New Car!!

Tuesday: Shawn backs into a tree at school.

Wednesday: See if it is better to trade-in smashed vehicle for new car with a better interest rate and awesome financing deals. Riley loved climbing into all the vans and trucks and cars at the dealership. Cutest thing ever!

Thursday: Get a new 2011 Rav4, essentially for 13,000 dollars. Not too bad! And I love it! Silver and beautiful and clean!

PS I will start posting pictures again soon! Promise.

Ray Kurzweil: My New Obsession!

Ray Kurzweil on how technology will transform us | Video on TED.com

Okay, so obsession might be a bit strong, but I do find this guy fascinating! He came to speak at UF a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn't go (weeknight, two kids, not happening!). I am really bummed I missed hearing him speak in person. Last night, I watched him speak on TED, and I also caught a more recent presentation of his on youtube from an IBM conference in 2010. He's a futurist, and his predictions for technological advancements in my lifetime are unbelievable.

The next book I buy will most likely be his.

Here are his most recent titles to check out:

The Singularity is Near (2006)
Transcend: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever (2010)

In college, I read a book about paradigm shifts, and I am drawn to the concept in literature as well as in real life. In literature, paradigm shifts of sorts occur when writers have to reinstate meaning in language after traumatic events (like the Holocaust, slavery in America). So fascinating!

Just wanted to share.

Two things...

1. Haircut! So totally spur of the moment, I booked a hair cut for tonight earlier today! I love it! I so needed something different, and this is perfect, a bit shorter, but not too short. Love how much better I feel about myself. So revitalizing!!

2. And more importantly, Adrian (we think) is totally saying "mama." At least, I am going to count it as his first word. The last couple of days, he will call mamamamamamama and crawl to me! So cutecutecutecute.

PS I was going to post a picture, but I look way too tired! Picture TBP (To be posted...).

Birthday Gifts Galore!

1. Girls night out! Last Wednesday, I went out with six amazing women to celebrate my birthday at Sabore! What a great night! Thanks Caroline, Irene, Natasha, Julie, Generosa, and Codie for making my birthday so special! I have awesome friends. Seriously. Most of these ladies have seen me at my absolute worst (aka sobbing, crying, angry, venting...etc.), and I don't know what I would do without their support, encouragement, kindness, generosity, and love. Their friendship makes me a better friend, a better person.

2. An awesome journal from Caroline and two delicious chocolate bars and a Barnes and Noble gift card from Irene! Love, love, love.

3. Triple-layer carrot cake from Caroline. I think I have personally scarfed down half of it already! So good!

4. Sick! From Shawn. Spent the whole weekend in bed. Thanks, Babe. Love you, too!

5. Money towards my new ultraportable and iPad!! Thanks Shawn and Mom and Dad and Grandma Toni!! Eeeekk. That's me being excited about my upcoming purchases. Just waiting to check out this season's ultraportables (esp. Lenovo's Thinkpad coming out in February) and the second generation iPad.

6. Panera giftcard! Thanks Mom and Dad! Going to head to my favorite writing destination tonight for dinner and thesis work! Can't wait!

7. Bath and Body Works Giftcard. Thanks Aunt Barb! I am pumped to stock up on sweet smelling soaps and wall-flower refills! Wahoo!!

8. Facebook greetings! My wall was packed with birthday wishes! So exciting!!

9. Cards from Shawn and the kiddos. Thanks, Babe! The cards were adorable and so funny!!

10. Cards from Bren and Libby and Aunt Lynne. Thanks for the birthday greetings! Thanks for thinking of me!!

Wow. 28. Here's to another awesome year. Wouldn't mind this year bringing a published collection of short stories and a new baby...I'm just saying....:)

Upright!

Another Milestone...

For the first time (and hopefully the last), Riley stuck something up her nose!

A Cheerio.

Never a dull moment, eh?

Milestones

1. Adrian started crawling over Christmas break.
2. He started pulling himself up into a stand this past week.
3. He got his first haircut.

Pictures of our stud will be coming soon. He's sleeping now...