tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152691952024-03-07T16:40:39.185-08:00Serena and IsaacSerenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-61070638174718570832009-07-25T22:21:00.000-07:002009-07-25T22:36:17.896-07:00Eew, eww - gross!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH8MdcgHbhXxmOpN8Lo5uWMQHzYx5RyHgRa9V9IXVwfwmoGtw5N7GTllXCSMEpENECJPR8_BmRCDp1an730ZcjnRAeU7Qm3xo_UgCCEA3PJUjBjqF9GW2PEU1-DiICxTJPxmX/s1600-h/IMG_8665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH8MdcgHbhXxmOpN8Lo5uWMQHzYx5RyHgRa9V9IXVwfwmoGtw5N7GTllXCSMEpENECJPR8_BmRCDp1an730ZcjnRAeU7Qm3xo_UgCCEA3PJUjBjqF9GW2PEU1-DiICxTJPxmX/s320/IMG_8665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362638289206953826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Look at that face - does it look like the face of someone who could do anything wrong?<br /></span></div><br />Oscar has a new pastime - eating Adah's dirty cloth and disposable diapers. I know gross!!! He tipped over the garbage can in our bedroom and ate part of a disposable diaper and busted open a bag of dirty cloth diapers in the garage to eat part of another dirty diaper. Luckily it doesn't seem to have caused him much internal distress. Let's hope it was just a one time thing and he doesn't do it again!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-18838637207019290872009-01-26T22:06:00.000-08:002009-01-26T22:08:24.454-08:00Desperately seeking blog helpI started trying to upload pictures from Israel, but I can't!!! I can't figure out how to make iphoto and blogger work together nicely (I'm using a mac). I seem to have managed to do it in the last post, but for the life of me I can't do it today. Email me if you can help!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-52970659355188333422009-01-06T09:48:00.000-08:002009-01-06T09:54:26.630-08:00And we're back!Hopefully... Now that we're having a baby (surprise if you haven't heard yet!) I've decided to try and post at least once a week (we've all heard that before!) So, here's the first post of 2009. We have 1200 pictures from Israel (literally), so I need to do some harsh editing and choose just a couple to put up here. Look for that next week! In the meantime, here's a picture I took today to tide you over in the meantime. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHmSj81L3DAJ8zrjM3Vc5g2iA2yrRUofs72Nk2RlFgLm_Xy_fjPbRyVcxURvdjiSw8T3LLnfbgaPp27pCZ4leHe-Mo80cl284Y4txtNUqrUpfglPqVfh7N-DXhZ9AYuPGGl-k/s1600-h/IMG_8302.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHmSj81L3DAJ8zrjM3Vc5g2iA2yrRUofs72Nk2RlFgLm_Xy_fjPbRyVcxURvdjiSw8T3LLnfbgaPp27pCZ4leHe-Mo80cl284Y4txtNUqrUpfglPqVfh7N-DXhZ9AYuPGGl-k/s400/IMG_8302.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288239534194978882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">24 weeks, 6 days</span></span><br /></div><br />I hope everyone had wonderful holidays and a great new year. Here's looking forward to a 2009 full of new things!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-82610592505925079902007-10-30T20:13:00.000-07:002007-10-30T20:17:31.791-07:00earthquakeHoly moly there was just an earthquake - the first one I've really felt since we moved here. And boy did it scare the living daylights out of me. There was swaying and shaking and what did I do - um, just stood there. I'm definitely going to have to work on that... Oh, and if you're wondering, the dog is not good at predicting earthquakes.<br /><br />Here's the info: http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Quakes/nc40204628.htmSerenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-70590234186591726552007-05-16T12:54:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:33:07.184-08:00Dog pictures and a videoDue to a lack of real content, we're showing dog pictures and videos today.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyKEK-YIFZ16mre9TrSf8pvNZiX15HBfIcX4kUzZRDo2yDRtY0Zx3XmoIZOZfEVWmMP_M21N2Bu5pC_6GY-vVDmXspm_gsSHGgtj54u2YK_HnYQ7tV7QmPboAXXBD3XmfNcfE/s1600-h/IMG_2819.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyKEK-YIFZ16mre9TrSf8pvNZiX15HBfIcX4kUzZRDo2yDRtY0Zx3XmoIZOZfEVWmMP_M21N2Bu5pC_6GY-vVDmXspm_gsSHGgtj54u2YK_HnYQ7tV7QmPboAXXBD3XmfNcfE/s320/IMG_2819.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065257819911861170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXSo7EtTljiCtrJgGGpdVLWayE-LbCVfQsDVAuVg5bmYlyb2yHHDTtqDRSB3lScVUYfAJxyzFuNNj4mLqfcUucKcMUOllnFSE-yLRWK0kyX0ZBVcTsI2NyNR5f-F8-UavCq0G/s1600-h/IMG_2821.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXSo7EtTljiCtrJgGGpdVLWayE-LbCVfQsDVAuVg5bmYlyb2yHHDTtqDRSB3lScVUYfAJxyzFuNNj4mLqfcUucKcMUOllnFSE-yLRWK0kyX0ZBVcTsI2NyNR5f-F8-UavCq0G/s320/IMG_2821.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065257832796763074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMhM1_CK5w-Lp2r-2E_p3U5xXpZxR75dACukesQQHHvQ_6DE4ydMqDqjg6PgUqjWiBJXEhPbxPL3_9aZCrn7M6_yVAGv4ifCxoq4ZX0iqCP82Ws5aBtyhOyXaTqyglzJ3A2Od/s1600-h/IMG_2823.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMhM1_CK5w-Lp2r-2E_p3U5xXpZxR75dACukesQQHHvQ_6DE4ydMqDqjg6PgUqjWiBJXEhPbxPL3_9aZCrn7M6_yVAGv4ifCxoq4ZX0iqCP82Ws5aBtyhOyXaTqyglzJ3A2Od/s320/IMG_2823.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065257837091730386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FK3ZmrVGDbug1zWIQ9sXovXKSbC0itj3gFXSD2SDBisjd59GAHyJ_ugJnMVJx1B5ucrDfqTM5uZ96lM5TfATubdavdgql3yDZhg8rx_yqsKU7CG_l1SQ2GmRBYfsjT1gGi0B/s1600-h/IMG_2827.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FK3ZmrVGDbug1zWIQ9sXovXKSbC0itj3gFXSD2SDBisjd59GAHyJ_ugJnMVJx1B5ucrDfqTM5uZ96lM5TfATubdavdgql3yDZhg8rx_yqsKU7CG_l1SQ2GmRBYfsjT1gGi0B/s320/IMG_2827.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065257845681664994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNh2MepJRxPhLfAvJApauE_wx2qzsu3dyoDf6kRlU6N2Wf7e72hBniJy1_lKr3cQ8XZfRtumsM12uW69h8NAmn-8Ja4NxNVZ1n58A-NU0pKQDd0wAhNmGWRpeZvTjKScb1VkCN/s1600-h/IMG_2829.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNh2MepJRxPhLfAvJApauE_wx2qzsu3dyoDf6kRlU6N2Wf7e72hBniJy1_lKr3cQ8XZfRtumsM12uW69h8NAmn-8Ja4NxNVZ1n58A-NU0pKQDd0wAhNmGWRpeZvTjKScb1VkCN/s320/IMG_2829.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065257854271599602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Some nights when Isaac and Oscar come back from their walk, Oscar is crazy! (sorry for the sideways-ness of the video. I don't know how to rotate it. It does rotate about half way through though.) That roll over in the very end is very uncharacteristic of Oscar. He's never rolled over on his own.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0nEo6P8n8NQ"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0nEo6P8n8NQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed></object>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-89597140467242807022007-04-07T18:36:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:33:08.407-08:00Hiking with Oscar - or another excuse to show pictures of the dogWe took Oscar on his first hike yesterday - he seemed to like it a lot, especially when we let him run around in this pond.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrOOgQtTfkV5gqTuA0nfkyxwjzJT8pBnfAOix1q2ho0NcdHWZufm1aSm6jufrbfeGgCCtSpybbOaICBt5pJchkqhamBLP4pOsBO05ee3qB50h9KqKrf_2iVeDZLtpQcLhav1i/s1600-h/IMG_2772.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrOOgQtTfkV5gqTuA0nfkyxwjzJT8pBnfAOix1q2ho0NcdHWZufm1aSm6jufrbfeGgCCtSpybbOaICBt5pJchkqhamBLP4pOsBO05ee3qB50h9KqKrf_2iVeDZLtpQcLhav1i/s320/IMG_2772.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050865613065098018" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately we forgot about ticks and didn't realize that he had collected some along the way until 12:30 am last night. Luckily he is well treated with tick and flea medicine. He also saw his first horse on the hike - the dog was better behaved than the horse!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-83960286677883684952007-04-05T10:37:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:33:09.867-08:00Summary of the weekIsaac and I went to our first CERT class last night (Community Emergency Response Team). Isaac wants to eventually do search and rescue and this is his first step. If there is really an emergency though, there is no way I could let him go help the community while I sat at home and twiddled my thumbs. Moving from DC, where terrorism is always on your mind to Northern California, where earthquakes are now my #1 fear, this class will help me be ready and able to help in an emergency instead of freaking out. The class is pretty fun. Here's some of what we did last night - built 5 foot towers out of 40 sheets of paper, tape and cardboard. Isaac and I were on separate teams. <br /><br />Here's my team's tower.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVw9QJhy-QqyJ9d2mvZZneMv-fhbIUpqKY-LgqR3R7NGfEWb0NUv2cLVcm7khaWnXSx8O2d7Qma9wdJSXvri_363yKSSsspYeAqi3YBPqN1Df55HvLKrxDNKcthFfSyoGXiJI/s1600-h/IMG_2766.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVw9QJhy-QqyJ9d2mvZZneMv-fhbIUpqKY-LgqR3R7NGfEWb0NUv2cLVcm7khaWnXSx8O2d7Qma9wdJSXvri_363yKSSsspYeAqi3YBPqN1Df55HvLKrxDNKcthFfSyoGXiJI/s320/IMG_2766.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050002681120887442" border="0" /></a>Here's Isaac's team's tower.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2g03X5qGS00R2vQLPMbcRvUKzrLhSjUaeLGvXpfwNMB-D3uk36LlClcOKIsCxrTDiMdxfP2yfZ9f2xCR2UwarEw7IpWrvwP7E3h_vtPj3GLQw9Eot9nrLBR9H4P07yBx-1nd/s1600-h/IMG_2768.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2g03X5qGS00R2vQLPMbcRvUKzrLhSjUaeLGvXpfwNMB-D3uk36LlClcOKIsCxrTDiMdxfP2yfZ9f2xCR2UwarEw7IpWrvwP7E3h_vtPj3GLQw9Eot9nrLBR9H4P07yBx-1nd/s320/IMG_2768.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050002685415854754" border="0" /></a>That piece of paper says Team 2's Tower.<br /><br />To make up for those boring pictures, here are some cute dog pictures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhI9RM5Z5odVqOiUN1RAGBv3En1SmRqrCHIIK8kgIPvzmgW7t4R4qaT1ZBPh3bPgJquACCnM1kPk8Ak1YnTLwmL7fCXPToV5PQP3S-ae5K5V6HsbOgq56hu1jXsHDt1QgmBy8/s1600-h/IMG_2716.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhI9RM5Z5odVqOiUN1RAGBv3En1SmRqrCHIIK8kgIPvzmgW7t4R4qaT1ZBPh3bPgJquACCnM1kPk8Ak1YnTLwmL7fCXPToV5PQP3S-ae5K5V6HsbOgq56hu1jXsHDt1QgmBy8/s320/IMG_2716.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050002689710822066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLvN3Q-LN570ro-IsRzuArZSDKDmgpTvaamkcTKt0z5TBu3wxMQh4MChWmk161pw4QlncJjoue6ikzSfCW5ys7K2r3sWoGGJtitlj0r6kwhXEK5oPYRN_H3J7JPTq3cu6jyej/s1600-h/IMG_2760.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLvN3Q-LN570ro-IsRzuArZSDKDmgpTvaamkcTKt0z5TBu3wxMQh4MChWmk161pw4QlncJjoue6ikzSfCW5ys7K2r3sWoGGJtitlj0r6kwhXEK5oPYRN_H3J7JPTq3cu6jyej/s320/IMG_2760.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050002702595723986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSt7Mv3isRdxoVbCZMont48xcpkPwbQd1HSuyUAyWU5QAWPIX0qQa1pVlJ7x3CEG75tE3GYxmT7OMD7s3KU8nVhX6SqmqTsYQJgNRRrOPrdSePG_YHH4OjSa3cTbvgra03F8LK/s1600-h/IMG_2740.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSt7Mv3isRdxoVbCZMont48xcpkPwbQd1HSuyUAyWU5QAWPIX0qQa1pVlJ7x3CEG75tE3GYxmT7OMD7s3KU8nVhX6SqmqTsYQJgNRRrOPrdSePG_YHH4OjSa3cTbvgra03F8LK/s320/IMG_2740.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050002698300756674" border="0" /></a>We enrolled him in a Grumpy Pup class, which treats dogs with dog-dog aggression issues, because we've found he is afraid of other dogs and tends to lunge and snarl at them when they try to sniff him. He was actually able to meet a couple of dogs at the trainer's and interact with them, which was quite impressive. We've had our first class, but it was without the dog. Next weekend we'll be taking him with us. The trainer said he is a very mild case and we should be able to let him off leash by the end of the class. Yeah!!! <br /><br />The other big event of the night was Passover. We actually had 2 seders this year - one on Saturday in Santa Cruz with Isaac's parents at Isaac's cousin's house in Santa Cruz and the other at our house on Tuesday night with a college friend, her husband and two of their friends. Since I don't have a job currently, I did the cooking - <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com:80/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=bdb940ee0c90f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD">brisket</a>, asparagus and <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com:80/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=9ad11a55b890f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD">chocolate</a> and <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com:80/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=373161876e70f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD">plain </a>macaroons (brisket and macaroon recipes courtesy of my friend <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com">Martha</a>). It turned out pretty well and was our first dinner party (ever - even in DC) and Passover seder. Can't wait for next year's seder. <br /><br />That's it so far for this week! The rest of the week involves hiking, bike riding and dog washing.Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-62905200978819407102007-03-14T14:47:00.000-07:002007-03-14T15:02:11.647-07:00San DiegoThe weekend before we adopted Oscar, Isaac and I visited San Diego. It was fabulous. On Sunday we saw Vim and Joe (who we hadn't met before) who showed us around Old Town, Balboa Park and Extraordinary Deserts (which was right by our hotel - good thing I didn't know about it before the last day or I would be fat and broke). Isaac and I also made it to the zoo on Saturday, which was gigantic.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/SerenaWeingrod/SanDiego_Feb2007/photo#5036716651091739634"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/SerenaWeingrod/ReYDG8aeQ_I/AAAAAAAAAKo/5sRH6Ahhto4/s400/IMG_2569.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/SerenaWeingrod/SanDiego_Feb2007/photo#5036717059113632930"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/SerenaWeingrod/ReYDesaeRKI/AAAAAAAAAMA/OJgsE55EzCE/s400/IMG_2616.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/SerenaWeingrod/SanDiego_Feb2007/photo#5036719051978458386"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/SerenaWeingrod/ReYFSsaeRRI/AAAAAAAAAM4/HheLJ19Jkf0/s400/IMG_2640.jpg" /></a></div> </div><br />We were dumb though and didn't take the trolley tour first, as recommended by the lady at the hotel. Instead we walked around and got hot and tired. There were lots of hogs and deer thrown in between all the exciting animals. Before Isaac showed up, I was able to go to Coronado Island, Pacific Beach and La Jolla. They were all beautiful, especially the sunsets.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/SerenaWeingrod/SanDiego_Feb2007/photo#5036713468520972434"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/SerenaWeingrod/ReYANsaeQJI/AAAAAAAAAD0/3yGSBeH9m_0/s400/IMG_2415.jpg" /></a><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Coronado Island<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/SerenaWeingrod/SanDiego_Feb2007/photo#5036715860817756946"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/SerenaWeingrod/ReYCY8aeQxI/AAAAAAAAAI0/-xBqhPfrA9E/s400/IMG_2522.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">La Jolla</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's pretty cheap for us to get to San Diego from here and I can see us visiting often. There's lots and lots to do there if we get tired of the beach.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/SerenaWeingrod/SanDiego_Feb2007/photo#5036719051978458386"><br /></a></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-46254160345171928492007-03-08T10:51:00.000-08:002008-12-11T22:33:10.374-08:00Couch sitting proofHere's how we figured out Oscar sits on the couch when we're not home.<br /><br />Pillows before we left the house:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbzq-SWhDgDLkujKiSmZEYog-_kFFQ4A0g_rkfnYF29QwHKJMkZ-zurf63OMCyEX6l4VDdZ7l-n7Hb-S3FcdAl-JCsHSHDF182bFkep7heoIS_efyYkN-aAjKsTFI3YH6B6XB/s1600-h/IMG_2708.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbzq-SWhDgDLkujKiSmZEYog-_kFFQ4A0g_rkfnYF29QwHKJMkZ-zurf63OMCyEX6l4VDdZ7l-n7Hb-S3FcdAl-JCsHSHDF182bFkep7heoIS_efyYkN-aAjKsTFI3YH6B6XB/s320/IMG_2708.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039628654209907010" border="0" /></a><br />Pillows when we got back home:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrXV8APdlyjTieKngeS8hdMyyvCJ9WH0UGU2MlvEXodP0vUFllt-ii0AgeM0lwbEBNxXIl4OY0VnJQs3yBV3xSZ8g2z_9TK-FRN8Vn4DsXi9zZO2RrlFExoMDNTXy5CY7_tbC/s1600-h/IMG_2710.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrXV8APdlyjTieKngeS8hdMyyvCJ9WH0UGU2MlvEXodP0vUFllt-ii0AgeM0lwbEBNxXIl4OY0VnJQs3yBV3xSZ8g2z_9TK-FRN8Vn4DsXi9zZO2RrlFExoMDNTXy5CY7_tbC/s320/IMG_2710.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039628662799841618" border="0" /></a>It's not a really big deal that he sits on the couch, but I think it's the fact that we don't give him permission that really irks me.Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-66183634234739924032007-03-01T12:22:00.001-08:002008-12-11T22:33:10.711-08:00Hello from the West!We've made it safe and sound and we're settling nicely into California. The food here is fabulous (lots of avocado and fresh citrus) and the people are super nice. They'll actually stop and have a conversation with you. We're also adjusting to life in the 'burbs. To complete our suburban transformation, we got a dog from the <a href="http://www.hssv.org/">Humane Society</a> last week.<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6xstg4LlEBozqpAVrd6mUVlQzz3i42zV_Q7JtqDdU8g6b1-UhAe_4kAmpcbmCXsBh0_-jmBgdCZ_Fj5Zh3bHmn6g8wF7gWzKg3y_u46DtsoaE4RsYP5em3CqziMRtg5vo8Vm/s1600-h/IMG_2679.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6xstg4LlEBozqpAVrd6mUVlQzz3i42zV_Q7JtqDdU8g6b1-UhAe_4kAmpcbmCXsBh0_-jmBgdCZ_Fj5Zh3bHmn6g8wF7gWzKg3y_u46DtsoaE4RsYP5em3CqziMRtg5vo8Vm/s200/IMG_2679.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037051637065991698" border="0" /></a><br />His name is Oscar and he's pretty well behaved for the most part. He knows how to sit, shake and lay down (not always perfectly, but we're working on that). When we first got him, he pulled on the leash all the time, but has stopped doing that for the most part. We took him to the vet last week (which cost a pretty penny) and we're still waiting for some test results. He's 9 years old and we're really not sure about his life before the Humane Society. The vet found a bunch of scars on his back and his fur is sort of crazy - matted on his back legs, short some places, longer other places brown in patches and black everywhere else. His coloring looks like a Rotweiller and his tongue is black/blue like a chow. In the house he is very mellow- he lays quietly wherever we are, but is super playful whenever we want to play - mostly with tennis balls and the kong. The one bad thing we've discovered recently is that when we leave the house he sits on the couch (which he is not allowed to do when we're home). We verified our suspicions last night by setting up the pillows on the couch on their edges and going out to dinner. When we got home the pillows were all flattened and there was an indent in the pillows where the dog had been sitting. <br />So, that's all from dog central on the West coast for now. I'll hopefully be updating more often with the developments here.Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1159900328611777092006-10-03T11:28:00.000-07:002006-10-03T11:32:08.620-07:00Pandy!<div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/640/IMG_5461.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_5461.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/640/IMG_5460.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_5460.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Went to the <a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu">zoo</a> with my parents on Sunday. The baby panda is getting so big! He's still only half the size of his mother though. Very, very cute!<br /><br />I don't really feel like writing a big post about this just yet, but we're moving to California sometime soon (like November/December). Isaac got a new fantabulous job in Palo Alto. Our house is in total disarray right now, but luckily my mom is helping with that a lot right now. More on the move later.</div> <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1149604665003445102006-06-06T06:51:00.000-07:002006-06-09T19:57:16.696-07:00Isaac rode 114 miles!Isaac's bike century (100 miles) was this past Sunday. He managed to do pretty well, except for following the one sign that was put in backwards and caused him and some of his team to ride an extra 14 miles! And the crazy fair that someone put in the way of their ride... It took him longer than he thought to finish, but that's only because of the extra distance - at 100 miles he had been riding for 7 hours, which is what he had predicted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1508.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1508.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Number 65 is ready to go!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1510.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1510.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Hey - the finish line is over here, not by the steaks at M&S Grill!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1511.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1511.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Crusin' to the finish<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1512.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1512.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is Isaac's "I am so glad to be off my bike and I have no feeling below my neck" face.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Amazingly enough his knee didn't bother him at all and I didn't hear one complaint this week about being sore! <br /></div></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1148390955641278122006-05-23T06:28:00.000-07:002006-05-23T10:10:26.230-07:00Anniversary #2So, I tried my best not to be the worst wife ever. I made Isaac a little gift certificate to head to <a href="http://www.easternmarket.org/">Eastern Market</a> this weekend and pick out a monoprint by <a href="www.jonathanblumportraits.com/">Jonathan Blume</a>, an artist both he and I really, really like. He had his eye on a long, skinny duck awhile back, but the guy that sells for Jonathan told me he got some new pieces last weekend, so I'm sure he'll be able to find one he likes. He was really excited about the present, so I don't feel quite so bad anymore. I figure paper contains cotton, so it still fits the traditional second anniversary gift of cotton.<br /><br />As for me, here's what I got:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/640/IMG_1466.jpg"><img style="display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1466.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Don't know what that is? (Some of you should!) It's a fondue pot! Just like the ones we used at the chalet after <a href="http://moitie-moitie.blogspot.com/">Carolyn and Brian</a>'s wedding. He even went to the store and bought the 3 kinds of cheese we needed, a loaf of french bread and baby new potatoes. According to Brian, the fondue bread expert, the bread should be day old and a little hard. Well, since my husband is a genius, he artificially aged the bread by leaving it in the hot car all day yesterday. The artificial aging worked quite well! My gift also sort of followed the traditional anniversary gift guidelines (or whatever they are - why do they even exist?). I've read that the modern gift is cotton and the traditional is china. China, cast iron covered in enamel - close enough in my book!<br /><br />After a quick trip to Whole Foods for truffle oil (Isaac really wanted it) and kirsh from the wine store next door, we were ready to roll. We used some dry old champagne that we had in the fridge.<br /><br />Here's what our dinner looked like before we gorged ourselves on cheese.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/640/IMG_1468.jpg"><img style="display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1468.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We were both stuffed and never got around to making the crunchy cheese. But the cheese was certainly well on its way to becoming crunchy.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/640/IMG_1477.jpg"><img style="display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1477.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There is definitely going to be many, many more years of fondue in our future. It was so delicious. I'm proud of us too for making it so good from scratch!<br /><br />This last picture is both a picture of our new mattress (not exciting to anyone but us) and the aftermath of the present opening.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/640/IMG_1464.jpg"><img style="display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1464.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't my husband cute?<br /><br /><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1148318212908782022006-05-22T10:03:00.000-07:002006-05-22T10:16:52.923-07:00Happy Anniversary!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://users.starpower.net/iweingrod"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/weddingPic1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Today is our 2nd anniversary. Hard to believe that 2 years has flown by so quickly already. I only just got my dress cleaned!<br /><br />I am a stinky wife though, because I have zero presents for my wonderful husband. I have some in the works though and hopefully will have one of them by tonite. Unfortunately I am going to have a really hard time topping last years gift (I changed my name and gave him all of the paper work, plus the stationary I ordered for myself with my new name (1st anniversary = paper) - I had resisted changing my name, but eventually felt that it was right). This cotton anniversary thing is hard - I am pretty sure Isaac doesn't want clothes of any sort or linens. <br /><br />I don't know what we are doing to celebrate, Isaac is in charge this year. <br /><br />I think sometimes we take being married for granted, but it is by far the best thing I have ever done in my life. Isaac is the most perfect husband I could possibly ask for and we compliment each other in ways I never could have imagined. We have wonderful family that loves us both and we have so many opportunities that we are fortunate enough to experience together. I love our life together and I think that we are both truly happy at this moment and with what the future holds for us. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy anniversary Isaac. I love you!<br /></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1145461255229396882006-04-19T08:18:00.000-07:002006-04-19T08:40:55.263-07:00Help Isaac ride 100 miles!Isaac signed up for a century (that's a 100 mile bike ride) called the Tour de Cure (not to be confused with the Tour de France) to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. He is riding with one of his coworkers and one other guy and their company will match donations made to their team. <br /><br />Please get yourself over to his <a href="http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=2822495&pg=personal&fr_id=3232">ride homepage</a> and help him meet his fundraising goal! And don't forget about the company matching - you're donation will actually count as twice as much money for the ADA. <br /><br />And if you don't want or can't donate, please help him by wishing him good luck and sending good bike riding vibes his way.<br /><br />Thanks!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1144863983826421042006-04-12T10:44:00.000-07:002006-04-12T11:49:20.686-07:00DC is great in the springtime<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/CherryBlossomFestival_collage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/CherryBlossomFestival_collage.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Tamagawa University Taiko Group (Tokyo, Japan) at the <a href="http://www.sakuramatsuri.org/index.htm">Sakura Matsuri</a> Japanese Street Festival, April 8, 2006 - very, very cool.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/collage.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/collage.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The rough life at the <a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu">National Zoo</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/lazy_collage1.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/lazy_collage1.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Isaac is trying to think of some way for us to trade Dario (our quite large red ear slider) for a smaller turtle from the turtle pond in the top left picture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/animals_collage1.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/animals_collage1.1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The main attraction:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/PandaFamily_collage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/PandaFamily_collage.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Tian Tian (papa panda - top left), Mei Xiang (mama panda - top right) and Tei Shan (baby panda - bottom) at the National Zoo - April 9, 2006<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/TeiShan1_collage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/TeiShan1_collage.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>More of Tai Shan in a tree and falling out of said tree. He is adorable!!! I don't care what other people say, I could watch pandas all day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_5280.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/IMG_5280.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Is my hair really that color?!?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_5336.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/IMG_5336.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1144786950539154612006-04-11T12:39:00.000-07:002006-04-11T13:24:00.696-07:00ChicagoI went to Chicago for a week in March for a work conference. The added bonus is that I got to hang out with my family for a week too and check out my parent's new place (which I haven't been to since they moved there in June).<br /><br />Let's see some pictures, shall we?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/ZooCollage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/ZooCollage.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My sister took us to the zoo (because it's one of her favorite places - must run in the family).<br /><br />From above left clockwise we have a nice big monkey, followed by a smaller monkey and its baby (sorry I don't know exactly what speices they are). The little kitty cats are actually a sand cat family. The one in the front is the mom and the other three are her kittens. They were <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> cute (I once saw a sand cat kill a cobra for dinner on tv. crazy! his little tongue was hanging out the whole time because he was so hot there in the desert).<br /><br />Finally we have mr. and mrs. lion. Mr lion let out a couple of big roars while we were there. So cool! I have pictures of the cheetah too, but they're all blurry (because he's a cheetah, get it? too fast for the camera.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/Fields_View_collage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/Fields_View_collage.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The top 2 pictures here are of Marshall Fields. Go sign this <a href="http://www.keepitfields.org">petition</a>. The one on the left is one part of their current store theme. The one on the right is of one of the famous clocks that surrounds the building.<br /><br />The bottom 2 pictures are the view from my parents' condo. Not too shabby, eh? On the left is Navy Pier and on the right is the water treatment facility/park. It is really pretty up there.<br /><br />Those are pretty much the highlights of the trip that have pictures.<br />Here are the other highlights that didn't have pictures.<br /><ul><li>We went on a really cool walk behind the aquarium one night and saw the dolphins and whales through the glass. The pictures are dark though and there aren't really any animals to be seen in them. </li></ul><ul><li>We also found a huge mansion tucked in between all of these brand new townhomes right near McCormick Place, but the picture is also dark and kind of looses its effect if you can't see the new construction surrounding it.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Did you know that there is a secret route for buses to go between McCormick place and downtown? Me neither. It runs down by the train tracks under the Art Institute and goes into lower Wacker (At least I think it's Wacker).</li></ul><ul><li>My mom, sister and I went to see <a href="http://www.wickedthemusical.com/">Wicked</a>. It was unbelievably good. I want to see it again and take Isaac. Go see it if you have the chance!!!<br /></li></ul>That's it for now! bye!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1139248235259459612006-02-06T09:34:00.000-08:002006-02-08T16:07:53.636-08:00Super fondueI realize that we have been back from Europe now for a couple of weeks and I still haven't posted anything about our trip. Well, I still haven't written anything about it yet, so you'll just have to wait some more. In the meantime, if you know Carolyn and Brian, you can find some pictures <a href="http://carolyn-and-brian.smugmug.com">here</a>.<br /><br />And you can also feast your eyes on our super traditional Superbowl dinner.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1233.3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1233.3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">That's right, we had fondue! Notice our impromptu set up. That's quality!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1234.3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1234.3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Here's Isaac enjoying the cheesy goodness.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1238.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1238.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This picture's for you Brian. We followed your expert bread cutting advice and I think we did pretty well (minus the nice serving basket and our bread was unfortunately fresh out of the oven - damn Whole Foods and their desire for freshness.)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1240.3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1240.3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Here's some proof that we actually watched the Superbowl.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">So, our first at home fondue experience was pretty good. We were able to assemble lots of the necessary ingredients (pre-mixed wine and cheese and that dried/cured beef from Trader Joe's and cocktail onions and pickles and french bread from Whole Foods - we totally forgot about the little boiled potatoes). We picked up a free little brochure on our way out of Whole Foods on fondue, which may come in handy in the future. Next time, hopefully we'll be using <a href="http://www.surlatable.com/common/products/product_details.cfm?PRRFNBR=6482">this</a> or <a href="http://www.surlatable.com/common/products/product_details.cfm?PRRFNBR=14022">this</a> pot instead of the improvisational setup we used. Pretty good considering we're in the US, but we were particularly missing the great company we had in Europe!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1135882706394567062005-12-29T16:30:00.000-08:002005-12-29T13:38:25.033-08:00Happy holidays to everyone!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_0572.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_0572.jpg" alt="" border="0" /> </a>Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and are still having a great Hannukah! We spent our Christmas eve and Christmas day eating tons of delicious food and hanging out with some cute pups<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1955.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/200/IMG_1955.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1959.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/200/IMG_1959.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm too lazy to write much more, so here are some pictures instead.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1946.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1946.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Isaac doing a fabulous job carving the Christmas turkey</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1984.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1984.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/2005/">National Christmas Tree</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> in the </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1600+pennsylvaniva+ave+nw,+washington,+dc&ll=38.896010,-77.034330&spn=0.014120,0.041096&hl=en">ellipse</a><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_2002.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_2002.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Virginia state tree and the Washington monument (I know, cheesy).</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_2016.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_2016.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Our menorah on night 2 of hannukah (the menorah was a wedding present - most likely from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.jewishsource.com/">here</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Happy new year to everyone!</span><br /></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1131076705349584862005-11-03T18:37:00.000-08:002005-11-04T05:37:49.586-08:00Yet another marathon!This time around, Isaac did not run any part of it. We helped a friend cheer on her husband, who happens to be the daddy of this cutie pie<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1583.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1583.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I guess I should mention that I am talking about the Marine Corps marathon, which was run on October 30, 2005. Last year we went down to Rock Creek Parkway and watched at the 7 mile turnaround. This year though, we went to many more spots. We were at the 14 and 15 mile markers and the finish line. Isaac had a great time taking pictures of runners and here are a select few.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1629.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1629.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Captain America nears the finish line!<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1544.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1544.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Imagine running 26.2 miles in a getup like that!<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_1560.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/320/IMG_1560.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Or carrying a flag!</span><br /></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1131071832151401482005-11-03T18:22:00.000-08:002005-11-03T18:37:12.163-08:00NYCWe went to Manhattan the weekend before my birthday and got to see a really good friend of ours who lives in Switzerland. Took her out to lunch and then wandered around the park. We found a new place we had never been before, <a href="http://www.centralparknyc.org/virtualpark/thegreatlawn/belvederecastle">Belvedere castle</a>.<br /><br />Here's us at the castle (taken by a kind passer-by)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_0492.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/IMG_0492.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>And here's what had happened earlier when we tried to take the picture ourselves:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_0491.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/IMG_0491.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It was great to see Chrissi after so long and especially great to have her nearby now (if even only for a year!)<br /><br />We stayed with Isaac's cousin (here's a picture of his adorable cat, Mintens, and James' feet):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_0498.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/IMG_0498.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />and saw our friends Rich and Monica and their 1.5 year old son. He had a great time with the beanbag chairs at FAO Schwartz (I thought that place closed!):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_0502.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/IMG_0502.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I love New York city. If only I could think of some reason to move there...Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1131070822021730172005-11-03T18:10:00.000-08:002005-11-03T18:20:22.033-08:00Baltimore half marathonThis is <span style="font-style: italic;">waaaaaaayyyyy</span> late, but Isaac ran the Baltimore half-marathon on October 15! He did it in his anticipated time of 2 hours and 10 minutes too! Pretty amazing if you ask me. Unfortunately I don't have too many pictures, but here are a few:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_0472.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/IMG_0472.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Isaac and Andrew, the guy he ran with, at the start line.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_0483.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/IMG_0483.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Isaac's back at the finish line<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(don't ask why I don't have a better picture, it still makes me mad and involved some swearing)<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/IMG_0484.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/IMG_0484.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Resting before the walk back to Andrew's place.<br /></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1129143300241862252005-10-12T11:55:00.000-07:002005-10-12T12:06:40.886-07:00Announcing babies!Ha!!! How many of you thought I meant our babies??? Come on, fess up now, don't be ashamed. No, we are not have any babies or even a single baby, but I did notice some new additions to our fish tank this morning:<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/37/5512/640/IMG_0469.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/37/5512/320/IMG_0469.jpg'></a><br />They are much smaller than they appear here - they're probably about 3/4 of an inch long and 1/4 inch high. They're marble mollies and there are 3 of them total. <br /><br />Oh and that green you see, there is some algae in the tank, but it's not really that bad, I promise!<br /><br />I have no idea when they were born (we only have one marble molly in the tank, guess she was pregnant when we got her a couple of months ago). I also have no idea if there were more of them that have been eaten. I tried to get a picture of the mama, but she was too fast. I separated them this morning and got them a separate net/tank thing to go into in the main tank. I'll let you know, internet, how they're doing.<br /><br />yeah for fish babies!!!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1129053670775386802005-10-11T20:24:00.000-07:002005-10-11T11:31:37.733-07:00Self-Portrait TuesdayWe don't officially participate in <a href="http://selfportraittuesday.blogspot.com/">this</a>, but these photos from this weekend are just too great. These were all taken across the street from Eastern Market.Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15269195.post-1129055645976642682005-10-11T20:22:00.000-07:002005-10-11T11:34:05.976-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/1600/collage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5476/531/400/collage.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Isaac by SerenaSerenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954240964288593141noreply@blogger.com0