Miss Kate (and Kenzie, too!)

Springing into Spring!

2009-04-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

Here we are -- spring! Doesn't feel like it this week with all the crisp, windy weather...but it can only get warmer from here!

I've been busy this winter planning a big event in June and a trip to Australia at the end of May. After that, it's more travel this summer! I'm really excited to be going to Hawaii with Bryan's family to celebrate his parents' 25th anniversary. So much to look forward to!

Kenzie update! Six months and getting even smarter, cuter and bigger...over ten pounds now! Here are some recent photos....

"Wanna play ball?"

"My Tigger."

A very cat-like perch at the window...

"Can we go for a ride in Daddy's car??"

napping with Tigger

Five Months Old, and Growing Up So Fast!

2009-03-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

Kenzie has been keeping us busy over the past month or so! Weighing in at almost 10 pounds, our puppy is growing bigger and stronger by the day. Here's what's new in Kenzie's world:

Fetch! Her favorite game, of course! Can't get enough of those little green tennis balls, bouncing all around the house. She barks playfully as she chases the ball down the stairs, just to remind that toy who's boss!
Running on the Leash. This dog is a runner, not a walker. She loves going on 25-minute jogs around the neighborhood with us, and it seems like we always get tired before she does! She's even learning to sit at each corner before we cross the street.
Grooming... Our scuffy lil girl had her first haircut last month and another just last week. Check out the "before and after" photos below.
Snow? We spent a weekend in the local mountains over President's Day weekend and Kenzie discovered snow! She loved prancing around and simultaneously eating the fluffy, white stuff...especially while wearing a scarf! (See movie below!)

Scruffy before haircut (and playing with the squeaky wine bottle!)

...and smiling after grooming!
Snow Puppy -- the movie!!

Kenzie at Four Months

2009-02-02T21:34:00.000-08:00

Kenzie is officially four months old this week...or exactly 18 weeks if you're counting! She's growing so quickly and I know I keep saying that, but look at this evidence!

At 10 weeks....then at 4 months...

You can compare by the size of her "fluffy toy" and see her growth.

She had her first full haircut on Sunday and got a great report card from the groomer.

She also took her first big walk around the neighborhood last week. So many smells and sights...she's very curious and sometimes she just stops and observes what's going on around her. She's not nervous or agressive, just observant.

Kenzie is doing well on her days at home alone, but we're lucky to have some help from Auntie Jessie and Grandma! Thank you!! They're always willing to stop by and check on our pup and she loves when they visit!

More updates later...bed time for little puppies now!

Kenzie - almost 4 months

2009-01-25T18:39:00.000-08:00

Time for a puppy update! Kenzie is now almost four months old and double the size she was when we first brought her home. Weighing in at about 5 pounds now, this little Westie is growing quickly!

She’s continuing to learn new tricks, too. We’re pretty solid with come and stay now, so we’re introducing some new tricks like shake and up. The vet was very impressed that she’s learning so much at such a young age…our little go-getter!

She’s got the “touch my nose with my tongue” trick down…can you do that?

We're also starting to walk her around the neighborhood since she has all her shots now. Still getting used to the leash and all, but loves to go out and about!

She's really starting to look very Westie-like and her ears have popped up straight. They're a little big for her cute puppy face, but she'll grow into them.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-08T20:35:00.000-08:00

Well, we're all back in the swing of things now that the new year has arrived. I don't think Kenzie's too happy that returning to the daily grind of the work week. After a whole week and a half of undivided attention, it's understandable that lonely mornings at home and long afternoons tucked away in a (safe) pen just aren't as much fun.

We realized that she sleeps most of the day, anyway. She naps on her back and always finds the most plush blanket or warmest spot in the sun. She loves nap time...

...and bath time, too!

Over the holiday break, we spent some time training Kenzie and teaching her some doggie manners. She's learning very quickly and is eager to please -- or maybe she's just motivated by treats! Either way, Kenzie learned to sit and hop into her crate on command. She's pretty solid on lay down, too. Next, we'll test our patience (and hers) with stay.

Aside from training Kenzie and spending time with family, Bryan and I painted the living room and kitchen, went hiking, hit the slopes and cheered on the Chargers at their victorious playoff game last weekend! Special thanks to Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Jessica for puppysitting while we headed up to Big Bear for skiing and down to San Diego for the game. Kenzie watched the game, too...go Bolts!

On New Year's Eve, Bryan brought home a new toy for Kenzie --- a plush stuffed snowman with an ugly sweater, green scarf, fleece beanie and carrot nose. It's twice the size of our four-pound pup, so it's pretty funny when she gets on top of it to chew on its carrot nose!

Yesterday marked three and a half months for Kenzie. She's growing up so fast! Here she is helping me blog. We'll keep you updated as long as she's up for more photos.

"No more pictures, please!"

Kenzie’s First Christmas

2008-12-27T20:38:00.000-08:00

What a blurr this week has been! Lots (and lots) of family to meet and plenty of wrapping paper to play with for little Kenzie.

She did great with all the hustle and bustle. It's exhausting! Luckily, there was always a lap to sleep in when our little pup needed a rest.

Christmas Eve also marked Kenzie’s twelfth week in the world. We visited the vet this morning and she weighed in at three pounds! This lil pup doesn’t miss a meal!

Kenzie’s pretty busy now that she knows her way around her new home. She's breaking in all the new toys that Grandma and Grandpa gave her for Christmas -- including a squeaky "Kennel Relax'n" wine bottle, of course! She also loves the puppy bone that Santa left in her stocking. When she’s not trotting around the house, she loves to lay in the sun on the deck or near the door.

Kenzie's a happy, healthy puppy. Her tail is almost always wagging and she even smiles when she knows she's making us proud!

Auntie Julie really enjoyed getting to know Kenzie this Christmas, but now she has to fly home to Australia. Kenzie will be much, much bigger when Julie comes back next year. Until then, Kenzie sends lots of wigs, wags and puppy kisses across the ocean!

Kenzie - 11 weeks

2008-12-20T11:37:00.000-08:00

Kenzie is growing so fast. Everyday I wake up and she looks a wee bit bigger to me. So, I'll try to post as many photos as I can each week and you can watch her grow, too!

She's been even more playful this week and did great staying home while Bryan and I worked. Thank you to Auntie Jessie, Auntie Julie and Grandma (whoa!) for coming by to check on her. And especially thanks to Auntie Jessie for the cute "ho, ho, ho" tee. Kenzie is all ready for Christmas!

Our little Kenzie Girl knows her name now! She knows this is her home, too. She's very curious and watches everything we do. Likewise, we're watching everything she does and making sure she doesn't get into (too much) trouble.

Here she is on the go, exploring the house.

...And inspecting the wood floors. (See her reflection?)

Kenzie Update

2008-12-15T21:54:00.000-08:00

Kenzie is feeling quite at home now, exploring everywhere and nipping at everything. We love when she prances across the floor and slides around batting at her toys. Check it out:

She especially loves her squeaky hippo toy (the one in the video), but she also likes to drag much larger toys across the floor to show them who's boss!

Today we left Kenzie home alone for the first time. She did great on her own! Bryan and I came home throughout the day to check on her -- just in case! We left Animal Planet on in the background to keep her company. I think she might have enjoyed a little peace and quiet since she's been on the go the past few days.

She was excited to see us when we came home and she had plenty of energy all evening. She played for about three hours straight before crashing for the night. She's doing really well sleeping in her crate. Less wimpering with each night, so we're all getting more sleep!

Meet Kenzie!

2008-12-14T22:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas came early this year! On Wednesday night, I came home to find my present curled up on the couch waiting for me. Bryan completely surprised me with a 10-week-old West Highland Terrior!

(Here she is on the day Bryan brought her home. She's wearing her pink sweater and playing with her favorite toy.)

I couldn’t believe that this tiny little pup would be here to stay and my first reaction when seeing her was, “Is she really ours?!” I was overjoyed and stayed up until about 1 a.m. getting to know our new addition.

Bryan and I had been getting serious about getting a dog over the past month. We were just starting to look into rescuing a Westie and had conversations about it as recent as last weekend. Little did I know that Bryan had already looked into rescue options and breeders.

He was pre-approved with the breeder and just one female remained in the available litter. When he received a call on Wednesday morning and learned that another family was interested, he headed out right away to make the adoption final. By noon, Bryan had purchased all the necessary paraphernalia and picked up the pup. She spent the afternoon hanging out at Bryan’s office before arriving at her new home.

Since Westies have a deep-rooted Scottish heritage, we decided to give the wee lass a genuine Scottish name. Bryan had even started looking up ideas before I got home and we both liked Kenzie immediately. It’s perfectly fitting for our adorable, yet spunky little pup.

So, my little Kenzie Girl is here to stay! She’s smart and curious, playful and sweet. Brains and beauty – she’s got it all! She loves to snuggle or chase after all the toys that daddy bought her!

(Here she is playing in front of the Christmas tree with her favorite squeaky hippo toy.)

She’s adjusting beautifully and already seems so at home with us. Luckily, Bryan has brought up a puppy before and knows what he’s doing. He can tell her “gotta go outside now” cries from the typical puppy wimpers. I’m learning, too! We almost have her potty-trained since she’s such a smart girl. She’s a good eater too – our little piggy!

(Kenzie on the go! So much to explore...)

Kenzie met some of her family and friends this weekend, including cousin Maggie the Mini Schnauzer. Cousin Shelby the Wheaton Terrior brought Kenzie a darling little bow! Kenzie can’t wait to meet the rest of you soon. Until then, she sends wiggles and wags, and lots of puppy kisses!

Bueno Bueno Mexico!

2008-08-04T22:22:00.001-07:00

A new post about my big summer getaway is way overdue!! Where do I begin? A week cruising the Mexican Riviera made my summer one to remember. The cruise perfectly balanced relaxation and adventure, plus quality time with family and friends. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

We boarded the ship in San Pedro on Sunday and started warming up for the bon voyage party right away! Bryan and I headed straight for the pool deck to enjoy some refreshments and get into the cruising spirit. Later, we explored our cabin and the rest of the ship. Our favorite feature? Our cabin’s ocean-view balcony!

We spent our first full day at sea, running the track, working out in the gym, playing shuffleboard and scaling the rock-climbing wall on the back of the boat. We even tried our luck at bingo, but our good fortune didn’t kick in until the last day of the cruise…

That night, we enjoyed a formal dinner together at our table for ten. The cuisine pleased our palettes, the service was top-notch and the company delightful! After dinner, we moved onto evening entertainment – and oh, it was entertaining. (At least the parts I remember were!)

The next morning we arrived in Cabo San Lucas, our first port of call. We boarded tender boats to get from ship to shore – a bumpy, but scenic ride! Our first stop in Cabo was the office for some refreshments and fun.

While the others headed out on jet skis, Bryan and I negotiated a parasailing rate on the beach and set out for a high-flying adventure. Bryan took a pass on the flight, but tagged along to make sure all the ropes were secure when I went up. Good thing he made them double-check everything because they really got me up there in air, then they kept me sailing for an extra long ride.

Bryan was pretty nervous the whole time, but relieved when I finally landed back on the boat deck safely. After parasailing, we took our family and friends to a few of our favorite Cabo spots, from lunch at the Shrimp Factory to some great margaritas at The Jungle.

In our second port of call, Mazatlan, we went into the jungle for a zip-line course. We geared up, then hooked onto the lines and zipped from platform to platform. Aside from the jungle wasps, I enjoyed every minute. We even got a tour of the “most important” points of interest in Mazatlan on the way there and back. Our guide was bueno, bueno!!

The very next day we arrived in Puerto Vallarta, our third and final port of call. My sisters and I got off the ship early to swim with the dolphins that morning. We jumped right into the pool with them and learned how to signal for their tricks. The highlights were getting dolphin kisses and a swift ride across the pool, tummy to tummy with a dolphin!!

After our early morning dolphin swim, I went right onto my second excursion of the day. Bryan, my dad and I set sail for a simulated yacht race aboard a real America’s Cup racing boat. We (mostly Bryan and Dad) helped raise the main sail and the spinnaker sail. It was a perfect afternoon on the water, with the wind in our hair and the beer on board!

Back on the cruise ship, we rested up for that night’s festivities on the pool deck. We danced the night away and kept the “Cabo lemonade” flowing, thanks to Bryan’s bar skills! Our favorite Jamaican tray-spinner, Prince Charles, even boogied with the crowd.

Everyone slept in the next morning – the perfect way to start a full day at sea. That night, some headed to the show and some to the casino. That’s where our luck kicked in. Bryan and I hit the craps table for an hour or so, walking away with a healthy stack of chips and a couple of happy gamblers! (…especially since the final statement from our on-board cruise cards was just around the corner!)

We soaked up our last day at sea relaxing by the pool and wandering in and out of the buffet. We said our farewells to our talented attendants (who left towel animals in our cabin each night) and the enthusiastic crew members (who kept us entertained along the way and helped us make some great memories). It was an amazing trip that I won’t soon forget.

Summer Grillin' and Photos to Prove It!

2008-06-09T19:59:00.001-07:00

Summer if officially here! May gray and June gloom are on their way out. Sunshine, beach days and summer barbeques are in order, so what better way to get in the spirit than grillin' up something new and different?

With a great tip from my co-worker, I headed to Whole Foods to pick up some asparagus, potatoes and...buffalo steaks! Never had buffalo before, but I was curious enough to go for it.

I also picked up my new camera on Sunday. (Thanks to some serious birthday cash, my wish was granted!) My last digital camera lived a nice, long photo-filled life, so I opted for another Canon. My new “point and shoot” companion is a very stylish blue hue.

With a new dish to cook and a camera to break in, I had the perfect recipe for an early summer Sunday evening. Plus, Bryan was thrilled that I actually volunteered to prepare a meal for him. He’s such a natural talent in the kitchen that I usually leave it up to him to plan the menu, then we team up to cook things up.

So, here we go...complete with photo proof that Kate was in the kitchen this weekend!

I realized recently that I had never really learned how to grill meat, let alone turn on a barbeque by myself. Here was my opportunity to learn! Step one, turn the knob and fire up the grill. Step two, add amazing mesquite bbq chips for unparalleled flavor and aroma. Step three, toss well-marinated meat onto grill and listen for sizzzzling sounds.

Unfortunately, I didn’t snap any shots of my first grillin’ experience…too busy watching the steaks, of course! We threw the asparagus on the grill, too. With some garlic butter and a little parmesan, it came out deliciously crunchy. Meanwhile, the plump potatoes baked in the oven.

Almost ready...here come the potatoes...not once, but twice-baked!

Voila! Good grillin' deserves a sunny balcony, breezy table and bottle(s) of wine.

Bon apetit time! Mmmm, summer asparagus! Nice and crunchy off the grill, just the way we like it.

Looks like one satisfied customer. I think he'll be back for more!

Just Back from Boise

2008-05-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Boise for a business trip this week. I’ve worked with the region’s economic development corporation for the last year or so, but this was my first visit to Idaho’s capitol city. Over two and a half days, I met with 15 companies to learn more about why business is booming in the area.

With the insights from my meetings, I’ll develop story ideas to pitch to national business media and industry trade publications. My focus is general manufacturing and food processing, so I met with quite a variety of businesses.

From tea, sugar, cheese and energy bar producers to metals, plastics, wood and electronics manufacturers, I talked with companies large and small. String cheese, chimney vents, wood doors and plastic trays all come from the Boise Valley, Idaho. Who knew, right?

Aside from business, I had the pleasure of staying at Boise’s stylish downtown Hotel 43. It reminded me of the W Hotels, which are among my favorite! I dined with colleagues at Chandlers, the hotel’s steakhouse restaurant. Not only was my kobe beef top sirloin delicious, but the size of the asparagus and the freshness of the potatoes au gratin were impressive. The wine list was excellent and my sweet tooth was pleased with the dessert selection.

When I arrived in Boise around mid-morning, it was about 85 degrees and nothing but blue skies all around. By the time I sat down for dinner that evening, a breezy, drizzly afternoon had given way to a serious and sudden hail storm. Even though the snow had cleared out at the beginning of this month, there was still plenty of wild weather left for springtime in Boise.

After a long day of travel that began at 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning, I was delighted to sink into the inviting cloud of a bed I found in my hotel room. One good night of sleep and I was ready for the marathon of meetings the next day.

Wednesday was a long day, but well worth the back-to-back-to-back meetings that took me from one end of the Valley to another. As a girl from a Southern California suburb, I sure learned everything I never thought I’d know about manufacturing and food processing. By the end of the day, I was finally starting to get my mind around the world of supply chain logistics, factory floors and workforce dynamics.

By Thursday, I was tossing around the industry lingo left and right. Not only did I sound like I knew what I was talking about, I actually understood it! Everything I learned in the past few days will be very valuable in my media outreach, thanks to all the friendly and helpful plant managers, manufacturing experts and businesses owners I met with.

My overall take-away from this trip is that Boise is exactly what you may not expect. It’s a burgeoning, vibrant city. It’s a family-oriented community with a small-town feel. It’s a great place for business and it’s growing by leaps and bounds. It’s a technology hot spot, small business boomtown and a manufacturing magnet. It’s home to some of the most respected and well-known companies across the nation, and around the world.

And that’s the buzz on Boise, from someone that’s (finally) seen it for herself.

Wish List

2008-05-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to May! Can’t believe how fast this year is flying by, but couldn’t be happier that my birthday month is here. I’m not really one of those super-crazy about my birthday people, but I like a little recognition as much as the next gal when my day comes around.

I think I better start a wish list. Funny how we pine for things we shouldn’t buy every week of every month, but can’t seem to think of a thing we want or need when gift-giving holidays arrive. So, I’m gonna put it all on the table and hope for the best.

List Toppers

New camera. My last digital camera lasted about four years and took great photos. I consider myself lucky it lasted that long, since both of my sisters’ cameras met their demise before that long. One of them “drowned” in the salty, shallow waves on Newport Beach…or was it the sand that jammed the lense? Maybe both! The other camera was a victim of burglary at a college party.
Hands-free phone system for my car. With that July deadline just around the corner, it’s time to surrender the handset while driving. I like my Dad’s hand-free parrot system because there’s no need for the earpiece. I’m not a huge fan of the “I’m talking to myself at the grocery store, traffic signal, ladies’ room, etc.” trend.

“Practical”

iTunes. Now that I’m getting back into my spring running routine, I need some jams for my three-miles jaunts. A fresh play list is always a good incentive to go that extra mile.
Nordstrom bucks. Gift cards mean guilt-free shopping at my favorite retailer!
Spa Finder. I’m a huge fan of this clever gift after my aunt gave me one for Christmas last year. It’s basically a gift certificate that can be used at hundreds of spas across the country. Ii came in very handy when I headed to Mantara at the new Planet Hollywood Hotel in Vegas a few months ago.

Dream Big…

Two words: Tiffany & Co. (Is that technically three words?) Earrings, bangles and gems galore, I think there’s always room for more!
A Westie. What could be cuter, softer and friendlier than a wonderful little Westie? I love my family’s mini Schnauzer, Maggie. She’s also a terrier, so I know they have a great temperament. Someday I’d really like to get my own puppy dog, though!

Well, just 28 days left until my day. Sweet!

In Honor of Earth Day...

2008-04-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew.

~ Marshall McLuhan, 1964

Till now man has been up against Nature; from now on he will be up against his own nature.

~ Dennis Gabor, Inventing the Future, 1963

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

~ Native American Proverb

So, it all boils down to this: We're all responsible for resisting our natural urge to be lazy and wasteful, or else future generations will suffer from our poor example and thoughtless actions. Now, go find your green.

Hitting the Slopes

2008-03-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

In February, I headed up to Big Bear with the fam for a few days of snowboarding for my Dad’s 50th Birthday.

We had a great time from the mountain to the cabin, but all that snow literally swept some of us off our feet! (Someone got a purse full of snow…)

After some solid rain earlier that week, the slopes were completely covered with powder. Nice to have a soft landing for those unexpected tumbles!

(See, she's sitting, but smiling!)

So, we got some great runs on those powdery hills. Best of all, no one broke any bones riding the rails or catching some big air in the half-pipe. (Also because none of us attempted those things, but that's besides the point...)

And the best feeling at the end of a long, fun day of snowboarding is knowing you can sink into a hot jacuzzi, put your feet up... and still be surrounded by fluffy white snow!

Go Green and Stop Junk Mail

2008-02-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

Two ways to cut down on paper catalogs and protect yourself from identity theft:

Catalog Choice is the free service that lets you opt out of unwanted catalogs. It took me about 5 minutes to register with the site, search the database for a handful of catalogs and decline delivery of the mailed catalogs.

Get off junk mail lists by registering with the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service. The service promises to reduce junk mail, including pre-screened credit offers, member prospect lists and individual mailing lists, after three months.

San Diego Super Chargers!

2008-01-16T21:29:00.000-08:00

Two playoff wins down and one more to go...we're coming for the Pats on Sunday! All the Charger girls and I will be cheering for the Bolts!

...and if you haven't learned the words yet, get ready to sing along! It's the Charger's original theme song!!

San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
Charge!

Cheers to a New Year

2007-12-31T12:48:00.000-08:00

I think everyone I've talked to lately agrees that 2007 went by very quickly. That being said, I'm glad I've tried to keep up this blog so I can look back on some of the year's highlights...and so can you! Here's a few more tidbits to close out the year...

Cabo in September was the perfect get-away for Bryan's birthday. Poolside margaritas, a breezy balcony suite, fun-loving company and delicious south-of-the border cuisine were a great escape for us!

Napa in October meant crisp fall weather, wine country drives and many, many great tastes. It was a memorable weekend all around, from Opus One and Paraduxx to dinner at Cole's Chop House and cozy accomodations at the Silverado Resort.

Dressed to impress in November for Bryan's annual industry gala event. On the arm of a handsome O.C. "agent," I sported the full-length red gown in honor of the James Bond '007 theme.

Chargers in December brought another victory for the bolts as they clinched the division title. Securing a place among the top three in the AFC, they closed out the regular season with a final win at Oakland yesterday. Go Bolts!!

Now it's onto January: football playoffs, winter soups and...resolutions! Putting my resolutions out in writing definitley helped me stay on track this year, so here's another five for 2008!

Resolutions:

Learn one new recipe each month. I must make more time to cook this year.
Run a 10k and (possibly) train for my second half-marathon. Or, try one of those boot camp workouts. Gotta mix it up on the fitness front.
Listen more, talk less. I always have a lot to say, but I'd like to focus on what others are saying and what I can learn from them and about them.
K.I.T. Keep in touch with friends and professional contacts.
Start seriously looking into graduate school. Take the tests and research MBA programs.

Go Boltz!!

2007-10-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

I went to my first Chargers game yesterday and it was a blast! Botlz beat the Raiders...and it was good time all around, from tailgating to the last touchdown. Can't wait for the next game!

The tail gate.
(Bryan brought out the Chargers cups a.k.a. "fine china"...)

The Chargers Girls!

The view.

The fans!

Stopping to Look Around

2007-08-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, my family had a barbeque for all the August birthdays and even in the middle of the summer heat wave, we were already thinking Christmas. We usually draw names for the annual gift exchange early, but this may have a been a record year! (If you ever wonder why I'm such a planner, maybe my family is a good indication of where I got that personality trait.) Well, it's always nice to have plenty of time to dream up everything I've ever wanted and needed, and then narrow it down into a reasonable gift list. And, the more time to shop, the better!

So all the holiday anticipation got me thinking about that time of year and I remembered that this year I made some resolutions. Now that it's well into 2007, I thought I'd check in on my New Year's resolutions...

1. Be on time. I've actually improved on this goal quite a bit. The month and a half I spent arriving early at work (7 a.m.) for a special client assignment may have helped whip me into shape for this one. I realized that I can roll out of bed at 5:30 a.m., five days a week, and actually function. However, we won't talk about the intensity of my coffee addiction during that period...That's a different story!

2. Make a beneficial investment. Check! Started a COD account a few months ago. World Savings has great rates, but my customer service experience was disappointing.

3. Develop better knowledge of business. Still working on this one, but I did read Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point and I learned about the interesting phenomenon of epidemic change. I've been thinking about ways to apply the book's insights to my client work.

4. Travel abroad. Well, it's not Europe, but Cabo is technically international. I'm heading south for a fall getaway to celebrate Bryan's birthday. Vamonos!

5. Practice more patience. I think this is the one thing I'm really being tested on this year, but I'm proud to report that I'm making progress. When you've grown up in the "gotta have it now" generation (Y) sometimes it's more challenging than you'd think to wait for Web pages to load, stand in line or drive the speed limit.

...Just like the brilliant Ferris Bueller always said, "Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. "

Four Months Later....

2007-08-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty busy the past few months...didn't even get a chance to post (at least) a quarterly update in June! Well, it's catch-up time!

April
Spent some time working down in San Diego and stayed with friends in downtown. It was great to get a taste of city life and have a chance to work on a special project in my company's SD office. Since I've been back in my hometown in OC, I've always thought I'd land back in SD someday since I loved going to college down there. Downtown lofts are getting more and more afordable with the cost of housing on the decline, so it would be a great time to buy, but I'm no quite there yet. OC seems to get better and better the longer I stay, so a move to SD could go either way at his point. I'm sure it will all work out...

I spent a bit of time on the road for work in April. In addition to SD, I headed to Ontario at the end of the month for a quick, one-day assignment. A few lessons learned to note:

Tire spikes really will leave all four tires flat in just mintues.
Dollar/Thrifty rental car has sweet Jeep Laredos.
Sometimes, people really do the right thing in an unfortunate situation. It's good to know there are people out there like that.

May
I turned 25! Enjoyed a fun weekend of wine-tasting, dining and shopping in Santa Barbara with the girls.

I also visited the Getty Museum in May. Bryan and I took the day off work and drove up to check it out. There was an interactive Tim Hawkinson exhibit called the Uberorgan. (See photo below.)

After the Getty, we went to the Angels game to catch all the action from the city suite. Nice view...

June
In June, my friend, Jodi, got married. From bridal showers to Vegas fun, we celebrated her big day all month until the big day finally arrived! Her beachy SD wedding was a blast from beginning to end.

July
The wedding was a great start to a week-long vacation in SD. Bryan and I had a very relaxing stay at the W in downtown. When we weren't thinking of "whatever, whenever" requests, we were kayaking in La Jolla, taking a bike cab to the Padres game, dining at Greystone, hitting the town, celebrating the Fourth of July with SD friends and indulging in massage treatments at the spa across the street!

So now you know what (and who) has been keeping me so busy. Life is good and it's August, so that means it's time to make the most of poolside weekends, summer barbeques and beach days. Fall is just around the corner...until then, ciao!

P.S. Meet Bryan:

...he makes me smile :-) Love you, Bry!

Where's Kate?

2007-03-29T23:17:00.000-07:00

I guess it must be time for a first quarter update since I’ve slacked on writing updates for two months! I have GREAT excuses for this lapse, which I will recount here for your reading pleasure…

February:

PBR (Not the beer, just a lot of bull.)
Roma Cucina on Valentine’s Day (First date, went great…)
Daytrip to hit the slopes with Dad (Last run of this season for me; time for new boots and bindings!)

March:

San Francisco weekend (Just the girls; 25 hours in the city, and we did it all!)
K1 Speedway (Let out some rage after a stressful work day; so fast, so fun!)
St. Patty’s Day bar-to-bar bike parade
Rudy rally in Newport (Rah, rah Rudy!)

And, this weekend I’ll be hitting the course once again after my winter hibernation and hiatus from pavement-pounding road races. After my half marathon, I took some time to recover my running legs and slowly eased back onto the street. Running the Seal Beach 5K on Saturday with some friends that I’ve recently persuaded to hit the pavement with me. I don’t think they know what they’re in for out there, but they’re gonna love it – the cheering spectators, the crisp morning air, the feeling of breezing through the finish line, and of course, the brunch that awaits us afterward!

P.S. Go Georgetown! Final four this weekend!!

Impressions of Charleston

2007-01-31T22:43:00.000-08:00

Now that's it's the very end of January, I think I should (finally) post my pictures from my trip to South Carolina earlier this month. Jodi, Kristen and I had a great time exploring Charleston, and of course we had a fabulous tour guide -- Steph, who I'm proud to report has not lost her Southern California pride since her move to the "other S.C."

I arrived in Atlanta by red eye, sleep deprived and looking just lovely after 5 hours of upright shut-eye on the flight. I navigated through the airport metro system -- yes, ATL has its own subway system and might as well have its own city council, too because it's huge! When I arrived at my departure gate, I collapsed onto row of attached seats and zoned out. Within a few minutes, I found out that the girls' connecting flight to Charleston had been combined with mine and they were waiting just a few gates down. Funny how good it feels the moment you see a familiar face in a busy airport when you're traveling alone and overtired.

So, one short commuter flight into "The Holy City" -- known for its skyline full of church spires -- and we reunited with Steph in her new hometown. Actually, Steph lives in the suburb of Goose Creek, just outside the city of Charleston. It looks, feels, smells just like it sounds. As with all Southern things, it was *charming*...

We headed into Historic Downtown Charleston that night for dinner and drinks. Enjoyed delicious cuisine at Anson, an eatery on Anson Street. I tried the she crab soup (local seafood), traditional collard greens (not bad) and sipped a chocolate martini (yum!) Then, I think we popped in and out of almost every bar in downtown, from the rooftop bar at the Market Pavilion Hotel to the popular Mad River Bar & Grille, inside a historic Charleston church on Market Street. Good times had by all!

We did some sightseeing during the course of the weekend, including visits to Fort Sumter, Magnolia Plantation and Rainbow Row. Fun facts:

Pineapples and palmetto trees are Charleston symbols. Palmettos looks like palm trees, but shorter and grow throughout South Carolina. The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality that traveling residents would place a pineapple on the spikes of their front gate upon returning from sea.

Charleston's historic mansions have light blue front porch ceilings because of a superstitious tradition that's believed to keep ghosts away by fooling them into thinking they're outdoors with the sky overhead.

The first shots of the Civil Way were fired at Fort Sumter, which is located on an island in Charleston Harbor.

On most of our outings, I noticed how things really move at a little slower pace in the South. For example, on the highway cars generally travel in the right hand lanes ("slow lanes" to us Californians) and the fast lane on the far left is almost exclusively used as a passing lane. There's no rush to get where you're going because once you get there, no one's gonna hurry much anyway! Ticket vendors, restaurant servers and shop clerks alike are just taking their sweet time. *Charmed* I'm sure...

But seriously, for all my culture shock, I really did enjoy my first trip to the South. I even tried fried green tomatoes, which I surprisingly liked, although I never eat regular tomatoes. From its traditional Southern cuisine to its historic homes, Charleston is truly a beautifully preserved place that can take you back in time. Of course, the best part was making memories traveling and exploring Charleston with my girls!

I can go for miles, if you know what I mean!

2007-01-07T18:39:00.000-08:00

13 miles, to be exact! Had a great run this morning! The first 10 miles went pretty well, besides rolling my ankle in the first mile and having to make a pit stop at mile 7. The last three miles were challenging, both physically and mentally. My legs were almost to the point of feeling like jello, just in time for the last big incline. It was definitely getting harder to focus and keep pushing forward. Two hours and 13.1 miles later...breakfast with friends at Cheesecake Factory, a medal and a big smile!

Been relaxing all day and looking forward to a good night's sleep to help the recovery process. Hopefully I'll be able to move my body tomorrow morning, but if not, it's a great excuse for another massage!

...And we're back!

2007-01-06T19:12:00.000-08:00

As you may have guessed from my prolonged absence, December was a busy month for me! Between the gift hunting, half marathon training, family get-togethers and work, there was just not enough time to blog!

But, I'm back and it's 2007, so Happy New Year to all! Let's talk resolutions. Hmmm. I usually don't make serious resolutions at the turn of a new year because I hate the thought of not fulfilling them during the course of the year. Rather, I just try to make improvements, take on new challenges and seek opportunities throughout the year, as needed.

For example, I decided this fall to train for the half marathon -- which is tomorrow morning! -- and I hope it will be a notable 2007 accomplishment for me, considering I make it the entire 13.1 miles to the finish line. I'm excited for the race, but honestly I am kinda ready to be out of training mode and back to stay-out-late, eat-what-I-want, feel-less-guilt-for-missing-a-work-out mode. It's just more fun that way!

So, after tomorrow, I plan to keep running some 10K and 5K races, but I'll probably take a break from the ol' 13-mile pavement-pounding fun for a while. I'm definitely planning to do some more hiking, snowboarding and more kickballing this year, so that will keep me busy...speaking of snowboarding, I spent New Year's in Big Bear and had three great days on the slopes, followed by a very relaxing massage and spa visit before heading back to work this week.

Back to resolutions, this year, I'm resolving to make some resolutions. They say that you take your goals more seriously if you write them down. So, here goes. My five (lucky number...) 2007 resolutions:

1. Be on time. For work, for play, everyday!

2. Make a beneficial investment. Stocks? Property? Any suggestions?

3. Develop better knowledge of business in general. PR? Got it. Business models and objectives? Bottom line: gotta work on that one.

4. Travel abroad. I've been talking about how much I enjoyed studying abroad in college and I'm thinking that I need to just make plans to go, or I'll just keep dreaming and never go anywhere. My neglected passport's getting bored sitting in that old file, anyways.

5. Practice more patience. I like things fast, just right, with minimal hassle. I can bend a little more, without lowering my standards. Something to keep in mind...

Cheers to a new year!

18 Shopping Days, 8 Miles...and a partridge in a pear tree.

2006-12-07T19:48:00.000-08:00

Check out my SqueezeOC blog interview. Just one month until the OC Half Marathon!

And just 18 shopping days left until Christmas. If you haven't written Santa a letter this year, here's your chance! You better watch out because if you're not good this year, Santa will leave lots of spam email in your inbox...

8 mile run this weekend...yikes!

Warning Label Generator

2006-11-26T20:56:00.000-08:00

Here's a great way to waste 15 minutes! Check out the Warning Label Generator. Here are some of my own creations:

Yoga: Not for slippery feet

2006-11-19T19:46:00.000-08:00

My friend mentioned that she's trying to do some yoga to keep stretched out after the longer runs, so I decided to go to yoga class this morning. After my six-miler yesterday morning, it sounded like the perfect way to loosen up my running limbs and relax a little, too!

A few months ago when I was lucky enough to enjoy a complimentary membership to the Hilton gym, I had tried some yoga along with my regular pilates classes. It was a great introductory experience and seemed fairly easy to me at the time, probably because of the effect of the consistent core strengthening workouts. Today I realized that my extended hiatus from pilates during the past two months has taken its toll.

The meditation at the beginning of the class and naptime exercise at the end were very satisfying, but what happened between that was not all relaxing. The planking and twisting was challenging, especially when my feet started to slip along the mat while holding poses. The more I tried to plant my toes and heels, the more I slid! I just had to laugh inside at how funny I must have looked and how unrelaxing the situation was becoming. Ultimately, I was able to stick the poses for a few seconds before my slippery feet stretched my legs further apart and strained my tired running legs.

Luckily, I have decent balance, so I was able to regain my yoga advancement later in the class by holding upright poses on one foot. But, I kept thinking about the possibility that the foot on the ground may start to slip around and send me toppling to the ground! When the hour was up, I felt fairly loose and pretty tired, but happy that I challenged myself to a slippery stretching session.

Maybe I'll bring socks with traction on the bottoms next time!

Team Notorious Makes Semifinals

2006-11-15T19:41:00.000-08:00

We made the kickball semifinals! We had a huge fifth (last) inning in our playoff game on Monday night. Three runs in the top of the fifth, and then played an extra inning when the challengers tied it up in the bottom of the fifth. Top of the sixth, four more runs and held the lead to win 7-4. That's why we're no-no-notorious!

...and this was all accomplished after a six-hour BBQ, beer pong and flip cup triathlon the evening before. We got more than just kickball skills!

Let's Say Thanks

2006-11-15T13:33:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't say that I'm overly patriotic, but I do care that many American families have loved ones abroad that they hope will come home safely one day. A friend emailed me about Xerox's quick and easy Let's Say Thanks postcard operation to the troops abroad. It really only takes about 4 clicks of your mouse and less than a minute to do it, and you will probably make someone's day a little bit better. (And the cards are really cute, too!)

Why is it called the Grapevine?

2006-11-06T21:34:00.000-08:00

Tonight, team Notorious won our last regular season game! And, I finally caught a huge pop fly! It was sweet. The kicker was lined up to send the ball into right field, so I knew it was coming my way. The ball went up, I went down and it landed right in my arms. It was our third out and I was so excited that I ran back to the dugout with the ball! Next week, playoffs.

Last weekend, I went up to Tejon Ranch for a work event. It's gorgeous up there, and I really appreciated the change in scenery. Once the fog burned off in the morning, the surrounding mountains were clear and the sun came out, so it was pleasant weather until the wind kicked up in the afternoon. I thought about how fun it would be to go hiking up there, until my colleague reminded me that it's the real wilderness up there. Considering the wild boar roaming around in those parts, I think coastal hikes are more my speed for now.

*Fun fact* A little piece of knowledge I picked up this weekend. Do you know why the Grapevine (on the I-5 freeway) is called the Grapevine? Next time you're driving through the Tejon pass area, look down when driving the Grapevine Grade and you'll see grapes growing right between the roads of the split highway. And Tejon? It means badger in a Native American tongue. Now you know!

Morning run, home run and then some Halloween fun!

2006-10-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a little while since I really posted something here. Well, I've been busy!

The Half Marathon training is in full swing. This morning, we ran 4 miles and I couldn't help but wonder how I am going to actually run more than three times that distance. The race is a little over 2 months away, so we'll be increasing our distance each week to build up to 10 miles. They say that it's mostly mental, so if we can get to 10, we'll have no problem running 13. I hope they have some pretty impressive mind games to help us with this mental strengthening because I will need it! By the way, there's a local blogger from SqueezeOC magazine who is writing about her experience for the training.

Kickball update! Team Notorious dominated this week with a win and a tie. I am proud to report my stats for the week:

Pop fly catches - 0 (still working on this one)
Home runs to tie game against top team in last inning with two outs - 1
Beers consumed in dugout - 2
Cute new Juicy Couture knee socks that protect shins with style - 2

By the way, I also received my official WAKA membership card and now I'm a real kickballer!

Well, Halloween is upon us and I had no intention of dressing up or even really celebrating this year since it falls ona Tuesday and I will be working. My office seems to celebrate every other holiday - Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo, even the NCAA playoffs - but no Halloween festivities. Last year, I had just started my job at the Bureau in early October when I was quickly brought into the Halloween scene there. The planning begins on Nov. 1 and the Communications department always themes out the team, usually with pun-inspired costumes. So, we were the four seasons. I was summer, complete with a shining sun crown on my head and sunscreen tube hanging around my neck.

So this year, I'm heading down to SD to check out festivities downtown. My friend has just moved to downtown (today), so we'll be right in the middle of the fun. Now, I need to figure out who or what I'm going to be. Time to go shopping!

Kate's Update

2006-10-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

Haven't had a whole lot of time to write lately, but here's what I've been up to lately:

Weekend in SD for some good times downtown and at the Comber with the girls...

Hiking Torrey Pines on a gorgeous Sunday. Shout out to my sister and her cute new place in Del Mar!

Kickballin' with team Notorius...

Day spa and night out for the bride-to-be...

Half marathon training time trial last weekend...training with the pack every Saturday at 7 a.m. until January 7.

Workin' it, nine to five...job's going well.

In the News...

2006-10-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

I made The OC Register this week...read all about it!

Just keep running...

2006-10-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I ran the Race for the Cure. A group of women from my sorority's local alumni chapter met up to particiapte, donning matching black "Kats for the Cure" caps. It was fun and motivating to be there with other athletic young women who wanted to support the cause.

I hadn't run a 5K race in a while, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to jump back into it. Going into the race itself, I was just hoping to come in under 30 minutes and get an idea of where I'm at. But it went even better than expected!

Lining up at the starting line, I was completely calm and ready to just enjoy the atmosphere of the event. A lot of the runners had names, photographs and other momentos pinned to the backs of their t-shirts. So many people had a very personal reason to run that morning.

When the race began, the crowd shuffled onto the race course and everyone settled into their pace. I hit the first mile at 8 mintues. Pleasantly surprised, I eased up on the second mile to save a little energy for the final push. Bands, cheerleaders and spectators lined the course, making great scenery and a pretty good soundtrack along the way. Maybe it was all the scenery, but after a while that second mile seemed like the longest I had ever run. I kept scanning around for a second mile marker, but never found one. Soon enough, I breezed past mile 3 and sprinted to the finish line, just under 26 minutes. Alright!

Now, we're talking about training for a half marathon. I considered training for one about six months ago, but a flare-up in back pain stopped me. Now, I think I'm ready to go for it. Four months, 13 miles...we'll see what happens!

Links I love!

2006-09-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to a few of my favorite new and old links!

New and fresh:

I'm playing kickball this fall on team Notorius BAL (Ballers and Ladies)...the plan is to kick some balls and drink some brew every Monday night. Good times!
Hoops & Yoyo have the funniest eCards! My personal favorite is Coffee Jitters. And now they also have a blog and podcasts.

Kinda recent:

Read secret confessions of total strangers.
The latest dance craze!

Oldies, but goodies:

This cartoon is a few years old, but still makes me chuckle.
Daily dose of news you can peruse!

Long Weekends...

2006-09-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

...are the best! Went to Vegas for a girlfriend getaway and had a blast! My favorite thing about this weekend is my newfound love of spas. Always a good idea to visit your hotel spa and indulge a little, or a lot! Plus, it's one of the only places in Vegas to escape both the heat and the stench of cigarette smoke.

Pink Taco at Hardrock is my new favorite Mexican eatery. Two standout tastes: the guacamole and the guava margarita served "up" - martini style! We explored Tao at the Venetian and loved the night club. Although we did encounter the expected holiday weekend crowds, the ambiance was worth it - edgy and inviting with a very Zen theme.

Between shopping, indulging and partying with the girls, I never made it to one craps table or roulet wheel. It was a winning weekend anyways and we're already planning our next Vegas trip...