School started

And so it begins . . .

sadly, it's only day three.

NYC trip w/Mom

Mom and I went on a nearly 3 week trip to NYC, Boston, Cape Cod, and New Hampshire in July. We had a great time and here are some highlights.

Chinatown taichi. We watched while we waited for a dumpling market to open so I could take dumplings home to Yao.

Fabulous donut shop on the lower east side

New Hampshire covered bridge

Mt. Washington Hotel main lobby

Mt. Washington New Hampshire Hotel front entrance

Summit of Mt. Washington

On our way to the top

Mt. Washington Cog Railway

Mom on a Cape Cod beach

Pilgrims landing monument in Provincetown, Cape Cod. Although there were other more exciting things to see in Provincetown.

Cape Cod bay

JFK Museum Boston, MA

Paul Revere statue on the Freedom Trail

Street dancers in Boston, MA

Great local seafood place if you have time to wait

. . . still waiting

Mom waiting for a ferry ride in Boston harbor

Back to NYC to see Jersey Boys-fabulous show

Falafel cart recommended by Greg & Rebekah

NYC public library

Skyline from Brooklyn

Time Warner Square-big statue, little peepee

Little Italy

Washington Square park

playing chess in Washington Square park

Chelsea market where Mom inhaled a chocolate cupcake

Tour of the Radio City Music Hall-that's a real rockette!

Tenement museums in the lower east side

Restaurant in Chinatown

Seinfeld diner near our apt.-don't go for the food

Subway musicians

New Homeowners!

Just after we got back from our Vegas spring break trip we moved into our new townhome. We took advantage of all the grants and got a great deal for a first house. Here are a couple pictures after we moved in and had a chance to decorate a little. The kitchen was a surprise for Yao when he came home from China.

Living room w/bookshelves

Syd in the IKEA living room

newly painted "Sea Kiss" kitchen

Spring Break in Vegas

I know Spring Break was like 4 months ago but I've been busy. Yao and I went to Vegas for 3 or 4 days and had a great time at Caesar's Palace. We only have pictures of this Chinese restaurant because that's where we spent all of our time and meals. I don't remember where I ate. Yao loved it though.

Highlights from Christmas break

Christmas 2008 was great. Yao and I stayed home which was a first I think since we've been married. Since our anniversary falls so close to Christmas and the only break I have in the year we have often gone out of town. He wanted to go to Hawaii. Hmmm, some other time I guess.
Adrienne and her family were down for the holidays. We got to see them for what felt like brief moments when you're sharing them with 7 other families. It was great to see how their little family is growing and we had tons of fun. We went to the Nutcracker in SL and Yao went to a Jazz game. Adrienne and I had our day in Park City at the outlets where we both spent a respectable amount of money. Mom sent all kinds of Chinese paraphernalia to Yao for Christmas. They will come in handy in time. Thanks everyone for a great Christmas!

Chinese culture books for little tots. Was that a hint?

Graham and Adelaide

Emilie and Adelaide. I don't like to pick favorites but she is a hoot!

Emilie, Adrienne, Adelaide, and Graham at the Nutcracker

Christmas 2008

It's finally Christmas break!! Yep, I was still in school yesterday. Don't ask me about it, I'm still bitter. Over the weekend we had our staff party. In my classroom are 13 kids and 5 aides. Jackie (my FT aide) was gracious enough to host the party and we had a great time. Plenty to eat, even for me. I made a new salad that was good but not a hit for those who don't like beets. Yao filled up on turkey and ham. We left with a gift certificate to Cafe Rio and scented oil sticks (or whatever they're called).

Roasted Beets and Parsnips with Black Olives and Oranges
Serves 4 / Vegan / Gluten-Free / 20-30 min. prep

(Vegetarian Times magazine)

4 beets, peeled and diced (3 1/2 cups)
4 parsnips, peeled and cut into matchsticks (2 cups)
1 fennel bulb, cut into bite-size wedges (3/4 cup) (I substituted Anyse bulb.)
3 Tbs. garlic-infused olive oil
8 cups baby arugula (8 oz.) (I used mixed spring greens.)
2 oranges, peeled and sectioned, each section thinly sliced
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 450F. Place beets, parsnips, and fennel in large bowl. Add 2 Tbs. oil, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and evenly scatter vegetables on baking sheet. Roast vegetables 20 minutes, turning 2 or 3 times with spatula. Increase oven temp to 500F. Roast vegetables 10 minutes more, or until tender.
2. Place arugula, orange slices, and olives in large salad bowl. Add roasted vegetables, balsamic vinegar, and remaining 1 Tbs. oil. Toss well to mix, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Saturday was out third anniversary. And Sunday we had a party with Ashley Phillips & fam and Renee Nipko & clan (6 kids but who's counting?). Yao built his first gingerbread house!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. More stories and pictures to come.

3rd wedding anniversary

December 20th is our wedding anniversary and yesterday made 3 years. We celebrated with reservations at the Melting Pot (although we were too full for dessert). Yao got a new pair of boots and I got to pick out an outfit at Anthropologie (my favorite store that I can't afford and don't have anywhere to wear the clothes). Anyway, lots of fun.