Beaver Creek 2008

Here are some photos from our trip. I has a slight obsession with photographing trees this trip...

I'm back!

We froze our tails off and ate our weight in food but had a fabulous time in Beaver Creek. I hope we come back here over Christmas, it really is a great place to ski! I will post some pics later - for now I am just trying to get back into the swing of things. Luckily Joe and I have the day off (him for MLK day; me cause I will be working this Sat - boo!) so we have time to catch up with house stuff (after we work out, of course!).

Off to the slopes

We will be boarding our plane in a few hours to Vail. I am ready to hit the slopes, although it looks like it is going to be cold cold! Brrr

Not quite ready to let go of the holidays

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is receiving cards from friends and family. Many times this is the only time I "talk" to them and I love to see how everyone is doing and changing. Being friends with many 'mos means I do not get a great return on investment in my cards (I think Brad and Andy were the only couple to send one) but I still love making and sending them as well.

One of the best ideas I got from A. Edwards, scrapper extraordinaire, is to use a square punch to preserve parts of the cards on a layout. It is a great way to get most of your cards onto a page, save the best part and save space as well. Today I got a little punch happy and made a 2-page spread that I love.

I think this holiday I made more holiday-oriented layots than I have the entire time I have been scrapping! I guess I was in the mood. Too bad I have to wait a 11 more months before I can get back into the spirit of things!

Only 8 hours of work left

...before we leave for Beaver Creek! I am excited about going, although I have yet to get anything packed. I think it is going to be super cold when we're there so I must remember to pack a couple extra sweaters. We get such a skewed view of winter here. Anything below 60degrees is cold! And we are going into 19-20 degree weather - brrrr!

Overlooked

So I am working on a few year long scrapbooking challenges this year. With the advent of blogging, etc so much information is to be found on the internet. And most of it is free! This particular challenge is called "Overlooked" and has to do with noticing the little things in life. The 7th of each month, the host {Ashley Wren is her name} posts a subject which participants will SNAP a photo of. The 14th she will post journaling ideas, prompts and suggestions to JOT down regarding the subject. On the 21 we create layouts.
This month's SNAP was coffee mugs. Since I don't drink too much coffee I decided to snap a photo of what I like to drink everyday, Propel. Some jotting: the first time I tasted Propel I hated it. Joe and I had just run a 5K in the heat of Houston September a few years ago and I was expecting some cold refreshing water. What I got was this sickly flavored water which I thought was disgusting. Fast forward to probably about 2 years later. Now we are addicted to the stuff. I can't remember what precipitated us to start drinking it - we probably got some more samples at another race and it grew on us. Now, I love it. Especially since I try not to drink too many soft drinks, Propel is a good way to get liquid with minimal calories that has some flavor to it. Gatorade tastes too sweet for me now. So I guess that goes to show you how tastes can change. You should always try something at least twice before deciding you don't like it.

2 hours I'll never get back

So I went with Marc, Richie and Bo-Marc to see Atonement this afternoon. Did NOT like it at all. Slow and predictable plot, disappointing ending. I can't believe all the buzz it's getting!

Thank goodness it's over

The half/full marathon that is! The weather was great this morning; a little chilly but good running weather. I finished 2:04, so right under my time for the White Rock. I still got a bit cold and tired towards the end. I keep saying I need to do more long runs. But I am pleased nonetheless.

My crazy husband woke up this morning to ride his bike for 1.5 hours. He ran his marathon in 3:30 and is back on his bike as I type this. Today is just an extra long training day for him. Like I said, crazy!

We are going to be meeting up with our peeps after Joe is finished (if he is still able to stand!). I am going to be hungry!

Scrappy goodness

I received some fun mail today - Cocoa Daisy 12months of mini books kit! It was so cute I couldn't resist. I started working on mine tonight. I love mini albums but I haven't really made any for myself. I think this will be a fabulous finished product at the end of the year.
The other thing I did today was take some everyday photos. I am going to make a 12 on the 12th album for 2008. I am taking 12 photos the 12th of each month. This will be a good snapshot of our life! I just couldn't bring myself to commit to a photo-a-day for the year, which seems to be in vogue these days.
On a working out note, Joe went to be way early this morning as he is waking up at 2AM (yes, you read correctly) to ride his bike for a couple hours before running the marathon. I will probably have to wake up around 4:30 am to get ready for the half. Just thinking about getting out of bed that early is making me sleepy so I'm out.

Random thoughts

I stayed up last night to finish A Thousand Splendid Suns. Fabulous fabulous book. I started crying near the end, which is why I had to finish. I love books that can touch you like that. I haven't decided what my next good read is going to be, but for now I will fill my time with some Phillipa Gregory juicy historical fiction!

Joe and I picked up our packets for the Houston marathon and half-marathon this Sunday. I am looking forward to the race!

We are changing our schedule at work starting in February. I will still be working almost every other weekend, BUT we will have EVERY Monday off. I cannot wait!

I really should start packing for our ski trip, but am finding it hard to get motivated. I watched the latest (and last) episode of Gossip Girl (sometimes I wish I were that young again, just not as stupid as I was) as well as another episode of Cashmere Mafia, which is slowly growing on me. The 2nd episode definitely wasn't quite as contrived as the first.

All for now - good night!

The jury is still out

I just watched Cashmere Mafia, a new show that it supposed to be like SITC, but slightly older. I don't hate it quite yet, but it hasn't really grabbed me either. I have one more episode on the DVR that I will watch and then I'll make my decision if I want to commit to another show.

Namaste

I practiced mysore this evening. I've been going to yoga since the White Rock half-marathon, but slacking just a little bit and only going to the led classes. Mysore is the self-paced practice. And I forgot how much I love it. Sometimes the instructor of the led class makes us hold a pose for what feels like forever, which then tires me out for other poses. Practicing at your own pace lets you hold the pose with your own breath and work on things that you need help on. The only bad thing was that I was trying to lift myself up with my arms only and ended up hurting my right wrist. Hopefuly it will be better by Friday! One of my resolutions/intentions this year is to be more consistent with my yoga practice and go at least 3-4x/week.

Just an ordinary day

Lots of working today, not too much creating. One exciting thing going on - our good friend Alan is turning 40 this year and he wants to take a weeklong trip to Ibiza, a party island off the coast of Spain. While I am always up for a good party, going clubbing for a whole week does not appeal to me. So we (my hubby, good friends Marc, D, Peg, Coupon, Billy + Juan) are thinking of going to Ibiza for just a few days and either Spain or Portugal for the rest of the time.
We haven't taken an overseas trip in a couple years so the planning and anticipation of seeing a new place is very exciting to me! One of the things I love about Joe is that he loves to travel. We have been to some cool places together: Italy, Mexico, Costa Rica and China, to name a few. But there are so many other places in the world I would love to go. I haven't even been to Paris yet! I have slept in the African Bush but I haven't seen the Eiffel Tower. How random is that!
Speaking of trips, I am also excited about of upcoming ski trip to Beaver Creek next week. I think I have all the gear I need. Now it's just a matter of getting through the week (working through Sat - boo!), and surviving the half marathon on Sunday.

Kona Kampachi

I betcha can't say that 10x in a row! I was inspired by my li'l sis to cook some dinner tonight. I was in the mood for a little seafood, so I bought a Kona Kampachi filet at the recommendation of the Central Market fish man. He said it has more omega-3s than salmon and has the least amount of mercury of any fish. I sauted some lemon in olive oil, added the fish and capers. And it was delicious! Light and tasty, not fishy at all. We had green beans and brown rice to finish off the meal.
Here is our meal in preparation.
And the finished productYum-O!

A little shop shop

I haven't hit any after Christmas sales yet this year. Usually at the end of the year/beginning of the next I am either out of town or tired of shopping (shocker, yes, but it happens). So I went by the Galleria today because I had some gift certificates I wanted to use.

First I bought some mittens, liners and socks for our upcoming ski trip. All practical stuff, nothing too exciting. I also bought a sweater and t-neck from the Gap (on sale, of course), again for the ski trip. Bath and Body Works was having a sale on my favorite lotion (Coconut Lime Verbena) so I stocked up on those as well.

But the piece de resistance was my puchase at Saks. Last Feb Tingaling and I went to NYC for Spring Fashion week (one of the most fabulous trips ever!). During one of our many shopping excursion, she bought some cool Bond No. 9 cologne for her hubby, BoomBoom. We also got a sample of Bond No. 9 Bryant Park, from the fashion show. I have been using it as sparingly as possible because I wanted it to last. Now, almost 1 year later, I am out of my sample. My girlfriends gave me a GC to the mall for my bday last year so I thought this would be a nice splurge. I ended up with a different perfume that I thought is a little more wearable than the Bryant Park. It is called The Scent of Peace (love that name too!). Seriously, the bottle itself is worth the price of admission.

Cutest movie ever

{I am obviously not a work today as it is my 3rd post of the day!} Marc, Joe and I went to see Juno this afternoon. Loved it!

Year in review

I am almost finished with my 2007 year in review album. I wasn't planning on doing one, but I got this idea from Simple Scrapbooks mag. I just blew up one photo from each month and then printed wallets of other photos from the same month, slapped them on some cute patterned paper, added the date and a couple embellishments and called it good.
They look pretty cool all laid out like this and this gets them that much closer to 31 layouts in January! I just have to get my December photos printed and I will all finished!

New music

I typically can't stand having music play when I am blogging, but I must say that I found this catchy tune during one of those such times. The band is called The Radio Dept and the song is called Pulling Our Weight. I love Itunes, because found the song and bought their EP right there on the spot! They are definitely a Cure/New Order influenced indi-rock band. The song reminds me of something I would have listened to the last couple years of college.
The video is kind of random, but I really like this song. I think it's on the Marie Antoinette soundtrack, which includes Ceremony, on of my favorite New Order songs ever.

A layout a day challenge

I am pseudo-participating in a scrapbook challenge over at Big Picture Scrapbooking. It is to create one layout every day the month of January. So far I am 3 for 3! But I haven't been posting them on the gallery - too much work. I am just satisfied with the knowledge that I will have completed 31 layouts (hopefully!) by the end of the month.

Happy 2008!

We spent a fabulous NYE with our friends at Reef for dinner and then Kirt and Mike's to ring in 2008. We definitely didn't get enough sleep last night but will go to bed early tonight. Here's to the New Year!

Goodbye 2007

Wow - the last day of the year. I can hardly believe it! I would say 2007 was a pretty good year. We had some trying times but hopefully 2008 will bring lots of new additions (or at least one) to our family (and by family I mean our extended family although I am not opposed to making our little family of 2 a bit bigger either!).
oxox

Aack!

I cannot believe the new year is about to begin. Where did 2007 go? I always have so many plans to get organized, be healthy, workout more...the usual. My main goal for last year was to decorate our house. Well...I didn't decorate the WHOLE house, but I did get the living room pretty much finished. I am counting that! This year I would like to BE MORE ORGANIZED and PROCRASTINATE LESS. I think I need to spend less time thinking about doing stuff and more time DOING it. The problem is always the execution, though, isn't it? After a long day of work sometimes it's just easier to just watch some mindless Gossip Girl :) !
I actually am working a bit today - fortunately yesterday wasn't as busy with treatments as I thought it woud be so it shouldn't take too long. We are planning on taking down the Christmas decorations (boo!) and cleaning out our back closet as a start to our organization.
Mom and Dad are supposed to be calling us this morning/afternoon when they get back from their cruise and we will be having lunch with them. I am looking forward to seeing them before the new year!
Joe and I saw No Country for Old Men last night. Excellent movie. Not your typical Hollywood movie at all, which Joe likes. The guy who played the psychopath was extremely creepy and I am surprised I was able to fall asleep without any weirdo nightmares! I guess I am growing up and finally learning to distinguish fact from fiction.

TGIF

Too bad Fridays aren't as good when one has to work over the weekend! That's ok. We have next Tuesday off and then the next weekend off so at least the past couple weeks have been short!
Joe's parents are leaving tomorrow so tonight I think Mom is cooking us dinner and we are going to hang out. We have been playing lots of games: Cranium and Scategories, so I'm thinking we will do more of the same tonight. I need to take a photo of everyone doing their charades for Cranium!

Christmas recap

Photos from the last couple weeks. The holidays are so much fun...I wish they weren't over so soon!
This is Kelly's (alan's sister)tree. Love those CR ornaments!
Here is the ornament I received at our gift exchange. Isn't he cute?
I love this row of wreaths our neighbors have on their fence. What a clever idea!
A photo of our little tree.
The lights we wrapped around the tree out front.
Kachinski men off to the golf course.
Kachinski girls making gingerbread houses.

The finished product

The artists with their art.
Eating the art!


The Kachinskis
Presents!
My favorite present from the sweetest hubby in the world. Love ya Joe Joe!

Back to the grind

The day AFTER Christmas is always the worst, especially if one has to go back to work! Joe's family will be in town for the rest of the week, which gives me an excuse to skip yoga this week. As much as I love it, sometimes you need a break, KWIM? Right now I am just trying to get ready to go back to the office...it's hard...

Merry Christmas

Joe and I are spending the rest of our Christmas afternoon just chillin' on the sofa. We spent the morning with the Kachinski clan, opening presents and eating good food. We got some fun gifts, but my favorite is my new bag! {picture to come soon}
Because I am not very religious (or religious at all), Christmas really means being with family and appreciating what you have. While I love receiving gifts, I really love giving gifts and spending time with loved ones. I miss my Tinger, Mom, Dad and John, but will be seeing them soon!

Winter is here

...apparently! Yesterday the high was in the 70s. We had lunch outside with Joe's siblings at one of our favorite eats, Empire Cafe.
The cold front came through last night. The temperature in Joe's car read 34degrees when we went out to the park to run. I do say that I enjoy running in the cold MUCH more than runnning in hot and humid weather!
Today was pretty much our ideal morning. Wake up early to run, grab some coffee (sugar-free non-fat gingerbread or cinnamon dolce lattes - good stuff!) and bagels for breakfast, rest a bit, yoga (although my right hamstring is bothering me and I was quite uncomfortable during some poses), and the grocery store before coming home for lunch.
The in-laws were supposed to arrive yesterday but their flight was delayed. They are in the air as I type and will be landing around 5pm. Poor things, they spent the whole night at Newark airport. NOT the best way to start a holiday vacation! But they will be here soon and the Kachinski clan will be together for Christmas.
I like not travelling for Christmas but I miss my fam. I am glad we will be seeing Ting, John and Yaya in February for the Austin marathon!

Who knew?

Apparently one of the hottest trends with the under-10 set is Webkins. Yes, they are collectable stuffed animals a.la Beanie Babies, but you don't just play with them, you play online with them.Once you buy one you enter him in your page and create an online world for the pet. You can buy stuff, play games, and even have online friends. It's crazy!

Girls Christmas

For the past 3 out of 4 years (we missed last year), my girlfriends and I get together for an ornament exchange. The 1st year we held it at LK, and the 2nd at TJ. This year we had dinner at Sorreno's, a wonderful seafood and Italien restaurant just up the road from me. I got a cute snowman ornament that I will post if I get off my lazy butt to take a photo of it.
I did make everyone take a group shot at the end of dinner. And if you're pushing and tell the complete stranger taking the photo to come a little closer, your shot goes from this...to this...to this... The moral of this story: always come 10 steps closer from where to are standing to take another exposure. You may be surprised at what you get!

Whirlwind weekend

Our good friend AP was in town from London this weekend so we spent most of our free time with him and our friends. Friday night after yoga we met him, his parents and sister/bil at Segaris, a small seafood restaurant that A loves. Afterwards we met the boys at Meteor for a few drinks.
Last night A had a party at his sister's house for everyone to get together. It was great seeing all our friends in one place! We went to Etro for some 80's music and then habitat for some house music. The party ended, like many do, at Club Rue until the wee hours of the morning!
Today Kirt and Mike (the new/replacement gays) had us over for a yummy brunch and we met everyone at Berry Hill. I just got home because I needed a little break and rest from it all...Meteor is hosting an all Madonna party tonight that I thought I wanted to go to, but I may stay at home and catch up on DDR shows instead...

love this!

two new e's for my collection
Originally uploaded by Bird in the Hand

love this too!

new wall o' art
Originally uploaded by Bird in the Hand

Boston, here we come!

Joe finished his marathon in 3 hours and 10 minutes, which is fast enough to qualify him for the Boston. I think he is going to wait until 2009 to race, but I am so proud of him! All his training has definitely been paying off!

Arlington once again

We are on taking our last trip of the year the weekend! This seems weird to say, yet I am slightly relieved because I feel like I have no time at home in Houston just relaxing. Joe is running the White Rock Marathon and I am running the half marathon on Sunday. Our next trip is not until the middle of January next year, when we go skiing with Peg, Ken, Joey, Linh, Bob and Gyee. I didn't realized how much we travelled until I sat and thought, what did I do all year. Went here or there, when I wasn't working! I guess we should take advantage while we can!
I am glad we get to see mom and dad once last time before the year is up. I would definitely like to visit them more next year.

Lights!

We put up our Christmas lights last night. I need to take a photo, but keep forgetting. Next week, we are getting a tree. I am going to get in the holiday spirit if it kills me!

Back in the swing of things

The last few weeks have been quite the whirlwind, with Thanksgiving holiday, busy work and a weekend in MN. I like my routine and it's hard for me to get back into them when they are interrupted. This coming weekend is our last travel weekend of the year (that sounds so weird to say!) and we will be spending the last 3 weekends of Dec at home. I am most looking forward to that!
This week I think we are going to put up our Christmas lights and try to get into the holiday spirit. Sometimes it gets harder and harder every year. Wish us luck!

Survived the cold

We arrived in Minneapolis to this...and this...But it didn't end up so bad.