Friday, October 31, 2008

Baby Mia


This last week I became an aunt for the second time and it is just as exciting as the first time!

Denise had the baby last Sunday morning and everything went perfectly.

Mia Hae-Soon Oh

6 lbs. 13 oz. 20-inches

TONS of hair

I got a text while at church and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with joy and emotion. I haven't even seen my new little friend, but I love her with all my heart!

Denise just posted pictures on Facebook and man, when she told me the kid had a lot of hair, I really had no idea until I saw for myself! Holy cow!

She's not even a week old and she already needs a haircut!



Mia with her big brother Kimball and mommy.



Kimball introduces Mia to two of her cousins.



October Sky


I'm still waiting for it to rain here. I am pretty sure that in the next few days all of that will change, but I am surprised that my weather expectations here have totally not come true.

Apparently, Eugene weather isn't completely like Seattle weather. Eugene doesn't get near as much rain, it's warmer in the summers, and it's less humid. I have been waiting for rain and I think it is coming pretty soon, but up until now, the weather has been exquisite.


October, in particular has been the nicest month here. The skies are clear and blue, temps are in the upper 60s and 70s, and the fall colors have been amazing.


My friend and I took a drive west of town to find a hike and do some exploring nearer the coast. We probably should have planned our excursion a little better, but the drive through the country was pretty great.

We ended up driving up to a the King Estate Winery. The vineyards seemed to go on forever and the colors were peaceful.






The rains are coming though. It's in the air.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Free I C


If you don't remember to vote, at least remember to go stand in line to get your free ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. Hopefully you'll remember to do both on Nov. 4.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Neighbors

My neighbors kind of drive me crazy.

I am pretty sure Goliath lives above me and his wife does aerobics usually around midnight and his son likes to construct furniture around the same time. For ALL of my years of apartment living I have always lived on the third floor which has always put me above my neighbors. This time around, I am on the second floor of a three-floor building and while I like not having to drag my groceries up three flights of stairs, I am feeling the pain apartment living.

This is what I look at every time I leave my apartment.


Apartment management will leave fliers at everyone's door with announcements and Valley River Court news and updates. They do this at least twice a month. I don't mind the paper because it keeps me informed but it does bother me that my neighbors across the hall, never pick up their fliers. This is a picture of their door and their stash of fliers of the past month. It's not like they never leave because they go in an out all day long. Yet, they never pick up their fliers. Instead, they step over them.

I have met a few people in the building but for the most part, everyone sticks to themselves. I have tried to meet the folks across the hall, but like they do with the fliers, they ignore me.

In contrast, here's what my door looks like.


It's inviting and pleasant and festive. No fliers around because I pick them up. It's just nice.

Come on neighbors! Don't be lazy. Pick up your crap.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Halloween Treat

There are few things I love more than a nice surprise and today, right in the middle of my toughest week of school yet, I came home to a fun and so welcomed package.

Kim Bigelow Atchley, proving once again how great a mom she is, sent me an awesome holiday care package...for Halloween! It was so fun to get the nice goodies and I love the care and thought she put into the simple little gift.



The kitchen towels will make all the difference in my less-than-spectacular kitchen and how fun will it be to gnaw on a gummy purple rat and suck on finger lollipops?! So fun, so fun!
Thanks Kim! You are the best!

And to top it off, she included my Girl's Camp Certificate (Yay! I certified!) and a montage of camp pictures on DVD. Man! A surprise AND a validating sense of accomplishment all in one. Could I ask for anything more?! It was just so nice to take a mental break from school and remember a great part my summer.

Thanks Kim and thanks to everyone else who has sent me thoughtful housewarming gifts and gems in the mail. Feels like the mission all over again! I should do a post about the butt-hole cat towel hanger and the french polar bear tea set. Next time.

Friday, October 17, 2008

"Bi-Weekly" what?

Will someone explain how this is? The definition just makes no sense.

From the American Heritage Dictionary:

bi.week.ly (bī-wēk'lē) adj.

1. Happening every two weeks.
2. Happening twice a week; semiweekly.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Race!


Check out this awesome race. It is encouraged that all plan for it next year. For a first-hand view, see Jennie's blog for a nice rundown of her hardcore effort that will take you there, and make you feel the heat!

Click: Jennie's Blog

Then after Volkslauf as a training run, prepare for the ultimate of all races:

Click: Death Race

Keep on racing!