Back from trip to Atlanta

(Free chocolate cake for my 26th birthday after a WONDERFUL meal at "On Main" in Conyers, GA.)

We're back from Georgia. It was a good trip despite the long drive there, trips to the hospital and getting sick. We had a great time, really! It was a lot different than years past, but overall we had a great time visiting with my parents and family. I hope to post a few more pictures and give a little more narration of our trip.


Me and "Raleigh" (mom & dad's adopted cat)- he isn't real keen on 'hugs'

Chocolate-covered Christmas Spirit

Look what I made on Sunday night - no Christmas is complete without chocolate covered goodies. My goodies are preztels and peanut butter & ritz crackers. I used some awesome chocolate chips and also cappaicino chips (the lighter color). They delicious (and were a bit of a mess to make!)

First winter storm for central NC

But thankfully, Raleigh has been spared for the most part. The freezing rain was fairly short lived, but came during rush hour this morning. I woke up a little after 5am and got into the shower. The temp was 31, but since it looked dry outside I figured I would be fine. In the short 10 minutes of my shower, a nice little layer of ice had fallen to the ground and covered just about every surface around the house - but thankfully not the road. I pondered my options and the decided to watch the news and finally get back into bed. I snoozed until about 7:30am only to see more insanity out on the roads, but for the most part the freezing rain was just rain. Every "fly-over" bridge was a sheet of ice and thus major traffic tie-ups. I held out until I saw the temp rise to just above 33 and then hit the road. Only a little bit of ice covered the bridges I had to pass over. Whew! Crisis averted!

However, the more western/central area (triad and west) has a big coat of ice on it. YUCK! Here's the view from the WLOS skycam this morning - check out the ice covered trees....

Time to stock up on milk & bread! :)

Special Weather Statement:

Expires 5:00 PM EST on December 14, 2005

Statement as of 11:08 AM EST on December 14, 2005

... Potential for a breif period of freezing rain over the central Piedmont of North Carolina late tonight through Thursday morning...

Precipitation will overspread central North Carolina from the south late tonight... and become heavier and more widespread during the day on Thursday. For portions of central and northeast Piedmont... northwest of a line from Albemarle and Troy to Sanford and Raleigh to Louisburg and Henderson... there may be a period of light freezing rain shortly before dawn til shortly after sunrise Thursday morning. While a widedspread thin coating of ice is not expected at this time... spotty patches of a thin glaze is possible on elevated surfaces... such as trees... power lines... radio towers... and bridges and overpasses before daybreak Thursday. Due to the critical timing of the onset of precipitation... the early morning commute on Thursday could be greatly impaired as the freezing rain begins enroute to your destination. Please allow yourself extra time to reach your traveling destination Thursday morning.

As southerly winds aloft increase after daybreak... rain water is expected to warm and the chances of additional ice accumulation will diminish by late morning on Thursday.

This is looking better for NC... but not for Paul's flight back from Philly.


And if the air wasn't so dry, we'd actually be seeing some snow right now!

Chilly morning on Pisgah

It looks like a very chilly morning atop Mt. Pisgah. It's chilly in Raleigh too with a high of only 41, a little cooler than December norms. I've got to bundle up and head over to campus with an armful of mail... yay.

Garfield winter funny

Still waiting on the 'white stuff to fall from the sky, but it won't keep me from drinking some hot chocolate!

Need a smile? Watch the pandas at the National Zoo

http://animal.discovery.com/cams/pandavidr.html

" You are watching live images of Mei Xiang, a giant panda, and her cub, Tai Shan, at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The cub was born at 3:41 a.m. on Saturday, July 9. Zoo keepers were happy to see Mei Xiang cradling and cuddling her cub only two minutes after its birth.

Tai Shan received his name, which means "peaceful mountain," on Monday, Oct. 17. A total of 202,000 people voted in the naming contest, with "Tai Shan" earning 44 percent of the vote."

Umm, we're not ready for winter, really

Snow? Tomorrow? I'm not ready for this....

From WRAL:
"RALEIGH, N.C. -- The recent spring-like temperatures could soon give way to snow as the first fringes of a significant winter storm head toward North Carolina."

Pictures from our trip to Asheville

Yay, I have pictures from our Thanksgiving in Asheville. For some reason my camera's memory stick flipped out and made it difficult to download all the pictures, this caused much distress. Thankfully, we've got a few and here are a couple:

Aren't we cute?

Mom & Dad

Squinting at the sunset

Beaucatcher Mnt view of downtown Asheville


I've got a few more at Flickr, see them here.

Thanksgiving - a little late

Wow. I can't believe that it has already been a week since we left for our Thanksgiving trip. We started out in Marion to visit Paul's parents. We had a great time eating and catching up - we even saw Andrew & Gary!

Traffic was extremely heavy on I-40, I guess it didn't hurt that gasoline finally came down a few more cents - we bought for $1.99 at our house! It's sad that we were excited for it being under $2...

We met up with my parents in Asheville on Thursday afternoon and then headed over the Grove Park for our Thanksgiving meal. We ate at the Grovewood Cafe ("we have reservations!") and then took a walk around the Inn. The gingerbread houses were amazing, of course. However, they were spread out ALL over the place. I don't think we even saw them all. We did see most of the winners - they were absolutely incredible. (I took pictures - but they are on Paul's laptop since our camera's memory stick had a breakdown.... long story, but thankfully I have a few pictures of our trip).

Not your typical gingerbread creation, but it was stunning!
(Adult 4th place)

And so was this (Adult 1st place)

(pictures from the GPI website)

We took it easy the entire time we were in Asheville - except that I had mom get up EARLY on Friday morning so we could catch some sales. We didn't make it out of the hotel until 7am, but we were done shopping by 10am, so that was a SCORE!

On Saturday, we took a little drive on the "new" I-26 from Asheville to Johnson City. My parents did want to check out the JC Penny store at the Johnson City Mall, and we just wanted to get out of Asheville for the day (seeing that a large chunk of the parkway was closed due to snow). On our way into Johnson City I recognized the road that Becky-Lu lives off. As we passed the exit, I could see her apartment in the distance and knew that on our way back we HAD to stop and at least see if my instincts were right. After shopping at the mall and lunch we headed back out on I-26 and turned off at Becky-Lu's road... low-and-behold, we found her! And bad me for not calling in advance! She was the perfect last minute hostess and we stayed and talked for a little bit. It was so good to see 'Lu!

Ok, enough rambling, I'll post some pictures soon. All in all it was a great trip, even though Paul and I were both sick!

Snow flurries in Asheville :)

From WLOS:

"Snow Flurries fell through the night and we could see some more today.

A snow advisory is in effect for Buncombe, Henderson, Jackson, Transylvania and Macon Counties until six o'clock Wednesday morning. Highway Patrol says there are no real trouble spots this morning. However, in the higher elevations, it is a good idea to slow down and increase your stopping distance. Stay with News 13 for the latest Accu-Weather forecast on the threat of snow throughout the day.

((Posted at 7:00 am, 11/22/05))"

WLOS skycam as of 7:30am - you can see a little white on the mts. in the distance.


We're leaving for the NC mountains tomorrow! Can't wait to see them again - it has been too long!

NCSU is now selling its own ice cream!

I've always wondered about all the cows we have on campus, they had to be more than just for study - and now I see they are doing something useful! You can buy ice cream from the university!

How fun is that? Check it out!

Hawaii sunrise

While taking my "lunch break" (i.e. my 5 minutes of eating cheerios in front of my computer) I took a look at all the webcams on the WRAL site. Low and behold, I found the camera at Ala Moana (near Waikiki Beach in Hawaii) and it was just about time for the sun to rise.

You can see Hawaii too or lots of other US cities.

ooooo, here is Pearl Harbor too (just a few minutes later)

Coffee adicts anon.

Hello, my name is Julie [hello Julie!] and I am a coffee addict.

Today is the third day in a week (work week) that I have treked to Starbucks and ordered a VENTI regular coffee (today is it the Verona). That is 20oz of pure caffeine goodness (and only 15 calories - well, without sugar & cream).

The good thing is that I have walked each time and it is 0.11 miles each way, which means that my treks have equated to a good walk of just over a half mile (+ hills!)

Ugh!

This is right next to my new office, as in I can see them from the front door. We moved from a nice quiet residential area to a very dicey area. No more quick runs to the ATM or Harris Teeter after dark for me! (Although this did happen in BROAD DAYLIGHT!) ACK! Thankfully I am usually very aware of my surroundings, but this is NOT cool. I come to work before anyone else (almost in the dark) and am usually the last to leave (just before dark). Not cool people, not cool.

Robberies Reported At Raleigh's Cameron Village

POSTED: 8:07 am EST November 14, 2005

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Authorities are investigating two hold-ups at a Raleigh shopping center.

Over the weekend, a man robbed the Fresh Market grocery store in Cameron Village. The suspect appears to be in his late 20s, measuring about 5 feet 10 inches tall. He wore wire-rimmed glasses and has thinning blond hair.

Police are also investigating a robbery at an ATM at Cameron Village. Officers say a man held up a woman at a bank across from the Harris Teeter.

Police say the description of the two suspects is similar.

What is up with this?!

Email recieved 1/2 a dozen times within about 10 minutes (this is getting just plain annoying!):

From: univ univ [wantthevisa@hotmail.com]
To: ?
Subject: Hello, This is for you................

Hello My name is Ms. claudia Woodrow.
I am very happy to get to you.
I am presently in London.Hope you'll get the email.
I really want to get into a serious relationship.
We can get to know each other?.
I do not have any private picture profile.
However I can send some nice pics.
I work at the Trading firm of my uncle.
I am single.
I really want to hear from you.
I want you to be serious about this email and I need long term relationship.
Your response will determine how far we can go.
Mum died many years ago.
She's a nice woman.
Dad is working with a government agency over here.
Life has been good,Though I want to get more experince and contribute my bit.
I do not want to write more.
My phone is now ready ,call me on +44 70 40 11 2703 My fax address is +44 870 0682346
You can call me in the morning tomorrow.
I want you to respond and let's get to know each other.
Take care
Cheers.
Ms. claudia Woodrow.

The walkway is extended

Pictures from Paul's work on the walkway last weekend. It's now been extended to the trashcan area. YAY!



The tan bricks are where the trashcan & recycling bin sit. We also planted 2 acubas (closer to the a/c unit).

Congrats Brad & Donna!

My cousin Brad was married last Friday (11/4) on the island of St. Thomas to a sweet gal, Donna. Congrats and welcome to the family! :)

Fall

It looks like fall has come to the trees in Raleigh, however, the weather is FAR from fallish. It's supposed to be close to 80 today, that's at least 20 degrees higher than the average. The trees did change over the weekend to some brillant yellows, oranges and reds. This morning the color was fading fast and I'm sure by the weekend most leaves will have left their branches.

The morning drive into work was quite a challenge due to very thick fog. It was pretty in some spots but very freaky in others - like you couldn't see the traffic light until you were RIGHT at it. It took me at least 10 minutes longer than usual to get to work, blah!

Here's the view of fall color from the WLOS skycam in Asheville, NC. We're headed up that way for Thanksgiving in just over 2 weeks! I can't wait.

My desk at the new office

The first 2 are what you see from the front door & my desk area. I look right at a nice cubicle wall - which is better than the back of someone's head. Everything is still a bit of a mess, but I'm getting things a bit more settled. It is dangerous for me to have a digital camera, I have way too much fun. Like my self portraits at the desk? Yay for a timer! Ok, now I really need to get to work!

Walkway landscaping

This is what we did over the weekend - it was a lot of work, but I think it will pay off.

We planted 3 azalea bushes (the "encore" variety which will bloom spring & fall), lots of pansies and my first attempt at bulbs. We'll see how those work out next spring.

Here's what you see (this is on the far right side of the house)



The brick pathway will continue around the side of the house... it's a massive project and will take a bit of time to complete.

Moving = blah!

Moving is very exhausting. I knew this long before today, but just somehow blocked out the physical pain, mental exhaustion and disorientating effects of packing up everything in sight to move it less than a mile away and spend twice as long putting it back in place. Not to mention all the details of getting a dialtone on the phone, an internet connection and attempting to adjust the new thermostat so it's not as cold as a fridge.

My office has moved less than a mile away from our old location. We technically have more square footage, but a lot less storage and "flex" space. We no longer have a kitchen, but instead a closet where 2 mini-fridges are stacked with a microwave on top. I can no longer see natural light from my desk and thus need another lamp (I've already for 2).

I am barely unpacked since everyone else in my office needs assistance to get their things in order. Several already have every book on a shelf and pictures on the wall. I haven't even unloaded my pencil drawer. UGH. If I work late today, that will make the fourth day of insane overtime - i.e. 10+ hours with NO break. I've had some food, but I haven't sat and eaten.

I can not wait to get this place back in order, but with my co-workrers inability to move a box or plug in a computer cord, that is going to take a loooooooong while.

Although I should be getting ready for bed...

I'm playing online. Paul called a little while ago to let me know he is on the plane and headed home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) He's got a 16 hour flight to Los Angles and then to Dallas and finally RDU, but he'll be home 24 hours from now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the seat he's sitting in from MEL to LAX: Quantas skybed and more info here.

"The new Qantas International Business Class sleeper seat Skybed has again been recognized for its excellence, receiving one of Australia's top design accolades - an Australian Design Award. Skybed was also recently awarded one of the world's oldest and most prestigious international design honours - A Good Design Award from The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture.

Features:

* A seat that transforms into the world's longest Business class bed at almost 2 metres.
* Extensive seat adjustment controls for maximum comfort in any position, regardless of your height.
* In the recline position the bed width measures a spacious 61cm (24 inches), allowing plenty of room for you to stretch out comfortably.
* More comfortable cushions developed with a leading Australian ergonomist to help you sleep and relax.
* More personal space thanks to a 'cocoon' design with a generous privacy screen.
* Relaxing back massage feature.
* A personal entertainment unit featuring a 26cm tilt screen and noise cancellation headphones.
* AC power plug for your laptop that doesn't require an adaptor cable.
* Clever storage solutions including a compartment for your shoes, a centre console unit for work items and even a water bottle holder."

Still at work...

Get this - I am on hour 12 of being at my office. I am calling it a day and seeking food on my way home (or maybe not.. I can't decide). The office is 1/2 way packed - just about everything that I can pack/do is done, a few prof's don't seem to have any interest in packing their stuff. The movers are coming Monday morning at 8am and I have a bad feeling that their stuff will still be sitting on their desks and bookcases and I'll have to scramble to get it ready to go. UGH. I refuse to come in this weekend to check on their "progress" in packing. I've only got a couple of days to be with Paul and then he's gone again, so the office will just have to deal!

By far, the most involved phishing email I've been sent

These people have way too much time (and it makes me wonder how many are falling for the scams if they just keep popping up so persistantly)

I get at least one of these a day on my work email (sometimes as many as 10-15) - I only use it for work, but it is published on the website. Most are just plain stupid and don't make much sense, this one has quite the story...

"Dear Respected One,

My name is Mrs Nenita Villaran. A complete citizen of the Philippines,widow to the late former minister of finance in Philippine who died on 15th of May 2002 My husband fell sick and he was flown to France for treatment but laterdied of ulcer and he has been buried.

I inherited a total sum of 12.3 million dollars from my late husband, this money which is concealed in a metallic trunk box is deposited with a security and finance company here in Philippine.

Due to the instruction I laid down before I deposited the box, that I needed maximum security/safety of my consignment and no body nor government organization can trace the where about of the box until I am ready and prepare to claim it. for this reason the security company used their diplomatic means to send the box out of Philippines to Abidjan- Cote d'Ivoire where they have their underground secrete vault.

This deposit was coded under a secret arrangement as a family treasure.This means that the security company does not know the content of this trunk box that was sent from the Philippine to Abidjan- Cote d'Ivoire under a diplomatic coverage for safe keeping.

My main purpose of sending you this mail is because of the way I found you and perhaps trustworthy to give you this priority of shipping the box of money to any address that you think is very secure and save in your country with your percentage of which we shall chat on soon.

In fact, since the death of my husband, his brothers has been seriously chasing me around with constant treats, trying to suppress me so that they might have the documents of his landed properties and confiscate them.

They have successfully collected all his properties, yet they never stopped there, they told me to surrender all bank account of my late husband,which I did, but I never disclose to them this deposit with the security company in Abidjan- Cote d'Ivoire, because this is where my future and destiny lies upon.

The family of my late husband never aware of the secret existence of this deposit which I made with the security company and they can never be aware of it Out of fear of my late husbands family, and when the situation becomes ncontrollable because of pressure on me from the Government of the Philippines,I decide to look for a trustworthy person who could assist me retrieve this box of money from the security company for onward lodgement into his account for the purpose of future investment.

Consider my situation as a widow and come to my rescue please i beg of you with all honesty.

I have discussed with the security company and they have agreed to dispatch this consignment to you in your country by diplomatic courier services mission as part of thier shippment services to clients worldwide.

Please contact me urgently upon your acceptance so that we can discuss how to go about this transaction speedily and accomplished it.

Thanking you in anticipation of your very kind and humane gesture and looking forward to hearing considerably from you,this wishing you all the best and God blessing.

Address your responds to my Private email:madamvillarann1@yahoo.com.ph

Thanks and kind regards,

Mrs Nenita Villaran"

Funny line from "Gilmore Girls"

It's a Monday. Blah. Blogger is being a pain, and I am tired of stupid people!

B/c it's funny...

LORELAI: Michel, the phone.
MICHEL: Mmhmm. It rings.
LORELAI: Can you answer it?
MICHEL: No. People are particularly stupid today. I can't talk to any more of them.
LORELAI: You know who's really nice to talk to? The people at the unemployment agency

Paul's views of Melbourne

Random sightings by Paul in Melbourne, Australia (the pictures should work now).

Cute westie waiting for its owner to finish eating... (or something like that)




Funny signs (notice the "Lord of the Fries")




Not sure about this one... Paul didn't eat there...


Sweet street name (Batman)


"Ex-Olympic Champion" - sounds kinda sad to me...


Street sign says "Right turn from left only" - this hurts my head ;)


Paul did eat here, I'm pretty sure there's a "Salty Dog" in NC, SC and California as well (although not related?!)


Beautiful coastline



Pretttty spring green - lots and lots of green


Riding along...


View of downtown Melbourne from his new hotel room at the Saville City Suites Hotel (see the train, bottom right?)


That's all for now - Paul has a TON more pictures that I can't wait to share when he returns.

My parents really like their new car :)

More pictures of the 'rents new car (2006 Honda Civic) - they really like it. They are now trying to sell the Sable... 2 weeks ago they sold the Taurus in less then 24 hours. Crazy!