I had to take my car to the shop this morning because, as I've mentioned previously, the air conditioning was not working. And then over the weekend my check engine light came back on.
I have the worst luck with cars and I'm hoping beyond all hope that my air conditioning is just out of refrigerant and that the check engine light is something small and easy to fix. If not, I have to spend my vacation money on it, which I will not be pleased about. So pray for my car repairs because I'd much rather spend the money on a trip to Colorado.
If not, I'm going to be looking into and saving up for a new car. And I really mean a new car this time. I'd rather be paying for a car that I will eventually own that is brand new and under warranty. That way if anything happens I don't have to pay out of pocket for it.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Softball and Picnics
My weekend was filled with these.
Friday night BF had a softball game so we went to that and then we planned on seeing a movie. Planned. But after the game BF wasn't feeling well, so we went home and watched movies on TV as he vegged on the couch. I think he was fighting a migraine. No fun.
Saturday we had a picnic at Council Crest and met up with my friend G and her dog M. It was a little chilly because it was sort of cloudy, but it warmed up and turned out to be a really nice day. After our picnic, BF took me to the batting cages. I have NEVER batted before in my life. I was so nervous because I didn't want to look like a total idiot and I also didn't want to get hit! But turns out I can actually hit a ball... I'm not awesome at it, but I'm not horrible. Today my forearms hurt from it.
Saturday night we hung out with our friends, K2, and their dogs, O and E. We played a little Wii and hung out and then went to Carl's Jr. for some late night eats. I had the BEST Oreo shake ever. It wasn't long before the food coma hit and BF and I went home to sleep off the greasy, fatty food.
Sunday morning BF and I headed to Montavilla park on the East side because BF's other softball team was in the league play offs. They weren't really expecting to get far, but they just kept winning and winning so they ended up finishing 2nd! The team played really well, (Go, Base Invaders!), but consequentially we spent our whole Sunday at the field. It was nice though because it wasn't super hot out and his team is really fun. It was also nice to eat outside and relax in the grass between games.
We were exhausted by the end of the day and I was asleep before 10:30pm which never happens.
Because the games ran so long yesterday I didn't get to make BF a German dinner, so tonight I'm making Rinderroulade (Beef Rolls) with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. I'm hoping it turns out well. Also, it's hard to find good German Cookbooks. It was super easy to get a good Korean one... I guess German food just isn't that popular. Also, I'm sort of picky. I like cookbooks with pictures so I can tell if I'm doing it right.
In BF's world this week: He's teaching at a camp all week and the premise of his class is something like they have to create their own digital world with commerce and government, etc. Sounds kind of cool.
Other miscellany:
1. My friend Matt and his wife Libby will be in Portland this coming weekend. Matt is an old friend from Colorado. I haven't gotten to meet his wife yet, so I'm super excited to see them!
2. The speaker in my cell phone is all broken and lame and won't get loud enough for me to hear so I need to take the phone in and see what they can do. They should be able to do something because I'm paying for insurance on it after the phone debacle two years ago.
3. I'm only doing cardio this week to give myself a break from weights. I'm a little excited about it becasue it cuts my workouts in half, but also a little sad as I mostly hate cardio.
Friday night BF had a softball game so we went to that and then we planned on seeing a movie. Planned. But after the game BF wasn't feeling well, so we went home and watched movies on TV as he vegged on the couch. I think he was fighting a migraine. No fun.
Saturday we had a picnic at Council Crest and met up with my friend G and her dog M. It was a little chilly because it was sort of cloudy, but it warmed up and turned out to be a really nice day. After our picnic, BF took me to the batting cages. I have NEVER batted before in my life. I was so nervous because I didn't want to look like a total idiot and I also didn't want to get hit! But turns out I can actually hit a ball... I'm not awesome at it, but I'm not horrible. Today my forearms hurt from it.
Saturday night we hung out with our friends, K2, and their dogs, O and E. We played a little Wii and hung out and then went to Carl's Jr. for some late night eats. I had the BEST Oreo shake ever. It wasn't long before the food coma hit and BF and I went home to sleep off the greasy, fatty food.
Sunday morning BF and I headed to Montavilla park on the East side because BF's other softball team was in the league play offs. They weren't really expecting to get far, but they just kept winning and winning so they ended up finishing 2nd! The team played really well, (Go, Base Invaders!), but consequentially we spent our whole Sunday at the field. It was nice though because it wasn't super hot out and his team is really fun. It was also nice to eat outside and relax in the grass between games.
We were exhausted by the end of the day and I was asleep before 10:30pm which never happens.
Because the games ran so long yesterday I didn't get to make BF a German dinner, so tonight I'm making Rinderroulade (Beef Rolls) with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. I'm hoping it turns out well. Also, it's hard to find good German Cookbooks. It was super easy to get a good Korean one... I guess German food just isn't that popular. Also, I'm sort of picky. I like cookbooks with pictures so I can tell if I'm doing it right.
In BF's world this week: He's teaching at a camp all week and the premise of his class is something like they have to create their own digital world with commerce and government, etc. Sounds kind of cool.
Other miscellany:
1. My friend Matt and his wife Libby will be in Portland this coming weekend. Matt is an old friend from Colorado. I haven't gotten to meet his wife yet, so I'm super excited to see them!
2. The speaker in my cell phone is all broken and lame and won't get loud enough for me to hear so I need to take the phone in and see what they can do. They should be able to do something because I'm paying for insurance on it after the phone debacle two years ago.
3. I'm only doing cardio this week to give myself a break from weights. I'm a little excited about it becasue it cuts my workouts in half, but also a little sad as I mostly hate cardio.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday List
This morning I was writing my "To Do" list at work for the day, and then I wrote my "Grocery List" since it's payday, and then I wrote my "Bills to Pay" list- again since it's payday, and then I decided... why not write a more fun list?
Things that I want to do/Things that I want (in no particular order):
1. Go to the Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. I don't even have to explain this one. Dani and Mike should come too.
2. Take the train from Portland to Vancouver, BC and then the ferry over to Victoria. I've been to Vancouver and to Victoria, but it's always been in a car... not the same as a train.
3. Anti- anxiety meds for traveling. I hate airplanes. I hate other people driving. I'm getting better in cars and vehicles where other people are driving, but not so great in the sky. Turbulence sends me over the edge. And then I heard about the plane last week that had to emergency land in Denver because they hit such bad turbulence that people flew out of their seats and hurt themselves. I would have had a full blown panic attack and possibly a heart attack.
4. Kilted skirt and matching sash in the McKenzie Dress Tartan for special occassions, with the McKenzie clan sash pin.
5. The new iMac 21.5 inch, 1T hardrive desktop computer.
6. New Zealand.
7. An autographed picture of Craig Ferguson.
8. More cookbooks.
9. Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Perfect trip. I want to go in the early fall before it gets too cold, but when the trees are all colorful at the castles and when I won't get sweaty hiking around.
10. Ireland, Scotland, England. I just like old things and old places and these countries are full of old. That sounds weird.
11. Road trip to Colorado to see friends with BF. Colorado is beautiful, and I haven't seen a lot of my CO friends in years so it'd be nice to get back and see them all. Plus, BF has never been to Colorado so I could take him to all of the pretty places.
Things that I want to do/Things that I want (in no particular order):
1. Go to the Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. I don't even have to explain this one. Dani and Mike should come too.
2. Take the train from Portland to Vancouver, BC and then the ferry over to Victoria. I've been to Vancouver and to Victoria, but it's always been in a car... not the same as a train.
3. Anti- anxiety meds for traveling. I hate airplanes. I hate other people driving. I'm getting better in cars and vehicles where other people are driving, but not so great in the sky. Turbulence sends me over the edge. And then I heard about the plane last week that had to emergency land in Denver because they hit such bad turbulence that people flew out of their seats and hurt themselves. I would have had a full blown panic attack and possibly a heart attack.
4. Kilted skirt and matching sash in the McKenzie Dress Tartan for special occassions, with the McKenzie clan sash pin.
5. The new iMac 21.5 inch, 1T hardrive desktop computer.
6. New Zealand.
7. An autographed picture of Craig Ferguson.
8. More cookbooks.
9. Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Perfect trip. I want to go in the early fall before it gets too cold, but when the trees are all colorful at the castles and when I won't get sweaty hiking around.
10. Ireland, Scotland, England. I just like old things and old places and these countries are full of old. That sounds weird.
11. Road trip to Colorado to see friends with BF. Colorado is beautiful, and I haven't seen a lot of my CO friends in years so it'd be nice to get back and see them all. Plus, BF has never been to Colorado so I could take him to all of the pretty places.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Quick, Think of Ways to Cheer BF Up!
... before he knows what's going on.
Last night BF was really low. It was heartbreaking. Mostly because I felt helpless because I couldn't fix the situation. The situation being that BF still doesn't have a permanent teaching job for the school year and the news on that front is that a lot of schools are actually still CUTTING jobs so the prospects aren't looking good. He has a few leads on jobs that haven't been officially posted so I'm keeping my fingers crossed, sending him my positive vibes, and then trying to meditate it all into existence.
I know I cannot fix this... but I really want to help. BF is a very happy and easy going guy so seeing him sad and frustrated is hard for me.
I've been working on a way to cheer him up and I have a few ideas, but I'm always open to suggestions (hint, tell me if you have a good idea). Clearly I cannot post my current ideas because I don't know when BF has or has not read the blog and therefore I would be giving up my surprise good ideas if I publish them.
This morning as I was thinking of things I could do, I decided to catch up on other people's blogs so I did a little reading. I stumbled upon one person's and she mentioned something about how she googled "sad kittens" on Google Images and how it was horrible, so it sounded like a good idea to me.
You guys, I laughed SO HARD at these pictures. I don't know why. I may be a horrible person, but if you think the same things I think are funny then you should try it as well.
I linked a bunch of the pictures to an email and then I sent it to BF hoping he'd get a laugh out of it as well. I haven't gotten a horrified text or call yet so I'm hoping he's enjoying it as much as I did.
In other news, I got to work at ass o'clock this morning and was so motivated I got everything on my "To Do" list done by 9:30 this morning... I'm currently working on a new "To Do" list to occupy the rest of my day.
Last night BF was really low. It was heartbreaking. Mostly because I felt helpless because I couldn't fix the situation. The situation being that BF still doesn't have a permanent teaching job for the school year and the news on that front is that a lot of schools are actually still CUTTING jobs so the prospects aren't looking good. He has a few leads on jobs that haven't been officially posted so I'm keeping my fingers crossed, sending him my positive vibes, and then trying to meditate it all into existence.
I know I cannot fix this... but I really want to help. BF is a very happy and easy going guy so seeing him sad and frustrated is hard for me.
I've been working on a way to cheer him up and I have a few ideas, but I'm always open to suggestions (hint, tell me if you have a good idea). Clearly I cannot post my current ideas because I don't know when BF has or has not read the blog and therefore I would be giving up my surprise good ideas if I publish them.
This morning as I was thinking of things I could do, I decided to catch up on other people's blogs so I did a little reading. I stumbled upon one person's and she mentioned something about how she googled "sad kittens" on Google Images and how it was horrible, so it sounded like a good idea to me.
You guys, I laughed SO HARD at these pictures. I don't know why. I may be a horrible person, but if you think the same things I think are funny then you should try it as well.
I linked a bunch of the pictures to an email and then I sent it to BF hoping he'd get a laugh out of it as well. I haven't gotten a horrified text or call yet so I'm hoping he's enjoying it as much as I did.
In other news, I got to work at ass o'clock this morning and was so motivated I got everything on my "To Do" list done by 9:30 this morning... I'm currently working on a new "To Do" list to occupy the rest of my day.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sweet Tooth
I'm having a difficult time keeping my sweet tooth in check this week, you guys. UGH. It's so frustrating. I mean, I'm doing a good job avoiding the treats and not giving in, but every time someone at work walks by with a a cookie or a donut or a piece of candy I want to tackle them and take it for myself.
The thing is, I've always had a major sweet tooth, but I can usually control it with mind tricks like drinking a big hot cup of mint tea or eating a piece of fruit but it's just not happening this week.
Over the weekend my parents bought those grocery store sugar cookies with an inch of frosting on them that are my FAVORITE. Yesterday someone brought Bliss Cupcakes to work for a coworker's birthday. Today we had a meeting and everyone brought sweet snacks to share like M&M's. Tomorrow, WHO KNOWS.
But I bought a new bathing suit today at the campus employee store so there is a little motivation to keep away from the sugar and bad stuff, but it's still a struggle.
Any tricks that I don't know about to help? I may lose it by the end of the week and hold up Krispy Kreme...
The thing is, I've always had a major sweet tooth, but I can usually control it with mind tricks like drinking a big hot cup of mint tea or eating a piece of fruit but it's just not happening this week.
Over the weekend my parents bought those grocery store sugar cookies with an inch of frosting on them that are my FAVORITE. Yesterday someone brought Bliss Cupcakes to work for a coworker's birthday. Today we had a meeting and everyone brought sweet snacks to share like M&M's. Tomorrow, WHO KNOWS.
But I bought a new bathing suit today at the campus employee store so there is a little motivation to keep away from the sugar and bad stuff, but it's still a struggle.
Any tricks that I don't know about to help? I may lose it by the end of the week and hold up Krispy Kreme...
Monday, July 26, 2010
Weekendy
This weekend was the Oregon Brew Fest on the Waterfront. It was the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the sun... and also wear kilts.
BF got lots of compliments on his kilt that day, and it even lead to a lady losing $10 on a bet... she bet her friend he didn't have anything on underneath, alas he did (like the modest young gentleman he is... lol).
B and BF told lots of fun stories of which I should have taken video, but it's probably good that I didn't because no one could understand them. The only reason I do is that I've had practice deciphering the slurring and mumblings.
Part way through the day we decided to get out of the heat and go to Kell's where it's airconditioned. We were hoping for preferential treatment since we were wearing kilts, but, you know, it's Portland and no one there really noticed.
We ventured back to the fest after a couple of hours chilling in the AC, but didn't stay too much longer.
After the fest we went to Mio Gelato over on 11th and I was in gelato heaven. I got the 3 flavor dish with Pistachio, Chocolate and Amaretto gelatos. MMMM, delicious.
Heat-weary and full we ventured home while BF and B told more stories and also came up with "ridiculously awesome" ideas... that BF consequently did not remember the next day when I brought them up.
Sunday was an awesome lazy day. I woke up sort of early, but stayed in pajamas as long as possible. BF had a softball game on the east side at 11am, so that meant he had to leave at 10am, so I respectfully declined and watched Harry Potter movies in my pj's and ate breakfast on the couch. I cleaned the living room and took a cat nap and generally tried to stay indoors because it was sweltering outside again. I made a lovely dinner of Jagerschnitzel, roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus and mushroom gravy for dinner. It was the first time I'd ever made it, but I must admit it was pretty good. It will be better next time, though. And I'm making the mushroom cream gravy next time instead of the mushroom gravy... it was just too hot to eat creamy things last night.
Now the weekend is over and I'm feeling pretty good about this week. I now have to change subjects drastically because I forgot that I wanted to share something.
At work I've stopped taking the elevators as much as possible. Firstly, taking the stairs is better for you anyway. Second, our work elevators scare me a little. Sometimes they make funny noises or they get to the floor and then just pause for an extended period before opening the doors, and also, they "jump", even when it's only one person getting in or out. So yes, I mostly take the stairs. However, since I've been taking the stairs I've noticed that there is one stairwell that smells like feet. It's super gross and I can't understand why it does. No one is walking barefoot at work (eewww). The stairwell is not close to any of the campus gyms, and it's not near any bathrooms or anything. I've mentioned it to other people at work and some have noticed it as well. I may start using the far-end-of-the-building stairwell instead. It's at the opposite end of the building from me, but I'd rather use it and NOT smell feet.
BF's friend, B, from Corvallis came up to hang with us. We started the afternoon playing Wii Resort Golf, and then drove downtown to start the festivities. It was 200 degrees out. Actually it was like 95. But still.
 |
| Double Fisting, in a Kilt |
BF got lots of compliments on his kilt that day, and it even lead to a lady losing $10 on a bet... she bet her friend he didn't have anything on underneath, alas he did (like the modest young gentleman he is... lol).
B and BF told lots of fun stories of which I should have taken video, but it's probably good that I didn't because no one could understand them. The only reason I do is that I've had practice deciphering the slurring and mumblings.
 |
| Story Telling |
Part way through the day we decided to get out of the heat and go to Kell's where it's airconditioned. We were hoping for preferential treatment since we were wearing kilts, but, you know, it's Portland and no one there really noticed.
We ventured back to the fest after a couple of hours chilling in the AC, but didn't stay too much longer.
 |
| BF finishing his last one |
After the fest we went to Mio Gelato over on 11th and I was in gelato heaven. I got the 3 flavor dish with Pistachio, Chocolate and Amaretto gelatos. MMMM, delicious.
Heat-weary and full we ventured home while BF and B told more stories and also came up with "ridiculously awesome" ideas... that BF consequently did not remember the next day when I brought them up.
Sunday was an awesome lazy day. I woke up sort of early, but stayed in pajamas as long as possible. BF had a softball game on the east side at 11am, so that meant he had to leave at 10am, so I respectfully declined and watched Harry Potter movies in my pj's and ate breakfast on the couch. I cleaned the living room and took a cat nap and generally tried to stay indoors because it was sweltering outside again. I made a lovely dinner of Jagerschnitzel, roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus and mushroom gravy for dinner. It was the first time I'd ever made it, but I must admit it was pretty good. It will be better next time, though. And I'm making the mushroom cream gravy next time instead of the mushroom gravy... it was just too hot to eat creamy things last night.
Now the weekend is over and I'm feeling pretty good about this week. I now have to change subjects drastically because I forgot that I wanted to share something.
At work I've stopped taking the elevators as much as possible. Firstly, taking the stairs is better for you anyway. Second, our work elevators scare me a little. Sometimes they make funny noises or they get to the floor and then just pause for an extended period before opening the doors, and also, they "jump", even when it's only one person getting in or out. So yes, I mostly take the stairs. However, since I've been taking the stairs I've noticed that there is one stairwell that smells like feet. It's super gross and I can't understand why it does. No one is walking barefoot at work (eewww). The stairwell is not close to any of the campus gyms, and it's not near any bathrooms or anything. I've mentioned it to other people at work and some have noticed it as well. I may start using the far-end-of-the-building stairwell instead. It's at the opposite end of the building from me, but I'd rather use it and NOT smell feet.
You Should Listen to This
A month or so ago BF heard this band's single from their new album and liked it enough to download the whole album. We listened to it in the car while running errands and fell in love with it. I made BF make me a cd so I could enjoy it in my car and I have been listening to it for a week straight!
New Politics. It's a bit like a mix of OK GO and Zebrahead, even though that probably makes no sense. You will have to listen to it to see what I mean. I like that most of the songs are super upbeat and they make a great workout mix.
Just thought I'd share. Enjoy!
New Politics. It's a bit like a mix of OK GO and Zebrahead, even though that probably makes no sense. You will have to listen to it to see what I mean. I like that most of the songs are super upbeat and they make a great workout mix.
Just thought I'd share. Enjoy!
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