Three and most of four!
August 7, 2009
Yesterday was fantastically lazy. After sitting around all morning we finally wandered down to the beach around 11 am. Swimming, sunbathing, napping and general laziness ensued. Vacation at its absolute best.
We (Nathan, Laura, and I) went to pick up Josep from work, came home, ate lunch, and all took a siesta. If you know me well you know one of my favorite things to do is nap- and nap I did! For nearly three hours 
Oh and did I mention yesterday was our fourth anniversary? Well it was and Nathan and Laura had planned a suprise dinner out. We went back to the beach we were at in the morning and got to eat dinner right on the beach. It was wonderful sitting on the beach, enjoying the breeze and watching the moon rise. Pretty much the most perfect day ever. Topped only by the fact that later on that night I got an email from the University of Oregon offering me the job I interviewed for right before leaving for Spain. So perfect day topped off by wonderful news.
Ever get that feeling when everything goes right that something has to go wrong to make up for it? That is how I am feeling…
Today we slept in again (I could get used to this!) and finally headed downtown around noon to meet some friends for lunch. We shopped a bit and had lunch around 2:30 at a delicious bocadillo shop (spanish sandwiches). I had tuna, red pepper and olives and Nathan had tortilla de patata. Delicious.
To help lunch settle a bit we walked to the Picasso museum, by way of la catedral, where I have been many times and Nathan went the last time we here. This time we were just interested in buying some more prints in the gift shop. Luckily Nathan and I make up our minds fast and in about 15 min we picked out four new prints (one for my new office!).
On a side note I am truly struggling with caffeine withdrawls… seriously. One tiny coffee in the morning equivalent to half a shot doesn’t cut it for me. After the museum we stopped to tomar un cafe (have a coffee which also means sit down, chat, and sip a coffee for an hour- another spanish custom I love). Holy cow… one honest to goodness coffee and I was a new woman. I am really addicted and am not sure if I should continue feeding it or take this opportunity to try and wean my body off so much caffeine all the time. We will see…
Now we are just hanging out at home relaxing before going out to see a pretty colurful fountain at 9 ish and then meet some other friends for dinner. I am so excited!
Tomorrow we are headed to San Sebastian and I can’t wait. I am trhilled to go home…
Day two (first real full day)
August 6, 2009
Ok so it is hot… really hot and to top it off muggy. But I will take this hot muggy day over my air conditioned office any day!
We slept in a bit this morning seeing as we didn’t get to bed to till after 2 am. Breakfast was a typical wonderfully simple spanish breakfast of toast and coffee. After we all took our time getting showered and dressed all four of us (Nathan, Laura, Josep and I) went to the grocery store.
Can you be homesick for somewhere you already are? That was how I felt at the store. I was so excited to be in a store full of everything I miss when I am stateside but it made me so sad to think I have to go home. About 10 minutes into the trip I swore to Nathan I was NOT coming home!
After shopping we had lunch around 2:30 then dropped Josep off at work. Nathan, Laura and I headed out to a wonderful park with a maze in it. We got lost, found ourselves, and got sweaty trying to find out way around the maze. Either way it was a blast.
From the maze park we hopped on the metro and headed to the bus station to buy out tickets to San Sebastian for Saturday. Nathan and I were fading at this point since we haven’t adjusted to the reduce caffeine consumption so we headed to downtown Barcelona to get some coffee and squeeze in some shopping.
Once at Plaze de Cataluna we headed to the best and cheapest coffee I know of- McDonals. Now before you judge me let me just say that McDonalds in Spain serve pretty decent espresso and to top it all off for 1 euro you can get a shot of espresso poured soft serve ice cream- perfect for a very hot day.
We then wandered down Las Ramblas (the main shopping area) where there were street performers, open air pet shops, flower shops and the most amazing market where we found both sweet and spicy paprika to bring home with us.
Finally we found our way home around 9:30 and made pizza for dinner. It was still so hot we put down a blanket and at on the balcony where it was a little cooler.
I am so excited to be home… when I took a bite of chorizo earlier today I almost started to cry. Can I stay here? Please?
We have made it!
August 5, 2009
We made and so did all of our luggage!
We left Eugene on Monday at about 6 pm and flew to San Franciso. Nathan and I scarfed down a chowder bred bowl from Boudin bakery and hopped on our 11 hour flight to Munich. Nathan’s little tv screen didn’t work but at least he brought his lap top and got tons of work done. I on the other hand read and slept… and ate alot. I can’t believe how much alcohol they gave us (beer,wine and Bailey’s) and how good most of the food was. As a snack there was a big bin of Toblerone we could just take from. Yumm…
Finally we arrived in Munich where we got the run around. For some reason they couldn’t give us boarding passes in Eugene all the way to Barcelona so we had to go get them in Munich. Luckily we had a four and half hour lay over and we were both in a pretty good mood. After talking to four difference people we finally got our boarding passes. While waiting to get our boarding passes Nathan remarked that he was hungry. The lady helping us suggested we go just outside the airport to the beer garden. You didn’t have to tell us twice. So we had sausage, saurkraut and beer in a beer garden in Munich It was a nice break from all the travel.
Unfortunately we still had one flight left and had to leave the wonderful beer garden. Nathan and I both struggled to stay awake for the 1 hour 45 min flight to Barcelona. Once on the ground we collected our luggage and sprinted out the door to find Laura, Josep, and Javi waiting for us!
So yey we made it safe! We both slept really well last night and are going to run some errands today. Tomorrow is our anniversary and I think we are going to the beach!
On another note Javi mentioned last night that his mom is having some tests done today. Apparently she has a tumor and they are still working out a course of treatment. Please keep them in your prayers.
And we are off
August 3, 2009
Two and half years ago Nathan and I got to enjoy a magical New Years in Spain. We visited friends in Barcelona, San Sebastian and Madrid. Finally after much waiting, and two bouts of unemployment, we are going back. Leaving in about two hours to be precise.
The tentative itinerary is to be in Barcelona from the 4th to the 8th. From the 8th till the 16th ish we will be in San Sebastain/Donostia for Semana Grande. We hope to sit on the beach, watch fireworks, visit with old friends, make a quick run across the French border, and eat lots. We will return to Barcelona the 16th ish and fly back stateside on the 18th.
Check back often as I will be updating from sunny Spain.
Eggs Benedict and New Employment
June 4, 2009
I guess I fibbed about writing more frequently… oops!
I kept pretty busy during the three months that I was laid off. In case you didn’t notice from the title of the post, I am once again employed!
During that time I landscaped the backyard – It’s AMAZING – posts to come on that soon.
I also wrote a proof of concept application for a start up that was seeking funding. I am still waiting to hear about the results there, but things sound positive. The proof of concept had two purposes: the first being to potentially get a job after the company was funded, and the second to prove that I could do what I do to some of the folks higher up. Since the work was a form of sweat equity, aka free of charge, I was working mostly towards goodwill.
Turns out the goodwill that I generated landed me a great opportunity with my current employer. I am now the lead developer for a start up based out of Florida. I am currently telecommuting and will have my own office space in downtown Eugene soon. The whole situation is very exciting as I am officially on a start up team, which is the starting point for several of the goals I made when I graduated from the university.
At this point I bet you are curious what this has to do with Eggs Benedict. Well, telecommuting occasionally gives me the opportunity to cook more challenging meals in the morning and the other day I tackled Hollandaise Sauce. In combination with the egg poacher I recently picked up, it made a very very tasty breakfast (see picture above – the sauce is from The Joy of Cooking)
The Good and The Bad
February 18, 2009
It has been awhile since I have posted. The last month has been very busy for me at work and Kimmy has been writing some excellent posts.
The good news is that I will be writing more frequently over the next few weeks. The bad news is that I was laid off last Friday due to my employer’s financial position. It is possible that I could have my job back within the next month or so, but none the less I am needing to plan for a future where that doesn’t occur.
All in all, I am not too stressed out about the change. Kimmy and I have been through this before so we know what to expect. I am also much more prepared this time around. Our guest house is doing well and my skill set as a developer has come a long way.
It will be interesting to see how the coming weeks will treat us. The current weather is a blessing and I have been very productive as I prepare for my job search.
In the mean time I am looking to pick up some freelance web development as I can. If anyone knows of any opportunities, please send me an email and I will see if I can help.
Our story!
February 4, 2009
The U of O Alumni Association asked for stories of couple who met at the U of O and then went on to get married. I sent in my story and pictures because, lets face it, I think our story is pretty cute and we couldn’t be bigger Duck fans!
Much to my suprise today I found this on the UOAA website: http://uoalumni.com/enews/0902/love.php
The couple underneath us also met in the Oregon Marching Band. In fact the year Nathan and I met Brooke was our color guard captain!
Sappy? Certainly! But I am proud of it!
25 things about Kimmy
January 29, 2009
This is from facebook
Instructions: write a note listing 25 interesting/random things about yourself, tag 25 people that you want to know more about, including the person who tagged you.
1. I am absolutely, unequivocally, and entirely terrified of the dark due to an episode of Outer Limits when I was a child.
2. When I was little, I wanted to be an attorney when I grew up.
3. Whenever I watch Andreas Helgstrand ride Blue Hors Matine in the 2006 World Equestrian Finals I cry. Every single time. Someday I want that to be me. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw)
4. To me one of the most exhilarating experiences in the world is ridding a perfect extended trot. In my mind, nothing compares to it.
5. I love my job and love fundraising but often feel like I am not very good at it. Is it me or the economy? I have no idea and that scares me…
6. I am neurotic about my Sunday morning paper. I must be the first one to touch it and take it apart. I have a systematic way of reading it and once I am done with a section you are welcome to it but don’t you dare touch it before me. This applies only to the paper on my front porch and does not apply to other people’s Sunday papers. And no I am not joking- ask Nathan.
7. One of my life goals is to visit as many countries as I am years old. Counting the United States I have been to 22 so I am currently behind by three (in March I will be down by four 
).
8. I felt left out when I was in second grade in Spain and everyone I knew was doing their first communion. I tried, to no avail, to convince my mother to just buy me the pretty dress.
9. I love post-it notes. My desk is covered in them. The brighter the color the better.
10. I need my coffee first thing in the morning. Most work days I grab a latte on the way in to the office and that is about as long as I can wait. Much longer and I am not a pleasant person- again as Nathan.
11. Hardly a day goes by I don’t miss Spain. Deep, bottom of my heart, longing to go back. I have picture of Spain on my wall in my office and frequently find myself staring at them reminiscing.
12. I have been sued twice and within two months of each other. One is resolved and the other is still pending. Not fun.
13. I am superstitious. If I spill salt I always throw some over my shoulder, I wont walk under a ladder, and I am not entirely pleased that my neighbor’s black cat often walks in my path.
14. I secretly love math even though I am not very good at it. I scored higher on my GRE in math than I did in English. Grammar is a decent substitute for math in mind because they are both rule and formula driven.
15. I feel like I rushed through college and wish I could go back.
16. Cooking and food are a real passion of mine but there are mornings where the only thing I want for breakfast is a Sausage and Egg McMuffin from McDonalds.
17. I love learning and want to continue doing so till the day I die- that is why I read the New Yorker, take dressage lessons, and devour cookbooks.
18. My response to stress, death or other not so fun events in life is to cook and to cook alot. I then proceed to feed everyone in sight.
19. I happen to believe wholeheartedly that my horse Desi and my kitties Pumkin and Macy understand what I am thinking or saying. Sometimes I think they can hear my thoughts. London (our third kitty) either ignores me or is just plain dumb.
20. Someday I want to be published in the New Yoker.
21. I wish I could dress myself. I feel I have no fashion and would love to one day have a personal shopper who would dress me in the latest couture.
22. I am addicted to my blackberry but am counting the months till our t-mobile contract is up so I can get an iphone. I feel left out!
23. My very first job out of college was working as an office assistant/office manager/legal assistant for a law firm. I obsessed about getting business card from the day I arrived in the office. When I was finally allowed to order them I was ecstatic. Three weeks after they arrived I quit. I felt awful.
24. Although my relationship with my in-laws had a rocky start, I love them dearly and feel so lucky to have received such a wonderful extended family when I married Nathan.
25. The first thing I do on Sunday mornings (besides getting my coffee and paper) is check Post Secret (postsecret.com). I try and guess if I know anyone.
I have a clean house
January 24, 2009
Today I have a very very clean house… and it is because I finally broke down and hired a housekeeper. Nathan and I were looking for someone to clean the studio after guests leave and when we realized how cheap it is to have someone clean for you we hired her to help with our house too.
Let me just say I am not rich nor do I have money to throw around. Some women buy shoes and others buy clothes; I splurge on a housekeeper.
Jenny is amazing and does a wonderful job. She is so much more thourough then I am when cleaning my house. Today was her first day and so I stayed home while she cleaned the house. Since I cannot sit around while someone else is working, I cleaned things like window sills and cabinet doors- things that haven’t been cleaned in forever!
Am I spoiled? Probably but I have a clean house and I don’t care!
So if you would like to come over and enjoy my clean house feel free- she will be by every two weeks!
How long?
January 21, 2009
How long has it been since I have posted? Two months? Really? Uh oh…
It seems life has gotten in the way but hopefully I am back for a stretch. I have often written posts in my head but never seem to make it here to write.
China was wonderful and I loved seeing where Katie and Tiffany have lived for the last three years. I can’t wait to have them both home I miss all the good food and cheap shopping!
I am super excited and Tiffany and Ryan’s upcoming wedding too. It is four short months away. I love seeing Ryan’s eyes light up when he talks about Tiffany and the wedding.
We survived the holidays although they passed in a whirlwind of food and snow. Nothing terribly exciting happened and we were pretty mellow for most of it. I got nearly two weeks off of work and got to start riding again because…
Nadia found a new home! I am so thankful she has moved to a wonderful family who has the time, energy, and patience for her. Desi moved up to the arena so I can ride whenever I want. She is getting fat from being out to pasture and free fed all the hay she can eat. I love her dearly and even tried selling her last weekend but realized she is the love of my life and is way to talented for me to give her up.
After being so burned out on horses because of everything Laura put me through it is nice to just have Desi and to enjoy riding and being at the barn again. No stress!
Work is keeping me terribly busy these days. I have been putting in long weeks on the road but I hope/feel/pray it will pay off in the spring.
I am starting to plan my garden. The plan is to landscape the yard this spring/summer so we don’t look like such a mess when people come to stay at the guesthouse.
I can’t think of anything else to share right now so I will stop boring you. I promise to post more often so please come back
