winter is coming

The one upside to fall and winter is that they make bed an even cozier place to be in the morning.

tiger mom

One of my coworkers recently said that Henry is the best-trained dog he's ever seen (he was watching while I made Henry do a trick for each piece of kibble in his dinner). I was so proud.

Another coworker wanted her puppy to meet Henry because people had told her what a good dog he is, but that didn't go quite as well, since Henry's Achilles heel is big dogs that he doesn't know. So I guess I'm proud of his reputation, but still working on execution.

one last drop

There is such a strange satisfaction to finding ways to get every single bit of something out of its container: toothpaste, face wash, moisturizer. Finished off several things in the last week, so that satisfaction was multiplied.

microkitchen obsession

Can't stop eating Noosa yogurts.

crenn

Went to Atelier Crenn for Boyfriend's belated birthday last weekend, and it is now one of our top few local restaurants.

new york city

Most of my clients are in New York these days, so my manager told me to start visiting them regularly. I miss New York, so this is great news.

finally rain

I generally prefer sunny days, but this drought has been so severe that I was excited to wake up and hear rain falling on the roof for the first time in months.

city girl

Made it up to the city twice in one weekend: once for my awesome brother-in-law's birthday, and once to catch up with law school friends. Good time both evenings, and Henry even did well being left home alone for longer than usual last night and playing with a much larger dog tonight. Busy but fun weekend.

less guilt

Since adopting Henry at a shelter over a year ago, I've checked the shelter website almost every week, mostly to see if the runner-up dog (the dog that I almost picked instead of Henry) was still there. He was there every week, his picture looking at me as if to say, "I would have liked to leave the shelter, too." I always felt a little bit guilty, but couldn't stop checking. But this week, Austin's photo is no longer there! I'm hoping this means that someone couldn't resist his charm, and he's off to a brand-new life that's even better than the one he would have had with me.

kindness reminder

Ran into a coworker today who is one of the nicest people I've ever met (he once tracked down the guy who had stolen his cell phone and instead of calling the cops on him, tried to befriend him and set him on a better path). I feel like I'm doing pretty well when I'm hoping for the best in people but preparing for the worst, but he reminds me that there are people who hope for the best and then try to make it happen.

unexpectedly delicious

A slice of bread toasted with cheddar, a couple slices of leftover roast pork from lunch, and some tomato chutney from Paris. Thought it would be decent, but it was delicious.

howling lessons

Henry trying to howl is so funny that it motivated me to upload my first YouTube video ever.

butter salt artichoke

Yum.

new addiction

Picked up a Korean card game on our trip (the friend who was getting married was from a long-standing cards night from my New York days), and have spent many hours since then playing. I miss a good card game.

what a trip

Caught up with a friend in Seattle, went to a wedding in Korea, wandered around Seoul with friends, ate everything from red bean shaved ice to tiny spicy crabs to real Korean barbeque, and even crossed into the North Korean side of the neutral room in Panmunjom. Much more awesome than I expected, and the most "foreign" feeling foreign country I've visited in a while.

countdown

It's Friday AND I'm getting ready for vacation! Super busy week with lots of stress, but it's going to be worth it.

On my way out of the office, a coworker I don't know well stopped me with a question. I was momentarily concerned that it was some kind of legal emergency, but she wanted to know my skincare regimen because she thinks I have good skin. Unexpected compliment beats a Friday afternoon emergency by a long shot!

winning

Got a few nights of having the bed to myself and keeping my own hours, then Boyfriend came back, and I had the best sleep I've had in weeks.

lazy or not

I was a total bum yesterday, sleeping in and then alternating between napping and reading in bed until 4. It was amazing.

Today was the opposite, and it was also amazing. Did laundry and dishes, made brownies to welcome a new coworker tomorrow, took care of Henry's teeth and nails, started a little bit of packing for Korea, went to the office, unpacked and set up Henry's new dog gate, plowed through a fair chunk of work and personal email, worked on two drafts and presos, made a silly frame for a ridiculous certificate from the Bar, and took Henry on a long walk.

cheese plus bread

The simple deliciousness of cheddar cheese on a slice of bread, toasted, can withstand decades of palate changes.

best case scenario

Work picnic with my former team: I got to catch up with everyone without the stress of dealing with any legal issues. I miss them, so it was good to see everyone, get some sun, eat some fresh tacos and ice cream... Happy Friday!