Birthday Brunch

Thank you to all of those who braved the icky weather to join Greg and myself for a Birthday Brunch extravaganza.
Nothings beats a day spent with friends eating yummy food (some of which was prepared by the birthday girl), drinking mimosas and giving Greg's Guitar Hero a whirl.
A few of us continued the day with some Smore making in the fireplace and watching a chic-flick to pass the rainy afternoon. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend a lazy Saturday.
The last of the troops left at eight in the evening. It was a good day and Greg and I snuggled in for a long winters nap shortly afterward. It's too bad birthdays only come around once a year because I could really get used to this.
P.S. Click the title and you can see my photo album!

What's in a number?

Today is my 27th birthday.
Last night, I was doing some online research on numbers and meanings just for the heck of it. I couldn't really find anything on the number 27 specifically, so I focused more on the the number 7. Seven is the number symbolizing introspection, investigation, and finding that deeper meaning in life. I find this very appropriate considering I feel like it's time to take a took at my life -and my career- to see if I'm still on the right track.
As I was surfing along, I stumbled upon the meanings of birthdays. I usually don't take this stuff too seriously, but when I read mine...it was kind of creepy. Check it out:
"For you, life is an adventure, to be lived to the fullest. You don't want to be cheated from having your share of experience.You are highly adaptable, which makes change a great deal easier for you than for others. You have an easy way with relationships and generally get along well with most people you meet.You have a gift for communication and promoting yourself. You possess talent in verbal and writing skills, and would make an excellent writer, editor, or salesperson.You are quite affectionate and sensitive. You work well with others as long as there are not too many restrictions placed upon you. You do not like to be cooped up in the same place for long; you get restless and bored easily.You are versatile and talented and there are few things you can not do. You have a very sharp mind and a fine understanding of the body, which makes careers in medicine or health both possible and rewarding.You are very creative and witty. But you can shirk responsibility and let your gift of gab get you through the tight spots. There can be a tendency toward sensorial indulgence, especially in food, alcohol, and sex. You need to learn to focus your considerable energies. Discipline and order are necessities for you to be successful in life."
That's me. What do you think? I guess it's time to focus my energies and get things in order.

All in a Day's Work

I started the day off watching the sun rise above my fair city as I drove in to work. I was driving in for an off site meeting and I was excited. I don't usually get excited about all day staff meetings, but then again this was no ordinary staff meeting. I was going to spend the day among audio equipment, PowerPoint files, and Beluga Whales. I watched them eat their breakfast as they lined up along the rim of the tank and listened to them sing to each other. Their singing sounded like a cross between a puppy whining and a guinea pig shriek. They provided me with a pleasant diversion from the same presentations I swear I see on a weekly basis. Thanks, guys! Again, click the title for more pictures.

Happy Valentine's Day

Yes, today is the day to tell that special someone just how special they are to you. I did so by taking Greg for lunch at the Aquarium. It was definitely a power lunch if I've ever been to one. Parking the car at CNN, trucking a good couple of blocks to the Aquarium and wading through miles of people who have no idea how to enter a line or pick out a soft drink is just the start of it.
We sat down to a lunch of veggie burgers, fries and oversized cupcakes. Not bad for twenty bucks. Right.
We had ten minutes to spare before it was time to head back to work, so Greg decided we were heading to the Tropical Reef exhibit for a quick looksie. It isn't the biggest exhibit there, but Greg loves it. I think he aspires to own one of similar size one day. It's simply amazing and this picture doesn't do it justice. The tank spans an entire wall and curves above your head where every few minutes a wave breaks. We stood there for just a few minutes, but it was worth the trip downtown.

Georgia Snow

Today marks the first and perhaps only snowfall of this winter in the Atlanta metro area. This is always exciting. If you're a true Southerner, you know it might be about time to head to the grocery store and stock up on bread and milk. I never know why those two items always sell out with the threat of snow, but they do. Heck. If I'm going to be stuck in my house for a few days, I'm going to stockpile wine and key ingredients for soup making.
I've included a picture from our deck with a few flurries highlighted. I doubt you can even make out the snowflakes. As I was out there documenting this momentous occasion, I realized that this was Pinochle's first snow. She was very excited about watching the falling snow even if they were nothing but microscopic particles floating in the air.
2/13 Update: As Greg and I drove into the city this morning, we found that snow had stuck to the ground in a mini winter wonderland. A nice way to start off a hectic work week if I must say so myself.

Baby Business

This weekend was the beginning of a new era for me. My first baby shower. My friends Amanda and Aaron are expecting their first child and I was invited to spend my Saturday afternoon surrounded by baby paraphernalia and lots of ladies. Luckily, Danielle and a gaggle of work buddies were there to help ease me into this new arena.
Let's start off with all the weird stuff there is to buy when you find yourself soon to be a parent. Danielle and I were searching through Amanda's registry for proper gifts and we came upon an item that looked like a travel neck rest thing-y. We were wondering why you would need something like that? We chalked it up to the fact most parents appear to be very tired and deserve a neck pillow if they want one. But then, she wanted a slipcover for it, too. That seemed a bit odd. We came to find out this thing is officially called a "boppy" and you use it as pillow support while breastfeeding. Here's the real kicker: she also received an item known as a "Pee-Pee Teepee". It's basically a hat for the baby's you-know-what to keep away unwanted surprises while diaper changing. Can you believe it? It totally blew my mind.
To wrap things up, I've been baptized into the baby world now. And what a strange, strange place for a gal like to me to end up.
I wish Amanda and Aaron the very best in their journey into parenthood. They are far more prepared for life's little surprises than I am.