To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of people;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;


To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived

This is to have succeeded.

-Bessie Stanley & Ralph Waldo Emerson


Monday, February 22, 2010

Valentine's & Vacation

As of January, I had 60 hours of vacation at work saved up. As a birthday present to myself, I decided to take a few days off. With my regularly scheduled days off included, my little vacation turns out to be 7 days off. I am going to use my time off to reflect and REST this week. (Not to mention wait in line at the DMV for an hour to renew my driver's license.) Since last Thursday, I have already caught up with a few friends I rarely see anymore,
spent time with my family and I am looking forward to my hubby's surprise tomorrow night for my 28th birthday.
I have my usual chemistry class this week, although I am rejuvenated by thoughts of walks in the morning sunshine, reading a good book with a cup of tea, and sleeping until my heart's content.

My hubby and I celebrated V-day by going to dinner at one of our favorite hole in the wall restaurants in Tacoma.

The Upper Crust, on North 21st, is "Tacoma's Best Kept Secret", according to Joe. We got a gift certificate from Kris and Heather for Christmas and were only too happy to redeem it come Valentine's Day. We split a spinach pizza with Kalamata olives, pinenuts, and feta and a wonderful salad over a bottle of syrah. Grand Marnier creme brulee topped it off!

Fat and happy, we rolled on over to the movies, where we saw "Valentine's Day". The old dinner-and-a-movie valentine's date is a bit cheesy and cliche, but I am grateful for a husband who loves me and treats me to a fun date night.

The feathered headband is a stocking stuffer from my mother-in-law Kathy. (It doesn't take alot to pamper me when 90% of what I wear are scrubs!)



Joe knows my one of my favorite colors is coral, hence the roses he bought me.



Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Happy Groundhog's Day from Leo

Happy Groundhog's Day! I'm Leo. My mommy and daddy think I bear striking resemblance to Punxsutawney Phil, the world's most famous weatherman and the only one who is also a humble little groundhog. They thought it would be hilarious to humiliate me by comparing me to this fatty of a rodent who "predicts" the weather by "seeing his shadow" and miraculously draws thousands of people annually to the small town of Punxsutawney, PA to witness the event. I simply don't see the resemblance. Do you?