Captions provided by the letter S and Y, and the number 8

Dis mixin bowl is just my size.

Dude, you smell.



















James: Is that food?
Lily: You're all idiots.

Food? Food? I swear I heard food.

General Life Update: KK

A lot of our posts of late have been very picture heavy, so I think a "How the heck are you?" post is in order... Most of what we've been doing lately gets posted here, although you all really do get the highlights - our everyday is not quite as adventurous as this blog may lead you to believe. :) Currently, I have a bit more free time because it's summer session here and I'm not in charge of any the residence halls over the summer, and instead my primary responsibility is working on the training team, planning hall staff training in August. While training is a huge task - I'm on a 6 person team working on it, so it doesn't consume my life. I've been reading a lot, I'm up to 30 books for the year. Dana and Larry were here to visit a couple of weeks ago, and we had some fantastic adventures with them - campus tours, wine tasting, SF highlights, Alcatraz, and skydiving, which Dan is going to write a separate post about for tomorrow. Just before coming to visit, they moved into the house they just bought - which is amazing for them! I'm so impressed that they have a HOUSE, like grown-ups or something. I know that several of our close friends have homes that they bought too (Kel/Mike, Mer/Geoff, Chris/Holly, Matt/Katie, Tommy/Kristen) but this was more impactful for me. I think because Dana and I finished grad school at the same time, and so we officially started "being grown-ups" at the same time too. Clearly, we have different paths, but she feels much further ahead on hers. Hmph. Anyhow, it was great to see them. You may have heard in the news lately that California has approximately $13.48 to its name, which makes it hard to pay it's millions of employees, provide decent education, and the like. So, while I am NOT in danger of losing my job (mom, please read that sentence as many times as you need to) all educational institutions in the state are taking big cuts. Because I work for an auxillary unit of the university (which means we have our own source of income beyond tuition - ours is room and board) we aren't hit as heavily as some other campus units. But, the university is considering either pay cuts across the board, or furloughs - which basically amount to a pay cut. If the university enacts either of those plans, we will have to do the same...just because. So, next year should be super exciting! *Heavy sigh* I have had two dreams in as many weeks that my cousin Christine is engaged. Uncle Mike - any news you want to share? Lily and James are doing just fine - although they have developed quite the endearing habit of waking up and then waking us up at 4 or 5 in the morning. We're working on it. The scavenger hunt diamond ring thing continues to be weird. I'm slowly telling my colleagues and people here about it, but it's hard to do because most people kind of stop listening and make their own assumptions about how the story ends. The pictures that the event released (that we posted here after the fact) are not helping matters. And, no I don't wear the ring around. If there is any more related news, trust me, you'll all be the first to know :)

Fur kids

Well, the cats are doing well. They're getting older, not kittens at all anymore, and recently, some of their behaviors have started to change. Lily doesn't play fetch with us as much (sad face) and James is really not a fan of new people being around. Lily is cuddling more, and James is cuddling a little less. But they're still SO CUTE. Recent happenings below. Hanukkah. Probably the only picture I have of both of them looking at the camera. Watching us cook, completely fascinated. Naptime with Dad. Bubble wrap nest.

Vitally important information

Executive decision: I'll post a proper congratulatory photo of Kel, Mike and the boys when we get a really good shot of all 4 of them. They are a family after all. (Crazy!)

So, life has resumed to normal after the recent travels. I do love to travel, but going away 3 of the past 4 weekends has kind of made me feel like a crazy person at work. Seriously, I got back from Vegas with my mom on Monday afternoon, and on Tuesday, I got up and went to my Monday meeting. I'm awesome. And professional.

Vegas was nice - we really just met up out there for my birthday present, which was a ticket to go see Bette Midler. She was great live - sang the songs I wanted to hear, told dirty jokes, and had back-up showgirls who didn't look like sticks, which is always appreciated. She's so little in person! The whole time we were there, I couldn't help but think of Missy's dad, because Irv is a huge Bette fan (little known fact).

Sunday night, we went to see Love, which is a Cirque du Soleil show based entirely on the music of the Beatles. It was seriously like being inside the lyrics of the songs for 90 minutes. It's a huge headtrip. I can't believe someone was able to conceptualize that show and then someone else came along and actually made it happen! Cirque is amazing. If you ever get out to Vegas and have an option of shows to see - Love is totally worth the money.

Anyway, it was nice to see my mom - she was actually on her way back from a trip to Hawaii to visit Mike, which apparently was nice. She will be back out on this coast for Christmas - hooray for not having to travel when plane fares are ridiculous! This does mean, however, that we have to acquire a Christmas tree, Christmas ornaments, stockings and the like.

Anddddd I'm boring. I think bullet points may be a useful tool at this juncture.

• there was some sort of explosion on the freeway this morning. an oil tanker or gas tanker or "something like that" says dan. cool.
• i am having a serious craving for macado's - which is a southwestern VA sandwich place. YUM. they make really good queso. dan and i used to go on "dates" there. awwwwwwww.
• so, election. soon. i'm nervous.
• i only have 6 books left to read this year to meet my goal!
• i am not currently enjoying the biggest loser. one of the women on the show really bothers me because she's a big liar. but i do still love bob.
• i'm thinking about taking up yoga. rosa inspired me.
• there is a possibility that dan and i could be hanging around our apartment for new year's eve, which makes me really sad. people should come visit!!

Clearly, the bullet points aren't working. Look! Kitty pictures!

Lily discovering the cupboards.

They love each other.

Really, we can quit anytime we want to.

Lily is adorable. What is she sitting in you ask? Our anniversary present to ourselves. That's actually 2 wine racks, every slot in which were accounted for when they arrived. See below. So, with our ridiculous wine habit, we had long ago outgrown our IKEA wine rack* that we bought when we first moved. All the wine in the last picture had been being stored in the cabinet over our fridge, stacked on top of each other on their sides. Everytime Dan went to get a bottle down, the entire system basically collapsed. Something had to be done. Enter two new wine racks. They hold 48 bottles combined...we're hoping being able to see how much wine we have will help us slow down on buying more. No promises. *Yes, the IKEA wine rack is also full.

12 (or 15) on the 12th (or 14th)

And now, a recap of our weekend in Ohio. With pictures! In full color!

The Oakland airport. Morning of departure. Dan and a mint mocha chip frappucino (read = chocolatey sugar drink thing). Doesn't he look excited?





I honestly have no idea where we are flying over in this picture, but I looked out the window and thought "Ahhh that's what urban sprawl means"





At Dana's cute adorable house in Clintonville, OH. This is her fierce warrior cat Leonidus. Isn't he good looking?





This is Dana's other fearsome fighter Augustus. Very intimidating. He came into our room the first night we were there and tried to fight me by sticking his nose in my ear.





Second night there, clearly we are having too much wine and a great time. Dana had a little get together where we played games (I taught them how to play Ride the Bus) and we all drank 8 bottles of wine and a mini-keg of beer. Fannnnnnnnntastic.





Onto the wedding photos!! This is the church (St. Xavier) - very imposing, right in downtown Cincinnati.





I understand that it's blurry, but there is no way to get this shot without it being blurry. I mean, she's by definition WALKING down the aisle. So anyway, this is my friend Candy in her outrageously gorgeous wedding gown.




During the ceremony (probably a faux pas to be taking pictures during, but whatever).







Here we are waiting for the shuttle to the reception. Classic photos of me and Dan and Larry and Dana.





This is the also outrageously gorgeous reception site. It's called the Bell Event Center and it used to be a church, so high ceilings, stained glass windows. Lots and lots of candles (as you can see). It was really nice and it felt really appropriate when they introduced the bridal party with "Crazy In Love" playing in the background.





Pretty cake! It also tasted great! The frosting = delish AND sugary enough to make me want to dance.





And here I am with the bride and groom (Candy and Matt), all smiles even though people have been taking pictures of them all freakin night. They also did a choreographed dance number for their first dance that was really sassy. Please notice her loooong train that she danced her ass off in all night long.





At our "OU" table - Amanda, Laura, me and Dana.





The next day after brunch, we noticed this at the hotel. Notice the second listing. I really hope that the name on the second event is pronounced "Roo-bin" and not "Rub-in" because then it was the "Rub-in Weiner" wedding. *Awkward turtle*


Hooray for friends, wine, weddings and travel! Congratulations Candy and Matt!


**They are honeymooning in San Diego, where Matt is excited to go to LegoLand and Candy is just excited to keep referring to it as "A whale's vagina." You stay classy.

The May edition of 12 on the 12th

Two months in a row that I've remembered. I should totally get an award. Or a sticker on some sort of chart somewhere. (I prefer scratch-n-sniff, just fyi.)

Anyway, here's my day in photos. There are multiple cat photos, I apologize.

10:41 AM - I'm just leaving the house for work (I work until almost 8 PM on Mondays, don't judge me!) And the cats are wrestling. This is quite the action shot.





12:42 PM - On my way out of the office for a meeting. This is my office. Note the ridiculous volume of stuff on my desk.




12:42 PM - I thought you would get a kick out of the fact that I get paid to make charts and such out of things like Carebears.




6:19 PM - This is some of my Hall Association giving away root beer floats to the residents to celebrate their last day of classes (which was today)




7:03 PM - And here are some of the fantastically wonderful staff mentors I've been working with in my class. Today was our last day, just time for students to turn in their papers. Koko (the other instructor) and I would never have gotten through class without them.




7:14 PM - And here is said stack of papers. Guess what I'm doing this weekend!




About 7:45 PM - View from one of my buildings on the 8th floor fire escape. Why yes, that is the view of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. And yes, we are ridiculously lucky.




About 7:46 PM -Dan and I thinking we're clever taking pictures of our shadows.





Shortly after the shadow picture - This is what my unit looks like. 6 buildings, courtyard, etc. You may remember a very similar view from my summer blog when I was an intern out here.



About 9:15 PM - The stuffed mushrooms Dan made to go with dinner. They're baby portabellas (local, from the farmers market), stuffed with feta and tomatoes. Yum. I know, they kind of look like little creatures with big red eyes. But you know what? They're TASTY little creatures with red eyes.





10:35 PM - Lily independently decides to climb into the office trashcan. Adorable.



11:15 PM - Andddddddd they're out.

12 on the 12th!

WOOT I remembered this month! Let's jump right in, shall we?

So, today was actually Cal Day, which is like the huge fair type deal for students who have been admitted to UCB to come visit, get a tour, etc. So, my staff and I get to organize and give tours of the residence halls all day. Yeah, it's not our favorite day. And yet, here is (some of) my staff at 9:55 AM looking relatively cheerful.



So we were swamped all morning during my shift, which was from 9 AM - 12:30 PM. Of course, here's how busy we were at 12:19 PM, right before my co-RD came to take over:



2:30 PM - Brunch




3:15 PM - Taking a lovely walk in the 85 degree weather. And here is what it costs to have a car in the Bay Area:




3:30 PM - Someone is clearly kind of a big deal:

4:30 PM - Leaving a super cheap used book store, found some plaques! This one was in a series of events that happened in Berkeley through the years...with Dan's feet.

4:45 PM - Gelato! Mine was panna cotta flavored heavenly goodness. Enjoying the downtown Berkeley scene, sitting across from the second picture, an enormous tuning fork. Whatev, it's Berkeley.

5:30 PM - Back from walk and afternoon adventure, stopped to take a picture of the pretty church right next to my Unit. The tall building in the background is one of my buildings. Attractive, no?







8:30 PM - James and the book I bought this afternoon that I already finished reading. Don't freak out, it was only about 130 pages.





About 10 PM - Durant Food Court, a lovely place for college students that is a bunch of ethnic restaurants that are cheap and open late. We went for Italian tonight, with bubble tea for drinks.





Time for bed: