Decorating: First Attempts

One of my favorite computer games from the nineties was Civilization II. A few minutes into a new game, a picture of a cave with a rock to sit on would pop up with the caption, "The people have spontaneously decided to redecorate your throne room." At that point, you could select an area of your throne room to upgrade. My first step was usually to change the rock to a chair. Throughout the game, you could continue to upgrade until you had a beautiful throne room (see below). I never got that far. But I did receive a guiding philosophy for my home decorating attempts: you don't need to upgrade the whole throne room all at once. Just be thrilled that you have a chair now instead of a rock.

I made some pillows. My mom had helped me make bean bags for our second grade fair, and I figured out it's basically the same concept.

A little painter's tape made it easy to make a Piet Mondrian knockoff. Computer desk: Craigslist. Couches: Sketchy warehouse in San Jose. Fruit: Crate & Barrel (did someone say gift certificate?). Coffee table: Ikea, how we love you.

I painted the frames in a geometric pattern. I also put together the bookshelf (notice the slight lean to the right). And that's our TV that only plays movies.

Thanks to Matt for the awesome keyboard!

Thanks to my most excellent mother for helping me sew these window treatments while I was in Virginia.

It may not be a grand throne room just yet, but at least we have progressed beyond the "cave and rock" point.

Anniversary in New York City

Aaron came down to Virginia two weekends while I was there, and I went up to New York for our anniversary.

One point for anyone who knows who shares our anniversary (it's his birthday). Two points if you know what couple got married on our anniversary this year.

Aaron pretending to be one of the Henrys (was it the eighth?) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

We got to see Wicked. It lived up to the hype.

Aaron and I in Central Park.

Virginia!

Since Aaron was going to be in New York for seven weeks for training (and we thought it would be unfair to his roommate to ask for a roll-away cot), I went home to Virginia for a while. I got to spend time with my parents, go to DC, and see Mary Poppins with one of my best friends since elementary school, Jessica. I don't know why I didn't get any pictures of my family!

My eyes are closed, but having a stranger take the picture is always a gamble.

The beautiful inside of the Kennedy Center (before the usher told us to stop taking pictures).

Before the play started. 

 

 Jump to 1:00 to see the Step in Time number 

You'd think...

If you thought that not working right now meant that I would have ample time to blog, you'd be right. However, if you thought that that time would actually translate into blogging, I apologize for grossly disappointing you.

I've made a goal to be better and blog every week, or at least every other week, or, realistically, once a month. These next few blog posts are going to be my attempt to get caught up.
 

Shortly before leaving for New York, we went to Santa Cruz where Aaron discovered a love for body boarding. I stayed on the beach and read. I foolishly reasoned that because I was half-Asian, I did not need to wear sunscreen. I had apparently forgotten that I was also half Scandanavian. Needless to say, I burned and peeled.

My awesome friend, Valerie, came and visited. We had a lot of fun going to the beach...

Hanging out with Lisa (three accountants always spells fun times)...

And eating at places recommended by Yelp and realizing that I am not a foodie. The virtues of the raved-about olive and walnut bread were completely lost on me. I say, "Give me mediocrity, and give it to me for under $7."