Rule #32...

I love it when my low expectations for something are unexpectedly exceeded. It could be anything... a day of work, a new recipe, the weather, etc. Most recently, I was pleasantly surprised by a movie that Jonas had been bugging me to watch for awhile now: Zombieland. I mean, let's think about it. I hate scary movies, and apparently this one was about zombies. It could be scary, it could be stupid, or even worse, it could be both. In addition, I am not a huge fan of spoofs, and I vaguely remembered hearing that this was a satirical spin on zombie movies. In short, horror spoofs are probably at the top of my list for movie genres I aspire to avoid.


That being said, I really liked Zombieland. Aside from the first 10 minutes, which was ridiculous and gory, I found there was a lot to appreciate in this movie. Yes, it is about zombies. And yes, it is ludicrous 99% of the time. But it was also surprisingly funny, and it even made me think a little bit. Aside from all sorts of symbolism and parallels that one could dwell on, the main character has a list of "rules" in order to survive. Some are funny, such as Rule #3: Beware of Bathrooms, while others are quite insightful. My favorite of them all though, is Rule #32: Enjoy the little things.


How unexpectedly awesome that a movie such as Zombieland can remind us to appreciate the little things in life. It is such a simple idea, yet so hard for many of us to apply in our lives. Since watching this movie a couple of weeks ago, I've made a conscious effort to notice and revel in the little pleasures life brings us. Here are some of the things at the top of my list... 

1. Being silly. It's funny... we adults think we have it all figured out. But there are few things more fun than throwing all of our inhibitions aside and acting like a crazy kid again.

 

2. A child’s laughter. Lately, I have gotten the privilege to spend a lot of time with my nephew Wyatt. When he laughs, it is simply contagious. There is something about a baby/child laughing that makes you smile along with them, even if you have no idea what they are laughing at.  

3. Sibling love. While many of us grow up thinking we just despise our brothers/sisters, deep down we really love 'em. Besides, who else would you have gnawed on without your siblings around?

  

4. Motherly love. Simply put, there is no love sweeter or more true than that between a mother and her child(ren).

 

5. Someone (good) to love. It is so simple in theory, but hard to actually find. I am lucky that I have found mine :)

  

 

 

6. A (nice) day at the beach. On the surface, last year's Valentines Day, which we spent in Kauai, seems hard to beat. But in all honesty, this year was just as great as last year. A nice day at the Oregon Coast spent with my two loves was I needed to have a happy heart :)

 

  

  

7. Living in Oregon. For the last couple of weeks, the weather around here has been AWESOME. Last weekend, we even got to go hiking on the Rogue River with Jessie and Luke.

 

   

  

  

  

8. A beautiful sunrise/sunset. There is no better way to start your day or end your night with sights like these...

 

Ok. That is my list for now... Don't forget to make yours! 

Good times in the Burg

I've come to the conclusion that as long as the weather is nice, I have no qualms with spending our weekends in the Burg. Despite the fact that it is (or more accurately, was) January, we've spent our last 2 weekends exploring nearby forests, hiking on the North Umqua Trail, playing tennis, playing board/card games, and feasting. In fact, the weather was so nice on Sunday we even ate lunch outside. It definitely helped that some family and friends were in town (my parents, Jessie/Luke/Wyatt, and Caleb), but the last 2 weeks have been fun and affordable by staying in the Burg. Apparently, all I need to be happy down here is sunshine, hiking or other exercise, good food, family/friends who visit us, and of course, QT with Jonas/Jack. That's not asking too much, is it? I don't think so either :) So the only question now is, when are you coming to visit us?

***Warning: Picture overload... sorry, sometimes I just can't help myself! 

 

Walking with the parents and Jack on a nature trail by our house 

  

I don't know why, but I love this little bridge near our house

Jack + my Dad = Buddies

Joe showing my parents and I his "office"...sure beats a cubical 

(FYI, Roseburg is under the clouds in the background)

The circle of life: clear cut, replant, grow big trees, harvest :)

  

Jack will love going to work with Jonas soon

FYI- when timber companies clearcut, they not only replant, but they replant more trees than they harvest. Here is the evidence: some of Joe's babies :) 

  

Some of Joe's favorite things: trees, Jack, and mountains 

Hike to Susan Creek Falls

  

Jack, Me, Mom, Jonas :)

My favorite shot of the falls

So Oregon

Love them

Texture. 

(Anyone know what kind of tree this is?)

Go ahead and judge us: the other night we ate KFC and let our dog lick the bucket... he was sooo grateful. (Hey, at least we got the grilled chicken. Seriously, so good you don't even know)

  Jonas sharing the goodies with Jack... awww, love :)

  

The view while walking at Dan and Kathy's ranch

So peaceful and pretty

My two favorites :)

BDE: Best Dog Ever :)

It's official.

Did you ever read Highlights magazine when you were little? If not, that's a bummer cause you really missed out. But if you did, you know they had all kinds of cool activities and picture puzzles for kids. So, in honor of Highlights (and a very momentous occasion), I have prepared a little picture puzzle for you my friends...


Here is Photo #1. Observe, take it all in, memorize it. Now, scroll down to the second photo.

 Keep Scrolling.





A little more.





Not quite there yet.





Ok, stop. You've scrolled far enough.  Now, without looking at the first photo again (no cheating!), what is missing from Photo #1 in Photo #2?

 

Think you know the answer? Since I can't type upside down, scroll down to see if you are correct.

 Answer: Blue Sky, For Sale/Sold Sign

Finally!!! After a long, arduous closing process that took over 2 months, this bad boy is officially ours :) Stay tuned for some interior pics and a long list of "To Do" projects we hope to accomplish in the next year or so. Now the real fun can begin...

Celebrations

It's been a long time since my last post... oops. In my defense, the last month or so has been super busy (wasn't it for all of us?), and the highlights were definitely all of the fun celebrations. During an otherwise depressing time of year (the notorious NW grey and rain...) Christmas, New Years, and my birthday always provide something for me to look forward to. Time off from work/school, delicious feasting, and lots of QT w/ family and friends is more than enough to get me through the winter. This year, we spent Christmas skiing in Sunriver with Joe's family, then celebrated New Year's and my bday in Portland with friends and my side of the family. Although this last month was super fun, I am looking forward to staying in Roseburg a little more (yes, you heard me right), working on our house (we are supposed to close on Monday!), and maybe make some friends around here so we don't have to drive 3+ hours to be social. Stay tuned to see how THAT effort goes...

Jonas, all ready to open his presents!

Jack making me laugh, weird he never makes me smile :)

Wyatt eyeing his present from Auntie Janelle and Uncle Joe

His onesie says "Ready to get wrecked by a rookie?" So awesome.

Proud Mama with Wyatt in his sweet bomber hat

Grandpy Dan and Uncle Joe trying to get Wyatt to stop crying by showing him the fire (FYI- it didn't work)

Auntie Janelle trying to get Wyatt to stop crying with her charm

(FYI- that also didn't work. Apparently, I am not very charming.)

Beautiful day at Mt. Bachelor

View of the Sisters Mtns from Bachelor (the South Sister is the huge beast in the foreground, click here for pics of us dominating it last summer.)

 

Wyatt trying to turn over

Just being so stinkin' cute

Jack letting Wyatt tug on his ears (I don't blame Wyatt at all, they are so soft!)

Looks like I'm not the only one enamored with Jack :)

And now for some pics from my 27th bday weekend in Portland...

Our double queen suite at Hotel Monaco, nbd. This is seriously the best hotel in PDX: unique decor, dog-friendly and free wine/beer reception... all for only $80!! (Thank you Priceline)

Oh how I heart this girl

I kinda heart him too

My OSU peeps... (Why is my husband such a creeper?!?)

And now, a "nice" pic

Two of my favorite people: The Richardsons!

 

Two of my fellow MHS Asians: Jo and Jake

We go wayyyyy back... to Jr. High (w/ Rachael) and birth (w/ my bro)

Thanks to everyone who texted, called, or came out with me for my bday! Feeling loved is the best bday gift ever :)