The Kindle: In All Its Glory.

Paul wanted a Kindle for Christmas, and I was a rude dude and didn't think it was that cool, plus he already got that bike... blah blah blah I decided against it.

His brother Jeff thought it was totally rude and kept saying HE would buy it for him (and I said, go right ahead!), and he would text me often and tell me to get that Kindle in Paul's hands already.
(Today is the day I say, thanks for the pressure Jeffrey!)

Paul's reasons were just: he has to read a whole ton of scientific papers for his studies, and he would print out hundreds of papers, pretty much all the time. On a Kindle, he could download the PDF and read it: no printing, no problemo. Also, he reads/buys books all the time, and he promised that he'd stop filling our little apartment with books if he had a Kindle.
His reasons were just, but I couldn't get the Kindle fever. It just seemed lame to read a book on a screen.

After I got the iPhone, and with Paul's birthday fast approaching, the Kindle was back in the conversation. On this day, after Friendly's, Paul convinced me to go to Staples and take a looksy. Still wasn't impressed, but I decided that if he really wanted it, I'd get it for his birthday. That lucky duck. Always getting what he wants!

(I took this picture right after buying the kindle, to send to Jeff, with the text that said "His wish came true, so you can stop thinking I'm a bad wife.)

But today is the day that I fell in love with that Kindle. 

(Yes, I would marry it right now if I wasn't already tied up, okay!)

You see, Paul flew to England last night.
NEWS FLASH: Verizon cell phones do not work in the Motherland!
I was stressing and stressing wondering how the heck I was going to know he got there safe and sound/communicate with him through the next two weeks before I show up.

I woke up this morning to a glorious sight: Emails from that Paul!
He can check his email/email me on his Kindle, even in England, for free!

Over-the-seas communication issue: SOLVED
Cognitive dissonance over buying a Kindle: RESOLVED

And that my friends, is how to communicate in England without a phone.
(In case anyone happens to google that phrase).

Cheerio!

Passion Puddle

"The weeping willow
o'er Passion Puddle
is sprouting leaves o' green."
-Paul Bryan Frandsen

Just thought I should share this poem that Paul made up.
This little pond by Paul's lab really is called Passion Puddle. We saw it on the map right when we moved here and thought it was awesome. Isn't his poem great? Doesn't it have an Irishy feel?

Don't let this picture fool you though. Although this morning pretended to be a bright, sunny, blue-skied day, by the time my lacrosse game started it was raining and freezing once again. The weather has been really rude like that lately. A glimmer of hope, then cold cold cold!

Here's to a warmer, drier Spring and picnics at Passion Puddle. (Please!)

currently.

Explanations?

Her: 

1. NPR (slash WNYC) is my life saver during my commute to and from practice (30 minutes each way). My favorite show is Soundcheck, which is usually during my drive. I like feeling like I know what is going on the world, the big things and the little. Paul and I always talk about how Public Radio is awesome because they can do features on the weirdest little things that are actually so interesting. We chat about cool NPR things at dinner, and pretend we are sophisticated and clever.  

2. Yellow shoes. Because I've got to find some for my brothers wedding and I am having no luck! Any ideas? I don't really want to spend $80 like the ones pictured above. I'm getting so excited to fly out and see my family and see my brother get married to the love of his life. He's so happy, it's awesome.

3. A new dress? Pretty much always on my mind, but especially around Easter because that's a tradition. This one is from here, which seems like a cool little shop. I'd probably buy it up real quick if I knew it was long enough. Curse those barely-too-short dresses. I'm picturing it with tan legs and boots. 

4. Our upcoming trip to London! Have you been there? Any great ideas or traveling trips? I'm so excited to go, but so nervous for Paul to leave. He'll be there for over two weeks before I get to join the fun. Lonely in New Jersey is not fun at all, promise. 

5. Finally found myself a pair of aviators. Hurray for Target, am I right? You see, I don't really want to have wrinkles at age 23, but squinting in the sun everyday at practice was putting me on the fast track to wrinkly-forehead heaven. Hopefully these babies will give me a few more years of youthful glow. Is that too much to ask of sunglasses? Too bad, I'm asking it!

Him:

1. When is a new bike NOT on his mind? But not just buying new bikes, riding and racing and loving every second of it. Maybe I should have put a picture of his leg muscles under mine, because sometimes I can't help but say "Ow! Ow!". 

2. DNA, because that's how he rolls... or should I say, that's what he does everyday all day. Extracting, analyzing, sequencing, etc. Smartypants in the house!

3. Caddisflies. And with warm weather approaching, I bet we will be out there catching these suckers. Are you jealous or what? Think camping, outdoors and black lights to attract the bugs/have dance offs? Okay maybe not the second part, but it could be fun. 

4. Hello baseball season! So glad to be real close to our favorite team that we might actually attend some MLB games. Paul's been to a Braves game, but he was just a baby so we need to give that another go. Phillies!

5. Simples, which he found here for a great deal. Perfect because he's been wanting some of these recycled wonders for some time now. Save the earth? Save money? Sounds good to me. 

What's on your mind homies?

(Maybe I call my lacrosse team homies all the time. Is that better or worse than "guys"? I vote better.)

kind of sweet

I saw this engagement shoot and thought it was kind of adorable.
Inspired by Pixar's UP.

(it also reminded me of this post, by friend brynne)

Plus, guess what! Boylan soda is from NJ. Their rootbeer is fantastic.
I have an empty bottle on my shelf, actually.

Do you like those butterflies? They're real! In fact, I caught the yellow one all by myself.
An entomologist better have some good bugs displayed, right?