I finally did it!

I went PRO on flickr! It took me way too long to get here, but people have been nagging me about not uploading photos onto my free account anymore. The 20 MB limit was killing me. Resizing photos can be a bitch. So, now that I have a job, I can afford this sort of little thing and I am very excited about it.

Too tired to upload anything now, but maybe I'll get a chance tomorrow -- since tomorrow is Marathon Monday. Was looking forward this year to going out to the city like we always do, but the weather is going to be so awful (plus, I still have to work, unlike Dave). We are, however, going to trek out to Sudbury for some hot pot. I have been craving some good shabu for the longest time!

Anyway, I should get to bed to catch up on some sleep. I have more to write about regarding this past weekend, but it can wait a little. A big GOOD LUCK and KEEP WARM to our friend Sophia who is running the marathon. Isn't that amazing? I get a cramp just chasing after BB and can't even fathom running 26+ miles. I hope the weather clears up for all the runners + wheelers...

BB loves corporate finance!

Second lazy day in a row. I feel like we've been hibernating here in the apartment and I'm itching to get out and do something. Dave's been studying for midterms. As you can see from the photo, BB is trying to help out with corporate finance. I took this with the Nikon D70s (the one I have no idea how to use), and I got a few photos out of it that I am sort of pleased with. The sun was out but has been hiding behind some puffy, thick clouds the past half hour.

I've been trying to fight off a cold the past few days and I think I've finally got it under control. I napped an awful lot yesterday. I can't remember the last time I took two naps in one day! What else did I do? I made some strange tasting pasta (yuck) and a fantastic, juicy steak (yum). What is the key to a perfect steak? Sear it on both sides in a pan for 2 minutes a side then stick it in an oven at 450 degrees for 14 minutes. It was perfect!

I'm feeling so scatterbrained right now. Must get out and do something! Update on BB: She's is crawling less and less, walking more and more. It's adorable. Another thing she likes to do is bang on the bathroom door. Dave was finishing up his shower and BB walked over there to bang on the door. "Dada!"

She can say it!

Technical Difficulties

Eek...I've been such a lousy updater! Sorry for the lack of posts in recent weeks. I have a few excuses: 1) I've misplaced the charger for my camera and therefore can't post any visual appeal, 2) I've been trying to organize/clean out the apartment, and 3) I swear, BB wants to eat every hour she's awake!!!

Seriously, though, I am missing this little site and want to get it moving again. Some goals are to learn how to use Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and this gargantuan Nikon D70 (?) camera we have. I might have to if I can't find my Cybershot charger!

I cleaned out our bedroom closet yesterday and today. It looks fantastic and I created much more space. I installed hooks on the inside walls to hang handbags, scarves, hats, etc. I've also thrown out many unneeded things and have bagged away all of BB's used clothes that are too small (since I'm thinking of taking them to Kid to Kid to make a quick buck or two). I'm feeling pretty productive.

BB is walking so much now, and it's amazing to watch! She's quite adventurous and daring now, which does have its dowside. She's been trying to climb everything! It's funny watching her lift one leg up onto the sofa, but honestly, my hair is going to turn prematurely grey!

Tickled Pink!

BB and I went to Connecticut this past weekend to visit my mom and we had a great time. BB's getting better each day with her walking and being able to feed herself. She stuffs her face now! I feel very fortunate that she's got a hefty appetite and is not picky.

On Saturday, I finally met my mom's friend of many years, Doug Brega, an accomplished watercolor artist. It was quite a treat, touring his studio and hanging out with him and his dog. He decided to whip out his camera and take some photos of BB toying around in his studio (there are also some of me, but I'll spare you the sight of them). We had them printed out at his house and I'm definitely going to have the photographs framed. As my mom would say, I'm so "tickled pink!"

The famous BB wink!

So I watched the Oscars, of course. Penelope Cruz, Reese Witherspoon, and Helen Mirren looked the best. I was pleasantly surprised by Diane Keaton's outfit -- it was chic and not...well...crazy! I was kind of disappointed that Eddie Murphy lost, but happy that Alan Arkin won (Little Miss Sunshine is fantastic!). Ellen was good and the show was very creative. Happy for Al Gore. This was his true calling. I could really go on and on, but I'll stop there since everyone is saying the same thing.

We're snowed in today, which means I MUST do laundry and organize everything. I don't have to vacuum or dust because, to my surprise, Dave already did it before I came home! Yesss!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Did I forget to mention Chinese New Year? It's the year of the Golden Pig (it's only "Golden" once every 60 years) and it's the first year I didn't really do anything for "CNY" as some have been calling it. When BB gets a little older and can understand it I'll definitely make a big deal of it, but it seems like Dave and I are perpetually exhausted these days.
I finally compiled a little album of photos for my Popo (Cantonese for maternal grandmother) who lives in Toronto. I'm so awful because I kept saying I was going to send pictures and didn't put in the effort to make time for this. It's a Noci brag book by Kolo with a little card stock tag message attached. Kolo has some great products and I hope Popo likes it (the pictures too!). You know what else I did? I renewed my driver's license! The picture is enough to scare your pants off and it cost a ridiculous $40, but I feel MUCH better now that I got it done.

I came across this website called Branch (via Design*Sponge). I love these bamboo pieces by Bambu. I'm really tempted since the prices are great...but I don't think our cabinet has any more room for bowls and such...(pout).
Lost is on tonight! American Idol, too. I watched the top twelve males last night. Umm...how was that Blake guy's version of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" deemed the best performance of the night? It sucked! Anyway, gotta go. BB pooped. Whoopie...

Girl With a Tissue Hat

The sun is back! I'm not really going to write too much right now, but I just wanted to post some morning playtime pictures.

Dave is proud of this purchase and calls them "The Building Blocks of Life." Oh, Papa...
I love this one.

Lately, BB has been ripping her socks off...

Who needs a tissue?

I couldn't help it. The tissue looked so great in the sunlight, but it was boring by itself. BB definitely makes it more interesting!

Getting Down to Business!

The past couple days have gone by in a flash and it's hard to believe that tomorrow is the beginning of a brand new week.

A miracle happened Friday night. Dave and I went out. Out, out. That is a miracle by our standards. He finished finals that evening, so I went to the city to meet him. After a good 25 minutes of driving around, we finally found a parking spot and went to Wonderbar. Yes, a very college student thing to do, but we had fun dancing and just being together ALONE. It's something we REALLY needed. Alone time is very important. I also got to see Sammy and Brian, whom I haven't seen in ages. Great night.

Saturday afternoon, BB and I went to little Jasmine's first birthday. BB had a ball playing with all the kids (half of them were around the age of one) and she didn't hesitate on being a total ham. She clapped, smiled, and made faces the entire time. I personally did not take pictures (sorry, I get lazy sometimes), but Lenny & Flora (Jasmine's parents) have promised to e-mail me a link to the pictures. When I get them I will share. I love my friends to death, but I must admit it was really nice hanging out with PARENTS. It's fun to share information and milestone stories.

Today, we finally got our Christmas tree! I don't think we were planning on getting one so big -- it didn't seem so big at the farm -- but it almost touches the ceiling. I'm liking it very much, and it's my first tree as an adult. It's BB AND Dave's first tree ever. I am so glad my mom and dad did Christmas for us every single year. I have so many great memories. I want BB to have the same.
In the meantime, I've made some primitive pre-school style Christmas decorations. We've got the paper snowflakes (which I haven't made in AGES) and ye olde fashioned paper chain-link garland that is way too short to wrap all around the tree. I swear I'll make it to the craft store tomorrow so I can make some Martha Stewart-esque ornaments.

BB's winter coat arrived (finally) in the mail from L.L. Bean. It's nothing spectacular to look at, but at least I know it's warm. That's what matters most. I also ordered some shearling boots (pictured at the top) to keep those toesies warm. They fit perfectly and were a steal at $16.50. I need to buck up and buy my kid some more shoes, poor thing.

On a final note, I ordered our holiday cards this afternoon! I chose 2-day delivery, so I need to get everyone's address ASAP. Thank goodness for online coupon codes. I saved myself $5. I love BB's smile in the photo. The only way I was able to achieve this was by using the flash on my camera. I've really been trying to use natural sunlight, but it's been scarce lately and if you don't hold the camera steady (or if its subject WON'T SIT STILL) you'll get a fuzzy picture. I was getting frustrated, so I gave in. I adjusted the brightness and contrast a bit in iPhoto. I'm liking it. Here's the final product.
I'm really trying to get things done now that Christmas is a mere two weeks away (eek). Crunch time!

NOT America's Next Top Model

Wouldn't this just look great on a card? It totally screams, "Mom, this blows." And the shirt is so appropriate.

I'm so frustrated because BB and I had a little photo shoot, and you'll see from the pictures that it didn't turn out very successful. There were a few great shots that, of course, turned out fuzzy.

Spitter

Get It Off!

Could've Been Perfect...

Not Feeling The HatGetting Cranky

ENOUGH!Trying again tomorrow. I'm praying it will turn out better, especially because I need to get the cards made ASAP. She just doesn't want to keep that hat on...

Wanda left for home in San Francisco this afternoon. The week went by so fast, but at least she'll be back for Christmas. It was nice getting to know her better and seeing her bond with BB. I need to go buy a birthday gift for baby Jasmine. I'm not so sure BB and I will get out tonight. Ugh, I should go out. Wishing I had a babysitter...

I'm a sucker.

I went to Whole Foods with BB because we had absolutely no food here at home. They had this cheese on display for samples. I'm usually not really a fan of cheddar, but I like this one because it's not very sharp. It's called "Mammoth" cheddar cheese. Eating what's in the picture right now. It's tasty. I'm a sucker. They got me.

As you can see from the picture, I only got a few rays of sunlight. The sun is only just trying to peek out now. I feel like I haven't seen it in days. And what is with this mild weather? If the sun had been out the past couple days, anyone could have mistaken the season for late Spring, early Summer.

General Hospital is on. I try to watch it every once and awhile when I have time. If soaps are even worth watching, General Hospital is the only one. I came across Passions while channel surfing and Theresa is still pining over Ethan who is still with Gwen who is friends with Sheridan who is still in love with Luis who is in love with a girl named Fancy. Fancy?! And the storyline with Tabitha the witch and her talking doll Timmy was just ridiculous as well. I'm surprised this soap has lasted so long. Gotta love General Hospital, though. Luke and Laura are back together again! She woke up from her4-year state of mental vegetation!

I trekked over to The Fabric Place to see what prints they had. It looks like I'll have to order online to get the fabric I really want. I did find these, though, which I thought were pretty cute. The woman who cut my fabric made a comment about BB, saying it looks like I "must starve the child." Uh...? I told her everyone thinks she's chub, but I didn't say anything more. She was elderly and I'm sure she didn't mean it in a bad way. I think she needs to get her eyes checked, though. Anyone can spot BB's cheeks from a mile away.

So I went to Target this morning to pick up some diapers and formula. Can you believe Behnaz Sarafpour created a line for them?? It's quite cute and sweet, except I'm not so sure cute and sweet is my style. I did get a dotted cami and chocolate wrap sweather for $30 total, though. AND I found these cute little pink snowflake bowls for BB in the $1 section. I looooooooove Target.

Random Post

BB's taking a nap right now, so I'm taking a moment to write here and watch a little Martha Stewart. The woman is so bossy and full of it, but I love the ideas featured on the show. Notice how the opening of her show is always her in that kitchen "directing" someone to do this or that? Now she's interrupting some poor elderly lady. If you haven't noticed, she does it ALL the time. I just love how she called a $170 J.Crew cashmere cardigan a "very reasonable" buy. Maybe for her! She's crazy.

I haven't taken too many pictures in the past few days since the weather has been so gloomy and soggy. The sun is trying to peek out a bit, so hopefully that will be the trend for the rest of the week. It's amazing how a little sunlight can change a picture. I have to thank Sally for that advice. And even though we have somewhat outdated digital cameras (mine's a 2003 Sony Cybershot that takes 3.2 megapixel photos), they still take lovely pictures. Sally's pictures are an inspiration -- they're taken so beautifully and the subjects are always interesting, cute, pretty, or all of those things! Seriously check out her blog. You won't be disappointed.

I left my laptop at my mom's and am missing it. It's an iBook G4 that I got almost three years ago and it's been a great computer to me. I've never been a PC person, so I'm not really liking this desktop that I'm using. It's such a bore (sorry, G). If you're like me and gravitate towards more artistic activities when using a computer, an Apple is definitely the way to go.

I missed the UPS guy yesterday afternoon. He left the package at the main office, so I have to go pick it up soon because it's killing me! It sucks to get bills in the mail, but parcels are THE BEST!!! It might be BB's new GiddyGiddy clip!