2011 Year in Review

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone!  I can vividly remember last New Year's Eve, my cousins and I standing around my kitchen island and toasting at the end of the countdown.  We told each other that it's "our year."  We say that every year.  So, has 2011 really been my year?  Sure!  It started out pretty difficult, but as the year went on, everything just kept getting better and better and better.  Here are some of my highlights of 2011.

February:  We said good-bye to our beloved and sassy Grandma Mary.  We know she's partying it up up there.

February:  I cut bangs and still have them.  Yes, it's a highlight.

March:  5 days of Maui, baby!

June:  Finished my first year as a 4th and 5th grade teacher, after 5 years of teaching K/1, AND I earned my professional certificate.  It was quite a stressful career year, which is probably why there are no big highlights for April and May.

July:  Met Mario in Vegas for one mission--see Celine Dion!

August:  rented a house on San Juan with the cousins.  Epic 3 days together.

September:  Mom turned 60, and lookin' good.

October:  Signed up for my first half-marathon.  Stay tuned in June for how the "Rock 'n' Roll" went.

November:  Ardon threw a surprise party at my place for my 30th birthday.  He's awesome.  And OMG I'm 30?!

December:  Christmas with the family.  A highlight of every year.

That was it for 2011.  Bring on 2012!  It's gonna be my year.

Merry Holidays!

From our family to yours!

Non-Resolution Resolution

As we near the end of 2011 and ring in the new year of 2012, it's time to re-evaluate life and figure out what to resolve.  For many (myself included) it's a time to start a new diet, work out regimen, clean the house more, or to cut something out cold turkey.   For others, it's more financial--shop less, eat out less, and for Seattlites, brew coffee at home.

The truth is, I really suck at honoring my new years resolutions.  For me the resolution lasts for about 3 weeks, then I'm over it.  Lent rolls around and for 40 days and nights I'm back on it until Easter.   Yes, working out, eating better, or saving money could all enhance my life, but let's face it. . . They're all pretty torturous.  In addition, they are all things that I've gotten better at over the years ("gotten better at" doesn't mean I'm totally good at it yet).  So, what is something cool that I can call a resolution?  This year, I'd like to take a new approach. . . Add something to my life that will bring me even just a lil' bit of joy, almost like the non-resolution resolution.  Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of things in my life that bring happiness--I have an amazing family, wonderful friends, my health, a great career, a beautiful city condo, and a truly incredible boyfriend.  Really, I couldn't ask for more.  But I know there are other things out there that can just help me keep balanced.  What can I do to enhance my quality of life, or increase my happiness and decrease my stress?  It could be something like take more baths, go to more happy hours, always have a fresh bouquet of flowers in the centerpiece vase, or write in a journal.

So, what is my non-resolution resolution?

Cat Picardal's 2012 Resolution:  explore Seattle more.  In the last 8 years I've found all my favorite spots--restaurants, parks, shopping--and have enjoyed all that downtown and Capitol Hill have to offer.  But I know there's so much to this city that I have yet to see and experience.  2012 is the year for me to live like a tourist.

Another Goodie

Couldn't help but smile when I opened this one up from Mar.  Oh, Romano...

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New, Improved Condo Christmas

My decorating philosophy is that there are no rules in decorating.  By no means am I a home decorating expert.  I hardly decorate, but I like to think I have some sort of style knowledge.  For me, it's pretty simple.  If it looks good, it looks good.  I don't think I have a particular style.  I'm not "modern," or "global," or "shabby chic."  Most of the time, things will just catch my eye and it's a must-have (and I'll wait for it to go on sale), so I'll find a place for it at home and put it together in some kind of aesthetic way.  The aesthetic part is something I'm continuously learning more about as I add more to my home.  Sometimes less is more.  Other times more is more.  It's all about making the most of your home and creating a space that you can look forward to come home to. 


After living in this flat for a little over 3 years, I have learned that decorating a home happens little by little.  You gotta live in it a little bit to figure out what works for you.  It's actually been quite some time since I've tackled any home decor around here.  After a while I don't even notice what things look like anymore.  I have just realized that it's usually around the holidays that I like to re-evaluate my living space, and this year I gave the living area focal wall a bit of a make-over.  All it took was 3 new pieces that I bought, bringing out a few old pieces I forgot I had, a little bit of re-arranging, and voila!

Before.  Christmas 2010

After.  Christmas 2011

Notice how last year all the books were standing, just like they are at a library.  A couple of weeks ago they were still standing like that.  I pulled out a book I wanted to look through, and all the other books went sliding off the sides of the ledge, including the heaving books on the left, which knocked over the vase, which then went falling like Humpty Dumpty down to the cement floors and shattered in a million pieces. (I know.  I know.  I should have known better than to leave books free standing like that.  It was bound to happen.)  One vase down and a solution to the books really kick-started this little project (or maybe it was just my excuse to update things around here).  Who says books have to stand up? 

They're Baaaack!

One of my favorite times of the year is here!  I'm so stoked for this season.  Go, Dawgs!

Choppin' it up

Ardon just chopped up a song called Playing House by Active Child.  Here is the original.  

A music company hit him up and asked him to make a quick video to showcase the MPC (the machine he's using to press all those buttons to make the beat. I have no idea what it stands for.), and after a suggestion from a friend, he decided to use the sounds from Playing House to make the beat.  The end result is pretty dope. 

Here is Waystyles on the MPC with sounds from Playing House by Active Child.

Little Stinker

Got a message from Mar.  I opened the message, and this is what I saw with a caption that said, "Hi, Auntie Cat."  Every single time I look at it, it makes me giggle.  Oh, Romano.  I love these kids.

Grand Theft Auto

Went for a run around Green Lake with Josh and David and this is what we found when we got back to the car.  They took my purse with all my essentials in it--wallet and phone.  What a pain.  It could have been way worse, but it also could NOT have happened.  I really would rather have spent the Halloween night with the family, celebrating my dad's birthday and trick-or-treating with the kids... But I had to deal with this.  Spent a good portion of the evening (3 and a half hours) on the phone with a handful of companies.  I look forward to when this is all done.

Adios, Viaduct

Long gone are the days that are made easier by driving through a beautiful scene--the Puget Sound on one side, the city skyline on another side, and Mt. Rainier in the distance.  Each way, I was reminded of how picturesque Seattle is and how lucky I am to live here.  Ok, maybe I will still be able to drive along the water, but I will miss my original Alaskan Way Viaduct. 

Typical

I was looking through some old pictures this morning.  And it came to my attention that Ardon and I just aren't that couple to pose and be cute.  We're just that way.  We have quite a lot of us both smiling for the camera, and they're beautiful (If I say so myself), but I think these pictures show who we really are.  Here are just a few of "US".  So typical.  Cracks me up.

Let's Rock and Roll!

I just registered for my first half-marathon.  Mar and David will be running with me, and I'm super excited.  The Rock and Roll Marathon series will be hitting Seattle on June 23rd, 2012, so my calendar is marked and I'm counting down the days.  The only thing left is to get my booty in gear! 

Fantastic Reads

 

Earlier I blogged about my students' reading targets.  Naturally, during the lesson the question was asked, "Miss Picardal, what's YOUR target?"  My reply was that I wanted to open up my mind to reading fantasy fiction.  Since I was their age, I was never a big fan of the genre.  One of my students passed this Rick Riordan series to me.  This has changed my reading life.  I am now a big fan of fantasy fiction. 

This series is a modern day series, written for children, but has even greater appeal and reaches out to young adults and almost-30-year-olds like me.  They are stories of a middle school boy named Percy and his journey to finding out who he really is, and along the way has to battle the dark side of the Greek Gods.  But with every battle, he finds clues about himself, and gets closer to finding all the answers.

Did the Media Stumble with Steve Jobs Coverage?

"Last week America lost a man who changed the world. If you assume I'm referring to Steve Jobs, the Apple founder who passed away last week after a lengthy battle with cancer, you'd be wrong. I'm actually referring to Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth."

www.huffingtonpost.com/keli-goff/rev-fred-shuttlesworth-dies_b_1004303.html

Armenian Pancakes

ArmenianPancakes (Jack Johnson Remix Mini Mix) by Waystyles

Meal Deal

In the 7+ years that I have lived downtown, I cannot seem to find a system for grocery shopping and cooking that works for me. My grocery lists usually consist of snack items--fruits, veggies, bread, eggs, milk, and cereal--but that's really it. I'd really love to cook more, and I have the time to do it, but for some reason it just never seems to work out.

I am single little lady in a city full of great food. Every so often, I will feel the urge to cook a good meal. The problem is, when I cook a meal, I more often than not have so many left overs that I end up eating it for every meal the next couple of days, and will still have left overs. Unfortunately for single people, recipes don't add up to just one serving. Fresh packaged meat, garlic bulbs, bundles of parsley, and blocks or bags of parmesan cheese aren't sold for just one person. Even after I have used some to cook, there is so much of it left that no matter how much has already been cooked, there is still quite a bit left that ends up sitting in the refrigerator and goes bad. Not only do the individual ingredients go bad, but there are so many left overs of the left overs that I have cooked, and that ends up going bad too. (Just like the leftovers of pasta and all the remaining ingredients I've had in my refrigerator from at least a week ago.) So my solutions all these years have been to either just eat snack food or restaurant hop all day.

Lucky for me, the city of Seattle is full of delicious food. Asian, Italian, organic, seafood, it's all so delicious here. I'm sure I have been to enough places that I could Yelp about almost any place. But has it been good for my wallet? In this situation, I might as well just ask, "What's the lesser of the two evils?" Cooking food to only throw a good portion away, not matter how hard I try? Or eat out frequently?

I really may never know the answer as long as I am single. I'm sure one day when there are more mouths to feed, the cooking at home will be much more routine and economical. But for now, I guess I'm going to have to just keep trying to find out. Don't mind if I do!

Miss Picardal's Readers' Workshop

I just read my old post from this time last year, and I gotta say, I was one stressed out little lady. I felt like I had all these things going on in my life and in my head, that I didn't know which way was up. Now that the dust has settled, and I had a whole summer to recover from quite a shaky year, I think I'm starting to find my mojo again.

As part of my reading program this year, I wanted to kick it up a notch. We started out the year setting goals for ourselves as readers. I did the lesson last year, but found that it wasn't so powerful. So in order for their reading targets to hold more meaning, the children did not just write it down on a sticky note, only for it to un-stick and fall to the floor and be swept away by the janitor; the children turned it into a project. Now all their targets are posted on the wall, and will help remind them throughout the year where they are headed as readers. Not only are their targets helping to steer them in the right direction, but it makes for pretty cool wall art!

Well, Hello There

Ardon and I went to my good friend Jonathan's and his now wife Rachael's wedding. Isn't he looking so handsome? I am one lucky lady. The ceremony was on Bainbridge Island, so we took a ferry ride out there. It was such a beautiful day that day, that taking the ferry was quite a treat. The city was gorgeous as we pulled away from the dock.

Happy Labor Day!

Edmonds Beach

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Summer Fever, Literally.

Home sick with a 102 degree fever. Worst timing ever, but thankful that I have somebody to hold down the fort. He's kind of wonderful.

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Sunday Funday

Dinner at Mom and Dad's house is always entertaining. We watched Roman take his first steps. What a special moment to have watched together.

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Bye Bye Blackberry

In an effort to save on monthly cell phone spending, Ardon and I switched carriers, from T-Mobile to Sprint. Along with a new carrier came our awesome new phones. We both got the EVO 4G 3D. I also downloaded the Blogspot app, so I'm just trying it out.

I feel like I've betrayed my Blackberry, which was so good to me. It's like switching from a MAC to a PC. It's a whole new world, and suddenly so fascinating.

The hardest part in switching phones is getting used to the touch screen. I miss typing at lightning speed on my Blackberry keyboard. I'm just going to have to play with my EVO more so I can practice. Aside from getting used to a touch screen, this phone is pretty amazing.

Out with the old and in with the new.

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I Reap What She Sews

Nobu's Boutique on Roy Street
My "fashion doctor's" office

I have made a new best friend! My tailor at Nobu's Boutique and Alterations!

It's no secret that I'm a short lady. My 4th and 5th grade students are as tall, if not taller, than me. When it comes to shopping (one of my favorite things to do), I can find sweatshirts, t-shirts, and sweaters that fit me pretty well. I can take them home and wear them right away. Dresses, blouses, and pants are a whole other story. In order for those garments to fit me and look somewhat normal, I need to hem, take in, and/or take up.

To find somebody to do that on a regular basis can be a difficult task. It really is kind of like finding the right doctor, dentist, or hair stylist. You have to find the one just right for you. After going to a few tailors around the city, I finally found the "fashion doctor" who is just right for me. I have been going to her for about 2 years now. I can take anything to her, no matter how complicated (and boy have I given her some really complicated pieces), and she will get the job done. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be able to wear a lot of my clothes properly.

I just picked up a pair of pants and dropped off 2 more dresses today, and when I walked in she smiled and was quite excited that I was there... Almost like I was taking my dresses to my own grandmother, except she's Korean.

Janitor?

Just last week, my parents gave me the set of keys to their condo. Since I live so close, it's really easy for me to check their mail and grab anything else that they want or need and bring it to them in Bothell. After adding their keys to my chain, I noticed how many freaking keys I have! It looked like my key chain belonged to my school janitor. Amazingly enough, just like my school janitor, I need and use every single key that is attached. Does one little lady really need all those keys? Apparently so! I tried to eliminate a some from the chain and leave them at home, but I couldn't do it because they're all necessary. Well, at least they're harder to misplace now.

Beats, Rhymes, and Life

Ardon and I and a couple of his friends went to the Metro today to watch Beats, Rhymes, and Life: A Tribe Called Quest Documentary. Initially, when Ardon extended the invitation to me, I really didn't know if I should go. I've heard of the group, but I don't listen to them. If I do, it's not on purpose. I maybe have heard their popular stuff on the radio, but I don't own any albums, I didn't know their names, I wouldn't go to watch a show, I just wasn't a fan. Not that I didn't like their music. I just didn't know much about them.

The movie turned me into a fan. Director Michael Rapaport does an amazing job of documenting the group's musical and personal journeys. It gave me good, profound insight into their music, their evolution, and them as people. Whether you're a fan or not, this is definitely worth seeing.

Vegas Day 3 of 3

We had to get up at 3am to be out of our room at 4 to check out and make it to the airport. Mario's flight was at 6:15 and mine was at 7. Our Vegas trip started and ended in the blink of an eye. Celine Dion with my best friend was a trip to remember.

Treasure Island, Las Vegas
July 20, 2010

Treasure Island, Las Vegas
July 20, 2011

Vegas Day 2 of 3

Because we had such a short stay, we had to squeeze tons of fun into one day. Sun, swimming, shopping, dim sum, and CELINE!

Since we're "old," and didn't go out the night before, we were able to wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 7:30am just in time to be at the pool by its 8am opening. On our way to the pool we stopped to get coffee for a little boost like true Seattlites.


We laid out in the 108 degree heat and dipped in the pool for about 4 hours.


Mario decided to start his fun a little early. There's nothing better than a nice, cold margarita poolside at 10:30am.


By about 12:30, we went inside and got ready for the day. First stop: Fashion Show Mall to hit up the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Yes, I gave in. It was actually really great. I knew what I wanted to get, and there were NO CROWDS! Quick and painless shopping!


Dida picked us up at Nordstrom and took us to dim sum where we met up with Auntie Babes too. A Vegas trip is never complete without seeing Dida.


After dim sum Dida dropped us off again at our hotel, where we took a quick nap before hitting the town to see our girl Celine! The show was at 7:30. We arrived at Caesar's Palace at about 6:45. Before going into the Colosseum, we stopped at the Celine Dion store where Mario bought a mug and I bought a T-shirt (that Ardon totally makes fun of me for). We knew we had to get something. This was a BIG night for us!


7:30 rolled around, and we were sitting at the edge of our seats. The curtains went up and Celine started singing, and we were in heaven! Call me crazy, but I cried for about the first 20 minutes of the show. I don't know why! I wasn't alone in tears, though, because the two middle-aged Southern women sitting next to me were crying too! We loved every second of it. The show was spectacular to say the least. We highly recommend it!

After the show we were hungry and exhausted. Our minds were telling us to go out and have fun, but our bodies were telling us otherwise. We went across the way to Serendipity 3, but saw that there was a lengthy wait, so we ended up going back to the hotel where we ordered room service instead.


By midnight we were down and out... because we had to wake up three hours later...

Vegas Day 1 of 3

Operation: CELINE DION

Last June 2010, Mario and I saw that Celine Dion was back in town. To say we were ecstatic would be an understatement. He had me at "Celine Dion." Without hesitation, we instantly bought tickets. We were beside ourselves knowing that in just a couple of weeks we were going to see the show of a lifetime. As we started to pack our bags, we had a conversation that sounded like this... aaaaand Playback!

Mario: Kitty... Kitty... GUESS WHAT?! (Eyes bulging as he's looking at his calendar)
Me: What?...
Mario: We booked our ticket for July 20th, two-thousand ELEVEN!
Me: Shut the f**k up...

aaaand Scene! Yeah, apparently, we didn't do our research and bought our tickets FOR THE WRONG YEAR. In typical Mario and Cat fashion we made the most of the situation. We finished packing our bags, hopped in Mario's Honda Civic, and road tripped it down to Las Vegas anyway.

So here we are a year later. We're back and, at long last, we are going to see Celine Dion! Here are the adventures so far. Vegas, Take 2, aaaand Action!

Arrived in Vegas at 5:45pm. Temperature 106 degrees. I waited for about an hour for Mario to arrive. He flew in from Toronto at 6:50pm.


We cabbed it to the hotel together, and on the way witnessed a filming of "Cops" or something.


Finally got to our hotel, Treasure Island. We scored a sweet deal when we reserved. We got 2 free buffet tickets, 2 free lunch meals, free WiFi, and free access to the amenities.


After hours of traveling, we freshened up and took our free tickets and big appetites downstairs to the buffet!


Now, I don't know if it's food coma or just pure exhaustion, but it's almost midnight and I'm blogging... in Vegas. Need I say more? As Mario so brilliantly asked, "When did we become old?" To end a long day, shower and sleep.