2011 was an...unexpected year for the Lee family. We certainly had some good times and some not-so-good times. Here's a quick list of the highlights of the year:
* Alan successfully finished his first year of medical school and started his second.
* Alan did a lot of research at the Craniofacial clinic
* Ly started her quilting blog (PurplePandaQuilts) and made a lot of new quilting friends
* Ly started tutoring various kids in all sorts of subjects...including math....and loves it
* Ly spent a week of the summer in Salt Lake City playing with family and friends
* Summer road trip to Acadia National Park (with stops in Boston and NY on the way)
* Spring break in the Everglades (snorkeling, camping, canoeing, bird watching)
* No Cal for Lily's college graduation (Santa Cruz boardwalk, dinner in SF, Muir Woods)
* Camping in the Great Smokey Mountains (lots and lots of rain!)
* Camping in Shenandoah National Park (fall leaves...photo workshops...animals)
* Week of no power due to Hurricane Irene
* Christmas in Idaho (new niece born!)
* Stockings for Kids drive (over 250 stockings came in from all over the world!!)
Looking back at it, we certainly did travel a lot (we went to almost 20 states!) and managed to have lots of fun despite the hardships. And all in all, 2011 was pretty great because there were no surgeries. Lets hope we can keep the streak alive in 2012.
Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts
1.04.2012
10.14.2009
Fall Musings
The air is crisp*, the leaves are turning various shades of red, and apples are ready for the picking. Fall is in the air. The shorts, skirts, and sandals are put away in boxes awaiting next year's sunshine (or perhaps an upcoming trip to SD) and sweaters, gloves, and scarves are lining the closet shelves. Fall is one of the best times of the year simply because it is the season before Christmas...and we all know how a certain member of the Lee household LOVES Christmas.Fall in New England** is especially great because the trees change colors, the animals are easier to spot and you can go apple picking. Then you can make your own apple pie with the apples. This year it seems as if Ly will be unable to make it out to the orchard for some apple picking fun - so she'll have to wait an entire year for the next season. She is very sad although realizes that worse things have happened to her such as:
1. Calling a child the wrong name in front of their parent...after you've been teaching them for a year
2. Dropping a cell phone in the toilet
3. Forgetting to study for a huge test
4. Watching a very scary movie and thinking that someone was hiding behind the drivers seat with a knife ready to stab you while you were driving...for a month.
5. Establishing a personal relationship with the Mexican police
2. Dropping a cell phone in the toilet
3. Forgetting to study for a huge test
4. Watching a very scary movie and thinking that someone was hiding behind the drivers seat with a knife ready to stab you while you were driving...for a month.
5. Establishing a personal relationship with the Mexican police
As of tomorrow afternoon, Ly will be able to add a sixth thing to the above list:
6. Having more surgeries during her marriage than the number of years she's been married.
Anyway go enjoy the fall and drink a cup of hot chocolate...or if you live on the west coast go to the bookstore and drink a cup of hot chocolate and pretend it's fall because let's face it, B&N is always freezing cold anyway.
*for the longest time I was unaware of how something intangible could be considered "crisp"...however many fifth graders informed me this afternoon that it is.
**Technically we live in the Mid Atlantic Region. Just for the record.
9.10.2009
Two Years Ago...
A little over 2 years ago, Ly and Alan gathered with all their family and friends on the hottest day of the year and tied the knot. In commemoration of the best day ever, here are some of our favorite photos and a list of things Ly + Alan have learned since being married:
1. Sharing a bed is a loose term. It really means one person gets 90% of the bed and the other may or may not end up shoved onto the floor. Keep pillows and/or a blanket nearby for such events.
2. Always keep your promises. No matter what. Enough said on that one.
3. Flowers for no reason = an extra 5% of the bed at night.
4. Never suggest storing boxes of books/pandas/crayons outside in the storage shed. Even if your wife never uses them.
5. When planning a long road trip just assume you will do all of the driving. Even if your partner says they will help drive. By helping they really mean telling you to slow down or you missed a turn.
*photography courtesy of Sweet Memory Gardens. If you live in Utah and need some photographs check them out because they are awesome!
1. Sharing a bed is a loose term. It really means one person gets 90% of the bed and the other may or may not end up shoved onto the floor. Keep pillows and/or a blanket nearby for such events.
2. Always keep your promises. No matter what. Enough said on that one.
3. Flowers for no reason = an extra 5% of the bed at night.
4. Never suggest storing boxes of books/pandas/crayons outside in the storage shed. Even if your wife never uses them.
5. When planning a long road trip just assume you will do all of the driving. Even if your partner says they will help drive. By helping they really mean telling you to slow down or you missed a turn.
*photography courtesy of Sweet Memory Gardens. If you live in Utah and need some photographs check them out because they are awesome!
9.07.2009
Per your request
Sorry for the lack of updates. I sat here for a few minutes trying to think of some sort of excuse (we were abducted by aliens...uh we went on worldwide cruise...uh Ly finally got a pet panda) that would adequately explain the significant lack of posts. Needless to say I couldn't think of anything so sorry will have to suffice.
Anyway. Here are some highlights of the past days (weeks? months?) since we've last posted.
1. Ly and Alan moved to an awesome new place that is across the street from the bookstore. It is also bigger, nicer, and cheaper. Ly loves the new place - and the fact that in the month or so of living here she has recently acquired at least a dozen new books and 3 new bookshelves.
2. Most of Ly's books are now safely out of their boxes and in the above mentioned new bookshelves leaving no room for any new books - a thought that encouraged the purchase of the shelves in the hopes that the amount of book purchases would significantly decline. However, Alan discovers new books on a weekly basis anyway. (Hello, hasn't the girl ever heard of a library?)
3. Ly and Alan recently discovered the awesomeness that is goodwill. We go on a weekly basis in search of old furniture to restore (a new hobby of Alan's), yet more often than not come home with 3 books - and no furniture.
4. Ly recently learned the wonders of spray paint and now likes to find various items to spray paint - picture frames, pedestals, candlestick holders, people, etc. This proves to be quite the messy adventure.
5. Alan has completed a million (maybe not a million but at least over a dozen) secondary applications for medical school. Now that we have paid all the schools even more money, we get to wait for them to ask us to fly across the country to interview...well that or reject Alan. But I'm sure it will be the former rather than the latter. Can someone invent a time machine and let it be May already?
6. We celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary in July with a surprise trip to NYC. Does that mean we're no longer newlyweds?
7. Alan has managed to convince Ly that camping can be enjoyable, especially when you have a tent that keeps rain, bugs, and sand outside where they belong. The air mattress probably helps too.
8. Ly has spent a lot of time on her photography recently, and she would love to take some pictures of people for her portfolio. Any takers?
9. Alan and Ly attended numerous back to school sales (did we mention that the new place is also close to Target?) and only purchased 1 box of crayola crayons for a quarter. While she wanted to buy more than one box (obviously) she resisted. Alan danced for joy.
10. And of course, the most important news in our family is that the panda at the San Diego Zoo gave birth to a baby boy about a month ago. Ly (and Alan too) watches the live 24-hour video feed of the panda for hours at a time. He is adorable. Go see for yourself.
Anyway. Here are some highlights of the past days (weeks? months?) since we've last posted.
1. Ly and Alan moved to an awesome new place that is across the street from the bookstore. It is also bigger, nicer, and cheaper. Ly loves the new place - and the fact that in the month or so of living here she has recently acquired at least a dozen new books and 3 new bookshelves.
2. Most of Ly's books are now safely out of their boxes and in the above mentioned new bookshelves leaving no room for any new books - a thought that encouraged the purchase of the shelves in the hopes that the amount of book purchases would significantly decline. However, Alan discovers new books on a weekly basis anyway. (Hello, hasn't the girl ever heard of a library?)
3. Ly and Alan recently discovered the awesomeness that is goodwill. We go on a weekly basis in search of old furniture to restore (a new hobby of Alan's), yet more often than not come home with 3 books - and no furniture.
4. Ly recently learned the wonders of spray paint and now likes to find various items to spray paint - picture frames, pedestals, candlestick holders, people, etc. This proves to be quite the messy adventure.
5. Alan has completed a million (maybe not a million but at least over a dozen) secondary applications for medical school. Now that we have paid all the schools even more money, we get to wait for them to ask us to fly across the country to interview...well that or reject Alan. But I'm sure it will be the former rather than the latter. Can someone invent a time machine and let it be May already?
6. We celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary in July with a surprise trip to NYC. Does that mean we're no longer newlyweds?
7. Alan has managed to convince Ly that camping can be enjoyable, especially when you have a tent that keeps rain, bugs, and sand outside where they belong. The air mattress probably helps too.
8. Ly has spent a lot of time on her photography recently, and she would love to take some pictures of people for her portfolio. Any takers?
9. Alan and Ly attended numerous back to school sales (did we mention that the new place is also close to Target?) and only purchased 1 box of crayola crayons for a quarter. While she wanted to buy more than one box (obviously) she resisted. Alan danced for joy.
10. And of course, the most important news in our family is that the panda at the San Diego Zoo gave birth to a baby boy about a month ago. Ly (and Alan too) watches the live 24-hour video feed of the panda for hours at a time. He is adorable. Go see for yourself.
4.29.2009
The travel bug
Living in the Mid-Atlantic region for the first time gives the Lee family a myriad of places to explore. From beaches to forests, historical sites to amusement parks, friends in the South and family in the North - Ly and Alan will certainly not be at a loss for things to do. And with Ly's love of lists you better believe one has already been made for places to explore while living in the DC area. Highlights include trips to visit friends/family in Pennsylvania and Georgia, The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Shenandoah, and of course the second happiest place on earth (Disney World). As always suggestions on other places to add to the list are more than welcome.
Anyway on to more exciting things. A few weekends ago Alan, in an effort to placate Ly's demanding need for Spring/Sunshine decided to get in the car to drive to track down the illusive season. After a few hours, the Lees found themselves entering Shenandoah park. Ly was beside herself with excitement - she couldn't wait to photograph flowers and see baby animals. Nature had other plans, however as evident by the following photographs:
Yup. Fog. Lots and lots of it.
Oh well, it was rather mysterious/romantic...and while there were no baby animals to be seen, Ly was fortunate enough to witness a deer who stuck his tongue out at her:
In case you were wondering, Ly promptly stuck her tongue back out at the deer.
Anyway on to more exciting things. A few weekends ago Alan, in an effort to placate Ly's demanding need for Spring/Sunshine decided to get in the car to drive to track down the illusive season. After a few hours, the Lees found themselves entering Shenandoah park. Ly was beside herself with excitement - she couldn't wait to photograph flowers and see baby animals. Nature had other plans, however as evident by the following photographs:
Yup. Fog. Lots and lots of it.
Oh well, it was rather mysterious/romantic...and while there were no baby animals to be seen, Ly was fortunate enough to witness a deer who stuck his tongue out at her:
In case you were wondering, Ly promptly stuck her tongue back out at the deer.
9.20.2008
Random Musings
Ly and Alan wanted to drop you all a quick note letting you know that they are alive and well out in DC. Life has been hectic so as soon as they have a few moments they'll fill you in on all the dirty details. For now though here are a few random musings:
1. Alan finally got his BYU diploma in the mail...only it doesn't have his major on it. It says "Bachelor of Science" Poor guy. Did all that hard work in Molecular Bio for nothing. Ly could have used photoshop to create a more professional looking diploma and saved us the stress from last semester.
2. We had an unexpected visitor from Boston for an entire week which was lots of fun. It's always good to see your favorite people.
3. We found out that in a month from today some of our family is coming to visit -- so that's way exciting. We can't wait for the rest of you to come out and play in DC too!
4. We finally went to the National Archives (the place where Ly has been dying to go since we first moved here), yet for some reason it wasn't nearly as cool as Ly thought it would be - and we went home highly disappointed. Although on our way home we did stop and get an ice cream from a street vendor and Ly was seriously almost attacked by a bird carrying a piece of a pretzel. It was traumatic.
5. Palin. Seriously?? There are so many things wrong with her and her ideas that we think we shouldn't even waste our time discussing them. Although Tina Fey's SNL appearance was fantastic.
1. Alan finally got his BYU diploma in the mail...only it doesn't have his major on it. It says "Bachelor of Science" Poor guy. Did all that hard work in Molecular Bio for nothing. Ly could have used photoshop to create a more professional looking diploma and saved us the stress from last semester.
2. We had an unexpected visitor from Boston for an entire week which was lots of fun. It's always good to see your favorite people.
3. We found out that in a month from today some of our family is coming to visit -- so that's way exciting. We can't wait for the rest of you to come out and play in DC too!
4. We finally went to the National Archives (the place where Ly has been dying to go since we first moved here), yet for some reason it wasn't nearly as cool as Ly thought it would be - and we went home highly disappointed. Although on our way home we did stop and get an ice cream from a street vendor and Ly was seriously almost attacked by a bird carrying a piece of a pretzel. It was traumatic.
5. Palin. Seriously?? There are so many things wrong with her and her ideas that we think we shouldn't even waste our time discussing them. Although Tina Fey's SNL appearance was fantastic.
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