beingthebrowns

This is a photo of our ‘hot wives’ group (round 2).  You will remember my previous post a year ago when we were losing a member of our group. We have since gained a wonderful addition in Ashli (far right) but we are sadly losing one of our founding members, Cheryl (far left). Brandon and Cheryl are moving to Philly where Brandon has recieved an amazing teaching job. So this is the photo of our last hot wives group together with Cheryl.  But never fear, the group will live on as we recruit a new 4th member!

Last week I had an amazing opportunity to head to the States to visit some of the Mays side of the family in Virginia. My parents and younger sisters had been planning this trip from Oregon for a while but what my mom and sisters didn’t know was that my older sister, Annie, and I were joining them.

Annie and I got to Virginia a couple days early and were able to enjoy some time together with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandma.

The fun only continued after the rest of my family arrived on Monday (after an extended layover in Chicago). The big surprise for my mom and younger sisters went off without a hitch. I don’t think my mom could have been more astonished! It was an incredible surprise and we were all so happy.

The week went on with lots of sunshine, time together with family and even a few trips to Target, a stop at Taco Bell and my first ever visit to Cracker Barrel. It was incredible to get to spend time with some extended family that I haven’t seen in many years. They are a great and loving group who I love dearly.

I have uploaded the photos to our new Flickr page. We will be using Flickr now but will still have our old photos in Picasa (though these will probably get moved in time). Anyway, see the Virginia photos here

Also, be sure to bookmark our new Flick album (http://www.flickr.com/photos/beingthebrowns/)

This week’s pictures are from the premier of “Away We Go” at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The Edinburgh International Film Festival, having begun in 1947, is the world’s oldest continually running film festival. I was able to score a ticket to the premier the morning of the show even though it had been sold out (I think they released some tickets at the last minute). John Krasinski (Big Tuna!) and director Sam Mendes (“American Beauty,” “Jarhead,” “Revolutionary Road”) spoke for a few minutes prior to the screening. This provided the opportunity for the audience to go paparazzi on them while pretending to listen to what they were saying. Now some actors don’t seem to be similar to their defining roles (e.g., Rainn Wilson as Dwight Shrute); but there is seemingly very little difference between John Krasinski and Jim Halpert. Krasinski’s gait, mannerisms, and diction were all of uncanny resemblance to his much adored character on “The Office” (not that it’s a bad thing!). I enjoyed the movie (for the most part) and look forward to hopefully catching another film or two before the EIFF’s end.

I took this shot a couple of months ago on our hike back down Arthur’s Seat, the highest of the hills on the eastern part of the city. The viewpoint on the top affords superb (albeit windy) panoramic views of both the city and out onto the Firth of Forth.

Lately I have been making more and more cards and have just skimmed the surface of trying to sell a few here and there. It’s been a really fun hobby so I decided to take it up a notch. Katie Kards is going public! I hired a table at the Edinburgh Craft Fair in August where  I will display my stuff and attempt to make a few sales.

You can see me on the website here

Now I must get crafting!

The day after we arrived in Edinburgh I had an interview at the University Playing Fields. Upon the success of getting the job, I have been working for Peffermill Playing Fields ever since.

Peffermill is part of the University’s Centre for Sport and Exercise and plays host to most of the University’s outdoor sports clubs (football, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, shinty, cricket). For the past 20 months I have been the Client Services Manager at Peffermill which involves client communication, bookings and events, etc. It’s been a good job, but it’s now time to move on and up.

I got a new job! A job within the department came up several weeks ago and I decided to apply for it. I will still be working for the Centre for Sport and Exercise but I will move to a new job, a new office and a new building. I will be located at the actual gym now which is much closer to home.  I won’t start for another 3-4 weeks as we are in the process of turning over my current job, but I can’t wait to get started. My title will still be Client Services Manager but the job will be completely different and much more high profile in the Centre. I will be in charge of Memberships and the communication with all 13,000 gym members. What all that entails…I will soon find out.

So as I move on to my new position, let me reminisce and share a few pictures of my office and what I have been staring at for the past 20 months. Click below:

Peffermill – Katie’s office

This is the view that I have every day (well, at least when it’s not raining or cloudy) as I arrive at New College atop “the Mound.” Notable in the view are the National Gallery of Scotland and the Sir Walter Scott Monument.

Peanut butter cookies

mix together:

1 Cup peanut butter

1 Cup sugar

1 Egg

Mix and bake at 350F (177C) for about 8-9 mins.  (I do the little criss cross thing with the fork just before I bake them). Makes about 12 cookies.

That’s ALL!! And they are so yummy. Since I am off dairy at the moment they are the perfect little treat. Thanks Cheryl for sharing the love.