Tetris!

As previous entries have indicated, Halloween is a BIG deal at my work, complete with both a department and company-wide costume contest. Each year our teams begin brainstorming months in advance about costume ideas. Everything is kept hush-hush until the big day. I am on a new team this year (Fixed Income), and we decided to be Tetris! We constructed cardboard game pieces and even had Nintendo controllers. I dressed in all blue since that was the color of my piece, and my friend Laura even painted her face green! But to no avail...we were not victorious in either contest :-(. Better luck next year...the quest for greatness continues!

Gettin' My Country On!

Last Sunday I visited country heaven once again by attending GoFest 2010, a country music concert put on by a local radio station. It was originally scheduled for 10/9, a week earlier, but was rescheduled for 10/17 because one of the performerswas sick. Mom and I had a girls' night out planned, but of course she would be out of town on 10/17. Chris to the rescue! My friend Chris was nice enough to step up and go the the concert with me! We saw Rascall Flatts, Sara Evans, Jane Deer Girls, Stealing Angels, and Peter Brandon. What a night! All of the performers were fantastic! I can't get enough country music :-)!

Carrie Underwood and Billy Currington (swoon)!

Yesterday was incredibly busy but full of fun! After waking up I zoomed (word used only for effect - I was driving at a safe speed :-)) over to my sister's house to wash my old car and prepare it for sale. After that I headed to Servite High School for a benefit concert that I helped to organize. It was a great success and will primarily assist Catholic Relief Services with its continued work in Haiti. Before I was asked to join that committee as the 'money-keeper-tracker' I already had tickets to see Carrie Underwood at the Hollywood Bowl with Jessica and Manny. We had a wonderful time! Carrie Underwood is so talented and Billy Currington dazzled as her opening act. I love both of those artists, so I was in country heaven! I even wore my cowboy boots! Great idea Jessica, and thanks for the invite :-)!

A big purchase!

I bought a new car today! A new 2010 white Toyota Corolla now resides in my garage. I hate to bid farewell to my trusty green Camry, but the time had come. Many thanks to my wonderful family for helping me sort through the decision-making and buying process. It was a decision months in the making, and it's such a relief to have finally made the purchase :-).

Summer Happenings

This summer has been jam-packed with fun! My cousins from MA visited at the end of July and we enjoyed having time to catch up. On August 28, my family and I saw John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl. The venue was amazing, and of course hearing John Williams conduct is movie musical scores such as Indiana Jones and Star Wars was unbelievable! Labor day was also full of fun, as I had the opportunity to return to San Luis Obispo and attend my college roommate Christina's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and I'm sure they will have a lifetime of happiness.

Farewell summer, hello Fall! It's been fun, but I'm excited for colored leaves, holidays, and brisk mornings!

Weekend Visitors!

This weekend my mom's cousin Carol was in town, as was my friend Seth with his girlfriend Cheryl. It was a wonderful chance to catch up with old friends and family, and I really enjoyed meeting Cheryl! She is such a sweet girl and I loved having the opportunity to finally meet her in person :-). My mom's cousin is always fun to talk to, as she shares many fun stories from her life as a teacher and her childhood with my mom. Good luck with the rest of your travels everyone!

Meeting Patrick Otto

Last Saturday I was able to catch up with the DeMatteo family (en route to their new homestead in Minnesota) in Santa Barbara and meet new baby Patrick. What a cutie pie! It was such a treat to see Dominic and Margaret before their big move. Good luck on your journey :-)!