Europe '08

We got back from Europe a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time traveling all around. We went to Italy, France, Spain and England. I had never been to Spain or England before, and while they were great, I think that Italy is still my fave. The Cinque Terra is so amazing...if you ever have the chance, you should totally go there!! Time for picture overload...

Here is Peter giving one of the 5o stray dogs at Pompeii a little drink

Sorrento, Italy

Even though we found all of the people posing for these Tower of Pisa "action shots" ridiculously funny, we decided to try some of our own. Syd's was by far the best.

This is in Monterosso...after dinner one night. The food in Italy is TDF.

Hiking the Cinque Terra took about 4 hours. Here is one of the cities we hiked from...the scenery was SO beautiful.
Italy was SO hot. In case you don't believe me, take a look at this:
Capri
The Blue Grotto

Constant traveling....here we are waiting at a train station with all of our junk.

Nice, France...best crepes. Ever.

Also best gummies.

Awesome pottery store in Spain.

Really good dinner...(if you think that a European vacation does not revolve around food, you are sorely mistaken.)

I can't remember what this is called, but basically you climb inside this big, inflated ball with some water in it and they push you down a hill. Super fun.

Here is the rock of Gibraltar.

These monkeys are EVERYWHERE on the rock. Somehow they manage to simultaneously be cool and creepy.

Waiting in line in Seville, Spain for our 10 pm flamenco concert.

One pic from London of "The Eye".
Whew! If you made it through all of those pictures you are probably related to me. If not, consider yourself a good friend for sticking it out to the end.

Star Valley, WY

Since I have to clear my memory card before we go on vacation, I guess I will finally post some pics. Last weekend we were up in Star Valley. We love it there!! So beautiful. We got to spend time with pretty much the whole fam.

Here is one of the newer members of the family. Chubby babies make freaking cute babies. Meet our newphew William. Only 5 months old and 20 something lbs.


The kids had fun sitting outside eating popsicles. The weather was perfect up there all weekend: sunny and 80 degrees.


Peter's bro Matt is a hard core ultimate player. He introduced us to a similar game called goal-timate. So we played a mean game of goal-timate in the yard. When I say mean, let's just say I got tackled by my sister in law and saw a new side of her. (Just kidding, Suz.)


The backdrop here is pretty killer.


Grandpa and Rocco just sat back and watched.


Here were the real fans, cheering their favorite players on!

I'm kind of excited for...

The Next Food Network Star. I like to think of it as "The Apprentice" meets Food Network. Summer TV isn't always the greatest, but this show is highly entertaining. And...bonus: it's something that Peter and I can actually watch together. Starts this Sunday, June 1st.

Fun Weekend...

It's beginning to feel like summer! This weekend we had a lot of fun. We went to the Jazz game Friday night. That actually wasn't so much fun, but at least we were there for the last game.

We also headed over to Washington Square with our friends the Paul's. Living Traditions, an annual ethnic and cultural celebration, was going on. The best thing there is that there are about 20 booths of different types of food. We mixed it up with Lebanese, Thai, and Swedish.

This is a bad picture, but here were some really cute girls from Equatorial Guinea that were performing on one of the stages.



Me, Elsa, and Nicole



Elsa is SO cute and didn't make a peep all night!



It's becoming a weekend ritual to play Rock Band every weekend. Nicole and I usually handle the vocals. Elsa is the groupie.


Peter is on guitar and Adam rocks the drums.

Ladies of the World

Not to just post videos, BUT this is the new Flight of the Conchords and I couldn't resist. So funny. You will especially love the roller skates set to the fuzzy, softly-lit California backdrop. This one goes out to Peter, who I know will appreciate it the most. Although, now I will probably be forced to watch it 5,000 times and then I will never think it is funny again. Oh well, I guess I will take that chance.

Oh yeah...

So I'm still not sure how I feel about Edward in this movie, but DUH I'm totally going to see it. Comes out in December. Oops I put the wrong one on...here is the real one.

Mission Accomplished!

Last night was Brianne's birthday. I have been friends with Bri since I was 12, so obviously I was totally stoked when Jake called me 3 weeks ago (Yes, THREE weeks ago...husband of the year award?) to help plan a surprise birthday party. The best part of the whole thing is that it really was a surprise. A big one! She had no idea. Zip. Zero. Nada.

Of course, I forgot to take pics until the very end. So sorry, Bri, I missed some people! But this picture of you and Jake is super cute.

And here is the classic girl photo...(at least of those of us that were left.)

Happy Birthday Bri! I'm so glad that you were genuinely surprised...that was the icing on the cake.

Don't quote me on any of the following...

I haven't learned much of anything, but here it is: (as per Jenny, my micro-derma lady)
Some of these may be obvious if you're not completely inept, like me.
--When you are using any type of exfoliator, stay far away from the eye area. As I mentioned before, only use exfoliators that have perfectly round "micro-beads", otherwise they leave little marks.
--If you are going to go OTC, Neutrogena is probably the best way to go. For cleansers, moisturizers, etc.
--Unless you have really oily skin, there is no need to wash your face in the mornings.
--Glycolic acid is really good for your skin. It basically dissolves the outer layer, revealing the new layer underneath. But only use if you are really good about sunscreen.
--This goes without saying, but sunscreen--above spf 15 on a daily basis is necessary for ALL areas of your skin. Don't forget your hands!
--Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize...especially in the night!

See, not much. I was previously using Cetaphil cleanser, but Jenny said I need to step it up. When we were in Vegas, I got a sweet new cleanser called Cosmedicine at Sephora. I have only been using it for 2 weeks, but I totally like it. It is a make-up remover, cleanser, and toner all in one. Does not dry out your skin at all, but makes it feel super clean. And it is only one-step, you put it on sans water and then rinse. I highly recommend it.

As far as moisturizer goes, in the night I have just been using Neutrogena Healthy Skin Night Cream. It makes your skin oh so soft in the morning. And lastly, sunscreen. There are a lot of good face sunscreens out there. They are better if they have helioplex in them because it increases the amount of time that it is effective. I found a Neutrogena face sunscreen that is spf 70 with helioplex. I think that is probably a little overboard, but I figure, might as well.

Anyways...let's share ideas here so we don't have to resort to plastic surgery and looking like a total freak like Shayne's mom. Let me know what you use or what is good.

What you don't know can't hurt you

Sometimes I get in weird modes where I get overly obsessed with something or the other for a little while. Right now: skin care. I don't know if it's because I'm getting dangerously close to 30, but I finally decided I am going to take better care of my skin. This may prove to be harder than thought. Case in point: yesterday I went to my microdermabrasion appointment, which is basically just a hard-core exfoliation treatment.


While on the table, I start to ask the girl what kind of skin care regimen I should follow, what products to use, etc, etc. To make a long story short, I discovered that the Clinique toner I used religiously in junior high can take permanent marker off of a table top. Uh really...that's awesome.

Don't worry, that was 15 years ago. Well, actually, the exfoliator that I currently use (as in yesterday, pre-treatment) is leaving micro-pock marks on my face because the crystals are uneven. But alas, it is money not wasted because I was informed that I can still use that stuff on my feet. Wow...great news.


Bottom line is that even though I am going to implement some new tactics, given my past history, I'm pretty sure I am going to look like this when I'm 40. Oh well...sorry Peter. And sorry Eunice for using you as an example.

G.T. 2008

Just got back from a Girls Trip to Vegas. SO fun! We all live in different states these days and so we try to get together and meet somewhere once a year. We didn't have everyone, but it was pretty darn close!

We drove down in Amy's husband's Prius and let's just say that I am a total convert. $60 in gas TOTAL round trip. You seriously can't beat it. Wish I had a picture of it, but I didn't take too many pics.

Here I am sandwiched in between the two cute preggers. We held an impromptu shower for Em.


Although we all initially met as sorority girls, don't be fooled; we have always been terribly boring. This is about as wild as it got....tons of treats!


Our last night...I can't wait until next year.

TV Land

Even though the strike is dunzo, viewing has still been pretty slow. I recommend "Miss Guided". Totally funny, you've got to love Judy Greer. And, it's only 1/2 hour so it doesn't take up that much space on your DVR.

Also, in case you missed Chris Matthews' awkward dance/grope with Ellen, you've got to watch.

Good Times with Heidi Louise

My friend Heidi was nice enough to accompany me to Portland last weekend for a wedding/weekend getaway. We had the best time. My friend Michelle was a beautiful bride.


We also went on a mini road trip along the PCH. The Oregon coast is seriously so beautiful.


This is Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. Heidi was stoked because she thinks that maybe her all time fave movie Goonies was filmed here. Incidentally, it was on TV when we got back to the hotel.


We also caught brunch with Nick and Taren on Easter. I didn't take a pic, but here is when they came to visit a few weeks ago.



Such a fun trip! Thanks Heidi for making it fun and so I didn't have to go to the wedding alone...

Finally...

I've been hearing about Vampire Weekend for awhile. So...I finally checked them out. Like the song and the video is super cool. They met at Columbia.

Nothing new

Sorry that my blogging is punctuated by major time lapses. It could be that we have been super busy. It could also be that we have nothing exciting going on. Either way, I need something new on here. So...the only thing happening is that I just finished an awesome book.


It is hard to wrap your head around at first, but it gets better. The concept is so interesting. It is one of those books that you think about for a long time after you finish it. And bonus...the movie is coming out in November starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. So you probably better read it.

I also bought a hilarious book this week. Seriously so funny. If you need a good gift for a friend, go here and check these out. You can preview a couple of pages. There is one just for women and one for new moms.

Congratulations to...myself

In order for you to understand how far I've come, I have to first set the stage a little bit. I was very shy when I was younger, and for the most part have gotten over it. But that doesn't change the fact that I have always kind of hated certain social events. Ones where I specifically know that I will probably be uncomfortable. Obviously, if you know that beforehand, your instinct would be to avoid that situation at all costs, right? The best example that I can think of to illustrate how far I would go to avoid these situations would be in 7th grade.

Picture, if you will, first dance of the year, during school hours. Most kids would be stoked to get out of class for an hour and just hang out in the gym. Um...not me! I was dreading this event. All I could picture was standing around, feeling awkward, having no one ask me to dance, etc. Whether this would have been the case or not is completely beside the point. There were two choices: go to the dance, or go to study hall. I chose study hall. And let's see...I think there were maybe three other kids in there as well. Pretty dorky, right? My list of insecure stories could go on and on.I won't bore you with the gory details. Thankfully, I can look back now and laugh at the patheticness of it all. The point is, last week I realized that I had reached a critical milestone.

I was at a concert with my friend Heidi, when she got sick and had to leave. Again, I was faced with some choices: leave with Heidi, or stay? The concert was amazing and I was totally having a great time. So I stayed. There I was, standing in the middle of a sea of random people, totally alone and totally loving it. Thoughts of 7th grade study hall flashed in my brain and I had to just smile and congratulate myself. Could it be, 15+ years later, that I am finally secure with myself? That statement may be jumping the gun just a bit, but I have come a long way. And for that, I am grateful.

Whoever you are...

Somewhere out there, the coolest person ever exists. Case in point: this person made this sign and hung it up on a telephone pole.


I pass this sign every day on my way home from work. Some days I drive a particular way just to make sure I see it. It always makes me feel good. I'm guessing that it probably has that effect on most people. Whoever you are, you're freaking awesome.

Lately...

So last Saturday we celebrated Peter's grandparents 70th wedding anniversary. Yes, 70th. Pretty amazing. Both sides of his family enjoy major longevity. Let's just say I'm hoping to reach my 70th birthday, let alone anniversary!


Here is our cute niece Olivia and her bro Miles. He is enjoying one of the cupcakes that I made. He's looking a little shocked that I'm taking a picture of him stuffing his face like this. I guess I'm kind of a mean Aunt to embarass him this way.



Today we celebrated the Babe's 12th B-Day at Flowrider. I still have technical difficulties rotating my photos when using the Mac. Someday people, someday.



And the best news of all is that I think we may have reached a crucial crossroads in our marriage. I'm not entirely positive, but I think Peter may have figured out that when in doubt as far as gifts go, he should just buy shoes. Here is the sweet pair I got for Valentine's Day.



Rome Dog hasn't been making many appearances as of late. Here she is enjoying her favorite pastime of laying on her back and having someone scratch her belly. She would let someone do this all day long if they wanted to.

Dear Prudence

Maybe I'm the last person to see it, but I kind of loved Across the Universe. It helps to be a Beatles fan, but I wouldn't say it's necessary. Watching this movie without any prior Beatles knowledge would be like going to a concert and not knowing any of the songs; and yet, it's still possible to totally enjoy it.

Since being married to Peter, I've become indoctrinated to his belief that the Beatles are the best band of all time. It also helps that the main leads in this movie are super cute. Who doesn't like a skinny, hippie guy with a British accent? The choreography is really cool and the quality of the singing is great, plus the singing is an extension of all of the dialogue. It's not like most musicals where all of the sudden the characters burst into these over-the-top theatrical musical numbers.

I will say that some of the psychadelic stuff gets to be a little much, but the bottom line is, you should see it. Tonight. Here's one of my faves.

What I Know

Due to being confined to the couch the last few days for unspecified reasons, I came to realize a few essential truths; the least of which being that I miss looking at other people's blogs. Furthermore, here are a few other things that I discovered:

1. Rob & Big is a seriously funny show. (I had watched before, but not, say, upwards of 3 episodes at once)

2. There are a serious lack of good, new DVD releases right now...Sydney White anyone?

3. Showering every day is certainly not necessary and definitely over-rated. (I know Melissa would agree with me on this one)

4. Reading for pleasure is more of an indulgence when you don't have very much time...as opposed to when you have nothing BUT time.

5. Dogs really are man's best friend.

6. Humans are a close 2nd. No joke... I was literally home alone, laying on the couch thinking of how much I wanted a brownie shake when the phone rang and my friend Heidi was driving to Hires and wanted to know if she could get me anything. Divine intervention!

7. And lastly, while my husband is certainly willing to wait on me hand and foot, my sweet Mom actually makes it seem like she is enjoying every second of it and that there is no place that she would rather be. That is a feat in and of itself!

I Heart Joel McHale