Halloween 2011

So it was our first Halloween in Pleasanton - and we were off to a slow start. We didn't buy much candy - our Halloween decorations were in storage. So no decorating the house - and to top all that, we didn't even carve any pumpkins - since the carving kit was in storage!!! It was just slooooooooooowwwww...
The only things we did were, we went to a pumpkin patch nearby, and I ordered costumes online. Varun was going to be Mr Spock from Star trek, and Maitrey wanted to be a ghost. So after being lazy about making his costume, i just ordered a 'rescue pack' from Nickelodeon, and talked him into being Diego. We can be a ghost next year - when Mommy has a house, and all her stuff - and is not just starting a new job which she works 6am-3pm. I always imagine myself turning into a pro at being Mommy - from some ads on TV - but reality always brings me down to earth fairly instantly. Life is never an ad.
And then there were BIG parties at work, and at school. I was surprised, everyone was really excited about it. While driving around on the weekend looking at houses, we saw some really cool decorations. Varun practiced saying 'Live Long and Prosper' - with his fingers in a big V like Spock - but always forgot to say 'long'. Anyway...

And then the actual day arrived yesterday.
We went to John Madden's house!
I never imagined I would ever go driving around on Halloween - just a walk around the neighborhood was fine. But this year, Varun had plans with his friends, and Maitrey and me tagged along. So we all drove to John Madden's house - I didn't even know he lived in Pleasanton! It was really spooky to walk up to his front door. There was a girl dressed up as a ghost scaring everyone, some others as zombies, robotic corpses were crawling around and eery music filled the air - it was really awesome. At first we thought Maitrey would be scared - but i was impressed that everyone was quiet as he walked by, and scared only the older kids.
After that the mood was set - our friends drove us to another haunted house, and while the older kids went in and screamed their guts out, I walked around trick'r-treating with Maitrey - who was so happy to be doing what he was doing. Its the first time he actually knew what he needed to do, and was really happy when everyone gave him candy.
By the time we came home - I had 2 very happy boys and we are all already looking forward to next year!

remembering Kansas...and Dorothy

This is a funny incident which happened at work -
I was researching Mapquest to find the best route to take before leaving for home.
My Boss walked by, and laughed and said "whichever route you take, its not going to make any difference."
I smiled and replied " Yes, In Kansas it was different, i had a 5 minute commute, and even Highways were not as full as they are here"
To which he replied: " Well, there is a popular saying - You aint in Kansas anymore Dorothy!"

It was just so funny - and so true - I laughed so much at the irony.
My friend tells me to print it out and put it up in my cube.
Maybe I will...

Its been 10 days... and sun is finally out

Ever since we got here, its been raining alot. The kids and I got stuck in the apartment - no car, and alot of rain :(
We did venture out to the park across the street a few times, but it was so cold outside!
We have been house hunting one time too - very cute houses....but very very expensive ! But we need to move out of this apartment soon - its getting claustrophobic.

We got a whole batch of boxes marked for first unload too. Most of the toys and videao games ( how else do i get through the summer) and our dining table. The apartment is now full of boxes - which I have started opening and throwing out. But now we have toys all over. Will probably save the smaller boxes for toy storage and cleanup.

Am getting used to driving around the city now - it is pretty... they are called the golden hills and really are. The grass does make it look golden - not brown like mud. Everytime we go outside we like the greenery too, and parks are everywhere. We do miss everyone back in KS, but not the 25 mph wind! here it gets to barely 5 mph and the weatherman calls it 'windy'! They really have no idea!

Welcome to CA

We are settling in over the long weekend. We arrived on Friday, and have already hiked a small hill nearby ( 10 year olds can be very persuasive or rather whiney!!! ) at Pleasanton Ridge Regional park. It feels like we are on vacation right now :) The grass is of a 'golden' hue, and makes the hills look very unique. The town seems nice, and the small downtown looks very quaint.
Met old friends...ate dosas at the local restaurant...its going to take a while to shake off that vacation feeling - no work for mom and no school for kids!

Last day at UCATS

It was my last day. I cleaned out my cubicle... even reformatted my imac. The farewell party was great!
I will write a more reflective post tomorrow. Today was just a very unique day. One chapter of life is coming to a close....

V is at a sleepover - and M is just not letting me sit !

Last Thursday

Took all my personal stuff and put it in my big blue walmart bag. Ready to clean up in the afternoon.
V went on another feild trip - hope he has a good time. It was nice that our freind picked him up - taking him in at 6:30am, would have been a problem.
M wore his sunglasses and had his teddy wear sunglasses when he went to school today :) very cute.
2 more people to see the house today - 1 of them better buy it!

One day at a time....

Last week at work...

Its Monday - this Friday is my last day...
I have started telling everyone I meet that its my last week....so hopefully all my goodbyes will be done.
V had a great time painting the airplane models to give as a gift for his teacher.
I'm still wondering what to get for all the teachers....its time to go...and so many things to finish...

Finally we have another showing for the house...hopefully this time it will sell.

Resignation

I finally emailed my resignation today. Everyone already knew... so it was a formality. Now its official.
Its finally hit me - that I won't be here in 3 more weeks. I know its for a better future... however I did feel sentimental about resigning. Its been the place I have lived the longest in my entire adult life - 9 years. Thats a long time. I learnt a alot, and hopefully matured from all the experience I got here. Lets see what the future holds...
M won't remember, V should be happy in a few months. S is already happy - however though I'm confident of a job, I'm not sure what its going to be like. I feel like i'm at a crossroads again - what kind of work will I get? will it have flexible time?
I guess no use worrying about it... time will tell...

Time to start packing up...

So its been 9 years in Wichita. And now its been 2 months with just the kids and me. M NEVER wants to sleep... it just gets so tiring with him awake.
And then the internet has to fail.... who had an extra modem in his office? My Boss!!! Finally all that 'stuff' he collects seemed to look useful :)
But still the cox network keeps going out every few hours. Hopefully it will last for a few more weeks....the we all leave.

V had a great trip, and now has 2 more local school trips to go. he had a wonderful time horseback riding in the Flint Hills. And he shot a rifle, went canoeing... i wonder how the pics are going to turn out.

The bootcamp and swimming have done some good - i think I look fit now....not some bloated lady who can never lose her baby fat.

And now to begin the packing....