Memorial Day 2008!

Maholla Peeps,


Had a blast at the Sasquatch music festival at the Gorge, in George, WA this Memorial Day weekend! It's become something of a tradition for my friends and I to pack up Jody's mountaineer and head east for the festival, this is our third year running.

Some great bands were on the line up this year, REM, Presidents, Death Cab, Michael Franti, M.I.A, Modest Mouse, to name a few of my favorites. We arrived at the Gorge around noon on Saturday, and after a Sasquatch miracle we were able to find camping spots right next to Tori's friends (amazing)!

We unloaded the car and set up camp. Philly and Peter brought their pop-up shelter which made a fabulous kitchen and hangout area. We grilled up some hot dogs, drank a few beers and headed in the arena to catch the early M.I.A. show on the main stage.

I ran in to cousin Willem while waiting for Modest Mouse to come on, which was a great random meeting. We hung out on the ridge and took in some of the show together before parting for REM. Its always amazing when you run into people you know at such a big venue. It was great to find him because for some reason, my friends and I all got separated and unlike other years, we never really met back up until we all headed back to the campground.

Day two we awoke to some cloudy skies, but that didn't stop us in the least. I showed everyone Margaret's 'jumping pictures' technique, so thats kept us busy for while!! The sun came out around noon, and we celebrated with some POG surprise juice, turkey sandwiches and catch phrase. Camilla and Tim came over from their campsite to visit and hangout.

We had more luck staying together the second day, thank god. It gets boring without everyone dancing around! We all watched Tegan and Sara together, and then Alex, Andy and I bounced around on the main stage floor for Presidents and Michael Franti, both were rad, and then met back up with the rest of the group just in time for Death Cab, which was great.

I was a bit disappointed with The Cure, who headlined night two. I knew they would be kinda gloomy, but they played all slow, intense, dramatic songs that I could not get into. Alex and I ended up heading back to the campground about halfway into their set, we just couldn't take it anymore! So depressing!

What a great way to kick off the summer! Nice weather (for the most part), friends and good music, what more could you want?

Donny you're out of your element!

Maholla peeps-



Anton turned 25 Tuesday night, and to celebrate Jody and Boris threw a private party at Central Cinemas! They rented out the small movie theater, and we all came together to celebrate Anton, eat pizza, drink beer and watch the Big Lebowski.

This was really a GREAT idea for a party, if anyone needs a venue, look in to it. They will play any movie you wish (you could even do home movies), so it was really fun to see a classic like the Big Lebowski on the silver screen.

Jody and Boris also had the brilliant idea of getting a piñata and stuffing it with prizes and presents. This was extra entertaining due to the fact that there was nowhere to hang it from, so the two tallest boys had to hold it and try not to get hit! The frog piñata held up for quite a while, but Anton finally managed to bust it open and was able to get his presents.

Here are some more fun pictures from the night.

Anton and his froggy piñata in action!

Nordstrom's Beat the Bridge!

Maholla peeps!

Last Sunday Carly, Alex and I ran the Beat the Bridge 8K. The race started at 8:30am, and although we were cold warming up, it was HOT HOT HOT by the time we finished! I love this warm weather, but when I'm running it sure is sweaty!

Beat the Bridge is the nation’s fourth-largest 8K race, the course begins and ends at Husky Stadium, with runners trying to reach the University Bridge before it is raised 2 miles into the run. Luckily all three of us beat the bridge raising with time to spare! There was a great crowd running and walking, lots of teams with colorful matching shirts and tons of spirit. When you reach the bridge there is amped music and people cheering you on. The only bad thing is that you are only 2 miles in at that point, and have more then half the race left! Oh well, it does help pump you up at that point. I was pretty pleased with our time, seeing as I have been in Cyprus lazing around and not up and running. We averaged ad 8:33 mile, so it was a success! In fact, I am now thinking about the Seafair 10K Torch Light run . . . . anyone interested?

After the race Alex and I headed over to his cousins house in Bellevue. He had some relatives visiting from Texas, so we met up with them and they fixed us a delicious lunch. One dish I am going to try and recreate is this strawberry salad his cousin Mary made. It takes fresh berries and mixes them with ginger, basil, pepper and a little chili. Sounds bad I know, but its AMAZING!

After a quick afternoon nap in the sun, we headed to Max and Anne's house for a dinner BBQ of Halibut and corn-on-the-cob. Yum yum. Anne made this wonderful balsamic glaze for the fish that confirmed my love for halibut. I mean, it really is the best! My parents and Carly were also there, and my Dad brought sorbet and cookies for dessert that complimented the sunny summer weekend. So nice to have dinner grilled up for you.

I also got some exciting news from Anne when she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids!!! So exciting, can't wait for the San Antonio wedding June '09. Anne has such great taste, I am sure their wedding is going to be beautiful (and the dresses!). Two summer and two Kay weddings, I am loving all the celebrations!

Happy Tuesday everyone, looking forward to our upcoming three day weekend!

Happy Birthday Anton!

Welcome to the quarter-century club!

Here's to a night of fun and celebration! Happy birthday roomie =)

Orangitan

If I was an animal, I would be an Orangitan =)

One of the great Cyprus delights I discovered on my trip, is the glorious orange trees that grow everywhere on the island. As many of you may know, my favorite, favorite, favorite, fruit is the orange, so you can imagine my joy! Combined with the fresh squeezed orange juice offered at every coffee bar, I was in heaven!

Cyprus highlights

Maholla peeps-

I am back from my lovely vacation in Cyprus. My two sister and I visited our other sister who is studying for a semester in the capital city of Nicosia. From there we rented a car (which went well for the most part. . . . uhmmmm- scratch) and traveled th coastline with stop over at beaches along the way! Here are some of the highlights!

Larnaka

Greek Easter Decorations in Nicosia

Ayia Napa
Cape Greko
Paphos
Baths of Aphrodite