Ok, so I'm a little embarrassed that I'm actually going to be that sappy giddy girl that makes you want to puke, but.... this is so freaking cute I have to share.

So, yesterday was our 6 month anniversary. Not a HUGE deal, I suppose, but kind of a big deal I guess...

But so I wasn't even sure if he'd remember. And sure, I'd love to get flowers and presents and all sorts of romantic stuff. I was secretly HOPING he'd do something- but I wasn't expecting it.

So, I made dinner reservations at a nice place, and didn't tell him, so it could be a surprise. They're actually for tonight, since the place is closed on mondays. And then I figured that's good- b/c on the off chance he planned something, I could cancel mine.

So, yesterday came, and he totally remembered and said happy anniversary. Then I was at work really late and he had stuff to do, so I didn't see him til way later.

So, once it was pretty clear we weren't going to do anything, I told him we have reservations for tonight. Not to rub it in- but just to make sure he didn't have any plans or anything.

And all of the sudden he looked all sad and started apologizing that he hadn't done more.

And then I felt like an ass for making him feel bad.

And then he walked over and picked something up off my desk. It was a card, and he had left it there so I'd find it in the morning.

So, I opened it. And it's super adorable. And perfect, b/c it's from the heart, and he did it without me nagging or anything.

Please pardon the iphone picture quality.

Cute joke I got from my dad-

Language Lesson
================
A linguistics professor was lecturing to his class one day.

"In English," he said, "A double negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative."

A voice from the back of the room piped up, "Yeah, right."

---

In other news... eh, not much. Got a little snow yesterday. Was pleasantly surprised to learn at 2pm that the guy I am scheduled to work with today is going to be in Vegas, so I get the day off. Of course, would be nicer to know about 3day weekends in advance, but still. Not complaining.

Going to NYC next weekend for a baby shower and another friend's "welcome back after 2 years in australia" party. Should be fun.

Got my W-2 from work here, and it looks like I might get a refund, for the first time in like 6 years. I am sooooo excited! I know a lot of people plan on their refund and have practically spent it before they get it- but since I never get one, this is just like totally unexpected extra bonus money. Of course, I haven't gotten my W-2 from UB yet, so there's still a chance that will fuck it all up and I'll get nothing.

What else...

Monday is our 6mo anniversary.... (awwwww)
Wondering if he'll remember. ;)

Then to Florida- leaving on Valentine's day. Can not WAIT to get a little sun on this pasty skin.

Apparently it's "celebrity doppelganger week" on facebook- people are posting pictures of celebrities they've been told they resemble. I've heard I look like Andie McDowell before, so I found a smoking hot picture of her and put it up. Most of my girlfriends were like "omg yeah! i can see it!" And yes, I know I don't look like a movie star. But still, little white lies from girlfriends brighten my day a little. Until one stupid douchey ex just added "yeah, in your dreams".

Thanks, asshole.

Bleh.

Ok, time to be productive with this day. Have a good one peeps!

So, I haven't checked in in a few days, but I was SURE this place was going to be full of ranting about the election last night.

But really?
No one?

Fine with me, I don't relish talking politics- I just thought people would be all fired up.

In other news, we managed to find some shady internet car rental deal, but... we have an official confirmation number from Budget, so fingers crossed it will all work out....

Now just to make it through the three weeks until then.

Including a presentation I have to give tomorrow on Tennis Elbow that I haven't started yet, blehhhhhh.

And, I reeeeeaaaallly need to start job hunting. I buffed up my CV this weekend, I guess that's the first step. Now just to find places to send it to... :/

Ok, so we finally figured out the plane ticket situation.

(cut a day off the trip, used his parents' miles for one, and will split the price of the other. And, thanks to farecast, we locked in a good price today.)

But now...

RENTAL CARS ARE $115?????!!!!

Per DAY????!!!!!

$500/week is the best I've found.

Ho-ly shit!

I wish I had a private jet.

I wish I had a friend with a private jet.

In fact I *do* have a friend with a private jet, but I couldn't actually ask him to fly me places. (and I'm not sure how to get him to volunteer. ;) )

I have a week off work mid-feb.
We have a place to stay in West Palm Beach, for free, for that week.

All I need is to get myself there.

Plane tickets have gone from $300 to $700 in the last 3 days. I'm hoping it's just a blip and they'll come back down some, but at that rate, i can't afford to go. :(

I found one flight for like $200- but it's leaving from/getting in to airports that are like 1-2 hours from home/ the place in florida. And get in at like midnight on monday, and leave at like 6am thurs. So I'd get 2 days there? Not worth it.

Fucking airlines. I really hate them these days.

And, I just checked the weather: all i can say is WTF?! Snow forecasted for florida, but not here???

Ok, I'll bite.
I think I often just go through life with blinders on, not always thinking and absorbing as much as I should- both of the good and the bad that happens to me.
So, this is probably a good exercise- though I think I'll do it by the decade, not just the year.

Where were you when 2000/2009 began?
2000: with my boyfriend at the time, and about 20 of his fraternity buddies, in New Orleans- wondering where our jetpacks were, and also 'calling' which stores we would get when the looting began. ;)
2009: Went to a delicious dinner at O, and then to the 'Ice Ball'- which was a total waste. They missed midnight, b/c a fight broke out, and a guy LOST HIS EYE. I also fell on the ice on my way there, and spent the rest of the night with a bloody knee. (pulling my pantyhose out of that scab at the end of the night was NOT fun.) All in all, kind of a disappointing new year- but then again, it often is, because I hope for too much.

Who were you with?
2000: med school peeps in NOLA
2009: some buffalo girlfriends. (had hoped to swing by the 24, but dinner ran WAY over.)

Where will you be when 2009 ends?
TBD- but somewhere in hartford

Whom will you be with when 2009 ends?
My lovely BF, and his brother and her girlfriend. May meet my co-worker and his fiancee.

Was 2000-2009 a good year/decade for you?
decade: Yes. Lots of changes.... I lived in New Orleans, Chicago, Buffalo, and now CT. Had pretty much all the serious relationships of my life. Grew into myself.
2009: a little bittersweet to leave buffalo and my friends there, but CT has been good too- esp meeting the BF. :)

What was your favorite moment of the decade/year?
All in 2009: finishing residency, matching to my fellowship, and reuniting with a buddy from 12 years ago and realizing he is a really amazing guy.

What was your least favorite moment of the year/decade?
Eh, nothing worth dwelling on. Had some disappointments at work, and some bad boy drama, but it's over now.

Did you keep your New Year resolutions of 2009?
Sort of- I didn't make formal resolutions, but I decided to try to be healthier. I lost 30 lb, but have gained about 7 back. booo!

Do you have any New Year resolutions for 2010?
Just to get back on track with my diet. Would love to lose 20 more lb.
Actually, I also want to make a concerted effort to be more of an ACTIVE learner at work. Read more when I'm at home at night, etc.

Did you fall in love this year/decade?
Yes. A couple times I thought I had- but this time I know it. :)

What was your favorite month of 2009?
Probably August.

Did you travel outside of the US in 2009?
Canada (doesn't really count), and Belgium and France. Went to the BVI, Turks and Caicos, Mexico, and St. Thomas (still technically the US) in the 00's.

How many different states did you travel to in 2009?
Hmm. NY, CT, RI, MA, OR, VA, KY... maybe some others for interviews. Also went to KS, LA, IL, OH, TX during the 00's.

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2009?
My grandfather. Also lost my aunt in '07.

What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2009?
Oh man I have to pick one?

What was your favorite song in 2009?
Discovered the National this decade, and they're still at the top of the heap.

What was your favorite album in 2009?
Mixes from friends :)

What was your most exciting moment of 2009/the decade?
Hmm... a few graduations, a few wedding toasts, and a few heart-skipping first dates.

What was your proudest moment of 2009?
Finishing residency.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009?
Nothing too terrible...

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009/the decade and change something, what would it be?
I would not have tolerated cheating as long as I did.

What are your plans for 2010?
Finish fellowship
Get a job
See where life takes me and my boy. :)

So... Christmas is over.
Always kind of a letdown.
So much buildup, and then.... back to winter.
But, I had a lovely lovely christmas, and I hope you all did too.
And, am going to start planning a vacation for Feb, so I have something to look forward to.

Here's a xmas picture dump, and some more adorable baby pix.


Love this guy. :)
(taken when we went to Foxwoods to see the Bodies Revealed exhibit).


Cloves stuck in oranges make delicious decorations/air fresheners.


Christmas Eve bedtime story. (not pictured, ridiculously cute baby bathrobe).


Present #1 - her own little chair


It was a big hit.


Trying to sit in the big girl chair.


So, my brother wrangled this present for her in a rare display of tough-guy. He had taken his car in, only to have it break down again half an hour after picking it up. When he took it back in, they said they wanted to make it right. So he pointed at the toy MINI in the showroom and said "how about one of those for my niece?". And it worked.


She's a natural.


LOVE!

I just stumbled across this recipe, and OMG it is SOOOO GOOD!

AND, soooo super easy.
And, not very bad for you.

Sorry i don't have a pic, but they spread out super thin and crispy.

Go make some! Right now!

Lace Cookies    

4 Tbsp light butter, melted
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup uncooked quick oats
1/4 cup almonds, toasted and chopped
1 Tbsp orange zest

Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F. Cover three baking sheets with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. *don't skip this step. They WILL STICK to a cookie sheet, even if you grease it. use parchment, or even better, a "Sil-Pat" baking sheet.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Drop 1/2 teaspoons [seriously. just a tiny little bit.] of dough 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Bake until flattened and golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Cool completely on wire racks; carefully remove cookies from paper. Yields 1 cookie per serving.

This is probably the earliest I have ever been ready for christmas. Feels so great to not have to rush around like crazy.
My last present should arrive today, then I can wrap it.
Only thing left to do is bake some cookies this weekend.
And, bonus for the fact that I didn't set foot in a mall.

Ok, WTF.

I have a question.

Do people in shitty neighborhoods not drink skim milk or something?

I work at a hospital.
Hospitals are very often in a shitty part of town.
I also live "downtown".
Most people shudder when I say that.
However, I live in 'the nice part' of downtown, where there are nice shops and restaurants and stuff.
However, there is no decent grocery store.
So, grocery shopping has become a big event.
So, if I only need a couple things, I don't feel like fighting traffic on the highway to go to the suburbs.

So, I sometimes stop at the gas station/mini-mart on the corner right by the hospital on the way home.

I did this a while ago. I got gas, and I ran in to get milk.
And they didn't have any skim milk. Not like they are out of it- like they don't even CARRY it.
Not only that, but all the milk they DID have had an expiration date in about 3 days. And, was super-expensive.

Today I went back b/c I needed gas, and was going to buy some cereal if they had cheerios.

First of all, the gas was super expensive. And 10c more per gallon to use a credit card. And, premium was 50c more per gallon. I thought the gas grades were usually 10c apart? like 2.79/2.89/2.99. Nope, not at the ghetto-mart. it was 2.76/3.09/3.19. plus 10 if you don't pay cash.

But second of all, I realized there were no price tags on ANYTHING.
So, I didn't buy anything.

But I asked the guy at the register "Um... is there any way to know how much things cost? I don't see price tags anywhere."

And he responded, I think seriously:

"It doesn't matter. This is Hartford. People can't [maybe he said don't] read."

SERIOUSLY?

I'm a little dumbfounded.