Uno, Dos, Tres, QUATRO

You know what I love about Dan? He always pushes me to be better. Work harder. Think bigger. He consistently believes in me more then I believe in myself. He has taught me the importance of confidence, standing up for what you believe in, and not caring what anybody thinks.  

Dan is a fixer, he is the one everybody goes to with their problems. He is the kind of person who once witnessed a roll over car accident, pulled over, took off his dress shirt, wrapped it around his hand to punch in the window, and pull the elderly couple out of the car. Everybody who knows Dan is not suprised by this story.  When people need help, he doesn't hesitate, he just does.  

Dan is the person you want in your corner, and I am so lucky he is in mine.  Happy Fourth Anniversary to the man who makes me better. 

2013: Week 20

Highlight of the Week: I had kind of a long week, and honestly, the thing that made me smile the most was seeing Kim Kardashian walk around like a crazy person in high heels with her feet swollen up to ten times their normal size. I know, I am a terrible person. This joy has nothing to do with Kim's swollen feet themselves (because that's not really funny, ouch!), but the fact that her dumbass feels the need to shove her feet in these shoes and hobble around like an idiot:

(Photo Credit: Karl Larsen/INFPhoto.com)

(Photo Credit: Kim Kardashian's Instagram)

 

Kim, why are you doing this to yourself?  Put on some flats for goodness sake!  This is just a terrible example for pregnant woman everywhere.  You don't need to be wearing these shoes.  Now go get a pedicure, soak your feet, and put your feet up and read a book...or whatever you do for fun. 

Lowlight of the Week:  We looked at a couple houses this week but didn't find anything we liked.  We made an appointment at one house, and once we go there and had to wait in a line to get in:

 

See all these cars? There to see the house.  Luckily, we didn't like it so we didn't have to go through the heartache of losing again (because at this point I just assume we would lose it).  Another house had bongs in it.  Like, being displayed on the mantle.  Really? You are trying to sell your house.  Put in a little effort. 

Currently Reading: I am in between three books right now, and I am having problems committing to one. 

Currently Watching: I wanted to see Promised Land in the theatre, but just never got around to it.  It was co-written by John Krasinski and Matt Damon, and is an environmental movie that is good, but not quite as powerful as you would like.  I actually thought John Krasinski was great in it, but thought Matt Damon's character was a little one dimensional.  I also wanted to learn more about fracking, and I think the movie missed an opportunity to really educate the public. 

Photos of the Week:

Dan and I went and played racquetball for the first time in ages.  It was great to get back on the court, but I seriously regressed in my skill level and lost every game.  I also royally effed up my back, and was crippled all weekend.  In other news, I am old.

 

An afternoon bubble bath in an attempt to loosen up the muscles in my back. 

 

 

People keep saying that I don't post enough picture of myself. Well here you go: me. On a Saturday night. Hooded sweatshirt and yoga pants.  Surrounded by written discovery.  Working.  Living the glamorous life. Be jealous.

 

2013: Week 19

Sometimes I think that I might be on a national geographic reality show.  One that is very Truman Show-esque in the sense that I don't know that I am on it, and the producers keep putting me in horrifying situations to see how I will react.  Case in point, THIS:

I work in a very wealthy Dallas suburb. It is so wealthy they literally banned both apartments and vending machines because they thought both made the town seem trashy.  Everything is perfectly manicured and it is basically Pleasantville, if everybody in Pleasantville lived in giant mansions.  With moats.

So basically one would think that this town would not allow snakes, but one got through.  I don't know, perhaps it left its moat, but it landed right in front of my office window and it was terrifying.

Okay, fine. Full disclosure I didn't actually see it, but one of my coworkers took this picture before it slithered back into the bushes! And I certainly worried about seeing it all day!

Highlight of the Week:  This mambo taxi at Mi Cocinas:

Lowlight of the Week: We lost house number seven.  I don't want to talk about it. 

Currently Reading: Same as last week, but I started listening to Colin Powell's book "It Worked for Me" and it is so good! Finally! A winner!

Currently Watching: I finally got Dan to watch Bridesmaids- so funny!

Source: Uploaded by user via Angela on Pinterest

PSA: We bought my Mom flowers using ProFlowers for Mother's Day.  They arrived looking like this:

Thankfully, my Mom did not send me these the picture until the next day when they had perked up a little bit because I would have lost my mind on some poor ProFlowers customer service rep.  Full disclosure, the next day they looked like this:

But seriously, how much did my Mom probably hate us on Mother's Day? Hey Mom, here's some mopey looking flowers that arrived in a box.  I doubt I will be using them again.

Photos of the Week:

Nothing breaks up a day like watching a crazy psycho killer getting what's due.  Honestly, I didn't really follow this case. It was just so obvious that she was guilty.  What's the fun in that?

 

Buy this. You are welcome.

"The Texas Sky is the biggest one I've seen"

Weekly walk at the lake.

Off roading

 

2013: Week 18

So here is the thing, I am not a patient person.  At all.  Never have been, probably never will be.  When I want something, I will work incredibly hard to get it.  Generally, the mere act of doing something to further what I want curbs the anxiety, but when I can't do anything?  That's when I start going a bit stir crazy.  And this housing thing has got me beyond stir crazy. 

 

We lost another house this week.  Its funny, because out of the, oh, six houses we have now lost this was my least favorite.  However, it was also the one I was the most sure we could get, as we bid 10k over the asking price.  So when I found out we were outbid by another couple, some little part of me just snapped.  The last three months of our lives have been consumed with house hunting.  Every single day I wake up and peruse the new listings.  If we like any, we make an appointment to go see them during our lunch break.  More Sundays then I can count have been spent looking at homes, reviewing comps, and making offers. I never expected it to be this hard or time consuming.

 

And its not really the process that has me so down, its that I feel like our life is on hold until we find something.  There are two pieces of artwork currently leaning against our wall because I don't want to hang it "since we are moving".  I have wanted a new bedroom set for a YEAR, but we are waiting "until we find a house so know what the room looks like".  Not to mention I don't want to plan vacations "in case we are closing", and am constantly trying to watch our spending for when they run the financials on the loan.  And those are just the little things.  There are some big things that are on hold until to we find the house too. 

 

So I am a bit down about it.  Right now, it feels like we are never going to find anything.  I worry that we are settling for houses we don't love because we are so worried about finding one.  I also am scared we are going to overpay because the market is so competitive. I have thought about just giving up, but I also don't want to miss the low interest rates or put my life on hold any longer.

 

But what I am going to do is take a step back.  Not obsess over it.  Not pour over listings I have looked out a thousand times.  I am going to stop getting my hopes up, and instead consciously put my energy into other things.  I am sure we will find "the house" eventually, but I am not going to force it.  Instead I am just going to have faith that the perfect house is out there for us- its just not on the market yet.

Highlight of the Week: Yoga in the park.  Its my new favorite thing.  I look forward to it every week.  Also?  Due to the amazing weather Dan and I have been spending a lot of time up at White Rock Lake.  This is my favorite time of year in Dallas, and I am enjoying every moment of being outside.

 

Lowlight of the Week:  Did you NOT read the opening paragraph of the blog?

Currently Reading: Same as last week (It Sucked and Then I Cried).  I also started Same Kind of Different as Me (a book club pick), and neither one is really drawing my attention. 

Currently Watching: We rented Silver Linings Playbook, which was really good.  I actually didn't realize it was more of a romantic comedy, which was a pleasant surprise.  Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence had great chemistry (despite their SIXTEEN year age difference), and the writing was great. 

Photos of the Week: 

Its so spring around here, there are literally baby birds hatching in our front yard.  This little bird almost died of a heart attack when Kadira ran over to him at a full gallup and then gently started nudging him.  So sweet.

Trees at the park after Saturday morning yoga. 

We have a family of anoles that live at our house.  Surprisingly, they don't really freak me out (as long as they don't get in the house.)  This little guy is one of the biggest ones I have seen, and he actually came out during the day.  Most of the time we see ones about 1/10th his size out on our back patio after dark, hunting for bugs.  Sometimes there can be as many as eleven running around.  We like to sit out on the Adirondack chairs after dark and count them as they scurry around over our heads (none have fallen on us, yet). 

These flowers smell so good and are from my neighbors backyard.  Our neighbors have one of those immaculate yards that win "yard of the month" every other month.  Thankfully,  their good taste often makes its way over to our yard. 

Kadira enjoying the beautiful weather.

 

Monday was a dreary, rainy day in Dallas.

2013: Books 1-7

I have been so bad about reading this year.  I just haven't made it a priority like I used to.  In part, its because there have been very few books that I have picked up that have really grasped my attention.  I have put down many without even finishing.  So if anybody has any good book suggestions out there, I am all ears. 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So everybody has been talking about this book for pretty much a year. I feel like last year was "The Year of Gone Girl", and I was not in on the joke. Starting this book I knew two things (1) It was not scary but very dark, and (2) The ending was, what some described as, "unfulfilling."

I can't actually write about this book without spoilers so SPOILER ALERT!!!

You got that right, SPOILER ALERT.

Okay. So I am reading the first half of the book and I am annoyed. I mean, I think its well written and I am interested, but I am not obsessed. I can put it down, and I do, often. I do this, in part, because it was so hyped up and it just wasn't living up to the hype. Plus, I though I had figured out the ending. I though Flynn was setting up all these people who could have killed Amy, and at the end we wouldn't really know who did it. That the discussions would be all about which character we think had the most motivation (for the record, I was betting on Nick's Dad). I thought that was the "unfulfilling ending" everybody talked about.

So when I got 50% through and realized that Amy was still alive and also was a crazy person, I finally got hooked. I finished the second half of the book in the same day and was riveted. I didn't like the ending, but now that I have had some time to sleep on it I really like it. I like it because I didn't see it coming. I liked it because I actually- in the context of the book- believe that it could happen. I mean, I obviously did not want Nick and Amy to say together and have a baby, but it was a crazy artistic choice by Flynn that I totally respect.

There were some descriptions that really freaked me out, mainly some of the crazy stuff Amy did to herself. I think that's why its only getting 4 stars and not 5. Regardless, this morning I have emailed about five people to try and talk to people about it, because I'm sill thinking about that ending 12 hours later.
 
***

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not an Apple junkie. In fact, for years the only Apple product I owned was an Ipod. I didn't know a lot about Steve Jobs or what he did for Apple, but I heard this book was really well done so I downloaded it to listen to, and I did not regret it! It was so interesting to learn about how the development of the first Apple computer, and the transition of the company from just a couple computers to a mega corporation. I also didn't realize that Steve Jobs had no real engineering input, and his entire contribution to the Apple franchise was marketing and packaging. I also didn't know that Jobs was so involved in the Pixar company.

I liked how the book didn't sugarcoat people's perceptions of Jobs, and I really liked hearing Bill Gate's perspectives on their interactions. This book left me wondering if Apple will ever be the same now that Jobs is gone. This was a great read- and a very long audiobook! It took me almost a month to get through.

*** 

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Words cannot adequately describe how much I loved this book. I read it with a studious intensity, underlying and writing in the margins (which I rarely do). I think Sheryl's analysis is so spot on, and I was often moved to tears (not to be overdramatic, but its true). I purposely stayed away from reading the criticisms until after I was done reading the book, but went through and read some when I was done. I didn't find a single one that I agreed with. Most sounded like they didn't read the book, or were attacking Sheryl for their dislike of Facebook corporate policy rather then the message of the book itself.

I loved so many things about this book but I am going to really focus on my top three favorite points:

(1) Make Your Partner Your Partner: I think the number one thing holding woman back is that - as Sheryl says - they are trying to work full time while still taking on 100% of the home responsibilities. I can't tell you how many woman I know who work full time, and then go home and cook, clean, and take care of children with minimal help from their spouse. Thankfully, I am not in that kind of marriage, but I think the point is well taken. For so long men were able to succeed at work because they had the support from their wives at home, and in order for woman to succeed at work they need the support from their spouses as well. In this modern era gender roles need to be more 50/50, instead of this concept of woman trying to do it all.

(2) Sit at the Table: The story Sheryl tells about how woman constantly underestimate their abilities and attribute their success to others, while men overestimate their abilities and attribute their success to themselves really hit home with me. I don't know why woman do it, but it is so true. This was a real wake-up call for me, and I am trying to take on more rolls with confidence and not underestimate myself.

(3) Don't Leave Until You Leave: One of Sheryl's main points is that woman need to stop making choices surrounding partners and children they don't have yet. I have thought about changing careers and scaling back so that I have a lifestyle that can accommodate children someday, and I am not even trying to have kids! When woman do this they limit their chance for success and future opportunities.

I will read and re-read this book numerous times. Its a must read for every working woman.

***
 
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I feel like I should have been forced to read this book at some point in my life (like in high school or college), but for some reason it slipped past me. I really wish I had the chance to discuss this book in an academic setting- because there was just so much to talk about. I highlighed so many sections of this book, but this line was probably my favorite:

"As each situation in life represents a challenge to man and presents a problem for him to solve, the question of the meaning of life may actually be reversed. Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible. Thus, logotherapy sees in responsibleness the very essence of human existence."

***


The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened to this book via audiobook and I am glad that I did, because it was a times a little dry and I don't know that I would have made it through if I read it on paper (that's the nice thing about audiobooks, you can kind of zone out through boring parts). That being said, this book was really interesting. I particularly enjoyed the section on how corporations use the power of habit to be more effecient and market to their customers. This book also offers some interesting ways to change your own habits in your life. Overall, pretty interesting read.

***

Reached by Ally Condie

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

If I could give this book zero stars I probably would. What a terrible ending to a moderately entertaining series. The plot seemed to not be well thought out, nor did the storyline seem to comport with the first book at all. Also? So lusty. I thought I was going to barf. I know that its young adult and you have to throw some lust in there to keep the kids interested, but truely, it was the worst written love story of all time. Ky and Cassia. Cassia and Xander. Xander and Lay. Ky and Indie. I couldn't keep up with all the lust.

I also hated how the narrators skipped around. To make matters worse I listend to it via audiobook and they had THREE DIFFERENT READERS. But, instead of using Cassia to say all Cassia lines, they would have Xander read his whole chapter and then use falsetto to read Cassia's lines in his chapter. It was horrible. Also, all the readers read the book in a sexy voice- EVEN THOUGH THE BOOK ISN'T SEXY! I mean seriously, you would think I was listening to a porno book if you weren't paying attention to the words.

Did I mention I didn't like this book? Yea. I didn't like this book AT ALL.

*** 

Bossypants by Tina Fey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

June 13, 2011
It was simply delightful. It was exactly what I wanted it to be: funny! It reads like one big stand up comedy routine. I rarely laugh out loud while reading, but I was busting a gut reading this book.

Reread January 2013- just as good the second time

View all my Goodreads reviews and make sure to follow me!

2013: Week 17

I am not going to blog about how frustrated I am with the housing search right now.  I am not going to discuss how we have now lost four houses, and the most recent one DIDN'T EVEN RESPOND despite it being a full price offer. I am not going to complain about how horrible the housing market is right now.  I am not going to whine about how unlucky we are to be looking for a house in a seller's market.  Most importantly, I am not going to talk about it because I have put way too much energy into a ridiculous housing market. 

Hurumph. 

Lowlight of the Week: Bitchy realtors and their brain dead homeowners who don't respond to full price offers. 

Highlight of the Week: A house we lost is back on the market and we might get a second chance.  Nobody hold their breath.

Currently Reading: It Sucked and Then I Cried.  It is pretty good, but I am having a hard time reading it for an extended period of time.  It also makes me terrified to have kids. 

Currently Watching: Scandal.  Dan and I are totally hooked. We watched the first season on Netflix and are making our way through the second season on Hulu Plus.  There were a couple episodes where I thought they went a little too far, but overall its a great show  Also, can I have Olivia Pope's wardrobe, please?

PSA: Download Sara Bareille's new single "Brave".  So good.

Photos of the Week:

I am really into two things right now: panoramic photos and being outside.

 

I am super into yoga in the park right now.  Its Vinyasha yoga and it totally kicks my ass and simultaneously gives me the greatest adrenaline rush of all time.

 

(Okay this is technically a photo of boot camp that takes place before yoga, but you get the idea.)

Last weekend we went to our first Ranger game of the season against the Mariners.  Since the Rangers signed Elvis Andrus to a very long contract, I decided it was safe for me to finally buy my Elvis jersey.

 

The Rangers won and it was awesome. I can't wait to spend more time at the ballpark this summer. 

Dan and I have also been taking Kadira to the lake a lot.  I downloaded this new ap on my iphone called Runkeeper,. which works like a Garmin.  It is so great to track my weekly runs/walks.

So take a look at this photo.  Where is Usher?  Initially, we thought he had left and they had a screen shot of him leaving, but upon further inspection we realized Shakira is actually leaning forward in the second seat and blocking him.  I know this is kind of stupid but it took us a long time to figure this out, so some validation on how crazy this looks would be great.

 

 

My commute.  A typical view.  Don't worry, I took this standing still.

 

Looking Forward to Next Week: ?????

2013: Week 16

This week was a horrible week for our county. I was at work when I first heard about the Boston bombing. I was home for the evening when I heard about the explosion that rocked a small town in West, Texas near where I live. I watched with fear and anticipation all of Friday as our brave law enforcement officers tracked down the second bombing suspect and captured him alive. My eyes swelled with tears as I saw the entire Boston arena singing the national anthem with pride and enthusiasm. At the Rangers game this Saturday there was a collection for West, which we quickly donated to.

It was not but a mere few months ago that we felt that same feelings as a nation when a shooter took the lives of school children and their teachers at Sandy Hook. In the days after that shooting we vowed that things would change, that their lost lives would not be in vain. And after those days, what impressed me the most was how both sides conceded. The left wasn't calling for a complete gun ban, and the right agreed that safeguards to make it harder for people who shouldn't have a weapon to get one were necessary. 80% of this county supports extending background checks and limiting magazine clips. This bill was not controversial nor unreasonable. Yet the senate voted it down anyways.

Gabby Giffords wrote a tremendously powerful op-ed in the New York Times this week and I thought it was pitch perfect.  One of my favorite lines:

Some of the senators who voted against the background-check amendments have met with grieving parents whose children were murdered at Sandy Hook, in Newtown. Some of the senators who voted no have also looked into my eyes as I talked about my experience being shot in the head at point-blank range in suburban Tucson two years ago, and expressed sympathy for the 18 other people shot besides me, 6 of whom died. These senators have heard from their constituents — who polls show overwhelmingly favored expanding background checks. And still these senators decided to do nothing. Shame on them.

 

What our lawmakers did was disgraceful and unjustifiable. We swore to not forget those school children, but let partisan politics get in the way of honoring them. While I would like to blame the lawmakers, the real ones to blame are us, the people. We are not nearly angry enough and are so apathetic to politics that these politicians likely never feel the political ramifications of their cowardly votes.

This week was truly an awful week for America. It just didn't feel right to do a traditional weekly recap.