12.25.2011
Merry Christmas!
Hello all! Thinking of each and every one of you on this day of love and family and warm fuzziness. Stay warm, don't worry about the calories in any of those delicious things before you, and hug someone you love. Your pals, Abby and Jack
12.13.2011
12.12.2011
Happy Birthday, Rebecca Giraffe Fern Winkle!
Happy 28th birthday! I had a real hard time finding a decent enough cake to do justice to the amazing woman you are. THen this classic, classy cake with your actual name on it appeared and looked delicious. I imagine it as one that we could actually successfully bake for you were we in the same place. :)
Much love,
Quad
12.10.2011
Sprocket!
Trevor and I adopted a dog! Sprocket is a 10 month old Austrailian Shephard Chow Chow (and maybe Rottweiler) mix that we tracked down through the shelter and a rescue group. He was just neutered yesterday. We picked him up from the Vet today. He is exploring everything and so sweet! Poor guy has to wear an e-collar for a week. It's hard for him to stay quiet to heal. He can't wait to meet you!
11.18.2011
Secret Santa this year?
Are we doing this again? I vote yes, if we're voting :) Mainly, I ask because I lack the organizational skills (i.e. my name's not Nicky) to do it myself :)
Love you guys.
Love you guys.
11.01.2011
OMG - Can someone please make these over the holidays?
I will enjoy them vicariously through pictures of you enjoying them!
How-To Make Raspberry Jello Cosmos
10.28.2011
10.26.2011
Mold and Cruise Ships at SMC!
Whoa guys, did you hear about this? Mold in Caroline and P.G. Students were being housed off campus. Now they are renting a cruise ship to dock in the river for housing! http://www.smcm.edu/residencelife/moldupdates/index.html
10.12.2011
Might F-in' blow my loans
Hey all,
I dearly miss youse ladies. And New Years without you guys might be awful. I'm thinking about trying to find a way to come out to DC for NYE. Likely by charging a ticket to my least-evil credit card (I am cutting the rest up, doing what I can to wrest power from the big banks--go Occupy Wall Street!!!!!) and just figuring out how to pay for it later. I can probably apply for more loans. Sad, but worth it I think. I see visiting you guys as a carrot on a stick that will help me from going insane. Something awesome to look forward to.
So yes, this idea is brewing... but I would need your help to make it happen!
Which lucky friend want to host me?? Who can pick me up at the airport?? How long can I chill with y'all before it becomes annoying? hehe.
Okay, back to writing this report for my professor... boo.
Love, Abby
I dearly miss youse ladies. And New Years without you guys might be awful. I'm thinking about trying to find a way to come out to DC for NYE. Likely by charging a ticket to my least-evil credit card (I am cutting the rest up, doing what I can to wrest power from the big banks--go Occupy Wall Street!!!!!) and just figuring out how to pay for it later. I can probably apply for more loans. Sad, but worth it I think. I see visiting you guys as a carrot on a stick that will help me from going insane. Something awesome to look forward to.
So yes, this idea is brewing... but I would need your help to make it happen!
Which lucky friend want to host me?? Who can pick me up at the airport?? How long can I chill with y'all before it becomes annoying? hehe.
Okay, back to writing this report for my professor... boo.
Love, Abby
10.11.2011
Ah, college...
We're going through all of our stuff in storage and making more space, and I found this from senior year, now scanned for posterity:
10.08.2011
Man, things are getting real...
We bought a crib! Now, I just hope they deliver it before the baby gets here!
10.01.2011
9.25.2011
Creating Crayons - Sesame Street
Fond memories. This was one of my favorite videos when I was little :) I was fascinated by the colors.
9.22.2011
9.11.2011
Remembering...
I just wanted to get down what I remember about that day, 10 years ago... especially because so many of you were involved.
I was walking down the hall to my first class I noticed it was eerily silent except for the sound of the same news station coming from room after room. At the end of my hall I stopped in the quad and we sat in silence and watched. Soon after, it was reported that the Pentagon had been hit. Erica, I think I remember you crying and trying to call your parents, we were so worried about them.
We were so close to the city, or at least it seemed that we were that day. Especially with the jeeps from the base rolling past on Rt. 5. Now we were all frantically calling, or trying to call, people we knew in DC and NYC. Campus phones overloaded and went down. I remember my friend Matt Kearney got hold of me on AIM and I let him know I couldn't reach my Mom. He said he thought he could get a line out, and that sweet boy called on redial until my Mom finally picked up. He had to tell her about what was happening. I think, because she had lived through the bombings in London during the IRA madness, she was saddened but not as shocked as we all were. I know she called me that night and told me everything would be alright, that many countries survived this, and more frequently, than the US. Dad said something similar, that he loved me and that it would eventually be OK although things would change. I think now about him growing up in Liverpool, where as a kid many of the houses around him would still have just been holes in the ground from the Blitz, and I think I can see why they were both sad but resigned. It made me mad then, but now I think I understand.
I remember feeling so small, so helpless and kind of numb too - I know I felt as if I should be doing something, anything. Someone, Beth Huggins maybe, found out about a blood drive in Lusby at a VFW. I think about 10 of us went, but other than Beth and Gwyn, who drove, I couldn't tell you who now. I think I was in shock. When we got there the parking lot was full. We sat all day with many, many people from the community in that VFW, all of us listening to the radio and just being there, feeling we were doing something, even as the reports rolled in that let us know that our efforts were probably in vain. I know the Red Cross sent for relief nurses to the blood drive at some point because so many people were there. It was so quiet, even the kids. Everyone just listening and getting up to give blood when their name was called. At some point, Beth asked me if I was going to sign up and I told her that I couldn't (too much time in England since 1986 or whatever). Even though I was completely impotent sitting there to be surrounded by a community of people attempting the same futile effort felt better.
I think it was the next day in my sociology class that some kid stood up and said he didn't understand why this whole thing was a big deal and that it didn't effect him, that I just lost it. I remember crying and then being in the hallway with the professor, and she gently told me that maybe I just needed to be with my family. She was right, and about 3 hours later Ryan Stanley drove down from College Park and we both went back to HoCo. Again, it didn't do anything, but it was better somehow. To be in a familiar place, no surprises.
Anyway, I guess the point of writing this, of remembering, is to say that I hope we all remember not to take things, life, friends, family, for granted. That we were given a gift, in a way, a point in time seared in our minds that we have to live with everything we can.
I love you all very much.
I was walking down the hall to my first class I noticed it was eerily silent except for the sound of the same news station coming from room after room. At the end of my hall I stopped in the quad and we sat in silence and watched. Soon after, it was reported that the Pentagon had been hit. Erica, I think I remember you crying and trying to call your parents, we were so worried about them.
We were so close to the city, or at least it seemed that we were that day. Especially with the jeeps from the base rolling past on Rt. 5. Now we were all frantically calling, or trying to call, people we knew in DC and NYC. Campus phones overloaded and went down. I remember my friend Matt Kearney got hold of me on AIM and I let him know I couldn't reach my Mom. He said he thought he could get a line out, and that sweet boy called on redial until my Mom finally picked up. He had to tell her about what was happening. I think, because she had lived through the bombings in London during the IRA madness, she was saddened but not as shocked as we all were. I know she called me that night and told me everything would be alright, that many countries survived this, and more frequently, than the US. Dad said something similar, that he loved me and that it would eventually be OK although things would change. I think now about him growing up in Liverpool, where as a kid many of the houses around him would still have just been holes in the ground from the Blitz, and I think I can see why they were both sad but resigned. It made me mad then, but now I think I understand.
I remember feeling so small, so helpless and kind of numb too - I know I felt as if I should be doing something, anything. Someone, Beth Huggins maybe, found out about a blood drive in Lusby at a VFW. I think about 10 of us went, but other than Beth and Gwyn, who drove, I couldn't tell you who now. I think I was in shock. When we got there the parking lot was full. We sat all day with many, many people from the community in that VFW, all of us listening to the radio and just being there, feeling we were doing something, even as the reports rolled in that let us know that our efforts were probably in vain. I know the Red Cross sent for relief nurses to the blood drive at some point because so many people were there. It was so quiet, even the kids. Everyone just listening and getting up to give blood when their name was called. At some point, Beth asked me if I was going to sign up and I told her that I couldn't (too much time in England since 1986 or whatever). Even though I was completely impotent sitting there to be surrounded by a community of people attempting the same futile effort felt better.
I think it was the next day in my sociology class that some kid stood up and said he didn't understand why this whole thing was a big deal and that it didn't effect him, that I just lost it. I remember crying and then being in the hallway with the professor, and she gently told me that maybe I just needed to be with my family. She was right, and about 3 hours later Ryan Stanley drove down from College Park and we both went back to HoCo. Again, it didn't do anything, but it was better somehow. To be in a familiar place, no surprises.
Anyway, I guess the point of writing this, of remembering, is to say that I hope we all remember not to take things, life, friends, family, for granted. That we were given a gift, in a way, a point in time seared in our minds that we have to live with everything we can.
I love you all very much.
9.10.2011
Frederick?
Hi all DC-ers!
Would you guys be interested in a trip to Frederick any time soon? I'm just about settled in (a month after moving, ha) and would love to have you guys up to hang out, have dinner, relax, etc.
If there's a good weekend for you all (aside from September 24th when I'm back in Ithaca for a conference) perhaps we could plan something!
Love you all!
~Gwyn
Would you guys be interested in a trip to Frederick any time soon? I'm just about settled in (a month after moving, ha) and would love to have you guys up to hang out, have dinner, relax, etc.
If there's a good weekend for you all (aside from September 24th when I'm back in Ithaca for a conference) perhaps we could plan something!
Love you all!
~Gwyn
9.09.2011
Happy birthday, GWYN!
Say goodbye to being a math professor who is also a cubed number... and say hello to 28! Hope you have a super rad birthday and get to take advantage of the serendipity of having your birthday be on a Friday!
Love,
Abby (and Jack)
9.07.2011
New Year's Eve?
Hello, ever-expanding Quad family!
It's already September... pools are closed, fingers are getting cramped from taking notes in class and typing out papers (for some of us), the ice cream man may be coming around less frequently, and... perhaps we should start talking about NYE, Quad style?? I heard a little rumor, from whom I honestly can not recall, that there has been talk of an evolution in our venue selection. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Where are you all planning to be for Christmas? How about after Christmas?
Despite the 90 degree days reminding me that it's still officially Summer I am feeling excited about seeing you all again, swaddled in Winter garb. :)
Love, Abby
p.s. I tried to attach a photo, just for fun, and it didn't work. :(
It's already September... pools are closed, fingers are getting cramped from taking notes in class and typing out papers (for some of us), the ice cream man may be coming around less frequently, and... perhaps we should start talking about NYE, Quad style?? I heard a little rumor, from whom I honestly can not recall, that there has been talk of an evolution in our venue selection. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Where are you all planning to be for Christmas? How about after Christmas?
Despite the 90 degree days reminding me that it's still officially Summer I am feeling excited about seeing you all again, swaddled in Winter garb. :)
Love, Abby
p.s. I tried to attach a photo, just for fun, and it didn't work. :(
8.20.2011
Mr. Garbow and Ms. Allen
For those of you wanting the story...
So, Trevor and I are engaged :) Trevor actually got sneaky and went engagement ring shopping earlier this summer. I had no idea because, as you all know, I had always told him I didn't need a ring/diamond/surprise proposal. I just didn't foresee that happening. I thought we were more of the mutual decision, layout our options when the time is right kind of couple.
Despite that, I was very happy with his sneakiness and I do love my sparkly conflict-free ring.
We were at my family's little spot on Lake Memphremagog in Quebec, Canada, where we go every summer. Trevor had planned to do it there while we were up with my parents, sister, aunt and uncle, and cousins. He hadn't told anyone in my family or his, so it was a surprise to us all.
The first time he tried to do it, I ruined the plan. On our second night there, we had been having a crafty brew with my uncle Steve on the porch of the main cabin while looking up at the stars. Trevor started looking tired and said he was ready for bed. We said goodnight to uncle Steve and made our way down the hill towards the lake and our cabin. On the way Trevor suddenly became energized and said we should go down to the dock and look at the stars over the lake. I had already set my mind on curling up with my book in bed. I also didn't want uncle Steve to hear us at the dock after we said we were going to bed and think we just said that to get away! So anyway, I insisted we go to bed and sit on the dock another bed. I didn't understand why Trevor was so disappointed - there would be plenty of other nights to look at stars.
The next day was beautiful and we spent it swimming, sailing, and riding bikes. My family had and early dinner together in my parent's cabin and afterwards everyone kind of spilt up to hang out at their own cabins or fish at the dock. Trevor and I went down to our cabin to change into warmer clothes and stopped on the deck to admire the sun setting over the lake. He was acting so sweet, but also strangely out of character. I had a feeling something was up, but I didn't really think he was going to propose. As we stood there, this is approximately how the conversation went:
T: It is so beautiful here.
L: Yea, it is really special to me.
T: I know it is. I love coming here and I want to keep coming here with you.
L: You can't if we have to sell it. No will be able to. It will suck.
T:...
T: Well, I got something for you
L: ??
L: You did? What?
T: Pulls out ring
L: Gasp!
T: I want to marry you
L: Are you proposing to me?
T: Yes.
L: Wow!
T: What is your answer?
L: Oh! Yes!
T: Really?
L: Yes!
T: Oh good!
L: When did you do this? What? You got a ring!?
T: A few months ago
L: Did anyone know?
T: No
L: Let's go tell my parents!!
And so we ran down to the dock and showed everyone and took pictures and had a lovely evening hanging out together.
We waited to tell his parents until we got back so we could do it in person. We went to their house for dinner the night after we drove home from Canada. They were so excited Mrs. Garbow forgot what she was in the middle of cooking for dinner and Mr. Garbow jumped in his car to go buy some champagne. It was another happy night :)
That concludes the story of the Garbow-Allen engagement. We are excited and are beginning wedding planning for next Spring or next Fall.
8.16.2011
8.09.2011
7.31.2011
Abby is...
The victim of an aggravated DWI! Owner of an even more ghetto car! Still able to drive it somewhat! Moving! A "Peace Camp" volunteer teacher! Crazy busy with school!
Yes, it is all true. I was hit by a drunk dude who messed up my car... 3 weeks ago? yes. My friend said "It's a hate crime--he smashed you right on the Obama sticker." Dude spent a week in jail before he was even allowed to post bond, no idea if he did or if he's still in jail. Aggravated DWI, fleeing the scene, careless driving charges. DA's going to contact me when they've got a court date so that I might ask for restitution when he goes to trial. Oh yeah, he was uninsured, too!
The beautiful scenery is where I like to go jogging in the evening. It's finally cool enough to exercise outside when the sun starts to go down. It's perfect because the sky is the most beautiful it could possibly be at that point!
Peace Camp: It's a not-for-profit endeavor that my Americorps/Border Servant Corps friends have been running. I co-taught two weeks' worth of Media Awareness lessons to 4th-7th graders and then to 1st-3rd graders. Making up lesson plans is hard! Was a really busy time to do it, too--during these intensive 5 week summer school courses, but it's the type of experience I would be silly to say No to.
School: Really busy! This is the final week of the 5 week courses and there is lots to be read, contemplated, reflected on, and written about. I just turned in two shorter papers, now I have one 8-pager and two 10-pages by the end of the week. The length isn't a challenge so much as the content.
Boys: They are there, but there is not enough time to get to know them! AHHH!!
Moving: 340 N. Melendres St., Las Cruces NM 88005 will be my new address as of August 8th. Store it away for a nice snail mail letter that you will soon write me. You know I write back. :)
What are YOU doing??
Love, Abby
7.28.2011
News/updates?
Y'all are quiet out there over the interwebs. I happen to know that McSpadden, Abby and Liz are all living in new places we haven't see yet (and Gwyn and Becca too possibly?). Updates please!
6.25.2011
Look what we found!
After a trip to the Humane Society, Ozzie now has his own pet, haha. (Name TBD.)
5.25.2011
Congratulations Erica and Matt!
I can only wish that we were back in beautiful Stone Harbor with all of our beautiful friends...
Until we can get back together again, and in celebration of our awesome weekend, here's some more beauty:
Until we can get back together again, and in celebration of our awesome weekend, here's some more beauty:
El Cielo de Canarias / Canary sky - Tenerife from Daniel López on Vimeo.
5.17.2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERICA!!!!!
Happy birthday Lady!!!!! We are so glad you were born on this glorious day of May! Have a wonderful birthday :). Celebrations Galore!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!
4.30.2011
End of semester wrap up
Hi darling quadlings!
Thank you Becca, for your funny story telling and an update on your life! I shall attempt the same. :)
So... yesterday I found out that I won the election for president of my program's student body. Did I tell you guys I was running?? I was really really nervous about it and felt uncomfortable that I would be judged by my peers on my worthiness to lead. They know I'm a pot head. Haha. But yeah man, I'm the new Counseling Masters Students Association President for the upcoming school year! YAY!!!! I'm being awarded a G.A.-ship to work with the program coordinator, Dr. Ginger Dickson, and will be in charge of organizing social events, volunteer activities, fundraisers, outreach efforts, etc. Getting all grown up over here!
Since school will be much more affordable with the G.A. position I am going to quit my waitressing position! Well, it would also be really stressful to be a full time student with a 10 hour G.A.-ship and also try to wait tables. But the new deal is certainly preferential and I'm excited to wind down my food service career. Timing is the only issue.
I found out that, of the two summer sessions, I have only to take classes the second session. That means that I'm going to be free to be me until July... 5th? Is Las Cruces where I want to be when I have no obligation to be here? No! Where do I want to be? Probably in a rain forest, in love with a strong tan Latin lover, but where am I thinking about being? On a humongous road trip! Yes ma'ams, I'm considering returning from the upcoming East Coast jaunt to pack up my things, put them in storage, and travel for all of June. I've been google mapping it regularly. I'd leave May 30th and do something along the lines of Santa Fe->Flagstaff->San Diego->Fresno/hopefully camping with Gregg the homeless mountain man ex-boyfriend from California->San Francisco->Humboldt->Eugene->Portland->Seattle->Boise->Jackson WY->Boulder->Santa Fe->Las Cruces. Erin? Nicky? Going to be looking for a June visitor and her sweet dog??
I've currently got a month to month lease, so if I want to leave for June I need to tell my landlord... now. Like, today. But I'm not sure yet where I would move. I might move into the house my awesome professor Lisa lives in, but I haven't had a chance to chat about details with her. Her oldest daughter JUST had a baby this week (first grandbaby) and she's been hard to get ahold of. Maybe I should get off the computer and go call her.
Or maybe I should nap! Why nap? Oh, because I've finally met a nice guy and let me tell ya, sleeping is not how we have been spending our nights. ;) it's been sweet and innocent so far, but waayyyy too many late nights as of late. This guy's name is Neal, he's 31 (yesterday was his birthday, actually!) and he is an English instructor at the community college. He's a wicked guitar player, sings, and is really funny. I need a funny guy! Why have I been with so many serious people??? Ex: we were talking about something and I said, "...I think the root of the problem is..." and he goes, "Why this talk about potatoes? Let's make out." HAHA! Maybe that's not the funniest thing in the world, but it's humor that I appreciate. Oh! And he's got a southern accent and calls me Ms. Abigail and is super gentlemanly and hospitable. So I like him! But on the other hand he's not all that cute, he's actually the chubbiest dude I've ever been attracted to (I wish I weren't so discriminatory but it's the truth...:), he smokes a lot of cigarettes, and he seems to drink a lot. Hmmm... so we'll see!
Okay, nap time!
Thanks for reading!!
Love, Abby
4.27.2011
waahoooooo
Hello friends and lovers from afar:
Finally, my grad school decision has been made.....drumrolllllllllll
I'm going to Shenandoah University for OT! Basically the exact same thing and same University as Liz because she is so cool and I can't stay away from the coolness of Liz. I also decided that it was a better idea for me (and Jesse) for me to stay here in this area and start school this year and not wait another year and move to random places like New Mexico or Washington in order to get in state tuition.
so, while I originally told Shenandoah that I would like to defer my enrollment, I recently contacted them (6 weeks after declining my acceptance) in hopes that they might accept my indecisive self. They told me they were full, then I sent them a deposit check, and magically, yesterday, somebody else declined admissions, so they accepted me again!!! woohooo a 200% acceptance rate to SU. I don't think they knew what they were doing when they reaccepted me, but I am happy :)
I think I made a wise decision. It also means we will be here in Maryland area for 2 more years! And we are planning to move out west permanently for my fieldwork experience in Summer 2013--somewhere like Portland or Boulder:)
I just hope my horrible study habits and procrastination don't kick my ass.
Also, things with Jesse are great and we just had an amazing trip to Montreal and stayed with a really nice couple that I met in India. they showed us a free place to park and cooked delicious food.
I will attach a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure
I can't wait to see you all in a couple of short weeks!!!!
Finally, my grad school decision has been made.....drumrolllllllllll
I'm going to Shenandoah University for OT! Basically the exact same thing and same University as Liz because she is so cool and I can't stay away from the coolness of Liz. I also decided that it was a better idea for me (and Jesse) for me to stay here in this area and start school this year and not wait another year and move to random places like New Mexico or Washington in order to get in state tuition.
so, while I originally told Shenandoah that I would like to defer my enrollment, I recently contacted them (6 weeks after declining my acceptance) in hopes that they might accept my indecisive self. They told me they were full, then I sent them a deposit check, and magically, yesterday, somebody else declined admissions, so they accepted me again!!! woohooo a 200% acceptance rate to SU. I don't think they knew what they were doing when they reaccepted me, but I am happy :)
I think I made a wise decision. It also means we will be here in Maryland area for 2 more years! And we are planning to move out west permanently for my fieldwork experience in Summer 2013--somewhere like Portland or Boulder:)
I just hope my horrible study habits and procrastination don't kick my ass.
Also, things with Jesse are great and we just had an amazing trip to Montreal and stayed with a really nice couple that I met in India. they showed us a free place to park and cooked delicious food.
I will attach a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure
I can't wait to see you all in a couple of short weeks!!!!
3.29.2011
Oogave
Yum! I treated myself to this neat looking natural soda I found at the co-op and wanted to tell you guys about it. It's all natural, made in Denver (local for you, Nicky!) and sweetened with organic agave nectar! There are a lot of yummy flavors, some traditional, some non-traditional (but not so crazy as Jones Soda's peanut butter and jelly, etc.) I got the ginger ale. They come in clean, neat glass bottles and are only 96 calories. Not too sweet. Totally worth it. Low-glycemic index sweetener, light and satisfying hydration.
I tried to copy a picture off of the website to give you guys a visual but I can't seem to do it. Check it out for yourselves! I know I sound like a paid advertisement, but I really like this product. :)
Love, Abby
I tried to copy a picture off of the website to give you guys a visual but I can't seem to do it. Check it out for yourselves! I know I sound like a paid advertisement, but I really like this product. :)
Love, Abby
3.28.2011
White Sands visit
Hello all,
This is redundant to anyone that is an avid Abby-on-Facebook follower, but as no one has left any comments on my photos I'm guessing that no one has seen them!
Most of my Spring Break has been spent working at Zeffiro, doing homework, watering my "garden" daily to prevent the sickly little plants from shriveling into more dust, and um, being online. One day, however, some friends and I drove the almost-hour to White Sands National Monument, East/North-East of here and spent an afternoon playing, picnicking, and (for Eric and me at least) trying to defy gravity by throwing ourselves over the edges of the dunes at different trajectories and in different shapes. For some more exciting photos see if these links work! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1534415215267&set=a.1534410615152.58422.1681414672&theater
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1534426655553&set=a.1534410615152.58422.1681414672&theater
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1534426415547&set=a.1534410615152.58422.1681414672&theater
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1534415495274&set=a.1534410615152.58422.1681414672&theater
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150120441509527&set=a.10150120403284527.281455.778564526&theater
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150120432979527&set=a.10150120403284527.281455.778564526&theater
Okay, and now to show you some of my own photos! Enjoy! And then come here to visit and I will take you there!!!
Love, Abby
3.23.2011
3.10.2011
3.08.2011
Hello from CO
I need to write a proper update post, (and thank you for my birthday wishes!) but I'm swamped at work/life right now so instead, I'll just tell you about my morning:
As I left the house today it was crisply cold. The clouds were gray and puffy and out here on the plains, that means that they look close enough to touch and the view of the mountains disappears. Snow was falling; not the heavy, wet stuff we get back home but light, sandy Colorado snow. It blows in front of you on the pavement and swirls in little eddies along the grass and under trees. This morning it was so light that I could see each individual flake on the navy blue fabric of my jacket. It was cold enough today to be able to look at lots of little crystal-y flakes and not have them melt.
I sat in the car letting the transmission warm up and watched all the flakes sweep across the windshield. Weather like this makes me introspective and glad that our winter lasts well into April. I have to say, I like it here.
Love you guys. Come visit :)
(WIsh I took this picture, but actually it's by Scott Kroeker)
As I left the house today it was crisply cold. The clouds were gray and puffy and out here on the plains, that means that they look close enough to touch and the view of the mountains disappears. Snow was falling; not the heavy, wet stuff we get back home but light, sandy Colorado snow. It blows in front of you on the pavement and swirls in little eddies along the grass and under trees. This morning it was so light that I could see each individual flake on the navy blue fabric of my jacket. It was cold enough today to be able to look at lots of little crystal-y flakes and not have them melt.
I sat in the car letting the transmission warm up and watched all the flakes sweep across the windshield. Weather like this makes me introspective and glad that our winter lasts well into April. I have to say, I like it here.
Love you guys. Come visit :)
(WIsh I took this picture, but actually it's by Scott Kroeker)
3.03.2011
Gwyn Update
Like Liz, I think it's time for some life-status updating. Most importantly - I got a job! It wasn't, sadly, the job at St. Mary's. Much teeth gnashing and clothing tearing, no doubt. However (!) it is at another small liberal arts college - in Frederick Maryland!
I'll be a tenure-track assistant professor at Hood College, starting this August. Now I'm really sad that a lot of you have all moved away, since I'll be moving back. :) Andrew is looking for jobs down in D.C. too, so it's starting to look like it'll all work out. Just so you all can see some pictures of Hood:
http://www.hood.edu/
It looks scarily familiar. I'm still a little sad the SMCM thing didn't work out, but it's probably all for the best. And I get to move back to the REAL part of Maryland!
Can't wait to celebrate with you ladies, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon.
~Gwyn
I'll be a tenure-track assistant professor at Hood College, starting this August. Now I'm really sad that a lot of you have all moved away, since I'll be moving back. :) Andrew is looking for jobs down in D.C. too, so it's starting to look like it'll all work out. Just so you all can see some pictures of Hood:
http://www.hood.edu/
It looks scarily familiar. I'm still a little sad the SMCM thing didn't work out, but it's probably all for the best. And I get to move back to the REAL part of Maryland!
Can't wait to celebrate with you ladies, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon.
~Gwyn
Liz Update
Per Erin's request, I am updating you all now that I have new information about myself to share.
Number One.
I have been hired by Montgomery County Public Schools as an Occupational Therapist. I will serve about 3 schools in the county seeing school-age kids and preschool kids. I get summer off, so I will probably be looking for a different OT job, maybe per diem at a skilled nursing facility, to fill those months before "back to school" in September.
Number Two.
Trevor and I found an apartment in Chevy Chase. We move in April 15. It is not in Glen Echo (Sorry Stokar), but it is close! We are on Newdale right off Connecticut. The best part about the location is that the Capital Cresent Trail is on the other side of our street so we can bike downtown or walk over to downtown Bethesda. Trevor can use it to ride his bike to work! The only thing I had to settle on was the lack of a washer dryer. There is a laudry room in our building, but not in our apartment. Also, I wanted a pool. Oh well ;)
Number Three.
Well, there was really just a one and two. I don't even have any painted toenails to show you! I will take this section to tell you that Abby and I have almost secured a beach house in Stone Harbor. I will send an email out to all occupants soon asking for $$$. Today I will write a "heads up, I'm going to ask for money in a minute!" email per Abby's wise suggestion. May will be a glorious month.
Number Four.
I love you all!
-Lizzy
Number One.
I have been hired by Montgomery County Public Schools as an Occupational Therapist. I will serve about 3 schools in the county seeing school-age kids and preschool kids. I get summer off, so I will probably be looking for a different OT job, maybe per diem at a skilled nursing facility, to fill those months before "back to school" in September.
Number Two.
Trevor and I found an apartment in Chevy Chase. We move in April 15. It is not in Glen Echo (Sorry Stokar), but it is close! We are on Newdale right off Connecticut. The best part about the location is that the Capital Cresent Trail is on the other side of our street so we can bike downtown or walk over to downtown Bethesda. Trevor can use it to ride his bike to work! The only thing I had to settle on was the lack of a washer dryer. There is a laudry room in our building, but not in our apartment. Also, I wanted a pool. Oh well ;)
Number Three.
Well, there was really just a one and two. I don't even have any painted toenails to show you! I will take this section to tell you that Abby and I have almost secured a beach house in Stone Harbor. I will send an email out to all occupants soon asking for $$$. Today I will write a "heads up, I'm going to ask for money in a minute!" email per Abby's wise suggestion. May will be a glorious month.
Number Four.
I love you all!
-Lizzy
3.02.2011
Happy Birthday NNTM!
Cheers to another year of you! Lovely, lady-like, lassie, I hope you and Mik have a great time celebrating, Miss you.
2.05.2011
We Celebrated
Good News! I passed my OT board exam! The remaining quad bloggers/DC diaspora assembled last night for happy hour at Dogfish Head. Somehow we ended up at St. Mary's. Here is a text message I found in my phone: "From: Erica 'We are not too old, but we're not going to be young enough for that much longer' 8:15 pm"
We really missed the rest of you!!
2.03.2011
Yellow Pages Opt Out
This is awesome!
http://www.yellowpagesoptout.com/
You go to the site and register, and then it will email you a password so you can log in and opt out of yellow pages. Turns out I was going to get 5 (!!!) so I'm glad I could say no.
One note, the site's a little funky, so read carefully for the "Check this tiny box to confirm" and keep scrolling down to the bottom to save etc. I'm assuming if 2 people are registered in the household, you both have to do it?
http://www.yellowpagesoptout.com/
You go to the site and register, and then it will email you a password so you can log in and opt out of yellow pages. Turns out I was going to get 5 (!!!) so I'm glad I could say no.
One note, the site's a little funky, so read carefully for the "Check this tiny box to confirm" and keep scrolling down to the bottom to save etc. I'm assuming if 2 people are registered in the household, you both have to do it?
1.27.2011
Vampire Alex is still super creepy!
Ewww....FB convo:
12:52pm
Alex: I am here from space to make love to you.
me: gross dude
I don't think we should be FB friends anymore
Alex: Haw~haw. Abby's asexual.
Fine.
12:52pm
Alex: I am here from space to make love to you.
me: gross dude
I don't think we should be FB friends anymore
Alex: Haw~haw. Abby's asexual.
Fine.
1.23.2011
My past coupla days (more camping!)
In the spirit of Erica, here's what I'm up to, er... was up to until I got home a couple of hours ago. :) In no particular order (since I can't remember the order in which I uploaded photos..), Me reading a Counseling textbook in the hot tub Karthar built, me fishing, the beautiful Gila River valley in which we were camping as viewed from above), an unsuccessful attempt to get a cute photo of me and Karthar... you can see some of his tattoos at least!, and... i think there was one more... oh yeah, unloading our vehicles and setting up camp when we arrived at the site down on the river.
I wish I had the energy to tell you some stories (Erica especially, per your request), but gee whiz I'm beat! Jack and I were down there Wednesday night til Sunday, and in summation: ran into someone random from Ithaca when I met up with Karthar Weds evening (dude Ryan was backpacking and came across Karthar's camp in the woods and asked for a ride into town). We all hung out for a bit, smoked spliffs and watched the thin clouds move across the bright full moon. We mostly sun tanned, soaked in the hot tub, read books, went for walks in the woods, made fires, cooked awesome complicated campfire meals, drank wine around the campfire at night, and had sex like, all the time. Warning!! Dudes who live in the woods can be sexually deprived and so so so excited to have a woman (who is attracted to them and interested) around. I mean, I'm not complaining, but yeah, um, the poor neighbor. Well, I don't care about the "neighbor" dude camped near us. He's about 60, a Vietnam vet, and friendly enough... when he's sober. One night I opened a 750mL bottle of vodka and shared some with him. He drank an entire mug, then asked for more about 30 minutes later. I gave him a little more and he started saying, "Come on, don't be stingy! Why are you trying to control me? I'm a grown man, I know what I'm doing!" I told him that I didn't want to drink the whole bottle in one night and he was all, "Then I'll drink it! Come on, give me more, and if you're not going to give me more then FUCK YOU! Fuck you! I'm the baddest motherfucker in this whole valley and you can't control me! (ETC ETC ETC...)" He turned into a monster! He was saying "ALL YOU WOMEN THINK YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEST, WELL LISTEN HONEY, FUCK YOU!" and then he started growling. And then he started saying things like, "YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR ME? I'M NOT SCARED OF YOU! YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO ME!! DON'T THINK I WON'T HIT A WOMAN!!" at which point Karthar was like, Whoa whoa whoa dude, even though Abby realizes you're out of control and it's not about her I'm not going to let you say anything like that. Not cool. Karthar was sitting between the two of us and trying to keep John the vet calm when he realized the dude's switch had flipped but the thing about hitting a woman made little Karthar get all tough and protective. Anyway, it was a weird situation and very good practice for seeing another's behavior as being mediated by his own demons and not as a proper response to me. I could see that he was upset, and I knew that I hadn't done anything wrong--except making an error in judgement by letting him drink half a bottle of Smirnoff--so I just observed and tried to be open to understanding his experience and the feelings that would result in such an outburst. Karthar told me (after John gave up on the vodka/lost his voice from screaming or both and stormed away to pass out in his van) that I handled it well and asked if I was sure I was ready to be a counselor: "You're going to have this shit come at you a lot, you know." I think I can do it.
Ha, wish I had put in some more happy stories, but that one just sort of came out. It's really educational to spend time with people on totally different life paths. You just can't get too intwined or it seems to start sucking some of your soul.
1.21.2011
Too Many Highlighters, Not Enough High
So the Becca quotation is perfection. At the shower, my mother kept saying "I know your friend Becca W, but when I looked at her all I could see was the word 'giraffe' so I think she thought I couldn't remember her name." My mother was with me on a Nordstrom shopping trip when a certain embroidered scarf was obtained, so I suppose such an association is only natural. Also, Becca looks as though she is part giraffe....<--- And this is my life now.
Yes, Abby, I am wearing the awesome scarf you gave me.
Any good stories to distract me from reading? Taking pics of myself in the library is creepy.
1.11.2011
Something funny Becca said
(from Gmail chat)
Rebecca: i dont know if i will get in because only 20-30 people out of 100 get in after the interview stage
they have over 200 applicants
me: Yeah, reminds me of Wake Forest!
Gosh, just be yourself and if it's the right fit you'll know
Rebecca: yea
i know
i will just go in with socks on my boobs
Rebecca: i dont know if i will get in because only 20-30 people out of 100 get in after the interview stage
they have over 200 applicants
me: Yeah, reminds me of Wake Forest!
Gosh, just be yourself and if it's the right fit you'll know
Rebecca: yea
i know
i will just go in with socks on my boobs
1.10.2011
1.05.2011
Much love to such marvelous friends!
Everyone: It was such a huge huge treat to get to see you all in such merriment on so many occasions!!! What a wonderful series of celebratory events. Ahhh... it was as much as I could have ever hoped for. Um... okay, a sexy (male) stranger could have kissed me at midnight, but alas, this was not fantasy, it was the most terrific of realities.
So thank you, everyone, for being around, and being together. We have something really special and I think we always will. Aww man, I'm getting teary. Anyway, just wanted to reiterate my love for each of you, and for this group as a whole. You are all amazing women and I feel so lucky to be part of such an engaging, intelligent, supportive, HILARIOUS, motivated, genuine group. Thank you all for being you. And to those whose cameras were functional during the events of the past week, if you haven't put up your photos yet, please do!! I am so excited to see them again! And again and again. :)
Love, Abby
So thank you, everyone, for being around, and being together. We have something really special and I think we always will. Aww man, I'm getting teary. Anyway, just wanted to reiterate my love for each of you, and for this group as a whole. You are all amazing women and I feel so lucky to be part of such an engaging, intelligent, supportive, HILARIOUS, motivated, genuine group. Thank you all for being you. And to those whose cameras were functional during the events of the past week, if you haven't put up your photos yet, please do!! I am so excited to see them again! And again and again. :)
Love, Abby
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