tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333595219298799982024-02-21T07:06:56.496-08:00Jake and TobiTobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-17443250651944637052012-04-24T10:49:00.000-07:002012-04-24T10:49:12.064-07:00Long Time No SeeI'm embarrassed that I've let our blog get so outdated. I won't make a lot of excuses, but sometimes life happens and before you know it it's been 7 months before you've posted anything about your kick-ass little family. But now, we're back.<br />
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I'll be posting a lot of catch up items from the last few months because I'm OCD like that. Enjoy or ignore... either way, we'll be back up to speed soon!Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-4280153781497701392011-09-02T06:41:00.001-07:002011-09-02T07:41:19.202-07:00Squish<div style="text-align: left;">I'm very excited to announce that I am releasing a new blog!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I want to say, first of all, that the Jake and Tobi blog isn't going anywhere. I started this blog to keep friends and family updated about what we were doing... it's our family's little journal. I was flattered when strangers started to read it. Every once in a while I would post DIY tutorials or interior design projects we were doing in our apartment and I got such a great response from it. Then friends would come to me and ask me about projects or tell me about plans they had for their homes. I wanted to do more of that here on the blog, but I just felt that it wasn't the place. Jake and Tobi is about our life and I want to keep it personal. Thank you to everyone who likes to read about our latest adventure. Thats the stuff I'm going to keep talking about here.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>On the new blog though, I want to focus on small spaces. I realized that there aren't enough blogs out there for young people who live in apartments, condos, dorms or studios. The ones that are out there are touting $1,000 lucite chairs, which are beautiful, but completely unattainable. On the new blog, I'm going to feature DIY projects that you really can do and house tours of real twenty-somethings. I'm going to look at how you can turn mansion sized inspiration into apartment sized decoration and compile lust lists of items you can actually save your pennies for.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURzegXRDnrGzlrlFlEyiwoq3vmkevR4to15w-uKBrH55k63n-3aKHQqR5a-fKyBzXnA85kvlrHuBfmqcopkDR2C0XeHq9DElZx-G7iWC7dBMWo9lfrmqCQiUyOndyyaMPk1Q9YgjlY-gL/s400/squishlogo.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647768418856757138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>The blog is called Squish, because it's playful and it's how we feel sometimes in our small spaces. I've got some really great stuff lined up already and I can't wait to show you. Squish debuts on October 1st at SquishStyle.com, so I've got lots of work to do until then. I hope you'll come on over to Squish and follow along!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Until then:</div><div>1. Start your countdown!</div><div>2. Like Squish on Facebook (right <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SquishStyle">here</a>)</div><div>3. Follow Squish on Twitter (@SquishStyle)</div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-54329762989223031302011-09-02T06:34:00.000-07:002011-09-02T07:19:06.457-07:00It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Fall<div style="text-align: left;">There is nothing like coming home after a long trip. It feels so good to be in your own shower and sleep in your own bed and not to have to throw everything in a suitcase every night. But there is also jet lag and unpacking and laundry... it's worth it.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm starting to see the very very beginning of fall creeping up... everyone has gone back to school and the mornings are quite chilly. Yesterday I put on a sweater. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivBiJlXQn6UvbTYSr-qUafh93wdum9KtrO-_vFa199hFsDanpz2fE0adTY7saOszjvd0a8OWVlgOBm-IkXWJZuEoP_EQHUFYXPkR5dXoV39Uyx5iSGlPrNq51UWu9EeIVGUidKHDcpYSO/s400/4308607_47NYBjRk_c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647756411218856786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/csg51/4071956667">Chad Galloway</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div>I'm looking forward to October, my favorite month and jackets, my favorite item of clothing.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3JIJLqETfo-l_iXcL8pIgqkK120yJ5ro2kM6129lKtIBKpFsMLjIujl6J_E5lwCAWjeaDvbrFBAXn2lspSfoT-kiyUc9un2v7g2bh2AVuUc0MI0quNSIUEAAz8MHf3vOGlH8iQj_Wvjx/s400/106495871_O91FZr6j_c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647756421337096850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:85%;" >via <a href="http://www.zara.com/">Zara</a></span></div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-56985990121409840022011-08-29T10:19:00.001-07:002011-08-29T10:19:26.983-07:00SantoriniYesterday was our last full day on the ship. In the afternoon, we anchored at Santorini. Like many of the Greek islands, Santorini was formed by volcanic activity. After it's formation, it was a single populated island until the volcano at its center erupted again and pushed the center of the island under the sea. Now the main island, Thira forms a crescent around the volcano and a huge lagoon rests in the middle. Many people believe that the story of the Lost City of Atlantis is about the collapse of Santorini.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328581448204098'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIneplfVimcZLt-Yn2dprO2dphdyCNc5OiFhZbIuRhS0QjtWOP1NvtILUcx0V3vHjyYXjxssCtRgppdJsm1oKDX1RlwyeNmsYSpbgqsyAq2NfAZCwx1V6uH7hZ9JtZsYdSbK6weyXdZI/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328610650943794'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCS8B-Bbym0JJQ_XflyvEm7FWerKloInox7dArUY9f0Fm5XoBrHEdX7nHaPmVP0wiqf1nDQ32y7-3FC064CT3ucbjcwu4wWeD2Jr1dqYOngPABuB8G5yOx2U8sGNbunDsKd0mw7KZxlI/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328630966408546'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvbNpCPNZQrKV6T34bUfVPpX6mvzi76vOnmAVs4Ll3a-ITOEPHC8Nw8XK9Qwe6yV6Labr-vXL6herG2JwVt_f30vhRyMHcFUrpzgT5-h86n9BBhc8C8g5hTeutEuGTNEDV2SVbfDw37s/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328644205922994'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-4u4PRtsSfk3cu-Qjx3JZ-a4emCuSG5FYubQIAiF7PtzqgjI9KrlrLmRiYnRCQc-H22dXcZ5PdkTZv_UR3RPyssfwmGQJKQEsvbZwQiM1k8XgB1yY7HcwHhqoEZnU0tlsJiHXSJ7tFk/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Santorini is absolutely beautiful. From the ship, we could see the iconic white and blue houses and shops atop the high cliffs. Because of the steep approach, we rode donkeys up the switchbacks into the main town of Fira. We shopped around with friends for a while and then had drinks and appetizers with an amazing view of the bay and volcano. It was a great way to end our trip.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328671445915602'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1iK_usi5Mpob_sp3ZPuWQu8_b-2B_U43Pyt_dcPtos9EWSbvLKwCfBoVFyMcysO0TTvd7XGBDKTZtuI_IXTQuWj2_h8fAHe6UnjP2O2ii2GSkgI_EaCNgLNOFJ-64QxsU6y-NsPABdQ/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328692298887618'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgoPNifjMI8LEz1WRH5WuzOCob0FtPJf3_3zAS7rw-qXuq7Y9i-YmYkGI37dS8S9vEeppUeV3HY5GAg4TR8R2aROgkz1slgrLrqRiFd5aHaNp9Yc_HURQtIXdcqXkYaH_o4TDP8z2V9c/s288/28.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328712040189282'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB2e-Lmu9VEhL0cZ3BbHbJy3g0mUOAiEUCgOor0C8XsiwaR_0tlBDf-Zkku7m0AGLHAmdBRm3-qKbFu9nY2cme7pHVzPuySf06chy316w-qupmGEPsXPWV3IGdHUgkHXc-6yczXB0ytU/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328740029564002'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7mvF3l0mdDsZ9ybnin4mjy0sdgZmlj9rzP71Nn60-H1QMqz2aaZE2LMS_FX_2NbJsS5fRI6WVis-eHzmlsKetXIvbopU_a2rtE-JQSkG4VtYaiH5Gv54bOw2uZlTIPdNK_zyyxSMDp0/s288/29.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328756208861106'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfa_ZVVktAtNOqp4gsf-ZvKbObrgnDj_Ir6LN0AFSUS9a47FDDHjwjQDO2x45sNtb_Xz9cJW_uDpsyKjoUDVxyd7LP0Y0ic1wdhYvB_RC4Xd_gm4BUc_5PSCfx8ZBYplDd547Lh7puIo/s288/30.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328771582406226'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkaZyIt5stAeHL-VYj1HWkeR7wvPihKmuM0PLxGJbKCBoBzvfUzXCoq_TcfG0Rvw_ly6q7rL14RKsLuBuxX2iQFJfsnFGOaO4OfJUamQlqqdVKjmOCw5BzNxixLaHdu93hn6tjO4rOs4/s288/31.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5646328784519041330'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_XOxQw_II1MzJnmD5YUhgjM47BCybCCqvUm_eKFThymGTniTXKTCPGhnuxoYpe8Q1ESW08UXlA87lrkJCwMg-GJrEjB6bgjdiVELinvWL5WNts3W4SQiVxZ-DoGUCCLW4lcxwiQxrjo/s288/32.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Today we are back in Athens for our last night. We are grabbing last minute souvenirs and repacking our bags in preparation for our flight home tomorrow. It has been an amazing and absolutely unforgettable trip. We have made great friends and seen amazing places. After everything, though, we are looking forward to going home. We can't wait to sleep in our own bed, eat In N Out and most of all to see our friends, family and our puppy!<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress via my iPad from Athens<br />Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-33094957437788885912011-08-27T09:57:00.001-07:002011-08-27T09:57:06.984-07:00Patmos & FriendsJust returned to the ship from the tiny island of Patmos. Patmos is quiet and lovely and we mostly just laid on the beach, had a gyro and took a slow walk around the town.<br /><br />We've been traveling with a group for the past couple weeks and haven't really mentioned them on the blog so far, so we wanted to give a quick shout out to our new friends from around the world.<br /><br />Laura was our tour manager and turned out to be a great friend. She is from New Zealand, but she lives and works in Italy. She is known for her adorable accent; she says "heedseet" instead of headset, "peen" instead of pen and (most hilariously) "deek" instead of deck. We think Laura is the sweetest and we were pretty sad to leave her and most of the rest of the group when we left for the cruise.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645579671651313426'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FQK5rtKnLlVrWjZi77YTRcoDgJwAT9rIe4rpHuur52JH3di_-T5Fh_SpJL4hBejPVwsNizGKmk_yw4JmL1jf7Kaed3EQ55AMKrY16RgbPVw4bnEL0Rf8Ch6tTWdZvQ8LikPsCO3f0YY/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Casey, Kelly and Kate are three Australian girls that we adore. They are traveling all over Europe. These three are all very different, but they are a blast to hang out with as a pack.<br /><br />Britney is a Canadian girl who is always outrageous and fun. You can probably find her with a drink in her hand and enough attitude to pass around. She is joining us on the cruise.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645580797423319570'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgPGrkdPmF95gB0AkOO2ZepBAoPg6N5oddivypRYDF0JAc9mAUMs4cCw48TyPtK8GyWf4Zuyg1CCu6Y2DWhQ7rPrS1fSJDqabxdFqjsBbRnZsH0ii9MaVW8OLUo56VbL2NDNhlW93u1I/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Talia is a sweetheart, also from Canada. She always has something nice to say.<br /><br />The Turner sisters are from Washington. They are down to earth and super easy to get along with. They can often be found hanging out with Amanda from Australia who is always fun to be around and can save your life in an emergency (she's an EMT). All three of these girls are on the cruise with us.<br /><br />Damien and Emma are our closest buds on the tour and the cruise. These two are from Australia and they've been traveling around Europe for months. We like being around them because when we are together, we are usually laughing until it hurts. Damien has TONS of attitude and spunk and Emma's deadpan humor keeps him from going overboard. Just today, Damien and I went for gyros and I nearly died after laughing and choking on a piece of onion. We have a blast with them and are starting to pick up an Australian accent!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645580811002570594'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujaDsTZDqmoz7bDzzPAvayLT8YHOWqYZwwIreQG7YAKF4-BTiNfBUDQt4Xdr5jLWxT5QITx7Yxsh-vVihjStYtzNRWehw-MNRQsP3lHPQGfMahH9h3Xzo5sfkYuUAqrU_REZzbxRzuMc/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645580840113716530'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzjsSaaL5GXtWZcmMP3L2z5YhrB2ezpRj12g0h-Bsj1Y-yoZLZumjkfKTDCp216QnwqwrTeny6RF46DAeZ59cPKQ98kVG_N8LlKNhKZz9-trN9vko9I14hxJYP4lNCplaieeCFrS8qqo/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645580857358018130'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kDYU0tep-iDmfH5mmJyREP4O3N-Xo0Vr94tOtciIlAb11jSm7PbUrIwgcnkONd2U1zt3jke6Nwogdhma7l-odNefSfisz2xoSex0OuHum8m645V2pZWSv-qwyTAtMuPZQDMWh77tCCc/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress via my iPad from the Aegean Sea<br />Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-89840287016297290712011-08-27T06:42:00.001-07:002011-08-27T06:42:31.441-07:00MykonosOn Friday we boarded our cruise of the Greek islands at Pireaus, a port in Athens. We are sailing on the Louis Majesty for three days. This ship is 40,876 tons with 10 decks and six restaurants. Even though it can be tight quarters for 1,100 people, our room is still much bigger than some of the hotels we stayed in on land! During the cruise we will dock in Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Crete and Santorini.<br /><br />Yesterday, we arrived in Mykonos in the afternoon. Mykonos is a small town and island which you can walk all the way around in under an hour. The buildings in Mykonos are iconically Greek, with white washed walls and blue shutters. They are built closely together and in a winding labyrinth pattern as a way of protecting the little city from strong winds, so you can easily get lost in the very narrow streets, but you can always point yourself towards the sea and find your way out. It is also well known for it's six remaining windmills, which sit atop a hill near an area right on the water called Little Venice.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645530591288319106'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCMp_hVbcrJa_oPbSspU4moyedesMO-HbYVPxX1scqM4TrEaFqWkL6fuCUVtIhg-u5-xrFflBTnm9gqqZT5MvxF-cMMzx8q7Lx_2wzx4pek60IJh9i6S2LJGIvefDIS1oq_DkXnt69M0/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645530607392146210'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9jgcgeR_TL1QkNV2scn-rqdVFmnmK8JK-UE2J-ddjIzP8sOWH5J4yeHRj9O2WkrY5iRUkrjB4MGiSvWfmIRrCp7tzn4oZMWlrE2bp4LHZTe_u-veaI7IXxNDpScHx_5oDulaNE3MRHI/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='268' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645530623569345506'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i2GQKlDFwKaJ0jYMoD8ZqodhQYdZq4ol6mljAU7ysffrDXIWmSVC7GRhoQVzDwuGJZeE5P4jmo2WUUy70abxYBQv7JVcbW2zWRdYAWuWKZq7sfskfRwEkMbEDLGJLDp_aEzNTrvFlPQ/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='268' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645530637925195106'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmSRRMTM4ff2tnf-N5Q6OTDvR1Hhi6oRQ5qaEZahVarz_Zpv0keBjnn8JqbiLWMzNQlIG55y9dYCZiEX_mYD5_XyljvUE9F9ua26fNtMKNAexcvtamY3kqLC-xXN61WXJAD-Awa4b8-I/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Mykonos is bustling and alive, especially after the sun sets and the little cocktail bars and shops begin to glow. We wandered down the coast and around the island to the windmill side and had a drink and appetizers at a restaurant in Little Venice. Our table was RIGHT on the water... we got misted by every big set of waves. We had grilled feta and calamari. It was by far the freshest and best calamari we have ever eaten. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645530658290792994'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmycfqHqWvCA48rkL3iix7syZcsk_JCxneorRcdHVIQMcfP7XNMp6N47PYtgKpRHN5_sTGNhNTSO640nHEDzGymYdMyPCyLF4zd9c2EJgoupYOv9q_y5FsKy1c_e92JCbK8tMg_vikxMI/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After sunset we turned in towards city center and got a little bit lost on purpose, then wandered the shops and headed back towards the beach just to sit for a little while.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645530674437336770'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlkTjPQsLB1FFK0ielQI0E0ZrhtaqnkE2zDh-CKBeg9gR41sBa7zvpASiTZ-c0zR4DqWfJHk17_EG-w2Ym_Q6uyI1QsonHwoWB5etTyUhrKfPdM-4WWw9BzjKQxk8LAQWEubU-aLP4OU/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645530696901011522'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlPHgOhlHSWJilLIytlaNttAJzTFKexDKXoPaA9CG_gJkvY8go3Hvolmn0rwoAQQi4IXMi2e_IX2zOE3_qF56UR4xQyUwgnNdi4lme7xvc43GKk51f54FGVRCHlcohTIH_QCPuOtmCRc/s288/28.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645530708682677970'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmufB3XC1VlknQiMqILLV5JLSRGgVqAhrPcsfEdDxlZ2oLXTjuzFRteZU9HUzahW-lw5tCpO_MxfdPuw_m9K1HT1GmKDql6n5Dvxwor6_Jr_BfU2d2XJw6mGNxQcYcdxro1ADzZr3C3E/s288/29.jpg' border='0' width='268' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress via my iPad from the Aegean Sea<br />Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-54636495617228657862011-08-26T11:13:00.001-07:002011-08-26T11:13:34.576-07:00AthensAfter a couple of nights in Corfu, we had a travel day into Athens. Athens is a colorful city, full of open air markets and covered in graffiti. I'm sort of a graffiti enthusiast, and though I certainly don't condone destruction of private property, I really enjoyed all the public works of art.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645229332316390130'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLE7T1_EPIIVlvb-PBGjIE8WO-S3gskvdP3ZD2L-rl3KgO06-TQ8ayUC_QsKXZpnupQgtmvqOuJMAP_LdQx-jmnuTqdx4VCseLHRwj3VPfuDB1-QJ5TS89qiV91scGTlVo8w4XfFBG_gU/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645229355752534706'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNmKU10BvGtAYupLrKCr_KFIxWj_M-FFghsAZWHod5KClBZZM3nf4eWdvCZb5SMOxp8jpyLKR4jv21z0TDLf-xNmHjq2-rH_89gwpgsHwtcd2gxWcP02Av4ftawwMW3Bj07dyxeqpCgM/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645229376981643890'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cYnie6eGjh_JiUzcn0m042aEGMytc07gEXCXrUUeqtstHmOF88GQr2D1Xx57QYhzBIzWt-Tao0lYhnjb8geDIBpEZsVyIp0AwsC6peVfrGpc6Aq7jrJQCQQT9XYlb6KF_aVcsHkx9T0/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645229397927267746'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiniYH2sHYn4R19IVw_KGtM0J0RgfEB_eMffJWFn6WWoHumORRFwaiIKk3YNO3uFomBEC4zXK3x0kLglJUPU0pxH3gjpyUWQGisP5v2vqQje4Qw_N73VYfMESn6XugTKBhKYTEf3IwYc/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645229419036944690'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbQzKeXQ9Y-ns_eya8WeX1zTOXCuSpVk_QCmhF93ZwlTCPVm5qNFQtveE48Tk0gXLNMozYoab5Sw7T1TaSV_NhFwkRsVDjje_2ensboxd0hUphRwc2ojZiK3lGn9zKpWbIe_AdFinxnY/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />On our first night, we had dinner at a lovely restaurant in the Plaka, a pedestrian market area. There was live Greek music, plenty of feta cheese and the most tender chicken we have ever eaten. After dinner we made our way up to the roof of our hotel for a panoramic view of the city and the Acropolis.<br /><br />The next morning, we climbed up to the Acropolis and had a walking tour of the various monuments. The Parthanon was beautiful, but my favorite was the Temple of the Wingless Victory. It is fairly small and sits right atop the main gate. Legend has it that the temple once housed a statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, as a monument to a successful war for the Athenians. Nike was personified as a young woman with wings, so the Athenians cut the wings off her statue as a way to ensure that victory would always remain with Athens.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645229435890278194'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JJJ-TN2BEfsICkiHT84KWf0uo4VJ2vn6a6Jn9GS3DsBvYfj-QiD-4MpFkkCcDk3Vyu9GDqZXoFieovij30H900wfXXYvKIwH7zWXchssMINUluKNdHG5wpInoDuMOeQtdZ9Qim6cUac/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645229452910379890'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPQDcKgdIO5hb92JvaMU4R5ax25aMPzcSDXdwKX8aHtBPCZTGij9DF5sUFrEE6VIYL4OgsGWykf1n-1mM0POjJNzmfNzY2sBz7jFksiSaYRLE8G_9Qn4KwiHGmGFI3xurpZs1X6nWvPo/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5645229471487977538'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLXBDtpmIUrDSXj3DIxd7R4vRFKVamojgRllbAUP1l4TlirutQgLxynhbYSfoH_MClgys61ed0CPfJbpTfknKX0_xxQL31NKgVWb6BP9v4F3FKg2B7tFvm7lOsD1EWG6UOOJz3PfvSuQ/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After the tour of the Acropolis, we took a bus tour of the city, which is surprisingly modern looking, despite its long history. Apparently, the whole of the ancient city is buried underneath the modern one so that every time excavation of any sort has to be done for a building or tunnel, thousands of artifacts are dug up.<br /><br />We returned to the hotel and observed siesta, just like the Greeks do. Then we spent a couple hours shopping our way around the Plaka. We met some very vibrant characters, including a man who squeezed our faces and kissed us repeatedly, telling Jake he looked like a Greek god and repeating how much he loves America. Inside his shop he had hundreds of business cards of Greeks living in the U.S. It turned out he had lived in California himself for many years, just a few cities over from us in San Jose. He gave us lucky pennies and reminded us that it costs nothing to be nice. Another man, a jeweler, showed us pictures and post cards from his nephew who happens to work just across town from us at Steven's Creek Honda. It's such a small world and we really do love the Greek enthusiasm for life, family, friends and prosperity.<br /><br />On the second evening, we had a delicious dinner followed by drinks and dancing. At the end of the night, we had to say goodbye to many of our new found friends who weren't going on to the optional cruise. It was a little sad, but lovely to know that we have friends across the world that we have an excuse to visit!<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress via my iPad from the Aegean Sea<br />Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-35091282699800595642011-08-25T08:54:00.001-07:002011-08-25T08:54:40.320-07:00CorfuAfter our wonderful stay in Sorrento, it was time to leave Italy and head to Greece. We had a long coach ride down to the port of Brindisi and then an overnight ferry into Corfu. The overnight ferry was quite an experience. We had a (very very very modest) cabin and some people had airplane-type seats, but tons of other people didn't have seats at all. Instead, they set up camp in the halls and under the stair cases and just about wherever they could.<br /><br />All of this leads me to the point that Greece is very different from the U.S. and even from Italy. It is much much much more relaxed... even to the point of disorganization. I'm not aware of any rules in Greece and it seems like everyone pretty much does what they want. For example, we had no safety briefing on our overnight ferry ride, designer knock offs are sold very openly in just about every store and Jake and I were able to go paragliding without signing any kind of waiver. Sometimes it's a little scary, but mostly its just good fun.<br /><br />We arrived in Corfu around 4am, but our hotel rooms weren't available yet, so we all sat around in the hotel lobby or fell asleep on lounge couches or in corners. Around 10am, we headed down to the port for a day sailing on George's Boat. George's Boat is quite famous amongst visitors around here. George is a portly greek man in his 60s with a penchant for inappropriate jokes and the most amazing tzatziki dip ever made. He took us on a sailing cruise and then to a beautiful beach where Jake and I went paragliding for the first time. It was such an amazing experience. I thought it would be loud and cold up in the air, but it was peaceful and warm and it felt just like flying with a beautiful view. After we came down we all had lunch together and then spent hours swimming in the warm, clear water at the beach and at several other swim stops. Sailing back, it really hit me how lucky we are to be here. When we came back, we were able to check into our hotel and pretty much crashed for the night.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5644822095706371282'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlQRPJd9quRewjX29bsR7Iq7efDDag0PiU8IX9gmRo1kWd7wGKXvubB_7SE6xMWMrpOeqXNl29tzhqkp3ygl4uJmULXaQzRolErsgH9iB9r5vByJ-TTlKOHg8hbaACaXCp-WV7H5T-g0/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5644822110348302898'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCM53RhTS7s1cjoK9wDxAXTqn4kBm2EQlq0F6Sh0jRonwUq-Zm8i0_8i7UoLN-Hmx6rEVq_ylWQlm4rtx7nO7nbMe4RTNWSGx695ZzFqNn3DFj2CvGHtzfvbVMVWCMIqd32jpwtsfluA/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5644822126409127186'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgjh7KqtZRyWt-RJgvAd41RxcZrdS34bkSV62aeiScLpfzGxS3QxlYaiF1dZoKhm-v37FDS-LOkqqNtZaRcVWFHTicTIvitqE3pZ5aZRh2M9S0gWu_eiyE-IEXgtFzgTDGhJKGLG-mxs/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5644822206450234994'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrvMBrz0wUbUDwt1Is2Fn6RqUTfjVvvXz6v9CZdvl58vxBAw4mpV5oi1-NhNQk-XXvmd4UJNnJO85kUrDVoZfTeLI-EFzTFQlWEV9WPwDsXNlpEyhQn8yqXnJcslmtV_YBqx6rY5ESaI/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Greece is much more Americanized than Italy and we enjoyed having all of our favorite amenities back... a hotel pool, a blow dryer, tub WITH shower curtain, eggs, butter and toast for breakfast... it's the little things.<br /><br />On the second day we wandered around the town of Corfu for some wonderful shopping in the narrow streets. In the afternoon, we had our first taste of real Greek food at a little shack-type place down the street called Captain George's... it was AMAZING. I have to say, Greek food puts Italian food to shame. I'm sure there are some wonderful restaurants in Italy that we haven't been to, but you can walk into any hole in the wall in Greece and get something delicious. So far we like mousaka, souvlaki, Greek salad, and chicken and chips and could literally eat gyros for every meal.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5644822407322634370'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdRbikokeezHrwCqk7PhDIXhe0vqRPB-gxDxQU5brt9bXkUY0TJybNu_w2F37W2Wz3Am9iOSHlisDg_FuHrlb4zumLnaw93A-F1ZqijPDZTSlDLRodH0r5DgnJyZZfcOrCpHzA8Won-w/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5644822478438271618'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq8jU_eDmRHq0AAlB37vxIS_7_6DOcKGz6l5teCMLi1hdLaEBUQhcrZwTZem78KnvOn5Kp92rMyFr3erLG6XHh2ZlJyxYwFyCtu69xzL3W-EkSXY1Rtj2UpPIBrUKVzentSqBSs9VbM0/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5644822558501807506'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgmMRCS5S-1xm1B_SszU5uXrgwqx7fFkWaQXqinrCu0S1YBTHpnhOlLRfS9qqYILKTVfrTaxYAZpfaCbf4jzyINlvuhcyFt1V-M6Gc9oYAEu8WKrmHNH7sGpxTUCO62yWE1J9wERIU4c/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5644822596674880146'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJnjS0MmOXJIMBWOBvpXaryw1wjoPXNWqs0yBePnBXati85LiysqzOvFDa9N6RFdKZYn2aDRPnBZO7f5T5ykwn0xXbbvdeh543ci5MoFb0z2BttrQZtvSK5zczpIUBphnN2xfoFST0Y8/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />During our stay in Corfu, some of the Australians on our tour got curious about Greek life in American universities. Jake and I had a great time teaching them all about fraternities and sororities and answering all their questions. We even started a little society of our own. On the last night, three of the groups traveling in the area got together for one big Toga party on the island. It was a total blast and a great way to say goodbye to Corfu before we left the next morning.<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress via my iPad from Athens<br />Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-11507692000755563122011-08-20T22:31:00.001-07:002011-08-20T22:31:41.897-07:00CapriYesterday we spent the day on the Island of Capri. It's not surprising that this is a favorite vacation spot of the rich and famous, because it's a beautiful place. From Sorrento, we took a ferry across to the island, which has two towns, Capri and Anacapri. Jake and I really needed a day to relax and enjoy the scenery after busy Rome, so being in Capri was perfect.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643177564482027058'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1cWIgwc-F6S4mNEtkAD1-StAxyvsXE_Zdne38jBesQS4xUzPL3cTyXvNRD6uG-XEHjSpOzkmlSJJoAZarjlX4W15XwxVv4MDon4yGyc7568-xCJLLjTpivroLOCuFiTClWZfxDG2qMk/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643177584638037938'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjGzJvU7n7h0UYm_5EvlSUE7IKIlAjI8qZvbLyi5Y3b94Of2BkxCnWVOpPxAcvqSVU7hDMzcThky4d6Bvxihw6_2eM1S8FH23oAjp2WfsRg6Uf8vLgGscjoL_0SCikk_m8TDxM9IlF5I/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We spent several hours on the beach. The beaches in Capri are made of rocks, which is pretty interesting (and painful) for kids from California like us. The water is also VERY warm and clear and pleasant. We spent a good chunk of our morning just watching Italians go about their beach day. It was endlessly entertaining. We saw old men (and young men) in speedos, women with deep dark tans and our personal favorite, little Italian children having precious little Italian tantrums... intonation included. MAMA!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643177607387349170'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIKLsQ4xqAWdTZVq7GwpPuXusgJ__pF2UeBpIN2_64QLaVTlq1UOf21no8P3S8hwxANYzClTy_vnFTLHXsOQTNgN5urfCeO1QsgNe_5-0oVaBeCis8z6GTOXemwskNv4C7XRxSUIXcwA/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643177624316730770'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeG2kRJwrKDANnZkzaFPSQcHP9_QrbmTY-RSeB5GHCCBk1-d29Ekz0IioWdPRxYrRkw_om_N0t9ngkH7fvcSgJtZDOdW7KI_lajZ5fKDuX_u4fB1QN2UX4k5jiHSvUUZuiULoCXl8yFg/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643177639353974274'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_E9dzOcU0GWKSFcb04R2W43EuIfVD7TwH2tEUXq7tDWE4K6xaXJYx6s9t_Khzw8FU9hJscIfBNr4ZYumJFAAbfBWr5vJTqjF_UpP9WJgx1Vs9ZGa3dPMrXT_VaSOmnivv1uSBWaeSzIw/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After the beach, we had lunch at a little cafe and then wandered the shops looking for postcards and little souvenirs. Later, we hiked up to a higher part of the island and watched swimmers and giant yachts. We ended our day in Capri with another swim and went back to our hotel in Sorrento tired and happy.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643177660544522482'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cq3dSGcZ21lMz7uugr0CdBtzTMF3-kOjyZMVreXieiY1aRQ-W99Cfl8gBu0tbMU55O5gyYwV8f5kaq6qxUCRcz4dMBhQLqEKrEToohUlaFZJo4ERXZCIzYvvElWYc2EYX1KGG_C2ARU/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643177676967490674'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdQd7nzs03mbrxD6wbSaQ5wLqH9cgl85BY44JbuMXwuW6YvAeOT6kxlQoGMnL1XcPWXmuoOnvTjvfuYFJvY8h0dW-2cVLQ_Eu8h68UKxVVhwCnRddNc4bN-i9DvNuZGx2C9z7vwSTwOY/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643177696226456802'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfcP8zi_EKWBdeqC42gRZkuEq_Z-Ltfg5lToTvjLjoFOVnFTPeLtRUR6A8PJXMacMSMOONrEF0iO4jRI0wwTlAK6zN81mIwCOsS753Va2OBHmyT3p_q4yA2QKJ1E5q_DjD-eRbzeFr-U/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643177718161235618'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNVFfJ1Cg1tn6SNwRMwDm2-cIj6CzQWkjxdFuDWaVP6NVBXz8xMtDp19NMQC5dkkG6a9PzpmhyphenhyphenZ_lS4rFSzFVkIkM4iD5hyYO7M10NhefCpGBtduf1BDqqlzulNIZ1iTa-putiOZkZ7Y/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Today we will be traveling all day as we move to the Port of Brindisi and take an overnight ferry to Corfu. We are a little bit sad to be leaving Italy, but are confident we will find our way back some day.<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress via my iPad from Sorrento<br />Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-14604185513136630892011-08-20T21:59:00.001-07:002011-08-20T21:59:20.199-07:00SorrentoWe left Rome yesterday and made the drive south to Sorrento. On the way, we stopped in Pompeii. Pompeii is such an interesting place... a look into how the people here lived 2,000 years ago! We enjoyed seeing the amphitheaters, an ancient version of a fast food franchise and the remains of a brothel where the "menu" was painted on the wall.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169188769699570'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFPibjiubHMMawRMZvqhcUD_LLBKtsvyD0WqjzQ7CZaecT2MdNCGHOqH_faRdH0GfBhDBIi0HUSTNxVona2EVL30udimNOxEKGUHeU08H_46h3qHxhjC8_WPK9_sAE7MSGoEgW2K7Ook/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169203199067554'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFzwPbN-xgzBA5SEJ5rgpUqcjc0EG4raNGxWe3bqlr6E1LSbNxUkQaDNvFg8MyG4lGFfgTy8BXP-Al5FqunIC6TjuYA_DDXVZzohStUn-fkdYDzjnAL_ywyqGnSr4DeXOLe-dxSrgG3o/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169212205012210'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRh4cBObPj5-AA5h1uppBu-IUMOrA7wuapoJ4QtV9GOkg4QxPZM-0c0LSayc4O8mwJCTZLcUBjJvdf5AbPb7VBrwXj12sgRRk7dJD4a85w_yA2z6XCWdbyIniI7a0vp_kEOQBstirjKwU/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169219608829394'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvMo1_e0mil4XJb2IMtQ8_MevnQ9fOOQbWzakW4SQkvRaD6P0GZP9BgwzvlT-B2PehyB78NLa_YCh_yoDUQ9nGmqbDs2zOeG62NJHMVfY_PIANh9Y3Zm3ha6duWRb_9UCybVcf_T7GQo/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We arrived in Sorrento in the afternoon after a scenic drive along the cliffs. This place is beautiful! I was in love right away. In contrast to Rome, Sorrento is clean, romantic and laid back. Our hotel has a wonderful, open, beachy feel. The streets are bustling at all hours, not just with young people, but with families too. People here love children and dogs... they are everywhere. They produce a liquor called Limoncello. It is made with lemon rinds, alcohol and sugar and is DELICIOUS!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169231583758754'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ2vIrVbNPHzXKODioSeY0axD0sAdaxcpIkT9sHP-lsPif0yUZNJ_y1RuaHUwTyDc9pLGa4Q8CW3rhtk49gdrVkf_EpTsgjVq8ahwVllZWs49nb2g9nMl4fGeA40um6YcXJT188sNtjI/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169279394655362'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXqtrMD7pklVJ8TD3Vx4ucETcsNFq0oZClKqXPxKffqX03t86SNY4oK-i5rRAwD4VMedtJn_zyELTLUrec-yKrjkKiIcZRgItkQwYUsw2XR-AJ_EhyinCamBMTExlIG4b6_j2Mb-ObYo/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169300574518450'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NAA22P9YZBT9OWo-_YFow2zupoC4Gb1F2u6orwg12xTNuDsd6ahyNPueeQF7t-Z-vXkJbujgxttVxbdRRGu1yE5yJZ4cxBopUsNUSYqjZYndVqOwPIUAFPL8AtrT7y5eokNuYoyMt0s/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169320989090242'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aWFUUvSZ4CdN4ZKiyHppXmXVsq8-uK-99on6cTNqOwjeRMsA-UYTgbPjK_id8mE27jZtB9ALGhlXnZliud9FIpTGf1ZbBGcY9KiVelBH5KdYiDLA5qTnraEdcYs_WPEGtXOeL-5sLsk/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Jake and I wandered through the shops in the evening and stopped for dinner at a restaurant called La Taverna. We had insalata caprese, pasta with fresh produce, roasted potatoes, chicken and a delicious wine. Afterwards, we drank Limoncello and listened to the city from our balcony. Buona Serra Sorrento. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169354661668786'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQVonZZ90KPQhIyKN6N2Rb47-5mFj2ptZPfAIHGJw56-fhSZLfrx2NcfBaOqd5gNjyoPHULojxgRH2j3W8nozHdch0Ptc_iWP6HFOr68aDPEQmi6gtU4yxV36IefUTLQgLJ6XKpQygAY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169366789791570'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjd4HND4A3fovaDXUqJ62xdxL8iuxzMURXp44nGCbyVRV6ITgnedHPa-yZHi2WZtNo3blTtTLWlMg2gYTy1iB54rMaCCyfM4V_Jf9Z3X37NaGPXrhm5lbouv5DAJ77xWukGxuqLP3ysvo/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5643169379562818642'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJwvYba5S7FYnqJQXUA5apb1p_YoTV2lzwIt8OVGstWKYr1Ra32icug6iLApqUdyMtfnaxLYthn7Qx0Qj6IUcllnkGGVzEoJEAtuT3wKpunIWLyRnk_UN2lb1gDbvC_QhqHr7ZBrNJlU/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress via my iPad from Sorrento<br />Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-52057381219952832212011-08-17T14:58:00.001-07:002011-08-17T21:19:52.890-07:00Buongiorno from Roma!Hello from Rome! We arrived in Italy this morning after a long international flight that truly challenged our understanding of time zones. Our arrival into Rome wasn't exactly the most welcoming at first... Jake's bag was temporarily lost and finding the shuttle, an ATM and a cell phone store with a language barrier while hungry and tired in an unfamiliar city proved to be quite challenging. After checking in with our tour group, a nap and some dinner, though... things certainly turned around!<br /><br />A few quick observations about Rome... it is NOTHING like we thought it would be. From photos I've seen, I thought it would be a clean, organized and historically preserved remnant of its former empire. But, after being here for a day, we would say that Rome is ANYTHING BUT clean or organized. The exciting thing about Rome is that you can see everything from its history and everything from its present all smashed and layered together like the strata in a rock formation. All the eras and examples of Italian design that I studied in art history are all mixed up together with a dash of modern life thrown in as well. All the streets and alleys twist together in an unintelligible pattern. Jake and I agreed that Rome is a lot like a colony of ants living in the skeleton of a larger animal that has since rotted away. You can see the niches in great stone buildings and the ancient aqueduct filled in with pizza stands and SIM card retailers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5642045548713616450'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnk2_zoZWo2mwbY1OH_ASCaGgTJzi8btKqddy59BwTa-pTMK9eO6BM5YIWbszbwGRG-I73MWsKFO3wb2ZEuhtOj0pRjZMCIFN_7WzUkWURsWV7u1iTkNJCwMP43cHaCNnDYZFW28QwNQ/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The people are wonderful and good humored so far, although they usually won't address you first. I always try to use my limited Italian and in return they speak to us with as much English as they know. My secret weapon is "Parli Inglese?"... "Do you speak English?" to which they respond "Ah... Poco." and then seem to understand everything we say. We are amazed at how brilliantly bilingual everyone seems to be.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5642045579239985362'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeJmqT2enoMrZogZymAo5vjfwwGg-s4uzA5WFayIPRxnz39YiOxzeHsfiFdY1-2pT1xKM-xe6x3kgsYzFCfV2bL5n3u66yC_Wi3NPJfAt_swwSoJ8F4mAygXuz_25EQCyGyKn8c1TkXo/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='268' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />This evening we set out with a group to see some of the favorite piazzas and monuments. We visited the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. It was exhilarating to step out of some obscure alley way and suddenly be face to face with some of the most famous public works in the world. They certainly are beautiful and so very sincerely epic.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5642045624532854482'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI1h_3I3_xBGJe9l7miSA_Yxjm-5ZEKFOtcPOP9WDY6ChebxyhT3Ot8-NUW1G6HzHbvZAo6Fvl8OrB0PapFDSKp7u9D5hwUj4JFQPsfhkTzMyhrxa2-oFnCw-f3pdD8friSzyD8Jm67w/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5642045668266117010'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UUm49kz3CB5ECVe7MFUUYBRqbHQVpEj5WpxeoVwBKnXQIA5x_tRpCjabHOdidImS5nMp-b7FaCFR3-0yxMnTkfh_Rn6tOdKrn_VAiZBaLZz7QVQIydTrCDfsl8UEZ5V8LWbDdiNnCS4/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Tomorrow we visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Vatican City. Our adventure is really just beginning! All our love from Rome!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5642045692787746018'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDuKSktiy_SkCuYn7pzcgRVq-hI2u0Ol6wW4rfbdDPkt2kW1P6cw1BAAyX1OKbiPrDFwxdFpwogQVJq5a36gBIQLfJlGORVSqdYYrzdFOWLqojFN65DiVMiNrLwCJMI570gBXqk3uisE/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress via my iPad from Italy<br /><br />Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-9744301926663133352011-08-16T09:53:00.001-07:002011-08-16T09:56:14.407-07:00Arrivederci!We're en route to Rome! We're excited to be on the way after a year of planning and saving. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115579430731494876491/JakeAndTobi?authkey=Gv1sRgCPL31uXfwdXWEg#5641498118382563570'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXmI-jm4pauMRtlWORAem3iISYarWl6s9GzG_Ld7AzHxY2MG-rNh5ub4crMKhI65BGjR5eCvox-psVU8FVK2sypt3LuOIEkP1DZ_DiOGtt5KEs6sBXjqYU3I6TkMbBqo1Smu9y91BceI/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />As for updates... we expect to be thoroughly connected from half way around the world, although we will spend plenty of time intentionally "off the grid". There's wifi on the plane... it's a whole new world!<br /><br />"On this plane we do have the wifi on board for the access to the Internet. " -Delta Airline Stewardess<br /><br />-posted via BlogPress for iPhone from the friendly skys<br /><br /><br />Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-69267772766211744692011-08-10T11:44:00.001-07:002011-08-10T16:00:43.372-07:00Packing for a Trip? There's an App for That.<div style="text-align: left;">We are leaving for our two week European vacation in just a few days. We've been packing and purchasing international phone plans and arranging house and dog sitting. It's a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety. I'm immersed.</div><div>
<br /></div>Lots of people just pack jeans and t-shirts when they go on vacation. If that is you and you like it that way... stop reading. No judgement or issue with that... just not my style. <div>
<br /></div><div>My best friend Megan and I have deliberated at length about the problems that come along with traveling in style... unless you have a stylist, in which case... get lost. To pack lightly (something our boyfriends and husbands seem obsessed with), you have to spend a lot of time planning your outfits and by the time you arrive you're overwhelmed with seeing the sights and you've forgotten what you picked out. Some pieces end up getting worn everyday (and in every photo... shoot) and some things just get pushed to the bottom of the bag and end up being a waste of space. No body wants to wake up at 6:30am during vacation to deliberate over an outfit. During my last few trips, Megan and I have developed a system to avoid all that... I'm about to give away trade secrets here.*</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73htjMpK9wiMtTsiPYiTErpaaTOfI5Nu314aRa4sc7kSnut_-ds_NLXtMo75W5IqgNXBu0EFpM3JbSmDz-87gVm0crjyNXSFR9CwbQ4NREE5uotvDNN2BO3eLO8xPnup28ONl3df9aev0/s400/DSC_0010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639356990006533202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>We've come up with a way to make sure you have a cute outfit every day you travel with zero hassle in the mornings. It involves planning, so if you can't bring yourself to be prepared, then you're out of luck. If you can, though, you'll save yourself a lot of stress on your vacation.</div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Megan & Tobi's Foolproof Guide to a Stylish and Effortless Vacation</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">You will need a camera, phone and computer for this method. The process will be different depending on what type of phone/computer you have, but my directions are for iPhone/Apple people. If you don't have Apple products, then I'm sure you can figure out something similar with your phone/computer. Good luck!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Tally It Up: </b>Make a list of types of outfits you will need (ex: daytime, semi-formal dinner, going out, beach, etc.). Then, go through the itinerary for your vacation and make a tally mark next to each type of outfit every time you come across a day when you'll need it. In one day you might need a couple different types. For my trip, I needed 14 day outfits, 8 dinner outfits, 5 going out outfits and a couple other random outfits for the beach, travel days, etc. As always, I must thank my best friend and style guru Megan Smith for helping me style these looks!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaziA928Bwrm-olNrQCPiQcUk3uD8lL4obBdoMKaz1Pdw2292nneHeflTg8s_VIFRaidkZWkZDN2YgBbAqiBU4rRwsmCIgJe4duedUVnDEJqi_BSQbV1N0pxf0QfUhI5k2td1JaL1e-piL/s400/DSC_0058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639357603028866514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2. Start Styling: </b>Here's the fun part. Start styling your trip! Start with the outfits you will need the most of and work down from there. Remember to take the weather into account and that you'll want to take pieces you can wear more than once, especially for long trips. I was able to make 14 day outfits with only 5 pairs of shorts and 9 tops. After you've matched up the pieces, make sure you take note of the details, like what and jewelry goes with the outfit, or what type of camis, bras or panties you'll need. Pick out shoes for each outfit, but don't take a bulky pair of pumps along if they only go with one dress!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQn5dqr_UkGZvFOF5CD-tEUbSVq7mde6sbvW9eK8MXGZUAHrmMsNdlM-VbaTlHTqbccI3nHhtcvZNaY3jkYwTveRARY4xPJ_bsP7oPvLh1Lc2sceGQGFuea-uGKnVCdcX25Kchp9S68JG/s400/DSC_0036.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639357000247181922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFSOex-qwMYTBjs7OCkmpmkpvBg0GidJLg93yKCebbhoRdHj1v57dFirr2vsjZztJJgK1TpizbBUUkqCQP1_pv9IwA4-FWY7E1NPjiRaGypPUrZw-y4BCRXUdA4V24GNI1Hj6QV6N2rg2/s400/DSC_0046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639357593112734914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3. Photograph and Organize: </b>Lay out each outfit, complete with jewelry and shoes and take a photo. I do this part with my real camera (for quality) and I like to upload mine to iPhoto and crop them, so they look nice. Then, in iPhoto, I create an album for each type of outfit (day, night, going out, etc.) and drag each of the photos into the album or albums they belong in.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For a quick and dirty version, you can also just snap a photo of each outfit with your phone and keep them in your camera roll, but I don't like the clutter personally.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmE2IWdgMohE5nTEhXysEF9JGHlrwNbKSxV1ZwyXfLNuqBLZjtAtuAgEWaN8UHeK5h1Ulo5euF4shGp-t0SPRFpOoex0C1VtkxElarHFwWWVVunw1n7zkXHrPtYhyI49aZXqYIli1BYEAk/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639356985299372754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>4. Sync: </b>Plug your iPhone into your computer to sync. When iTunes pops up, make sure you select your outfit albums under "photos". Sync and voila!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyGnYz6qVFme7wEN6SThv2VwEMy6iL9RMFXkgtH3AFEoLVfvofs7L4GUjYsRtwsmTiuSTGbrV6-hH6fPF1xaAJkbNRqsb88YLQiEEsR6Czt6djeza5e7QlmuGe6zJV1Xodotpv6RXiQ_v/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyGnYz6qVFme7wEN6SThv2VwEMy6iL9RMFXkgtH3AFEoLVfvofs7L4GUjYsRtwsmTiuSTGbrV6-hH6fPF1xaAJkbNRqsb88YLQiEEsR6Czt6djeza5e7QlmuGe6zJV1Xodotpv6RXiQ_v/s400/DSC_0063.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639357606297818674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now you should have an album in your "Photos" app for each type of outfit you will need. When you are ready to get dressed for the day, you can just flip through the photos until you find what you want to wear. You won't need to try to throw something together, just put on what you've already laid out, complete with accessories.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-weight: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbMSUIGO00a6Bj9u8ymffXFJ3bbkgZHRGT7x_2UkamQ53HZDYTvTZB5tvy_EXsQu9Miy7uPx0zXqQ8QiXn8YlbCWVIzIcQnCiYCoeCtvKwRdjTPtEzqG49Tjnt8RVNJ19OK-xjOKGpFz6/s400/IMG_2030.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639362261884810194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeErwQNyOTCroqnPQC0VOrIvTazwjqzVa4zrYvN1lPwMCqPY2EcxAd1218aEC00UTuElK5VuO6Nyg0ywwjmU2fnG0epeAAPR4ZIdng_aD_1Y7Rbxl_f8DxReQFXWUWi2XxwU4S-iPXMZ7x/s400/photo.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639362267735525778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Other Tips:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Use the good old "Day to Night" trick as much as possible. Accessorize a top in the day with a belt and shorts and bring it into the night by adding jewelry and skinny jeans.</li></ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">If you won't have access to a washer/dryer during your trip, try not to plan easy-to-soil items like white shorts into too many outfits... just in case.</li></ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Make shoes fit! I wrap mine in packing paper to prevent them from getting scuffed and put them in the bottom of the bag. For pumps, I place them in rows on either side with the heel facing out, so that they form a v in the middle of the bag where you can pack your clothes.</li></ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">If you are only bringing a carry on bag to avoid extra charges, you won't be able to bring big bottles like sunscreen. Make a list of items like this that you'll need right away but couldn't bring and pick them up on the first day.</li></ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Don't forget a little pill case or baggie with band aids, pain relievers, etc. Going without can really ruin your day!</li></ul>Let me know if you have any other tips or tricks to share!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>HAPPY TRAVELS!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>
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<br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">*Just a couple hours before I was going to post this, I found out that my friend Janna does this too! Alright, maybe it's not a trade secret... but it is helpful!</div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-10790989888428757502011-08-09T11:39:00.000-07:002011-08-09T11:45:37.407-07:00Adore Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyDJ8n4fU6uKFGpuN2MUbVSy1Ywkn765Yfhz9cdEq4e0d9nO6NQamT-jBjB4dYq_j7w6UJ3md-ijKkAGauy3g6TW2Mw7sPFa0Xol3uVX3rXKLz10__oRhTjcwrWnhBNcOozePeYya3LRt/s1600/pic_banner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyDJ8n4fU6uKFGpuN2MUbVSy1Ywkn765Yfhz9cdEq4e0d9nO6NQamT-jBjB4dYq_j7w6UJ3md-ijKkAGauy3g6TW2Mw7sPFa0Xol3uVX3rXKLz10__oRhTjcwrWnhBNcOozePeYya3LRt/s400/pic_banner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638928637022266946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">{Image via <a href="http://www.adoremagazine.com/">Adore Home</a>}</span></div><div>
<br /></div>Check out <a href="http://www.adoremagazine.com/read/">Adore Magazine</a> online. Based out of Australia, this online magazine runs every two months and features some gorgeous products and inspiration. I love the repetition of hot pink accents this month, the incredible kitchen on page 38 and the fun feature on travel to Sydney near the end.Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-74086135155477417462011-08-05T09:20:00.001-07:002011-08-05T09:25:00.843-07:00Peek at My Pinterest!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jIfb8nF2JOqqpSn3mdpaqEQSzOgHhICsfYsadhaZm0rLekPEvpmLM6wXuyNRXY9HqJ80n1jgFVJnAnl69VvRS74ywT1kajjdYF3dFUX1AoSq7WGP4505PtViSyuBzjnKjP1vzQyUSlHQ/s1600/80642723_a83te2qK_c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jIfb8nF2JOqqpSn3mdpaqEQSzOgHhICsfYsadhaZm0rLekPEvpmLM6wXuyNRXY9HqJ80n1jgFVJnAnl69VvRS74ywT1kajjdYF3dFUX1AoSq7WGP4505PtViSyuBzjnKjP1vzQyUSlHQ/s400/80642723_a83te2qK_c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637408270541756050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">{Image via Pinterest from <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/07/sneak-peek-armin-basblicher.html">Design*Sponge</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you peeked at my <a href="http://pinterest.com/tobicurtis/">Pinterest</a>? Every day I select and post lovely ideas, inspiration and objects of desire! I have boards for home goods, parties, clothes and lots more. I'm adding a link in the side bar, but until then... go <a href="http://pinterest.com/tobicurtis/">take a look</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-48752095875758555302011-08-03T13:48:00.000-07:002011-08-03T17:25:10.210-07:00Our New Place!<div style="text-align: left;">I'm finally posting photos of our new apartment! So excited! We've been here for two weeks and we're loving it. I have to say, it might have been the easiest move I've ever made. I started packing four weeks before our move date and tried to keep everything as organized as possible. On the morning of the move plenty of family and friends showed up to help. We had six cars and trucks and only had to make one and a half trips. By one o' clock, my grandmother, mother in law and sister in law had the kitchen completely unpacked and put away. By the next day, we had everything unpacked, except for three boxes that I still haven't unpacked because I'm not sure about where to put the desk. A HUGE thanks to our family and friends who made it a happy and exciting weekend instead of a big hassle.</div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>Because of our trip to Italy and Greece is just two weeks away, we aren't going to be able to start decorating our place until we return. We want our new home to have a very different feel than our old one, so it's been good to have some time to just be here and see what kind of inspiration arises. We have some big ideas for this place that I can't wait to get started on! So, without further delay... here's a house tour for you!<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Living Room</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are just overjoyed to finally having a living room without a bed in it! Our new one is spacious with cozy carpeting and lots of light. This room makes us realize how little furniture we own! The vaulted ceilings make it feel huge to us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6Rq4N-1bwKd5qx0TzTArNWWoMTekoz5jWzrKW81vWNxCdlR0apJftYEeq7f8X1jVJLIPvdB8LmMGNccYEyNc35i1sv3BC00yFguK6n062_kXPf5jjeqN5UHJ6ZgKMVIB7wWbJcUhJG1X/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636736391280911682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XoefFyxR9-EXg8xHg1ZSsunaEOuUCnzIeXxu4twZUQSYkRFhCIHqJ1wflSA3uzZMVUZlGPZ7JO6-FaqXGkVOs44jNun0qgBBnJryP8F69kksdO1E5KiwbZrjVB6OzZ-5pQCNcxRH2GGQ/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636736398416836754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwdS2naQnX-vsDCd4Gmufq6ocUsVApRhCXqV-HXTtj4lxuQAeEGgnzSUS5PVyxNkb_3S2JwCDt2_0Q3Jy25cg65-45T17Nj1VV7N7u0kNqtZbwTZEhe5e1ktYu8ealipm_af_mcs4yDSO/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636736400646226066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Design Plans</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">We want to fill out this room and make it a comfy, stylish place for entertaining. We are going to add two pieces to our Sactional to make a larger couch with a chaise and add three pieces to our Hemnes Bookshelf to fill the empty wall with an entertainment center. We will be replacing the coffee table with something visually lighter and adding an area rug and chairs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1QLLTuOlpc0wx_wbRGZqVTQ68axPenark1sj4qKsxXxkKM5tPTVikz224EYfjFSz2ypv7R8b_NOYUPJYhPLqvuM2yKnJhbXbJE7LTcjTYQdjwBiyvIPN_xmBhoc64Pi2FBqv4V8TopUx/s400/Acrylic+Furniture+and+Coffee+Tables.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636780331925874130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh510wUcg6FNZIFBEk0R2EqjcXruOamxw_ZC-2-BtaPg8lqlT2P-Uzz7Uwyi7hdNNB9POCiIahpL_whQdfmAxX-9vqYsWQvoBEhUuCQcACOwaIPesz9Xr90fVbQMwAR5MvXqm1kzo9w2PAj/s400/80616256_F5JVXP46_c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636780327093911106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My grandmother is passing on a large oil painting from her house that I have always loved for the wall behind the couch. The painting is yellows, golds and cremes. We are leaning towards a yellow, navy and touches of teal for this room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW52bdQUhjSznhcwDZgr58MKXyG4ys95fZYRQ-7FIlpquumpEHOiXFnfI_lsdW1-9luwdFpxdRF3PWD1thZ0xIdqYSlKBGBunEaLMrxd4wx9czGCUr-7IDbnubduQwdtGKGruWoRYUs5T/s400/73822711_zccPPxKJ_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636780324904451666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 174px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Patio</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are beyond excited to have a little deck! The Curtises surprised us big time and bought us a beautiful new grill after helping us move in. We love to grill just about any day of the week! There is also a very handy outdoor storage room. Jake and his dad installed some shelves and hooks inside the weekend after we moved in and we've already filled it up. Being on the third floor facing out of the complex gives us a great view of the hills.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNxtH9So_4KoFJZaB0V8da-QR7MKk1BDJLNPBsE3G2_rUT9zjug0iFGp9_ZGSOA8M-UbvKCCiYSzNBaQSYNvEV_rzosn8TbtjkCSfSU0KC9ElYGAypyk9EOU9wnjCQTZ8rfZqG0VOEMIP/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636737672661593746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J46FTJSp18VXpdpu8xrWPZ8xbhsPyr8l6UKMflCyi-aD5-igqKJHXz1p6q5k8ujsAAGkPpFQ4hQIzcKGbTbpqkyMuwLqBuAOhDeC_9WK3QzTxBXPtg9RvQMp-6yk2AbW4LBX0vaTuzix/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636737676909624370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNM3nmnxJ2VtJViK7GFY0vSxNG5iL88KP0FiQn9camYcI3ndTsNBWK1w-JGvpixgP4VUL6c7viIS3IkGz6qV4B2BjDeSISFAduqtQKwOnXxABCwS9ZVijvqOXABy-I1K-gCO4iECOaI8P/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636737681267594466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_OdS8NnQqIctGuTEkVYybfOIdepstK6e97puGiwnKfsOWgZlnRp-kSbjJ8wJxzUNKDFIDcnap0IbK_TbZ9OsC5XklDYPOY13Fnh-khhSwZKx_F4iV2QQJ0th_kQ9AbXhoRZuEEEYybSh/s400/DSC_0013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636738683272123906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQWdRExqC5onl9HpkWji29n7whsd61SEVut3j-E2x1bQgRwJ_tx4FQZME683VdwoKhw4X3Amh83ijDVjmch50Jn18a5ZMTsjLomr_haZ_JZ-yvWGcxY4GY-LFahLUy5cksiUjAPyPEaYv/s400/DSC_0014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636743387139909042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Design Plans</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">We would like to add a small L-shaped bench and a couple ceramic side tables out here for lounging out on the deck with friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayKxLbk3mpTkKw1_NBKOBZVGp-3iIiwz4bk2m0khVDP8ECN6MDYlryD0l36HtawxNMCPm8gevF7kZ1y117fR18Kz05_6UEh8RBT6Klfa6NBioEBZoq50rpYlpEGr3fowxJFuFx3eifJ-I/s400/62870318_LX0oBqTx_c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636782633002595794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 290px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1F4f9IZaoXgglySVWUz8iOzlyC79gTOg9cu_hL7uH9oIN3NEcbw7hyoCevAiAhmwUUU5DH57ygqKUi2jQynxwe8jMyMBVZLQgzgZw_9zHELu0HaaegP0bT2P11uyc_eOliYVD5zU0V_Q/s400/a64734a12fe582139fbf5b_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636782635467982690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>The Dining Room</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center; ">It's so nice to have a dining room big enough for our table AND people at the same time.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl3HAvxByGD_PwqZJSJTyuITQBBDQszJFOZ30on1tbuX7AgCAz6mrAWOrDeevXUeQrOYhHrXlvl0rumu1n2VE518RWxvM-ESZwt_WQw_ftVO0KX__dAx5Jiu564OGdSEaADQq1s4uwJ9l/s400/DSC_0026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636739748919102546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>Design Plans</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We'd like to do a wall of enclosed bookshelves for dish display on top and hidden storage below. We might even look into doing a drop down secretary desk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMtmYbLsmrYlXk10hCoZ_sBGNK4zRva-1GNgIEF9xN0-lBnNtQXAY3IFp7u_-SwtEmrhHd-I3krLX7P2xPcnsKGJIgDrX9fPTPSKuISS2dJg3kQn7nMmDL0lX4-0cJfu04PcBMtVxdpf2/s400/12982317831621887172090.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636784051528453970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 330px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>The Kitchen</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center; ">The kitchen has got to be our favorite part of the house. We love everything about it. There is SO much cabinet space that we were able to bring home gifts from our wedding that we hadn't been able to have at our old place... including my mixer! We love the walk-through and the open counter which is perfect for entertaining. We've never had a dishwasher or a washer and dryer before, so having BOTH in one room is amazing for us.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9DrK1iaD0hhsbrMZ-9hCswFKTShN9QP5uRvb3ha3vJzxKph59KPUIVKIQDs6wX4_a8sxHefH-_y4fxZG1VDFXmj2cNDhBMZxjfEMNsRIFowVqiAmiApxSvMLLkxfkWaQCxxu9XYNtkP_/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636738692372937346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5h3XTZFRPIf9O1-5Xsl1MFoSBDx4bKL_UtOqYfF9-CJL42Tx6ir2aARv6L6J5O1KF8Ola_kfxXAvk9Q661mLemEz08hzUh24DS-40pV70rKlkdbCT9p9WsNFGutinxi42y_2ijmHvhIO/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636738695329247346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZWItpIUYGDBmudAlFUE2uEMhClZqPytAjuY0JRJ8boM73ZTHrYnEc-5ou35Y2tB2BHEFGEvAx5MA0_eUVDL3XSi1K3li3p0Rks0Yt2V2QRH1JCuM90yAwzFbpv_bH7yJtCsKFM2xs61I/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636739742934381954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScjnEBjaQ9rV-oUlZ-eWC1ve1v5YanmRTJy_bSJnUnBE9fR3JJupaQ6Q9peG9L0-quVLjZTPzQqjRTEgOrWJy6nKJagCL2bEuK_AA3tIgV7FuktdloG12oWqlwci81-RR7TJtnJns-k1N/s400/DSC_0030.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636739749577105778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>The Bedroom</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Having a bedroom is nothing exciting for most people, but when you've lived in a studio, it's a big deal. Of all the rooms in the house, this one is the least put together at the moment. We haven't decided whether to keep the desk in the bedroom or where else it might go and we have no bed frame or nightstands and very little light yet.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15hl0b3bxv2_OqeHfWFUYZ3q-YQ5Cx9osPhgI5FN4fSc0M1b0bs8fOnl0JqMgthROFgZ2PgCN0BP3mgXGezW_T0IwFUQnXKYOSZyjLqsYQaT4vN5fh1P4AMYBGlyunhxr5_d9t-MFe4Xg/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636741180660993154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dgMRSycJyPuF_UnumwH0bwEnm7-yZ7pqwC5uSdnNAxgFWbYxtyuYD-crbU8CF7eOiQkTDhyphenhyphenBHrpnHtFlQ7DcuQlE0qmEYqMy4qONVUghEl9D2BX1XZo7nNwNW2SVLDqV3v_2YnRMtccz/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636741185218326178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgHb_RiiaNdTIIb3pZ8Hl5IpYM-imoxOlbFtAQ3W-7m8pLpjGTEMTssEz0jJM85XsePFKntmC1W971pw1qK8TikF_WEFg1tjCahyphenhyphenDEG3ed4u45AW5ibp7qFyLhDUrgSH7eNagVmC8ce8z/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636741806407592402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjHvVUOLHvE0yCARekmplOT1cS4Uu5suvyreoVS8BcgD8eqGnKlA0gLBuiyuCvN7ZXt8uxUAvCiH3Sb88vEIEdLxscFQOUKPCbCTIBCk3xA-ksxURIDsU3J7kj3ks0F3Au3Uiukb9nEIB/s400/DSC_0050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636741808803610258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>Design Plans</b></div></div><div>Of all the rooms, I am most excited to decorate this one. We are going to do a removable wallpaper pattern on the wall behind the bed with hot pink side tables for accent. We will be doing a pendant light in the middle of the ceiling and want to do shoe display shelves along the opposite walls. We want this room to be romantic and playful.</div><div><br /></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpXLWtQlIwjlvgREq-kMwN0pMi23_tpEScJnrCej-yW_nxpxLInYECCpLHVGR3pjiPhEMClDCFaVLAbgUYF3ZBgFawWTItfNEqMhl3B8VVd9zedXhERzZe8Ag1sZNqydq8uyeojPKFXJ4/s400/Master+Bedroom+Inspiration.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636787715066061874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>The Bathroom</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Our new bathroom has lots of storage space, plenty of counter space and a tub! We like having the rooms partitioned so that someone can be in the shower while someone else is getting ready by the sink.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQqkNHYgxE8_p69v1duPvCX8FGJAfNNZiR2PHqP1b0M_PoiKYs2gcL2RIrGvAr_MY3QDTk-Nziz3SNXQBTSDYQEj1xopin4qJ8b7jRxzFMYNvp1HReEpy3CE5KgxoB-io7XSh-FQxV0Yp/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636739760163627938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1DOBDdIR9J7gAVuMV-cIbBxZ9ormLzIoGyA19BGVzeKnJcJfTzbF0T1dmfUciwCo8Iu4Ifa6fJ-m-eWjvrLWyzlTenROBgXjm3MMk9g5LqTCauiCo0UHK_LJPu5u23rVSjoQrHpO3GlV/s400/DSC_0036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636741171837153570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJnJvQNDi1lYzufSgrk3jcooL6DmI3O0pR0KypZlrqiMiMOfT4_W3koWPfUL7PLtSecNFC57MD_G0NQsGQl04ugCv4dWAkJYMB0Rb95beIcj2DuChx3vau87OxT5ZBGB03c8XmmZc6eQW/s400/DSC_0038.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636741179550430834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div>That's pretty much the tour of our new place. We can't wait to get started with the decorating in September! What do you think?</div></div></div></div></div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-59065969668790485242011-08-02T18:14:00.001-07:002011-08-03T13:48:12.829-07:00Our First Place<div style="text-align: left;">I apologize for how slow I have been in updating the blog. Now that we are moved in to the new place, we are only two weeks away from our big European vacation. It's amazing how long a to do list can get when moving in meets arrangements for being out of the country. Anyways, before I post photos of the new apartment (in a very raw state), I thought I should pay homage to our old place. This was our first apartment together and our well-loved home for a year. It was cozy, at only 310 square feet and there were some doors that could not be opened while others were in use, but we made do and loved every second.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVI7bthRFzMclTIw2BtDli5G92JFYvq22faigT-tZDKypLDbp0xqIyFLoW7BrL1RekDdrRP7xyHIVCs9EboFlv58HjYgD2u3Hg4ikLQQKBfSreaiWnpk53tOHAlp1idBo6LanLhLVqaTT/s400/168+S.+10th+St.++%2528Ground+Floor%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636512235277779058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The "Entry"</b></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4rTxwNdCLUfh5NGoq_3zO_T-i7Glrx_e8Pp_gfWO_8bDah7XhnuLbaqZh4iZkoHY5ryiflnrZ2CYyU555dlqSNhzoMJBaClvvXA8yf1RYkHUsI9z9_h3vze0xEwCskDnYkImPWRl3M5m/s400/DSC_0072.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636437472690979666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpJjxko0RdiTTFpvswYEh8pgN5yur7pEasBQP1wyoBeWPCOBnFRV1oUkNMT0kvZh8DTmUbogj7yDwZDBqU1GaOFQYfAWHPrfmSVpf2IjgIcdobWGNJyO7YYQgehb7yOEFwqXoUYpiXeOI/s400/DSC_0129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636443299354122434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUmJR0bOOPRf_AJmoPSavHbjELY1QOVtI6__iM82hQoPuUXK5rsdOHcqlnaksMumwr-jSqIJxjoYmnDmrNhht2q8JhHqmWbKMZW8X060mvUaFDMhFZ9uuWlcpsmWgIe-8gG7ORF7jdOiH/s400/DSC_0125.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636438847339545234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><b>More Than Loved:</b> our cute little porch, seeing some of our favorite things when we walked in the door</div><div><b>Less Than Loved:</b> the sketchy alley in front of our cute little porch, being able to see EVERYTHING when we walked in the door</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The "Living Room"</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3wGbHj1mF-3rbt-mQ319L_yOL07oEc0hyphenhyphennpQuhZZMAbbK2L2wiErzNEtQrFF0WKaW42jgkJ_QKTQuMav5AkUZSdZ_iHEoP5hKa2XJZHi_6XnFVzOdVG6U1EPPPII0YP7idmY5gvQczl2/s400/DSC_0065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636436517409107618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkhThPT4V6RwmIt2pF-lRwVSm_0nsb9U5A_Ljneod87Q23Zc_ejjfNueOznwh2t3gz3ucDdj363FwrRI3fkEklLxxt8dRCwcqbmzasu9geUn62j4V8EeuG5_lND71P2yoEj9YrpJ3PAGy/s400/DSC_0075.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636437475844581314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5z6wvUvWEHnc5a-1mw-TlpoxjNk-XV9VNimuiHexkkBY4aXCBkhz6lOczBMJUfAgaiqACE0E7otSqnSHVRAUPRyg4QRP-q-5YEebK6vjTuRoN54P9Fpkr3rUnajfgcpip-PW7nkNb2e4L/s400/DSC_0123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636438841319035250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot0SKXsTCiX_VjlrJ0zIkein16JfVbpnLSuvceieBKFwexDzUQmXAhvPD5MnPHdHwRP2-RqyN4t85TaJro5DTSZK6WkOIE8rcJa7u_R9fIErIvf0ATTTwHLpcNxIbSd-_I-lIXw6GlgwA/s400/DSC_0079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636437479904215922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><b>More Than Loved:</b> our cuddle-inducing couch set up, the beautiful blinds and floors</div><div><b>Less Than Loved:</b> sleeping in a loft bed (or "upstairs" as we liked to call it), not being able to entertain many friends at once, doing my hair and make up in the living room</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The "Office"</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jfCF0jm5Z9dw0adDW-ScfmleeXzlwoWB28IxBhDXA0b5y7fdqEpZgaNmGke7Jfi0NWalMN-ppgNbaQjXpQHEt8pjghBMl3su1Huulfo9U7ttmnYR3pJ82wbcaOkjWt3BUOIS80ryQV-Y/s400/DSC_0108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636438837714506498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnOkqTOn3IL-m9frW8Ut-u_Bl5WAua2JGE4A2eW5EqwWj0vHss0-eDMeqHBILG5AIhpzHqZUbzZvP0QDjcVJH1Ewtk5zC95xyqiZKoPxE2bszHDUnCnEWOWYCMnBSQySqs_kIV2byGIC2/s400/DSC_0100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636438830094074898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOlKk5Qtd1OTysaUiUqJ6u2DzQYumD94Kzakx1xfm4zduRalHkWKHy6lotn8sy2FHOeyjvuzGkKVBF2rBPzTD4dMBZwGOuuu-z9hotyLAyfBOqqa0u2JCUolxZDCsXoc14j5hwbaLZy-1/s400/DSC_0098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636438825125654770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><b>More Than Loved:</b> having a little nook for crafts, my collection of cards, photographs and memories</div><div><b>Less Than Loved:</b> having to duck to sit under the bed</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Bathroom</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGafCR1GFgcjZyWSYxqv2UOtEgelQk-MLSyriFQtGRxZ8yTIHw8Bz-nNHq0jYzXF4iYq3WxoEiHJw-_howudZHzj_txSgRUzCVul-2DuWWgRtccUtOdXtDGPJXiZcff1kea1HYjzuZEDCA/s400/IMG_1301.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636508009965691010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVXp3JfgipJapPzZC68T0dj2FlbhWDuQSXGLzHmJfertTd3kgv8xdebQ34e5zHNrOTJzWUWhqpz6IqDktLk1qXyNtUlZ59BnMkgNaP11xrhnDH6VMiaA-Y9vNDh7hu1CkXUbZ-HBhrq0J/s400/IMG_1302.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636508010466040722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7F8vBQ00tyx2J80mbJzGZlLtbhtRgzL13m61u5ervGMAZiPnCA7J7SdYIcF9KCnczO_iAyVOYoP4slnU0H5uMQxCnEaCHXiDmv9nxPobpKXqSTQx550mMQ1n5r4V1S301bt1r4YURsEt-/s400/IMG_1310.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636508017479489602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQnGYq_-fgqYySfB_41VR8EztMVexe21qqT6_i3fzpDXzLQUTv1rpz8uczQSdwewgYSbyunFDTeoTO_ypeQKNdQrPgCDwYqFxGUepnlFW5rvVPwArNBjiAPmfibfVeZD9yhMNFgKGkMOR/s400/IMG_1315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636508017010497602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><b>More Than Loved:</b> the splashes of teal, our perfect towel and laundry nook</div><div><b>Less Than Loved:</b> the tiniest shower in the world, having to close one door to open another</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Kitchen</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrzulMxRMNgUWTYqQIWen9ck1my5YVf0Mbv2-nDKheNYiA4f9gRknH3QXDW_CqKVt8pZ6E3Tyntl_V9XbMUz9dfZQ13_piRo8EJ-z37eVRHRtgUuwXWJClICsyH7hzDliOMCvYsHgxIt5/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636433160018812818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bepmBpHfV-xg1bsIB_iToTrPYvZetFK-EHsVN-KaF90351MpH86sCbE9rjSOOj2YT3zyXt4U3hMzGoCw4FVeFYsmOALIp89RioZf1bdckOwiTHkMPt1G9Ohvs9QoZatepk1xVvWo2hoE/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636436513785822706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlaYAPedIm_To90029LNakZKxJuy-QPCWUwemapzJDGvz_ze3vV_c4S2Sm5QhZxnR-IT01jVx3Z0tZhlC27Uq47Z61HvmULCtKBq7UuLmTMpHWqkm0N5IYGSIO1ZQogO1A4I2ZIZJOq9N/s400/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636436496986523426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilPXOmLkEt3mHSOhlOZHTrxPV-fq1BXSAGmHsqPdKgngrB2OQkhTei_M8MaDv9YbxRAqLNUYKuVQ8mvjh6c6SjRPf_ocxTCql1HQ_0D22uxk6B5N9P7VvxNiDQ1JUsLa4zCUWWoMLQ2FI/s400/DSC_0053.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636436511957658274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVJf4DTKS-NU4mqdtXn-I10_pi3PJ7gh-ugjItVRVuIpWZDLXWCt2HijAXLG26pZdD9S_-lFtX4pK-xK36J0Zj6flMKNPSN0IPGBTlfdGjBgQVERlAn6gvdrC1aUAgq8Iw4Wb9npVLaO_/s400/DSC_0041.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636436505571383170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><b>More Than Loved:</b> having everything within reach, an easy to clean kitchen</div><div><b>Less Than Loved:</b> the lack of counter and cabinet space, the VERY outdated appliances, the paint and cabinet choices</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The "Dining Room"</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeYlzwBfk0Nv7-OUvXNyXiTbV1wvGBP1PuEVs6AQbLi6xHvhBKIMZBbcDMQc5C6d3memhBVXOGbS-xjk9N2Cn3DrIlxQdKCIT9ea7LaSdDByQoOER-6o4T_PtrpuGVMzdnz0zhNJM2k12/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636433133849368178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1r3EzW23a5P-f0uzRwEUFBc1KhJR18kLjz3cWkrOPKtST6qH9F9V3X2hQEQcDUlPvP6kNt5qSi72bvhyphenhyphenmuohqZWRnMHuZUB_qQ0Vg-r9I1haznUD_UarvQ4OKUgBKoPWOFmTBj4Vmt9S/s400/DSC_0020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636433149503640962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOMrb5EXDFVwdVAFPvGfcA9m5KsrGBQg2amenQhHc4hN696AzleK5DIyN-iz3VfQ0g83odY5lY61BbHh7beGgiAYEEuaBQYY09JY_vR7j4Mj2qVhyphenhyphenLKKYtpZtZxiMXvq4aKJGzfu_nLgA/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636433140080114498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><b>More Than Loved:</b> tons of natural light</div><div><b>Less Than Loved:</b> not being able to open our table all the way</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>We are very proud about what we were able to do with this place and we can't wait until we can dive into decorating the new one!</div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-81998994086846560042011-07-28T10:03:00.001-07:002011-07-28T20:57:11.353-07:00Alpha Xi Delta National Convention<div style="text-align: left;">Sorry I'm a bit late, but I'm doing some catch up here. As you might know, we just moved into a new apartment, so blogging has been thrown onto the back burner for a week or so. I would love to post photos of our new place, but the OCD in me requires that I catch up on my posts chronologically.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, a couple weeks ago I went to Atlanta for the Alpha Xi Delta National Convention. A lot of people are confused when I tell them this. They think that sororities are just for four years in college. The truth though, is that when you join a sorority, you join for life. Alpha Xi Delta is a lifetime sisterhood; an organization of women that works to support it's college chapters, it's philanthropic partner, Autism Speaks, and it's members... long after graduation. In fact, some women are even initiated into the sorority long after they've graduated college.</div><div><br /></div><div>After two years of being a part of my college chapter of AXiD, I was very excited to get a national perspective on the organization. 500 women of all ages from across the country came to represent their chapters and alumnae associations and some, like me, just came to be a part of it all.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a bit of a rough flight into Atlanta and my first couple days there were spent recovering, eating room service food and gawking at the humidity. I shared a room with two collegiate sisters from my chapter, Jessica and Gina, so I had fun pretending I was the older, wiser alumnae. We also spent a lot of time with Taylor and Kelley from the nearby Theta Beta Chapter and I got a big kick out of reuniting with the many Alpha Xi Delta national staff, volunteers, council members and alumnae I have met over the last couple years.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Thursday, we attended a National Initiation Ceremony, which is just like an initiation we would do in our chapter, except a lot more epic. I have to admit I teared up as we welcomed some new alumnae initiates, including our National President's mother!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2DiZ-idj7Dz-EqBhlix9jN4PV5DX0Rd0ZdeOAsnqEf8aQb6uUQtuJgiaay3i6TendQwV0FEiGoqJzT3HoMJvThfBJGJBgx3cmxPfK1y0mVeQbCRr34dRCImESGCyIaykEKtbCau5iuiq/s400/IMG_1691.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634480641547031218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">All White for Initiation</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Friday, we attended the National Chapter meeting, where we heard the State of the Fraternity Address. It was amazing to hear about all the wonderful things Alpha Xi Delta has accomplished in the last two years and where we are headed next. Afterwards, we all set off to explore a little bit of Atlanta. Jessica and I are total Coca-Cola addicts, so we knew we had to visit Coca-Cola World. It was a blast, especially the Coca-Cola polar bear who was absolutely adorable. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBHuHAt1z4Q5eh5o3bt5YWnYBZjjV6YZaGaBin1ZPI6zpsqdHkubXJ11qn6nVvRjzJI7swhjTni4x5ZJ4cSIx_Ri4WO4pT5rfXrF0F0MJUd2uaWgoQ26FaQw8n0osGHgLqAjD5AP0I8QE/s400/IMG_1695.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634480640410029746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrk91a7xA6zAkUnDNS3EM1azaj1oxOkk5tojmY6MOVGNaW4NChYMJEPHvOa5cp20VJLBWFiGJhbyWqXZyTyRqEjL-iwuK56Hex-grIVIe4nrD-Z9hLNTGlhLPYIO8L-OhkXdsUOJmfavvv/s400/IMG_1697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634480644285727890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZbs5URUyBvkP8-njvlBP6Pl1ODiE6kMwd_FXJRrK0M7i_QqOdp4-imQQ2kp1-9vKtUlyoBwdj2HPTwGX2yEc3rgCFVQGA4yXModbZ6xU7bhPGrghdGq9tFi0vG0A7ZpZPXdmnF7d9hCx/s400/IMG_1698.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634480650930947602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8fBVlm1UrWeEkPhZ4MyEG7PeT-20RxKiRt7rCK3ZclrbbmsxO4w1Li1PXoWTgh3JUiX1xeX_9-YCykWG5xd0Ynt1TsbKks8LjSa9Ig7gPWB6zIatk9vWxwvVgb-zl1W_isn9I33hHqCz/s400/IMG_1701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634480650884546034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK0onn2LhWPObV-mlwryglpYUbKDprzT5hSnxjdaFFHX_RQAhSAJDnGN3p1UeRwh9F9NMIqptEKQEk6oAs3QBvyalshlZ5P2TGs3E3CzzM19aHMrQj-EXQDLJVYUs3JduGDhCV6wC1bLt/s400/IMG_1715.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634492021055198674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Friday night we had the Awards Reception, which was held at the Georgia Aquarium. It was such an amazing venue with huge tanks on two sides of the banquet hall. One of the tanks had two giant Whale Sharks... the biggest fish in the world!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeaO9R-ajkJ1Du1xZ77JzYvex5Jp8fFKpQH_6-SVZSBumAjSmQy8PoAbBJU2gyqAuV7bCHOIM2UR_dQtyR3cFc_3O3Ba1CugxCuSKQtx3h-oDyKK6k0IPcVVUoqfJ5BqjSCqBJh0Fokz2/s400/IMG_1718.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634492023180556082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">With Deanna and Her Presidential Bling</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xA5yrhOM-Xahb9uOCjAHq_B7qUpd7koFhI0UoRb_GZdoFGmZUZNE4Jjsx2ZV0XzrVWD7_2iLLK4QiAGCV3jBWmPsd-GuDuSC4mT0oUJxy1lP6UOpX9oTt0HlhYHV_pLci6uan_oEUl4c/s400/IMG_1734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634492029209250066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoleDY6q1dhK-JcgXv4Lcpn_fLcEb-diRRtUlmPasZIymSrnFea2k1KOyIm_U44_V9FbIxBueQy-DDWEElKtwdFj8AmG80RsCaGGUSo7XabOR06X0Arf1EYUUQ-S1Y1DjfZEtjLHjsme3-/s400/IMG_1744.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634492030465235730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">With Theta Beta and Julie</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk_Fp0Hm1wapgNHVKTmwPZZgV24iDGWgCrtga6_7n5tvm20FsyMSYOOVB7ZoaOYBmFejFVEC8EpPqQiZitk7QbE-LMZcQaabMC-tYtBwPvgoBvWUvW_dOr6RnGY1reZIaeh_HJhYE8iwV/s400/IMG_1748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634492327103657442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">With Jenny</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div>Saturday was the last day of convention and certainly the most memorable for me. The last banquet of convention is called the Rose Banquet. During the Rose Banquet they announce some of the most exciting awards, the current National Council hands over the torch to the new one, and they announce the location for the next national convention in two years. We were completely honored to be asked to sit with the outgoing National President, Deanna Detchemendy. </div><div><br /></div><div>We adore Deanna. We are very lucky to know her pretty well since she has spent a lot of time working with our brand new chapter over the last two years. Lately, she has been visiting a lot to get things in order for a new house. She is a pretty big deal to us. We got to see her lots throughout convention, but getting to sit at her table right in the front during the Rose Banquet was incredible for us. I was sitting so close to the stage that I couldn't see the bottom half of people's face when they were standing at the podium!</div><div><br /></div><div>Dinner was wonderful and we got to hear stories about Greek life from all the sisters and their husbands sitting at our table. The transition of National Council and the speeches from Deanna and Sandi (our new National President) were very emotional and touching.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QY6wPiYdOXLLT0MD9T9FHu8f8DEWOCvzD0bi48gNcUiIG7CP1OafttE4MzK3AvslI0KbmMLhbhWFJA0o7BHj7G18Y9vHmq67JRPXuMEnDNyIt8NaOToZdI-K_YURk59DC5nsVUyedlnc/s400/IMG_1754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634492327216764978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8auYD0xi_RxLDnUhu3pU-KG0dMW4SYxet7nzo5kDK0Fwb-bbhyphenhyphen2eHruEF3_I0n93gZ74B-B5hVY9cNIBxJd4jfiyOic5t2TNogR2MUlDFRPHjAXO01lhL7kYEVkFiFWPhlFCUnjoSldiY/s400/IMG_1760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634492332273695618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>At the very end of the banquet, they began to announce the location of the next convention. We were excited to find out where we would get to travel next. They started to play a video that went something like...</div><div><br /></div><div>The next National Convention...</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2013...</div><div><br /></div><div>Will...</div><div><br /></div><div>Be...</div><div><br /></div><div>In...</div><div><br /></div><div>SAN FRANCISCO!!!! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsJCbi80KvUqE6mcY7gFuPpF9_wPtcCu3Qz8uQOBKGQs0OerilRZfZSMWZNJCWCKoZUIaJAyV6AsxGnTfPlPDPgGchAIDV9Kso3-jQ_r1z172uMadY0twHwp_PpThv1YNKjcZillkH-j3/s400/IMG_1761.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634492338062996722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Our Reaction!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div>We absolutely stood and screamed with delight!!! I'm sure the three of us looked like crazy people! It was pure joy. As the video played scenes from San Francisco, we danced along to the music and smiled so big our faces hurt. San Jose is only 40 minutes from San Francisco and together with Theta Beta at Sonoma State, we are the closest two chapters. Along with the local alumnae associations, we will get to be a huge part of the next National Convention! We can't wait! After the announcement, everybody celebrated with Martinelli's sparkling cider and Ghiradelli chocolate. We couldn't contain our happiness. There could not have been a better way to end our first National Convention.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoH8IY34P5R_t1XlvT0v9tu6Du6yesNIT0Q0mQQUfBEzhw9NH6PLfRrqsSLha6f1L4-_0ii6q8Crf3IGVLyjFQtW1kySVDPx4IXTNUbfanbO_1zyx-f6ImSKzHTD_lNBGHuGIf-wC4nEI/s400/IMG_1763.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634495370203085698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">With Annie</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQmsQ14IbvRHieSfQqmxi94gOHNi0IxYK_jJWORxvGryQFNTJ1p9CiPSoUzrEbblkj4PIAQxZ_92gQemJP8-9CB0buErNuM9-1DK-3BwtS4lwUd46Q3__BIsasw2kPXBg6bJfQzufrDKw/s400/IMG_1766.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634495375740784114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">With Our New National President, Sandi Edwards</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb6GCz1vXAuRIYcO_zTvNbHFjewOG-1W10LmTmmgnphNZ_jK3Ssu4Bi79aDy1AtDens0gMkiGD9oIw58Nmox5psoYUdWMuxotBSz4spdtBRlzaLafidLqgZ5nmAVae3Y-2RyNtQ01ioB6/s400/IMG_1768.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634495379643238162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">With Gretchen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div>It was such a wonderful experience and I really can't wait for 2013!</div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-27246293001593777802011-07-03T11:21:00.000-07:002011-07-03T12:56:10.832-07:00Decoration Inspiration: Master Bedroom<div style="text-align: left;">We've been packing, sorting and planning for our new apartment for a couple weeks now and we are starting to get pretty excited. We want to try some new design ideas in our new place: bold patterning, industrial touches and introducing a lot more color. We've been selling some of our more monotone furniture and looking for inspiration for new pieces. With our new rent, decorating the apartment is going to be a gradual process, but we have some great ideas and projects to start with.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the rooms I'm really excited about is the master bedroom. I knew I wanted to go with a whimsical pattern behind the bed after I learned that Sherwin-Williams produces a line of removable wallpapers. Then, after I saw some features on Apartment Therapy about hot pink accents, I fell in love with the idea of doing two hot pink bedside tables. I thought Jake would never go for it, but he is completely on board. Here's an inspiration board I came up with for the room:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CRt9h2jEAVytLK1LS0ISVVDXopRteYdZ29iaxD-6SyXpQjK5y_eA6eEJdPoyg_wR2vIBjuyMEYensb3NmsrVMYpl-uMsrxZKUz3vHrL2cavKI-6T7bf_iPwsBKDY7iJzL8C83byf0rPU/s400/Master+Bedroom+Inspiration.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625213246689865442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90147465"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ikea PS Maskros Pendant Lamp</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - $89.99, </span><a href="http://www.swdecorating.com/default.asp?fm=/easychange.asp|"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kathy Ireland Grand Estates Easy Change Wallpaper #SW8EG5411</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - $60.00, </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20163779"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lack Wall Shelf</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - $49.99, </span><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/table-desk-lamps/cleo-table-lamp/s195042"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cleo Table Lamp</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - $299.00, Hot Pink Side Tables - DIY Project, </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S99889476"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ikea Nyvoll Bed Frame</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - $179.00</span></span></span></div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-36528124327889583702011-06-27T10:51:00.000-07:002011-06-27T11:44:28.344-07:00We're Moving!I guess it's time to officially announce that we are moving. This last week was a complete whirlwind of uncertainty that started on Monday with a pretty clear sign that we should move. Before that, we had planned on staying in our little studio until after our trip to Greece and Italy in August. There had been little indicators of things that made it tougher and tougher to hang around, but after Monday evening it was clear that we should start looking for a new place. We put in our 30-day notice on Tuesday and I spent the entire day calling apartment complexes and arranging viewings. All in all, I made 35 phone calls and scheduled five viewings.<div><br /></div><div>Jake and I spent the next few days visiting leasing offices, writing pro and con lists and crunching numbers. It was a lot like Goldilocks and The Three Bears at times... "this one is too hot"... "this one is too cold". Except for us it was "this one is too far" or "this one is too expensive". After a few viewings though, we knew immediately when one was just right.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Thursday we visited <a href="http://www.kcmapts.com/Foxchase">Foxchase Apartments</a> and by the end of the visit we were following the leasing agent back to the office and silently motioning to each other behind her back... "This is it! Let's do it!" We filled out an application and waited for a credit check before we left and then all that was remaining was a couple days of waiting nervously while they called our current landlord and verified our income. On Saturday, we signed our new lease. Moving Day is July 19th and we absolutely cannot wait.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to say though, we are so extremely grateful for our current place. It allowed us to be SUPER close to school and to spend very little on housing so that we could save for our trip in August and a lot of other fun stuff we got to do. It was exactly where we were supposed to be for the first year of our marriage and it will always be our first home.</div><div><br /></div><div>We realized during our viewings, though, that we are pretty easily excited by the "standard" amenities since our current apartment doesn't have ANY of them. Our new apartment is so luxurious in comparison. It is a one bedroom apartment on the third floor and more than twice the square footage of our current place. Even though three flights of stairs are never fun (especially on Moving Day), we chose the third floor for the awesome vaulted ceilings and the extra privacy. It has a newly remodeled kitchen with beautiful cabinets, tons of counter space, and a dishwasher. The bathroom has a shower AND a bathtub. The complex has two big pools and we have a cute little patio with extra storage so we can finally get a little grill. The thing I love most about our new apartment is that it has a washer and dryer. This excites me to no end because I HATE going to the laundromat... with a passion. Our new apartment is VERY close to Jake's work as well as a lot of our favorite places such as Target, In N Out, Whole Foods, Chipotle, Chili's, Chevy's, Costco, Trader Joes, and HomeGoods... and I mean walking distance. Obviously, the new apartment is quite a bit more expensive than our current place, so finances will be challenging for a little while and the idea of moving out of Downtown is making us a little sad. As frustrating, loud and unsafe as it can be at times... a lot of our very best friends and favorite hang outs are only blocks away.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is so much to do in the next three weeks. As much as it feels like an eternity from now, I know it will sneak up on us quickly. So many of our amazing friends and family members have volunteered to help us move, so I need to make sure that we are prepared for all the help. Between the 4th of July weekend and going to Alpha Xi Delta's National Convention on the 6th, I need to decide what will stay and what will go and pack up everything we own. I am really excited about decorating a new place, but I also know that will probably have to happen rather slowly. There is so much to plan and think about and do, but we feel confident that God is leading us and providing for us through all of this.</div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-46613560391528463372011-06-16T08:37:00.000-07:002011-06-16T08:46:28.596-07:00Laundry Night Meets Date NightLast night was a little adventure that reminded us why we love living downtown as much as we hate it and how we never want our love to get old enough that it doesn't crave an occasional detour. We had bags and bags of laundry that we had been avoiding, since trips to the laundry mat are annoying and time consuming. The laundry mat is only a few blocks away and so is one of our favorite restaurants, The Garage. So, to sweeten a sour chore, we hatched a plan to throw in our whites, lights, colors and towels and then sneak away to The Garage for dinner. They have a great patio that allows us to bring the pup and is so nice on summer nights. A folk band called Wild Reeds was playing on the patio. They were quite good. We feasted on maple lacquered chicken, peppercorn crusted tri tip, roasted spring veggies and sweet potato fries. What could be better than a warm and delicious summer date where the laundry gets done?Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-55169739510355358752011-06-13T14:29:00.000-07:002011-06-14T17:09:11.676-07:00Puppy Love<div style="text-align: left;">We've had our new puppy for a few weeks now and I thought it was about time to share some facts/milestones/stories/etc. about him. Here are some questions that people have been asking us about the newest addition to our family.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yrtczkfgul6STj1ozj3kYWh612LDpYQxigNRgDowkWFTps7N0ZqHEWrxVSpWyugvaSO8F2AxXU3pemya53K2Y7FLZPNthxfjzTsafSso_hW_oGbk2gwmdEjrH8QtrtkK26oULxCrTz1g/s1600/photo-10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yrtczkfgul6STj1ozj3kYWh612LDpYQxigNRgDowkWFTps7N0ZqHEWrxVSpWyugvaSO8F2AxXU3pemya53K2Y7FLZPNthxfjzTsafSso_hW_oGbk2gwmdEjrH8QtrtkK26oULxCrTz1g/s400/photo-10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618131254510076210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>How did you get a puppy?</b></div>I have been begging and bargaining for a puppy for a LONG time now and Jake has been holding his ground pretty well for at least a year. His reasons were totally valid, but they still didn't satisfy my craving for something cuddly. In fact, every time things got hard with school or work, I would find myself on petfinder.com looking at adoptable pets and coming up with names for my future dog. Then I would email the links to Jake and wait for the inevitable dinner conversation about how it really wasn't a good idea at the moment. A lot of it had to do with being in school full time and not having the extra time to train or play with a new puppy. Each discussion ended in me being disappointed, even though I knew he was right.<div><br /></div><div>A couple weeks before my graduation, my family started sending me picture messages of my brother's new dog. I was really upset for a few reasons. 1) My brother Logan is 20, his living situation is changing constantly and he already has a huge black pitbull named Bagheera. 2) This was the cutest dog and the most perfect breed ever. 3) This dog had just fallen into his lap! 4) I was way jealous.</div><div><br /></div><div>I tried to be "cool" about it by mentioning to my brother that if he didn't want another dog, I would be happy to take it off his hands and give it a good home. I did a bunch of research about the breed and convinced Jake that it was ideal for us... and guess what... I got his APPROVAL! It was so perfect, but my brother said no! He said he wanted to keep the dog, then texted me two days later and said he had given it away to another friend. I was mad and I let him know it.</div><div><br /></div><div>What I didn't know is that I was being tricked... big time. Jake and Logan had already talked on the phone and Logan had decided to give me the puppy as a graduation present. They were planning on waiting until my party down south, but because I was so upset with Logan, they sped things up and brought him to my graduation in San Jose.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was so surprised! In fact, I just repeated things like "are you for real?" and "oh my gosh is this really happening?". It was a little overwhelming and it made me late for graduation, but it was the best gift ever. Thanks bro... and Jake for saying yes.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Where did he come from?</b></div><div>His origins are a little mysterious. What we know is that he was originally sold by himself on Craigslist to a friend of my brother's girlfriend. They couldn't keep him, so they gave him to my brother. Unfortunately, during that time, he got very little training and no shots. Needless to say, he was in need of a steady home.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What's his name?</b></div><div>My brother's girlfriend's friend called him Tucker. My brother and my family called him a lot of names, including Tucker, Kilo and Tom Collins. Once we got him, we had to pick a name. I had always planned on naming a future dog Smudge, but he definitely was not a Smudge. I spent a good chunk of my graduation ceremony on my iPhone looking up names that reflected the origin of his breed. We decided on Axel.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>How old is he?</b></div><div>Based on his teeth, he is about 4 1/2 months old. He is starting to teethe! Fun!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What kind of dog is he?</b></div><div>Axel is mostly Vizsla, a Hungarian sporting breed. They are known as bird hunting dogs and very good family companions. They are affectionate and sensitive and at the same time fearless and protective. They are lean with short reddish-coats and red noses. We know that Axel is not a full Vizsla because he has a black nose. Other than that, he is completely true to every characteristic you can read about a Vizsla. He has very sensitive hearing and a great sense of smell, he loves to run and retrieve (kinda) and he is a total cuddle bug.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What it is like living with a Velcro Dog?</b></div><div>They call Vizslas "velcro dogs" because they are VERY attached to their owners. Axel is no exception to this. Our apartment is only 310 square feet, but if we walk to the bathroom, closet, kitchen or the other side of the living room, he will follow us. If Jake and I are both doing different things, he will find a good spot right between us. He hates being alone and I don't blame him.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is what it is like sitting on the couch with a Velcro Dog...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO0GCg0SVIXv3Layn3RQzGrsSlZDTWUMh7AoFhRYwyuuGvZ453pJnEirW7IuCJt_BPFpaS8aqNgJeobPP6C9pP9GozRjgi1tBbIx3ayLRIrZQ26THX8w7T6keQuM9pZOkUFFboipXVOxQ/s400/photo-5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618130097583316738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf96dh4tbjlpVytQra27qAzW5YrEEVbJzPt646N5-aUvSFxxGGEfyuDpIhpzqz5Ye8jehaiiTwHTRrX1QZLdKmPojarCkoaGakDViApACEn32dB4d7m8xy0rOS_hEzJGBKBR2K9FYkY8n1/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618131678040255042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; ">This is what it is like surfing the web with a Velcro Dog...</div><div><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0cFogBlEs8tUg5WIiGDnOFDtZnvWSm-aeWWDW3kM5IZB7u9LncbwUa6Zd7xeBGGrSCOSPwIXNYgv9QOlpfRzYSYOSxsY_cPKgQ3OaPfaWR3ZiF-MhD8YzJnbk0HSL794cWPDCbbGlIy4/s400/photo-9.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618131246120930034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; ">This is what it is like going to sleep with a Velcro Dog...</div><div><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJmINZzHcy28uisgL48svXIOI2pLGrxugCl1KnWrGPknyduNQh5hcd9lBA8Ql05ssXefa6cPCsKK7eqaK5fXVVg2wOr0njCnMCX_ssI0ub7aya1A75Wj5OqJOVw38As2_pymjUfwzHvn-/s400/photo-8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618131243716848482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; ">This is what it is like waking up with a Velcro Dog...</div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzcDMN9N9OEAD8477Kae2bW5jj5YdbSuUbVgFQN3l-vIqmRYwnlyC-_MIbjhVxZkT9H1SuLGOu3aV6qLt7WPUhVM3sq0AA-Ylm3mmwdm0omfPNpGiB8N2iHKNFwMfFL6JRQum_J2A8bOG/s400/photo-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618130070692596674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; ">This is what it is like doing dishes with a Velcro Dog...</div><div><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NXrwm-lmhGxqtzLEwOr8LtDyBJPfVWQZkPUJcelqSQzLN0TEfqEHaVpmgriNfJN_P_xb_h0d_o0Qh16wtwbD1n30pZPBXgCdxfKaEm4CMuEa4jp85b7hGo2ZpMCxAr0QKUebE-r9E98R/s400/photo-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618131237378696002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; ">This is what it is like writing this post RIGHT NOW with a Velcro Dog...</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGIhdpBQJ6eI0QKDNzQBOEYcwi38BhipGe9pCic40Q_sQFrB8t2_nHpAI0r9sEnSO3wd8q_dAlpZt8_ZvTy1Gs3V-sur3NbIcAEccMRRE93RJ1unL3RdemxxsTXzClCfSFmufmtUOLaou/s400/photo-12.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618137105371163746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>In fact, the only thing that can make Axel move away from me is his fear of the blow dryer.</div></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><div><b>Is he trained?</b></div></div><div>We're working on it. Axel is a very very good dog and he really wants to make us happy. At the same time, he is a puppy and he hasn't had any consistency in his whole life. He is mostly potty trained. At our house, he hardly ever has an accident. He is an excellent traveler. He has been on long drives with us a few times already and can easily sleep through them. He knows his name now and he knows the commands for "sit", "stay", "quiet", "up" and "off". He will do them all of time for me, most of the time for Jake and some of the time for friends and strangers. In the apartment, he is the perfect gentleman, but when we go outside for walks he can be easily distracted or hyper from all the smells and sounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>One big challenge we are having is crate training. It is impossible to take a dog everywhere and there are some times when we need to leave Axel at home alone. He has intense separation anxiety and will bark and cry for hours if left alone in his crate. We've been working on it everyday. We've gotten to the point where he likes his crate, will go in it on his own to play, and can go it in quietly for a couple hours at a time when we are home with him. Now all we have to do is get to the point where we can leave the house. It won't be long, but boy has it been hard to go anywhere lately. Thank goodness all our friends love puppy sitting.</div><div><br /></div><div>We love that Axel will never be satisfied being just our dog... he demands to be part of the family. Since we've gotten him, we spend a lot more time taking walks and little adventures and much less time in front of the TV. It's really great to feel our little family growing. He is the perfect dog for us.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Things Axel Loves:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-GRASS</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Digging holes at the beach</div><div style="text-align: center;">-His rope toy, Kong, soccer ball and tennis ball</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Chasing birds and squirrels</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Smelling EVERYTHING</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Being near us</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_ZliZf-uEwoEmwoJhr8-ZYo6iZycf8GO3-eTv94FahXuozFYlbo9fkxwCNzSwX-NbBSVEqycSIw90GKMdfk5XsDjxncu1TOmIXoFWwWIcqK32DdOnkd5gwPPBZr7X43-khh97Q-1kRoh/s1600/photo-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_ZliZf-uEwoEmwoJhr8-ZYo6iZycf8GO3-eTv94FahXuozFYlbo9fkxwCNzSwX-NbBSVEqycSIw90GKMdfk5XsDjxncu1TOmIXoFWwWIcqK32DdOnkd5gwPPBZr7X43-khh97Q-1kRoh/s400/photo-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618130075792844338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Things Axel Hates:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-Singing, humming, or whistling</div><div style="text-align: center;">-The "off" command</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Squirt bottles</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Showers</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Hair blow dryers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvOZnu7enFTbQIQExPs1RmofzrQo71INwsrmAAzh0XXxKCE_yBxg1k2KvvSpegLlK6p7EzrfVghGZRfUsqV7SaUVB-1D25UkPmevECHp8KY3F30nyNtTubXMOuOEmM82jYP34w9-7y4pc/s400/photo-6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618131228709884386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Things I Never Thought I Would Do:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-Let a dog sleep in my bed</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">-Have a lot of cutesy nick names for a dog (Baby, Vizsla Baby, Axe, Axe Man, Pup-eroni Pizza, Hound Dog, Shark Attack) </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">-Write a post this long about a dog</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Things I Still Won't Do:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-Call Axel my "fur baby"</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHqTdbTv_8c21R92L1drxnRIU_AcvhI8gck0_JypcnzoDwpmoj6gMRQshBxDqSo6yNN8Xo70JIVmRMGlGsFZQyNQc7yPKq6sWPanlkarh_lFl-K5asw98DB7iNEGmQkuSWveG9SkymaH1/s400/photo-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618130093795798178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; ">Here is a video of Axel "playing fetch", which really just means enjoying the grass and sometimes bringing the ball back. Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Dxr3e3XhO78" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></span></span></div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-77265821759234513652011-06-07T17:04:00.000-07:002011-06-08T17:47:19.198-07:00First Anniversary<div style="text-align: left;">This last weekend, Jake and I celebrated our first anniversary. Neither of us can believe how fast the last year went! We feel so blessed to be married to our best friend and for what an amazing year it has been for us. I still remember every single moment of that day, but I love Jake even more now than I did then...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8poCFY-8Np9X00F3lxl9Jw_4jXq4oMvZlIF8oC0aNcLNhRWR2EY_IOdZ6TDlNTmdT4zEjDsxfaFjZHmei1qTgJ7sLsj8uSlD_94RdteYBzwjnfqTxaiOBMv39Xq7G-u208C8S4DBcfYz/s400/38992_415765726650_501336650_5184023_6407932_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615997325347553970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>To celebrate our anniversary, we spent the weekend at our friends' vacation home in Truckee. It was a relaxing weekend away in a beautiful place. We honestly tried not to do anything. In the mornings we made pancakes and drank mimosas, then watched movies or home improvement shows while snuggled up on the couch. It was cold and rainy, which made the jacuzzi and sleeping in even better. We couldn't have asked for a better anniversary. Here are some pictures of the house in Truckee... we can't wait to visit again!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrl6g4YX0F3Pcwzw72bigTHiJ2TTEVJ8flVt0OR0lOgqGLCZ2glJpKyoEJhQVWMnhyphenhyphenWN_6g5LH8d28RzA-wcxPgQGk0RFqIdtoWOQQdrYcIUsQfGkx6Dwz6VZqT8I_2d-DjAjx1LhEJ6p/s400/IMG_1665.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615997349697718162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb_FQ1UKPBrRBrYMoCAvAGMmgz_ysHytpJH9VfUo8tXvLrWR2U_F0qQblu0WNe3r-oNOAKsScmVX8KqHok2HYVSe0r1Agip7H3GElD_ifV_mqAAisaE82zlA1laYrsZrJhZV29luF2j_B/s400/IMG_1648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615997331054933330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS0R42zMCs3wlbIskkd9I8qO2riZN68eJewkyNhptYeoUsL6EokJE0tohD_XFJIIWUhjuxxHsMv2FnrbiAYQS6IijuQOnQr1gVaBUhJwrCxGHazJIyyBU8fWIOLV_-oFKyqKlv1cLzh2X/s400/IMG_1658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615997339629089778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-90577123391231616132011-06-06T00:11:00.000-07:002011-06-07T13:39:40.575-07:00Summer Kick Off Road Trip<div style="text-align: left;">My parents wanted to throw me a graduation party for all the family and friends who weren't able to make it to the graduation in San Jose, so the day after my commencement, we loaded up the car and headed down to Orange County for the long weekend. Eight friends from San Jose ended up coming down with us, including three in our car. It was a busy weekend, but here's (mostly) what happened...</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday night, we all drove down from San Jose. There were different cars leaving at different times and the latest of us got in at 6am! For the most part, we stayed at my parents' house in Lake Forest.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday morning we all got up and got ready for the graduation party. Jorgen picked up food for the party, Jake took the dog for his shots and us girls ran some secret errands for a classified project. In the afternoon, we drove up to my aunt and uncles house for the party. My family did a beautiful job of pulling together an awesome event. The theme was fortune cookies... adorable!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tzEzjsysAx1JZZZ2JGTYMnEGCLbBT6671yhHhVDwdRMdt3Nkdruod34ZNGXkMNafqicrHW-RcSvVFzfxW_TTwo8wbLS10oTH2gcwn9OcivxOLr1n4V8aOovNLz_n25QsFOq3Ip-A9Qg/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615558079493486642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx2HcShNhgn6Ak4ThuzCdLiH15Zg4NE0bbIUx6jObuh8x27Cl6C8vIQ9vXX6RaNQu03l2NbgEZdy_Icua6tdMsvEu2cvrHAp8ntoRT7ihQhERnP9VIKg_FMK1MrNfbWb_4qC855cZegY/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615559196005434546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRzeamJnylQ50JlE0tXEZ8zeyUuhEwL_0G7Q2GoDC3VJj6M-rTGst4VXVeH7f9DNkqnCWfR1S2TcSvim7Y8MTsg6gD0Zre74S5waHywtjD8p9xF0azOgd1G1n5fH19y_B5odBydvAWr0/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615559187696582082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBYn5XFhz4xX6yPxGPeHolX4GmcTFGEKIBUsVigGWNi4Z1h-cLd9zDfHsUJcUhUBN41bLeH-DTOnKj5WdkwLi8TP6ki2a1qBg2jPrAMnwlr7wIg1wp4vx2NzjbAiKlXB8d2WxkqaoOv0/s400/246685_10150196708628547_656203546_7242047_6746119_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568283999348034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAiXhSbLXWlhze_TviFHMNfAQJJH_A97Iu_Nnz1PH7Xrk8XSmoUU-1sfnzzq-oaPXPQlWnA8P6v81noeiRSkt51q_Q7MvI-qpJKXRhCMPW_m3Dv4BwZR1yN7OovfLAxq2rzOYgHaPahc/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615558072025861922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgbXjhdiQQrLVcQBo0M37MEUW7hFEBns6yJf-Wo5r5gJZIwAl6OzOAuEv96vJEgvRPZjeAGoi6v4bdLp84piurCYF4hiUtpW9DOZeqGrepzzThiclVbTXYA_X89vqlXHlc_B0JlWNwCQ/s400/250149_10150196710448547_656203546_7242071_5791695_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568526609530226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Delicious Mai Tais</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2MqZXK_Gu7xA2F7iXbkeXkB4EXw1XfDnFpd9-cXrZ1CzicxkMPIT_od_gKvrlMSRW1apstOXutW5rEpotis03LFAoMGEoGBi2IC9XJ1VY-QnuUD2c2qcXura1C4oBvfY3J5jABQ964Y/s400/DSC_0057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615559978288346642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXawmTyfICoXFFKN18RaspqLMuHJbuFNfLCBlGZHEBfqPo79tcVqD8PvCmg6gEhnyQO4DamZ33b6Dn6HnHMm7DFRUmXtjs6aK5c5l7WQMrzbg-Ti1vxtk6v4Q8HX3n-ju8fc0-TJEDAtk/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615559970048311362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Candy Sushi</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wndKleyKBFdQvXMexIBTAPjDu2pr2g_Wkxah2NfJaVkkwWKLlxV7hyphenhyphenYvNj1LsElvPKH8WX-3baIlqL5TlAzhQwHXmMgHzRm_3Wc4yMDJq6zkd1Aa8kHperHMIYyHiCW5NsT9w0FBeX4/s400/250951_10150196705698547_656203546_7241998_1578097_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568538494760738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvm4qfo-9I4kMgB2aYsRXGpD3Ql3suNU60HbJW8sgXc5k1iDiHeA3c_yt6VdEWKUqWOxgJ9KdqRamQRKxgff8TUFMhdxelCsnzrW2XCXPzKQ3LqYas6_vKUtOPQgMKa0hvlr0N_XtKgk/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615559178816168210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvP_02vCbhmYnRrZdln779TpkSVldiW4nv3oyVPxbdN9EWS4dHEK72nXxxMr9uax2VTCsReI_dlqKxK_3ENk_C2k3YoSvoZTDClgRHpl7vtOGRAgbocSllU3WtaEX0-yUDyDKc_mWRM4/s400/DSC_0122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615561170435674722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wishes & Fortunes from Family & Friends</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSVMk18PgFTEvvZjBCrGB9JFhFqaPgH4DUef5gWFluwgX66mZxN9txr8v_aiTbi693AUkALEkJyyxfNLVVYNmNn3wVXTpj5NpZI0W68C8zTY4zD8rJ52QX0BTKSHESQcAdPlcdbhFg_s/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615559986764324466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chocolate Dipped Fortune Cookie Station</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>The best part of the day was visiting with family and friends. My whole family was there, the Curtises drove down, high school friends came by and I got to meet my brand new little cousin, Nolan.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJPtYBgFEynBCx8Hju7C3FWyTV8kLx4V_3T1VnBaEmRenPPMUkGM5ZFLAEvQhzQxM49QdxlnkwbGj-x-1Jpv0u3qy8AFN57XWAJ_7QKkiW0AmkTkJk1P9A0KcPM-e2rX_DLnstpemRis/s400/DSC_0166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615563809467946082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpqDqHGYpDPCctSu0HFYgzlT43Dr3l3kJII6t3tDKD43iwG3pnGaeyRtaqDtiu_ayqjdA57u_bNknjVsKYWh9iKx1-6XPQsIXjc8cNYaU0HJazAcpAeE0o7Mi4oWBimsHnmH5_qHqeQ4/s400/DSC_0049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615562315183625122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GI4f3vR6tba0iasSbsyv9C00IZUHKqIW8NhXDOoxCXzWWRn3JbuYQ8psyZVrf9zD0HUzzvphJ7rK-044-rHEmFjSYCeFBLntgzJbY1jGQZ5_-ed9cMhZnh9Iqymv5Fzc_e2NQl7e280/s400/DSC_0064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615562330262548050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PNRZJAJLWFf6oJNreSb9DiE0tLykYERfII8FRCGRqf-Y0o-ULsmLdAnczlimoqfIcghSFecSqeVOKTAavA1Yfn5WTjtRIdd3afvCn4Q6RSio10SzPtmGjUSYCMlBbimya0Vy060-uiw/s400/DSC_0078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615563788404680626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDnkLfcZIW-66sq_0qhAXZ00bo8DGAy4DE1GWahGYMhZ1saLcOn6rCnJm4l3F9QlaGujLOKKGEVihFYya11ejMqOEzPPTypYEgGayFJ8FDrMfsPmIvDZxU-RB4ZkAtmYUtgye1P71y20/s400/246649_2150825490578_1244605628_2752665_3553498_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568279790644674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5izt7dz7MbPfHkWbmCDprojzQDkNV5Yj07U5bZBTPk3DBVptstxv6uHfOs5H_m3LNIIQM4kaSZGwl1s7B442rNsGQB7401gI-tVzcbpW5SX5XrikqUA58dr16CI1lq0vNq4UaBEuAVo/s400/DSC_0108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615563796698176722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2S4zebgM2Hmx-rotD0gvPKXkczGuyKhqtCgXJJ-YEkqWmK-MDbKinYrLQkyhp-lQqBEvmak5mmwcYmacicwC7MsV-SQnFIDHrZ1lD_QUX6qwUl8jilI6i2iRbnIqGk1MVrUrdjq1Ffk/s400/DSC_0073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615563781534827906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi958MetFxgkt_k3p4BeISJumHz9DmW_HzAKuw_iGBdGxnUHInn82R1D_5hFoWofnaa8XPhoSLpa3OdN5Y-I6z1MzsqkbVZevAxXqYtKRUH8uXZmaVBHd_lTP80oI8Dr1CKaz4cps7NmnU/s400/DSC_0229.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615562297659677314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div>That day was also my parent's 22nd anniversary, so as a surprise gift to them, I serenaded them at the party. One of my best friends, Mark played guitar and I sang Shania Twain's "Still The One".</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcHGBeBhu2eWde5BAMjWUYdGGtDN_Lq56S-fcoTho8wsPRRh_KbFNUhqh3pllBeYBmUN6SB8OEiMe6-O0_YdyxF5kptpzm_rcq6yftGGqdc2QfwfC5mykbmHtrRVI77PiDok2x3ZJ_nP0/s400/252504_2150825570580_1244605628_2752666_3065176_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568879842231026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>When the party started to wrap up, we got this idea to do a picture of all the girls wearing dresses standing in the pool. That idea turned into a picture of us jumping into the pool in our dresses. It was a fun and silly way to say "hello" to the summer.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiW8hKUV7AzwmC7wKTMXX4ykkruF9E18qyGLnboCby0pIs2I07LrqYs3rZEgQ4EUmDJZo7YrNuYUJbqS-hhu0BfRJoWIZj_2umo3ayoCVgolj4Dai62uen59ApHZoRKQEik2eUscXzbs4/s400/DSC_0206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615561171539785714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF2tRwJvhae0NhJWnv4kTTsOJk6v6FuwI7Ge4wAzgqvvBie2Y6QMHerfsCgvl_PTH7FqZYvRzh2ZvjpuoRq26FpGIImW3E_QmzgWOgBMnxFpSllb54IPTJmwFDpmWY84Sb7ZG5bvgjkk/s400/DSC_0218.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615561185675600306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMSefKp28oTHbezoZPimlAxW7HWwOB7a89kIg7R_tJ-iBaug-PH6lW4wX4mpq2f-8jlAe7tSpbtvyRqBRYl14qK7J6y6fqlUkqQ6VzEZWaVhGJgzioi1yVxDSTL6qIQ49accVwzfFp1Q/s400/DSC_0223.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615561196049049538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div>After the long drive and the party, we were all pretty exhausted but we managed to make it out to the Irvine Spectrum for Wahoo's and The Hangover II (way too far in my opinion).</div><div><br /></div><div>On Sunday, we had a BBQ with everyone in the afternoon. That evening, we went to the Spectrum again. It was a blast. We had dinner and drinks at Javier's, one of my favorite Mexican food places of all time and more drinks at The Yard House. It was one of those nights that ended in a lot of laughs and some new inside jokes.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BtZdTY5kGF2Hh2ijA1cJfXQbgLTP_oqy9DKXMNXFP9P1KI0aaPWB1Unt08cG1PUwODmBnPbfuAcVESvc42H4LKjn9SFp9QkfNgN0A_WJ9XS-a17gJZEyilXa0DpiNuv8VKg3hxROfWQ/s400/249874_10150196713698547_656203546_7242123_5139415_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568307985630274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MAUDiTbyOO6V1RzupY4w1DC1wNWy664gpRjybxhcxafAmVQkzl2sz7hyU0sgDb-F69jNQNMsb-nuSCqj5rX0l1TRJhOSzsYcRxRDPY4qhsKGXnevc4qjG-8Js4cTlmo8OIZJdfgWun0/s400/250954_10150196714118547_656203546_7242129_1504601_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568543133200530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rg-f_gOXtoar-kv56B-UvMVTuOHBf4aE2eB4XP541UiJQp-8wpRkvD_SUT1QK7LPGmKad3Bde7O4H3FGLpFGj580zxDoq-74_pzhSJk25fz7HyGUNKq1_S7KUgDneRTNYtvlpclVF1Y/s400/247669_10150196714468547_656203546_7242134_4493434_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568298486224498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>Some of us had summer checklists to complete, so after our night out we went on a secret mission. Not to incriminate ourselves too much, but it involved climbing a certain fence into a certain school to swim in a certain pool in the middle of the night. Mission accomplished.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8yv3v8inoSinb_pbLwq5cZ4wfySUwXB1H3_NIJJPnPHgc0P3tZMs7OvFcYu0baMGpJJZKoRevZlIAcbIAd8SAC5OFO_zny5RpaNpIOIQYl6FXik2V1-861BsXltwsWl0wB1E73Y61SI/s400/252369_10150196703513547_656203546_7241960_2802924_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568547895434562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu18KGC12d8_lp97mtmGT0UMx2EdI8IvZGx7HlnmkUJpgoXVS0EydODxzlKMTnhYYc1UkZdO_WDfH9b6k2S7o5F-ezJGHCcE2tSozw_clDxXWUFTz_fR4TSQ7zw5IETFMB-DYWv9xf6Bq7/s400/254487_10150196703698547_656203546_7241962_1525821_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568898898469698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCnJjcl-8iXlLQaolXQLd-Jihi99R2gwm_TQn6hYQSLz2ziP8WavoCZ6DytpVyvQA5-_gJpyCqbQpJ3F-HQGSAAxChB3GSBndviOT5kmlkJ5g8mw2zQwgbf8vFhl1NtBR6j0kcCHt-fo/s400/250250_10150196703973547_656203546_7241966_5959402_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568529094077618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkd4-zBGZGjpQFufxn6IliiLwaoc65ZsYRqaAYA2q_pIrFYN6VJA0neSZKsqnTryyq11j-QnTNCDjRp8N1k8dAtH8kb6InxnESGVWhNpe6bv_NlWBapqt4ZbW_xABsVDdLnI8bWrGswRP/s400/253053_10150196704568547_656203546_7241976_5249218_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568883965614562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div>Monday was Memorial Day and we had a long drive ahead of us, but before we left, we spent a couple of hours down at Laguna Beach. All of us appreciated some time in the sun and Axel LOVED digging in the sand!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn16luoJU2RmkAuzcV7f-7O8B1mKegQKTJFLmtX-WJPLPX_0-1wcPMxRAyBpY81Q9e-6T0jHkkr25dgGh_Fjj6eXnfIgZzFEe2pSKSAVMSYpe3CKGHo-2raH9JpLdNaQLYj_bg_VkaMk/s400/247494_10150196715603547_656203546_7242148_4551899_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568295946284690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5cHXXtCGe76tBYqLoaGWFptrzqslKJl47IM0gUbIlHSfLj4VLCmrRpy_7hfEVUaTHcHHK08bk0Yfkq0xPlWnLZ4jOTwzQztTZQf-fZrxptRGI9Zef02cuv0MYdDc6HNbB2c0EF_Xdag_/s400/254180_10150196716018547_656203546_7242155_11731_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568895118598514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rugr6dZZEHMl_Wc4b7SKFNUHS2FT7mK2yxaaTvsBAo-AWaCluMao6QzMSbo80f3Ms3YwNSYcl94Tl_e4Lar4_32lTkBNm2z3OUC9SEJ8P1xdCSMczpI_5wr2BRiNWx-nFrH5aPYOLdZZ/s400/253513_10150196716613547_656203546_7242168_4605684_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568885305828562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div>It was a terrific weekend and the perfect way to kick off the summer. Thanks to my family for a great graduation party and my friends who joined us to make it a wonderful long weekend!</div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533359521929879998.post-17195927080708497342011-06-03T10:30:00.000-07:002011-06-05T13:21:06.487-07:00Graduation Recap<div style="text-align: left;">It happened! I'm finally graduated! I wore the gown, walked the stage and flipped the tassel... the whole deal. It feels great, although it hasn't totally set in yet. It was a huge, exciting, and completely overwhelming day.</div><div><br /></div><div>My family traveled the whole 7 hours to attend the ceremony and they brought my graduation present... A PUPPY! They handed me this completely adorable pup about 10 minutes before I had to leave for graduation... needless to say I ended up being a little late! I has completely surprised, ecstatic and overwhelmed. I promise to write a whole post about this new family addition soon!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY35ouvzAgs6Dbqw57ktLvblIWnyD8ovpBhMtyFFlSFOlf4GBJWOENfXMb1mBhRhWahSCN0bVDS_2VPODkrgQKdzA-l03WgvwMahia_Lq2cwj6JHHlbV2iBkFsv4o1JU7VvtN_P9vAhQ/s400/249999_10150189678031651_501336650_7354340_6822443_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614818179922534754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>The Journalism and Mass Communications graduation took place on the campus' historic Tower Lawn, one of the most beautiful places on the campus. Jake's family and a couple of my good friend also joined us at the graduation. It felt amazing walking out on the lawn and seeing all of the people I love cheering me on.</div><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHb6vhjrCrCmxpaWCPiPHja-SgkN2gh3VECJ0pNqPOYQj7-ExNVMzET37K3WU8egMqvHxJSNZX2uiV64jRf4Vtct3b0McJ4YKo61o661B0RtkIPGHgH5DbOCj2NEPMjQZGCbibmN5X04/s400/DSC_0018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614098784147587730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh17qj3Rut01Msr15RyI0-1BRNHYU0JEXwQouMswf_EMwDBqXsaEAtkCjzdIbJ5yDMwNmxX_8UJ1_zsSqCLnb1rKIp__vi8gZNs6-y1ioc06mddWaI3IQFfVb_9mP8LkM7JGlXSeZwqVQ/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614098794371072098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtNZmtZOdMVit0VOeyknyknI3M7aC46PbWeGsJOv0zDMlU_RPWfOCaYEGA7bu4MCd6rlPm8mQ5SwNmPBK2sSXdMITrKOtosVs8wgdAT2cT8f3mf1lvENCm0zl-BFFdyfbUj3a0j9n2c8/s400/DSC_0086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614098797680182914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div>Afterwards, the Curtises bought everyone dinner at our favorite downtown restaurant, The Loft. It was such a memorable evening and a great way to celebrate five years of hard work.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwdn_UAJa3_MWw9b6cHaXoVc9O586HwgXOWkNb5TvFneOzHF6dEQwKN7Ht_jiBhtgRHgeOwq0pTLtx-jrN9MuSXfiNtELW5C7EYV53_Kyi4ld5t-uBzfVdl2IFUPh6t6ETdF_6WYxesA/s400/DSC_0100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614098805930475890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJVB9ggd4uvlO3g7Au84YyyxmsYrLqi0mDRMbVqPlSi-cHdB22UoEv5WEZ7lFLOJbAXJWpzn6Qvi8yRZ074SX350XfH42hlc6Mri-kLxlChfgzZUikScGsNjZ0SzMgFOOINIbDGnt7V8/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614825165747210722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aJB2bextnAy5F3pQ44wdrJaoZ0iRpumz4j-zW5n7wJZqZQjVPrTLQgnms0bCpF3wR1BIHKk4hD_BYtm3KS3I38AWJ11UqmbpPsY7WloayEhM04wu24YIhKXUeOP96oUUdzBsKoTFC9o/s400/DSC_0129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614098817434561730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnb1aNvadDsjNs-mK-KFttLT2oGSn7lA2UvHbeIcQb94duFYVtXS1VmnXNZNOxFtfm-LNjj8SoRhH0aKJkZ8_NQbT53tREyW0jhd9jXrthIYUd5Jhe28ay7jCtCHMqdHY71gaXzupyLo/s400/DSC_0141.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614825171562103970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aFTv95t6CGpYieHPm1JZp-NTE0wyCN0WHgiMBoB3fR7NuqWoWFIHllq0qzQ6CMaCAczy6ArWERLmDMdtGDVc4rDCwvQeiLAenXSF7dNI3XvDxzok28Y_zGqtzwTuHfwzx6sEAzdc1kA/s400/DSC_0152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614825177377202882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz387ZYtXbZI2l9CWkWN2YJtLtnB6gmwnIYyXdiTGmESa4qrNAKvVjEEtKwIgs3HxG2uMa8TiDMTGiwMcA00Pa0Egvk2gS4DW7NRwbnbXAeBGCWBomhjk_5QhyphenhyphenIOL3-G7qM_Q-Lr7Kg0/s400/DSC_0183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614825193695314946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedSZJ4Qo7LYRj6HTEiHgMc6cSjUW_yXepKpb7BSBLocJAft1FVxFH8O9e1M-tb_1Q46yWZtvtyzVD1evoO-7oS4rWG2RbzaZoZDFFpbGcQRY5pQ_ItCyUIOJVzaAvxl_7X-p6aKUmoSA/s400/DSC_0188.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614826024554350466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div>A huge thank you to my family and my friends who got me through my college years. From my parents who paid the bills for four years and demanded success to my friends who were with me from Freshman Orientation to the end of my senior year. Thank you to my Alpha Phi Omega brothers and my Alpha Xi Delta sisters. Thank you to my husband Jake for being my biggest support since sophomore year. I love each and every one of you and appreciate your encouragement and support.</div></div>Tobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645594917538640217noreply@blogger.com0