Pride

Chris on SCU's Campus, one day before Grad School starts

Chris and I went to Santa Clara University last Sunday to explore campus before Chris started his Graduate Degree studies there on Monday.  The campus is wonderful, with lovely old and new Spanish inspired buildings and thoughtful landscaping, and felt just inexplicably like a 'perfect' fit for Chris (and me too).  I love that I am now able to picture him in class or studying in the library.  Chris started classes this week and he is so excited and somehow also at peace with this new chapter in his life.  It just feels like the right move for us both, and I cannot say how proud I feel of him and how happy I am so see him lighting up while studying and talking about school.  I love you Chris and am thrilled that you found the the map after all.

News

Great News!

I am very, very proud and happy to announce that Chris was accepted to Graduate School yesterday.  We were keeping it a secret until it was all 'official' and it was a bit of a nail biter and down to the wire.  He met with admissions at Santa Clara University just under 3 weeks ago and happened to meet the Dean of the school and fall into conversation.  The Dean really liked Chris and unofficially admitted him to start the spring semester - so Chris has been scrambling to fill out paperwork, apply for student aid/loans, and get documentation.  His transcripts finally arrived to the school yesterday afternoon and he was formally accepted (just in time).  He'll be beginning classes for his Master's Degree in Computer Science and Engineering on Monday.

Chris is walking on air.  He loved the school the minute he set foot on campus and has nearly been holding his breath for the past three weeks trying to make all of this work out on time.  We got the news at about 2 pm yesterday and sent the word out to our friends to come celebrate.  It was a wonderful feeling to be cheered on by so many important people in our lives.  Today we'll be calling our family and Chris will be registering for classes.  We'll go 'back to school' shopping tomorrow - I think a new school bag is a must.  And on Monday, Chris will step into his new life as a graduate student.  What a whirlwind!  I suppose that when things are meant to be, everything just falls into place.

Upcoming Runs

The first of several races for 2011

Chris and I have signed up for the 100th annual 'Bay to Breakers' 12k in San Francisco this May and have been training ourselves to run for the past month or so.  It's been great to get back into this after completing our first 5k last fall.  This has set off a flurry of activity and also caused us to sign up for several races, below:

April 10th Wine Country 5k

May 15th 100th Annual Bay to Breakers 12k

May 22nd Running with the Jets 5k

June 4th Scavenger Dash - San Francisco

Soon to be an 'Auntie'

I am loving watching my friend experience becoming a mom.  She has just impressed me so much and I cannot wait to be an 'Auntie' around the end of April.  So much love to her and her hubby and my soon to arrive 'Nephew'.  

Waiting to feel the bump; he never moves when I've got my hand there!

Read this...

If you have any issues with your weight and have struggled, please read this book.  It is absolutely fascinating and may change your outlook on food and how your body works.  Chris read this then passed it on to me, within the first chapter I asked him to help me clear our kitchen and start a new lifestyle.  After 4 1/2 weeks we both feel stronger, have more energy, weigh less, and have started a new relationship with food.  The 1st half of the book is somewhat of a struggle, however the 2nd half covers the science of how the body processes food, and has helped me change my outlook on how the body works.  Read it and see what happens.

Tucson

Oh it was a blissful trip to Tucson to visit my Mom and her hubby, Bob.  I had not seen her in over a year (!) and my 'Mommy Meter' was very, very low so it was wonderful to reconnect and just simply spend time together.  We all had a wonderful trip, and I am very thankful that my husband, mom, her husband, and I all genuinely get a long and enjoy each others company.  We stayed away from doing the whole tourist thing, though did spend a day at the Desert Museum to see my mom living the dream as a Docent and also get a sneak peek 'behind the scenes' at the greenhouses that Bob volunteers at.  Most days were spent talking and just 'being' together (although a few movies and a little shopping snuck in there too).  We were having too much fun to take many pictures, though some are below.

Glorious Cacti in the Desert Museum greenhouse, waiting to be distributed around the grounds

Bob and Chris stacking sanitized planting pots at the greenhouse

An amazing sunset from the backyard in Tucson

Chris and I pause during one of our runs in the desert to take in the view

A sunrise and sunset, one going, one returning

Returning home to SF International