30 Second wrap-up after a long pregnant pause

I realized I hadn't blogged in a long while, so I thought I'd check in and give a brief update.

Kim and I are crazily busy. Kim is working on her book project and between work and school, personal time is a bit of a luxury for me. Graduate school is fascinating and challenging, but rewarding and I just need to learn how to budget my time. So far the professors are intelligent and judicious and sometimes eccentric, but they keep my interest most of the time. I really believe I've made the right decision and all I have to do now is see it through.

I think I'm going through a life change and it's not an altogether comfortable, but a necessity nonetheless. I think I'll come out the other side wiser, stronger and better equip to face life's challenges. Who knows where this journey will take me too huh?

Love to you all and know that I think of you often. I'll try to post more often and keep you abreast of life's little goings on.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Introducing Sconnie

So Kim and I have added another animal to our brood, Sconnie. She's 7-8 weeks old, deaf and adjusting quite nicely to us and our house. Her temperament can be very sweet, tender and loving at times, but she also has a spunky, rambunctious and spastic side. She loves to play with her toys, sleep in weird places and isn't afraid of the dogs. I don't know what the dogs make of her quite yet, but we are still slowly introducing them to each other. So far she ignores them as they try to stare her down.

I'm teaching her a few signs in ASL, Kim too, like "no" and "food" so we can communicate with her better. And the past few nights she has been keeping Kim and I up with her nocturnal antics, which we both hope will pass soon, but she is a kitten and the possibility of that happening is quite slim. It's so nice to have a kitty in the house again, it was missing that energy. Kim and I have fallen madly in love with her and I believe her with us too. And so it begins...

Hidden treasures in the Antelope Valley

I should explain that the "hidden treasures" are hidden to most as people in LA will not venture this way and or that locals would be too oblivious to notice them. So here are some of the local fair and flavor that I've discovered that were worth mentioning and definitely worth visiting.

5019 West Avenue M, Quartz Hill, CA 93536

If you want to get spoiled and pay for it, this place is the embodiment of self indulgence and pampering. They use Eminence, an "all natural organically grown herbs, fruits and vegetables" skin care line from Hungry. I've been using the product line for a few months and have to say that my skin does feel better, but better yet was treating myself to this little luxury.

706 West Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, CA 93534

If you want to try something a little different within the realm of American cuisine, you should try Bex in the heart of newly redesigned Downtown Lancaster. The portions are a bit out of control and service is in the fast casual style, but the flavors are fantastic and the atmosphere is something one must experience for themselves.

653 West Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, CA 93534

Another fast casual dining experience and also in the heart of the new Downtown Lancaster is the Lemon Leaf. This restaurant offers Greek and Mediterranean dishes and delicious deserts. The chicken kabobs and pizzas are delicious and the open and tranquil atmosphere make for a wonderful dining experience.

39256 10th St West, Palmdale CA 93551

If you are a bit more adventurous and like a little (if not a lot) of spice then Malhi's Indian Cuisine is the place to go. This is traditional Indian food at it's best, offering mild to Indian hot tastes. The offer a daily buffet or sit down service, whatever you are in the mood for. The chicken tiki masala and shrimp curry are to died for. I must confess that Kim and I are regular guests and make this a weekly haunt.

Wisconsin Pictorial Highlights

Kim, TK, Cris, Shawn & I after Squeeze @ the Barrymore in Madison

Kim, Kristen, Jaime & I @ the Mermaid Cafe in Madison

Beautiful Shawn and Cris @ Squeeze in Madison

Kim and the Stordahl's in Lake Geneva

"More ketchup please" says Ivy @ the Harmony in Madison

Kim, Randy & Cris @ the Wind Point Lighthouse near Racine

The gang @ Summerfest '10 in Milwaukee

Kim and Kevin @ the Harmony in Madison

Kim and TK @ Squeeze in Madison

Our teddy bear

Yesterday, Kim and I said goodbye to our teddy bear, Spencer. We are heartbroken and heavy-hearted, but know deep within our hearts that it was the right decision. He had a old injury that, at his age, his body could no longer fend off. This caused chronic inflammation, pain and discharge, none of which medication helped. He no longer could get up with ease, romp around the yard with the Linus and Abby or go for long walks around the lake. Kim made the tough decision and he went peacefully last night.

So goodnight teddy bear, our Fatboy, I hope you are running around the skies chasing gophers and lizards with Punker-poo and that kitty is watching somewhere close by. You will forever be in our hearts and minds as one of the sweetest and most loving animals we ever knew. We will always love you and we will miss you dearly.

On the road again, I just can't wait to be on the road again...oh wait

Kim and I are on the road, currently just outside Alda, Nebraska. The drive through California, Nevada and Arizona were uneventful, but that changed ince we hit Utah. The weather has been very unpredictable and anything but warm. It's been raining almost non stop through Utah, Colorado and now Nebraska. We've actually had the heater on in the car more than we have cared too. Go figure!

We are excited to see the Wisconson clan, but traveling with three dogs (even Kim admits) is a colossal pain in the ass. I think we we'll never have this many animals again. It's just too much work and we are always trying to figure out who will take care of them. But for now we are a pack of wolves and travel together. More from Wisconsin, once we get there...

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

So it's official...

I received a letter in the mail yesterday from California State University Northridge officially welcoming me to the Graduate Program! I'm thrilled and yet scared to death. I told myself for way too long that this was an unattainable goal and I was wrong. What I need to remind myself is that this is a process and it will take me as long as it's going to take, hence the term gradual student.

I wanted to thank everyone for their encouragement and support along the way. I especially want to thank Shawnie and Kevin for their input on my Graduate essay...thanks guys. I couldn't have done it without your help ;-) Also I am grateful to family and friends for their unwavering belief in me. Your unfaltering confidence in me has been inspiring and I'm working very hard to believe the same.

I'm sure I will experience moments of varying emotions: cries of frustration, screams in exasperation, boisterous squeals of glee when praised and pangs of self-doubt with the inevitable critiques, but it will be worth every minute.

Running up that road...

So I just finished the first 9 weeks of running today. Now 9 weeks actually fell over 4 months, but eh who's counting. I know I have a long way to go and about 30 pounds to go with it, but I wanted to thank a few people for getting me here.

First and foremost I have to thank the GetRunning app which has supported me the whole way. It was perfect for someone like me who has no real experience with running and is completely out of shape. So thank you for making running possible and thanks for suggesting Run Keeper Pro for the next step!

I also want to thank my aunt Eileen & uncle Chuck for running with me at my first 5K and Steve & Maren for running with me on the second. It was great to have moral support along the way. I look forward to my next 5K, then 10K and then who knows maybe even a marathon.

Thanks to my Facebook friends for encouraging me, my wife and my Dad for cheering me on and a little pat on the back to myself for seeing this through. Here's to the next leg of my running journey...cheers! (Forgive the puns)

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

New iPhone OS 4

I can't wait! Watch the keynote and see what the buzz is all about.
Multitasking, wallpaper, folders I can't stand it. I want my OS 4 now! Ok I'll have to wait, but I won't like it ;-)

Mud Run

Today I ran the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud 5K Run @ Castaic Lake and had a blast. My friends Steve and Maren joined me, or more appropriately I joined them, as I worked my way around the course. This hellish route took us through military style obstacles courses, uphill and downhill terrain and of course mud, lots and lots of mud. It kicked my ass, but hell I finished and had fun doing it. I'll post a picture when they become available.

I'm a little bit proud of myself ;-) and honestly, I can't wait for the next one!

Poppies! Poppies!

This past weekend we had our friend Mary at our place. It was great catching up with her and laughing all weekend long. On Sunday, Mary's last day, we decided to drive down to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, which is minutes from our home, to take pictures. Due to the amount of rain and frost we received this year we are experiencing a gorgeous poppy and wildflower bloom. It would have been a shame not to have captured this on film so we didn't let the moment got to waste. This makes living out in the middle of the desert all worth while. Truly breathtaking...

So I did it....

Yesterday I finished the Graduate essay I've been threatening to do for well over a year. I read, reviewed and tweaked the application and finally I pressed the button which turned it in. Graduate school is something that I've always wanted to accomplish, but was never sure I would be able to do. I determined that I wouldn't know until I tried and now is as good a time as any. I want to thank everyone that has encouraged me and helped along the way. I may have baulked, self-doubted and procrastinated, but I always listened. So thanks!

Now the waiting game begins. Keep a few fingers crossed, if you believe in such things ;-) ... and I'll keep you posted.

California wildflowers Part I

On a recent hike with Kim and the naughties I took some pictures of local flora in the hills surrounding Elizabeth Lake. I cannot wait for sunnier days so the flowers will begin bloom and to be able to take better photographs. The hills are beginning to turn shades of yellow, orange and purple. I am looking forward to exploring the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in the next few weeks, so be on the look out for more pictures of spring flowers.

A view of Elizabeth Lake through wildflowers

Nemophila menziesii or Baby blue-eyes

Lupinus polyphyllus or Lupine

Helianthella californica or Helianthella

Phacelia tanacetifolia or Purple Tancy

Ranunculus californicus or California buttercup

Clarkia purpurea or Purple Clarkia

Lupinus albifrons or Bush Lupine

And they're off..

To those who didn't already know, I finished my first 5K this past Sunday. It was the Glendale Downtown Dash fundraiser to raise money for stroke victims. It also, just so happens, marks the one year anniversary of my quitting smoking. I've gained to some weight in the process and started running to counter the weight gain and besides it's healthy for me. I ran with my aunt Eileen (who ran by my side), uncle Chuck (too damn fast for me) and my Dad was there too to show moral support. It felt great, wasn't easy but well worth it. I celebrated with a bowl of oatmeal with the Los Feliz Flyers then purchased some new Asics running shoes which are a lovely shade of pink and silver. Kim would have made it down with me too, but Daylight Savings time screwed up our alarm clocks...erg!

My goal is to to a 1oK next with Eileen, but I may add a few more 5Ks in there for good measure. Thanks for the support everyone, via FaceBook and Twitter...happy running!

Snow in March?!

So it snowed yesterday at our house...in California. I didn't now that was possible, but apparently it is. I was so stunned I forgot to get a picture, so you'll just have to take my word for it. The weather has been very cold here: currently 37 degrees with wind gusts up to 51 mph. I'm actually ready for spring now and would love some warmer weather. Can any of you provide that for us? Thanks

The cold that would not die

So I've been sick for the better part of a week and a half. It has not stopped me from working, but it has made life difficult. I have been shunned to the office, so I don't keep Kim up at night with my persistent cough (day three). I'm on my second bottle of Coricidin HBP cough syrup and have sucked on an entire bag of strawberries & cream flavored Cold Eeze lozenges, and yet it's still here. I know I'm whining, but it has disrupted my running schedule and weekends are spent recuperating.

Ugh! I want my my life back....cough, cough, hack, cough, sniff.

Wiiiiiiiiiii

Okay so Kim and I finally broke down and bought a Wii. I have coveted my aunt and uncle's (Chuck & Eileen's) since they first bought theirs, but there was no good excuse, until now. The tipping edge for us was on a recent discovery. We (no pun intended) were about to purchase a Roku to download Netflix and Amazon instant play movies, however coming very soon to a bat station in our very own living room, we will be able to do that with the Wii. How frigging cool is that? I know I'm geeking out, but let me have my moment!

Okay okay so we didn't buy it solely for that purpose. I've wanted to get WiiFit for a long while. I don't want to buy a gym membership, Kim doesn't like working out in front of other people, there's never any time to go anywhere to workout...yadda yadda. So with money we received back for the government we decided to spend it on our health and have a little fun at the same time. I'm looking forward to trying the Yoga (which I've heard is very good).

So that's all for the Wii. Wii will have to give you an update later and Wii would love to challenge our friends and family to a game of Family Feud. =)

This running stuff really isn't so bad

So I've been run/jog/walking for the past three weeks and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. I really do prefer to run outside in the fresh air and it gives me time to clear my head. I've even signed up for the Glendale Dash 5K in March with Chuck and Eileen. I'm not quite sure I know what I've gotten myself into, but it's a short term goal I think/hope I can achieve.

Hat's off to the GetRunning app from iTunes for $2.99. I highly recommend it for anyone who has an iPhone or an iPod Touch. It's not cheesy nor is it preachy. This little gem has helped me keep going and if it can help me then it can help almost anyone. It is just the right amount of encouragement and prompting to keep you on track. I'll let you know how I fared in the race...if I can finish I'll be happy.

What's this falling from the sky?

Our winter has been rather pathetic thus far. Yes it has been on the cool side, but we did not get much in the way of precipitation. Well this week it is finally here and we are supposed to get a substantial amount it. Accuweather says we will be getting almost 4 inches of rain and 3.5 inches of snow. Yikes! Well with the California drought this comes with welcoming arms, yet people are still complaining. Eh finicky Californians.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu

So for the past 2 to 3 weeks, we've had Kim's folks here for the holidays. Cris arrived a little later on Christmas Eve and now they all leave tomorrow. We went on some mini trips to Ventura, Long Beach and into the Antelope Valley, but for the most part we've been enjoying the pellet stove and watching movies indoors. I've really enjoyed having them here, but it will be nice to have our house to ourselves again.

I need to get back to work and prepare for the coming semester...eek! I'll be teaching the linguistic aspects of American Sign Language again at Antelope Valley College and this time around I'll have a full house of 31. This is why I'm trying to get my act together, get a PowerPoint ready and not do anything last minute related to this class. I just can't afford to!

I also am ready to pick up interpreting gigs at the colleges and elsewhere. This Christmas depleted any reserves I had. But we had fun in the process. What I really need to do is get in shape and start focusing on my health. So I'm going to start running. I will take baby steps at first, but my goal is to be able to run 3 miles within a few months. I downloaded an app for my iPhone called Get Running to help me achieve this goal. This coupled with better eating habits and maybe some yoga classes I'm looking forward to feeling and looking better...I'm optimistic. Let's ring in the new year!