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April 30, 2007

April 30, 2007


April 30, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
I know it doesn't look particularly appetizing in its current incarnation as leftovers, but believe me, if I had to do that thing where you choose only one meal to eat every day for the rest of your life? This'd be mine. Paneer korma with garlic naan. I'm not sure I could ever get tired of it. ♥

Posted by kate at 07:04 PM | | Comments (0)

April 29, 2007

April 29, 2007


April 29, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
I've always been a bit of a saver. I started tossing coins and occasionally dollar bills (mostly the ones my great-aunt sends me in holiday cards) into my little piggy bank here. It's not a big pig, but it's now got a very full belly. Because he's such a little guy, I didn't expect there to be a dime over $50. Turns out I have $72.42! Not so much going to make me the latest billionaire next door, but hey, for pocket change? Not bad.

Posted by kate at 03:32 PM | | Comments (0)

April 28, 2007


April 28, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Tonight was the annual Casino Night fundraiser at my friend's daughter's school. It was Pirates of the Caribbean themed, which you can't tell from the picture, but it was cute. The event was enjoyable. I played roulette for quite a while and was actually doing pretty well. If only it'd been real money! I also played a bit of blackjack, and didn't do too poorly at that, either. VEGAS, BABY, HERE I COME! I ended up winning a $50 Costco gift card in the raffle, which will come in handy.

Posted by kate at 12:44 AM | | Comments (0)

April 28, 2007

April 27, 2007


April 27, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Last night was R's karaoke birthday bash. It was at a nifty little karaoke place in Koreatown that has individual rooms for each group. While I didn't take the microphone myself, I sang along with the crowd plenty. There was Journey and Wham! and Nsync and Gloria Gaynor and Aerosmith and many, many more.

This picture is of R singing "Brand New Key" by Melanie (the only song he agreed to take the mic for). Note the look of horror on C's face there. Hands down, the most entertaining three minutes of the night! I got too little sleep and still have a headache, but it was worth it just to see R sing that ridiculous song in a princess birthday hat.

Posted by kate at 07:16 AM | | Comments (0)

April 26, 2007

April 26, 2007


April 26, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Mom suggested I take pictures of things and have y'all guess what they are. Do you know what this is?

. . .

I'm going to tell you, anyway. :)

This is my baby blanket. It was loved to death, quite literally. It was washed about three dozen times too many. I carried it with me absolutely everywhere, held it in my hand, pressed against my face as I sucked my thumb. All that's left are the "crusts" and a ball of knotted, shredded pieces of the blanket itself.

It still smells like home.

Posted by kate at 07:06 PM | | Comments (0)

April 25, 2007

April 25, 2007


April 25, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
My pictures are getting more exciting by the day now, huh? This is where you give me suggestions of things to photograph. I could (clearly) really use the help. ;)

I bought these little buckets last Fourth of July. I filled them with candy and stickers and little American flags and gave them to each of the employees. I remember being really torn over it, wondering if I shouldn't just put them out with candy for customers, because most of my staff were ungrateful, spoiled little bitches who (thankfully) only lasted until the end of that month. In the end, I thought I'd make an effort at kindness and gave them to the staff. Anyway. A few of the buckets are still floating around the office, filled with pens, mostly. I'm glad the brats left their buckets, because I think they're cute!

Posted by kate at 07:07 PM | | Comments (0)

April 24, 2007

April 24, 2007


April 24, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
So, Messy Bessie over here was the designated artist for purposes of poster drawing in Business Banking class today. We kept having to explain things "using pictures only--no words!" and I apparently have the coordination of a six-year-old when it comes to using markers. This is after at least three good scrubbings with soap and water. Water colors! Pshaw!

The trainer running class is from Nebraska and always jokes with me about the Midwest and the differences between there and here. He was laughing about how, in the Midwest, 99% of small talk revolves around the weather. (It's that whole if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes! thing.) And it's SO TRUE! I remember joking when I was moving here that my opener with clients was going to be, "So how about the weather? Sunny and 75 again!"

Posted by kate at 05:23 PM | | Comments (0)

April 23, 2007

April 23, 2007


April 23, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
My other pair of new shoes! Not... that you can really see them in the picture. These are seriously the most comfortable things I've ever put my feet into.

I had a training class today in Glendale and was home by 4:15. LOVE IT! So I just grabbed my book and sat outside to read for a while. It was pretty much the perfect afternoon for it. Breezy, warm but not hot, sunny. The sky is always bluest the day after rain. Lovely!

Posted by kate at 06:03 PM | | Comments (0)

April 22, 2007

April 22, 2007


April 22, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Thank you, Tax Return I Have Yet to Actually Receive! In the last week, I have shopped like it's going out of style. But I've used gift cards and hit really great sales, so it's not about how much I've spent, but about how much I've saved. Yes.

These shoes were too cute to pass up, and they'll be adorable with any of my three red purses. *g* (We won't mention the fact I was on a mission to buy a pair of black casual shoes, which I did not accomplish, and thus will have to go shopping again in the near future.)

Posted by kate at 06:31 PM | | Comments (0)

April 21, 2007


April 21, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
It was a gorgeous Saturday, so Gen and I went out for a late-ish lunch. It wasn't until we were in line at the counter that we realized it was 4:45 and almost dinnertime. Boy, how time flies! Delicious meal just the same: potato ball sandwich, banana chips, pina colada smoothie, and a fruit tart. Can't go to Porto's and not have a fruit tart!

After lunner (dinch?), we ran some errands, and then met up with Caitlin to see In the Land of Women. Not... my favorite movie of the year. To redeem myself in my choice of movies, I suggested we go see Blades of Glory next, which was still good the second time.

Posted by kate at 12:43 PM | | Comments (0)

April 20, 2007

April 20, 2007


April 20, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
I heard this morning that this is shaping up to be the driest year in recorded history. Today, though? Rain! Glorious rain! I stepped outside at lunch during a brief break in the storm when the sun was doing its level best to make an appearance. See all the clouds heavy with rain yet to come? Lovely! I love rain! I MISS THUNDERSTORMS! Why are there no thunderstorms in California? Don't the angels like to bowl over Los Angeles? It is to weep.

Speaking of bowling (or not), I'd like to go. I'd say it's been a while, but it was only a few months ago that I last went bowling. Hmm. Anyway, bowling's fun.

Posted by kate at 07:44 PM | | Comments (0)

April 19, 2007

April 19, 2007


April 19, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
This is the freight train of DOOM. I got caught by it not once today, but twice. On the way to work and on the way home. I got lucky going to work, and only caught the tail end. Home? Ten minutes, no joke. Bah.

Posted by kate at 10:53 PM | | Comments (0)

April 18, 2007

April 18, 2007


April 18, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
California has such diverse greenery. I'm not sure this is the best example of all the cool and crazy plants, but I like the different types here. I wish I knew more about plant life so I could name all these things, but pretty much all I've got is: palm trees, evergreen-type trees, "regular" (Midwestern-type) trees, and privacy-wall bushes. *nods* I'm a real expert, as you can tell!

It was WINDY today. Crazy-windy. I think I caught the picture in a calm moment, because when I was driving home, all the palm trees lining Ventura Blvd. were bowing over. I could barely see walking back to my car as my hair was whipping all around my face. I'm pretty glad I wasn't wearing a skirt. I'm usually the genius who ends up in skirts on the windiest days, so I was lucky this morning. Hee.

Posted by kate at 09:51 PM | | Comments (0)

April 17, 2007


April 17, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
This is the closest I've come to forgetting to take a picture. It was 11:30, the Game Night crew had just left, and I was getting ready for bed before I remembered. I proceeded to wander around the apartment, camera in hand, for fifteen minutes before settling on one of Gen's many bookshelves.

She has a LOT of books. I think half her boxes moving here were filled with books. Each of these shelves is two rows deep! I'd love to have so many books. As it is, I have a whole stack of books I bought and haven't yet read.

Posted by kate at 09:42 PM | | Comments (0)

April 16, 2007

April 16, 2007


April 16, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
S had some gift cards to spend yesterday, so I went with. More than a year after receiving a necklace for my 25th birthday, I finally bought myself a longer chain to go with it. The one it came with felt too short to me, so I've been wearing it on an "unofficial" chain ever since. Now I am the proud owner of a real Tiffany's chain! *laugh*

Every girl should own at least ONE thing from Tiffany's, don't you think?

Posted by kate at 07:10 PM | | Comments (0)

April 15, 2007

April 15, 2007


April 15, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
My friend S, her daughter, daughter's sister, and I went mini golfing today. It had been years since I'd last gone mini golfing, so it was a lot of fun! The course was crowded, despite the threat (and later, delivery) of rain.

I didn't know it when I took the picture, but this hole proved to be the most entertaining on the course. While waiting for the group before us to finish, about three groups piled up behind us, giving us QUITE an audience for the embarrassment and laugh-fest this seemingly simple hole turned out to be. There was a little boy about four years old in the party right behind us, and when S, after about eight tries, finally got her ball up into the house (it kept rolling back!), the little boy said in his tiny munchkin voice, "FINALLY!" It was pretty funny.

We got rained on. I got a hole-in-one. So did Little A, which she was adorably excited about. All in all, a good time.

Posted by kate at 04:45 PM | | Comments (0)

April 14, 2007


April 14, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Today was a productive, if a little boring, day. Therefore, you get a picture of my lunch: the best sandwich ever (as discovered by Aarti). Avocado, cream cheese, and tomato on dark rye, with just a shake of salt for kick. It's possibly the only time you'll ever see me eating a tomato voluntarily. I don't eat this often, since it's a treat to buy an avocado, but boy is it delicious! I do need to learn how to make food more aesthetically pleasing if I'm going to be taking pictures of it...

So, today. I worked, then did my taxes and cleaned. The cleaning was kind of a byproduct of the taxes, as the search for my 2005 returns resulted in a two-hour organization of my file box. And then I was motivated, so I kept right on cleaning.

My life is so exciting!

Posted by kate at 01:22 AM | | Comments (0)

April 13, 2007

April 13, 2007


April 13, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
There is so much candy in this house it's ridiculous! We have candy coming out our ears. I wouldn't be surprised if we dreamed candy-filled dreams. We're practically Willy Wonka.

And note: there is not only a metric ton of Easter candy, but Valentine's candy and Christmas candy to boot. We'll be eating candy straight through to Halloween, I think.

All that, though, and not one single Cadbury egg. It's a shame.

Posted by kate at 08:25 PM | | Comments (0)

April 12, 2007

April 12, 2007


April 12, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Tonight, we went to see Wicked at the Pantages. LOVE that show. It was wonderful, as expected. There was so much I'd forgotten since the last time I saw it! Glinda was kind of on crack, but in a good way, mostly. Everyone was pretty much fabulous. Yay, Wicked!

And now, I fall asleep.

Posted by kate at 11:35 PM | | Comments (0)

April 11, 2007

April 11, 2007


April 11, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
My passport arrived in the mail today from Mom. I'm astonished that it's still good. I was 17 when I got it! Inside is a picture of wee!me. Actually, I don't look all that different. Just shorter hair. *laugh* Kinda scary. Apparently seventeen is considered an adult for purposes of 10-year passports, which is nice and allows me to put off renewing until sometime in 2008. This is in preparation for a small handful of places I intend on visiting this year that necessitate a passport. Do they still stamp them when you arrive someplace?

Posted by kate at 08:12 PM | | Comments (0)

April 10, 2007


April 10, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
This is a balloon Pluto Gen and friends were given at Disneyland. Cute, eh? The level of detail is very impressive! Kind of reminds me of that scene in Wedding Crashers. Lol.

Posted by kate at 08:06 PM | | Comments (0)

April 10, 2007

April 9, 2007


April 9, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
So, Disneyland! Went with my friend S, her daughter A, and Gen's friend Jessie (Gen had to work--sad!). It was a little crowded what with spring break and all, but still good. I got me a season pass (yay!), which I think I will get good use out of.

So, the rundown: we started at Disneyland with Matterhorn, Small World, and Autopia. Then to California Adventure where we went on Flick's something-or-other spinny thing in food boxes, and buggy bumper cars! Love me some bumper cars. California Screamin', then to the Animation area where we did Turtle Talk with Crush and learned to draw JIMINY CRICKET! So cute! Tower of Terror, Monsters Inc., Soarin' Over California, and then back across to Disneyland for Space Mountain where Crystal popped in to ride with us (somuchfun!). Then we hit up Indiana Jones before taking off for the night. Also? We ate everything. Everything. Ice cream, chocolate covered strawberries... Mmm, Disney snacks. Eleven hours of Disney, sounds good to me!

Everyone loves those awesome roller coaster pictures, right? Just for the record, I'm a screamer. Witness the huge dork below in the "extended entry" section.


Bonus: 4/9/07
Originally uploaded by kayay.
This is like Where’s Waldo on Tower of Terror! Can you spot me?



Bonus: 4/9/07
Originally uploaded by kayay.
On Space Mountain. No, I’m not riding in a row alone. That’s Crystal ducking. She was on the clock. Lol. Thanks for everything, by the way!


Bonus: 4/9/07
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Riding California Screamin’. You can barely see Little A, she’s so, well, little! Hee!

Posted by kate at 11:30 PM | | Comments (0)

April 08, 2007

April 8, 2007


April 8, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Gen, her friend Jessie, and I colored Easter eggs today. The dye we had was somewhat defective, in that it... totally didn't stick to the eggs! We ended up dropping food coloring in, but it still did not result in the usual egg-dying creativity experience. Hence, the markers. We each had only four eggs, so the pressure was on to make each egg count. Ha! I love coloring eggs. I think I have more color on my hands than your average six-year-old would, but that's okay. We had fun.


Honorable Mention: 4/8/07
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Aaaaand.... the results! I think we all did a pretty darn good job myself. Such fun.

Posted by kate at 03:46 PM | | Comments (0)

April 7, 2007


April 7, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Megan asked for a picture of the gas prices. It would have been more dramatic, I think, if I'd gone to a *regular* gas station for the picture, but I just took it when I got gas. This station is always at least 10 cents cheaper than most others. Most of them seem to be $3.29, and the insane, next-to-the-freeway ones are even more; I didn't bother to check how much. Someday, I'll look at this picture and think, "Wow, remember when regular was only $3.18? Those were the good old days!" That, or, "Remember when we used gasoline?" Either one.

Went to see Blades of Glory at the Arclight Dome. I'd never been to the Dome before. It was fun! And the movie was pretty darn funny, I thought. It was The Cutting Edge, ridiculified. Quite enjoyable.

Posted by kate at 09:42 AM | | Comments (0)

April 06, 2007

April 6, 2007


April 6, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Crazy day at work today. Crazy week! I don't know what was up, but every day was nuttier than the one before! I sure hope next week's quieter. So much catching up to do. So much.

After work, I met S for dinner at Woodranch. I am SO FULL OF FOOD, even now. Then we went to see 300, which was really quite good. I'm not usually one for blood and guts and gore, but I loved how it looked and just, it worked. It was good.

The street out of the theatre is lined with these sparkly palm trees. I think they're kind of fun, if in an only in California way. There are a whole bunch of 'em, but I was stopped waiting to turn out of the parking lot, so this picture is the result.

Posted by kate at 11:17 PM | | Comments (0)

April 05, 2007

April 5, 2007


April 5, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
It just occurred to me that tomorrow is the last weekday before Easter. I bought these Easter buckets and candy for my employees weeks ago, and it's all just been sitting in bags in the bottom of my closet, waiting to be assembled.

Look at those little eggs! They're jellybean-filled frogs and chicks and carrots. Hee! I still have lots of jellybeans left over, which I've been sampling all evening. OMG, so full of jellbeans!

Posted by kate at 08:10 PM | | Comments (0)

April 04, 2007

April 4, 2007


April 4, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Let's just say it was a loooooooong day. No, I didn't drink that entire bottle alone. Yes, I did finish it off.

And yes, I buy wine based purely on the name. This time, it worked out well. Stuff's good. In the kinda wimpy, fruity, girly way I like it. *g*

Posted by kate at 11:56 PM | | Comments (0)

April 3, 2007


April 3, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
From the SuperGeek Files, I bring you a blurry picture of the Headless Peep, or Killin' Some Sh*t (TM Ryan). Your choice.

Posted by kate at 11:51 PM | | Comments (0)

April 02, 2007

April 2, 2007


April 2, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Mmmm, chocolate milk! In my super-cute, gianter-than-it-looks Hershey's mug. There is no better way to drink chocolate milk!

Wouldn't it be cool if the mug was made of chocolate? You could drink your drink and then eat your mug! That actually might not work as well in practice as in theory...

Don't mind me. It's Monday.

Posted by kate at 10:10 PM | | Comments (0)

April 01, 2007

April 1, 2007


April 1, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Our newly-dressed table! I wish the colors had come out better in the picture. The tablecloth is actually green, matching the green stripes in the runner (which you also can't really tell are green in this lighting). And the candles in the sake cups are just a darker shade of the same green. It's odd how weirdly-colored it all appears!

Anyway, it looks nice in person, I promise. And it coordinates well with the living room, without matching it so completely as to be overwhelming. Although, I'd like to do a little rearranging and redecorating of the living room, too...

I've been bitten by the decorating bug!

ETA:


April 1, 2007 Take Two
Originally uploaded by kayay.
A slightly better-colored picture of the table... colors are still not as saturated as in real life, but whatever.

Posted by kate at 06:37 PM | | Comments (0)

March 31, 2007


March 31, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Good food, bad service. I seem to be a magnet for incompetent waiters and waitresses lately. Are my expectations too high? Is it too much to ask for silverware and napkins and a straw with which to stir Splenda into iced tea? Or that, when seated right away, you're not there for over an hour and a half eating just dessert? Just sundaes? Maybe they milk the cows and churn the ice cream themselves.

I did have my first banana split ever, though. And it was pretty good!

Posted by kate at 06:22 PM | | Comments (0)