A new look for the New Year!

Hi Everyone! I decided it was time for a new look. And it's been no small feat to get it exactly as I want it. But for now, I think I'm pretty happy with it. Let me know what you think!

I have a feeling this year is going to be a really great year. So far, I am LOVING my new position. I don't know why I keep saying "so far", since I don't anticipate ever not loving it, but it just keeps coming out that way. I haven't working on anything particularly exciting yet. Well, my brother-in-law might find them interesting, since he can read Chinese and Korean, but to me, it's just a lot of nothing. But still cool. Working on Asian rare books is very different from Western books, partly because the paper is so thin. So it's been a lot of learning so far.

I also got to assist with an exhibit that's opening on Monday at the Rare Book Library, about new acquisitions. That was awesome, but I was afraid to really touch them, beyond what was necessary. I also was able to see a Presidential Campaign poster for Abraham Lincoln that someone was working on, which I thought was very appropriate considering the campaigning going on right now.

Most of you know, I'm not into politics, but I think I know more right now than I ever have before just because my roommates are really into it. And because of the writers strike, it's not like I have anything else to watch on TV these days.

So I just thought I'd give a short little update, and maybe in the next day or so I can post pictures from my little overnight trip to the Cape last weekend. I can't get my pics to upload or I'd do it now. This weekend has been very laid back, but I've enjoyed it. It's supposed to snow 8-12 inches tonight! If it does, I really hope it's a snow day tomorrow! Getting to work on the bus in that kind of weather is never good!

Are you ready for the Cuteness Overload?

Christmas vacation was so great! It was so much fun to go home and be with family. And of course to spend tons of time with my niece and nephew! Babies really are the best kind of entertainment! We chilled out at home and took lots of pictures. Here are just a few:

Kirsten and Jack love Aunt Carly!

Sometimes Kirsten is so serious! But such a doll!

Jack was teething during the trip and cracked us up with his "teething monster" antics. Can you believe he could fit this entire thing in his mouth? Check out the video to see more of the teething monster!

With Grandma

Christian gave Jack a "faux-hawk".

For some reason Kirsten pulled her arm out of her shirt like this! We were all laughing hysterically!

Matchy-Matchy! I got Kirsten this little outfit for Christmas, so of course I had to put on my yellow too for a photo.


I got Stuart a table tennis set, which of course took over the dining room table, providing hours of entertainment. Here's Jack and Kirsten in their first match!

And now, if all those pictures weren't enough, now for the videos!


Jack the Teething Monster!!



Like I said, hours of entertainment!

Oh, and if that's still not enough for you (I know I can't get enough), check out my brother and sister's blogs by following the links here and here.

I hope every one's holidays were as great as mine! I'm back in Boston now and starting my new job. After my first day, it's so far so good!

More Christmas Miracles!

**Photo: Paul Warchol**

Great news! I found out last week that I got a job at the Special Collections Lab at Harvard! I'm going to start working at the Weissman Preservation Center in January and I can't wait. This is going to be an amazing learning experience because I'll be working with rare books, and learning more advanced conservation techniques. The WPC is housed in a brand new building with an amazing state-of-the-art lab. I'm moving out of the dungeon of Widener and into the light! The lab is on the fourth floor of this building, and even has skylights that move during the day to follow the sun. Pretty high-tech! I just had to share the good news. It's really made my MONTH!

I hope everyone else is having a great Christmas Season! I'll hopefully be posting again before I go home for Christmas, but you can bet there will be some cute baby pictures on here soon!! Until then, Happy Holidays!

It's a Thanksgiving & Christmas Miracle!

I'm managing to post within a month of my last one! Better, wouldn't you say? Well, I did give you a little preview at the end of my last post about what I'd be up to next, so I thought I'd fill you all in.

We had our YSA Holiday Gala on the 17th. Yeah, a little early if you ask me, but these couple of months get packed so I think they wanted to just get it over with.

The fun part for me was dressing up and going out to eat with a dinner group before. We went and got Indian at the Bombay Club. It was fun, and yummy, but can I just complain for a sec about the ratios out here sometimes? There were about 10 girls and 2 guys at dinner. And one of those guys was late, so for a while it was just one. And he's dating someone. So yeah, I'm glad I have lots of good girl friends out here, cause that's pretty much all there is.

Anyway! We went on to the dance, but the music was so lame! I have to say, I'm really glad I got the DJ I did for the Ed Conf. dance cause it was awesome. I don't know who the DJ was for the Gala, but it stunk. It started out all 80's music, which some of you will know I am NOT a fan of. Plus there was a slow song after every other song. I have already mentioned the problem here about the ratio, so you can just imagine me becoming a wallflower or running off the bathroom every 4 minutes. Then we went into the Techno part where they played clubbing techno music for 20 mins. Kill me now! But guess what was after that? Latin music! For another 20 minutes! Now if it was swing, that might be a little more fun, but doing a basic cha-cha for twenty minutes, again because of the ratio thing, without a partner, is not fun. So basically I was trying to dance and have a good time but just couldn't get into it. So finally Trisha, Mike and I left to go find some Hot Chocolate. What we found was the flavor bar at the "Sev" (7-11) which was delicious. We made it back to the dance in time to see the music was finally something danceable, so we got a little in before it ended. All in all, not the best night ever, but I did look pretty fantastic if I do say so myself. Here are the two pictures I took. Yep, I'm lame.

Mike and Trisha

Me and my roomie Lora

Next was supposed to be the Thanksgiving Road Trip. But that got cancelled. I was super bummed, but I ended up going with my other roomies up to New Hampshire to Lora's brother's house. The food was amazing! Plus they have the cutest kids. It was a relaxing day, we just ate, talked and played some games.

On Friday the quest for the perfect winter coat was finally completed! Check it out:

I was feeling a little like Goldilocks after mail ordering two coats, the first which was WAY too big, but said it was a Small, and the second, which although it fit, was a little too long and comfy and basically made me look like I was wearing a sleeping bag. So I finally found one that's Just Right! Plus it was cheaper and more flattering. So now I am warm and chic!

I also went and saw "Enchanted", which I think my expectations were too high for. I'd read some really good reviews, but it was only so-so. Still fun and good, but not the best thing I've seen this year.

Other things I've been up to. I've been doing some bookbinding in my free time, check out some journals I made for our Service Auction.



They all sold for around $25 each! Yay! Plus, I made the pink one for me. I'm not going to let myself write in it until I have filled up my last one. I have so many blank or half filled journals it's crazy. I don't really need more, but this paper was so perfect, I couldn't resist! So I'm writing in my journal again, which is good, since you know how much I blog here.

Lastly, I will leave you with some pictures of my fabulous room.

Most of these were taken right after I got everything set up and moved in, so my desk and stuff is a little messy. Sorry. But the pillows I made just a month ago. I think they turned out really cute! The I fabric I used was going to be a quilt, but I didn't think I'd ever get around to it, and it was just too perfect not to use! I still need to finish my roller shades, I'm putting fabric on those too, but I have to clamp it down to do it and now that it's cold, who know's when that will get done. Also did you notice my little earring holder? It's a picture frame with window screen material stapled to the back, so I can slip my earrings onto it. I have a lot and it's just perfect! Anyway, I love my yellow walls and little window cubbies. They are perfect for my lamps. Also I will have to post a picture of my rug, cause it's super cute, but you can't see it.

Also, I did you see the "Princess Bed"?! Judith Girls, I knew you'd enjoy that! I have a HUGE queen size bed, that I put up on big cinder blocks for more storage underneath! I love it, but I think I'm going to need a stool to start getting up on it soon. When I'd injured my hip, it was a real pain. Plus, I don't have a nightstand that's tall enough... Oh well, I have TONS of ROOM! It's bliss. And makes me feel like this:

Maybe sometime soon I'll take some pics of the other rooms I painted. It's pretty colorful up on the 3rd floor here. I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I can't believe it's almost December! Wow! I'm going HOME for Christmas and can't wait!