We finally bought a digital SLR - the new Nikon D80:
It takes beautiful pictures; I just point and shoot:
Bandit sleeping peacefully: Bandit wondering what I'm doing:
YAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN:
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Our first Christmas tree
We put up our first Christmas Tree:
With some new ornaments:
But, look who's lay claim to it:
Monday, November 27, 2006
I counted to 10 but it didn't help
So, I decided to wait a few days before seeing if I still felt so strongly about what our President has decided to do now to women and families. He has decided to appoint a right wing, ultra Christian, anti-birth control provider, abstinence is the only birth control believer Dr. Eric Keroack to head up the family planning programs at the Department of Health and Human Services.
WHAT??? Let's list the pros and cons of this guy.
Pros:
- He's a doctor
- He's an OB-GYN
Cons:
- He believes that abstinence is THE only form of birth control that should be used
- He believes that distributing contraceptives demeans women
- He believes contraceptives increase out-of0marriage pregnancies
- He opposes abortion, birth control and sex education
- He's said that premarital sex makes women unable to form long lasting relationships
And so on.
I went to the website for A Woman's Concern where Keroackw as Director and in one of the FAQs, this is what I found:
"Q: How can I know if my boyfriend really loves me or is just with me for sex?
A: One way to find out how sincere he is would be to stop having sex. You don't want to use sex as a way to get something from him, but the risks that you are exposing yourself to and your concern about his motives suggest that putting sex off might be a good plan. If he really cares about you, your guy will respect your feelings and not pressure you. "
Am I the only one who wants to slapt he person who wrote that answer?
Another pearl of wisdom:
"Q: If I have sex at an early age but don't get pregnant or get an STD, how could it affect me?
A: Having sex at an early age often has an intense emotional impact on the people involved. In particular, breaking up can cause serious emotional pain including anxiety, heartache, guilt, and regret. "
Are they saying if you breakup with sombody you did not have sex with, it won't cause heartbreak, guilt, regret etc.?
I really cannot believe what Bush is doing, wait a second, I don't KNOW what he's doing. IS he just mad at the Democrats takign the House and the Senate back? Is he mad at the American people who voted for the Democrats? Is this his retaliation?
I think I might just move back to the Middle Ages. At least I wouldn't be expected to raise kids, cook, keep a clean house AND bring home a living wage. I could just be discriminated against and given no rights, but look pretty in poofy dresses and high heels and not be expected to have brains. If I am going to have my rights taken away, just take them all away. Make my man take care of me because my brain is too small.
What can we do about this issue? Maybe nothing but NOW has decided to send petitions to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt to remove Keroack from the position or move him elsewhere. If you care anything about this matter, please go and sign the petition now!
WHAT??? Let's list the pros and cons of this guy.
Pros:
- He's a doctor
- He's an OB-GYN
Cons:
- He believes that abstinence is THE only form of birth control that should be used
- He believes that distributing contraceptives demeans women
- He believes contraceptives increase out-of0marriage pregnancies
- He opposes abortion, birth control and sex education
- He's said that premarital sex makes women unable to form long lasting relationships
And so on.
I went to the website for A Woman's Concern where Keroackw as Director and in one of the FAQs, this is what I found:
"Q: How can I know if my boyfriend really loves me or is just with me for sex?
A: One way to find out how sincere he is would be to stop having sex. You don't want to use sex as a way to get something from him, but the risks that you are exposing yourself to and your concern about his motives suggest that putting sex off might be a good plan. If he really cares about you, your guy will respect your feelings and not pressure you. "
Am I the only one who wants to slapt he person who wrote that answer?
Another pearl of wisdom:
"Q: If I have sex at an early age but don't get pregnant or get an STD, how could it affect me?
A: Having sex at an early age often has an intense emotional impact on the people involved. In particular, breaking up can cause serious emotional pain including anxiety, heartache, guilt, and regret. "
Are they saying if you breakup with sombody you did not have sex with, it won't cause heartbreak, guilt, regret etc.?
I really cannot believe what Bush is doing, wait a second, I don't KNOW what he's doing. IS he just mad at the Democrats takign the House and the Senate back? Is he mad at the American people who voted for the Democrats? Is this his retaliation?
I think I might just move back to the Middle Ages. At least I wouldn't be expected to raise kids, cook, keep a clean house AND bring home a living wage. I could just be discriminated against and given no rights, but look pretty in poofy dresses and high heels and not be expected to have brains. If I am going to have my rights taken away, just take them all away. Make my man take care of me because my brain is too small.
What can we do about this issue? Maybe nothing but NOW has decided to send petitions to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt to remove Keroack from the position or move him elsewhere. If you care anything about this matter, please go and sign the petition now!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy?
In case you don't get it, that's a pair of shoes at DSW!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Our first Thanksgiving away from home
Jeff and I had our first Thanksgiving away from CA and his family. We went over to our friends' house - Anjuli and Mike Mejia. They just bought a new townhouse, so it was a double party. We had fun, helping them cook (I use helping in the most elastic sense ever). The food was delicious and we ate so much that we had to bring the dessert home with us. Enjoy the photos of us having fun and eating lots.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Our first guest from ye old hunting grounds
Jeff and I had people over again because our first guest from the Bay Area is visiting us. Gagan and I went to school at Cal Satte Hayward for our undergrad together and taught at the tutoring center. She is a PhD student in Math at UConn and is spending her Thanksgiving break with us. I had a few people from work over and we PARTAYED like it was 1999.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Where are we going, mommy!
About a week and a half ago, we had a note on our door telling us that they would be reinforcing our cielings (whatever that means) and we had to either keep our pets in their kennels all day for a week or on the patio. Now, the temeratures here were in the 50s that week, so the patio was out. And, cats don't really have a kennel. So, poor Bandit was a hermit in my car. He had his litter box moving at 70 mph as he's trying to do his business. His food's sloshing around. But, after his initial fright, he had a lot of fun as you can see from these photos.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Did it finally!
I baked me some Madeleines today. I have loved them ever since I tried some at a Starbucks some years ago. I finally decided to look up a recipe and try it.
Jeff did a taste test and liked them. I brought the rest to work. Let's see what the verdict is there.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The House and Senate changes but will anything else?
I know everybody's drinking the bubbly and patting each other on the backs (everybody Democratic, that is) about what happened in the midterm elections this year. The Democrats have won back the house and almost the Senate. I am very glad about this; however, a word of caution to everybody who's staggering around giggly and starry eyed right now.
What is the plan?
That's a very important question for whoever's in power. Just the label "Democratic" does not mean everythign hunky dory. They need a plan too. They are in THE hot seat now. For months we've heard them say they have a plan but never really what that plan is. They can't just keep spewing the same line over and over again and expect the country to just lie back and take their word. We need to see something solid. What is their plan? For the soldiers in Iraq and for the people here. Is there a step by step plan to end the occupation (yes, it's an occupation; do not argue with me. ) in Iraq?
I don't have answers but as an American national, I believe I am allowed to ask questions of my leaders without knowing the answers. I expect them to have the answers to the BIG questions. Afterall, that's why we have them leading the country, right?
The Democratic party needs to realise they have 2 years now to show they have some spine and some cojones.
What is the plan?
That's a very important question for whoever's in power. Just the label "Democratic" does not mean everythign hunky dory. They need a plan too. They are in THE hot seat now. For months we've heard them say they have a plan but never really what that plan is. They can't just keep spewing the same line over and over again and expect the country to just lie back and take their word. We need to see something solid. What is their plan? For the soldiers in Iraq and for the people here. Is there a step by step plan to end the occupation (yes, it's an occupation; do not argue with me. ) in Iraq?
I don't have answers but as an American national, I believe I am allowed to ask questions of my leaders without knowing the answers. I expect them to have the answers to the BIG questions. Afterall, that's why we have them leading the country, right?
The Democratic party needs to realise they have 2 years now to show they have some spine and some cojones.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Another night of firsts: Tapas and Mozart
Jeff and I decided to cath some culture in Baltimore last Saturday. Best intentions and all that. We had reservations at La Tasca, a tapas restaurant, at the Inner Harbor for 7 p.m. Then, we had tickets to the Symphony whcih began at 8. Cutting it a little close, but we've done closer before and made it. We were going to see Mozart's Requiem.
We didn't get to the restaurant till after 7 and they didn't get our orders till 7:30. We got a chicken and a lamb tapas dishes. The lamb was cold! The dessrts, flan and coffee mousse, were wonderful! So was the apertif I had, Licor 43. I need to find that in a store someplace.
We didn't get to the Symphony till Intermission, making us miss a Cello Concerto, but we made it in time for the Requiem. A coworker of mine had bought tickets with us and I was supposed to pick her up. I had to call her and tell her we'd meet her there during Intermission. Except, we get there and I couldn't find my phone! Then, I couldn't find our tickets. Thankfully, we found our tickets and our seats.
The show was amazing. It was my first Symphony. People had warned me that the Requiem was a dark piece but I had a completely different experience. I enjoyed it immensely. As long as I didn't read the translation, I thought it was uplifting.
So, all in all, I got to dress up and eat some good food and watch half of a really good Symphony.
We didn't get to the restaurant till after 7 and they didn't get our orders till 7:30. We got a chicken and a lamb tapas dishes. The lamb was cold! The dessrts, flan and coffee mousse, were wonderful! So was the apertif I had, Licor 43. I need to find that in a store someplace.
We didn't get to the Symphony till Intermission, making us miss a Cello Concerto, but we made it in time for the Requiem. A coworker of mine had bought tickets with us and I was supposed to pick her up. I had to call her and tell her we'd meet her there during Intermission. Except, we get there and I couldn't find my phone! Then, I couldn't find our tickets. Thankfully, we found our tickets and our seats.
The show was amazing. It was my first Symphony. People had warned me that the Requiem was a dark piece but I had a completely different experience. I enjoyed it immensely. As long as I didn't read the translation, I thought it was uplifting.
So, all in all, I got to dress up and eat some good food and watch half of a really good Symphony.
Cooking Spree
I have been on a cooking spree where I have been trying to make things I really like, but from scratch. So far, I have done an upside down pineapple cake, crab puffs in phyllo dough cups and home squeezed juice. But, today, I believe I have outdone myself. I made:
If you don't know yet, it's Baklava!!! I finally did it! I looked at some recipes on AllRecipes, and then did a hybrid. I used a mix of almonds and pecans. I forgot to cut the whole thing before baking it which made the edges soggier when I poured the honey mix over the top. That just means all the edges will be eaten first :-D.
If you don't know yet, it's Baklava!!! I finally did it! I looked at some recipes on AllRecipes, and then did a hybrid. I used a mix of almonds and pecans. I forgot to cut the whole thing before baking it which made the edges soggier when I poured the honey mix over the top. That just means all the edges will be eaten first :-D.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Disrespecting other people and their property
Do you notice something? No? Let me tell you!!! There is a scratch on the side of my 6 month old car that somebody made from the front bumper to the rear bumper like they were ust walking long with a key stuck out and didn't notice that it was scratching my car!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
I love the Bombay Outlet Store!!!
The pictures say it all:
Candelabra that'll have to wait for our new house to hang in:
Cute frog on green paperweight:
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