2009: A Recap

I saw this on Jenn's Blog and thought it would be a creative way to get me back into my old blogging habits...

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Oh, let's see: Got married, attended a Presidential Inauguration, moved to the West Coast, had a niece, went to Paris...

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I really wish I remember if I made any last year, but I do know I'm going to keep them this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes- many! First baby cousin Abi was born in January, and then cousin Scarlett AND our first niece Olivia both born in April!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Lord, thank you so much for keeping all of our loved ones in our lives in 2009.

5. What countries did you visit?
Well, Puerto Rico doesn't count... so just Ireland and France.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you didn't have in 2009?
I'm reversing this question... I'd like to have LESS stress.

7. What dates from 2009 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
Far too many to count, but 01/03/09 is at the tippy top.

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Packing up our lives and moving cross-country... WHILE working full time!

9. What was your biggest failure?
I refuse to fail for good... any "failure" is just a first attempt.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Does Swine Flu count?

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our Christmas/Anniversary trip to Cabo- we leave in 9 days!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My husband... who moved to a city with a HORRIBLE job market and was able to secure a wonderful position within two weeks of us living here. So many blessings.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Besides cheating celebrities?

14. Where did most your money go?
DC-area rent!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Have you ever met me? I basically get excited about everything.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Anything by Lady Gaga.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a. I'm going to say "less" happy, just because last year on this day I was on a boat sailing around the Spanish Virgin Islands with my husband of a few days and couldn't have been happier if I tried.
b. I am no where near as in shape as I was for our wedding... working on it though!
c. Oh who knows!?

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spent more time with my family.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Work 11-12 hours a day.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Three ways: first with Kiel on Christmas Eve going to Mass and out to dinner, then on Christmas Day with part of Kiel's family, and then the day after Christmas with Amanda's family! :)

21. Did you fall in love with 2009?
It had it's ups and downs.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Oh my GOSH, thank you television for bringing us Modern Family!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Absolutely not.

24. What was the best book you read?
Hate to say this but reading "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" while on the way to/from Europe sure made the time FLY by. (Note: I DO NOT endorse Tucker Max's behavior or recommend this book to the faint of heart!)

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. One of the best.

26. What did you want and get?
Too many to count. The diamond earrings for my birthday from Kiel are up there though, that's for sure!

27. What did you want and not get?
A more unified country.

28. What was your favorite film of 2009?
Hmmm, that's a good one! The Blind Side, Whip It, The Hangover, and Up were all really great.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

For my 25th birthday on January 17th Kiel surprised me with gorgeous earrings (mentioned above), tickets to "Shear Madness" at the Kennedy Center, and an incredible dinner overlooking the Potomac.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not stressing out over the move.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?
What?! Considering I wore yoga pants to work almost every day...

32. What kept you sane?
Kiel... he always tries to calm me down when I'm going nuts. He's the B to my A.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not exactly an issue, but I do have to say sitting in the freezing cold with over a million people on the Mall on January 20th definitely had the most impact.

34. Who did you miss?
All of my family and friends that are spread out across this ENTIRE country.

35. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmmm, that's a tough one.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

As Ferris Bueller pointed out: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it".

Okay, I'll be back tomorrow with LOTS of pictures and updates!

It's Been So Long, Even KIEL'S Asking Me to Post...

As you can imagine, we have been two busy busy bees since I last had a chance to post. Between then and now, I have: finished selling a bunch of our stuff on Craigslist (which is a MUCH bigger p.i.t.a. than ever anticipated- like 20 emails back and forth for each item), packed up the trunks and shipped off two cars (again, much more of a p.i.t.a. than anticipated- seriously? They can't pick up the cars less than 20 miles from our place? Sheesh) made half a dozen trips to buy boxes/wrapping paper/etc, finished packing our entire apartment, spent a day with our Mayflower movers, had our incredibly wonderful going away happy hour/night out/nice dinner (yes, in that order), and let's see...what else. Oh, MOVED TO CALIFORNIA, so I have a few things to discuss.

First, do NOT plan your going away party the night before your cab takes you to the airport at FIVE THIRTY in the morning. Seriously- going down in history as the worst idea Kiel and I have ever had and, trust me, we've had more than a few. After hanging out at the bar and getting drink after drink handed to us by our incredible friends for about five hours, we decided it might be a good idea to get some food in our systems. Well, Eric Dunn had the BEST idea of the night and a little group of us randomly went for a late-night dinner at La Tasca; one of Kiel and I's faaaavorite spots to nosh in DC. After plate after plate of Spanish tapas and a couple pitchers of sangria we sadly said our goodbyes and headed back home...around midnight. Never mind the fact we still had to pack up our suitcases and clean out the rest of our stuff laying around the apartment. Let's just say a 2:30 bedtime after a night of partying with a 4:30 wake up call leads to a VERY fun morning. Picture the two of us spending 15 minutes trying to find our packed key to lock up, trying not to yumbo in the cab, and having to step out for air periodically at the airport before our flight. Yep, suuuuuper fun. However, I will say this (and so will Kiel): completely.worth.every.minute.

We were met at the airport in San Luis (on the edge of the tarmac, mind you!) by our gracious and glorious hosts for the next week and the cutest niece I ever did see. Amanda and Dave planned a great trip up to Cambria to the Hearst Castle on Sunday, so after sleeping in and becoming "real" again we headed up for a day of elephant seal-watching, castle-touring, and view-gazing from the most GORGEOUS spot overlooking the ocean. I started work on Monday and since then it's just been one big (neverending) slumber party. Like I said to my mom: "you know after a dinner party and you're tired and you just want everyone to go home so you can relax alone? Well yeah, it's like that... but we haven't left in 10 days." Honestly, D&A deserve a golden "Sibling of the Year" plaque after all that they've done for us during this whole transition. I've said it once, and I'll say it a million times more; we're lucky b*tches. :)

The keys to our adorable house were handed to us today, but since our moving truck is somewhere up in Washington state, we're camping out another night at Casa de Michelson since none of our stuff is here yet. I CANNOT wait until it arrives and I can unpack and decorate and make it "ours"... luckily this extra time lapse is giving our new pillow cases time to arrive from England- gotta love Etsy!!!!!!! Anyone looking to change up their pillows, you HAVE TO CHECK out Marie's shop: here

Okay, it's late and I have to get up at 6 and I'm too tired to finish this blog, so here are some pics. Oh, if you want to see more, here's the album: bookOFface

xoxo

Looking Back...and Gazing Ahead

Exactly one year ago, I decided to start my own blog to keep far-away family and friends updated on our little life here in our nation's capital. Now, looking back at the 99 posts I've written since November 28th, 2008, I am beyond appreciative to have those memories documented; written down and stashed away- all the details of the life we've lead. It hit me really hard with my family in town that home really is where your heart is; it's not the roof that you live under or the city streets you walk or the incredible things that surround you. Home is where your family is, where you create your own memories, where you start your own traditions, where you build your life. Where your home is does not define the life you will lead- it's the life you lead that will define your home.Having all of the Robinson's together reminded me of this in so many ways; we have lived SO many places and still, our family is the same family regardless. We will still gang up on Emily, laugh hysterically at Brett, roll our eyes at "Meghanisms", make fun of Lauren, and drive our parents crazy no matter WHICH of the 1o cities that we've lived in we've been; that doesn't change with our geographical location. So, this life that I adore- one of adventures and new experiences and going on food excursions and having wonderful friends- that life comes with us in the boxes and suitcases to California.

We had the most amazing time with my family in town. Honestly, I cannot express enough how much my family makes me laugh- with them and at them. I think Kiel said "I wish they were still here" about ten times yesterday, and so do I. I've lived so far from my family for so long that I don't always realize how much I miss being around them until we're all gathered together; sharing stories and cracking up and passing around hugs. Hopefully once Daddy gets a taste of SLO and the incredible wineries they'll pack up and move out West! *fingers crossed*So to sum up what I'm thankful for: the blessings I've been given by growing up in the Robinson family. The kindness, humor, generosity, wisdom, optimism, and loyalty I've been surrounded by my entire life has enriched my 25 years in monumental ways. Fred, MB, Brett, Meghan, and Emily: I love the $h*t out of you. :)
For the rest of the week's pics, click here.

Counting My Blessings

Since it's technically not Thanksgiving, I'll save my "I'm Thankful For" post for tomorrow. However, since the girl coming to pick up the loveseat is running an hour late and the car carrier is running oh, say FIVE hours late, I figured I'd kill some of the waiting time by doing what I do best... procrastinate on the computer.

While my stress levels have been running sky high and the anxiety over jobs, moving, packing, uprooting our life and replanting 3,300 miles away, preparing for the holidays, and figuring out car issues* has been keeping me up at night; I really put things in perspective and am able to see that my problems seem so petty and we are still blessed beyond belief. I met up with my sweet friend Danielle this week and learned more about her husband's extremely rare diagnosis and battle with Burkitt's Lymphoma; a suit of armor no one is prepared to wear, one that is uncomfortable and ill-fitting. Her positive outlook and attitude about the situation is astounding. Here I am bitching and moaning about having to pack and Kiel not finding a job when I should be praising the Lord that we are both healthy and happy.

So my advice to you, dear readers, is to think about the one problem you're facing in your life- big or small- and just realize that no matter what, there are people out there who would trade problems with you at the first opportunity they could get. I hope everyone has a blessed and happy Thanksgiving with family and/or friends. The entire Robinson crew lands today and I just could not be more excited about it if I tried... xoxo

*I don't recommend parking your new car for oh, say 18 months or so without it being driven. Not fun when you decide it's time to use the car again. Not fun at all.

Bring Your Feminism to Work Day

(or the working title: Procrastination Is My Middle Name)

I need to start off by explaining I do not consider myself an uber-feminist by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, I completely agree with the Webster definition of feminism: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes (duh), but I'm not one of those "you shouldn't cook and clean and stay home with children" types. I'm all about the freedom of choice; women should be free to CHOOSE whether or not they want to work, have children, stay home, cook dinner every night, etc. Or have the right to CHOOSE someone else does those things. However, I REALLY don't believe the whole notion that someone who goes to college and then chooses to stay home raising children should be told they are "wasting their education and potential" like I've heard so many times before. So yeah, I'm pretty much a middle-of-the-road type of gal.

Hmmm, where was I before I pulled out the soap box? Oh yeah...

At work the past few days, one of my new colleagues had been complimenting me on my choice of footwear. Now, we all get the compliments from girlfriends, gay friends, random ladies on the street and that's swell in its own right. However, when said colleague is a 55+, frumpily-dressed, married father of two... that compliment MEANS something, you know? " I mean, I bet this guy would get the phone ready to call the mortuary if he heard me say "I DIE" (RZ fans, anyone?) so to have him notice my shoes really solidified the fact that they were as snazzy as I thought.

So, I thank him and explain to him that I REALLY love shoes, have over a hundred pair, etc... and he says to me "Wow, you sound like a shoe-holic! I feel sorry for your poor husband." Um, what does Kiel have to do with anything?! Last time I checked, it's the 21st century and I have a job (and a good one at that!) and buy my own dang shoes, mister. But thanks for thinking I need to rely on my husband to buy my shoes. So that was yesterday.

Then TODAY, he came into my office, looked at my feet, shook his head and said "Whoa, another cool pair? Now I REALLY feel bad for your husband." Honestly, it took every.single.ounce.of.control I have to bite my tongue and just let him walk away. Did I mention that I actually bought them myself? No. Did I mention I studied hard and have been collecting as much work experience as I can in order to have a job where I can spend as I please? No. Did I mention that when we move I'll be supporting our little family myself until Kiel finds something? No. Honestly, the nerve.

PLUS (oh and this is my favorite part) HE WORKS WITH ME. I mean, if he had met me on the street, on the metro, ANYWHERE other than the place where I spend almost 9 hours every day working I could understand... what does he think? That I just REALLY enjoy spending my days reformatting resumes and figuring out how to organize 10 years' worth of HR documents? "Yes, that's exactly right sir- I'm just here voluntarily. No, no, I don't get paid for this and yes, my husband buys all of my shoes".

I know this conversation lacked any sort of malicious intent and he is just a little old-fashioned and accustomed to supporting his own wife's shoe habits. For some reason it just really got to me... maybe because I've been working full-time, organizing movers and subletters and househunters on my spare time, and also trying to fit in packing our entire apartment for the past few weeks and deserve some recognition, dammit! Whew. Glad to get that one off my chest.

In the words of Chelsea Handler "WHAT a dum dum!"

For your reference, this is what's been adorning my tootsies this week:

And now I must go get back to this, because we have people coming to pick up a bunch of our furniture tomorrow and I don't think anyone will even be able to find it: