7.22.11 - HP 7.2

After work Jack and I went to see HP 7.2 for our second time, but this time in 3D.  The 3D added a little bit in some scenes, but so far I find 3D makes the most difference in animated movies.  I was still glad to see it a 2nd time, first of all because this may be the last time I can watch an HP movie in theaters, and secondly because I caught several things I hadn't caught the first time.  Very enjoyable.  

I would like to note, though, that the first night was overall much more fun, not just because we hadn't seen it before, but because the audience was fantastic.  I figure if people are willing to wait fairly long in line to see the movie, they are the more hardcore fans.  This goes along with the fact that when we saw it the first weekend, the audience was very enthusiastic--laughing harder, applauding at the most epic points.  They were also more respectful.  I saw a lot more phones taken out and texting and distractions the 2nd time Jack and I went than the 1st.

After the movie Jack and I came back to my place and fell asleep watching Sorcerer's Stone.  Haha.

6.26.11 - Rocca's

We didn't have a chance to celebrate our anniversary in April but finally, at long last, we went out for it now. Jack looked up different places in downtown San Mateo and landed on the highly rated Rocca's, not knowing I have actually been there before in conjunction with the law firm. But that's fine - the place is delicious and definitely a special date for us.

My martini was called "The Parisian Kiss": chilled vodka, triple sec, fresh lemonade, Chambord.

I ordered crabs stuffed with shrimp over a lemon risotto.

Jack said his dinner was the best fettuccine he's ever had.

6.4.11 - Kitchen cleaning race

Jack's parents were in town.  We were all lounging around Jack's apartment and I mentioned to Jack (possibly multiple times) that he ought to clean out his fridge because it was rotten and gross inside and he responded (possibly multilple times) "Yeah, I will..." and then didn't quite get around to getting off the couch.

After awhile Don, Merlene, Jack and I were planning to go somewhere (I no longer remember where) and I said "I bet I can shower and be ready to go before you can finish cleaning out the fridge."

And then Jack JUMPED UP off the couch and RAN ACROSS THE ROOM to me and PUSHED ME ON THE GROUND!  (He was gentle, it's ok.)  And then he frantically started cleaning out the fridge.  I was laughing so hard I could hardly get up again.

He was pretty smug about how he'd cleaned the fridge (and freezer! (and wiped down all the shelves!!)) waaaay before I finished getting ready.  He sure showed me. :)

5.7.11 - Olive Garden

Jack helped me a *lot* with the stressful process of rushed apartment hunting, but happily at the end of the day I think I found something that will work. To cap it off we decided to get dinner at Olive Garden.

4.23.11 - Bread picnic

Jack learned how to make bread.

It is absolutely delicious.

So we got grapes and tomatos and cheese and stuff and went to find a picnic spot.

We actually drove around for kind of awhile, but it was worth the view when we did land.

4.17.11 - Noodle Theory

It was an overcast day, though not too chilly to sit outside comfortably. We walked from the apartment. Even so, the warm noodle soup was pretty enjoyable.

4.15.11 - Surprise A and a BBQ

Jack was off work!!  He's been working way more than usual lately so it was nice to finally get to spend some time with him.  He drove me to campus and on the way we listened to several On The Rocks songs, which makes a great start to any day.  When he dropped me off I got out of the car right as my history GSI was walking by, and she and I discussed my research paper rough draft, which she believes I should submit for a research scholarship.  Woot!

History discussion was more interesting than usual.  We talked about whether or not the feminist movement of the 1960s/70s had any effects and if so what were they and to what extent.  Flew by.  Then I walked in the gorgeous springtime weather to history lecture where we learned about the background to affirmative action.  It was interesting.  The professor showed this chart about how many more women started getting more Bachelors degrees in traditionally male-dominated fields after Title IX.  I wish she had gone into more detail about how programs readjusted to qualify for Title IX funds; was it quotas or something more subtle?  She also talked about how affirmative action really drove a wedge between the civil rights movement and the labor movement.  I'd never thought about that.  I really enjoy this class.  The professor clearly has her own views but overall I think she does a fairly good job of showing both sides.

Anyway, then I walked through more gorgeous spring weather to my Pchem class, where I dreaded getting my midterm grade back because I was fairly sure I bombed it.  I dreaded it even more after getting to class and learning that the class average for this midterm was even higher than the first midterm, meaning less of a curve, damn.  But THEN I found out that I actually did one point higher than a standard deviation above the average which basically means: A!  Woohoo!!  Maybe I will get straight A's this semester after all, bwahahaha!  I was really excited about that.

Jack picked me up.  Not long after we got home Ellen texted to see if we were busy and she decided to come over and hang out for the day, so that was a pleasant surprise.  We went for a walk and talked, talked, talked.  I picked some more flowers for pressing because why not.  Then there was a lazy evening in between in which Neil, Jack, and eventually even Ellen took naps while I just did some craft-type things.  If I'm not going to get homework done I may as well get something done.

Then Ellen, Jack and I went to Doug's for a bbq and it was very enjoyable.  Brauts, grilled zucchini, artichoke with mayo/soy sauce mix (surprisngly good), Lambrusco.  We met a guy from Minnesota and bonded over midwestern weather and other cultural differences.  He had a good sense of humor.  Super pleasant evening.

3.27.11 - Angeline's

Cool cajun-type decor?

I love the whole atmosphere of this place. Food's pretty good too.

My handsome boyfriend. :)

3.23.11 - Visiting Molly

After Jack got home from work we drove to Santa Rosa to have tomato basil pasta, olive bread and red wine with Joe and Molly (and Eli!).  We then *instructed* them in Tichu, guys v girls, and they picked it up pretty quickly.  More converts.  It was getting too late to finish the game, and the guys were crushing us anyway (695 to 105) so we wrapped up early, but I'm sure there will be future games.

Eli sits in on grown up Tichu.

3.22.11 - Berkeley flowers

Went to campus to listen to my post doc, Chaomin, discuss our research with the rest of the lab.  On the walk home it was getting ready to rain but wasn't raining yet, and it was warm and windy and the clouds were awesome and the weather was generally great.  I decided to pick colored flowers and leaves to press when I get home.  This made the walk take longer but it was much more fun--I never realized how many flowers Berkeley has before.  Hopefully now I'll notice them all the time.

3.19.11 - Rainy day fun

Went to Doug's in the morning to hang out with him and his 6-year-old niece, Ava.  Doug helped her build some sailboats out of tupperware with sticks stuck in candles for masts.  We walked in the light rain a few blocks to a playground with a tiny creek running by.  On the way there Ava's sail fell off her sailboat, so she replaced it with a large pink petal off some flower.  It sort of fell to the bottom of the mast but she seemed satisfied anyway.  Once at the creek she happily raced her and Doug's sailboats while Jack, Doug, and I mostly looked on.  Ava insisted it's "lady's first" and would start her sailboat before Doug's, but it was pretty much a crapshoot who would "win" since the wind kept changing directions.  Still cute to watch.

Made it to the creek, despite the rain.

It started raining a little harder so Jack left to get the car.  Doug, Ava and I played on this rather cool playground.  It included a wooden ship with fish carved along the side, some kind of fort with trees carved in it's walls, and even a building that served as the "General Store", "Bank" and "Saloon" (!).  There were also colored tiles obviously designed by children lining the fence that surrounded the playground.  The whole thing was very pretty.  And very empty, since it was raining.  Ava ran from structure to structure, explaining to us that the ships were blown up by bombs and we needed to sail to Hawaii where it's warm and other such things.  I like asking her questions about what's going on in her make believe story and seeing what she comes up with on the spot.  Also, she has a pretty good evil villain cackle, which she used when she "trapped" Doug and me in a net, apparently.

Eventually she was ready to get out of the cold and wet, so Jack drove all of us to the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse to pick up supplies to do some rainy day crafts.  Turns out they were having a sale on fabric--$5 for as much fabric as you could stuff in a large grocery bag.  Good lord.  Ava picked out about 5-6 different kinds of pink fabric, Jack picked out patterns he thought would make good patches for some of his clothes, and I picked out colors I like with no specific plans for them.  I'm sure I can come up with something, and with prices that low I'm not going to wait till I have thought of it.  I must've gotten about 20 yards of fabric for $5.  Bwahahaha!  We also bought a few scoops of buttons.

Before we went back to Doug's we stopped by Backesale Betty's for fried chicken sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies, all of which were amazing.

Kid can raise one eyebrow. Nice.

By the time we finished our impromptu lunch at Doug's it was about time for Jack and me to get going with other errands, so I suppose the button crafts with Ava will have to be saved for next time.

After hitting up Safeway Jack and I went back to his apt and I made cookies-n-cream fudge...things.  They were delicious but messy and very rich.  I then spent the afternoon scanning old photos and listening to a random youtube playlist of Sesame St songs, some of which I probably haven't heard since I lived in Folsom.  Jack napped.

Finally Neil, Jack and I packed up some of the cookies-n-cream stuff and went to Dylan and Sarah's for a dinner and Sequence and general visiting.  Jack and Sarah won 3 games of Sequence out of 6 before we all quit.  Fun game--good to play while visiting.

Sequence.

I also enjoyed watching their fancy goldfish keep swimming to the bottom and then floating to the top of his tank.  Apparently some days he gets air bubbles stuck in him and can't stay near the bottom, and then other days he's fine.  Either way it was funny to watch. Weirdo.

Apparently "fancy" Goldfish get bubbles in them and get stuck floating. This fish spent the entire evening struggling to swim near the bottom of the tank, giving up, floating back to the top, and starting over. 

On the way back we stopped at Wal Mart to buy some of the produce they're now selling (woohoo! oranges!)

3.18.11 - Solano Wine Cellars

Jack took me to Solano Cellars for some wine-tasting.  I tried the "Red Wine Flight" which included Noussan Torrette and Fattoria Paradiso Sangiovese Reserva (Italian), "Les Vieilles Vignes" (French), and Preston Zinfandel (California :-) ).  Jack tried the "Special Selections Flight" which included Scherrer Pinot Noir (CA), Montevertine Rosso (Italy), La Rioja Alta (Spain), and the mouthful Domaine Moulin-Tacussel Chateauneuf-du-Pape (France).  We also got sliced bread and various gourmet cheeses whose names all escape me now.

We got two wine flights, one white, one red. Also some cheeses.

  

While we were there, there was a huge storm outside. It even started hailing! Very unusual for that part of the country.

The whole thing was lovely.  It was a small place, uncrowded even though it was Friday night.  We sat at a two-top high-table at the edge of the balcony that looks down on the rest of the shop.  They played swing music softly in the background.  We just took our time and tried each of each others wine and talked and savored.  Near the end a thunder storm started (the 2nd thunderstorm I've witnessed in the bay area ever) and that was both exciting and almost nostalgic, since they remind me of Missouri.  Later it actually hailed. Awww.

2.12.11 - Pleasant Saturday

Today I got up "early" (earlier than Neil or Jack) and read homework readings in peace and quiet in very sunny living room.  After Jack woke up I introduced him to Dollhouse while I continued to read.  Him using my laptop helps me get homework done because I can't use my laptop.

This afternoon I was going to Starbucks to meet a friend of a friend who could give me useful information for my job hunt.  Jack and I got there early and conducted a mini taste test--I ordered a Java Chip Frapuccino Light and a Java Chip Frapuccino no whip and then had Jack see if he could tell the difference.  He could, easily, and so could I, but I still think the JCFL is worth the small taste sacrifice for the lower calories.

Later Jack studied in some other corner of Starbucks while I met up with the friend and had a very useful, informative discussion.  He seemed to think my resume was impressive, which, after zero responses so far with my job hunt, was uplifting.  Also doing anything that feels like progress generally puts me in a really good mood.

View from the 2nd floor of the Starbucks toward campus.

When our talk was over Jack and I went back to the apartment, driving with the windows down on a gorgeous day, listening to the Beatles.  I notice Jack sings along pretty enthusiastically for having claimed to not like them.  We got back here and while he napped I made soy sauce brown sugar chicken and rice and corn, and then Neil, Jack and I ate dinner and watched two more episodes of BSG.  All very satisfying things to do.

I think I'll do some more reading now.

1.15.11 - Mt. Tam picnic

Yesterday Jack and I made chicken wraps using tomato basil tortillas, pesto, cucumber and tomato.  We packed them, some pita chips, hummus, pears, diet cola and Lambrusco and drove to Mt Tam for a picnic.  The weather was great.  The drive up was enjoyable in itself because it's a long drive and gives us time to let the conversation wander, or to enjoy many good songs from my iPod Shuffle.  That, and once you get to the foot of Mt Tam the drive includes many beautiful views along the way.

When we got to our picnic spot no one else was around.  It was a bit windy, and I'd brought a coat but Jack hadn't, so he ended up wrapping himself in our picnic blanket.  We joked around a lot, just in a very silly mood, and enjoyed the food and the view.  All in all it was a lovely date.  It's really nice to get out of the rut of going out to dinner over and over and try something new.

We brought ingredients for wraps.

Sun in our face.

Decent selfie.

Trying to stay warm!

As an aside, I think having a weekly date night has been very good for mine and Jack's relationship.  We've kept it up with almost no misses since he moved to CA in July 2009.  It becomes a habit after awhile, which is sort of the point, I think: you make sure to set some time aside, no matter how busy your schedule, to be one-on-one and relax a little.  It helps us show that we are a priority to each other and it also gives us an opportunity to try new things.  I think once you've been together awhile it's easy to get into a rut or routine that doesn't include making a point to focus on one another now and again.  Anyway, we got the idea from a couple I am friends with and it has worked out really well for us.  I recommend it.

We went home and watched The Golden Compass.  Jack loved the armored bears fighting, of course.

After the movie, Neil, Jack and I went to a house concert featuring four different bands, including the Pacific Rhythm Company.  The Pacific Rhythm Company is a new band that includes a member from an old band I liked.  I was hoping the music style would be similar, and it certainly was, and it was wonderful.  The songs are very sweet and relaxing.  Most of the bands were like that.  It was a low-key event, with Christmas lights decorating the place and music from pianos, trombones, ukuleles, etc.  In between sets we had some fun talks with Senta and Doug.  Doug showed us how to do the Dougie, which in this case is not a dance so much as whatever Doug happens to be doing at a given moment.

Relaxing to the music of the Pacific Rhythm Company.

Anyway, the whole day was lovely.  I'm trying to enjoy these last few days off as much as I can before my final semester starts which will include--buh buh BUM--the second half of P-chem. 

1.11.11 - bonding with baby Rocket

Dad and Ellen went down to the beach and I hung out in my room, mostly reading Churchill but also dozing and listening to music.  Then I went and hung out with Jill and Rocket while Dad and Ellen went down to Barcelo to Jet Ski with Julie and Denny.  That was one of the highlights of the day for me, because I enjoy talking about relationships and other things with Jill.  Rocket was asleep most of the time anyway.

Eventually he woke up and we took him down to “walk” around the lobby.  I was hoping he’d tire out because soon Jill left to go horseback riding with the others and I was babysitting alone, which was somewhat intimidating.  When I took Rocket back to mine and Ellen’s hotel room he was fussy and after awhile he was outright crying, so I decided to pack my things and take him to Dad and Jill’s room.  Just me transitioning from our room to theirs distracted him enough that he stopped crying and fell asleep almost immediately after that, which of course made him much cuter.  I put him in his crib and read more Churchill.  I was hoping he’d sleep for at least an hour, but less than half an hour later he woke back up.  He was less fussy after that, though, and much cuter.  I sat him in my lap and let him eat Cheerios out of a cup, then gave him some water.  I let him explore.  I carried him around the balcony during a beautiful sunset.  I had him in the hammock for a little while as I poked my fingers through the other side of the mesh and he tried to grab them.  Overall he was very quiet the whole time, which I think was a sure sign he was tired.

Eventually I started walking him back and forth, only this time instead of singing lullabies I just started talking to him in a soft monotone voice—totally stream of conscious.  The whole time I was talking Rocket was just leaning his head back and staring at me, which was amusing.  Eventually he went to sleep but when I tried to put him back in his crib he woke up immediately.  Ah well.  The rest of the crew joined us soon after that.

We all went down to town with the intent of going to the hamburger place again for dinner, but on the way there Dad stopped to look at the menu of one of the other restaurants.  The woman had called to him from the side of the road.  We ended up eating there (It’s name was Spanish for “Elbows on the Table”) and we had lots of drinks (sangria, pina colada, margarita) and a lot of food (flank, beef fillet, carbonara, pomodoro).  I am very stuffed even now.

We had fun conversations.  Dad and Jill and Julie started talking about logistics for the wedding and had some new ideas.  We finally took a cab back.

1.10.11 - Breezy lobby

This morning when Rocket fell asleep I laid down with him on top of me, both hands clasped around his little back, and I passed out too.  Ellen was outside in the hammock reading, I think.  I woke up in a pseudo-state, trying to lift up my hands and move him to the bed, but when I moved them they didn’t move, they just stayed on his back.  A few times I thought I had moved him to the bed only to realize I was still holding him on my chest.  Finally I woke up fully and was able to move him, and realized how asleep I’d been in all previous attempts.  It was weird.

Jill, Dad, Ellen, Rocket and I all went down to town to meet Julie and Denny for breakfast.  We went to a crepe place where Rocket crawled around happily exploring.  We had bits of crepes and croissants, although Jill’s, which was supposed to have sausage, came with a hot dog.  I liked the place.  I liked the décor and how it was somewhat raised above the ground around it.  We talked about Dad someday holding a baby Olympics when we all have kids.  Apparently Julie, Ellen and I each hope to have 4-5 kids, so there may be a lot of grandkids.

We finished breakfast and went back to Denny and Julie’s hotel, Barcelo, to inquire about scuba diving and parasailing and massages and horseback riding.  

We went back to Las Brisas and everyone was down in the rooms and for awhile I was up in the lobby totally alone.  It was mid-afternoon, the bar was closed, and the whole lobby was totally quiet and peaceful.  The TVs were off and covered.  The place was very clean, I took off my shoes and put my feet up and read more of the Churchill biography and enjoyed the breeze.  Dad and Ellen joined me later and chatted and hung out, and eventually Jill and Rocket joined us and we all went back down to Barcelo so they could do parasailing.

I did get to hang out a bit one-on-one with Julie while I watched Rocket and everyone else went parasailing, and that was nice.  Rocket still wouldn’t go to sleep. 

When they were done we went to the hamburger place again.  I got Chayote, which appears to be some kind of squash with a dollop of sour cream and some parmesan cheese, and it seems like it wouldn’t be that unhealthy, so I enjoyed it.  Eventually Jill left for her massage and Ellen and Denny left for their scuba lesson and Dad and Rocket and I went back to Las Brisas.  We hung out in the lobby, which was initially pretty empty.  Dad read more of his book about the Pacific part of WWII, and I mostly watched Rocket.  He was pretty happy to eat little chips of a peppermint and crawl all over the carpet and play with Dad’s wallet.  He’s adorable.  Eventually he got sleepy and again would not sleep while I was holding him but konked almost as soon as Dad started walking him around.  He slept on Dad’s shoulder for a long time, even after Jill and Ellen had returned.

We spent a lot of time in the lobby tonight.  Watched Rocket go crazy, talked about first dates and first romantic moments.  It was nice.  Sitting around and visiting like that really is my favorite part, probably, which is funny because we could also do that at home.  Anyway, we stayed in the lobby till long after it was dark.  Finally got tired and came up here to sleep and spend one last day in Mexico tomorrow.

1.9.11 - oceanside

Rocket wasn't feeling well this morning.  I just held him and walked around till he chilled out, then sung him to sleep with Heart and Soul and The Way You Look Tonight and a few Disney songs as I could think of them.  I laid down with him and felt his little head and little rib cage heave as he slept.  He didn’t stay down for long though and then he was awake and his happy self again.

Julie and Denny came over and eventually they and Ellen and I went to the beach, to be joined later by Dad and Jill and Rocket.  The weather was great.  Ellen and I tanned some more.  Denny played in the ocean like a happy dog.  It made me think of how Jack would be if he were here.  Dad seemed to like it too.  Rocket seemed unsure.  He napped later, of course, in his goofy over-sized orange baby sunhat, ha.

Ellen was not interested in shade. She needs to be careful though. Notice the marks of the last lounge chair dragged out to sea.

I don't know. Must be a honeymoon thing.

At one point I was tanning and listening to random songs when “Don’t Stop Believin’” came on.  I went and stood in the tide and watched the foam and listened to it and thought about my life.  It’s a pretty good life.

Anyway, eventually we all moved to the pool.  Did some swimming, some more reading, and ate a club sandwich ordered at the bar.  I went up to the hotel room and showered and changed and went back down to join them because I was going to let housekeeping clean our room.

Way later we all walked down to town to the same hamburger place, talked about Julie being a vegetarian and about what books Dad reads, etc.  We walked back up this time, instead of taking a cab, and then I Skyped with Jack. 

1.8.11 - Drinks at sunset

We went to Nuevo Zelande in town for breakfast.  I was roamer.  Afterward we walked around town and found what looked like a lone small shop that may have new flip flops for Dad.  Actually it turned out to be many shops all connected with lots of touristy souvenirs and a few practical things as well.  Ellen and I looked around together, occasionally re-bumping in to Dad and Jill and Rocket.  Ellen bargained a guy down for an elephant ring (Republican) and a lightning ring (Harry Potter).  We looked around a bit. I bought a beaded bracelet on a whim, and Ellen had one very similar.

We finished, went back to the hotel, and went down to the pool.  This time we went to the larger pool rather than the small, private kiddie pool up top.  I dozed in and out in the sun listening to random music on my Shuffle—a bunch of hip hop, some songs that reminded me of Jack, etc.  Thinking about random memories.  I read some more of the Churchill biography and sipped rum and Diet.  I did eventually get in the pool for awhile.  Ellen and I took pics of each other.

We went up to our rooms to chill for a bit before going to the lobby for happy hour.  Julie and Denny met up with us.  We watched the sunset over the ocean during happy hour while sipping various fruity drinks and eating peanuts.  I don’t really remember what we talked about.  I got a little buzzed, Denny moreso.  They make the drinks strong.  Then all of us walked down in the warm night to the town to a hamburger place.  I was again roamer.  On the walk down I talked to Ellen a lot about L’abri.  That was fun.  The walk in the warm night reminded us both of L’abri slightly.

When we got back I Skyped with Jack; Neil was in the background, and he goofed around walking in and out of the screen and slowly rising behind Jack’s chair like he was going to kill Jack.  It was pretty hilarious.  I had to try not to laugh too loudly because Ellen was very focused on Perelandra in the bed next to mine.

Singing along to Elephant Love Medley.

1.7.11 - hammocks

Ellen and I had Fruit Loops for breakfast.  Dad brought Rocket over Ellen got Rocket to fall asleep and then eventually laid him on the bed.  She and him both slept for like an hour and a half, and I sat in the hammock, listening to the ocean and reading and listening to music.  It was the most relaxed I’ve been so far since we’ve been here.

Ellen and Rocket enjoy a nap.

Jill and Ellen and Rocket and I went to the pool for hours and hours, and we talked while Rocket either floated in his boat or slept or rubbed crackers on the ground and then ate them.  We had guacamole and chips for lunch, pretty much.

Eventually we came upstairs, and Jill, Ellen and I watched Ever After, which Jill had never seen.  That was very enjoyable.  Dad was feeling sick so afterward Jill and Ellen and Rocket and I went down to the restaurant and had pretty good food with incredibly slow service.  Now I’m here ready to crash again. 

1.5.11 - Ixtapa

We got to Mexico and Ellen has been adoring the warm weather since.  Took a cab to Las Brisas. 

Wish you were here.

After we dropped our stuff off in our rooms we went and had drinks and watched the sunset.  That was pretty nice.  I went and Skyped with Jack that night.  We were on Skype for two and a half hours, but at least a half hour of that, probably more, was him watching me walk back and forth across the room with Rocket, singing “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Heart and Soul” over and over, getting him as sleepy as possible until his parents took him back.