Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to pop in for a quick Merry Christmas and post a few pictures of the family festivities :) I feel so blessed to have been able to spend Christmas with my family and close friends...





One of the things I admire about my mom is that she is never afraid to laugh at herself. She and my Grandma are so cute, always smiling. Here is my mom with, well, a dancing chicken.............


The Swiss Miss being very excited about her new dish towel (isn't she the cutest?!):

Me and the Swiss Miss enjoying some time together. To my right you can see some fabulous Cranberry orange cookies that my mother in law Kathy made.
Next we have Said and his brother Ilyas. Said has appeared in early posts, also dubbed "Sunbeam" and "a man" by B. They are like brothers to B, and they came to visit for the holidays.
Here is B and Said with me taking a break from a serious game of pool - I am horrible at it, so I watched. My hand-eye coordination is the worst - throw a ball at me and I'd rather dive the other way then try to catch it (I was always the kid that got smacked in the face with the dodge ball in 6th grade). I think that's why I prefer running to team sports...anyway...

This is my brother-in-law Chris with me and B. He is home from school for the holidays and hopefully we'll get to see him more while he's here. That is another thing I love about B and his brothers, they are always laughing when they are with each other (well either that or making fun of each other):
This lovely lady is my mother in law, Kathy. She loves when Said and Ilyas visit, they are like her second sons :)
Dad with those socks I was talking about in one of my recent posts - now Swiss Miss doesn't knit anymore so they've had to find store-bought replacements. He still looks excited, but not nearly as much as when they were knitted by hand!

Well, guess that's about it - Christmas sure passes by in a flash, but its so good to be with family. I always keep reminding myself how important it is to stop rushing around and worrying about things like cooking or did we get the right presents. As I take time to thank God for what He has done on this day, I'm reminded of how precious His blessings are, especially family. I think I will go and spend some time with B now. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!:)"

Christmas, Cookie Baking, and Lights!

Just a quick hello! I am so excited to embark on the cookie baking and preparations for Christmas. I know I sound so lame, but it's so great not to have homework hanging over my head. I plan on stringing up some lights, putting on some Christmas music, lighting some candles and making triple chocolate cookies and gingerbread!

I finally got to visit my mom and grandma today. I always hate how much I don't see family when school is in session.
My grandma always buys tons of chocolate for people for Christmas, so her house is now overflowing with dark chocolate, reindeer shaped, snowman shaped, fruit filled - you name it, she has the chocolate. That is one of the things I admire about her so much is how much she loves giving to others. Definitely good for me to keep in mind instead of getting all caught up in details and doing things that don't matter, and to remember to slow down and remember what Christmas is all about, and spend time with God thanking Him for what he has given.

Anyway, everyone have a wonderful evening - I know I will!!

It is Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel as though the Hallelujah chorus should be playing in the background. The last final is submitted and I don't have to look at another text book until mid-January! I feel like I don't know what to do first. Should I do laundry? Vacuum? Clean the bathroom. I know I know, that sounds so lame. But the clutter always builds up during exams and I can't do anything about it until they're over with generally and B is at work, we have friends coming for the weekend, so it seems like a good time to tackle......something. Although I kind of just want to veg out in front of the TV with my tea. Well, here's to a relaxing evening! I'm gonna go boot myself in the butt and try to get moving.

The Final Final

Well, here I am, about to embark upon writing my take home final for International Commercial Arbitration. Please, please, everyone just calm down - I know it hurts not to know much greater detail about this topic. I can picture people reading this post and then frantically googling those terms in a hunger to know more. Don't be jealous as I am outlining my discussion of the arbitrability of arbitration.

But alas, I did this to myself with a filler course. I see that the take home is going to enable me to have the enjoyment of writing several long legal memoranda. And I have 24 hours to complete it - I see myself draped over my computer at 2 in the morning; coffee in one hand other hand trying to avoid browsing the Food Network or other blogs while I bang this thing out. Here goes nothing........(I'm sure I'll be checking in in a bit)..............

Shalom a.k.a. "Chi Butters"

Ah ha! I have finally succeeded in downloading these pictures. I'm terrible with computers so it feels like such an accomplishment when I can actually carry out what I'm trying to do. Anyway, here is my chinchilla, who I formally named Shalom, but has also been dubbed "Chi Butters" by B and that seems to be sticking (I suppose its better than shouting "T-Doooooooooog!") - see Trish's blog - sorry again Trish!

B got her for me for my birthday last year. As I was saying - we don't have enough time for her much less starting a family, but she is very cute and friendly. We try to let her run free in a closed space when we can - she loves to climb on people if you sit with her. Also she has all these weird issues. Apparently chinchillas shouldn't get wet because their fur is so thick that the water won't evaporate and they'll mold if you don't blowdry them. Also, she can't have any sugar because they have a special propensity for developing diabetes. She loves basil leaves though. OK, I really need to go study but just wanted to post this because I was excited about downloading the pictures. Everyone have a wonderful night!

In the Home Stretch

Well, as I was saying - this blog is such a saving grace during finals. Here I am again. You know, for someone who should be focusing on studying, I sure get a lot of baking done during finals. (Of course see earlier posts about how I get too wrapped up with stuff like that). The new thing seems to be gingerbread cookies this year with cinnamon spice icing. Although I've been trying to go easy on that since B is wanting to as he calls it go into "combat mode" - which basically means he will eat no sweets and only tuna and rice unless I make something else. So I've been trying to do some variations. Today was whole wheat pitas w/ basil (the bread machine is great for that dough) and white bean and tuna salad with spinach, tomatoes, garlic, basil. Also have been on a butternut squash soup kick - I have managed to avoid sawing off a finger while cubing it but they're tough little fellas to deal with. The best soup I made had sage, apple cider, vegetable broth, onion and a whole cubed squash (blended smooth). Really good but once you buy the ingredients you kind of have to go ahead and use up the cider so I ended up making several batches.

OK, think I got my little cooking spurt out and over with for the day. We went to the gym earlier - my big thing this year is to be able to do a couple of pull-ups by myself, but alas, my fruit roll-up arms have been stubborn and refuse to do it just yet; so B ends up having to give me a boost to actually go anywhere but a dead hang, and it was no different today. It's amazing - every time we go to the gym I confidently approach the bar, sure that this will be the day, feeling the energy coursing through my muscles (OK fine, my fruit roll-ups); and then I give the big pull........and nothing happens. I think I need to do the pull down machine thing more and take more baby steps. I never try full on pull-ups without B there because I look like an idiot just hanging there with a vein bulging in my temple.

One thing I love about finals is that I get to be home during the day - and sometimes we get lucky and B happens to be on the night shift so he is home then too. Now the trick is to get some studying done. Let me try this again, I'll probably be back later! Thanks for listening to my rambling...

Two Finals Down, Two to Go!

My Family Law final is done and my paper for Matrimonial Practice has been handed in. Now I just have Land Use and International Commercial Arbitration to go. This blog is such a saving grace when I can't stand looking at my notes anymore, I love browsing and reading other people's stories and goings-on! I don't know what I would do if I had to just study for 8 hours straight. Probably start a rousting (is that a word?) game of Tic Tac Toe with myself. I keep trying to download pictures from our camera but for some reason its not working right now. I was going to post pictures of my chinchilla but it just won't download. Oh well, guess I'll keep working on that.

I was talking to someone yesterday about her pregnancy, and it just got me thinking what a non-selfish act becoming a parent is. I know that for me and B right now it would just be too much with our schedules to start a family (we don't even spend enough time with the chinchilla). But it just amazes me how you have this new life in your family and suddenly you are not the most important anymore. All planning, anything you are going to do that day just centers around this little person. I know in myself sometimes I prioritize stupid things way too much (like going to the gym or running - not that those are bad things, but they shouldn't come before people). It's weird how I can see in myself that when I start worrying too much about stuff like that, or cleaning the house, or cooking a good dinner - I know God always finds a way to remind me that my eyes are not focused where they should be. Again, not that there's anything wrong with any of those things, but I know that I have a propensity for becoming obsessive, and confusion comes in when I start making things like that the most important. I have a feeling I need to let God straighten that out in me before its time for little ones. Anyway, to anyone reading, thanks for taking the time - these little moments of putting down my thoughts really help me get through studying. Everyone have a restful Sunday. Hopefully I'll be following up with those pictures at some point. Oh, I can't resist, here's one more from B's police academy graduation from awhile ago that I already have in a file (that's my brother-in-law with us):
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

Happy Birthday Kristan!

It's my best friend's birthday today!
She is the lovely lady presented here. Just wanted to wish her a happy birthday and fun and peaceful evening with Dave (that's her husband). Have a wonderful evening!

Running Buddies

I was switching around some of my pictures and found this one of me and my friend Sara - this is us in Pensacola, FL - I think we were just about to begin an ill-fated trip to New Orleans. We were running buddies in college (and donut-eating buddies - they have a Krispy Kreme on every corner down there, and cookie-baking, and well you get the point), we still do those things when we can except that she lives all the way in Colorado and I miss her . But it just got me to thinking how interesting it is how different friends enter your life. I met Sara through another friend and she got me to stop whining and try to actually run more than 2 miles. Anyway, running aside Sara is one of my best friends and I'm sending out Christmas wishes to her since I can't see her for the holidays!

Blessings

You know those quizzes that are always forwarded around via email? Thought I'd try and create one cold turkey - so here goes:

I'll Be Home for Christmas:
1. When is the last time you knew you were blessed? When B kissed me good night
2. What is the most memorable event or tradition during the holiday season? When I go to St. Joe's (with my mother-in-law always, sometimes with B, brother-in-law and father-in-law, depending on who's visiting that year) and they turn off the lights at the end of the Christmas eve service except for the Christmas trees and sing Silent Night. Also when B makes a fire in the fireplace at my in-laws and we sit and watch it while talking to friends who visit. And also when we go to my parents on Christmas day and we open gifts and take pictures and drink coffee and it takes all afternoon. Remembering this was the night Jesus was born.
3. When do you feel the most safe? When I am home with B; having tea at night or driving around the neighborhood together and talking.
4. What do you cherish? Overall, the blessings God has given me; specifically: B, our family, time with them all. I have come to realize how precious time is these past few years and that we have to prioritize what is most important. I'm still working on it but at least I'm starting to understand better - whatever you're giving your time to is what you're making most important in your life.
5. When is the last time you needed to apologize to someone? Today, to B; regarding this whole prioritization of time business. But having any times of tension makes me appreciate even more that all is not right in my world until we talk through any problems and get back to normal - its like a piece of me is missing.
6. What is your favorite Christmas song? Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel and Silent Night with all verses.
7. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate? Put anything special in there? Lately chai tea; but usually coffee, mmmmmmmmm coffee; I like it with cinnamon
8. Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks? Explain please. Starbucks, dunkin donuts is not usually strong enough
9. Favorite christmas cookies? The peanut butter ones with a hershey kiss in the middle and gingerbread
10. What personality traits do you cherish in others? Understanding, people who are sensitive to when your lines might be about to be stepped over, forgiveness, being able to laugh at yourself.
11. When was the last time you laughed until there were tears in your eyes? The most that sticks out in my mind was when B and I were watching America's Funniest Videos and this guy in an all-red running suit, obviously thinking he looked quite dapper, fell, as B would say, "ass over teakettle" over a log. Also when we were watching old chip and dale cartoons.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer
13. Any gifts that are a tradition every year? My grandma always used to knit socks for my dad, and every year, without fail he opens them and says, "Wow! I really need some of these!" Then he holds them up next to his face and smiles for the camera. (I know it sounds sarcastic, but he really loves them).
14. Anything that makes you sad this time of year? Just thinking of time missed with family, or trying to appreciate that people get older and we won't always all be together this way.
15. What warms your heart? The way my mom always makes a point to visit nursing homes and people that don't have visitors. Knowing that God is always there with me, even when I'm not seeking Him or getting distracted by things that don't matter.

Well, guess I'll post this; everyone keep warm and be blessed.

Rennaisance Fair

Ah, the Rennaissance Fair, what can I say. I was very surprised by rolling barrels of pickles, knights riding horses and particularly that women are able to cinch their cleavage up that far - it looked painful. There were jousting knights and harp players, more vendors than you can imagine (I liked the clothes but not the cleavage cinching). It was interesting but I don't think we'd necessarily go to another one. It was kind of weird. Mostly just nice to spend a day with friends. Here are some pictures of our experience:

Fall Time - Just a Quick One Before Moving on to the Holidays

Well, thought I'd make a post (I'm sure there are so many following this non-responsive blog on pins and needles). Here's some pictures of us with a friend visiting Tarrytown around Halloween - it was unseasonably warm here in New England.

This was obviously awhile ago but just wanted to put it up here. I might get crazy and post some pictures from a Rennaissance Fair we attended. I was half expecting to be attacked by Falcons and have nothing to eat but turkey legs and pickles and fairy dust, but it was a little more commercial than we thought it would be. And we felt kind of nerdy. I sort of felt like we were in the middle of the movie "Robin Hood, Men in Tights". Well, I'll get this posted so I can either move on to the holidays or enthrall you with Rennaissance photos.

Just a Quick Post About A Man Visiting

Our friend from Afghanistan, but more recently hailing from the south (known as "a man") visited this weekend. He and B went to West Point to look at the museum and walk around. These pictures are of this really pretty overlook on the way up to West Point:














This is one of B's best friends from college. Quite a good man indeed. Unfortunately I didn't get to go b/c it was study time for the MPRE's - the multi state professional responsibility exam. I had to go to a study session and watch a 6 hour review video. I will not say any more about this b/c I'm afraid I might bore someone to sleep. Anyway, I think we are just recently discovering all the beautiful places that we can visit right near home.

Not too much else is new - just trying to draw the summer out as long as possible. I'll be checking in again soon. Hope everyone out there had a lovely & relaxing weekend.

Time with B and Lazy Summer Evenings

Here I am again. In true-to-myself form I began this blog with a running start and now I've disappeared for a month. But now I have some new pictures to post and write about, and I have no excuse of being kept busy with homework. I love summer evenings when I'm not in school - especially being able to come home and have dinner with B and hang out with him, chat about the day and laugh a lot. I miss that so much during the year when I have to rush off to school right after work. But I'm so thankful that we have these summer evenings and weekends, and that school is almost done with. I think one of the greatest blessings of being married is having your favorite person in the world right there with you in the same house - to just be with, to laugh, or to talk some problem over that you just can't find a solution to on your own, or just talk about something that your are excited about. Sorry, didn't mean for this post to turn mushy, I know the sarcastic ones are more entertaining - but I know our marriage is a blessing, its time for me to post, and so there it is.

Sometimes we like to take walks around parks in our area, and B has decided he wants to start a hobby in photography. So this past weekend we drove to an area near us that is newly restored and the pictures we took are scattered throughout this post.

Ever not realize you have terrible posture until you see yourself in pictures? That's a fabulous S-shape I'm forming that I'm sure my chiropractor would be overjoyed about.

I can report there were no bites received or squiggly things felt in the water. Anyway, guess that's about it for tonight, hope everyone is having a relaxing evening. Thank you to God for all His blessings.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:16-18

The Original Swiss Miss

Well, here I am again. I was trying to search for some updated pictures to post to keep things interesting. Of course B and I got a camera as one of our first joint Christmas gifts and almost 4 years later I still have no idea how to download things from it onto our computer. Anyway, this still being one of my first posts, plus the fact that I can't seem to get any new pictures onto our computer, I thought it an opportune time to explain who the original Swiss Miss is. At the top left you can see a picture of me, my folks (the little lady with the beret and the tan moustached man to my right), my aunt Marie, and finally the original Swiss Miss herself, my Grandma - also named Marie. This is us in Switzerland, where my mom, the Swiss Miss and my grandpa were born and lived til my mom was 7. We went to visit for a few weeks one summer when I was still in college and it was the most beautiful place I've ever been. Anyway, the Swiss Miss is quite a feisty lady - she always threatens B that she'll go and get her stick if he doesn't watch out, and at our wedding she told the photographer to shut up when he tried to sweet talk her into compliance for a picture! When she gets upset she lapses into speaking French (or German, depending what family members are around, although German doesn't really happen unless she's talking on the phone to someone from her side of the family in Switzerland). Oh, she also plays the spoons, I seem to recall her busting them out and playing a little diddy at my birthday party when I turned 10. When I was little I used to sleep at her house every Friday night, she is everything a grandparent should be and more. My grandpa was wonderful too - I'll post a picture of him as soon as I can find the right one, and I'll save his story for another day.

Well, guess that's about it for tonight. I've been through with school for the year for the past few weeks, so it has been great to come home from work and make normal dinners, go for walks and just enjoy the daylight hours. I've been trying out some Thai recipes lately - very good but you have to be courageous with some of those ingredients (especially that fish sauce!) Thank you to those who braved my Hasselhoff post, commented anyway and welcomed me on - I'll be responding soon. Hope everyone is having a blessed week.

Knight Rider...A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man...who does not exist...

Now, I realize I may be scaring many potential buddies away with this post, but it has to be known. When I was 4 years old I had a crush on Michael Knight. As you can see from the picture I've posted, these were his best years - note the bushy semi-mullet, the demurely open shirt exhibiting just the appropriate amount of chest hair, the fact that he is at ease because he is resting upon his partner in crime. You can almost smell the cheap cologne wafting off the page in a golden mist that winds its way to caress your nose.....

Mind you, I've been taunted often and with great zeal because of my childhood obsession. I was reminded of this when a friend sent me an embarassingly lame calendar that David (Hasselhoff for those who don't know - but I just don't see how that's possible) insisted upon posing in a bikini and also sans clothing with sharpei puppies provided for discretion (why sharpei puppies???!!). OK, I can't talk about this any further, its getting too embarassing, but hey if I'm gonna be posting about daily life, this is something you should know about. You've been warned............

This is very ironic....

Well, I'm not sure ironic is really the right word. In my last post I predicted that it would take me 16 hours to finish my final. I began it at 10:30 Wednesday morning.........I just finished and it is now 2:30 on Thursday morning. I believe I was spot on with my prediction. (But add some lee-way because I did stop to vacuum up Shalom's wood chips, and B came home and we had to watch the results of American Idol and have dinner (tilapia with mixed vegetables sauteed with basil, garlic and onions and diced mangos with raspberries). I am now delirious and must go to bed before I post my exam on this site with the misguided expectation that anyone else might want to read it. I have a buddy now, I am no longer the only one reading my posts - hi Trish, thank you for my first comment. That is all, I'm going to bed.

I should be writing my final

Well, I'm new at this blogging business and in the middle of trying to write my Corporations take-home final, so what better way to waste time then make my first post? My professor told us to take no more than 4 hours in writing this exam. Of course, now that I'm writing it at home, this time will also include various unnecessary bathroom breaks, check-ins with the Food Network (especially during Everyday Italian) and other breaks to: check on my Chinchilla, Shalom (its getting hot in here and they overheat quickly), fold laundry, look at my toes, turn on the fan, ponder what to have for dinner, plan my running route, check the temperature outside (which is highly relevant to my exam)...........and possibly.........look at my toes again. I predict it will take me approximately 16 hours to actually write this exam...possibly more if it becomes necessary for me to vacuum up the wood chips that Shalom has thrown on the floor.


I must say, I'm surprised at how easily my thoughts are flying on to the keyboard (why doesn't this occur with my final?) The guilt level is now high enough that its time to return to Corporations. Guess I'll post this now (although I don't have any buddies yet so I'm the only one who will read it - in fact I'll probably come back and admire it in 5 minutes when it's time for more procrastination). Wow, I'm awesome.