V75auxLCxQH6S91d8T2Me7GLDG4GazRGGp9pM7ok5KCZKxUnWyzkWRJp_nuCw0zL-XJPRHU2XuRmYarp0hKEECBv7LlGmoGwGCmph9-3SCJyHrV0cRlDlHWYZMgsjbkaRFGHg/w640-h480/IMG_1119.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">In August we got to take a much-needed getaway to a cabin in West Virginia with a big group of our friends. It was a long weekend of mostly just hanging out, taking a nice long hike, and taking turns showing off our cooking skills for everyone else.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">A Milestone Birthday<br /></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpTdMNZ6YD2AwPyrSfjfzpLBUV29XM4QJ0K4oIA7OfQIMchUybOysj_cM4jXliYZW6uDa_1LqdAbTyQm-0RgjlD_DWHp9NO9SGfE4GxIVg3u44kC0SmRL0Sg17hh2-4FgOa1EYfPgOR1cATa-R6s4nUuuOc-C1QRoJDy1DMaIIITow1V9QNEVVgdIQQ/s4032/IMG_1315.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpTdMNZ6YD2AwPyrSfjfzpLBUV29XM4QJ0K4oIA7OfQIMchUybOysj_cM4jXliYZW6uDa_1LqdAbTyQm-0RgjlD_DWHp9NO9SGfE4GxIVg3u44kC0SmRL0Sg17hh2-4FgOa1EYfPgOR1cATa-R6s4nUuuOc-C1QRoJDy1DMaIIITow1V9QNEVVgdIQQ/w640-h480/IMG_1315.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Mom and Dad<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;">I hemmed and hawed for months deciding what to do for my 40th birthday before finally pulling the trigger and deciding to throw myself a party. I long ago decided that I would take this milestone head on and embrace it just as I did 30, but it took me a while to land on how I'd go about it. Knowing that I was going to South America just after, I hosted it at a local Colombian/Venezuelan restaurant and invited family, friends, and co-workers from all over to come celebrate with me. All in all I had around 25 people come and I still get mushy just thinking about it. I don't get that many opportunities to see my parents, siblings, and various close friends all at once, so it meant a lot that people were willing to drive and fly in just to wish me a happy 40th! </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">A Milestone Trip</h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXuxXEzfFhFP_HZP7Z8qksl80vbWH88h2j6571jmiduvl00UBtb_W0S0YYn0tu9OlffJwtaVLg79s3PWBJ12uEG16gVf1gcS5YgZCvMTYTPDHK4lE-Erhfi9Un7qFsSheZ9E_1g2rokyhqzNprzH2ecJfTg6ma6_MIQkYIo2I1x_1jKm9b1KWzcGZfg/s3088/IMG_1372.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXuxXEzfFhFP_HZP7Z8qksl80vbWH88h2j6571jmiduvl00UBtb_W0S0YYn0tu9OlffJwtaVLg79s3PWBJ12uEG16gVf1gcS5YgZCvMTYTPDHK4lE-Erhfi9Un7qFsSheZ9E_1g2rokyhqzNprzH2ecJfTg6ma6_MIQkYIo2I1x_1jKm9b1KWzcGZfg/w640-h480/IMG_1372.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">¡Bienvenidos a Colombia!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMc8u3zHS4JyuxzmM3zuHlJo5oaGg7A10aV2NnDCFwuQHGRNETagnYxmY4-Re-Ny4In1fYhOYf1_gwbD1YDM8A4eK4lHD0Bq5nN_dlxyCLN0ee_rAd2Quoaa5lUw2jr2jaWW8Wq4GbVEiFTzf0s9JKaPqRkQ6Tilonx6PJ3WOM1yPFoWeQWnYc23z4A/s4032/IMG_1690.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMc8u3zHS4JyuxzmM3zuHlJo5oaGg7A10aV2NnDCFwuQHGRNETagnYxmY4-Re-Ny4In1fYhOYf1_gwbD1YDM8A4eK4lHD0Bq5nN_dlxyCLN0ee_rAd2Quoaa5lUw2jr2jaWW8Wq4GbVEiFTzf0s9JKaPqRkQ6Tilonx6PJ3WOM1yPFoWeQWnYc23z4A/w480-h640/IMG_1690.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm on top of the middle of the world!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, taking a big trip to celebrate my birthday was never in question. I've done it so many times that it's practically a given by now. It's my favorite kind of birthday present to myself! I convinced one of my best friends to come along with us, so we converged in Miami and went on to Medellín together. There we spent several days in an Airbnb high rise condo before moving on to Quito, Equador. The experience was incredible, even if it wasn't a barrel of fun in every moment. (Food poisoning is no joke.) We ate fantastic food, saw breathtaking views, and encountered so many friendly locals who were quite patient with our combined limited Spanish-speaking proficiency.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="text-align: left;">It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Gets a Shot to the Knee<br /></h2></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrRUZDCrCQT6cWPzaR48z-YRy0y7JobyL8Yp48C1fQLH3ImVuZmXF1kmbv1Y8J8gd4TG4zQDQZ_er0yZN8xlz6-6VlJaQQFnWvoZyIPTIXQ-owzftkRdeyaN2G911-wR8G9iCmlAma0dKe7Ni_QcMq-J6_cv44CFObQk5LroYg8p-HHJDyMKhyxv1Sg/s4032/IMG_2014.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrRUZDCrCQT6cWPzaR48z-YRy0y7JobyL8Yp48C1fQLH3ImVuZmXF1kmbv1Y8J8gd4TG4zQDQZ_er0yZN8xlz6-6VlJaQQFnWvoZyIPTIXQ-owzftkRdeyaN2G911-wR8G9iCmlAma0dKe7Ni_QcMq-J6_cv44CFObQk5LroYg8p-HHJDyMKhyxv1Sg/w640-h480/IMG_2014.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scale appropriately, friends.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In mid-October I went to a CrossFit class as usual and did one too many <a href="https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/the-wall-ball" target="_blank">wall-ball shots</a>. Wall ball shots are not exactly as fun as they sound. You stand arm's length in front of a wall, take a medicine ball and from a squat, launch that puppy about 8 or 9 feet into the air and hit the wall before catching it in a squat position again. It's <b>hard</b>. And I did, like, 50 of them.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the thing about CrossFit, especially if you are starting from a sedentary lifestyle. It's as challenging as you make it, and it's easy to go too hard and get injured if you're not meeting your body where it's at. At about 8 months in, I had become much stronger and more fit in many ways, but I am still very much a beginner and I had the tendency to overdo it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, for as long as I can remember, my right knee has been prone to becoming cranky if I position it in specific ways. Seriously, even when I was a little kid, my right knee would be stiff and painful after sitting cross-legged for even a few moments. The wall ball shots exacerbated this knee to the point where I could barely walk by the end of that week. I limped into an orthopedic surgeon's office the following week and when he examined me, he said, "<i>Wow, that's really swollen!"</i> An X-Ray confirmed that I had mild osteoarthritis in both knees and bone spurs in the right. He gave me a nice big steroid shot in the bursa and prescribed me 6 weeks of physical therapy. The great thing about living next to a Big 10 school like Ohio State is that you have access to the OSU Sports Medicine Center, which I took full advantage of. Twice a week, I went to PT and worked on strengthening the muscles that support knee movement (and did home exercises in between), and by early December I was back in classes. Now I aim for going 2-3 times a week and I. Scale. <b><u>Appropriately</u></b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="text-align: left;">I Went Gluten Free<br /></h2></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tx0DUtXPP21VNtrSjv8T_CQR-QCl-VSqjfvPpMd_2Iq5LkT3mwl4VvOuh_zX-f5aY1S7S8myOG6taR63WmBxFTRFdP80dri38TbUlwWMDaOuBmGLT87WvxzMWw_1rkFDMpRRrcSzbZjFPTP4tISaIL5AjGqVC_oL1zL8Y-mD6gCL7r2gdKu1pkZFFQ/w512-h640/EDAD5C26-8881-4D6B-BABA-E23A08000DC9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="512" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this gorgeous GF pumpkin pie that I made for Thanksgiving<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tx0DUtXPP21VNtrSjv8T_CQR-QCl-VSqjfvPpMd_2Iq5LkT3mwl4VvOuh_zX-f5aY1S7S8myOG6taR63WmBxFTRFdP80dri38TbUlwWMDaOuBmGLT87WvxzMWw_1rkFDMpRRrcSzbZjFPTP4tISaIL5AjGqVC_oL1zL8Y-mD6gCL7r2gdKu1pkZFFQ/s1800/EDAD5C26-8881-4D6B-BABA-E23A08000DC9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yeah, yeah, I <i>know</i>. CrossFit <i>and</i> Gluten Free?! Hear me out. I do not have Celiac Disease, as far as I am aware. I am not allergic to wheat, which I also confirmed with an allergy panel this month. But what I am is pretty attuned to my body. When I was going through the knee problems, I also decided to try an experiment and avoid foods that are known to trigger inflammation so that I could help the healing process for my poor old knee. For a month, I avoided wheat, barley, and rye. Then I ate something with wheat in it and had achey joints and a stuffy nose by the next morning. In particular, it felt like I was being stabbed with a knife in my right knee when I woke up. The sharp and stabby feeling eventually subsided with movement, but you don't forget pain like that. Since I've stopped eating products with gluten in it, my joints don't constantly ache anymore. Four years ago, I did a Whole30 challenge and noticed stomach upset and stuffy nose as soon as I re-introduced wheat products, but at the time it wasn't a deterrent. Now it is. As much as I enjoyed bread, pasta, etc. I don't miss it that much because I don't want to feel crappy. I know 40 is still relatively young, but at this point I feel a lot more protective of my health than ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 style="text-align: left;">Goodbye, 2022</h2></div><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoX0z2a1FBSycW_UrYdBFOcdHbVUVadByWjjrOnMYA9Wm_KxrbtIEY4oTFXJ6nscQRth6AYHlaj_gPIJFyAqVA3cHcAYcBzjx_76tzdNTUoB8gF0qD5u-lmBiFPxt2WMFqruBDarq-2BNqiluT9RGtVGDeBZgQwVj9-6d5Q_FUl4-DfjSJu1WxhuvtjQ/s4032/IMG_6092.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoX0z2a1FBSycW_UrYdBFOcdHbVUVadByWjjrOnMYA9Wm_KxrbtIEY4oTFXJ6nscQRth6AYHlaj_gPIJFyAqVA3cHcAYcBzjx_76tzdNTUoB8gF0qD5u-lmBiFPxt2WMFqruBDarq-2BNqiluT9RGtVGDeBZgQwVj9-6d5Q_FUl4-DfjSJu1WxhuvtjQ/w640-h480/IMG_6092.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will made me a photo book of our trip for Christmas, yay!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3MKhcH5tA5dvw0MA3N0A9NjRwgInBd5_yvnloxpFUvSjq9qIt6rkuApNyIhMHgr2rLbrPbK0c5c87wPeu-fNPrw55e8OMY6Lqs68GcpCdFkBeWvFkZJ4u6ACd6kMfP0rBLGAc7Em2Vcs4gSEckgfNrsxMDqrryDGdZKIuPnRcw11qIejXYGUFF22pQ/s4032/IMG_2358.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3MKhcH5tA5dvw0MA3N0A9NjRwgInBd5_yvnloxpFUvSjq9qIt6rkuApNyIhMHgr2rLbrPbK0c5c87wPeu-fNPrw55e8OMY6Lqs68GcpCdFkBeWvFkZJ4u6ACd6kMfP0rBLGAc7Em2Vcs4gSEckgfNrsxMDqrryDGdZKIuPnRcw11qIejXYGUFF22pQ/w640-h480/IMG_2358.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had a quiet Thanksgiving and Christmas at home this year. In the
latter case, we couldn't have gone back to Pennsylvania for Christmas even if we
wanted to because Columbus got nailed with the polar vortex blizzard
Hoth-storm just like the rest of the Midwest and the roads were pretty
much impassable. So, we hunkered down with the cats and did our best to stay warm and entertained. Between all of my adventures earlier this year, I only had a couple days of vacation left for the year and thus enjoyed an extremely quiet last two weeks holding down the fort at work with a skeleton crew as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What remains of the year will be spent much the same: just me, Will, the cats and a sheet pan of nachos.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="text-align: left;">Hello, 2023!</h2><p style="text-align: left;">Next year I'm looking forward to watching all the rest of my friends turn 40, haha. </p><p style="text-align: left;">As ever, I'm plotting and planning for more time abroad. It may be Germany, it may be Japan, who knows? <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I'm setting intentions to keep reading--I'm rounding out the year with 33 books down and that's a HUGE improvement from the 2019-2021 slump--to keep working on embracing rest and rejuvenation without guilt, to managing anxieties, to enjoying the life I lead and keeping my values out front. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">So as usual, I wish you all a healthy and prosperous New Year. Onward!<br /></p></div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-42679806525659711382021-12-31T19:23:00.004-08:002021-12-31T19:23:42.336-08:00New Year's Eve 2021<p>It's New Year's Eve, and you know what that means: my one and only blog post of the year! Get it while it's hot!<br /></p><p>As usual, I re-read last year's entry before writing this one. I went all the way back to 2014, and I've been doing this since 2009 with only one year missed.</p><p>It was interesting to go back in time and see the ebb and flow of my hopes and fears at the end of each year since 2015.</p><p>Anyway, this is how I ended my 2020 post:<br /></p><div><blockquote><b>Onward</b></blockquote></div><blockquote><div>What can I say about the
future when I'm living in limbo? Well for one, I'm looking forward to
January 20th. I know that changes won't magically appear overnight or
without a lot more work. That's okay--it's the nature of democracy and
we've had a really hard lesson in why it can't be a spectator sport.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>I
suppose all I can say beyond that is that I hope that our next move
goes smoothly, that our family and friends continue to stay well, that
we can get vaccines and plan a wonderful getaway trip. I hope the same
for all who read this.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Be safe and good luck. <br /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm happy to say that, by and large, my hopes came true.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Winter of our Discontent</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, January. We all watched agog as the Capital steps surged with bodies. We sat on the knife's edge for two weeks. Tenterhooks. We sighed rattled sighs of relief as court decisions came back, election officials balked, and the peaceful transfer of power was about as peaceful as it was ever going to be in the current climate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">We coped as best we could with the stress.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And also, we lost Trinny.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll just share what I posted to social media:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="" title="Edited"><blockquote>There is a particular sadness about
adopting an older pet, because you do it with the knowledge that their
best years are probably behind them. I got Trinny when she was 10 years
old. She had been fostering with the Senior Pet and Animal Rescue of
Pittsburgh, whose mission is to help find loving forever homes for older
animals who might have difficulty finding them otherwise. Trinny was
their first cat rescue, and she had been fostering with a nice lady in
Edgewood for the better part of 2015. Her previous owner was an elderly
lady who had passed away.<br /><br />Like so many kitties, Trinny was
diagnosed with chronic kidney disease when she was about 15, and we
managed with a prescription diet and a readily available water fountain.
<br /><br />She was just fine until she wasn’t. And that’s the thing with
cats especially; they are so good at hiding pain and illness that by the
time you realize they are unwell, it’s really, really bad. I’ve seen
what end stage renal failure does to a cat and their owners, and I
decided to choose a different ending for us.<br /><br />So today on a
peaceful, snowy afternoon, we were able to receive a visit from Dr.
Tami, a veterinarian who puts pets to sleep in the comfort and
familiarity of their own home. I sat with her in her favorite chair,
with Will touching my shoulders from behind. Trinny was so ready for her
ride out of this world that she didn’t even flinch when the first
needle went in, and she quietly slipped away without sound or movement
after the second. Not even a wheeze. I couldn’t have chosen a better
send off for my girl, and I’m so grateful for the 5 years, 1 month, and
17 days that I got to spend with her.<br /><br />I’ll love and miss you always, Ms. Trinidad Ann Tobago Brown, Emperor of all realms.<br /><br />❤️</blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb8Q0KFgD53K7AvB0jl-_U-A7KLalPZhn6B5PHMgx-JYAiw6LAT_ujF_eHhYPYIkz2tovwtS2QUKL2n09thH99Ww6QQohYlRdetYkPAVMZhisMp2tA1lQ4be3iiOYC_WPDRrSfKhfJnM5b6mfctkhJbCfW32gjmaE3U9CoIbvG8EHl44pKzspaVoyMjQ=s2049" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1537" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb8Q0KFgD53K7AvB0jl-_U-A7KLalPZhn6B5PHMgx-JYAiw6LAT_ujF_eHhYPYIkz2tovwtS2QUKL2n09thH99Ww6QQohYlRdetYkPAVMZhisMp2tA1lQ4be3iiOYC_WPDRrSfKhfJnM5b6mfctkhJbCfW32gjmaE3U9CoIbvG8EHl44pKzspaVoyMjQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinny woken from a nap<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> </p><p>She was an incredible cat. What she lacked in mobility and teeth she more than made up for in personality and affection. Every other day, Will and I are still looking at each other and saying, <i>"I miss Trinny."</i> and the other answering "<i>Me too.</i>"<br /></p></span><h2 style="text-align: left;">Springtime</h2><p style="text-align: left;">I spent hours at the computer, working and refreshing VaxxMaxx in search of Covid-19 vaccination appointments for my husband, my Dad, and me. Our household was fully vaccinated by April.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Will and I spent a long weekend in Columbus to get a feel for it in March. It was also an absolutely pressure valve release from having overwintered in Pennsylvania during a pandemic. </p><p style="text-align: left;">By May, it became clear that my new employer was going to require us to start reporting into the office by mid-summer. We returned to Columbus with the single-minded mission to get a place to live. At the 11th hour just before we were bound back to Pittsburgh we found and signed the lease for...another 1920s duplex. Third time's a real winner, too. She's the biggest and most well maintained, and it's a side-by-side, so no more trudging up and down two flights of stairs to get into your home.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAKZO3JvZWXlX071_ps8rcKgB0kV2wZ5KdmrjeKOtUOc9eR-hqKjqiJ-kx4MVt8c7NZoRm043C7hN-wmqT9w5AcftWbuWTogt5TsFKlMKNXxVgqaUJSBmS0jJPePAJ_IRkzLH2qDX7-QBGHpYcJBM2hK2FBTW-4IEU_EG6CiiCpUpZSrSXaPY3lK0iEg=s2049" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2049" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAKZO3JvZWXlX071_ps8rcKgB0kV2wZ5KdmrjeKOtUOc9eR-hqKjqiJ-kx4MVt8c7NZoRm043C7hN-wmqT9w5AcftWbuWTogt5TsFKlMKNXxVgqaUJSBmS0jJPePAJ_IRkzLH2qDX7-QBGHpYcJBM2hK2FBTW-4IEU_EG6CiiCpUpZSrSXaPY3lK0iEg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen is what really did it for me.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Summertime Blues</h2><p style="text-align: left;">In June, we ran out of Pennsylvania like a bat out of hell. Of this I wrote:<br /></p><blockquote><h2 class="_6lAjh "><div class=" qF0y9 Igw0E IwRSH eGOV_ _4EzTm ItkAi "><span class="Jv7Aj mArmR MqpiF "></span></div></h2><span class="" title="Edited">It’s the eve of a third (rather traumatic) move for <a class="notranslate" href="https://www.instagram.com/nevernotwillbo/" tabindex="0">@nevernotwillbo</a> and me and we have been together for not *quite* four years yet.<br /> <br />We can all agree that’s incredibly fu*ked, right? <br /><br />What are we, college students?!<br /><br />It’s
incredibly frustrating to be thrown yet another curve ball we couldn’t
have anticipated, yet we grit our teeth and white knuckle through it. <br /><br />The first time, a truck that was too small to fit all of our stuff in one trip.<br /><br />The second, a global pandemic. A yard sale in a global pandemic. A major parting of things.<br /><br />The
third: the loss of the option to tow a vehicle, throwing a major
logistical wrench into our plans. Continued mental fatigue from the
entire year prior. Learning that getting new furniture is a nightmare
now because of a crippled global supply chain. <br /><br />The emotional
layer of shedding my Pennsylvania life…my home again for 7.5 years after
spending the 7.5 prior in California. Realizing I’ve been fully fledged
adulting for over 15 years.<br /><br />So William sets out tomorrow with
nearly all our earthly possessions while I remain with the cats for an
as yet open ended time before I follow suit and quietly start a new
chapter on my life.<br /><br />It’s wild. I did NOT see this one coming.</span></blockquote><p>So, now we live in Ohio. Which is something I never thought I'd never ever hear myself say again. I started college at Kent State 20 years ago, and I got out of there as fast as I could. However, I've always liked Columbus and because of my Kappa connections, it wasn't a very hard decision to take my current job there. By mid-July I was working in an office again part-time. We're on a mandatory hybrid schedule that is likely to be permanent. </p><p>Meanwhile, we've established our favorite local shops and restaurants in our immediate neighborhood--which we love because it's extremely walkable and only 15-20 minutes from anywhere in the city. My favorite part is that we live near a major city trail, and my favorite favorite part is that my in-laws gave us one of their bicycles and I've been on some great rides! <br /></p><p>In August, my last living grandparent passed away just a few weeks shy of his 92nd birthday. I accompanied my Mom to the funeral. It was a weekend of mixed emotions.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCzNMuzCRFlPyq1m90JVNjaLY21AdBFfDOwhO5sT9ohdi8dFx79L6Wjc6jbifKSdg3i55Ii0EsIsps4NQ8m7uw1otS5oshGIY1U5uW1bJKkI97pex2oZDKkk04mf4ClBfLZ9qiKEk85M_ngNoF_c8SBzAbtOBMvcOO7L-rVNlmSJeIpQSSv28MiBxFkw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCzNMuzCRFlPyq1m90JVNjaLY21AdBFfDOwhO5sT9ohdi8dFx79L6Wjc6jbifKSdg3i55Ii0EsIsps4NQ8m7uw1otS5oshGIY1U5uW1bJKkI97pex2oZDKkk04mf4ClBfLZ9qiKEk85M_ngNoF_c8SBzAbtOBMvcOO7L-rVNlmSJeIpQSSv28MiBxFkw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa Rosales' progeny giving him a sendoff<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Finally, Fall<br /></h2><p>The best thing ever finally happened. We went to Europe on our honeymoon, just a scant 2 years after we got married. We went to Paris first for the majority of our time before continuing on to Amsterdam for a few days before returning home. Start to finish, it went stunningly smoothly. The crowds were low, the weather was incredible and we ate exceedingly well. Will did fantastic for his first trip outside of the country!</p><p> </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgureOCtHRUTguhWDDQeqELe1RNKgH23GJDacRxJs4zMn7YrRs-OJCOwXmZf6LaiOFPAsSmkWdpebRsDL0jUuwACdfZoWnX_WaBH7GoL4NwhFdhu8fVizpMmCjjssdXl6YsLB8C5mQRpNxKQ4rU9PFZezQLuFALX2EqJ75wRFMf5V4AG098AguXkibD9Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgureOCtHRUTguhWDDQeqELe1RNKgH23GJDacRxJs4zMn7YrRs-OJCOwXmZf6LaiOFPAsSmkWdpebRsDL0jUuwACdfZoWnX_WaBH7GoL4NwhFdhu8fVizpMmCjjssdXl6YsLB8C5mQRpNxKQ4rU9PFZezQLuFALX2EqJ75wRFMf5V4AG098AguXkibD9Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paris, je t'aime<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p>A few weeks later, Fraternity Council was able to meet in person here in Columbus for the first time in our biennium serving together. We got into some really heady stuff in between absolutely delightful time spent just chatting and eating with one another. <br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Holidays Are Here Again</h2><div style="text-align: left;">And so that brings us here, to the hazy drift of the fall holidays into the end of the year. Thanksgiving was quiet, just the two of us. Christmas was actually a larger affair than I had attended in a good many years, with 8 of us in all. And we had such fun!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I am, however, really glad that the Christmas season is over this year. I don't really know why.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tonight, we are playing virtual games with friends and staying home. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2022...I don't know, y'all. I'm tired. I haven't seen blue sky in at least 4 days and I'm recovering from either just really bad bronchitis or the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The rapid tests I took were negative, but I can't help but wonder because I took them well after the symptom onset. I've all but stopped listening to any podcasts but ones about tv shows anymore because I reached a saturation point with politics and need a break for my sanity. The outlook for either no longer being in a pandemic next year or seeing sweeping progressive change that will improve lives in my country is bleak. One of my best friends is still reeling from the sudden loss of her father only last month.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">And Betty White just died this morning. So there's that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's not all bad, of course. That trip to Europe really was a balm for my soul, and I hope to go to Japan for my 40th next year. I read way more books this year than last. I absolutely spoiled myself for my birthday. I am <i>living</i> for And Just Like That episodes. I like my job. I addressed three major health issues, two of which I didn't even know I had before this year. I reconnected with an old friend after a long span. I got the softest, coziest blanket for Christmas that I just adore wrapping myself in every night.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In 2022, I'm learning to accept that we are still going to be living with a global pandemic and social unrest for a while and there really is no "going back", only forward. I'm learning to try and focus on what I can control and to be kind to myself. It's all one can do, right? </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">May you be healthy, safe, and prosperous in the New Year.<br /></div><span class="" title="Edited"></span></div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-23681434055418185732020-12-31T16:42:00.002-08:002022-01-04T15:32:16.966-08:00New Year's Eve 2020<p>I wasn't exactly looking forward to the annual blog post this year, but here we are.</p><p>I always re-read the previous year's blog post before I start, and I always end the post by talking about what I'm looking forward in the new year.</p><p><br /></p><blockquote><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i></i></b></p><blockquote><p><i><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">"Onward</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Next year brings new adventures that include a honeymoon to Paris and Amsterdam in the spring, Kappa convention in Boca Raton, and maybe another trip to Disney World if we can manage it. As for the rest, who knows? I mean, aside from the crushing expectations of a presidential election year in the United States. Perhaps I'll aim my reading goals back up into the 40-50 book range again, or take up knitting. Perhaps both.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /></i></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><b><i>Wishing you and yours a prosperous 2020. </i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><b><i>Get out and vote."</i></b></div></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J1QIPBwm4ho/X-5LpuiqjHI/AAAAAAAAYL8/CJlsUspPmmg4zzQmBFcGJZSCUAn5faQ5QCLcBGAsYHQ/welp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J1QIPBwm4ho/X-5LpuiqjHI/AAAAAAAAYL8/CJlsUspPmmg4zzQmBFcGJZSCUAn5faQ5QCLcBGAsYHQ/welp.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div>So this is how my year actually went.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>We Bought a Car</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Will's Subaru kicked the bucket when the head gasket cracked. He knew it was likely to happen, so it wasn't so much of a surprise as it was an inconvenience because buying a new car certainly wasn't on the To Do list. Fortunately we were in a decent position to manage it. I usually commuted to work by bus and we rarely needed both vehicles at the same time to begin with, so he drove my car for about six weeks while we researched our options. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let me tell you, asking for mainly cash gifts when we got married was the best thing for us because that was enough to do a good down payment. We ended up replacing his car with the same one, only 6 years newer and in a different color. We call them "Sarubaru" as an homage to the character Saru on Star Trek: Discovery.</div><div><br /></div><div>Buying a car isn't such a big deal on the face of it, but I looked at this particular experience as a personal victory because:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>We shared a car for six weeks and did just fine</li><li>I did my first negotiation for a major purchase. While I bought the Camry myself, at the time I was a young and naïve woman and I didn't negotiate the price at all. </li></ol></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vby8CC_vseM/X-5OUBo6TcI/AAAAAAAAYMI/bWGYUNMNU8MGDs8hsPxuIT7zBtwd5H4PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6ADDA5EF-1277-4B0B-BAA1-0961F49687B7.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vby8CC_vseM/X-5OUBo6TcI/AAAAAAAAYMI/bWGYUNMNU8MGDs8hsPxuIT7zBtwd5H4PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/6ADDA5EF-1277-4B0B-BAA1-0961F49687B7.heic" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>I Last Saw The Inside of an Office in March</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I don't remember if it was the second or third week of March when my employer gave up on their 50% in/ 50% WFH rotation and just sent everyone to work remotely. All I know is, I grabbed as much as I could from my locker at the office and went home to hunker down. I didn't think it was going to be over in 3-4 weeks like many were saying it might because of what my news sources were saying, but it wasn't like I had any real idea of what was coming either. I dove in to things around the house and on the Internet, like looking at art galleries through Google and signing up for TwoSeven, a service that lets you watch streaming content with friends. I finished out the spring term of my flamenco class remotely.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JKYIob0GDo/X-5qXLpwpjI/AAAAAAAAYMU/Rn1MDOdHQB8Kqg49_GjaH_8T5vfSvjzoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1472/40E74C26-23E1-4567-8115-56BC03A7A557.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JKYIob0GDo/X-5qXLpwpjI/AAAAAAAAYMU/Rn1MDOdHQB8Kqg49_GjaH_8T5vfSvjzoACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/40E74C26-23E1-4567-8115-56BC03A7A557.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>I Cut My Hair. Then I Shaved It Off Completely.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>On April 1st, I looked at myself in the mirror and said goodbye to my mane. The truth is that I was looking for an excuse for months and the pandemic was the perfect cover. It has been very short before, but usually that happened inadvertently, like needing to cut out the last of the color that I used to dye it. (A lovely dark auburn, if you're curious.) At first I did bangs and a layered cut just to see what it would look like if I did it, and then I took out Will's clipper set and shaved it down to maybe a half an inch? I really don't remember which guard I used. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was like getting to know my hair all over again. Turns out, it's stick straight when it's less than an inch long and I have a massive cowlick. The curls returned about two months later, and I've pretty much just been letting the top grow out while keeping the sides short. My hairdresser, Chelsea, is amazing and shapes it up for me every 4-5 weeks. I don't know if I'll ever grow it out again, but I do know that I'm about ready to start experimenting with wearing wigs for fun anyway, so there's that.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytqSffDMkHU/X-5rpCSaeMI/AAAAAAAAYMk/4WWFIREtInEt3SMUJ5mBzewL6_K3Xb1PgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2CE07899-9BE4-44AB-A8CA-1378511DDAF9.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytqSffDMkHU/X-5rpCSaeMI/AAAAAAAAYMk/4WWFIREtInEt3SMUJ5mBzewL6_K3Xb1PgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2CE07899-9BE4-44AB-A8CA-1378511DDAF9.heic" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first self-layered haircut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pz0ngH3ItNg/X-5rpzhZeTI/AAAAAAAAYMs/oR2hJid9ytUgW81IzqpGgQ4cwe8pwNPhACLcBGAsYHQ/s3088/C89E0E21-DF30-4213-A374-FA0E57EB6221_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pz0ngH3ItNg/X-5rpzhZeTI/AAAAAAAAYMs/oR2hJid9ytUgW81IzqpGgQ4cwe8pwNPhACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/C89E0E21-DF30-4213-A374-FA0E57EB6221_1_201_a.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise! It's all gone!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Our Honeymoon: A Dream Deferred</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>By late April, it was pretty clear that we weren't going to be able to go on our honeymoon trip in late May. The plan was to drive up to Toronto, Canada and fly into Paris and back from Amsterdam for a 10 day trip. Seeing as how the US/Canadian border was closed and most of Europe was on strict lockdown and not allowing entry by non-citizens or EU nationals, there was just no way we could keep it on the books even if we wanted to. </div><div><br /></div><div>We were issued credit from the airline and credit card company, Airbnb, and the VRBO host, and that was that. I think what I am most saddened by is not just that I couldn't go to Europe, but that my husband has to wait that much longer to use his passport for the first time. Since we became a couple, one of the things I've been looking forward to the most out of anything is taking him on his first trip abroad.</div><div><br /></div><div>It will happen eventually--maybe even in 2021 if we are fortunate.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>New Frontiers in Fraternity Life</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Unsurprisingly, the KKG Convention that was set to take place in Boca Raton this June didn't happen either. Well, it didn't happen in person. The Fraternity pivoted and held it virtually. Earlier in the year, I accepted a nomination to serve as one of the four Vice Presidents who sit on the Fraternity Council, which is the executive board of the organization. It meant a lot to me to even be considered in the first place, let alone actually voted in. I'm really proud of that accomplishment, as it's been the result of several years of working diligently to become a "known entity" and grow as a leader. </div><div><br /></div><div>A huge tidal wave of change is washing over Greek letter organizations right now--particularly the ones that have been historically white--and so it is rather meaningful that I, a Black and Latina woman, am serving on the highest governing body of our organization. I don't know for certain if I am the first, but I wouldn't be surprised if I am. I certainly intend to help ensure that I'm not the last BIPOC member to serve in this way either. Because let me tell you, our members are paying attention to things like that. They want change and they want it yesterday. We have been constantly monitoring the climate in our collegiate chapters and college campuses, as well as alumnae feedback about everything from racism, equity, affordability, and how to maintain some semblance of sisterhood during a global pandemic. It's a lot. It's also been a delight to work with the other members of council. While I had met almost everyone before, coming together on 2-3+ hour calls every month to solve the world's problems has brought us close and I have learned a ton from them.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZidg7dYhUk/X-5rq3lde3I/AAAAAAAAYM0/f9ZtHJhuLlwN0iFK8a0QN75Jh8dgPVTvACPcBGAYYCw/s1334/E229C34A-0B70-4D41-914E-A40FA7ADCBEE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZidg7dYhUk/X-5rq3lde3I/AAAAAAAAYM0/f9ZtHJhuLlwN0iFK8a0QN75Jh8dgPVTvACPcBGAYYCw/s320/E229C34A-0B70-4D41-914E-A40FA7ADCBEE.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>We Moved Again</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>There's a long backstory that I prefer to tell to others one-on-one, but we moved out of our apartment when our lease was up in July, and took up residence with my parents in the suburbs. It's a temporary arrangement, although we don't have an exact end date at present. While it has been a big adjustment--especially for my hubby--it has been working out pretty well. The house is spacious enough and our schedules different enough that sometimes we don't even all see each other, if you can believe it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bidding Squirrel Hill adieu was mostly a blur for me. We held a garage sale both virtually and in person, and I sold so much stuff on eBay that I actually attained Power Seller status. You have to sell a <i>lot </i>to get that designation. Books, comics, gaming consoles + games, Funko pops...you name it, I probably tried to sell it online. Right now we don't own a single piece of furniture!</div><div><br /></div><div>And next year? We're moving again. But I'll get to that in a bit.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26r86-QS9xU/X-5rpKkEscI/AAAAAAAAYNE/3vtJ_UAT_c8qCuzhyD8RDgHVNybLU7WHACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/2836B4AF-6481-4FDB-8AAC-3C574053B2DF.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26r86-QS9xU/X-5rpKkEscI/AAAAAAAAYNE/3vtJ_UAT_c8qCuzhyD8RDgHVNybLU7WHACPcBGAYYCw/s320/2836B4AF-6481-4FDB-8AAC-3C574053B2DF.heic" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys enjoying their new spot in the grandparents' basement</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>We Took a Trip to the Finger Lakes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>After losing out on our honeymoon, friends' weddings, and pretty much everything else, Will and I realized that we needed something good and fun to look forward to. We decided to use our Airbnb credit to put towards a cabin rental in the Finger Lakes region of New York over the week of my birthday in September. This place was wonderfully remote, the cabin was huge but well appointed, we even got to do a little bit of hiking in some nearby falls, and I even got to meet up with my dear friend from my Disney College Program days who lives in Rochester. Honestly, it was one of the best trips I've taken in a long time.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7pAYxLYdAc/X-5rrceQlQI/AAAAAAAAYNM/Gt0oZD3Qk9U6uOOVnLQ_fPpI60Nja_WdQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/F5F7177C-D83B-4D00-B263-F2C0B3EA1962.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7pAYxLYdAc/X-5rrceQlQI/AAAAAAAAYNM/Gt0oZD3Qk9U6uOOVnLQ_fPpI60Nja_WdQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/F5F7177C-D83B-4D00-B263-F2C0B3EA1962.heic" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I Got a New Job</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I had been with my previous employer for almost 7 years and felt it was time for me to move on, so I applied to a similar role at another company in the industry. In doing so, I also had the opportunity to flex my negotiation muscles again. Let's just say that it went well. I will continue to work remotely until sometime in Spring 2021 until such time that it makes sense to make our next move to... ((drumroll)) Columbus, Ohio!</div><div><br /></div><div>That's where my role is based when there's not a pandemic on. We are both excited and sad to leave our hometown, but at least it's just a 3 hour distance and we have connections in Columbus to help us settle in when we do get there.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Black Lives (Still) Matter</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Back in May when fervor was growing over George Floyd's murder, I posted this message on Instagram:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>It's not just this week that's been hard. It's a lifetime of being reminded in ways both subtle and not-so-subtle, that I am not safe.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's the constant reminder that all it takes is being in the wrong place at the wrong time for someone with any power to decide that it's time for me or a member of my family to be "put in their place", possibly die as a result, and have our picture plastered all over the Internet for strangers to tut tut over before moving on with their lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am scared and I am exhausted.</div><div><br /></div><div>You want to help me? Do the work that it takes to be anti-racist. There are resources everywhere waiting for you.</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I turned the comments off of that post because I didn't have the energy to do any emotional labor beyond speaking my piece. A lot of the time I still don't. I once read a quote that said something like, "Racism will only go away when white people realize that it's not an issue that they have to empathize with, but a deep rooted problem that is destroying their own humanity." This white supremacy is a cancer that is literally killing bodies and souls. I have been living in this skin for nearly 40 years now and nothing that happened this year shocks me. Absolutely none of it. It scares, saddens, enrages, depresses, and drains me, but never shocks. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am proud of who I am and I love my Blackness and Latinaness, and despite all the valid reasons why I shouldn't, I love this country and believe in our ability to overcome this. But we have to have a reckoning with racism and our 400+ year heritage of building a nation of wealth on the backs of BIPOC people. If you're reading this post, chances are good that you agree with me, and I hope you know that becoming anti-racist is a lifelong learning process.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUZaafMrESE/X-5rqFQ1YaI/AAAAAAAAYNA/6XEzwOeBabQE8vV_auVcXwueTrYWQGy-gCPcBGAYYCw/s1472/C8D32179-DD04-4FFF-B08B-8526220BB5E8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUZaafMrESE/X-5rqFQ1YaI/AAAAAAAAYNA/6XEzwOeBabQE8vV_auVcXwueTrYWQGy-gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/C8D32179-DD04-4FFF-B08B-8526220BB5E8.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I Got a COVID-19 Test</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Just before Christmas I was able to order mail-in test kits for Will and me through work. I didn't strongly suspect that either of us had it, but I wanted to know for peace of mind. After all, we live with my parents and they still work outside the home. Fortunately we both tested negative. I do know people who have had it and recovered, and I am lucky to say that I don't know anyone personally who has died of it. I hope that stays true. I know how fortunate I am to have remained healthy, employed, and able to work from home and avoid going out into the world. I miss going out to eat and seeing friends. I'm weary of the unmitigated chaos running rampant in our country. I don't like foggy glasses. But I remind myself that this is just temporary and that I can rest easy knowing we're doing the right thing.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36H467RUHFM/X-5rpD1DlmI/AAAAAAAAYM8/KpOgSdQZJZUWiw5dKsRL_FgHPNqz1fGuwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/C16D69D5-9656-4151-BFAA-034F206C19E8.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36H467RUHFM/X-5rpD1DlmI/AAAAAAAAYM8/KpOgSdQZJZUWiw5dKsRL_FgHPNqz1fGuwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/C16D69D5-9656-4151-BFAA-034F206C19E8.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo is unrelated to the Covid test. This just makes me smile is all.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>2020: It Is What it Is</b></div><div><br /></div><div>My and my husband's mental health took an absolute beating this year, I miss being with my friends, and goodness knows that all this sitting in front of a screen all day every day is hard as hell on my body. </div><div><br /></div><div>There were also good things: my family grew closer, I got more time with my pets, I experienced a career victory and my quickbread game has been upped in a major way. I made it through 2020 intact, and that's good enough.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Onward</b></div><div><br /></div><div>What can I say about the future when I'm living in limbo? Well for one, I'm looking forward to January 20th. I know that changes won't magically appear overnight or without a lot more work. That's okay--it's the nature of democracy and we've had a really hard lesson in why it can't be a spectator sport.</div><div><br /></div><div>I suppose all I can say beyond that is that I hope that our next move goes smoothly, that our family and friends continue to stay well, that we can get vaccines and plan a wonderful getaway trip. I hope the same for all who read this.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be safe and good luck. </div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-17451568507709857032019-12-31T15:51:00.000-08:002022-01-04T15:32:24.749-08:00New Year's Eve 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We stand on the precipice of a new year and new decade to boot. Let me open my Instagram account so that I can remember what I did in 2019, because that's where we're at these days.<br />
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<b>I Saw Hamilton</b><br />
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Will's parents took us to see Hamilton in January as a Christmas gift. In all this time since it exploded on the world stage, I never once listened to more than whatever I caught in snippets and memes in traditional or social media.<b> </b>I am that person who often (but not always) shies away from super popular things when they first blow up, and Hamilton was one of them. I think I'm afraid of disappointment that the thing won't live up to the hype, but fortunately for me, Hamilton did. I loved every minute, and I mostly just listened to the original Broadway soundtrack for the rest of the year, according to Spotify.<br />
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<b>I Danced Flamenco </b><br />
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This is from my 10 year challenge Instagram post, in which I dug up a photo of me dancing at a street festival in Oceanside, CA with Raks-el-Anwar dance troupe in April 2009, vs the Fiesta Flamenca show a decade later. Funny how I'm wearing the same color palette. This means I'm going on my 3rd year of lessons already! I'd still put myself in the beginner territory, but at least some foot combinations come a little easier now. I've never been one to practice much outside of the classroom, and I've just been sticking to 1 class once a week this whole time, so progress is slow, but it is progress none the less! The April show was a lot of fun, especially since Will and my parents came to see me perform. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abusing my feet on the stage in the name of art since 2007</td></tr>
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<b>I Kept Up With Kappa </b><br />
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I'm in my second year as a volunteer content director for programming. I'm still convinced that I have the best team.<br />
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Locally, I'm still involved with my alumnae group as its Treasurer. I'm just working my way through the exec board now, eh?<br />
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<b>I Quit Facebook</b><br />
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We parted ways in July. I was done, and I haven't regretted it.<b> </b><br />
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<b>I Moved</b><br />
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To hear Will tell it, he sang a song with lyrics that he improvised on the spot while we were walking from Sewickley village back to our apartment one day, and I decided it was time to move. That's only partly true. When he moved in with me and we agreed to stay put for the forseeable future to save money. We talked about our next move being into a house that we would buy. Then after a few months, it became increasingly obvious that we needed more space and wanted to be closer to the action. (Read: closer to the city.) After a couple weeks' search and a few viewings, we settled on a house strikingly similar to the one we were in: a 1920's-built duplex. Friends and family pitched in to help us make the second most traumatic move I've ever done to date. We couldn't move in early, and someone bought the house we were moving out of, and they wanted to move in as soon as they closed. Throw in 3 cats, high summer heat, and a rental truck that was several cubic feet smaller than what we had reserved, and you have insanity.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading the car with angry cats before taking them to my parents' house to escape the moving activity for a couple days</td></tr>
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We gained an additional bedroom (or rather, an office for Will) and lost a bunch of storage space, but in the end, it's been a much better arrangement for all. For you see, we live in Squirrel Hill now! Yes, it is the neighborhood where a terrorist opened fire in a synagogue, but it is still one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh. We're so much closer to the best restaurants, shops, my dance classes, and my office downtown. Will's commute is about the same, distance-wise, but he's much happier with the route. We love it here and intend to stay for a good while. *knock on wood* <br />
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<b>I Went to Canada</b><br />
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Because of the wedding, I stayed pretty grounded, travel-wise. However, that didn't keep me from going across the border with six of my best gal pals for my bachelorette weekend! Pinch me, because this is still like a dream to me. I've been such a nomad my whole life that it's hard to impress upon you how strange and wonderful it was to have all of my best friends in one place simultaneously, because I formed those friendships in such different times and places. Tina and Alyse even flew in from out of state, bless them. We rented an Airbnb in Niagara Falls, went on a wine tasting tour, had dinner, and some hijinks here and there. It was amazing and I'll never stop thanking everyone for celebrating with me.<b> </b><br />
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<b>I Got Married </b><br />
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When October 1st finally came, we were so ready. After nearly a year's engagement, Will and I married ourselves over tacos at Emiliano's in Cranberry. The photo below was our celebratory ice cream afterwards.<br />
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You read it right. We married ourselves in a Mexican restaurant...nearly 2 weeks before the wedding. Long story short, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the burden of proof is on you to prove the validity of your marriage if you are married by anyone other than one of the handful of people that the state recognizes as people who can marry you. You know, clergy, JPs, judges, boat captains, and the like. Our officiant, one of Will's best friends since college, is not among any of those professions, so we had to get creative. Thanks to PA's Quaker heritage, we were able to get a self-uniting license. We paid our $85, applied, got the license, signed it, had our officiant and his wife sign as witnesses, dropped it off at the city-county building the next day, and *BOOM*, we were legally wed. It was nice, because we had a fun little secret for awhile, and we were able to jumpstart the process of doing paperwork like health insurance and all that sexy married stuff.<br />
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On October 13th, we had ourselves a big fat multi-cultural, Day of the Dead themed wedding. It was insanely fun and exhausting all at once. See a mini-gallery at <a href="http://kristenvota.com/noahs-event-venue-cranberry-wedding-maria-will/" target="_blank">our wedding photographer's blog</a>.<br />
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<b>I Had a Quiet Christmas</b><br />
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Will and I decided to just be low-key and stay at home this year. We opened gifts, watched the Disney parade, and ate a new Thai/Lao restaurant in our neighborhood. (A huge benefit of living in the Jewish area of town is that you have no shortage of options for Christmas dinner.) That's about it, and it was perfect.<br />
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<b>Onward</b><br />
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Next year brings new adventures that include a honeymoon to Paris and Amsterdam in the spring, Kappa convention in Boca Raton, and maybe another trip to Disney World if we can manage it. As for the rest, who knows? I mean, aside from the crushing expectations of a presidential election year in the United States. Perhaps I'll aim my reading goals back up into the 40-50 book range again, or take up knitting. Perhaps both.<br />
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<b>Wishing you and yours a prosperous 2020. </b></div>
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<b>Get out and vote.</b></div>
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emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-22979770081250639102018-12-31T15:28:00.000-08:002022-01-04T15:32:35.320-08:00New Year's Eve 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ah, 2018. The year that almost wasn't. Weren't we supposed to end the world by now?<br />
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Of course not: never underestimate human resilience, nor our capacity for kindness and surprise. Let's get into it.<br />
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<b>April in Paris</b><br />
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In late 2017, I booked another solo trip for myself to Paris. Or rather, it was intended to be a solo venture, and the very same day that I announced the trip, my Ma posited, "What if I went with you?"<br />
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What if, indeed.<br />
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Mom, me, and a little lizard named Gilles spent a lovely 10 days in Paris--with a side trip to Belgium--and lived like temporary locals in a Parisian flat in the 3rd arrondissement. We cooked most of our own meals with groceries from a store around the corner--with a few notable exceptions for Pain Vin Fromage (my 3rd visit now) and an Argentine steak house--and took in sights both big and small. It was my 4th trip and I still haven't done everything I'd like to do. I guess I'll have to go back...<br />
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<b>Sisterhood </b><br />
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You know what is super satisfying? Seeing the results of your efforts pay off. At my sorority's biannual convention this summer, my local alumnae association was awarded the highest honor of Outstanding Alumnae Association, and I found out that pageant queen reactions are real. <br />
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The whole convention experience was an absolute blast because I got to share it with a few of the close Pittsburgh Kappa friends that I've made over the past few years, and caught up with many others from around the country. We'll always have Denver, ladies.</div>
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<br />
Shortly after that, I was appointed to a volunteer director role for the team that I have been serving on since early 2017. It's been such a huge leadership learning experience for me, and I feel pretty honored to serve alongside so many talented and driven women. I'm down to feeling impostor syndrome maybe 30% of the time now!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PfYAswAuc0/XCqfRYCi09I/AAAAAAAAV9k/MVBwyZyrQTkbiduF4Iz5kUtSNNA_6xrwgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC08800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PfYAswAuc0/XCqfRYCi09I/AAAAAAAAV9k/MVBwyZyrQTkbiduF4Iz5kUtSNNA_6xrwgCLcBGAs/s400/DSC08800.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Content Directors of KKG: Very Vanity Fair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Where there's a Will...</b><br />
<br />
So, when I did my 2018 "Top 9" on Instagram, I clearly had a co-star this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Klg24toRCk/XCqhOc-koFI/AAAAAAAAV9w/7AZzVS9bansqN-HT0ZWiC0n_4YsfzTojwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Klg24toRCk/XCqhOc-koFI/AAAAAAAAV9w/7AZzVS9bansqN-HT0ZWiC0n_4YsfzTojwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0089.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top 9 of Instagram</td></tr>
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<br />
Will is in all photos except for one, and that's only because he was the photographer. Now, if you've only ever read my blog posts, you have no idea who he is because I was keeping our fledgling relationship closer to the vest where social media is concerned. Fortunately for me, my reading audience consists only of friends and family and the odd person who is looking for a review of Tieks shoes. So I don't necessarily need to explain to you that this man is the cream in my coffee, the apple of my eye, my faithful partner and creator of lovely charcuterie boards. My witty William, whom around this time a year ago was just emerging as my probably boyfriend, is now my fiancé. It's true, friends--this bachelorette's days are over. We've officially moved in together with our 3 cats, and are navigating all that this wild adventure brings. Can you imagine? By this time next year, I will be Ms. Maria Brown! (Yeah, I'm keeping my name.) I'm looking forward to using this as an excuse to party with my friends and family sometime in fall 2019. ;-)<br />
<br />
So, that pretty much hits the highlights of my year. I remain ever vigilant about the people, causes, and issues that I care about. I am setting new intentions for myself all the time, some of which just happen to be coinciding with the New Year. More art, still traveling, learning, reading, facilitating, and doing it all with some style and covered in cat hair.<br />
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I wish you and yours a very happy and prosperous New Year. Onward!</div>
emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-15537739737732151312017-12-31T11:40:00.000-08:002022-01-04T15:32:49.628-08:00New Year's Eve 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I saw a Twitter prompt a few days ago that said this, "quote this tweet with your top 3 personal accomplishments of 2017 (you decide what counts)" - Adam J. Kurtz (<a href="https://twitter.com/adamjk/status/944802381727899649" target="_blank">@adamjk</a>)</div>
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1. I transitioned to another role at work, doing something I’ve wanted to do for the last year at least. <br />
2. Made my dream trip come true!<br />
3. Flexed my leadership muscles in my volunteer work. <a href="https://t.co/zncuW1Cmry">https://t.co/zncuW1Cmry</a></div>
— Maria B. (@rialucia82) <a href="https://twitter.com/rialucia82/status/946143093174173696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<br />
So that is where we will start today.<br />
<br />
<b>#1: Work </b><br />
2017 marked the 12th year of my patchwork quilt of a professional career. I participated in two of the four "codefests" that were held at my company, which is trying--and I daresay succeeding--to shift its culture to embrace technology and innovation. It is still very much a financial services institution and change is slow going, but next month marks four years since I started working there and I can affirm that it is happening. In the first event, my ragtag team of developers and analysts managed to get a spot among the Top 10 finalists and pitch our app to the judges' panel and thousands of our peers who were both in the auditorium and watching a livestream. One of my colleagues and I chose to make the actual pitch itself, and as I stood there mic'd up in front of the stage lights and trying desperately not to let my knees or voice quake, I thought, "Wow, I can actually <i>do</i> this."<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XWpn8suIsPM/Wkk69TtUVFI/AAAAAAAAGlQ/UThL3tpoyLMQMv4VXXqKkiDZwEfuGVbWQCLcBGAs/s1600/05490906-052E-4CBE-A1A7-EFBDA1B8BAC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XWpn8suIsPM/Wkk69TtUVFI/AAAAAAAAGlQ/UThL3tpoyLMQMv4VXXqKkiDZwEfuGVbWQCLcBGAs/s320/05490906-052E-4CBE-A1A7-EFBDA1B8BAC1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
And by this, I mean work on solving consumer problems with technology solutions, when I myself am neither a developer nor programmer. We did not end up placing among the top prize winners, but it was a moral victory and it was enough to make our team want to participate again a few months later and work on a different problem and solution. While that endeavor did not place us in the finalist round, it did provide the kick in the pants that I needed to just start go for it already. So, I applied to several positions--some internal to my company and some not--until I eventually received and accepted an internal position as a business systems analyst on a team that works on customer-facing software. In truth, even after 3 months I feel like I don't know what I'm doing about 80% of the time, but that's down from 100%, so it's progress.<br />
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<b>#2: Play</b><br />
When I returned from Eurotrip 2015 and wrote about it in <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2015/12/new-years-eve-2015.html" target="_blank">my 2015 Year End Recap</a>, I declared that I would go on a trip to Scandinavia for my 35th birthday. I almost postponed it in favor of a trip to Japan instead, but when Wow Air announced in late 2016 that they would start service from Pittsburgh in the summer of 2017, I knew that I had to stay the course. So, I booked a plane ticket to Copenhagen by way of Reykjavik in November, and spent the next 10 months carefully planning a two week tour of Iceland, Denmark, and Norway...with a bonus stop in Sweden.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFXMp87UHAI/WkksW3AiF-I/AAAAAAAAGj4/LFQOoZb3bYs79hvJ6zZ2pUmFT2lT--dAwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFXMp87UHAI/WkksW3AiF-I/AAAAAAAAGj4/LFQOoZb3bYs79hvJ6zZ2pUmFT2lT--dAwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My trusty backpack follows me wherever I go!</td></tr>
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<br /><b></b>
Iceland is achingly and hauntingly beautiful. While there actually <i>are</i> trees, they aren't numerous, and the landscape belies the fact that the island is pretty much one big volcanic plain. I was only there for two days, but I managed to pack in plenty of sightseeing through Reykjavik, as well as get out into the countryside on a Golden Circle Tour to see geysers, waterfalls, and the border of tectonic plates.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5QRVCjG_K1Y/WkktLIFLk9I/AAAAAAAAGkA/sm0x2ASzxYUjFDe89fKFX1jqHLRg9VTZwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5QRVCjG_K1Y/WkktLIFLk9I/AAAAAAAAGkA/sm0x2ASzxYUjFDe89fKFX1jqHLRg9VTZwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0375.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the site of the famous Geysir, where the word "geyser" originates</td></tr>
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From my brief stopover, I've resolved to return to Iceland as a destination for a proper tour around the ring road that circumnavigates the island. And to see puffins. (They were mostly migrated away by early September.)<br />
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From there I pressed onward to Denmark, where I made Copenhagen my playground for several days. I stumbled on a walking tour and met some fellow world travelers, two of whom I ended up exploring a few more sights with after the tour. One was a guy from Canada and the other was a lady from Australia, and unfortunately, none of us thought to exchange contact information or even take a photo while we were together, so our afternoon chatting and exploring must only live in memory!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0UiETjtIDo/Wkkut1ViBDI/AAAAAAAAGkM/iZPtgmAD6nM5Y6kJ8UIjzfoK91Ox_qwKACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0UiETjtIDo/Wkkut1ViBDI/AAAAAAAAGkM/iZPtgmAD6nM5Y6kJ8UIjzfoK91Ox_qwKACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing the tourist thing in Copenhagen</td></tr>
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I also spent the better part of a day in Aarhus, where I visited a fabulous modern art museum and got delayed on the return train for 4 hours. The Danes on the train didn't seem to get upset about it, so neither did I. It was an interesting way to start my 35th birthday, which ended in a 7 course chef's tasting meal that I stretched to a respectable four hours in what was practically a private dining room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozlEi2gHIF0/Wkkvl7wKf8I/AAAAAAAAGkU/nPmmofTsaHw6zumKMLtXRMl9ZOc_dlo4QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozlEi2gHIF0/Wkkvl7wKf8I/AAAAAAAAGkU/nPmmofTsaHw6zumKMLtXRMl9ZOc_dlo4QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0756.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, ya Bastards! (It's the actual name of the restaurant.)</td></tr>
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My next stop was Norway, which is a country that I have been itching to get to ever since I saw my first white-stockinged Norwegian college student when I was a young intern on the Walt Disney World College Program. Look, they're tall and gorgeous people--who could blame me for being sucked in by their spell? In reality, I chiefly spent my time in Oslo, Bergen, and points in between by ogling the landscape. Like Iceland, Norway has stunning natural beauty. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYVVwr6QxD8/Wkkwnnl7gdI/AAAAAAAAGkg/z6EajIpF1-km4hrYQYgKD3YJTtAgirdjACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYVVwr6QxD8/Wkkwnnl7gdI/AAAAAAAAGkg/z6EajIpF1-km4hrYQYgKD3YJTtAgirdjACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1192.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising the Sonefjord</td></tr>
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I did not quite have the time or wherewithal to add Stockholm, Sweden to my itinerary for this trip, as it is quite a distance from Copenhagen and Oslo. So I did the next best thing: I went to Ikea in Malmö. Just a quick hop on the train that crosses the Øresund bridge between Denmark and Sweden, a 20 minute bus ride, and voila! You're in cheap Swedish furniture mecca.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWbTBFLfxhs/WkkxplYstfI/AAAAAAAAGko/AJoAFNBU2NEnQrP0ejG-x-gjg4GBTS70wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWbTBFLfxhs/WkkxplYstfI/AAAAAAAAGko/AJoAFNBU2NEnQrP0ejG-x-gjg4GBTS70wCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1481.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ikea on a Saturday!? That's a crazy idea in any country.</td></tr>
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All in all, my "Scandinavitour" was a wild, wonderful, empowering, exhausting trip and I am infinitely glad that I had both the motive and the means to make it happen.<br />
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A couple months later, I even snuck in a trip to Orlando to visit Alyse! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uogMjvFdYxs/Wkk5Kkt-c6I/AAAAAAAAGlE/zrefnoEsHNAI62lQw1TbqzJ3678-G8T8QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1130" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uogMjvFdYxs/Wkk5Kkt-c6I/AAAAAAAAGlE/zrefnoEsHNAI62lQw1TbqzJ3678-G8T8QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_7008.JPG" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live your best life.</td></tr>
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<b>#3: A Tradition of Leadership</b><br />
When I was still in college, the tagline of my sorority was "A tradition of leadership", and it has since changed to "Aspire to be." I like them both, but the leadership and education elements have always been a big selling point for me where Kappa Kappa Gamma is concerned. So, I went and collected another Kappa Hat in January and took another volunteer role as a Programming Specialist for our Ohio & Kentucky chapters and associations. It's daunting work, keeping tabs on two officers each from 9 active chapters, but it has been rewarding and has led to some more great connections (and hilarious conversations) with sisters all over the country. Between that, as well as my second term of presidency for the Greater Pittsburgh Alumnae Association, Every Member Educational Training, and finance advising, I have a lot of Kappa and opportunities to lead in my life and I love it. It's a big part of the reason why I am very content to remain an individual contributor at work for the time being!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsCPCJsiGQY/Wkkzw35SrdI/AAAAAAAAGk0/yM1tjcV_eBonoFSq3PG5AAo9eFrwjwfJwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsCPCJsiGQY/Wkkzw35SrdI/AAAAAAAAGk0/yM1tjcV_eBonoFSq3PG5AAo9eFrwjwfJwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LoyalTea 2017</td></tr>
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<b>The Elephant in the Room</b><br />
<br />
I can't not go there. <br />
<br />
<i>*sigh*</i><br />
<br />
I have a personal theory that the degree to which you can completely ignore and/or avoid the political arena and social upheaval in 2017 is roughly equal to the amount of your privilege. As a brown <strike>person</strike> <b>woman</b> living in America, the battles come to my door whether I like it or not. Trust me when I say that I am aware that I have a great deal of privilege of my own. I'm college educated, live comfortably, and have gainful employment. My city is a the bright blue oasis amidst a sea of red. So even I have had to come to terms with the fact that we have to deal with the ugly things that we don't enjoy thinking, talking, or writing about. Racism, sexism, classism, assault, suppression...it's always been there. #MeToo is too real. We have to actually, truly deal with all of this if we are to really get past it. Silence is complacency, remember that. As crazy as this year has been, and as low as we have gone, I harbor a piece of optimism about the future. Women will save us all, mark my words. (Especially Black women. Remember that, Mr. Jones.)<br />
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<b>Onward 2018</b><br />
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The best part about New Year's Eve is looking towards the next one and telling yourself<b> </b>how much better it will be. I swear I am not being cynical; we have to do this or else how would we recover from the collective hangover after December ends? I have plenty to look forward to!<br />
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For one, I'm returning to Paris in April. Both of my parents traveled extensively through their time in the US Air Force. I've noticed that their favorite stories are usually the ones where they wandered off by themselves for awhile, so I come by that honestly. And what started out as another planned solo venture has become a Mother-Daughter duo. Mom is coming with me! If memory serves me, she hasn't been back to Europe since leaving Germany in 2001, and she's raring to go. We will meet up in the airport in Reykjavik and fly on to Paris together, walking and eating our way through it all with gusto, I'm sure. I will practice the following phrase, <i>"<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="fr" tabindex="-1"><span class="">C'est ma mère, pas ma sœur."</span></span></i><br />
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There's always work to do, friends and family to see, relationships to cultivate, trips to take, and what is sure to be one hell of a midterm election season. We press onward through all of it.<br />
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Wishing you and yours a prosperous New Year!</div>
emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-62839671093981718132016-12-31T18:36:00.001-08:002016-12-31T18:42:38.538-08:00New Year's Eve 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I won't lie to you, readers. I've felt a bit apprehensive about sitting down to write this all week. I haven't missed a Year-End blog post since I started writing them in 2009, however, and I'm not about to stop now.<br />
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Objectively speaking, 2016 was a wonderful year for me.<br />
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I started out with a brief escape from Pennsylvania winter to spend a long weekend with my brother and his family in Florida. I hadn't seen them since The Great Flight From San Diego of 2014. Going two years without seeing a sibling is, unfortunately, just the reality of my life since we all left the family home and dispersed throughout the globe. Going two years without seeing my nephews and niece, however, is positively mind-boggling because of the amount of growing that kids do in that span of time. They fascinate and delight me. I'm so blessed to the their Tía Maria, and I can finally understand why it is that my own Tías fussed over me so much! They <i>still</i> do! 😆<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 2016: Freezing at the Beach!</td></tr>
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<br />
In October 2015, I accepted a position as a trainer for my sorority. It's a volunteer role that I share with around 70 other sisters, whereby we travel to chapters and alumnae associations throughout the US and Canada and give workshops on educational topics, such as team building, delegation, leadership, communication styles, etc. As I mentioned, it's totally voluntary, and it's up to us how often we do it, because it's all based on our availability and interest. <br />
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We're just asked to do at least two per year. Easy, right? Well--I did eight. <br />
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Six of those were within 3 months. And four of those six? They were at the chapters that happen to fall within the western PA area. On the fifth of the six spring visits, I was at a chapter leading a workshop on the benefits of being a member of an organization. We were <i>really</i> cooking in there, having a rich discussion on the perceptions that people have about Greek Letter Organizations, why we all chose to join one, why we stayed, and how it's benefitted us, etc. I left the campus feeling simultaneously great about the workshop, and ridiculous for having preached about alumnae associations when I myself hadn't had much to do with one in the 11 years since I graduated college and took alumna status. I resolved rectify that, so I went looking for Pittsburgh's local organization to see how I could get involved with it.<br />
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I found out how pretty quickly. It turned out that they had an immediate opening for Alumnae Association President.<br />
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<i>I mean, if it's open and nobody else wants it...</i>😬<br />
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I won't lie to you, readers--I'm really enjoying it. It's been a lot of work and a steep learning curve, but it's a labor of love and has been so rewarding. In eight months I've met so many incredible women and spent a lot of time collaborating, networking, strategizing, and wondering what the best time of day to post to Instagram is. (Turns out it's about 8pm on Mondays.) I look forward to seeing our organization continue to grow next year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honoring past Association Presidents at Founders Day 2016</td></tr>
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Because I have been focusing so much on the alumnae association this year, I did have to let a few other things take a bit of a backseat. I stopped taking regular bellydance classes during the week in the latter half of the year, and I chose to go for more weekend intensive workshops with guest teachers instead. This has actually worked out quite beautifully because it's allowed me to get more exposure to different styles. Unexpectedly, it was at the annual Pittsburgh Bellydance Festival that I had a brush with a different genre of dance altogether, and it's inspired me in the best kind of way. A guest flamenco dancer at the festival did a performance that lit something inside of me in a way that hasn't happened since, well, the first time I saw a live bellydancer! It took me almost 4 years after that first sighting to actually take lessons, but this time I'm not waiting that long. I followed the dancer's trail to a local performance group, attended their final show of 2016, and decided to keep following my guts into flamenco lessons starting next weekend. I still plan to continue taking bellydance workshops, and when the time is right, I will eventually go back to either troupe or solo performing. I'm so thankful for such a supportive Pittsburgh dance community that makes those opportunities possible!<br />
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As for my other great love, travel, I took my standard 2 week jaunt across the pond in August. I re-visited Paris, got in my 10th trip to Germany, and finally <u><i>FINALLY</i></u> went to Switzerland. Finally. 🙏 Six years of German and 3 months of French pay dividends when you visit a country where people greet you with "Guten Tag" and thank you with "Merci". Or was it greetings with "Bonjour" and closing transactions with "Danke"? All I know is, I would love to go back and see more, because 2 days in Bern are just a tease. I'm pleased to say that next year's big adventure will be all new, for I've booked a trip to Scandinavia by way of Iceland for my birthday in September, as was my declaration when I returned from Eurotrip 2015.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szdyjEnTVKo/WGhn8MHx4PI/AAAAAAAAGWU/qbpGWKgS4ZkhzwrxFcp8_mQkcN07loaIgCLcB/s1600/on%2Btop%2Bof%2Bthe%2Beiffel%2Btower%2B2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szdyjEnTVKo/WGhn8MHx4PI/AAAAAAAAGWU/qbpGWKgS4ZkhzwrxFcp8_mQkcN07loaIgCLcB/s320/on%2Btop%2Bof%2Bthe%2Beiffel%2Btower%2B2016.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perched atop the Eiffel Tower</td></tr>
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Dear reader, I am grateful for everything that I have, of which there is much. I'm gainfully employed in a career that I like, that challenges me, and that I can see going far. The bachelorette pad is shaping up nicely and I love my neighborhood. I saw all four Best Friends for the second year in a row. My cats are still awesome (if not a little high maintenance). I'm healthy. I've been made Tía for a fifth time over with the arrival of my newest nephew and second Godson this December. It bears repeating: 2016 was a wonderful year for me. Objectively speaking.<br />
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And yet...<br />
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<i>And yet...</i><br />
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I am deeply, deeply troubled by the events surrounding and including the 2016 US Presidential Election. I haven't felt this kind of general anxiety and unease since the day after my 19th birthday, which happened to be September 11th, 2001.<br />
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All year long waking up to news about unarmed black men being shot by law enforcement officers, and the tension and controversy that's ensued since, was only a prelude to Election Night. I haven't felt fully myself since that day, and I'm starting to get used to the idea that I will never feel quite the same again. Millions have been changed by the results. That change, however, doesn't necessarily have to be for the worse. In fact, a part of me can actually see the long term good in popping the bubbles we surround ourselves in and getting punched in the face by reality.<br />
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Where I'm at is here: there always have been, and always will be things in our life that are within our sphere of control or influence, and there have always been, and always will be things in our life that are completely out of either. We have to figure out which is which, and deal accordingly.<br />
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Things in my sphere of control:<br />
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<li>What I say</li>
<li>What I do</li>
<li>Where I spend my time, and who with</li>
<li>How I spend my money</li>
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That's about it. </div>
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Things not in my sphere of control? Cabinet appointments, wars, and what other people think about me or how they vote.<br />
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Also not within my control? My feelings. Words and actions are controllable, but feelings are what they are. Over the years, I've learned not to look to others to validate them, and been better off for it.<br />
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By and large, I'm looking to just keep doing my thing in 2017, with some minor course corrections to get my mental and physical health to where I'd like them to be. Politically, economically, and socially, things might get a lot worse before they get a lot better, but all I can do is my best to be resilient and hopeful.<br />
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Wishing you and yours a happy and prosperous New Year. Cheers.<br />
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emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-55008469564087123162015-12-31T14:09:00.000-08:002015-12-31T14:17:00.890-08:00New Year's Eve 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome back, dear readers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">It's been an entire year since I've bothered to update my blog, so let's get right to it.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">If I had to pick one word to describe 2015 for me, I would say "substantial".</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Early in the year, I made good on last year's New Year's Eve declaration that I would move back into my own place. Although I moved back to Pittsburgh with the intent to buy within a short time of my return, the very idea quickly became overwhelming and even a bit impractical. I only really knew the northern suburbs where I grew up, and hadn't really explored different city neighborhoods well enough to know where I wanted to live permanently, so I changed my tactic and decided to take time to get to know the area better and go back to renting. I went looking for an apartment the way I've always done it for the last 8 years: Craigslist. Yes, people still use that site! I have a strong aversion to apartment complexes, but fortunately for me, Pittsburgh has a plethora of single and multi-family homes on offer, and on the very first day of my search, I found a duplex in a fantastic neighborhood that is very walkable and within an easy commuting distance of my office downtown. For almost the same price as what I was paying in San Diego, it has well over twice the space and I even have my own washer and dryer like a real grown-up! Starting back over from scratch in terms of furnishing and decorating an apartment has been challenging but fun, and I really like the way it's shaping up. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Following a painul breakup in the Spring, I started to focus on a couple of different things as a way to cope. But before I get into those, I'd like to thank everyone who saw me through the aftermath of the early days. My natural cat-like tendencies are to crawl into a hole alone to die when I'm faced with a tough emotional situation, but I knew I couldn't get through this one alone, and I was right. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">So, this is what I've been up to in 2015.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="color: #222222;" /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">#1. Dancing the Blues Away</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></b></h3>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I left my old dance studio and then started grad school a year later, I went on "sabbatical" from belly dancing. I use that term in quotes because it's not like I was a professional or anything. At the time that I stopped dancing, I realized that not only did I not have time for it, but I just didn't have the passion for it either. I knew that I would always go back when I was ready, though, so I hung onto a few costumes and all of my props. Well, in April that spark came back! I picked up a search for local dance teachers and found a studio not too far from my work area that had regular classes in a style that I was familiar with, and also did troupe performances. I showed up for a class the following week, and I felt welcomed immediately. To say that returning to dancing did me good was an understatement. Within a few months, my glorious foot callouses returned--a badge of honor among bellydancers--and I was even performing with the troupe. I've taken lessons with several different area teachers now, and have delighted in learning new techniques and being challenged in styles and movements that weren't in my repertoire. I've also gained a greater appreciation for the foundational training that I did have, because a lot of things came back in muscle memory, even if my stamina wasn't where it once was. It's felt amazing physically, but as any dancer can tell you, the emotional benefits are also immense. Sometimes in those early weeks, the couple hours I spent in the studio were the only break that I got from constantly thinking about my ex. One of the women I took a workshop with said something once that really stuck with me, "No matter what else is going on in your life, dance is always there for you." I'm so grateful for everyone that I have been dancing with, and I look forward to continue dancing with you into the new year!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gypsy skirts are magic</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#2 Literally, Back to the Drawing Board</span></b></h3>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to draw all the time when I was a kid, and carried it well into my adolescence. I've still got stacks of old sketch books, copies of school concert programs that I designed, heck, even a pen and ink sketch that won me a ribbon in a drawing contest and hung in the halls of one of my old elementary schools until I went back and retrieved it as an adult. (To be honest, I just wanted to SEE it, and the front office staff insisted that I take it with me. Haha, were they just tired of looking at the thing?) I even started out in college as a fashion design major. I rather quickly realized that I didn't want to make a career of it, and my desire to draw dwindled to the point where I only did it for class assignments. Ever since then, I was relegated to the occasional doodle and that was about it. Around the same time that I went looking for the dance lessons, I also bought myself a little sketch book and a set of colored pencils and set about doing a 30 Day Drawing Challenge that I found on Instagram. It was a bit rough going at first, and there were definitely days when I didn't feel like drawing, but by the time I finished, I was so happy to have reclaimed my artistic side. I've even given a few drawings as gifts to friends and family this year. This year for Christmas, I asked for my Secret Santa to give me coloring books, and she delivered not only on that, but a sweet set of all kinds of drawing tools--chalk, markers, oil pastels! I've never even worked with that last one before, so I'm looking forward to starting to experiment with it soon. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">30 Day Drawing Challenge 1-16</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">#3 Kept on Travelin'</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></b></h3>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My perennial travel buddy, Tina, and I had been planning a return to Europe together for awhile now. I don't rightly recall how we landed on London and Paris, but I'm glad we did because even though I had been to both cities before, it was for such a brief visit that I wanted to return and get deeper into them. This trip deserves its own post, as my Eurotrips usually get, but, eh, I was busy when I got back. Or lazy. Both. It was less frenetic than our 6-states-in-10-days tour of New England in 2014, but still pretty packed for two major cities in a little less than two weeks. In this trip, I learned that I am as madly in love with London as ever, and that those French lessons that I took for 3 months after my first trip to Paris actually paid off pretty nicely. I was able to order most meals entirely in French, which is generally my measure of success when traveling abroad, haha! I also decided that if I'm going to visit more than one big city in the same trip again, I'll either take more time in them, or try to actually stick to one country and only one major city, but also see more of the lesser-known areas. As fun as it was, I was exhausted when I got back home! Of course, I say that, and then I've already started planning a multi-city tour of Scandinavia for my 35th birthday...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">#4 Wormed Through Books</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></b></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was a total bookworm when I was younger. When I changed my undergrad major from fashion design to English Literature, guess what other joy got sucked out of me? That's right: reading for pleasure all but went out the window after that. It didn't go quite so far away as drawing did. I can say that I did become quite the library junkie for several years that I lived in San Diego, but by and large, I stopped reading with much consistency for much of my adult life. After the breakup, I started with an embarrassingly large stack of relationship books, including Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. Don't judge. I was in a low place. When I was done going through all of those, that gave way to books on financial planning. I opened up a Roth IRA. I re-balanced my budget. I paid off some old debts. As of this morning, I re-financed my graduate student loans. And then when I was satisfied with all that reading for hard knowledge and self-improvement, I simply glided back into for-pleasure endeavors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>H</span><span style="color: #222222;">ere are my Top 3 favorite books from the year, not necessarily in ranked order.</span></span><br />
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;" value="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Born-Teeth-Memoir-Kate-Mulgrew/dp/0316334324/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451599477&sr=8-1&keywords=born+with+teeth" target="_blank">Born With Teeth</a>, a memoir by Kate Mulgrew. I swallowed it whole. This woman was born for drama.</span></li>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;" value="2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-You-Reasons-Single/dp/0399162879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451599548&sr=8-1&keywords=it%27s+not+you+27+wrong+reasons+you%27re+single" target="_blank">It's Not You: 27 (Wrong) Reasons You're Single</a> by Sara Eckel. She was like the older sister I never had who sat me down for some no-B.S. talk and made me see that finding meaningful love in life is mostly just timing and luck and <i>nothing is wrong </i>with a person just because they are of "a certain age" and single.</span></li>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;" value="3"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1408866749/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1451599577&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</a> by Elizabeth Gilbert. I was as crazy about Eat.Pray.Love. as the rest of the basics of the world (p.s. I'm not really basic), but I really began to fall in mad love with Liz Gilbert when I read this book because it's all about working with your creative side, which, as I already wrote, was a big thing for me this year.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other goings-on this year included my acceptance of a volunteer trainer position with my sorority, and I co-organized and attended a 10 year reunion for my chapter's senior class. I had a visit from my favorite German friend and his sister and got to play tour guide to my lovely city. There have been many great get-togethers with my friends, some of which are rapidly becoming annual traditions. I saw all four of my Best Friends this year, which is a big deal because two of them live in other states. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I recently took a different position at my company and effectively changed careers, one that its interesting and challenges me, and that I can see leading to great things. I adopted a couple of cats that came from different homes, and, mercifully, are getting along pretty darn well.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">In Sum...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Life has been good. In the coming year, I mostly just want to keep going on an upward trajectory with the things that I've been doing and maybe get another passport stamp.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">And now, off to claim my glass of champagne. Happy New Year!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></div>
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emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-87393633220759000462014-12-31T15:27:00.000-08:002014-12-31T15:27:19.349-08:002014 in Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers to 2014!</td></tr>
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All year I've been wondering when I would get around to posting an entry in 2014. Well, here I am, procrastinating and cutting it close as usual.<br />
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After all, it's been a huge year for me. I moved cross-country back to Pittsburgh after The Great Adventure that was my life from mid 2006 until this January. Just a few days after my last entry from 2013, my good friend Ralph flew over from Germany to visit me in my last 10 days on the West Coast. This is us to the right celebrating my last Ring in the New Year Party with my former employer.<br />
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Then, one of my very best friends and undoubtedly my road dawg, Tina, flew out to San Diego and helped me not only pack up my apartment, but also get rid of 3/4ths of it on the free section of Craigslist to a massive swarm of people, <i>and </i>drove with me as far as Kansas City in 2 days. One of the nights we spent driving through the night, alternating every 2 hours so the other could rest. If that is not a true friend, I do not know what is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvRstK8S-lw/VKR8_l_8W6I/AAAAAAAAF9E/z65GVYaJ5oU/s1600/1528698_884529783469_1965455687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvRstK8S-lw/VKR8_l_8W6I/AAAAAAAAF9E/z65GVYaJ5oU/s1600/1528698_884529783469_1965455687_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing at some point late at night</td></tr>
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Once returned, I faced down one of the worst winters I can remember. I basically white-knuckled my way through it and reminded myself that Spring and Summer in the Northeast are fantastically green and lush, which is something I actually missed while living in the temperate San Diego climate.<br />
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During those two seasons, I got to take a few get-aways with some of my best friends--Liz, Tina and I to Nashville, TN and Lindsey and me for a concert in Cleveland. I went to a Pirates game with a bunch of old friends from high school. I spent many a summer evening sipping cool drinks on either my parents' back deck or in Liz's living room. I became part of Yelps Elite squad and attended as many events as I could in order to further my goal of re-acquainting myself with the city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeWB6iej-3Y/VKSDyPwF-FI/AAAAAAAAF9c/NS5Ul6xNNSg/s1600/IMG_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeWB6iej-3Y/VKSDyPwF-FI/AAAAAAAAF9c/NS5Ul6xNNSg/s1600/IMG_0034.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a Bruno Mars Concert</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BEczZQTfiQ/VKSEITbTNZI/AAAAAAAAF-M/wEe5jrcK1j0/s1600/IMG_1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BEczZQTfiQ/VKSEITbTNZI/AAAAAAAAF-M/wEe5jrcK1j0/s1600/IMG_1587.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the Nashville sunshine</td></tr>
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By the fall, my schedule was in full swing crazy. I attended three weddings in six weeks, two of which were out of town. One of those was back in San Diego, and let me tell you, going back after 9 months was really rather weird. I do have my moments of missing California living and I don't regret the time I spent there one bit, but in the 4 days I spent back in Los Angeles and San Diego, I realized that it no longer felt quite like home. I am really glad that I went back, though, and I want to take people back to San Diego for vacation as often as I can, especially those who weren't able to visit me while I lived there. <i>*coughLindseycough*</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VhzLhnX-gkE/VKSD2PIMgII/AAAAAAAAF9s/QUbzv26cgJ4/s1600/IMG_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VhzLhnX-gkE/VKSD2PIMgII/AAAAAAAAF9s/QUbzv26cgJ4/s1600/IMG_0270.jpg" height="200" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding #1: Pittsburgh, PA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0FO6yaTWzU/VKSD23mn4BI/AAAAAAAAF94/HLS_oH_FpB8/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0FO6yaTWzU/VKSD23mn4BI/AAAAAAAAF94/HLS_oH_FpB8/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding #2: San Diego, CA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQl3w5xQzIw/VKSD2573pBI/AAAAAAAAF90/YY00vQ4MFLc/s1600/IMG_0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQl3w5xQzIw/VKSD2573pBI/AAAAAAAAF90/YY00vQ4MFLc/s1600/IMG_0498.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding #3: Rochester, NY</td></tr>
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Later on in the year I got to take a great adventurous road trip in New England with Tina (3x of us seeing each other in one year is definitely some sort of awesome record, btw), and I fell in love with the state of Maine and the city of Boston. I would go back to either in a heartbeat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96S4DVR-Fw8/VKSD4vbde_I/AAAAAAAAF-A/AgiKcc-6V8Q/s1600/IMG_0514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96S4DVR-Fw8/VKSD4vbde_I/AAAAAAAAF-A/AgiKcc-6V8Q/s1600/IMG_0514.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An all-too-brief stop in Portsmouth, NH</td></tr>
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As the year wound down, I got to meet the newest member of my family, my second eldest brother's first child. It meant a trip back to Tacoma, WA, which is actually where I myself was born and spent the first 8 years of my life. I hadn't been back in all this time since, so it was really incredibly surreal to see old familiar sights and spend time with my family where it all began, or so to speak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWNww6JBt6U/VKSEB5uD9cI/AAAAAAAAF-I/Y2r1VHXv3EM/s1600/IMG_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWNww6JBt6U/VKSEB5uD9cI/AAAAAAAAF-I/Y2r1VHXv3EM/s1600/IMG_0636.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud papa right there!</td></tr>
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I also lost a dear member of the family, the four-legged kind. Miss Amelia passed away quietly on October 2nd, just shy of 7 years since I adopted her. She was about 17 years old. In the end, she completely stopped eating--only barely chewing enough wet food to take her hyper-thyroid medication--and was generally listless. The last morning I saw her alive, I gave her a kiss on the head and told her I loved her. My parents found her body that evening. No one was surprised, but we were sad all the same. I miss her all the time, and I like to think of her in a sun patch somewhere. Someday, I will get another cat and I even have designs on getting a dog, but that's further down the road.<br />
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Now that I'm staring down the barrel of the last 6 hours of the year, I find myself in awe of where my life is now compared to where it was a year ago. It's so different living back in the Northeast, and in most ways it's good. I like to think that I've brought a lot of the lessons that I learned in CA with me, but I'm also really appreciating Pittsburgh for what it is. Even if I don't stay here forever, it's where I need to be right now, and it feels good to know that.<br />
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So what's in store for 2015? First of all, I'm itching to get some stamps back in my passport since all of my travel this year was domestic. Tina and I have been tossing around a visit to the UK, and I am really dying to get back to Germany, especially Berlin, and particularly because it will be 20 years since my first trip to Europe.<br />
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Secondly, I signed up for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon again. Kill me.<br />
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Thirdly, I will be looking to get back into my own place by next Spring. The arrangement of living at home with my folks has been working out beautifully, but I am ready to re-establish my own homestead and be closer to the city.<br />
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Wishing you and yours all the health and prosperity in the New Year!<br />
<br />
Maria<br />
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emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-88147052131928615452013-12-28T11:01:00.001-08:002013-12-28T14:55:18.952-08:00Finding Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Home can be a complicated concept to people who spent most of their early life on the move. I'm quite proud of the fact that I grew up as an Air Force Brat, for even with all its drawbacks (no "legitimate" hometown, a one to two year expiration date on best friends because one or both of your parents got orders to another base in a different city, state, or even country, etc.), I have become quite an adaptable person. I can pick up and go and make a home pretty much anywhere.<br />
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It's with that attitude that I packed up my 1994 Honda Civic and pulled out of my parents townhouse in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA in June 2006 and drove clear across the country to San Diego, CA. I was young, just a year out of college, and working a temporary job, and wilting on the vine in the decidedly uninteresting life of a suburban dweller with no significant other and precious few local friends with whom I had managed to stay in contact with. When my friend Patrick, who himself had recently moved to San Diego, suggested that I come out there, I didn't hesitate to say yes and sign on for the Next Big Adventure.<br />
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Over the next seven plus years, I learned how to make friends who weren't already built into my social circle by way of school or work, reconnected with my maternal extended family in Los Angeles, discovered the inner world explorer who had no qualms riding public transportation in foreign cities where I didn't necessarily speak the local language, developed a taste for quality inexpensive wine and the concept of "whole" foods, put myself through graduate school, and launched a career. There were some lessons that were harder to learn, like concept of "cost of living" and what it means in one of the most expensive regions of the country, as well as the emotional consequences of living 2,400 miles away from family and friends if you are the type that cares to see them with any sort of frequency.<br />
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Anyone who knows me well knows that I've been making overtures to leaving San Diego for quite some time--if not for some foreign country (and likely European at that), than perhaps further north up the West Coast to San Francisco where all the hot jobs are, or even up to Seattle where I have more family to tie myself to, and for a brief period I was even eyeballing the Chicagoland area, where I have a reasonably strong alumni network from my undergrad days. By and large, however, it had been a lot of talk and very little action. Life in San Diego has been good to me and it would take something rather monumental for me to give it up.<br />
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Just a few months ago I was enjoying an impromptu lunch with a business school buddy, and we got to talking about our futures. I mentioned that I was looking into jobs up in the Bay Area and Seattle. "<i>I don't know...</i>", I said between bites of an impossibly hipster Whole Foods salad, "<i>I just don't see myself moving back East now.</i>" The thought of coming back to the northeast/mid-Atlantic of the US, while not completely out of the realm of possibility, has for years come with a sense of unease. Like I was giving up on something--myself, perhaps. My dreams of being the captain of my own destiny who decided where she wanted to be and when, no matter how impossible a move it may seem. Going back East felt like it would be...settling. And I found that decidedly <i>un</i>settling.<br />
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A few weeks later I saw a post on Facebook from a high school friend. There was a high school lip dub contest between Pittsburgh area schools for the best original music video to one of a short list of songs that they could choose from. My Alma Mater chose the upbeat Imagine Dragons song, "<a href="http://www.961kiss.com/pages/freakshow.html?article=11805028" target="_blank">On Top of the World</a>", and was brilliantly done as a one shot walk-through of the Senior High School with students decked out in everything from spirit t-shirts to band uniforms to hockey jerseys to choir robes singing along. I must have watched it 2 or 3 times in one sitting just to take it all in. I puffed up with pride and shared the post with other friends, reveling in my school's continued ass-kicking excellence in pulling off any type of musical production. (Seneca Valley has been well known regionally for its strong music/performing arts programs for decades.)<br />
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I walked around with an ear-worm for the next day or two, and on the third night I had a dream about it. I was with everyone, singing along and bouncing through the halls of SVHS without a care in the world.<br />
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Until I woke up. The very first words that formed in my head when I opened my eyes were, "<i><b>I want to come home.</b></i>" With a clarity I hadn't felt in years, the words kept bouncing around in my head like the juniors and seniors through the brick halls of the high school. I want to come home. I <i>am</i> coming home.<br />
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And just like a cell that can lie dormant for years, that innocuous video awoke something in me that I feel viscerally, almost physically. Suddenly, the idea of willfully living so far from my loved ones back East--and even going so far as to settle down and start a family that far way--seems repugnant. <br />
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The events of next several weeks after that revelation went by pretty quickly, and without going into all of the minutiae of it all, let's just say that I am extremely fortunate to have an excellent professional contact in an old friend from high school, which gave me the foot in the door that I needed to put my best MBA sales skills to work and I was offered a very good position with a fantastic Pittsburgh-based company after just a couple rounds of phone interviews. I start my new job in late January.<br />
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Since I have been telling people, I'm often asked why I'm giving up paradise to move back to Pennsylvania--in the heart of winter, no less--and I have to laugh a bit at the special sort of harmless narcissism that Southern Californians in possess when it comes to their climate. When I announced it in my staff meeting, I must have heard the word "weather" and "cold" a dozen times in 30 seconds. Yes, San Diego is paradise. The weather, the beaches, the people: all beautiful. It is, after all, America's Finest City. There's no denying that I will miss not just the amenities of such a city itself, but I will of course truly miss the genuinely good and wonderful people that I have the pleasure of calling friends and co-workers. I'm sure I will especially question my sanity by the second or third time I find myself scraping a layer of snow from my windshield, and likely the very first time I so much as fishtail on an icy road. I may have learned to drive in all kinds of weather conditions in my teens and early 20s--including precarious snow and ice--but it doesn't mean I have to like it.<br />
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On the balance, though, what I will gain from this return to my adopted hometown does far outweigh what I will lose by leaving San Diego. It's simply time for me to come back after having learned countless valuable lessons that make me appreciate being in PA far more than I would have if I never left. "<i>One must make an educated decision before deciding to settle down in Pittsburgh</i>," my friend Liz and I declared to anyone who cared to listen to us while we watched the Steelers game at the bar last Sunday. She is another high school friend who lived several years in Europe with her Dutch boyfriend-turned-husband before deciding to return to Pennsylvania last year.<br />
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I look forward to seeing my parents more often than just once a year--many many many more times with one set of them since I'm, heh, moving back in with them to save some money for awhile--and to being a real live person to my best friend's twin babies instead of just a Skyped face on a laptop, to enjoying the lush greenness of the Pennsylvania landscape after winter passes, to re-discovering Pittsburgh city proper up close and personally with fresh eyes, to buying my first home, to meeting some fine young man who has no qualms enabling my travel addiction...and to many more things that I'll discover over the coming months and years, I'm sure.<br />
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Yes, I'm coming home soon, and it feels good.</div>
emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-42610338807844361072013-09-23T08:36:00.002-07:002013-12-01T19:30:17.179-08:00Review: Tieks by Gavrielli<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For this year's Eurotrip, I was determined to have an extremely comfortable, versatile, well-made pair of shoes. This was particularly important for my relatively minimalistic approach to packing--only one small rollerboard suitcase and one Vera Bradley Weekender. In years past I've brought over a big 26"-er and at <i>least</i> 3 pairs of shoes and I decided that was just too much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AbbGSV77H6w/UkBda65PPxI/AAAAAAAAFV0/z4GcnLZUvsg/s1600/IMG_2760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AbbGSV77H6w/UkBda65PPxI/AAAAAAAAFV0/z4GcnLZUvsg/s320/IMG_2760.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was all I'm taking for 2 weeks in Europe!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm..She's thinking about throwing up on them later.</td></tr>
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Early in my search I found out about <a href="http://www.tieks.com/" target="_blank">Tieks by Gavrielli</a>, which are handmade Italian leather flats that <a href="http://tieks.com/olist/" target="_blank">Oprah</a> is just in luuuuurve with.</div>
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Now...don't let the sticker shock put you off <i>too</i> much. They start at $175 a pair. We're talking hand crafted! Leather! And a vegan option if you prefer not to wear animal products. </div>
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The price was daunting, but I've reached a point in my life where I'm willing and able to invest more in quality footwear.</div>
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Eventually, I took the plunge and ordered a leopard print pair. I was so excited to have my "moment" opening that adorable teal box with the flower headband wrapped around it that I saw every other blogger write about. I took out the shoes and put them on and immediately thought, "Ahhh...they really <i>do</i> feel like clouds."</div>
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Then, about 15 minutes later, reality came crashing down on the big toe of my right foot. I have what I suspect to be a growing bunion problem. It's quite common in women--even women ilke me who don't wear pointy shoes and avoid ones with a narrow toe box in general. My mom just had surgery to remove one a few weeks ago, in fact. I had noticed this issue in ballet flats and my feet before, and with leather shoes I just powered through it until the shoe gave. This time I wasn't so sure--I had to have some shoes ready to walk Europe with me by the end of the next week.</div>
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I took to Twitter and contacted @tieks, and "Tieks Girl" responded almost immediately. I explained the issue and declared that I'd order the next size up to try them on. Tieks Girl suggested that walking around wearing the shoes with a thick pair of socks does wonders for bunions.</div>
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Hmm. Maybe she's on to something.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE the teal box and purple flower. My power colors!</td></tr>
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The next size up pair arrived in a matter of days, and I tried them on. I could tell right away that they were just too big. Having shoes that slip and rub against the back and sides of your foot because they're too big isn't good either, so I did as Tieks suggested. Every day for the few days left leading up to my trip, I wore those suckers with the thickest pair of hiking socks I own. The bunion still hurt, but I was determined to break in the shoes.</div>
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Long story short, I went off to Europe an found that wearing the Tieks was excruciatingly painful on the outer edges of my feet. I ended up MacGuyver-ing Band-Aids and ear plugs to cushion the tender spots. That worked brilliantly; I'm really glad I brought so many of them with me! The Tieks and I turned a crucial corner the day I went to Disneyland Paris and it poured rain all day. I knew my feet weren't going to stay dry, but I tried my best by putting on a pair of my running socks, and then wearing little plastic bags around my toes. I just didn't want my bandage-earplug-cushion contraption to soak off.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's a little rain?</td></tr>
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When we finally made it back into our hotel room, I of course took them off and stuffed them with paper to try and dry them overnight. The next morning when I went to put them on, they were still a little damp, but <i>they fit amazingly well</i>! I know leather and water aren't two things you normally want to put together, but I think some combination of that, the socks, and walking around like that all day really did the trick of getting those suckers to mold themselves to my foot.</div>
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For the last few days of my vacation, I just needed to wear Band-aids around the spots of my feet that were still tender and a bit raw. Otherwise, the Tieks finally fit me as comfortably as they should. Since I've been back home in the US, I wear them to work almost every day. In fact, I put myself on the waiting list for a black pair that go with everything. (I happen to think leopard print goes with everything too, but perhaps not every day...)</div>
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Pictured below are my feet as of yesterday. (Foot fetishizers, enjoy.) The dark spots at the base of my big toes and pinkie toes are where I was running into problems. I've had this happen to me in almost every pair of ballet flats that I've ever owned, so I'm not blaming this on the design and/or construction of the Tieks at all. I'm not blaming this on anyone; that's just what my feet are like and I have to deal with it accordingly. </div>
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Would I recommend Tieks for anyone else with bunions? Maybe. If you're willing to wear some sort of cushioning device until you can break them in to the point where you don't need cushions, by all means, go for it. I've read other gals on the Internet say that they do just buy the next size up in order to compensate for their bunions. It's all up to you, naturally. I like these shoes; they are versatile, comfortable (all of the above notwithstanding), and of quality construction. I was able to save so much room by only bringing them and a pair of running shoes. </div>
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<i>Update October 2013: I did get the black pair, and had almost no issues at all from day one, and within a few wears they were totally broken in. I think the leopard pair was much tighter/had less give at first because it's a painted leather. I'll keep that in mind for future pairs.</i></div>
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<i>Update December 2013: ...and then I got one of the vegan pairs, the Sunset Stripe. Hey, I got 20% off during their holiday promo--I had to! These are still in the break-in stage. Although, this time it's my toes that are doing the work. Bunion is a non-issue in this pair as well.</i></div>
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*<i>I wasn't paid by Vera Bradley or Tieks to write this post at all...but I would totally accept any merchandise to test out. ;-)</i></div>
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emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-30067744401484766002013-09-15T08:33:00.000-07:002013-09-18T07:05:47.144-07:00Eurotrip 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Jetlag sucks. It's 6:33 PDT on a Sunday morning, and I've been wide awake for 4 hours. I might as well do some more blogging about my most recent European vacation, eh?<br />
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As with <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2012/06/whole-wide-world.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, and the year before that, I took a solid 2 weeks. Anything less is unacceptable!<br />
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<b>Grüß Gott, Bayern!</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's get this party started!</td></tr>
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My friend Ralph moved to the southern state of Bavaria for work, but with the logistics of the situation and the fact that he didn't have his own apartment yet, it didn't make sense for me to go there when I went to Germany in 2012. This year, however, it worked out perfectly! Up until this point, I had spent nearly all my time in the Rhineland area (where my family lived while my mom and later my brother were stationed there in the USAF), Dortmund in the north (where Ralph used to live), and Offenburg (Ralph's hometown). Over the years I've come to understand that Bavaria is, ehm, <i>unique</i>. It's actually the most highly visible culture that people from my part of the world (the US) have come to think of as quintessential German. Think lederhosen, brass bands, beer, and pretzels. Oktoberfest, beer maids spilling out of their dirndls. You get the picture. The truth is, Bavaria is to Germany as Texas is to the US. It's a very distinct region that is <i>not</i> representative of the rest of the country! Most Germans have never worn a pair of lederhosen or dirndl in their lives and to do so would be pretty out of place outside of Bavaria, just as you wouldn't normally wear ten gallon hats and cowboy boots in New York or Seattle. And that's just an oversimplification of the culture--there's much more to it than clothes and food.<br />
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All that said, I was eager to visit this region and experience it firsthand. Because I wanted to take advantage of the Labor Day holiday and celebrate my birthday in Europe, I missed Oktoberfest by a week. That's ok, though, because in the city where my friend lives, they have a bi-annual festival that is essentially the exact same thing on a smaller, less-touristy scale. It's called the Plärrer, and it's fantastic. Yours truly went to an outlet shop and bought a complete dirndl outfit, pictured above. And, true to form, there was plenty of beer, pretzels, singing, and dancing. Lucky for me, the band played mostly pop and rock songs in English as well, so I could really get into it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prost!!</td></tr>
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Augsburg, where he lives, is a lovely and very old city--third oldest in Europe after Neuss and Trier, in fact. It's not too big, not too small, and an easy distance from Munich.<br />
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<b>Wunderschönen München</b><br />
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Speaking of Munich, we totally went there, natürlich! I don't know what more can be said of this city that hasn't been already. It's gorgeous. We listened to a Rick Steves audio tour and saw all kinds of interesting things, like a memorial that locals took over to dedicate to Michael Jackson after he died, a posh grocery store that has an entire basement full of Milka products, and a lovely biergarten/marketplace area where I tried to get one of the famous local weißwursts to go with my beer, but was given a bratwurst instead. (I think maybe the lady at the stall didn't think I actually knew what I was asking for? Oh well; the bratwurst was fine.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's begin our tour in Marienplatz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was across from a hotel where MJ usually stayed.</td></tr>
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<b>Bonus Side Trip!</b><br />
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If I'm going to travel 7,000+ miles across the globe, I'm going to squeeze in at least a day trip another big city. With US holidays being so abysmally short compared to <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/100769597" target="_blank">the rest of the Western world</a>, one must simply work with the time one has! Two years ago my bonus city was Amsterdam. Last year it was London. This year it was Salzburg in Austria, just a 3 hour train ride from Munich. Actually, we spent a day here before we made it into Munich another day--my post is slightly out of order--and we listened to a Rick Steves tour guide here too. At Mr. Steves' recommendation, we walked, ate, and drank our way through the old town and had a couple shots of schnapps at a distillery that was featured on his tv show.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mozart spent his youth in Salzburg before ditching it for Vienna.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dct4v4AWSqY/UjXBOzZBflI/AAAAAAAAFTY/dFC2Rw1whos/s1600/IMG_2843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dct4v4AWSqY/UjXBOzZBflI/AAAAAAAAFTY/dFC2Rw1whos/s320/IMG_2843.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm...fruity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This local restaurant was clearly proud of their feature in the Rick Steves guide book!</td></tr>
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The tour took us through the old town, but there was obviously a lot more to see if you had time to hike up until the hills...which are alive...with the sound of music...<br />
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I couldn't resist, sorry.<br />
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Anyway, Salzburg was beautiful, worth another visit, and really whets my appetite for Vienna, which is another city that has been on my To See list for years.<br />
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<b>Bonjour, France</b><br />
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I've been to France a few times before, but not to anywhere particularly well-known to your average person. When my trip to Europe this year was officially "on", Ralph suggested we go to Paris.<br />
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For me, Paris was like Rome in that I figured I would get around to it eventually, but it was actually behind a bunch of other cities that I wanted to see first. However, since Ralph was actually able to take off the entire 2 weeks of my visit, it was a relatively easy trip via train, and he himself had never been there either, we decided to go.<br />
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<b>Bienvenue à Disney-LONDE</b><br />
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Let me backtrack a bit first, though, because we actually spent the first two days out in the suburbs at the Disneyland Paris resort. This is also where I get obnoxious and point out that I pulled off some sort of hat-trick. See, when my parents visited me for Christmas last year, we went to Disneyland on Christmas Day. About six months later, I went to Orlando for a wedding and squeezed in some time at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. This trip to Disneyland Paris marks my 3rd Disney Resort in 12 months. That's pretty sweet; I don't ever foresee myself pulling that off again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEYuFMdUals/UjXF8WQL57I/AAAAAAAAFT0/GqzKPOj16Rc/s1600/IMG_1791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEYuFMdUals/UjXF8WQL57I/AAAAAAAAFT0/GqzKPOj16Rc/s200/IMG_1791.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disneyland, 12/15/12</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnSyk6-jDtg/UjXF9h-vqvI/AAAAAAAAFT8/ssO0-SKuaCk/s1600/IMG_2615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnSyk6-jDtg/UjXF9h-vqvI/AAAAAAAAFT8/ssO0-SKuaCk/s200/IMG_2615.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic Kingdom, 06/10/13</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Disneyland Paris, 09/09/13</td></tr>
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So, we took the high speed train from Strasbourg to Paris, then the metro from Paris to Disneyland. Ralph got a package deal for tickets and 2 nights in a local hotel, and off we went. Unfortunately, it rained almost all day while we were at the parks, so we were petty cold, wet, and physically miserable even with umbrellas. Every seasoned Disney park enthusiast knows, however, that rainy weather + off-peak season = little to no wait times. We picked up one Fast Pass and didn't even end up using it. We pretty much walked on to every ride, and the longest wait was about 20 minutes on the second time we rode Space Mountain before calling it a day.<br />
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Now, between all the family trips, my two Disney internships, and my stint as an annual pass-holder, I've gotten to know the Orlando and Anaheim parks quite well. How does Disneyland Paris measure up? Well, the Hollywood Studios Park is laughably small. I think it's the second smallest of all existing parks, and the only two or three things worth drawing a crowd for are the Tower of Terror, the Moteurs...Action! show, and the Rockin' Rollercoaster. Unless shows are totally your thing, and in that case, go nuts there. I'm glad we had a park hopper because ToT and the stunt show are two of my favorite attractions, but if you only had to choose one, skip it. <br />
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Now, Parc Disney? Stunning. Even with the dreary day, I could really appreciate the observations I've heard over the years about DLP just being "prettier" than the parks in the US. I don't know how to exactly describe it, but is. I suppose there's even more attention paid to detail and landscaping and definitely more trees. It's a lot bigger than Disneyland and not quite as big as the Magic Kingdom, and feels much more spacious and park-like. I would love to come back again, especially with hardcore Disney vets like myself who can really geek out over every little thing and compare it to the originals.<br />
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<b>The Magic of Paris</b><br />
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Like Rome, Paris took me by surprise. In fact, even moreso. Whereas Rome is a city that I would like to visit over and over again, I could actually see myself<i> living </i>in Paris<i>.</i> At least for a while; I'm sure it takes more than 2 days to really figure that out, right? Yes, my time in the city itself was quite brief--much like my day in London last year--but I got enough of an impression to know that I was comfortable there right away.<br />
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For the one night we spent in the city, I used Airbnb and booked us <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/846097" target="_blank">an amazing flat</a> near the city's two main transportation hubs, Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est. We then popped in our earbuds for a third time to take Rick Steves' historic Paris audio guided tour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL2Zk-_yn9A/UjXKREAlVhI/AAAAAAAAFUg/_cC4OTj-tc4/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL2Zk-_yn9A/UjXKREAlVhI/AAAAAAAAFUg/_cC4OTj-tc4/s320/IMG_0494.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathédrale Notre Dame, as seen from the queue to get in.</td></tr>
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The first day of sight seeing also happened to be my birthday!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy gal enjoying a visual nightcap for her 31st birthday</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5tyb8oi7Ug/UjXKPVg92uI/AAAAAAAAFUU/4c8Bc92lMWs/s1600/IMG_2942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5tyb8oi7Ug/UjXKPVg92uI/AAAAAAAAFUU/4c8Bc92lMWs/s320/IMG_2942.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popsing, are you as amazed as I am!?</td></tr>
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Both days were pretty cold and overcast, though thankfully not rainy like the day at Disneyland. If I had it to do over again, I would have packed more warm clothes and a light jacket. Unfortunately, the combination of my only bringing two small-ish bags and assuming that the nice weather forecast for my first week in Germany would extend into the second week in France made for an under-prepared visit, clothes-wise. Thank God for scarves and the umbrella that I did have sense enough to bring. The next time I go, I already have my eye on neighborhoods I'd like to explore more, and I promise myself that I will spend <i>at least</i> 5 hours of every day just dining. There was so much to see and so little time that the only real sit-down meal we ate was dinner on my birthday at an incredible fondue place in the Marais district , which was simply called <a href="http://www.painvinfromage.com/fr/index.htm" target="_blank">Pain Vin Fromages</a> (Bread Wine Cheese).<br />
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<b>Alles Gute</b><br />
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The great part about having a friend in another country is that when you go visit them, you get the true local experience. Both of his sisters' had their birthday the first week of my trip and the older of the two had a nice birthday dinner at a whiskey distillery where I got to try delicious and simple local food and an educational whiskey tasting. I also got to see his parents and hometown pals again too. (In fact, two of them surprised me by turning up in Bavaria to welcome me to Germany! How sweet is that!?) So, not only did I get to indulge in some touristy sight-seeing, but I spent an equal amount of time--perhaps even more--just hanging out with friends. That's my way to spend a vacation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold meats, cheese, and bread. I could eat this every day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VtjtMYpeAj4/UjXOKvQL_wI/AAAAAAAAFUw/I69MUZNvaD0/s1600/IMG_2863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VtjtMYpeAj4/UjXOKvQL_wI/AAAAAAAAFUw/I69MUZNvaD0/s320/IMG_2863.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out for the hard stuff, Popsing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Onward!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I've got such a chronic case of the Wanderlust that I already started thinking of next year's vacation before I even got home to San Diego two days ago. This may come as a shock to some, but I think that 2014 I will take a break from Europe. Yep, you read that right. This crazy Europhile has decided that it's time to broaden the horizons a bit more, and there's a very good chance that next year I will re-visit Asia and also make my way Down Under to Australia. Fear not, my beloved Europe, I've already planted the seed with my Dad that we should go to the UK in 2015, and I will probably try to finagle a trip to Berlin in there as well.<br />
<br />
Until then, back to reality and rebuilding my empty vacation hours!<br />
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emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-69693447098572347182013-09-15T06:13:00.000-07:002013-09-15T14:56:19.047-07:00The MBA Project: Graduation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, let's get the apology out of the way first. I'm sorry for not writing any new updates in 2013 until 3/4ths of the way through it. For two years I got away with using school as my excuse for not having time to do x, y, or z.<br />
<br />
Well, that excuse is no longer valid because I, Maria, have successfully satisfied all requirements to earn my Master's of Business Administration! Yay!!! Pop the champagne! Actually, don't--I've spent enough money celebrating for two solid weeks in Europe. More on that in the next post.<br />
<br />
<b>New Experiences</b><br />
<br />
When I wrote last on <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-in-review.html" target="_blank">New Years' Eve 2012</a>, I was about 2/3rds of the way through the program and ready to take on my second Intersession, Spring, and Summer sessions. I would say that most of your first year in business school is spent getting your bearings on the whole thing, especially if you're juggling school with work, family, social life, etc. For me, the second year was where I really took off and not only started to synthesize everything that I had been learning over the course of the first year, but also started meeting more people at school--not just in my cohort, which was beginning to disperse as people accelerated or de-celerated their studies.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jvZ4VP7XDyk/UjWl553esOI/AAAAAAAAFRM/iLS28tRHrbQ/s1600/IMG_1858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jvZ4VP7XDyk/UjWl553esOI/AAAAAAAAFRM/iLS28tRHrbQ/s320/IMG_1858.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
January was a particularly exciting time, as I was coming off of a great visit from my parents over the Christmas and New Year holiday, and going right into my very first trip to Asia as a student consultant in Shanghai, China. There were about 24 graduate students on this trip, and we were divided into four teams that essentially became three. <br />
<br />
I was on one of the two teams that were assigned to the same company; we started out as different projects and quickly merged into one Super Team of 13 people. Anyone who has worked in groups before knows that having a project team of that size can be extremely difficult to manage, especially in an academic scenario where everyone is more or less on the same "level" and it can be easy for some members to get a bit, how shall I say...lost in the shuffle. Somehow, we made it work.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We managed to pull off an excellent initial analysis of the small fashion trimmings and accessories company we worked for, which was very well received. They were very hospitable, treating the entire group to several meals and giving us gifts in the traditional Chinese business custom. I wish the company every success!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITM_6HrGvDk/UjWl7Ew2yXI/AAAAAAAAFRo/nGlYRnGYT8s/s1600/IMG_1928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITM_6HrGvDk/UjWl7Ew2yXI/AAAAAAAAFRo/nGlYRnGYT8s/s320/IMG_1928.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Walking from the metro station to the office</td></tr>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-027fWUCMjwo/UjWvAfSK6QI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/R2WHdgxEmbc/s1600/we+are+a+team.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-027fWUCMjwo/UjWvAfSK6QI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/R2WHdgxEmbc/s400/we+are+a+team.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team, advising professors, and client exec team after our final presentation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
When we weren't working--which was rare when the projects really kicked into high gear--we were eating, drinking, and exploring bits of the city. For every moment of chaos, noise, and suffocating smog, there were even more adventures in culinary delights and a fascinating juxtaposition of East-West culture and commerce. Look, China may be a communist country, but Shanghai is a very cosmopolitan, international city. I must've hit a Starbucks at least 3 or 4 times (peach blossom latte, mmmmm), and my friends and I dined on everything from local dumplings to Japanese teppanyaki to fresh shucked oysters at an upscale bar run by one of my classmates' old high school friends. Transportation was cheap, shopping plentiful, and in a city 10x the size of NYC, there is plenty to see. I would definitely return someday, though perhaps not in the dead of winter...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XhAa4-qtYzs/UjWl6jYTuYI/AAAAAAAAFRg/b351uoS55uM/s1600/IMG_2054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XhAa4-qtYzs/UjWl6jYTuYI/AAAAAAAAFRg/b351uoS55uM/s320/IMG_2054.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This could be any given city, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>The Beginning of the End</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IfiQi88OrP0/UjWrOZMondI/AAAAAAAAFSE/1qbFrpwg3Ac/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IfiQi88OrP0/UjWrOZMondI/AAAAAAAAFSE/1qbFrpwg3Ac/s320/IMG_2496.JPG" width="320" /></a>Because the school only holds one official commencement ceremony every year after the spring session, I decided to go ahead and walk in May. (Going 3 months early is a lot more pragmatic to me than 9 months later. Who knows where I'll even be by that point.) </div>
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So, over Memorial Day Weekend, I suited up in the cap, gown, and regalia to go get my diploma-holder. Most of my family was able to attend, for which I am very grateful! </div>
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I was so swept up in the whole graduation thing, in fact, that I hosted a neighborhood pub crawl the weekend before. Which, if I may say so myself, was pretty epic. Check out the "trailer" I made for the event!</div>
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<b>THE End</b></div>
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After May, I had a solid 2 months' break from class, as both of the ones I had left to take where in the latter half of the summer session. It was wonderful getting a preview of life would be like with a free and flexible schedule--including having the time to fly to Orlando to see one of my best friends get married without worrying about missing class or reading case studies on the plane--and it was also pretty awful to cram two three-credit courses into 5 weeks. By the time I hit the classrooms again, I was raring to go. Fortunately, I had had both of the professors before and enjoyed their teaching style and the subject matter. There were some dark moments in that 6-days-a-week-on-campus period, and maaaaaybe I was finishing my final project over the course of a flight to Munich <i>and </i>still had to put the final touches on once I got to said destination...but in the end it all got done.</div>
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Last week I received the final confirmation from the MBA program's administrative director that I was all finished, and my diploma should arrive at my home in 6-8 weeks.</div>
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So there you have it. Two solid years, 53 units, countless case studies and presentations, and invaluable experiences that I wouldn't trade for anything.</div>
<br />
<b>What's Next?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I've gotten that question a few times now from family, friends, and even work colleagues. The short answer is: I don't know. I have ideas and options that I would like to explore in different areas of my life--personally and professionally--but until things are concrete, I'll probably keep the latter pretty close to the vest. Even going back to school isn't off the table; I may consider doing a PhD eventually, but for now I'm just enjoying my freedom.<br />
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Thank you to all who have supported me in this crazy MBA Project! Now to start working on the next one.<br />
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</div>
emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-16056235602504152192012-12-31T09:55:00.000-08:002014-04-11T08:54:58.476-07:002012 in Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In my fourth and final post of 2012, I shall do my annual Year in Review.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-year-in-review.html" target="_blank">2011 Year in Review</a><br />
<a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-another-year-gonewhats-next.html" target="_blank">2010 Year in Review</a><br />
<br />
This is what has been going down this year:<br />
<br />
<b>The MBA Project</b><br />
<br />
In 2012 I joined the pilot of USD's new Leadership Fellows program, a program in which second year MBA students facilitate conversations with (mostly) first year students to assess their team dynamics, individual behavior, and leadership role(s). It's been a pretty enriching experience for me and we are receiving positive feedback from the other students that they are getting something out of it as well. I've been glad to be a part of the shaping of USD's MBA program and will continue to participate as a Fellow next year. Over the past year, I've steadily raised my GPA and found more of a focus for my future career plans, and perhaps most importantly, I've made lots of new friends, which is easier to do when you start to take classes with more folks outside of your cohort.<br />
<br />
As of now, I am 2/3rds of the way finished with my degree, approved for graduation in August 2013, and a mere 4 days away from flying to Shanghai, China to work on a student consulting project for a fashion accessory company. To say that I am excited about all of this is an understatement. USD only does one big commencement ceremony in the spring semester, so I'm going to go ahead and walk in May and finish my last 5 credits in July & August.<br />
<br />
<b>Fun and Fitness</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Well, even though I have been spending a lot less time on the pavement or in the gym since I started school, I am glad to report that I have still done a bit here and there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsNwOOF_UGA/UOHDYOuxOMI/AAAAAAAAFDo/Ls_f_jDbDgE/s1600/15234_747831717489_932161794_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsNwOOF_UGA/UOHDYOuxOMI/AAAAAAAAFDo/Ls_f_jDbDgE/s400/15234_747831717489_932161794_n.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Girl 5k in November 2012 (a smidge better time than my 2011 time, too!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ww2m9f2fa8/UOHDY8PHPeI/AAAAAAAAFDw/eTow57Ri914/s1600/304335_742886178389_1262567643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ww2m9f2fa8/UOHDY8PHPeI/AAAAAAAAFDw/eTow57Ri914/s400/304335_742886178389_1262567643_n.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome 80s Run in October 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7S8h26Ixpo/UOHDZpLeXdI/AAAAAAAAFD4/VqfOpKZzILQ/s1600/557351_684342485419_40800700_33616099_1393013061_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7S8h26Ixpo/UOHDZpLeXdI/AAAAAAAAFD4/VqfOpKZzILQ/s400/557351_684342485419_40800700_33616099_1393013061_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hot Chocolate 5k in March 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DcKgv6HBjYU/UOHDbp0HCTI/AAAAAAAAFEA/ulFxDEsFy3o/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DcKgv6HBjYU/UOHDbp0HCTI/AAAAAAAAFEA/ulFxDEsFy3o/s400/IMG_0435.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mermaid Run in February 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I can think of at least 3 or 4 more races that I need to sign up for in 2013. I was on a Ragnar team with my company (<a href="http://www.ragnarrelay.com/race/southerncalifornia" target="_blank">click here</a> to learn more), but I've given up my place on the team because I was offered a spot in the inaugural Kappa Kappa Gamma Leadership Academy 2.0 that same weekend!<br />
<br />
As for the dancing, Desert Silk officially disbanded early in the year. It takes a lot to run and support a dance troupe. Between the six of us, we were dealing with school (me and my MBA, another gal and her PhD dissertation), family illnesses, jobs, and just the day to day. I made peace with my decision not to dance again until I finish grad school. In the meantime, we're all still friends who get together socially and for the occasional 5k race which is the #1 most important thing anyway. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Friends and Family</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2012/04/new-beginnings.html" target="_blank">wrote earlier this year</a> about how we lost our Cousin PJ in February. It's still bewildering. The family is still healing.<br />
<br />
I turned 30 in September, and my Auntie Carmen hosted an 80s Themed Birthday Party for me at her home up in LA, at which many family members and my friend Beth were in attendance!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKs4bRAqH-E/UOHBbAmWqPI/AAAAAAAAFDI/jvJiu73pYpg/s1600/101_4024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKs4bRAqH-E/UOHBbAmWqPI/AAAAAAAAFDI/jvJiu73pYpg/s400/101_4024.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totally awesome cake courtesy of Ana and Ben, whom I commissioned for the task.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTAxvo_E_S4/UOHBdY6uSPI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/Oel_Ws3MWcM/s1600/101_4028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTAxvo_E_S4/UOHBdY6uSPI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/Oel_Ws3MWcM/s400/101_4028.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was really glad to see so many get 80s crazy and dress up with me<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
Later that month, I finally, <b>FINALLY</b> reunited with my 2705 girls. For those of you who don't know, in 2002 I participated in a Disney College Program internship in Orlando, FL. I met many incredible people that I still keep in touch with to this day, but four of them are particularly special to me, because we managed to live in an apartment for 5 months and still come out the other side of it as friends. Haha. I've seen Tina and Alyse several times over the past decade (!), but I haven't seen Michelle since 2006. Well, Michelle got married in her home state of New York and I flew out a few days early to have adventures in upstate NY and Vermont. And, as if that excitement wasn't enough, Alyse will get married next June. Two reunions in as many years? I can hardly believe it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2d0kpsej70/UOHC98hmnsI/AAAAAAAAFDg/YePAGPWfoDY/s1600/548576_734506496339_1816704108_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2d0kpsej70/UOHC98hmnsI/AAAAAAAAFDg/YePAGPWfoDY/s400/548576_734506496339_1816704108_n.jpg" height="382" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now and Then: September 2012 vs December 2002. Looking good, ladies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In November, I kinda sorta surprised my BFF for her baby shower. I say kinda sorta because she's just too damn smart for her own good and pretty much figured it out by the time I flew out there. ;-) It was a real toss-up as to whether or not I could make a short trip to Pittsburgh work with my crazy schedule, but in the end I did it. It was an insane three day whirlwind that included an all-day stay in that cursed Newark Airport, but it was soooo worth it! It's not every day that your best friend has her first baby, let alone boy and girl twins. They arrived just over a week ago in time for their first Christmas, and I can't wait to meet them the next time I go home!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izl-V3FB13A/UOHKhRSMswI/AAAAAAAAFFM/0omeyvHPFxc/s1600/381929_744967751899_1148556117_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izl-V3FB13A/UOHKhRSMswI/AAAAAAAAFFM/0omeyvHPFxc/s400/381929_744967751899_1148556117_n.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Ria can't wait to meet the twins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Speaking of new babies, my brother and his wife announced that Baby Taylor #3 is coming in April 2013. Whose got two thumbs and is super stoked? Tia Maria, right here. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4H5hzUXggsk/UOHPl4T1wFI/AAAAAAAAFF4/EGSX5llQEG0/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4H5hzUXggsk/UOHPl4T1wFI/AAAAAAAAFF4/EGSX5llQEG0/s400/IMG_0001.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You guys ready to share those with baby brother or sister next year?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>The Wanderlust</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I suppose that since I already devoted an entire post to <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2012/06/whole-wide-world.html" target="_blank">Eurotrip 2012</a>, I don't need to re-cap that again. Suffice it to say, it was one of the brightest spots in my year and, as always, I am raring to go back, especially to the UK.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHPY5B2yP_U/UOHHah7ipTI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/DUUArmif7P8/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHPY5B2yP_U/UOHHah7ipTI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/DUUArmif7P8/s400/IMG_0875.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor Rigby and me in Liverpool, May 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile, I did some traveling Stateside to new territory.<br />
<br />
Over Labor Day Weekend I saw the Bay Area for the first time when I spent a few nights with my Kappa sister Cat and her fiancé (now husband) in Burlingame.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat was gracious enough to play host and tour guide for the weekend.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Golden Gate bridge was hiding from us when we got to the lookout point. Jerk.</td></tr>
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It was a great trip that I would definitely make again. In fact, I wouldn't rule it out of the short list of cities that I would leave SD for.<br />
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As I mentioned earlier, I visited upstate New York and Vermont for Michelle's wedding. I've done NY, but Vermont was new to me and I. <i>loved. it</i>. Absolutely gorgeous state and extremely friendly people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ehmagerd, Vermernt!"</td></tr>
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<b>Happy Holidays</b><br />
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This Christmas, Dad and Pam finally returned to California for a visit. I say finally because the last time they were here was in 2007! They'll be in town through a few days after New Year's and I've been having a ball showing them around the city, eating at both great local restaurants and here at Chez Amelia, and we even made a trip to Disneyland for Christmas Day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas from the Browns!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QGSsHsDUU5Y/UOHNFuim_-I/AAAAAAAAFFo/fYpVDZtzy8Q/s1600/IMG_1796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QGSsHsDUU5Y/UOHNFuim_-I/AAAAAAAAFFo/fYpVDZtzy8Q/s400/IMG_1796.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their grandkitty is getting spoiled by all the attention she's received this week!</td></tr>
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<b>In 2013...</b><br />
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I look forward to my first trip to Asia at the end of the week and hope that I'll be able to squeeze in some more international travel again by the end of the year.<br />
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My eyes are on the prize with my second and final spring semester about to start in a little less than a month. It'll be another crazy 4 months crammed full of coursework, but I remain optimistic that I'll continue to learn and enjoy time with my classmates. After that, I am still very much interested in pursuing work abroad, and I will be particularly interested to see how I hold up doing an intensive consulting project in Shanghai. How well I do there should be very telling of how well I would be able to cope with a management consulting position in a foreign country.<br />
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Other than that, I aim as always to be healthy and happy in the New Year. Wishing the same to you and yours! Cheers!<br />
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emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-50072738358130931942012-07-29T09:14:00.002-07:002012-07-29T09:19:19.051-07:00Tapas Night!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love "small plates". Appetizers, starters, Vorspeisen, amuse-bouche, dim sum, tapas...whatever you call it, I want it. Little bits of lots of things. One thing I had put on my "30 by 30" list (thirty things to do before my 30th birthday) is to host a tapas party at my apartment.<br />
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I actually don't have much direct experience with proper Spanish tapas--so I'm mentally adding that to my much longer term list of things to do whilst traveling abroad--and I did some research. Well, first I invited my friends over, then I did my research. I figured that sending out the call to gather would be my chief motivation.<br />
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Anyway, this Friday I had a couple of my gal pals over and we enjoyed the following...<br />
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A classic Spanish <i>tortilla de patatas</i>. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this was a popular tapa because I've actually eaten it several times before. When my three brothers and I were quite young and both our parents were active duty military, they decided to participate in an au pair program so that we could have in home care when they needed to go on TDY. <i>(For you civilians out there, that means "temporary duty", or in more civilan equivalent terms, going on a business trip. And I will confess--I just Googled that. I grew up just using the acronym, as many military brats do, and didn't know the actual words.)</i> Anyway, we had two au pairs in succession, and they were both lovely young women from Spain. Silvia and Maria both made tortillas all the time and we just gobbled them up. <br />
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This time around, I solicited Facebook for help, knowing that my cousin Carmel, who is an excellent cook and has spent some quality time in Spain, would answer my call. Which she did. About 30 seconds after I posted. (I loved that.) My Tia Alicia, who happens to be Spanish, also shared this YouTube video with me. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">So between the recipe I got from Carmel and this video, and a chat with my Mom that bridged the two, I managed to turn out what I believe was a pretty damn tasty tortilla. My friends Danielle and Stephanie agreed! Yay!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIJFjCf4eWU/UBVVrPOlC2I/AAAAAAAAFA0/2gXy3Eh7BEM/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIJFjCf4eWU/UBVVrPOlC2I/AAAAAAAAFA0/2gXy3Eh7BEM/s400/IMG_1218.JPG" width="400" /></a>Then, I laid out the classic cold meats and cheeses. Starting from the left: Iberico, Cabra al Vino, and Manchego cheeses, with champagne grapes nestled in between. Middle: a big dollop of goat cheese, marinated bell peppers, and big fat Spanish olives stuffed with pimento. Right: Jamon Serrano, Salchicon, and Chorizo Cantimpalo, garnished with some basil I had laying around.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AMdThqWT-kg/UBVVtMSdC1I/AAAAAAAAFA8/by6SpeCWXfU/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AMdThqWT-kg/UBVVtMSdC1I/AAAAAAAAFA8/by6SpeCWXfU/s400/IMG_1224.jpg" width="298" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">And what tapas party is complete without something from the sea? </span>This is shrimp cooked in olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon, and cumin. The sauce was kinda weak after the initial pass, so I actually removed the shrimp from the pan and let that sauce cook down some more with a dollop butter and it was <i>fantástico</i>!</div>
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And what's that behind the pan of shrimp, you ask?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sangria Ria strikes again</td></tr>
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Delicious sangria. My recipe is an amalgamation of a few recipes that I found on Allrecipes.com. It involves rum, citrus fruits, sugar, and a bottle of dry red wine. I've made it before, but it's been several years.<br />
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Steph also brought over some <a href="http://www.campoviejo.com/Our-Wines/All-Wines#Tempranillo" target="_blank">Campo Viejo Rioja</a> that tasted like liquid velvet and paired well with pretty much everything. <br />
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And then there was dessert. I've been experimenting with flourless baked goods lately and decided to try my hand at this recipe that I found on Pinterest. This is were I perhaps departed the most from the Spanish theme. I just wanted something dark and chocolatey. You'll never guess the secret ingredient...unless you look closely at the top right of the photo.</div>
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Source: <a href="http://eatgood4life.blogspot.com/2012/05/dark-chocolate-and-black-bean-brownies.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">eatgood4life.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/rialucia/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Maria</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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It looked great coming out of the oven, however, it had, like, <i>no</i> rise, so I decided to double layer it up by cutting it in half, then filling it with a fruit mixture that I made with some cherry preserves, rum, half and half, and a drop of almond extract. The result was this...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wrote it down in case I had too much sangria to remember it later.</td></tr>
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A chocolate torte with cherry rum filling. It was pretty darn sweet and would have paired well with cafe con leche. Unfortunately all that beautiful powdered sugar reabsorbed into the cake and disappeared by the time I brought it out for consumption so it didn't look as pretty later. Haha. My friend Danielle also brought over a bunch of gorgeous fresh strawberries and a whipped cream/cheesecake mixture that complimented the sweetness of the cake nicely.<br />
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All in all, I'd say it went well! Good food, good conversation, and pretty easy to clean up. I'd definitely do this again, and I'm thrilled that I had half a tortilla left over to eat for breakfast this weekend.<br />
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But before I go, I must make another huge confession...<br />
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I cheated.<br />
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Just a little...with the help of my friend, the one they call Trader Joe.<br />
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Worth every penny!</div>
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</div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-34273464902504109652012-06-03T12:50:00.002-07:002013-09-15T14:57:30.373-07:00The Whole Wide World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've just returned from another amazing trip to Europe, with a bonus side trip to the UK! Some highlights include...<br />
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...my very first venture into the actual city of Frankfurt. I've been flying in/out of the airport exclusively since 1995, but had never been to the city itself before. Neither had Ralph, so it worked out nicely for both of us to walk around for a few hours and see the police getting ready for another Occupy Frankfurt protest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behold, the mighty Euro!</td></tr>
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...another visit with my high school buddy Liz and her new husband Stefan. What wonderful company, such laughs! I wish the four of us all lived closer so we could get together more often.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a drink in a random biergarten after walking around Dortmund all afternoon</td></tr>
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...spending a day at Europa Park, a theme park that I can only describe as the love child of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Epcot, and Disneyland. We lucked out in having gorgeous weather and little wait time for anything.</div>
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...visiting my cousin Elissa in Liverpool, England. I had been wanting to go see her ever since I found out she was living there. It was my first visit to the UK and I absolutely loved it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elissa, John Lennon, and me near the Cavern Club</td></tr>
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...spending a day in London all by me onesie. I am in love with this city, no question. The highlight of my day (and there were many, in fact), was just after I had finished walking around the Borough Market and the Southwark Cathedral, a Brit came up to me and asked for directions to Upper Borough Street. I had been traipsing all over the city with nothing more than a little purse and a bottle of water and conspicuously snapping photos with my iPhone, so I'd like to think that I really didn't give off the air of a tourist. (Or an American, for that matter. Not that being an American is a bad thing.) Anyway, I just happened to know where he wanted to go, and was more than happy to reply!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of "Big Ben". (Yeah, I know that's technically the bells inside and not the clock/tower.)</td></tr>
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...briefly visiting France (the city in Germany where I was staying as my "home base" is only about a 20 minute drive across the border)<br />
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...and, finally, I use this photo of a delicious chocolate cake and raspberry torte to represent the fact that </div>
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b.) I was extremely well taken care of by Ralph, and his family, and his friends. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. M's birthday cakes were delicious! <u>Super</u> lecker!</td></tr>
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We stayed at his folks' house in southwestern Germany after the initial weekend up north in Dortmund. The last couple of days at the end of my visit, Ralph had to go to France for work, so I was there "on my own", but not really. I hung out with local friends, the got taken on a tour of the Black Forest by his older sister and her beau, and got a ride to the airport from them later...I was in quite good hands! This arrangement was of particular advantage to his mom, who finally had a chance to practice her English with a real live American, and likewise I was able to get some practice in on my German. Our conversations started out with her speaking in English and me answering in German, and gradually became a mish-mash of both of us using both. It was fun! Yeah, all this time I could have been speaking German with Ralph as well, but, let's face it, once you establish a relationship in a language, it's <i>very</i> difficult to change it unless you both make considerable effort to do so. R and I have long since established our friendship in English, so meeting his parents was an opportunity to do the same, but in German. (In the case of pops, it was necessary--he only speaks Romanian, Hungarian, and German!)</div>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
It was a pretty fantastic two weeks with lots of walking, eating, laughing, napping, and all manner of craziness. Next year I hope I can make it over to Spain to attend Elissa's wedding. But, if not, rest assured that I will find some other excuse to hop back over to the EU.</div>
<div>
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<div>
Until next time! Tschuß!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-1172238177011832772012-04-23T20:53:00.000-07:002012-04-23T20:53:29.978-07:00New Beginnings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh, hello there dwindling reader audience. You're still here? God bless you.<br />
<br />
It's been a crazy four months since I last wrote my <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-year-in-review.html" target="_blank">2011 Year in Review</a>.<br />
<br />
Let's see...<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I survived a 4 week Statistics class in January.</li>
<li>I lost a <a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bellinghamherald/obituary.aspx?n=paul-wright&pid=155919435" target="_blank">dear cousin</a> to an undiagnosed chronic illness in February. </li>
<li>And last month, I.FINALLY.MOVED.</li>
<li>And today? I got drunk and a little sick on caffeine*.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
But let's back up to February for a bit, because I wanted to write about it at the time.<br />
<br />
<b>A Loss</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Trj_NYawdDc/T5YfjTpFjtI/AAAAAAAAEeA/nR3qH9NkJgg/s1600/The+cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Trj_NYawdDc/T5YfjTpFjtI/AAAAAAAAEeA/nR3qH9NkJgg/s320/The+cousins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>September 2007. Cousin PJ is seated to my right.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have a large family, the kind you don't often see now adays. My mother has 5 brothers and 5 sisters, who went forth and proliferated about two dozen children between them. The first set of cousins that I knew belonged to my mom's third eldest sister, Ana. Or my "Auntie Ana", as I call her. She also happens to be my Godmother. I was born in Tacoma, and she and her family lived nearby in Seattle. As such, I spent many holidays and garden variety visits with that little section of my extended relatives for the first 8 years of my life, and for that reason we have a special bond.<br />
<br />
When my family moved away from Washington in 1991, I didn't see a whole lot of the Seattle clan after that. There were a few visits here and there, and, thankfully, I have been able to see them a few times over the last 4 or 5 years since I moved to the West Coast. One of my fondest visits was for <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2010/10/home-and-back.html" target="_blank">Carmel's wedding</a> in October 2010.<br />
<br />
This February, on Valentine's Day, actually, I received a heart stopping text message from my younger brother around midday. <i>"Hey ria apparently there has been a death in our extended family, our cousin PJ just died, auntie carmen just passed it onto Mom."</i><br />
<br />
How do you even process news like that? He would have been 36 this year. Over the course of the next several days, we found out that he had been suffering from acute liver failure brought on by a childhood illness. I flew up to Seattle to attend the memorial and support my family. If there was any joy to be had in this, it was that so many of us were able to travel from all over the country to be there for my Aunt and cousins, and even in the dark hours there was laughter. I didn't know PJ terribly well as an adult, but one thing that I know we shared was the extreme love of our big, nutty family. I felt especially glad to know that he, too, made the move to Southern California with the intent to spend more time getting to know them. (I had a similar goal when I moved here in 2006.) He eventually relocated back to Washington, and I was glad to learn that Western Washington University granted him an honorary degree posthumously. He was an extremely talented writer and would have finished his degree in journalism this summer.<br />
<br />
So, dear Cousin PJ, here's to you and your life. You are much loved and missed. We will all see you again someday.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A Gain</b><br />
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Just over a month ago today, I made the move that I have been <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2011/08/chasing-pavements-apartments.html" target="_blank">talking about</a> since before I started school. There have been several challenges leading up to it--mostly financially driven--but by fortunate timing and the help of a nice educational tax credit, I was able to find a sweet 1 bedroom apartment in the hip and happening Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. It's technically nestled between Hillcrest and Northpark, and it's, well <i>fabulous</i>. Those who know me well know that fabulous is usually my code word for gay. And rest assured that I do not mean that in a pejorative or derogatory way. It's San Diego's gay neigborhood, and I just love it. <b>LOVE</b> it. <i>"If [Hillcrest] wasn't so gay,"</i> I said to a friend this weekend, <i>"I'd marry it." </i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rA8J8N6NQ4U/T5Yf7j3m6vI/AAAAAAAAEeI/6egweRVyIew/s1600/hlcst750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rA8J8N6NQ4U/T5Yf7j3m6vI/AAAAAAAAEeI/6egweRVyIew/s320/hlcst750.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most San Diego neighborhoods have one of these nifty signs</td></tr>
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<br />
There are great restaurants and shops nearby, it's a stone's throw from Balboa Park, and best of all, it's a 10 minute drive from campus. It's also a 30 mile drive from work now, but so far that isn't ruffling my feathers. As long as I'm in school, I have to make a long drive no matter where I live because the office and campus are a good 25ish miles apart. So I might as well live somewhere great, right? I happen to be very fortunate in working for an employer that allows me to work from home, which I do about twice a week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnJv_PeO3Gc/T5YgzNcl--I/AAAAAAAAEeQ/89Ev_VUW2FQ/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnJv_PeO3Gc/T5YgzNcl--I/AAAAAAAAEeQ/89Ev_VUW2FQ/s320/IMG_0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Amelia surveying the view from our new pad</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<b>Current Affairs & Beyond</b><br />
<br />
School is going well. I took a course during the "Intersession" period between Fall and Spring semesters this January. I packed my schedule with 4 classes this Spring, and 2 of them have already come and gone. One lasted from the end of January until mid-April, and the other was a 2 weekend crash course in March. Now I'm coming down the home stretch with the other two. I can already see the diaspora of my cohort as people start to accelerate or slow down to comply with their near term goals, but we still remain a pretty tight group. I would give shout outs, but interestingly enough, I'm not Facebook friends with anyone...yet. And Facebook is my main source of blog readership. I don't really know why, but some part of me is still not ready to let my school and social network worlds collide outside of LinkedIn.<br />
<br />
And in other news, I'm just a hair over 3 weeks away from Eurotrip 2012. This time I'm going to spend the majority of my time in Germany. My gracious host Ralph is starting a new job just outside of Munich this month, which is especially exciting for me because I've not been to Bavaria in all my journeys to Deutschland. We will also likely enjoy a visit from my lately married friends Liz and Stefan who plan to drive down from the Netherlands, and since Ralph has to do some orientation training in France towards the end of my two week stay, guess who's going on a road trip along the Côte d'Azur? Needless to say, I'm really, really excited.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I'd better get some dinner in me while I come down off of this sickening caffeine buzz that I hope never to repeat. Seriously, who knew that the equivalent of 20-25 oz. Starbucks coffee over the course of the day would make me feel like I just knocked back half a handle of gin? I leave you with this disturbing Public Service Announcement.<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-25468234277952897372011-12-31T20:05:00.000-08:002012-01-01T12:35:39.909-08:002011 Year in Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">I just went back and re-read my post from </span><a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-another-year-gonewhats-next.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">New Year's Eve 2010</a><span style="text-align: left;">. In it, I discussed some of my goals from that year. (Read: not </span><i style="text-align: left;">resolutions</i><span style="text-align: left;">, per se. Just goals.)</span></div>
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<i>"...I wanted to take my fitness to the next level. Well, I started running and I've done two 5k races. In 2011, I want to do at least 3 and maybe try for a 10k."</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Well, let's see...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXWT-yUxpOI/Tv_XT8XITwI/AAAAAAAADtY/QcSAGyBbLx4/s1600/248936_603370982959_40800700_33111923_59029_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXWT-yUxpOI/Tv_XT8XITwI/AAAAAAAADtY/QcSAGyBbLx4/s320/248936_603370982959_40800700_33111923_59029_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mermaid Run 5k, February 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ss6ncQXXfhI/Tv_XebkP_LI/AAAAAAAADtg/ZFm-OiA-MNU/s1600/240043_603368777379_40800700_33111884_7136447_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ss6ncQXXfhI/Tv_XebkP_LI/AAAAAAAADtg/ZFm-OiA-MNU/s320/240043_603368777379_40800700_33111884_7136447_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vista Strawberry Festival 5k, May 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94h3b3OTQqI/Tv_XgCMq9yI/AAAAAAAADto/Fl47lNbGSi8/s1600/255917_604206633309_40800700_33127977_2074081_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94h3b3OTQqI/Tv_XgCMq9yI/AAAAAAAADto/Fl47lNbGSi8/s320/255917_604206633309_40800700_33127977_2074081_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp Pendleton Mud Run 10k (!), June 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYDLBMwlRIM/Tv_Xgm07QnI/AAAAAAAADtw/4RaDu66r2uU/s1600/375570_635853926879_40800700_33441240_850046543_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYDLBMwlRIM/Tv_Xgm07QnI/AAAAAAAADtw/4RaDu66r2uU/s320/375570_635853926879_40800700_33441240_850046543_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Girl 5k, November 2011</td></tr>
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Check! I'd like to give a shout out to Dani, with whom I ran in every one of the 5ks this year. Which reminds me--I need to sign up for the next Mermaid Run in 2012 because that was one of my favorites!<br />
<br />
So what's in store for 2011? <strike>Probably</strike> definitely at least one 10k that doesn't involve mucking through gunk. I was a last minute sub for a Mud Run team that one of my co-workers has been organizing every year for the past several years. It was tough as hell and still a lot of fun. I'd do it again, but I'd also like to just do a straight 10k run. I think that will be my late spring/summer project since I hate treadmill running too much to really train in the winter.<br />
<br />
Okay, what else?<br />
<br /></div>
<i>"...I've contemplated grad school for the last 5-going-on-6 years, and this year I had the Great Business School Epiphany. In 2011, it's officially Game On as I re-take the GMAT and complete my applications."</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Well, as chronicled in several posts throughout the year, I did <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2011/08/mba-project-day-one.html" target="_blank">begin</a> an MBA program this fall at the University of San Diego. I just checked for my final grades a moment ago, and I'm pleased to say that I've earned a 3.4 GPA for the semester. Not bad for working full time, doing multiple group projects, and adjusting to those crazy 15 hour days!<br />
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I<span style="color: red;"><b> <3</b></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7s-uENUM8qE/TWCBDdJXDGI/AAAAAAAACrA/cWk5ZHdYRU4/s1600/USD_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7s-uENUM8qE/TWCBDdJXDGI/AAAAAAAACrA/cWk5ZHdYRU4/s320/USD_logo.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>"...There have been some setbacks here and there, namely in my dancing world. I feel as though 2010 was a rather static year in which life's distractions made it difficult--if not impossible--to advance, so I'm going to mix it up in 2011 and find my new groove."</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
I did continue to dance this year, despite having left the studio in late 2010 and not taking formal lessons since. The women of Desert Silk and I have been having a rebuilding year, you might say. Between the six of us, we've been having a crazy year of changes--from adopting a new baby to finishing up a PhD to starting grad school--it's a wonder we've found the time and dedication to do what we've done! We have performed in a few public venues, choreographed a few original numbers, and managed to stay close even when life pulls us all in different directions. (Note--almost all of the 5ks I ran this year were with at least one of my fellow dancers!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm2MrOtt8Pc/Tv_c3_mPfFI/AAAAAAAADt4/LV-Y5GAiH_8/s1600/197089_10150116491049939_661914938_6461531_4112815_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm2MrOtt8Pc/Tv_c3_mPfFI/AAAAAAAADt4/LV-Y5GAiH_8/s400/197089_10150116491049939_661914938_6461531_4112815_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who are those masked dancers at the Gaslamp Mardi Gras Celebration???</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlpsXiYxURg/Tv_c5n8xRDI/AAAAAAAADuA/7rJzp-pCuyQ/s1600/257300_10150212752804870_784844869_6943734_7816746_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlpsXiYxURg/Tv_c5n8xRDI/AAAAAAAADuA/7rJzp-pCuyQ/s400/257300_10150212752804870_784844869_6943734_7816746_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Silk at the Del Mar Fair, June 2011<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncJKPjnm67o/Tv_dXhr3nfI/AAAAAAAADuI/3w-DtvPtGMo/s1600/belly+dancing+desert+rose-104-edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncJKPjnm67o/Tv_dXhr3nfI/AAAAAAAADuI/3w-DtvPtGMo/s640/belly+dancing+desert+rose-104-edit-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.jamescroftphotography.com/" target="_blank">James Croft Photography</a>, June 2011</td></tr>
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In 2012, we hope to begin taking regular workshops/lessons with local dancers to learn some new technique and reinforce the solid foundation we built at our former studio. And continue to have fun, of course!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_923617063"></span><span id="goog_923617064"></span></div>
<i>"...Meanwhile, even though I'm orchestrating a move out of the country, I continue to enjoy my job and I want to take it as far as I can for as long as I am able. Believe it or not, I'm actually looking forward to going back on Monday."
</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Well, the part where I moved out of the country didn't happen. I had the Second Great Epiphany in early 2011, whereby I realized that it just wasn't time for me to do it yet. Instead, I spent an <i>amazing</i> couple weeks in Europe in the company of two of my most favorite people in the world!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5g10kncrtA/Tv_gm89gtPI/AAAAAAAADug/OXRGS36EOlI/s1600/269853_616727441509_40800700_33231466_4120259_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5g10kncrtA/Tv_gm89gtPI/AAAAAAAADug/OXRGS36EOlI/s400/269853_616727441509_40800700_33231466_4120259_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tina and I enjoying an espresso at Da Lucia, local trattoria in Rome, June 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GnkxTxOdspc/Tv_gqwZ6YTI/AAAAAAAADuo/X4q4bqtRa3o/s1600/270444_616773878449_40800700_33232861_7890591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GnkxTxOdspc/Tv_gqwZ6YTI/AAAAAAAADuo/X4q4bqtRa3o/s400/270444_616773878449_40800700_33232861_7890591_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ralph and me in Amsterdam, July 2011</td></tr>
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It was all I could do to limit myself to just two pictures. I have about a bazillion, and I do not tire of sharing them at any given opportunity!<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, in 2011, I also had the pleasure of...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kj3UecAzU7Y/Tv_iRSMoA7I/AAAAAAAADu0/1Lj7--gx3AQ/s1600/262554_10150729303510290_617035289_20049389_2229903_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kj3UecAzU7Y/Tv_iRSMoA7I/AAAAAAAADu0/1Lj7--gx3AQ/s400/262554_10150729303510290_617035289_20049389_2229903_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Ben and Ana's American wedding, July 2011<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCcjLFc_GS4/Tv_iwrDdZRI/AAAAAAAADvU/BRmLmujNia4/s1600/263346_618201851779_40800700_33259077_750623_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCcjLFc_GS4/Tv_iwrDdZRI/AAAAAAAADvU/BRmLmujNia4/s400/263346_618201851779_40800700_33259077_750623_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining at Club 33, which is a <b>B.F.D. </b>for Disney Nerds like myself</td></tr>
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And also...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XHuaBjrk47c/Tv_jMpAHiNI/AAAAAAAADvg/9UEs0P6yHuQ/s1600/298063_10100108125752478_55705421_43876037_874590300_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XHuaBjrk47c/Tv_jMpAHiNI/AAAAAAAADvg/9UEs0P6yHuQ/s400/298063_10100108125752478_55705421_43876037_874590300_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partying like rockstars in Vegas with some Disney CP buddies</td></tr>
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And then...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90mh19_pDcw/Tv_jqsN_FDI/AAAAAAAADvs/ae8142kyJuQ/s1600/316868_324989537527694_100000499502708_1384159_797692656_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90mh19_pDcw/Tv_jqsN_FDI/AAAAAAAADvs/ae8142kyJuQ/s640/316868_324989537527694_100000499502708_1384159_797692656_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcomed to the family a new nephew, Noah, who is seen here sleeping soundly after his baptism in November.</td></tr>
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And, finally,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmTvaQLieQw/Tv_kq0HTnYI/AAAAAAAADv4/GIDg58O9t7k/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmTvaQLieQw/Tv_kq0HTnYI/AAAAAAAADv4/GIDg58O9t7k/s320/IMG_0366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You aren't back in PIT until Franco Harris greets you with the Immaculate Reception</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popsing is happy and grateful to be home for the holidays!</td></tr>
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I had a lovely week in Pittsburgh cooking, seeing dear old friends, spending some QT with my family, and just relaxing and enjoying myself in general.<br />
<br />
In 2012, I just hope to further my progress towards some of my longer term goals, like continuing to do well in grad school and becoming more fit and healthy, possibly shedding those last 25-30 lbs or so.<br />
<br />
I'm also looking forward to another trip to Europe in the late spring/early summer and a probable September reunion with my 2705 gals of Disney College Program fame when one of us walks down the aisle. (Hint: it isn't me!) <br />
<br />
Oh, and turning 30. That's kindof a big deal too.<br />
<br />
So as I head out to my friend's New Year's Party, I wish you and yours a very safe and happy New Year and health and prosperity in 2012!<br />
<br />
Cheers!</div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-33805780564556126842011-12-23T20:12:00.000-08:002013-12-01T19:50:22.142-08:00Christmas Eve Eve<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I sit here at the San Diego International Airport on the Eve of Christmas Eve, all contentment and joy as I await my delayed flight to Newark, New Jersey. That airport is *Cursed, but tonight I don't much care. I just feel so darn good.<br />
<br />
It started last night when I was settling in for bed, looked at my phone, and noticed the reminder e-mail to check in for my flight since I was inside the 24 hour mark. As I poked and swiped my way through it, a wondrous sight appeared: <em>"Special Offer! Upgrade to First Class for $139."</em> Well that certainly caught my attention. At first I thought it was some lame-ass offer for my short leg from Newark to Pittsburgh, but when I scanned the page further I realized that it was indeed for my <em><u>five hour trans-continental flight</u></em>. I must have been a very good girl this year!<br />
<br />
A hundred and thirty nine bones ain't exactly walking-around money, but when you do the five hour red-eye in coach math and then consider the decent deal on the plane ticket that I got in the first place, and then factor in what it would have cost for a first class ticket at original purchase, it makes perfect sense. Worth it. Bought it. Been on Cloud 9 just thinking about it ever since. In fact, I couldn't sleep much last night just thinking about it. I even <em>dreamed</em> about flying first class. It's not like I've never done it before, but it's been ever so few and far between and under circumstances of pure luck and one successful upgrade with mileage, and with the exception of the infamous "Maria Gets Stranded at Dulles at 16 Then Got Flown Business Class to Frankfurt The Next Day" incident of 1999, it's not happened to me for a particularly lengthy flight.<br />
<br />
So yeah, I'm excited.<br />
<br />
Since this Friday I didn't have any meetings scheduled at the office, I opted to stay at home, as is my general policy these days. I figured that gave me the freedom to do a little packing and cleaning throughout my day as well, and then an e-mail came from my boss at about a quarter to noon, to the tune of, <em>"Team, I'm getting ready to head out for the afternoon. If you can, you all should leave too and enjoy the 70 degree Christmas!"</em><br />
<br />
Done and done.<br />
<br />
Although somehow even with the entire afternoon free to pack, clean, and run last minute errands, I still managed to barely get out of the apartment in time to walk the block over to the train station to start the trip down to Lindbergh Field. I like to use the light rail system when I can, although I'm so un-used to it and paranoid about missing a critical connection in a city where the trains run so infrequently, it's usually 90 minutes of sitting on pins and needles for me.<br />
<br />
It's only when I got to the airport that I felt at peace. I hit the scene around 6:15, well ahead of my <strike>9:35</strike> 10:05 departure, and braced for impact.<br />
<br />
What has greeted me, however, is a relatively deserted terminal. I thought it would be teeming with travelers by now, but it's been pretty quiet. I observed as much to the TSA worker who was checking my boarding pass and ID and he lithely replied,<em> "Hang around here for a couple hours. We've got about 10 red-eyes going out tonight, over 2,000 passengers."</em> Ah, alles klar. The calm before the storm, then.<br />
<br />
The instant I gathered my things from the security line and hit the terminal, I wanted to write. In the distant, ancient past, before laptops and smartphones, whenever I flew somewhere I used to actually write<strong>...letters</strong>. Pages and pages of letters. **Rachel Greene 15 page letters to Ross letters. Often with illustrations, and always with thorough observations of the scene around me. I'm a rather accomplished people watcher. Most introverts are, you know. And I have to wonder if I--and we all--have lost a bit of that these days. As I look away from my laptop and type this, every other person I see is staring at a screen of some sort. I guess back then I was still in my own world because I was looking at a piece of paper or sometimes just reading a book, but usually I was the only one and everyone else was interacting with one another.<br />
<br />
At any rate, I am still content this evening. With hopes that the delay out of San Diego is really only a half an hour and that everything else goes smoothly, I can't complain about much today or this trip. Miss Amelia is back at home in good hands with her pet sitter this week, I'm healthy, I have a break from class (though I did bring my book for my next class because we're expected to have read the first three chapters by the first day), and my family and some dear old friends are waiting for me on the other coast. So all is well.<br />
<br />
Wishing you and yours safe holiday travels and a Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<br />
Maria<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*Oh, right, the asterisk. So, Newark Airport is Cursed. My best friend back home got stranded there once coming back to the US from a school trip to Europe. And this wasn't my best friend as a married adult with a cell phone and credit cards. This was just after either our freshman or sophomore year of high school. She and some other classmates were actually stuck there and told they wouldn't be able to go home until the next day or something, and my friend had to be back in Pittsburgh to leave for her family vacation the next day. So as you can imagine, she was hella upset--yeah, I just dusted off that relic of a word--and her dad ended up renting a 16 passenger van or some shit like that and had to <em>drive across the state of Pennsylvania and bring them all back.</em> There have been other Newark delays and incidents since then--one even involving myself a few years ago--and ever since that first summer way back when, Newark has been declared Cursed. Along with its evil cousin, Washington-Dulles, the setting of the aforementioned "Maria Gets Stranded at Dulles at 16..." story.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
**If you don't understand the Rachel and Ross reference, then you're probably too young to be on the Internet by yourself. Please ask your parents' permission first. I'd rate this blog at about a PG if they ask.</div>
emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-92170135707122779312011-12-15T18:37:00.000-08:002011-12-15T18:45:00.267-08:00The MBA Project: Semester One Done!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay, so I don't usually declare it really over until the fat lady sings, aka final grades are posted. But I'm going to go ahead and call it--<i>I finished my first semester of grad school! YEAH! </i> We took our last final yesterday evening, and about a third of our cohort went to a local bar to celebrate afterwards. Right about now, I know a bunch of them are getting together again at a bar, but a.) I'm freaking exhausted and b.) it's a pretty far drive. So even though the spirit is willing and would very much love to go a couple rounds with my classmates, it was all the flesh could do to get through today before calling it quits and coming straight home for the evening.<br />
<br />
There some pretty challenging times these last few months, what with navigating the sometimes choppy waters of team projects (which are about 100x more difficult to pull off when you're all employed full time and don't live anywhere near each other) and balancing the workload with the rest of our lives, but my team, my cohort, and I all made it through. Now for a glorious 2.5 weeks of break before getting right back into it again.<br />
<br />
Funny, I never thought I'd see a time when<i> just </i>working a 40 hour week was considered a break.<br />
<br />
<br />
(Although, to be fair, I am taking off a week to go home to Pittsburgh, so I really am getting a break.)</div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-19190719386518507052011-10-23T12:21:00.000-07:002011-10-23T12:21:30.456-07:00Looking Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm just a little sore from running yesterday. However, it's a good, familiar sore. It's the kind of sore where I feel like riding on it and doing something else today to keep the activity going. So even though that was a wretched 23 minutes yesterday, some good came of it.<br />
<br />
Last night I decided to get out of the house and meet my friend Beth at the restaurant where she's the house dancer. She was "off duty" last night and just there to hang out. She, like me, is in the throes of insanity for the sake of higher education and needed a break. (She's thisclose to finishing her dissertation for her PhD.) I haven't been to the restaurant since this spring and it's always been my favorite venue to dance, and I really should go more often. At some point the cooks make Beth some sliders and she offers me one, but I had had a big cup of Mexican mocha and two pieces of the best baklava in the entire universe and I was full. The owner, who chats with us at the bar, didn't hear me say I was full and said, "You're vegetarian, right?" I laughed. Perhaps he somehow remembered that I almost exclusively ordered the falafel wrap when I used to come by more often. "No," I said. "I've gotten close a few times, but bacon always brings me back. I could never give that up." <br />
<br />
Almost two years ago now, I wrote about how I had become an <a href="http://emmebrown.blogspot.com/2010/01/garden-of-eatin.html">almost accidental vegetarian</a>, and since then I have very slowly begun to eat meat more and more frequently. It's not back up to the levels it was several years ago, but I buy it regularly now and almost always eat it when I dine out. But lately I've been thinking about making a conscious decision to go back the other way and to go 99% vegetarian. Why 99%? Because I would still use chicken stock in cooking if it was on sale or something, and I freaking love bacon that much. And carnitas. (If I had to decide at gunpoint, I'd give up the carnitas for the bacon, though.) My reasons are more pragmatic than passionate. I mean, I believe that humans have canine teeth for a reason--to eat meat. We need protein and I especially need iron. But modern society allows us to get by with far less than we used to need, and signs are pointing to the harm that cattle farming is doing to the environment. Plus there is the money-saving factor, although I've found that I just spend it on other things, so it's really a zero sum game there.<br />
<br />
I had a whole roast chicken that I had to use up this week, so I did shred it and put it into a pot of 10 bean soup that I made yesterday. I'm thinking that after that is all gone, that's it. I'm not buying any more meat on my weekly grocery store trips. Yes, I'm doing this even with the holidays just around the corner! *gasp* Well I don't care that much for turkey anyway, so "meh" to that. Okay, unless my Dad decides to deep fry another one for Christmas just like he did a few years back...then we might have to re-think this.<br />
<br />
Well, all that writing about food has made me realize it's time for lunch and I have delicious falafels in the freezer!</div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-80715522697180607952011-10-22T13:49:00.000-07:002011-10-23T11:58:10.944-07:00Making Adjustments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been having a mild crisis these last several weeks. On the one hand, school is great, I've already learned a lot in these last couple of months, and I'm 100% sure that I have made the right decision. On the other hand, I am having a rough time adjusting to the new schedule. I'm pretty much used to the long commutes and 15 hour days now, but what I have not figured out is how to continue to work towards my personal goals of health and fitness on top of everything else. I have all but stopped working out (we're talking going from 4-5 days a week to maybe 2), and I feel hungry all the time! It's as though my body is responding to all this change in my life by going into comfort mode, where all I want to do when I get home is lay in bed and watch Netflix and then eat macaroni and cheese. <br />
<br />
I'm one of the most flexible people I know--what gives with this resistance to change??? When I <i>do</i> manage to get to the gym anymore, it's all I can do to do some strength training and maybe 20 minutes on a cardio machine, which is about all I can stand before I'm completely checked out mentally and physically. Today I forced myself out on a jog, thinking that once I got out there, I'd be fine and just power through a 5k or so. Nope. I was miserable every stinkin' minute and came back after 1.6 miles.<br />
<br />
I think part of it is that I'm just, for lack of a better word, "bored". At first when I started running, it was exciting to increase my time, speed, and distance just a little bit more every week. Now it feels like, "So what? You haven't gotten any faster or run any further for over 6 months." Maybe I just need to sign up for a 10k so I'm motivated towards a new goal, but I don't know if that is enough. I think about trying Pilates or buying a workout DVD, but I haven't been very successful with those either. I certainly don't have the bandwidth to commit to another instructional class. So I have some decisions to make, clearly. I might have to really commit myself back to lunchtime workouts or even consider going in the morning. Heck, I might even be desperate enough to try spinning. (I swore off of it 5 years ago after only one try because I couldn't sit down for days afterward, but I might have to reconsider.)<br />
<br />
I sat down with the intention of starting a series of things that I am grateful for, but sometimes you just need to bitch it out instead!</div>emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-74313479046017624532011-09-11T08:30:00.000-07:002011-09-11T08:30:11.960-07:00Remembering 9/11/01 Ten Years Later<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">September 11th, 2001: I was a freshman at Kent State University, just coming off of my 19th birthday. I had early classes that semester--7:45am start time. The teacher let us out early at 8:30am that day, so I hopped on a campus bus back to my dorm. I estimated that by the time the second tower hit, I was stepping off at my stop. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As was my usual routine following an early class, I went straight back to bed for a nap before my next one. I didn't wake up until 11:20, and when I went down the hall to the bathroom, I noticed that everyone's door's were open and televisions were on. I heard one girl who was clearly upset telling some others that nobody could get a hold of her sister in New York. Something seemed off, so when I went back to my room, I got on the computer and saw an IM from my friend Kris. <i>"Do you know if classes are cancelled today?"</i> she said.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Uh, why would classes be cancelled today?"</i> I asked.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Turn on your tv."</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The television stayed on for the rest of the day after that. At some point, I started a group chat on AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) with a bunch of my friends from high school, and I saved it to capture the snapshot in history. Here's an excerpt:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: red;">RiaLucia</span></b><span style="color: red;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Where exactly were YOU when you heard?</span><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">Lucy1530</span></b><span style="color: blue;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: green; font-family: Arial;">hmm... just out of bed</span><br /><b><span style="color: salmon;">FunkmastaBSB</span></b><span style="color: salmon;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Tahoma;">I was in my first class at 9:30</span><br /><b><span style="color: darkgreen;">Ditzy127</span></b><span style="color: darkgreen;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Goudy;">my dad called me a little after 9 this morning...right after the first one hit, and then i turned on </span><br /><b><span style="color: darkgreen;">Ditzy127</span></b><span style="color: darkgreen;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Goudy;">the TV and watched the second one live</span><br /><b>RiaLucia</b>:<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">omg</span><br /><b><span style="color: red;">RiaLucia</span></b><span style="color: red;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Live?!?</span><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">Lucy1530</span></b><span style="color: blue;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: green; font-family: Arial;">ahhhhhh!</span><br /><b><span style="color: salmon;">FunkmastaBSB</span></b><span style="color: salmon;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Tahoma;">Then ironically I has my US history and we talked about it</span><br /><b><span style="color: darkgreen;">Ditzy127</span></b><span style="color: darkgreen;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Goudy;">yeah, they were just talking about why/how the plane ran into the building (if it was out of control..</span><br /><b><span style="color: salmon;">FunkmastaBSB</span></b><span style="color: salmon;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Tahoma;">I was thinking how scary it would be to see that second one</span><br /><b><span style="color: darkgreen;">Ditzy127</span></b><span style="color: darkgreen;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Goudy;">etc...) when it happened</span><br /><b>RiaLucia</b>:<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Well I had a class at 7:45 as per usual, and my teacher let us out early, like around 8:30. </span><br /><b><span style="color: red;">RiaLucia</span></b><span style="color: red;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">I came back to my room and took a long nap until about 11:20 and then when I got up and went to...</span><br /><b><span style="color: red;">RiaLucia</span></b><span style="color: red;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">...the bathroom I heard that girl talk about her sis in NYC and I got on the computer and one of my...</span><br /><b><span style="color: red;">RiaLucia</span></b><span style="color: red;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">...friends told me. So I turned on the TV and it stayed on alllllllll day</span><br /><b><span style="color: darkgreen;">Ditzy127</span></b><span style="color: darkgreen;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Goudy;">mine too, lol...</span><br /><b><span style="color: salmon;">FunkmastaBSB</span></b><span style="color: salmon;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Tahoma;">yep, I've been pretty much glued to the TV</span><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">Lucy1530</span></b><span style="color: blue;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: green; font-family: Arial;">yeah, mine too, although I wasn't here all the time</span><br /><b><span style="color: darkgreen;">Ditzy127</span></b><span style="color: darkgreen;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Goudy;">so, what do you guys think will happen?</span><br /><b>RiaLucia</b>:<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Jerica and I even fell asleep watching it.</span><br /><b><span style="color: red;">RiaLucia</span></b><span style="color: red;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">I don't think this is an isolated incident. I think there's more to follow from them as well as us.</span><br /><b><span style="color: salmon;">FunkmastaBSB</span></b><span style="color: salmon;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Tahoma;">I have no idea</span><br /><b><span style="color: salmon;">FunkmastaBSB</span></b><span style="color: salmon;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Tahoma;">it's really complicated</span><br /><b><span style="color: yellow;">COOLVETLADY</span></b><span style="color: yellow;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #8000ff;">Heck ya to what ria said</span><br /><b><span style="color: salmon;">FunkmastaBSB</span></b><span style="color: salmon;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Tahoma;">It would be so much easier if it were from a country</span><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">Lucy1530</span></b><span style="color: blue;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: green; font-family: Arial;">I'm afraid of what's going to happen. I hope it doesn't cause a war.</span><br /><b><span style="color: darkgreen;">Ditzy127</span></b><span style="color: darkgreen;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Goudy;">i think we'll finally know who it was...but find out in a few months...then bomb them and that's it...</span><br /><b><span style="color: salmon;">FunkmastaBSB</span></b><span style="color: salmon;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Tahoma;">At least then we could just bomb the hell out of 'em</span><br /><b><span style="color: darkgreen;">Ditzy127</span></b><span style="color: darkgreen;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Goudy;">i don't think it will cause a major war...probably just a short one like Desert Storm</span><br /><b>RiaLucia</b>:<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">But I'm afraid of escalation</span><br /><b><span style="color: darkgrey;">lilone0330</span></b><span style="color: darkgrey;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'News Gothic MT';">yeah right. like it'll be that easy...</span><br /><b><span style="color: salmon;">FunkmastaBSB</span></b><span style="color: salmon;">:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Tahoma;">hopefully</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNsqSOMXJW8/TmzTQ9o9obI/AAAAAAAADog/79lNbwXWIQw/s1600/545028_usa-plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNsqSOMXJW8/TmzTQ9o9obI/AAAAAAAADog/79lNbwXWIQw/s1600/545028_usa-plate.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Crazy, right? That was what was going through the minds of a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds. My roommate and I watched the news all day; we even fell asleep to it. The next day, when we had enough, we jumped into her Oldsmobile and went to Wal-mart, I think. By then, American flags were starting to appear in windows everywhere, so we wanted to pick something up to put into ours. Every store had run out of flags, so we found a plastic flag plate and propped it up in our dorm window for the next several weeks. I think I'm the one who ended up with it after she moved out during spring semester, come to think of it. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">But that was my experience. Uneasy, hurt, crying off and on for an entire afternoon as I watched coverage of the wreckage and listened to people call in to tell the world about the people they lost.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ff0080; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Life goes on, but we will always remember.</span></span></div>
emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491369442979661808.post-31116786846885943652011-09-10T21:13:00.000-07:002011-09-10T21:13:30.551-07:00My (First) 29th Birthday*<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I celebrated my 29th birthday today, and I couldn't feel more blessed by the outpouring of well wishes from family and friends. One might say that the party started at 3pm yesterday when it turned midnight in Germany and I got a birthday cheers over Skype. ;-) Then it rolled into today where I excitedly woke up at 6:45 (yeah, on a Saturday) and saw an inbox full of Facebook notices. I ran around running errands all morning as soon as the stores opened, for this year I decided to have a little get together at my favorite beach and in my infinite wisdom, I waited until today to shop for it. In my defense, I haven't thrown a party in years, so I'm rusty with the logistics!<br />
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I was concerned at first because it was so overcast in the morning, but by the time my party rolled around, the weather became gorgeous--not too hot or too chilly and nice scattered clouds. I spent a lovely afternoon cavorting at Moonlight Beach with people from all areas of my life: local pals, family who drove down from LA, friends from school, ladies from the dance troupe...it was a really fantastic way to spend a birthday. I am so thankful for everything that I have been blessed with.<br />
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And now I move into the final act of the evening--which is watching The Office while I eat Ben & Jerry's "Fair Goodness Cake"--I shall leave you with this photo of me and my party's special guest, Popsing. Long story/historical family inside joke, but it made me positively silly with happiness when my Uncle Henry showed up with it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ii82cZQRno/Tmw0ECiso7I/AAAAAAAADoc/wdmNY4jBFyw/s1600/IMG_0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ii82cZQRno/Tmw0ECiso7I/AAAAAAAADoc/wdmNY4jBFyw/s400/IMG_0179.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popsing is happy to attend my birthday bash!</td></tr>
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*The official word is that I will definitely celebrate the big 3-0 next year, and <i>then</i> roll it back to 29. ;-)</div>
emmebeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12500977992328724873noreply@blogger.com