Hello Again, San Diego!

So, I'm in the lovely (and cloudy, for now) San Diego for the weekend. Since San Diego is home and where the fam is, I try to visit every few months. This weekend is also special for two reasons. First, my best friend of 25 years, Danielle, just turned 27 (yes, we're getting old!!) and we're celebrating this weekend. Since I left town for college and graduate school, Danielle and I don't get to hang out very often, and it's been even longer since we've spent either of our birthdays together. So this weekend is a special treat for us! Second, one of my other great friends, Cheyenne, is expecting her first baby girl and her baby shower is this weekend!! I took my mom with me to buy her baby shower gift and it was a lot of fun (overwhelming too, and I'm not even pregnant!). I can't wait to gather around and shower her with great gifts for her and her precious baby!

I packed a bikini so hopefully the sun and its warmth make an appearance so I can tan this pale body of mine! I also plan on walking everywhere since gas is over $4 a gallon ( I'm on a diet too, so the exercise can't hurt!). Oh, how I've missed San Diego...

Happy Birthmonth!!

In this family, we don't just celebrate birthdays, we celebrate birthmonths!! March marks Andrew's birthmonth and this year we celebrated with a lot food and libations. I surprised him by taking him out for drinks at Seasons and dinner at The Melting Pot, one of our favorite dining experiences in town. Later in the month, we dined at Tropical Grill and Sushi Bar, a local spot serving South Pacific deliciousness that is literally a hop, skip and a jump away from the house. The husband closed out his birthmonth with a week of spring snowboarding in Telluride, CO. I'd say he was happy with this year's birthmonth festivities, and I bet he's looking forward to next year's! Happy Birthday, Husband!!

All But Dissertation, Baby!!

Yesterday, I successfully defended my dissertation proposal and I am now officially a Ph.D. Candidate!! Or, as Wikipedia so eloquently describes that..."at this stage the student (yours truly!) has completed the prepatory coursework, qualifying examinations, comprehensive examinations, and defended her (that's me again!) dissertation proposal. To complete the degree, the student must carry out the proposed research which must be original research and write the dissertation that defines the Ph.D. or equivalent research doctorate." All I can say is that I am relieved beyond belief that it's over. As suggested in the comic above, this proposal defense brought me to tears, nightmares, anxiety, nausea, irritability, and delirium. And while the defense is now behind me, I must now tend to all of the things that I abandoned in it's wake: laundry, bills, cleaning, grocery shopping, grading, car washes, and showers (just kidding!).

My dad flew in from San Diego to see my presentation and it's been great hanging out with him, considering that I don't get to see him very often these days. He and Andrew have been undertaking several home improvement projects and it's really nice to see them bonding together.

I also have to thank my friends/colleagues in my department at UNM for being so incredibly supportive throughout this whole process. We are so lucky to have each other as friends, colleagues and distractions!

Cell Phone Picture Purge

Unfortunately, I don't always carry my fancy Nikon on me to ensure that I capture life's greatest moments @ high digital quality. Not to worry...that's what cell phone cameras are for. Here are some priceless pictures we just have to share with the world.

The Joys of Cooking

The outcomes of having a big kitchen, lots of great cooking gadgets (thanks to all of our friends and family for the wedding gifts!), the Joy of Cooking cookbook (thanks to my advisor, Heather!), and many bouts of procrastination:

Homemade, fresh carrot juice!

Ol' fashioned oatmeal cookies

Mac n' Cheese (PS. Andrew may be holding the pan, but he didn't cook it!)

Scalloped potatoes

Beef and buffalo jerky

Stay tuned for more cooking adventures!

Grading has never been so much fun!

So we're in Taos this weekend following a big winter storm that dropped lots of snow all over New Mexico. As I type, Andrew is on the mountain boarding, and I am in our adorable room at the Austing Haus B&B. As many of you know, I'm not the biggest fant of snowsports, so I'm chilling in our room grading!! If only grading could always be this peaceful!




My fire



















The view from my "office"



















Our lovely B&B

















Stay tuned for more from our weekend getaway!

Hello February!

Per a severe weather alert, with bitterly cold temperatures (tomorrow's high is 14 and the low is -1 degrees!!) and snow showers throughout much of the day...the University of New Mexico declared a snow day and closed the campus. After sending in Andrew's graduate school application (WOOHOO!!), we took to the park for some fun in the snow!! Then we were off to happy hour at our favorite local spot, Savoy Bar and Grill, and took a few cool pictures around town while we were out.

Andrew sends in his application!

The Heights got some snow!

When I don't miss, this is how I entertain Leila

I'm getting better at my snow angels

Yay, snow day!

Peek-a-boo!!

That would be Andrew's celebratory cigar

Our neighborhood hangout, Quigley Park

Andrew doesn't look awkward with a bat at all

Leila LOVES the snow