Archive for May, 2008

There is not a whole lot to post as of late. I think mayhaps Andy may have a new post soon (shock and dismay!)…he has some exciting news to tell. Let’s just say things are sounding a lot better in our house, of course being the ignorant technical person that I am, it just sounds louder to me.

Speaking of sound, I did find a new…group, I don’t think I can call them a band. It’s the Three Graces, a trio of…classical singers? vocalists? I’m really not sure how to define them. It is definitely NOT a pop, rock, punk, or hip hop kind of genre. However, I really like it. Check out the link for a sample of their music. There doesn’t seem to be much info on them, I’m not even sure where I found them, probably a miracle encounter thanks to iTunes. My musical tastes vary and I listen to a pretty wide selection. I do not, however, pretend to be a cool indie rock girl, or an in-the-know ghetto fabulous gal.

Let’s see, besides Andy’s little present to himself, last weekend was pretty uneventful. We did get to spend time with our good friend Brandon, who was in town for the long weekend. We did a little shopping at North Park Mall, one of the fanciest shopping malls in Dallas. We’re talking all the crazy expensive stores in a row: Tiffany’s, Cartier, Carolina Herrera, Barneys New York, Cole Haan, Giorgio Armani…etc. It’s pretty sad when your mind gets skewed into thinking that $200 for a dress looks affordable compared to everything else. We all enjoyed a nice night grilling out on Saturday. Anni, David, Eric, and Eric’s girlfriend Brittany, came over to keep us company. We had a good night chatting and relaxing. Sadly, I forgot to take any photos. Sorry!

On Sunday, Anni and I went shopping at Southlake Town Square. We both got some pretty awesome stuff. I highly suggest making your way to Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft if you’re looking for some affordable work clothes. Big sales!! My eyes were darting all over the store, catching hints of the red sale signs posted everywhere. I love a good bargain! My shopping theory is to be on the lookout for good looking, good quality, and highly marked down items. For instance, I’m always on the watch for jeans that fit, dresses/skirts for work, and a good pair of black dress flats. Working eight hours on my feet demands some very comfy shoes. Never pay full price, no matter what the sales clerk says, it will go on sale, and I will be patiently waiting for that moment!

There’s nothing like the feel of new clothing or knowing you look pretty and polished at work on Monday morning. Andy doesn’t understand…but I don’t understand his love for his speakers, we’ll call it even. After we got back from the gym tonight, I found him staring lovingly at the speakers. He asked me if I thought they were pretty. I responded with, “they look like speakers.” Plus, I can no longer turn the television on. It takes several tries and glares at the so called “universal” remote. Sigh…a new techno gizmo hurdle for me to jump.

Saturday (05/17/08) was unbelievably busy. We started the morning with Cathy’s graduation from the University of Kansas’s College of Fine Arts. We’re so proud of my baby sister’s achievements! Of course, we had a little trouble finding her after the ceremony, since all the graduates look similar in their black polyester robes. But after several phone calls, lost members of the party, and laps around the parking lot, we managed to group together for a few pictures with our graduate.

(Grandpa Bob, Grandma Peggy, Mommy Chao, the Grad herself, me, and Daddy Chao)

After the ceremony, Andy and I rushed off to lunch with his Aunt Susan and Cousin Debra at the Overland Park Houlihan‘s, one of our favorite OP restaurants. It’s always nice to spend time with family, no matter which side: Trommer or Chao.

(Aunt Susan, Debra, me, and Andy)

After lunch, we rushed back to my parent’s house to get ready for a wedding. Whose wedding? It is my mom’s friend’s (Reynold and Lena) daughter’s (Lynn) wedding. A change of clothing, a quick reapplication of lipstick and we were out the door! The wedding was held at the Loretto building in downtown Kansas City, by the KU Medical Center. It’s a nice facility with a built in chapel and reception hall, very convenient for weddings. The  bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, all the family members looked so happy, and the wedding itself was very simple but elegant.

The view of the ceremony from our seats. Beautiful chapel, huh?

Of course, while all the festivities were going on…it was also my mom’s birthday!

So, Happy Birthday Mommy Chao!!

We were allowed to leave the reception a little early, since there were very few people we knew, and even fewer our own age. So, we rushed home, changed again (3 wardrobe changes in one day!!) and headed out to our friend Katie and Cici’s house where all our friends were meeting. Turns out, several of Andy’s close friends happened to be in town for their siblings’ graduations as well! What a coincidence! We had a wonderful time just being with old friends.

(Andy Shernuk, Andy, Scott, me, Katie, and Cici up front)

Then my best friend Ashley and I left for a good old fashioned sleep-over at her apartment. We watched a movie, ate junk food, talked, laughed, got mauled by the puppy (Marley) that she’s watching while her mom’s out of town (she’s a wonderfully spunky dog, just young…that’s all), and the usual girly stuff that I miss out on since I’m so far away from my girl friends.

Most of Sunday and Monday were spent relaxing with my family and recuperating from our busy Friday and Saturday. I had a wonderful time in KC. (click here for all the photos) However, there is always more people I wish I could have visited or more time I could spend on each person. Sadly, this is the life of a Kansas girl stuck in Texas! Even though I love visiting my home state, there’s nothing quite like coming home to a loving puppy that missed us.

Last weekend, Andy and I were lucky enough to take a four day weekend to fly up to Kansas City for a number of important events. There were so many things going on and pictures that I’d like to post, that I’ll have to split the weekend into two parts. I’ll post the second half tomorrow. We took an early morning flight on Friday (05/16/08) into Kansas City, MO. We arrived around 1 pm and spent most of the afternoon napping (Andy) and spending time with Grandma Yao and my mom (me).

That evening, Mommy Chao had to leave for a rehearsal dinner, Daddy Chao was still in transit on his way home from a business trip to Taiwan, Cathy was hanging out in Lawrence, thus leaving Andy and I to fend for ourselves. With the help of our friends, Cindy and Wes, we headed out for a night on the town. This may sound strange to those of you that have a predisposed notion that Kansas is a hick state with nothing to do except tip cows and drink moonshine. You are gravely mistaken. Downtown Kansas City has undergone a massive revitalization, turning the old warehouses and run down buildings into the hottest night clubs, bars, and social scenes. I was stunned and pleasantly surprised at the awesome and extremely cool environment that has taken shape.

We started the night by going out for dinner and drinks at the Drop, located in the Martini Corner. They had amazing sandwiches, unique drinks, and their bruschetta is not to be missed! We ate, we talked, we laughed…the usual activities that occur when you’re in the company of old friends. It really doesn’t matter how much time passes, if you’re truly good friends, the conversation flows as if you were never apart.

After dinner, Cindy and Wes took us to the Power and Light District. This is another of downtown Kansas City’s renovations. It truly is a fantastic place and a brilliant idea! The main area is an open air atrium called “the Living Room”. The bars, clubs, and restaurants all face this atrium, which has a covered see through roof, that is filled with tables and chairs. After 9 pm, it is 21 and up to get in. There isn’t any cover charge, and you’re allowed to get a drink at any establishment and wander around the area. They have a stage up front, where bands and concerts take place. Friday night happened to be packed full of people listening to a free concert performed by Three Dog Night.

We got ourselves a round of drinks (thanks Cindy) and wandered up to the balcony to enjoy the fantastic weather and the music. Though I didn’t recognize most of the music (sorry, I never claimed to be hip), we had a marvelous time. It makes me wish I were back in Kansas City!! I’ve always loved Kansas, mostly because it was where I grew up and I feel blessed to have such fond memories of my childhood, but who knew it was so gosh darned cool? More to tell tomorrow…but click here for all the photos from our sojourn to KS. (I’m trying to utilize more vocabulary in my everyday life. Care to join me?)

As promised, here are the pictures of the new flowers we planted yesterday. I hate how our entire neighborhood seems to shop for gardening supplies at the Home Depot. Yes, I’m guilty of the same crime. But because of this tendency towards convenience, we all end up with yards that look exactly the same!! Seriously, the entire neighborhood had purple pansies last fall, as if our houses don’t look similar enough already! So, I ventured out of my safety box and into a real live plant nursery.

I found the Flower Ranch online, and decided to take a look. It’s 10 minutes from our house, and it’s pretty reasonably priced! Plus, they have a fantastic assortment of flowers and plants, and their entire staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. They were able to point me towards low maintenance (very important, since I have a tendency to kill plants), sun loving, drought resistant flowering plant…the moss rose and the purslane. I love it! Yay for being different!

My Moss Roses – yes, the ones in my yard. Aren’t they pretty?

My Purslane

The Freesia bulbs I planted have started to sprout, making me a very happy gardner!

Andy in his awesome gardening getup…floppy hat, sunglasses, mismatched gloves, and kneepads. Isn’t he dreamy?

A friend from work, Miss Andrea, graduated TCU with her degree in education this past Saturday. Andy and I were lucky enough to attend her fabulous graduation party and the after party partying. The celebration itself was held at Andrea’s brother George’s house. There was food, cakes (that’s right, more than one!), pictures, music, decorations galore, and just a massive amount of people helping to celebrate Andrea’s achievements. There were several of the pharmacy folks there, so I had plenty of people to congregate with. For that, I am eternally grateful. It’s no fun going to a party and not knowing a single person there. So, you make awkward small talk and end up either leaving early or shuffling around in the corners. Okay…I’m no life of the party, a pleasant enough conversationalist, but no wild child. You should have known that by now!

It’s Andrea cutting her TCU Horned Frog cake (yes, their mascot is the horned frog…weird, right? Not exactly intimidating when one can be run over by a car on the highway…but that’s just my opinion. Then again, my school’s mascot was a cardinal in a cyclone, also kind of bizarre.).

Most of the pharmacy folks at the party (In order…Paula, Melissa, Adriane, Addyson (the baby), me, and Kim)

Look! I stole a sleeping baby! Okay, steal probably not the key word I want…passed gently from her mother probably a better caption. No felonies here!

After the grown up party was all wrapped up, the younger generation put on their highest heels, sparkliest jewelery (I know “sparkliest” is not a word, but it really should be! “Shiniest” just doesn’t convey the right connotation!), most fabulous dresses, and got ready to hit the town! We started in downtown Fort Worth on Houston St. and worked our way through to Sundance Square. There was a little drama along the way, but all in all it was a fantastic night. Andy and I don’t go out and party very often, but it’s a nice change of pace to have a drink, take a lap around the dance floor, and just plain people watch. I had forgotten how entertaining the club/bar scene can be! Two words…”drunken karoke”, need I say more?

Oh! Silly question! At what point do I say to myself, “you’re too old to be doing this”? Is it age oriented? Looks based? I’m just not sure…but let’s just say we saw some people well over 60 wearing some, to put it lightly, inappropriate clothing downing shots of tequila. Maybe this is normal and after only going to parties in college atmospheres, I didn’t see much of it? I don’t know, I guess as long as you’re having a good time, right?

Adriane, me, and Andrea (the proud graduate looking amazing) at Houston St. Bar (not a very clever name, but very matter of fact…and easy enough to find)

Krystina, Adriane, and me at Citystreets (yes, there are cages in the background where very very drunk people get in to dance. “Dance” being a very loosely defined term.)

My awesome gold high heels that I bought on sale at Baker’s and were shockingly enough comfy for most of the night. Ceases never wonder!

The party was fun, the partying was cool, but there’s nothing like a nice hot shower (to get the stale cigarette smoke out of your hair) and sinking into your own bed with a devoted puppy at your feet. Click here to see all the photos from the weekend…and from this entire spring season. Check again tomorrow for a post on the updates we made to the garden! Yay new flowers!

It occurred to me that life must be moving a little slow, since all I have to blog about are cats. On the other hand, having long term guests (even if they’re animals) is still out of the ordinary, wouldn’t you say? I actually got a purr from Cookie Monster today while I was rubbing her tummy! Of course, the purr was quickly covered up by a growl, kind of like she was disappointed she let her guard down and showed a stranger her weakness. Sophocles has been really just been going with the flow, he’ll jump on the bed to welcome me when I visit. So, though we’re not best friends, the cat visit is going better than planned.

It’s Sophocles on the window sill, how that can possibly be comfortable, I’m not sure.

Cookie Monster keeping her cool

How’s Jabber with all this cat attention? Really, after her behavior modification (doesn’t that sound all creepy scientist-like?), she’s been fine with having the fuzzy guests in the house. I’ll see her stop and stare confusedly at the guest room door every once in awhile, but then she’ll move right along to whatever she was doing before. I don’t know if that makes her a little dim-witted or smart because she’s avoiding punishment. I choose to think that she has a good nature about her, and just needed a quick correction to keep her on the path of righteousness.

Andy and I recently signed up for Blockbuster Online. It’s one of the lower plans, one movie at a time but unlimited number of movies a month. I’ve wanted it for a long time, and since we never actually make it to the theatre to see movies, this is great! Last night we watched Juno. It was…okay. I didn’t find anything terribly wonderful about it, good for some light entertainment. It was almost quirky, but at the same time…do they really expect me to believe that teenagers talk like that nowadays? I don’t consider myself too far placed from the teens, but I really didn’t understand much of their slang. Not that I really understood very much of the hip slang when I was a teenager myself. Hm…I’m starting to see a pattern here…

It’s Day 3 of the kitty cat invasion. I have reached a wary acceptance from both cats. There is significantly less hissing and growling after they have discovered that I feed, water, and clean their kitty potty. They have, however, become increasingly more curious as to what’s behind the door. One would think they would be more careful, seeing as how they know that Jabber’s outside. On the up side, there has also been less barking from our puppy. The time outs seem to have worked, and we only had to deal with one short spastic barking episode from her today. Though still not an ideal situation, at least we’re all co-existing pretty decently.

It’s Cookie Monster out and about, enjoying a little time with her personal butler (aka: me). Lots of pictures to be posted, I know how hard it can be being away from one’s pets. So, I’m trying to reassure David and Anni whilst they’re away on their adventures with lots of updates and pictures. Hope they’re having fun!