X-Factor

Nicole & Me

This past week I had the opportunity to go see a taping of the reality t.v. show, The X-Factor. If you didn't see it in it's American debut season last year, it's another singing show, along the lines of American idol and The Voice. I am not going to go in to the differences between them all, but the long and the short of it is, you can be any age and you can also be a group.
We watched the auditions on the last day at the last taping.  Let's just say, the contestants were lack luster (bottom of the barrel literally) and I think the judges were really tired. But they did put on a good show.
Simon Cowell (of American Idol fame) is the lead judge, and was of course, himself.  Although, when he spoke to the audience he was kind and fun. Also, when people wanted  to get a picture with him etc, he was all but willing.  So really a softy I bet! :)

Simon, Britney, Demi, L.A.

We were really impressed with Demi Lovato's judging capabilities. She is a Disney Channel star, who dropped off the deep end a couple years back, and is now back on top, looking good and doing a great job on the show, it seems.  She has great chemistry with Simon and can banter with him, making good t.v.
Britney Spears (need I say more?) was droll and boring.  That girl needs to get a personality! Literally all she said 95% of the time, when asked for her vote (yes or no), was "no".  No extra comments, constructive criticism, just a hunched over little "no".
L.A. Reid, a bigwig music producer was the last judge, and was good as well.  With less fame than the rest, I think the audience didn't react as much to him, but clearly he knows what he is doing.

Nicole & Kaitlin

Kaitlin, Nicole and I had a good time.  For me, it may be one of those things that you do once.  I was exhausted by the end, and it was a work night. But hey, I can say I saw Simon, Demi, Britney and L.A. all in person.  Did I mention we were only four rows from the stage?! That's right! Now why can't I get those seats for a Backstreet Boys or New Kids on the Block concert?!

The stage from our view

The Judges once again

Yep, I am back!

Sara, Me, Heather, Megan, Shauna

I know it's hard to believe, but these days I rarely feel like I have something to post on my blog.  Our world encompasses so much of Elijah, that pretty much anything that happens is around him, and warrants only posts on his blog, not mine.  But alas, I finally have something to put on MY blog!  Aren't you excited?!
Last weekend was my friend from college, Heather's, wedding!  The APU you girls were all back together and of course, in high-fashion! It was so neat getting to be back together in the same place with ALL of us.  These days, with husbands, kids and now distance, it has been hard to get us all in the same place at the same time.  Nothing like a wedding to bring us all together!
Meg flew in from Boise, ID, Sara came the longest way from Vernon, B.C., I flew down from S.F (duh) and Shauna drove over from Menifee.  We all met in heather's home town of Santa Paula!
The wedding was beautiful!  We couldn't have asked for better weather, especially since a day and two days earlier the weather was, well lets just call it "cool and breezy".  This night was still and warm - utterly perfect!
I have only a few pictures, but at least you get to see us ;) !

Heather's nephew proceeded her with this sign "Here Comes The Bride"

The thumb print guest tree.

And They Lived Happily Ever After

Matt, Sara's husband took the pictures

A Career Change

In November, I left CK Ent., the clothing manufacturer that I had worked at for almost 7 years and took a job, and career change at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland.  Yes, I doubled my commute (some days triple), but it has been well worth it.
I was able to get in a carpool with Aaron's brother and his coworker who work about Ten minutes from me, which has really paid off, and makes the commute a lot easier to swallow.
The job is, what I like to call, a Glorified Secretary. However, the exact title is Administrative Assistant III.  The "III" is important, as there are three levels of Administrative Assistants, and Three is the highest (woo hoo). Anyway, I work at the National level in the Service Quality sector, which oversees all Kaiser hospitals and medical centers.  It's a pretty neat thing, to see all of this in action, and the pride that Kaiser takes in the health care industry.  I am a "kaiser lifer" as I like to call myself, being as that I have never had another medical plan other than one with Kaiser. To be able to be a part of making a difference within the Kaiser system, is so awesome, as I get to be a part of implementing change, as well as be a receiver of that change.
So enough with the business stuff, here's the important thing- look the view from my desk!

View of San Francisco

Funny!

So I know this is about two months late, however, it is worth posting.
Each year we go to the Kipp's DIY White Elephant Exchange.  Every year we all seem to get more and more creative.  Sometimes we end up with awesome things, sometimes we end up with duds and sometimes we end up with slightly inappropriate things...like we did this year!  Aaron won the "boob" scarf set.  A his and her's original.  Slightly in bad taste, but honestly, I could not resist posting them!

Made by Erin T.!

More fun pictures

Just some cute pictures I took of Elijah on my new iPad!!!