Bellagio: Chorus Line

The Bee, The Headless Driver, and Miss Universe

Otherwise known as a day in the life of Kira. I had four random things happen to me today:

1. The Bee: When I walked out to my car after work I discovered a dead bee and a leaf laying in the backseat. I've had leaves before but never a dead bee. I disposed of it as quickly as possible, namely brushing it out of my car and into the parking lot. Sorry bee.

2. The Headless Driver: Then, while I was driving home I got behind the world's slowest driver. I tell you we weren't even going 50 mph, and I couldn't change lanes because everyone else was zooming by. The funny part was I couldn't see the driver's head, and it looked like no one was in the drivers seat. When I finally got over I couldn't resist taking a peak, and sure enough it was a little, old lady hunched over the steering wheel with black sunglasses covering half her face! (Come on, it was pretty funny.)

3: Miss Universe: This morning at work I had to go up to the 5th floor, and on my way back to my office I ran into two of our custodians. Now, I am a firm believer in making friends with the custodial crew because you never know when you might find yourself locked out of your office or have the dehumidifier overflow and need their help. So, one man I've known for almost 3 years, and the other has been on our floor for about 10 months. The latter rarely says a word, and our morning coversations usually consist of me saying "Hi," and "Thank you," when he stops by to the empty the trashcan.

Rewind to 7:45 am and picture me staring at my closest trying to decide what to iron today. Girls, you'll understand when I say, I had nothing to wear! Nothing was making me happy, but I finally found a floral sundress with matching scarf I usually tie around my waist. I grabbed a brown suede jacket (in case the office was freezing like usual) and headed out. Back to this morning. I'm walking toward the stairs and Mr. Silent says, "Wow, you look like Miss Universe. You look so beautiful." I'm not sure what shocked me more, the fact he spoke to me or the fact he put two sentences together! It was really funny and gave me a much needed boost!

4. The Key: This isn't necessarily funny, but I got locked out of the office. I never, ever take my key to my Pilates class because someone is always there when I get back. Well, today this was not the case. Why did everyone decide to take their lunch break at the exact same time, I ask? Fortunately, there were familiar faces staffing the reference desk and I was able to get back in. The moral of the story: don't leave the office without your key.

Day Trip: Rodeo Drive

On Saturday my best friend and I hit Rodeo Drive. It was great fun, and we went in various shops (Dolce Gabbana was awesome!), took pictures, and generally enjoyed in the sights. Unfortunately, we also made a couple of mistakes...such as parking in the first garage we came to and being way overcharged. It made perfect sense. Instead of wasting time driving around looking for a decent rate only to realize we should have parked at option #1 we decided to save time and just do it. It took us less than 30 minutes to discover we shouldn't have been so hasty. Then, we did the same thing for lunch. We found a cute, but as we discoved later mediocre cafe and stopped to eat. If we had kept looking we could have found a more satisfying option. We did stop in Sprinkles cupcakes (after I left directions in the car) and had to guess at how to get there. (yes, I know we could have just asked someone, but that would have been far to easy) I couldn't recall the name of the street Sprinkles was on and vaguely remembered surrounding streets. So, I guessed at which way to go and ended up taking us the looooong way around. Our feet hurt so bad by the time we left! However, I am happy to report the cupcakes were delicious, particularly the dark chocolate. :-)

In honor of those who served

Remembering Normandy

Today marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day, forever immortalized as the date that altered the tide of World War II's European Theater. We honor the countless individuals who served, who suffered, and who died on this day in and the 2 1/2 month liberation campaign known as Operation Overlord. I salute you and thank you for your sacrifice made to the betterment of mankind.

Below is an excerpt of Pres. Reagan's 1984 D-Day speech:

Something else helped the men of D-Day: their rock-hard belief that Providence would have a great hand in the events that would unfold here; that God was an ally in this great cause. And so, the night before the invasion, when Colonel Wolverton asked his parachute troops to kneel with him in prayer he told them: Do not bow your heads, but look up so you can see God and ask His blessing in what we’re about to do. Also that night, General Matthew Ridgway on his cot, listening in the darkness for the promise God made to Joshua: “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.” These are the things that impelled them; these are the things that shaped the unity of the Allies.

High Flight: A Poem

I rediscovered this poem at work today while editing an oral history interview, and even though I've heard it before, for some reason it really touched me. Most of us probably recognize it from President Reagan's eulogy for the crew of the space shuttle Challenger, and I had always associated it with that time. However, somehow today it took on a new meaning, and I wanted to share it with you.

Fireworks

Summer Fun: Go Angels!

(I won't mention the fact that they lost!) Last night I engaged in a good 'ole American past time of going to a baseball game. As those know me can attest, I'm not the biggest sports fan in the world and usually only get excited around playoffs. (GO LAKERS!!) But, I decided that since it had been around 10 years since my last game it was high time I went to another one. The game itself was okay. I was completely lost half the time and never did figure out what was a ball and what was a strike. Let's face it, television puts you much closer, and even then I can't figure the game out. :-) However, despite my lack of knowledge, the game was great fun, and I enjoyed getting into the spirit of baseball, singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, and cheering for no particular reason. And I must say, the fireworks were spectacular. (see next post for a snippet of the finale)

Final Score: 5/2, Mariners.

Seth and I.

It took four tries to get this picture without the people behind us adding rabbit ears!

Yeah for fireworks!

Anij: Have you ever experienced, a perfect moment in time? Captain Picard: A perfect moment? Anij: When time seemed to stop, and you could almost live, in that moment. Captain Picard: Seeing my home planet from space, for the first time. Anij: Yes. Exactly. Nothing more complicated than perception. Anij: ...We've discovered that a single moment in time can be a universe in itself, full of powerful forces. Most people aren't aware enough of the now to even notice.

The Graduate!

Pretty!

A Deer's Cry: St. Patrick's Breastplate

I ARISE TODAY through a mighty strength, the invocation of theTrinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.


I arise today through the strength of Christ with His Baptism, through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burialthrough the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension, through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.



I arise today through the strength of the love of Cherubimin obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels,in hope of resurrection to meet with reward, in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets, in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors, in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.



I arise today, through the strength of Heaven:light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendour of Fire,speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.



I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me: God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's host to secure me against snares of devils, against temptations of vices, against inclinations of nature, against everyone whoshall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.



I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils): against every cruel and merciless power that may opposemy body and my soul, against incantations of false prophets,against black laws of heathenry, against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry, against spells of women [any witch] and smiths and wizards, against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul. Christ to protect me today against poison, against burning, against drowning, against wounding, so that there may come abundance of reward.



Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right,Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.



I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of theOneness of the Creator of creation. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of Christ. May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

W. Stokes / J. Strachan (eds.):

Thesaurus Palaeohibernicus,

vol. II.Cambridge 1903, p. 354-58

Photos from the Reagan Library

Air Force One from Reagan's presidency. (yes, I got to go inside!!)

Piece of the Berlin Wall - West Berlin

Close-up of the artwork

Berlin Wall - East Berlin

Informational Panel - This piece was made possible by Carl and Margaret Karcher

Powerful

The picture speaks for itself.

God Forbid

The more I know your power, Lord
The more I’m mindful
How casually we speak and sing your name
How often we have come to you
With no fear or wonder
And called upon you only for what we stand to gain

God forbid, that I find you so familiar
That I think of you as less than who you are
God forbid, that I should speak of you at all
Without a humble reverence in my heart
God forbid

Lord, I often talk about your love and mercy
How it seems to me your goodness has no end
It frightens me to think that I could take you for granted
Though you’re closer than a brother
You’re more than just a friend

You are father, God almighty
Lord of lords, you're King of kings
Beyond my understanding
No less than everything

Wishing Everyone a blessed Easter

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s yes to Christ and to His atoning Word.

*Dietrich Bonhoeffer Meditations on the Cross

My latest trip

My favorite part of the trip...visiting with my aunt and uncle in Santa Maria. I spent one night there and am so glad I did. :-)

Pictures from Vista Point

This bird and I were very friendly.

Cambrian Squirrel

Natasha Richardson (1963-2009)

In lieu of repeating an already well-written article, please see below for Adam's tribute to a truly gifted woman. May she rest in peace.

http://everythingyoualwayswantedtoknow.blogspot.com/2009/03/in-memory-natasha-richardson-1963-2009.html

It's Snowing!!!

Swiss Alps

On the road again...

Doesn't it seem like I just returned from a trip? Three weeks ago I flew home from Europe, and Monday I embark on a three day road trip to Central California. I'm beginning to have that 'living out of a suitcase' feeling! Okay, okay, it's only three days!!! Anyway, I'm going on a another business trip and plan to interview four people who were stationed at MCAS El Toro. Although I threw everything together a bit last minute, I am excited because I'm going to spend Monday night with my aunt and uncle. I've also never been to Cambria, and though I'm going by myself, hopefully I can find something fun to do while I'm there. My itinerary is as follows:

Monday: Drive to Santa Barbara

Interview at 11:00

Drive to Santa Maria and stay the night

Tuesday: Interview x2 in Arroyo Grande

Drive to Cambria for the night

Wednesday: Interview in Cambria

Drive home (& pray for good traffic!! I get to drive through LA during rush hour...again)