Crafts & Cooking

These are two things that I think I do best. I love to do any type of crafts and I could probably create some sort of project for every holiday or occasion. Since we have moved to New York I haven't been crafting as much because of the limited work space, all my craft supplies are under the bed and there isn't a Michael's close by.  Since we now have a much larger apartment I have more room to craft. I started back up on some of my scrap-booking and this weekend I took on a furniture project. I have been looking for an old desk to revamp for our computer and all of our office junk. We have a thrift store down the street and I have stopped in a couple of times looking for a desk. Well, on Saturday I found exactly what I was looking for and it was a great price. After we paid for it we had 48 hours to pick it up. Brian was like how are we going to get this home? I said we can just carry it, we only live about 10 blocks away. I only made it 1/2 a block and needed to rest. Brian was like are you kidding me, you really need a break, we will never make it home. So he decided to try and fit it in a cab. He hailed an SVU cab but it wouldn't fit so Brian was on a mission for a mini-van cab. Finely after trying to wheel it down the street on a flat dolly and it falling off 3 times in a 20 foot distance Brian hailed a mini-van. Of course the cab did not want to put the desk in his cab but Brian talked him into it.

After the drama of getting it home my evening project was to transform it from a dingy musty desk with an ugly black & blue crackle finish to our cute little shabby chic desk while Brian watched soccer. I primed it with this great primer that can go on any surface even if it's glossy without having to sand it down first. Then I painted and scratched it up and decoupaged a pretty piece of decorative paper on top. I just wish I could do this for my job everyday, minus the transporting of the desk. 

Here I am hard at work

The finished product, I should have taken a before shot but I didn't think about it

As for cooking, this past week I have been making a lot of home cooked meals including this apple pie and I also made a homemade pizza that turned out awesome. Making pizzas are so much better than frozen ones and it's fun too. 

Brian's 2nd Year

Congratulations Brian for getting through your first year of residency. Intern year was brutal on Brian, his case of shingles due to stress and lack of sleep is a definite testament to how hard intern year of residency is. So one year down and four more to go, well make that five for one year of a fellowship who knows where. At least for the the rest of his training he will be working only on orthopedics and no more general surgery rotations. I am really proud of Brian and he does a wonderful job of being a great husband, and balancing home life with studying and working 80 hour weeks. On Wednesday night the department had a graduation dinner at a really nice country club to celebrate the end of one year and beginning of another. Time does go by fast I can't believe we have already been in New York for one year. Here's to the next four more.

Happy Father's Day!

Brian and I would just like to send our love to our dads since we could not be with them today. We both have wonderful dads who have many similar qualities. They work very hard and are successful to be able to provide for their families. The are both very down to earth, compassionate, giving, always truthful, love their wives with all their heart, and are proud dads. They like to have a good time, fish, watch sports, and have a cold beer on the couch. This may be why I love Brian so much and I know one day he will be a great dad because I see these qualities in him as well. Whenever I get off the phone with my dad I say I love you because it's important to tell the people you love that you love them whenever you have the chance. Dads we love you, and we hope you have a wonderful Father's Day.

Mom and Lindsey Visit

Last week my Mom and sister were here for a visit. The weather was really crappy. They were here for 7 days and it rained 5 days. So we did a lot of shopping. We also went to see Rock of Ages and it was totally rocking and such a great show, the music was awesome. We had tickets to Regis and Kelly and The Jimmy Fallon Show. My Mom was actually picked out of the audience for a skit on Jimmy Fallon, is was so funny. Here are a bunch of pics from the week. I am sad that they had to leave. 

Brian's Mom and Aunt Gerri also came 

for a visit and went to see the show 

In the background you can see how they have closed down Broadway to the traffic this summer and put out lawn chairs, it is really neat and a much better way to see Times Square

Regis and Kelly

A view from the Brooklyn Bridge

Dinner on Chelsea Piers

Dancing listening to an awesome band and Brian was everyones dance partner

Finally the last day was beautiful

The Boat House in Central Park

Our New Home

OK, here it is for all of you who have been asking me to post pictures of our new apartment. It's finally getting to look how I want everything. I still want to get a desk for the computer and we may paint our bedroom and one wall in the living room, but here is what it looks like for now.

We love our new home. 

This is the view from the front door

Looking back at the front door

Our palm plant that Brian named "Little Brian" this was a funny cab ride to transport him home, we don't have a dog anymore or children yet but we have plants

The view on a sunny day 

Kitchen (to the right when you walk in)

Hallway just beyond kitchen entrance

door at the end is bathroom & 1st door is our bedroom

Bathroom

Bedroom

Congratulations Lindsey!

We are so proud of Lindsey because tonight she is graduating from high school. Thank goodness no more Male High School. Brian and I really wish we could have been home for Lindsey's ceremony and party this week but we both have to work. I am super excited though that on Monday Lindsey and my Mom are coming for a week long visit. Lindsey is such a special little sister. She is so beautiful, smart, extra stylish, and very sweet. There are several years between my sister and I (7 years). This has made it hard sometimes to hang out because she often seemed to young to go out with me. But now that isn't really the case so we get to do a lot more stuff together. Of course when that happened I up and moved away, but I will be closer to her one day I know it. Next year Lindsey is going to Bellarmine University to pursue nursing. Wow! I wish I could have taken on a major like this, but anyone who knows me knows I am a wimp when it comes to anything medical. I don't even want to go have lunch or dinner with Brian at the hospital because I am afraid what might be coming around the corner, and when I had blood taken first I cried then I passed out. Not exactly the qualities to become a nurse. I know Lindsey will be great though. She sure will be the most fashionable nurse around.  We love you and are very proud of you Lindsey Lou. 

(Check out her stellar senior pics by none other than the fabulous Matt Durst Photography)

Awesome Wedding Weekend

(Warning: This is a really long post)

We had a wonderful time at Bob and Kristine's wedding this past weekend in Huntington Beach. Where do I start, we did so much in three days it's hard to decided which details to share. So we flew on Jet Blue and this was our first time on that air line.  I would recommend it to anyone because our flight was cheap, smooth, direct, 36 channel TV, and lots of leg room and snacks. Then we took a cab to the hotel/resort. The resort was amazing, through the lobby was a view of the beach and palm trees and fountains...so beautiful. Then we went to our room (the resort was so big we literally had to walk 10 minutes from the lobby to our hotel room.) The room also super nice. We got ready and walked about a mile down the beach to a place called Savannah's. Bob and Kristine were hosting a dinner here for all the out of towners. The dinner was appropriately named the "Coast-to-Coast Toast". Dinner was great but what we weren't expecting was the chilly weather especially at night. Thank goodness there was a fire pit for us to all cuddle around after dinner. There were a couple of highlights at the dinner that are worth a mention. For one we were entertained by hula dancers that could shake their bums a mile a minute and Kristine surprised Bob with a special grooms cake that had a Guinness cup on it (Bob's favorite beer) but it said "Yinness" (for Bob Yin) it was really cute and delicious. That night we were pretty exhausted due to the jet lag that had set in and we went to bed at 9:30 pm. Then in the morning we were up at 5:30 am. So we made our selves sleep in so we could last longer that night. We got up at 8:00 am but we couldn't possibly sleep any longer. 

Day 2 we wanted to relax and lay by one of the four pools or go to the beach but it wasn't in the cards because it was so overcast and cloudy. So what to do, what to do, of course go shopping. We went to this delicious little breakfast place called the Sugar Shack and then shopped down Main Street. Brian didn't mind because he found more stuff than me to buy. I did get a jacket to go with my dress since I knew it was going to be another chilly night. Once our shopping spree was over it was time to get ready for the main event. 

The wedding was in a breath taking Japanese Garden. And the ceremony was on a little bridge that went over the pond. Tears from both the bride and groom during the ceremony. I love weddings especially when Brian is with me because it always make you remember your own wedding and it brings back the lump in the throat feeling and all that mushy stuff. After the ceremony there was a 2 hour gap from when the reception was to start so we took a cat napin the room. The reception was in one of the ball rooms. This hotel had about 5 weddings going on that weekend, but more about that later. The ball room was amazing and the flower arrangements and lighting was so beautiful, but my pictures don't really do it justice because of the low lighting. First was heavy appetizers of crab claws, shrimp, lamb chops, veggies, meats, cheeses, dim sum, etc... At the bar Bob and Kristine had a yummy signature drink that we had many of, lost track at #5. On the the main event the intro of Mr. & Mrs. Bob Yin (Brian pointed out shouldn't it be Dr. & Dr. I said be quiet). They looked so happy and in love. The did dances and toasts first, then a slide show and dinner.  When it came to the toasts as a part of their Chinese culture they came around to each table with there parents and toasted each table individually. It was a very nice gesture and a great idea. Then each of their fathers shared a few words. I must say this was one of the most touching moments of the entire night. Yes we all know how proud our parents are of us but I am not sure if it was because of how certain words are lost in translation and it made what they said seem so genuine. This is hard to describe but after hearing their fathers speak I was in tears, along with many other people. Brian and I didn't realize how emotional Bob could be (lots of tears of joy). After all the traditional reception stuff it was time to party and Bob and Kristine made another grand entrance. They had slipped off and changed into traditional Chinese dress. Bob led the procession playing a gong and Kristine was being carried in a little hut off the ground. She jumped out in an all fuchsia sequined dress. Let the party begin and party we did. 

Remember how big I said the resort was and how many weddings were going on. Well on the way back to our room we were lost. After walking around for 15 minutes we ended up right back where we started, not good. So what to do when you are a little drunk and lost and start to here music? Of course wedding crash, friend of the groom, may I have a beer, oh and we will take a favor, for proof of course. The night was officially complete. Back to the room to change finally we found it. There was an after party of charades in one of the other rooms so we attended. This was probably not the wisest choice but you only live once. After the fun, more drinks, and games, we hit the sack. 

The next morning we were a bit hung over and starving but didn't want to venture far so we went to the most expensive breakfast ever at the hotel. Only $4.00 for a cup of Starbucks brewed coffee. You know it's bad when some is charging more for Startbucks than Starbucks. Oh well, we had an amazing time and we can't wait to see what's next for our wonderful friends Bob and Kristine. We know we will be friends for life.