Moving to Columbia

Jace flew in Wednesday afternoon to help me move and to see me again (I don't think he can stay away). Wednesday night we grabbed a pizza, got ready, and then headed over to the Benedum to see Miss Saigon. It is one of Jace's favorites and I had never seen it. I did not look into the story prior to seeing it so that I would not know the ending. I was so surprised that she shot herself, but I loved it!

Thursday we woke up, got the truck, and started packing! We packed absolutely everything I owned. I had all my stuff in boxes downstairs waiting for him to help make it easier. I had some minor things to pack up that day, but overall I think he was surprised that most of it was ready to go. We even moved all my plants and two beta fish!

Thursday afternoon we went to Red Robin, bottomless fries after a long day of packing seemed to be the best idea! To kill time between dinner and the movie we walked along the river down by the Waterfront. It was a nice sunny day and I enjoyed it more than ever. We just walked and talked as well as "discussed" some heated issues (abortion and gay rights...always fun topics). We went to see the movie Killers, not that great. The best part was I thought it was the Gerard Butler/Jennifer Aniston movie; but it was the Ashton Kutcher movie. Jace HATES him, I thought we were going to have to leave but I begged him to stay (he did).

Friday morning we woke up bright and early (well not so bright I am not sure the sun was even out) and started making our way to Columbia, MD. After we arrived we got to work unloading, putting furniture together, and unpacking boxes. In one day I had most everything done. We were exhausted so we rented two movies and ordered in.

Saturday morning consisted of minor unpacking, Comcast guy, and the building (and rebuilding) of my new bookshelf. After that I let Jace watch a movie and nap for a while, he deserved it. BUT NOT FOR TOO LONG!

We went to the temple and watch the Joseph Smith movie, listen to a music performance (one singer had played Cosette in Les Miserable), and we walked around the temple. That night I wanted to cook him dinner; I wanted the first meal I made at the apartment to be for the both of us. It was fun and he even helped clean up!

I took him to the airport this morning and was so sad to see him go. I love him and will miss him!

So the funny thing is...I didn't take one picture of us this entire weekend. I am a horrible girlfriend! So below are some pictures of my new apartment (taken today) as well as a few I snapped with my phone while at the temple.

Farewell Pittsburgh

The last week or so I was in Pittsburgh I was busy packing and getting ready for my move; however I found time to say goodbye to everyone and get one last meal in at El Campesino and Hemingway's.

At El Camp they surprised me with a sombrero and song (feliz cumpleanos, since they did not have a goodbye song). I was tempted to walk out with it but I think they would have noticed. After a huge mexican fiesta we went home to play Quelf (one of my new favorite board games).

At Hems I was able to see the ISPM group (along with others) one last time for some cloggin' fries (fries covered in cheese, bacon, honey mustard, and ketchup). MY FAV!

Thank you everyone for such a great time and I will miss you terribly!

Doggy Heimlich

These two boys have definitely been my test run to prepare me for children (somewhat). If it isn't one thing with them it is another.

Today the boys were playing outside as I made lunch. After they came in the house and went around the corner they were extremely quiet. As I called for them Walter came in making the most disturbing noise and pawing at his face with his mouth open. I was freaked out! I realized there was something stuck in his mouth/throat and he was having difficulty getting it out. I picked him up and started pounding on his back since I wasn't sure where it was stuck or whether he could breathe or not. He continued to paw at his face so I frantically stuck my fingers down his throat and pulled out a stick.

After I quit shaking I looked up how to do the Heimlich for your dog as well as where the nearest animal hospital is. I will have to do the same when we move to our new house. This has taught me to be prepared for anything and know where the nearest hospital is!



A side note: My mother called me the other day and asked me questions about my (nonexistent) 72 hour kit. She also said that I should have one for the boys since they will need food, water, and bones in an emergency. I love her! She is just as crazy as I am.

I think after the move my main focus will be preparation, something my mother has bothered me about since I first moved away from home 6 years ago. (I will need help mom when you come out to visit, FYI)

Stressful!

I will blog more about my move and starting my new job as soon as it all happens. But let me tell you, just preparing to move and start a new job is SO STRESSFUL and requires mass amounts of phone calls, emails, paperwork, physical work, and money. Thank goodness Jace will be coming in about a week to help me with my move.

Just one more week in Pittsburgh and then I will be in Columbia, MD. Wish me luck!

Sunrise Over Pittsburgh

This past Friday, around 12:30 am, Celaschi convinced King and I to wake up around 5 am and get to the top of Mount Washington for sunrise (5:53 am). We made it on time and even took the boys with us. It was beautiful and so surreal to see a town literally wake up.

After breakfast we dropped the boys off back at home and went to Pamela's Diner for breakfast. It was a perfect Pittsburgh morning. Thank you guys!

Phipps Conservatory Take Two

In October Katie and I had gone to Phipps to see the plants as well as The Fräbel glass exhibit. This month Phipps has the Gothic Meets Gorgeous exhibit so I decided I wanted to go one last time.

King, KB, Celaschi, and I enjoyed everything we saw but we were definitely dying from the heat! Celaschi commandeered my camera and ended up taking approximately 250 pictures (she would make my mom proud). Here are some from our adventure...

Dog Days of Summer

It has been unbearably hot this last week. I have enjoyed sitting out in our yard while reading. The boys have also liked being outside the entire morning. I figured they should enjoy their yard for a few more weeks before we go to the big city. Celaschi lays out with me as well and when she went in for a water break Chuy decided it was his turn on the lounge. Here is a funny picture of him.



I am excited that I have time to read what I want and not what a professor assigns. I have already read the following...



I absolutely loved this book and wish I had read it much sooner. I have recently started going back to church and never realized how much I had to work on to get to where I want to be. This book is one of many I have read and so far think it is the best. I highly recommend it.



This quick read was very interesting. The authors looked at data in a different way to draw conclusions most would not. It definitely made me think and I cannot wait to read the sequel.



My sissy got me this book for Christmas. If you have been keeping tack you would know that I went through a vampire stage and read all the Twilight and True Blood books. However, this book was not about vampires but rather shadowhunters (vampire killers). It was okay. I didn't fall in love with it and probably won't read the next two any time soon. I did enjoy that the main character's name was Jace. Thought it was funny since I got the book for Christmas and we had gone on our first date only a few days before that.

I have already started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for the umpteenth time. I hope to get through it this time.



Any suggestions for good books I should add to my reading list?