One Goal Down...Take THAT FE!

So... I PASSED MY FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) EXAM!!!  Mark called me at work to let me know that my letter had arrived and I insisted that he go ahead and open it to tell me the news.  I'm beyond thrilled!  This was also my first New Year Goal to complete (so what if it's not even 2011 yet) and it was one of the most important ones.

Caroline=2 (graduation & FE)
Engineering=1 (the FE schooled me the first time)

After I complete five years of work, I can take the PE and become a Licensed Professional Engineer...with letters after my name at everything.  Professional world, here I come!

Annual Friends' Christmas Party and SK's Birthday

Once again, my pictures are pretty much centered around what Meredith does for me.  I consider myself very lucky to have a friend who takes so many pictures....

Here is one of the best pictures from our Annual Friends' Christmas Party.  Unfortunately, we are missing Alice and Carrie, but I think we had a pretty good turn-out:

We also had a chance to celebrate Sarah Kate's Birthday.  Look at our cute bday girl:

2011...Here I come!

So, I was thinking that I always fail my New Year's Resolutions.  They usually have to do with weight, be nicer, spending more time in prayer.  But they also usually end up incomplete.  This year I'm going to take a different approach.  No New Year's "Resolution" per se, but a bunch of New Year's "Goals", 40 to be exact.  I figure this way, I'm BOUND to finish at least one...I hope.  Here's my list, in no particular order:

1) Take Mark to Europe for the First time
2) Read at least 2 books to benefit my career
3) Visit Lauren in Tyler, Texas
4) Run a 10K
5) Plant flowers by our Mailbox
6) Read the entire New Testament
7) Have a "girls' weekend" at the beach or somewhere fun
8) Try a new workout class
9) Host a dinner party (with food I actually cook)
10) Lose 10 lbs
11) Cook 1 new thing each day for a week
12) Find a church home
13) Get a new cell phone
14) Have dinner at a new (to me) restaurant in Birmingham
15) Go to the dentist (I'll count Julie pre-graduation too)
16) Pass the FE (if didn't in October)
17) Give up Facebook for two weeks
18) Wear make-up everyday for a week
19) Put up pictures in my cubical
20) Go bowling at least once
21) Buy a pair of nice sunglasses
22) Give blood
23) Go to a play/musical
24) Put a bookcase in the guest bedroom
25) Go to at least one Alabama Football Game
26) Move Departments at work...seriously!
27) Take a picture everyday for a month
28) Take Levon on a GOOD walk at least once a week
29) Actually PLAN my Halloween costume
30) Volunteer at an MDA function (in addition to the Derby)
31) Watch each movie nominated for Academy Award's Best Picture
32) Go to a Professional Sports Game (any)
33) Learn some of the language of wherever we visit, prior to trip
34) Shoot a gun (don't worry, I'll go to a shooting range)
35) Send Birthday Cards
36) Go to lunch once a week with coworkers or friends
37) Increase BodyPump weight to almost double
38) Go to Chicago to see Amanda play softball
39) Host Book Club
40) Blog about most of this list

I'm so excited about my list.  Bring it on, 2011.  BRING  IT  ON!!!

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

In November I read "Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk" by David Sedaris.  Ever since my college roommate introduced me to Sedaris, I've been a big fan.  Humorous books that are basically written as a set of short stories?  Yes, please!  BUT, and this is a BIG BUT, I was disappointed with this one.  For those of you interested, it's about animals who talk...like, adult fables.  It wasn't horrible, and I suspect that many of his fans will enjoy it.  It just wasn't my cup of tea.  If you do decide to read it anyways, avoid airplanes.  There are some pretty disturbing drawings in the book and I think the people on my flight to Tuscon thought I was a nutcase.

DC...Part Deux!

Saturday, Bree and Chelsey went to the Newseum, while I went to visit my cousins in Alexandria.  They took me to lunch at Hard Times Cafe where I had some pretty tasty chili.  Somehow, Jim didn't end up in a picture, but here's Susan and me:

Next, I scurred back to DC to go ice skating on the national mall with the girls.  Turns out, I'm a horrible skater... Chelsey had to pull me across the ice.  Actually, I recall a picture of Bree and me ice skating a few years ago and she's pulling me too (ice skating=2, caroline=0).  It was fun though and we got a pretty cute picture out of it, and come free hot chocolate:

After that, we regrouped and went to the "Bama Bar" to watch Alabama take down Miss State.  Good thing they did too, cause our conference record wasn't so great this year.  At this bar, they have a "beer tower" as Bree called it.  Chelsey and I were not so excited about this, cause we thought the waitress was going to bring us a tower to beer CANS, which would just sit around getting warm.  What we got was much cooler:

Once we left there, we went to Clarendon Grill with Brian and their friend Megan.  We struck gold there and happened upon a Journey Cover Band.  Umm, yes please!  They were a good time:

Sunday we met Allison at Perry's for their drag queen brunch.  Umm, lets just say that it was NOT what I was expecting and I will leave visual evidence out of my blog.  But, it was a good time!  Next time (I don't actually think there will be a next time) I will make sure I have a morning mimosa with Bree so that I can handle the show.

After that we went to Eastern Market, then we made a pit stop by the Capitol for a photo-op:

Our last stop of the day was an park near DCA where we watched the planes land.  They come in RIGHT above your head.  You almost feel like you can touch them...very cool.
Bree and Brian were sweet enough to drive us to Baltimore so that we didn't have to worry with the train.  I think Bree secretly just wanted to spend as much time with us as possible.  All in all, the trip was a success!  I just have one thing to add...

Miss you Bree!  Come home already!

 

DC (with Chelsey and Bree), part one

Last month (I know, I'm still trying to get back to real-time), Chelsey and I flew to DC to visit Bree B.  I had off for Veteran's Day, and Chelsey took her first vacation days from work in order to accommodate my schedule.  We left Thursday and got off to a rocky start.  First, our flight was delayed.  This ended up being good news, as the Birmingham airport had an electrical glitch and the security scanners went out for a good 10 minutes.  The flight went smoothly, but when we got to the train station, there were no trains running that night on account of the holiday...which no one bothered to post on their website.  So, we shared a taxi with two strangers from Baltimore to DC.  All I could think of was the movie "Taken," but they ended up being delightful, albeit a little too smart for my likings.

Once we got to DC safely, our amazing tourguide took over.  Thursday we did our own thing and just hungout the three of us...well, other than the random guy who thought we needed dinner company.  It was just like old times (Bree, if you're reading this, it could be like old times everyday, if you move home already).

Friday we went to the Washington Monument.  The views were amazing.  As you can see from the following picture:

Ok, so maybe you CAN'T see anything except us, but aren't we cute?!

We also stumble upon smokey bear, who was clearly very busy at work:

Next, we went to the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which was so cool.  We got to see the new $100 bill that's coming out in 2011.  What?  You're super jealous and want to see it too?  DONE:

By this point, it was 4pm(ish) and we were starving, so we went to POV for drinks and lunch/old folks' dinner.  POV has an amazing view of the White House.  You can see it on the left side of this picture, but the picture doesn't do it justice:

After that, we went back to Bree's to regroup and then met her DC friends at Hamilton's for $1 PBRs.  It was so much fun, and the bar actually encouraged the building of this amazing beer-amid:

I think that's probably all my readers (all two of you) can handle for one post, so I'll continue this with "part deux."

Simply Scarlet Snowflake Christmas

Shop Shutterfly.com for elegant Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

November Birthdays

This past month we celebrated Meredith and Heather's bdays with a shrimp boil and Alabama football.  Check out those cute ladies (and some pretty good looking food):

Here are 5 things I love about Meredith:
1) Meredith is a great party planner
2) She is my own "professional" photographer.  I really should have to pay her to take all the pictures of me that she takes.
3) I love her clothes.  She has great taste in clothes and luckily wears my size :)
4) Mere can entertain me for hours without even being in the same room with me (which is super helpful during long days at work)
5) She orders LOTS of food, then picks at it.  This is great for "fat" kids like me who get to eat her leftovers.

And, Here are 5 things I love about Heather:
1) Heather LOVES her Alabama football and helps me keep up with what's going on
2) She's a great hostess and is always open to having people over
3) She makes the BEST mexican dip EVER, and isn't afraid to eat a lot (can you tell I like food)
4) She's outspoken and says the funniest things
5) Heather is a dancing machine, much like myself.  And she loves to play her "air instruments"

Happy Belated Birthday, you two!

Loving "Loving Frank"

In October (yes, I'm a little behind), my book club read "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan.  I was delighted to read a "historical fiction" book, because I love feeling like I'm learning a little something in a more entertaining way.  "Loving Frank" did not disappoint.  It's about Mamah Borthwick (good luck with that first name) and her affair with Frank Lloyd Wright.  It is always interesting to read things like an affair from "the other side."  Usually, when you read about an affair, you see what it does to the ones who are hurt by it.  Nancy shows you what it does to Mamah and Frank and how they think they are living a better life by not staying in a bad relationship.  Pause! 

As a married woman, I just can not accept this.  What happened to working to stay in love?  Glamorous?  No.  But that's real life.  I don't begin to think that Mark and I will be the same people in 50 (or even 2) years.  But, I'm committed to finding new reasons to love him each day and loving him in a ways that enrich his life.

That being said, "Loving Frank" was a beautifully written book and I enjoyed each page, even while cursing Mamah and Frank.  And my book club enjoyed getting fired up over this one too.

Recap

I did manage to have a little fun in October. 

First, Carrie got engaged to Andres.  I mean, who is going to miss the opportunity to celebrate one of their friends getting engaged?  Congratulations, Carrie! 
Here we are after our celebratory dinner:

The next day, Kaitlin and Ed hosted a tailgate for the Alabam vs Ole Miss game.  We had SOOO much food, including some pretty amazing chili.  Luckily, we took a break from our marathon of eating and watching football to take a picture.

After that, I ONLY came out of hiding long enough to celebrate Martha's bday.  Here are 5 things I love about Martha:

1) She is the most fun to play board games with (Dogger)

2) She's pretty much the only other one in our group who never went to Alabama

3) I have a love/hate relationship with the fact that she moves food closer to me so she wont eat it (unfortunately, I will)

4) She's always up for a fun night of dancing

5) She has a good heart

When I finished my test, I did get to enjoy a little Halloween fun. 

Farewell October...

October sped by in a blur of this

And this

I wont know if I passed my test until December, but for now, I'm glad it's finished.  Time to enjoy November (though, I did miss a few blogs in October that I wanted to share, so look for a few over the next couple of days).

PS:  If you understand any of picture #2, let me know.  I might be studying again in April :)

"The Particular Sadness of..." Finishing this Book

If you were able to get past the silly title and concept (tasting other people's thoughts in the food they made), then SURELY the lack of quotation marks bugged you.  If you were able to get past the lack of quotation marks, then it MUST have bugged you that her brother's legs were turning into a chair.  If you were able to get past the "brother/chair scene" and continued reading, then congratulations my friend...you made it through the book.  Now... put the book down and question why you allowed yourself to waste so much time when there were numerous signs that you should NOT read/finish this. 

Sorry Aimee Bender, but this is a miss...

To Kill a Mockingbird

Last month my book club read "To Kill A Mockingbird"; which was suggested because this year marks it's 50th anniversary.  I HATED reading when I was in school and didn't remember enjoying this book, so I was dreading rereading this classic AGAIN.  Man, am I glad I sucked it up and took advantage of this opportunity!  The book was easy to read and simply enjoyable. 

It's especially fun to read books like this as a "Southerner."  I live in a different time and can't quite relate to the tired old town of Maycomb, Alabama, but it's still nice to "look back" and see how much we've progressed.  It was also nice to review it with my book club.  It's refreshing to see that I have so many Finch's in my group and not one Ewell.  Especially when one of those Finch's in my group makes some impressive shrimp and grits for all of us!

If you don't remember this from high school, please give it another shot.

Side Note:  I was asked if I was reading this for school once (of course, I was wearing a high school shirt, so I couldn't blame them)...  Note to self, no high school activities while in high school clothes.  Makes it even harder to pass as a 26-year-old.

They say it's your Birthday...

I'm a little late with this, but two of my favorite people had their Birthdays on September 15.  In honor of their Birthdays, I wanted to do a "5 Things I "Love" About You"...  I know it's supposed to be "10", but I'm lazy.  Also, sorry Bree, but you know the rules, "Age before..." so we'll start with you:

5 Things I Love About Bree:
1) She knows how to keep her promises (I'll be your best friend if you go to the beach with me)
2) She always comes up with the BEST nicknames (Baloola, Flash, Jazz, Ali, Boo...hehe)
3) She tells very detailed stories (and then I peed)
4) She looks like Chelsey's sister AND Pocahontas
5) She's never afraid to embarrass herself in the name of fun

5 Things I Love About Kaitlin:
1) She is ABSOLUTELY the most fun to play PhotoHunt with
2) Her humor resembles that of a 13-year-old boy (and Mark's)
3) We have so much fun together that we are not allowed to hangout alone (especially at Baron's games)
4) She the best person to drink a glass of wine with after a hard day
5) If you give her "ranking cards" and a "pinching claw", she is the most fun EVER (Labor Day 2009)

I Love both of you.  Happy Belated Birthday!



Seattle

I had been wanting Mark to have the opportunity to spend more time with my extended family.  Since everyone lives so far away, we decided to wait until our anniversary so we could celebrate and see everyone all at once.  My Aunt Carry, Uncle Greg, and Cousins Amanda & Drew were so good to us!  We saw everything I wanted Mark to see on his first trip up there, which mostly consisted of the tourists spots.  My dad said we made a HUGE mistake by not taking the ferry up to Victoria...but there will be more trips.  Here is what we did do:

Tuesday:  We made the trip from Alabama to Washington.  Carry, Amanda, and Drew picked us up from the airport and we visited Alki Beach for a view of the city and some "fish and chips" (which was very high on my list).  We also went to Ballard to see the Locks.  Then, to top it all off, my aunt and uncle made us an amazing steak dinner.  I'd say it was a great start to the trip.

Wednesday: Space Needle, Boat tour of Lake Washington (one of my favorite things we did), Pizza Dinner in Kirkland.

Thursday: Pike Place Market, Downtown, AMAZING Salmon dinner

Friday: Amanda tricked us into going on a "3 Mile" hike.  What she didn't tell us was that the hike was 3 miles STRAIGHT up and 3 miles down.  We rewarded ourselves with a tour of the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.  Then, the Mattocks Family spoiled us with an amazing Mexican Dinner.

Saturday: Carry, Amanda, and I got pedicures.  Then Greg, Carry, Mark, and I headed to Redhook Brewery.  My old roommate Cori and her husband Mark came to meet us after our tour and we had fun visiting with them.  Last, we were lucky enough to get tickets to the Seahawks' pre-season game against the Packers. 

Sunday: We headed home :(.  A big thanks to the Mattocks Family for a wonderful trip.

One Year

Ok, you know how websites that feature books and movies have a "spoiler alert"?  Well, I'm warning all of you with a "cheesy alert".  Don't say you weren't warned...

Yesterday, Mark and I celebrated our 1 Year Anniversary.  I can't believe it's been a YEAR since this:

And this:

This year Mark and I:

1) Adopted Levon

2) Celebrated Kaitlin and Ed's Wedding

   

3) Had TOO much fun at Ole Miss...

4) Rang in the New Year with friends at B&A Warehouse

5) Celebrated Alabama's 13th National Championship

6) Watched my sister get married

7) Helped host MDA's 2nd Annual Derby for Duchenne's

8) Spent some time at the beach with friends

I feel lucky to have spent this last year married to my best friend (I told you it would get cheesy) and look forward to spending many more with him. 

Cutting for Stone

This past month, I read "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese. 

The first 50 pages, I LOVED the book!  The middle, I HATED it.  When it was all said and done, I LIKED it.  I don't think I would recommend it, unless you know a great deal about medicine.  I spent the first part of the book looking up medical terms on my computer.  After a while, I stopped caring. 

I will say that discussing a book (good or bad) over lasagna, wine, and some pretty amazing cookies makes anything worth reading.

4th of July (A little late)

July 4th Mark and I went with my parents to their elegant tre-leur (aka: trailer) in what my mom fondly calls "geriatric park."  Valerie and Adam came up too, but they stayed at Camp Harmon, a place we used to go when we were little.  Check out their accommodations compared with ours:

Trailer where Mark and I stayed with my parents

Outside Valerie and Adam's Cabin

Valerie & Adam's Cabin

 We spent a very outdoorsy weekend hiking and seeing the sights.  Levon was especially excited to be included.  He doesn't usually get to tag along on family vacations:

Mark, Levon, and Me during our hike.

It was nice to have a little family time.  We enjoyed spending our evenings at the trailer cooking and just spending time together.  I learned that it takes 4 family members to determine when the steaks are done: