First Days of Vacation.

In my first two days of vacation I've continued to clean out my office, cooked some at home, had lunch out, saw a movie {finally!} and taken on some dog sitting. 
And I forgot to turn off my alarm clock - something that's changing tonight, that's for sure.
Happy Days.
xoxo, natty ♥

Wiggles.

xoxo, natty ♥

Laser show.

Today I wrapped up six years of teaching. Even though we're leaving {woe!} and I'm sad about it this is still an accomplishment and I'm proud. It was a long but fast six years and I learned SO much from my coworkers and students and I'm eternally grateful. It was great. It was A Laser Show.

And I voted.

It was a big day for me.
xoxo, natty ♥

Long days.

I am just about finished with the 2011-2012 school year. Maybe I'll do a bit of a recap later this week but for now, I'm going to stick with no more or less than five happy thoughts swirling around in my head. Editor's note : she added on more than five.

Ready for summer!

1} It's JUNE! We all know how I feel about this month {click HERE for a reminder}.

A room with a view.

2} Even though it's June it rained today. I actually liked it, though, because I had my windows open {while I graded} and it smelled lovely. The lighting was very glowy as well.
3} I've blogged every day for a little over a year now; woot to me!
4} My husband has to take some online math classes through his graduate program and I think it's kind of funny that he has homework. He has to watch videos of the dean of his program who's the teacher of these math classes and I noticed tonight just how soothing this guy's voice is and that I actually really like listening to someone talk about rational numbers and polynomials. Maybe it's because he sounds like a grandpa. A grandpa who loves math and explains it really nicely.
5} I don't have to take math classes - online or otherwise. No offense to my math coworkers.
Bonus #6} Mad Men last night was excellent; are you a fan?I also really liked Girls from last night, though I get that not every one's a fan and I understand that.
Bonus #7} we visited the Greek Festival on Friday night. My Colombian mother had some Colombian friends in town and we all went.

They enjoyed the food and the dancing as we did as well.
Bonus #8/Confession #1} my diet today, after breakfast, consisted of cheddar flavored almond crackers, steamed broccoli from dinner last night and left over smoked brisket from my cousin's party on Saturday. With four Oreos to wash it all down. 


What's great about your week? Are you enjoying warmer weather where you're at? It should get sunny later this week after today's showers and I'm looking forward to the prospect of hanging out during the day.
xoxo, natty ♥

Thar she grades.

And the piles finally start to dwindle. But only just barely. I took an hour break for Mad Men and dinner and plan on continuing through tomorrow.
Wish me luck!

How investing in really good knives can enhance your kitchen experience.

I'm about to head to our school's graduation but spent the morning getting some things {sangria & salsa} ready for my cousin's celebration this afternoon {his big day was last week, remember?}. I got the sangria all ready and the fruit and wine are now gettin' it on in the fridge.

Preparing.

Ready to sit for a bit!

Ignore the poor lighting and crust in my freezer; I have three of these bad boys {OJ, strawberries & lime slices} turning into pretty ice "rounds" to float about in the sangria.

I have salsa ingredients doing the same thing and then I just need to blend the heck outta them when I get home from the ceremony.
But, in the process, I did this.

It totally doesn't even hurt me which is kind of weird. I'm expecting a big sting the next time I wash my hands. Which will be soon, actually, since I chopped up a jalapeño and I still need to put in my contact lenses; ouch!!!
Happy day today to all graduates!!
xoxo, natty ♥

A month in pictures; May 2012.

1. Hard at work...at home. 2. Lovey dovey doggey. 3. Tunnel of love green. 4. Green drink. 5. Strawbabies. 6. Brekie. 7. Yes! 8. Groceries. 9. Rancho San Antonio. 10. Poppy. 11. Crepe. 12. Happy Graduation Eddie!. 13. Wish! {Becs, I totally stole this from your blog. Sorry for being a stalker.} 14. Skyline. 15. Blue Passion Flower {thanks Lauren!}. 16. A rose among many scraggly plants. 17. Joe Cool. 18. I ♥ my homeroom. 19. Reunite! 20. Whaddya looking at?! 21. It's a mini-limo. 22. Loving Kenny Chesney. 23. I ♥ my students. 24. Medieval times. 25. The happiest place on earth! 26. Congratulations graduates! 27. A dog and a couch. 28. Slippies. 29. Clean. 30. Drying. 31. Nails.

xoxo, natty ♥

My turn at color blocking and trays I'm lusting over.

My nails are color blocked.

There really are two different colors going on up there, the lighting just doesn't show it that well. This is as about as avant-garde as I get, fashion wise; nail choices that have already been done. Oh well, it makes me happy.

It is true, in case you were curious, that I have posted two practically identical pictures. I have an iphone and it has a feature that will take two versions of the same picture; different exposure, brighter colors, etc.. I just like how it's the same thing but looks quite a bit varied.
Anyway.

I've been eying these two trays at Target for, like, three months. I think the colors are fabulous and I am so utterly WOOED by the striations of hues in item #2; these would most definitely brighten my life daily.  
But.
I refuse to buy either. Though I'd love to have both laying around, I have two reasons and they are 1} we're moving very soon {tomorrow I can say "next month"} and the fewer things we own, the better. This is especially so since our new place will probably be smaller than where we live now...and 2} we don't entertain enough! One day we'll be more exciting people who have busy social schedules and we can put out cute little high and low ball glasses on these types of trays but as of now, it's my mom every once an a while and each other and that's about it as far as that goes. At least I have pictures to remind me of how CUTE these things are.
It's almost Friday and the Greek Festival! Go get free tickets HERE and then spend your ticket money on delicious, delicious food.
Opa!
xoxo, natty ♥

Ouch!

xoxo, natty ♥

California on my mind.

After waxing poetic on what I might miss about California after we move I mulled over a few other things today. In no particular order :

• The San Francisco Zoo; as a youngster I spent many very happy hours in its walls with my dad. He took me to tons of museums and parks when it was just us two and these memories are priceless to me. I haven't been in a few years and I think he and I will make a trek before Mike's and my BIG trek.
• Vineyards; it's not like I got out to do much wine tasting in the years since I came of age {seven, in case you're trying to do the math} but I like knowing that I can. Isn't that always the case with what we take for granted?
• San Francisco; this city is kind of on my list. It's beautiful and cosmopolitan for sure. I like to run along the bay because the people watching is supreme. But. It's also frigid most of the year and I never feel cool {no pun intended} enough to be there. Now I've said it and I don't mean to offend anyone and we don't ever need to mention it again.
• Palm trees; these dudes aren't native to California, actually, but they're everywhere and a palm tree in the skyline means you're in the Golden State.
• Death Valley; I've not emoted about my favorite national park but that's just because I haven't gone there in the lifetime of this blog. I love this place. As you know, I adore the desert, and Death Valley holds much barren charm. And history which I love {especially when it's pioneeral}. I doubt we'll make it there before we leave so I'll have to plan a future trip.

I'll keep you updated as my list grows. How's your Tuesday? Mine was fairly uneventful but I've been feeling tired nonetheless. That can only mean one thing; early bedtime!!
¡Hasta mañana!
 xoxo, natty ♥

Memory.

A hearty thank you to our veterans. Then, now, and in years to come.
Today was a lovely and low-key day. We checked out a U-Haul option for our move and visited with family. The male inhabitants of our apartment made naps a priority and I even got in a bit of running and some laundry. It sounds mundane but, y'all, these days recharge me.
In other news, let us think about the week ahead.

Who wears mouse ears?!?!

1} Since classes are over {shed a tear; I totally love my classes} I have time to grade this week. And there is a loooooot that needs to be done.
2} Maybe I'll get in some more miles this week? I'm being very cautious about my running but, at the same time, loving every minute pounding {not-too-strenuously!} the pavement.
3} Perhaps Guinness will get some longer walks? The poor thing certainly would enjoy it after a busy school year of lightening fast constitutionals.
4} We're getting more and more planning {& visualizing} done towards getting to D.C. in July; this is scary but really exciting folks!
5} A retrospective; I got to go to Disneyland last week which kind of kicked off my Leaving California Extravaganza. There are a handful of things I have on my informal list. It's not as though I'm leaving forever but, well, I am leaving and there are tons of things I love about this great state and our Bay Area. A taste of my interests :

• Disneyland; check!
• In-N-Out Burger; I don't often go here. I can't really remember the last time, actually, {possibly last summer as a second dinner} but I live comfortably knowing I can snag an easy dinner if I want to. Not for much longer.
• Tacos; I'm talking about little tortillas, {GOOD and grilled} meat, some chopped white onion, cilantro and lime. Times that by ten and I'm a happy girl. I'm not sure what the Mexican food situation will be in our new home but it's a ways further from our south of the border neighbor than California is and I'm fearing a lack of taquerías.
• Beaches; I try to get in at least one random day. It's only half an hour away and I don't take advantage of our location nearly as much as I could.
• Lake Tahoe; I skipped last summer's trip in lieu of preparing for our wedding and it was a good choice but I'm afraid I won't get a chance to this year since we're leaving somewhat soon.
• California; I've heard that things are different on the east coast. And I think that we're pretty laid back {soccer shorts and jeans are totally appropriate for dinner out} and that said way of living isn't the norm where we're going. We'll find out!

How did you celebrate the holiday weekend? Do you have family or friends who have served our military? Please thank them! And happy week to you!
xoxo, natty ♥

Connection issues.

I'm experiencing trouble connecting my little camera phone to my little computer and it's frustrating. I'd like to be able to upload my most recent pictures and prattle a bit about going to Disneyland for 14 hours straight but I suppose it can be summed up for you: I slept a lot yesterday after I got back.
But, before I could rest, we went to support my cousin. His graduation was a blur for me but we cheered loudly for him.
Today we went to a graduation party for one of my hubby's students and then lolled about planning how to move the 2,800-to-2,900-miles-depending-on-our-route across the country; that's a big move y'all! And an expensive one we're coming to learn. We'll surely figure it out, though.
Are you enjoying your Memorial Day weekend? Think a good thought for a veteran and/or service person tomorrow.
xoxo, natty ♥

Woooooooot!

Happy Graduation to my dear cousin John!!!

He's on the right, putting up with Mike's antics.

May upstate New York never be the some upon your arrival in late August.

He's the one in red pants.

We are SO proud of you and love you!
xoxo, natty ♥

The Magic Kingdom.

I'm in Anaheim.
We drove down on a bus yesterday.
We ate dinner at the Medieval Times last night.
Can you guess what I'm doing? That's right. I'm chaperoning.
Wish me luck!
xoxo, natty ♥

Obama-Rama.

Mr. President was in our fair town yesterday!

We've made it to the big time, San Jose, we.have.made.it.
xoxo, natty ♥

Most Excellent & Sad at the same time.

 xoxo, natty ♥

Sad Mac.

There's an old Sarah Jessica Parker TV show {I'm guessing you can guess correctly as to which one} episode in which her Apple computer suffers a break/melt down {"My Motherboard, My Self" in case you're curious}. Without further indemnifying myself with SATC quotes {at least I'm somewhat owning my fandom} the one thing from that particular episode I'm referencing here is a quote from her boyfriend that in and of itself refers to the pathetic little face older Mac computers used to make when they went kaput. Get it? A sad mac!
Today, I was a sad mac. Or a sad Nat. Whatever I am, it was a bummer of a day for me since I had to say adiós to two of my classes as well as my wonderful homeroom. I'll see the kiddos around school for sure between now and graduation but it's still a bummer-rama; I have great students and a great school and I'm not coming back to them.
But. We have new adventures ahead of us, that keeps me going. That and Indian food. And stomping renditions of the Alma Mater.

Good night folks =)
xoxo, natty ♥
PS
Many thanks to the reader who let me know that the flower I posted last week {check it out HERE} is a Blue Passion Flower {Passiflora Caerulea, to be precise}; 

it sounds so exotic for little 'ole San Jose!

Yo-Gaaaah.

May is progressing quite rapidly, wouldn't you agree? The days are lengthening and as any teacher this time of year I'm spending a great deal of those sunny hours indoors wrapping up a fruitful {I hope!} year. A quintuplet of lovely thoughts for today. This short video, by the way is what our dachshund does after he gets a bath. Ignore my freaky alien voice in the background. And it makes my heart sing along with some happy thoughts for the day and week ahead.

1} I made it to Yoga; Hallelujah! I veered off course and tried an actual yoga studio that opened up near where we live instead of my tried and apparently not-so-true YMCA and folks, I am a changed woman. 

I used to love the cute red head who led Monday night yoga classes at my YMCA but she recently left and I haven't much felt the woman who took her place. Like, not at all. 

After this evening's class, though, I think that everything else I had done was just simple and prolonged stretching. This girl had us going good and fast but also included lots of time in specific poses which I love. 

It may be that tonight's class was a specific type of yoga that is more active and that her other classes are more similar to what I'm used to but, really, I think that Lisa at the Y was just appealing to the, ahem, older crowd in her classes. Which was great and I LOVED it because I zoned out and relaxed. But, honestly, this felt more up to my speed. I'm no yogi {bear; HA!} but I do like to do more than Sit and Be Fit and this class was exactly that. 

Mind you {and me}, I'll be sore tomorrow, there were a lot of outstretched arms and lunging after all. But this is good, This is what my bod {yeah, I just said that} has been craving. Too bad we're leaving soon. Do y'all suppose I can find something similar in the District of Colombia? 

By the way, it's actually a climbing gym but they offer exercise machines, spinning, and yoga classes. I would have ridden my bike {I walked} but Mike's wheels got stolen a while back {another night, another post} and they had our lock wrapped around them {not secured to anything, obviously}.

2} I also ran a bit today. I'm being very quiet about this so I shall say No More.

3} No more early Mondays as a teacher...for now. This is actually pretty Sad to me because I like my job so I won't go on. Actually, this doesn't even belong here.

3 second try} We crock-potted tonight; is anything more glorious?

4} Indian Food, that's more glorious. And it's on tomorrow's agenda!

5} I teach great kiddos. This is a Fabulous thing to be able to say and I am so blessed.

What's good in your neck of the woods today and this week Reader? Do you have any exciting Memorial Day plans? Did you catch the lunar activity last night? Are you following the NBA playoffs? Does it strike you odd that no other country in the world has at least three major sports {I'm thinking baseball, basketball and football [grid iron style, not the real football]} that are massively popular {I'm not even counting hockey, apologies there}? I certainly do.
Happy Late Monday to you!

xoxo, natty ♥

Living.

Ooooooph. I apologize, Dear Reader, for yesterday's lack of anything substantial. The day just totally got away from me but I did still want to get in a little something. Anyway.
I cleaned all day yesterday. This little apartment of ours hadn't fully been cleared out this way in quite a while which wouldn't have been an issue but I had some lovely friends over before we headed to our reunion celebration and I didn't want to subject them to dog hair and dust.
Y'all, it feels so dang GOOD to have a clean space. Clutter happens fast in our home and can be hard to keep up with. Maybe for our last six weeks we can make it happen; is it a deal Mike? Deal!
On the topic of places to lay my head I've always been a huge fan of old homes and I still am. Growing up in a Victorian house as well as a home from the 1920s helped me to appreciate the little details; built in features {bookshelves, cabinets, phone nooks, etc.} and hardwood floors truly make my heart sing. As do old window cranks, pocket doors, and thick wavy glass windows. 
I've lived in several newer apartment complexes, though, and those aren't too shabby either. Our current place is super great for a variety of reasons {one of which is our very own washer/dryer} and I really dig living here.
Thinking about our upcoming move, though, has me pondering the new living situation that we'll encounter. My guess, knowing what I do about the D.C. area, is that we'll be in an older building and, surprise surprise, I'm really looking forward it. 
I'm also thrilled about having a fabulous public transportation system {my apologies VTA, you do have some very nice qualities but D.C. metro totally owns you} and SO much history going on around us. I'm assuming we'll either have common laundry facilities in our building or need to utilize a laundromat {or wash/dry service when feeling lazy} which will be a new but also exciting experience. 
I'm the product of a primarily suburban existence; D.C. isn't New York City but it sure does have more tall buildings than San Jose, CA., and this is also something that, despite loving my school and students and family, kind of has me swooning. I just wish I could make the commute to my current job. Five hours each way wouldn't be too bad?
There's not much of a point to this evening's post rather I'm just ruminating a large life change. That's all!
And I did have a great time last night - it was lovely to see old classmates and hear of the great work they're all doing. I popped into Prom to pay my respects which was the perfect end to my evening.
Oh; are you able to see the eclipse tonight? I'm going to rush out and see if I can before I head to bed.
Have a great start to your work week!
Oh. Man. One more thing. Tomorrow is my last Monday. That's really blowing my mind.
xoxo, natty ♥

Reunite!

Lovely day & night!