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

Santa Fe Snow Day

While the house is still a wreck as we are in the midst of unpacking Andrew's belongings, unwrapping and putting away wedding gifts, we have somehow managed to get out of the house and enjoy all the glory that is New Mexico. First stop: Santa Fe Ski Area. We took Leila and Rocco to the snow and boy did they have a blast. Afterwards we stopped in town and got a bite to eat at the local Del Charro where you can get a mackin' soup and sandwich for only $4.

My first snow angel. Note to self: wear snowpants next time.

Our babies, Rocco and Leila

Family portrait

Rocky

Christmas in New Mexico

Well, it's that time of year again: the smell of burning firewood billowing from chimneys, hot apple cider, christmas lights and holiday cheer. I love the holidays!! This year, my good friend Lara had a Christmas party full of spiked egg nog, yummy food and of course a white elephant gift exchange. I decided to get a little creative and make orange-cranberry infused vodka for my gift...everyone else decided to be funny. Check out the pictures below! It turns out that at least three of us were on the same wavelength, as three Snuggies made there way into the gift exchange. I was a recipient of one of them...a stylish zebra print Fuzzie Wuzzie!

While Christmas in New Mexico was a delight (thanks for creating the holiday cheer, Lara), I am anxious to be on my way to sunny and warm California to spend Christmas with my family. It'll be our last Christmas in our home in San Diego for awhile, so we're going to make it a good one! Stay tuned for "Christmas in California".

Cranberry-Orange Infused Vodka

Christmas tree with White Elephant Presents

Opening my Fuzzie Wuzzie!

Enjoying my Fuzzie Wuzzie

Matt has the real deal Snuggie

Team Snuggie: Me, Matt and Emily

Andi got Candyland!

Skully speakers for Tony

Lara got these cool water bottles, then Nicole stole them from her!