Baby Fiona!

Yesterday I met baby Fiona! All of four days old...she is a happy, healthy Baby. Gail and Randall are both so happy to have this new addition to their family. I can't wait to get to know her better!

Yummie Cozonac...

Friday I enjoyed a fantastic dinner @ Raj and Ramona's place.  They are wonderful hosts and great cooks! Best part of the evening was Ramona's Cozonac. It's a Romanian sweet bread....oh, to remmber the good-ol' days in Romunia! 

Her Cozonac was the best I have tasted in a long time...

Oh yeah....the get-together was in honor of Sofia being "home" :) 

Then we were off to more sweets at Rita and Ali's....oh man...time for more excercise! Yoga here I come...

Reconnecting with old friends...

It was such a joy to host a dinner for some of my close friends this past Saturday night...
One of the best things about having my own space is the ability to bring into that space people I really care about and enjoy. These friends have seen me grow since I have moved back to Buffalo--and even though our lives have been going in many directions one thing remains, our good friendship.

This is a sweater I made for Gail's new addition, Fiona. It was designed by crafty friend Rima--and it's called, "Bombay Love".

I am so very happy for Gail and Randall, I can't wait to meet there new little angel!

For Baby Emme

I finished my first blanket for baby Emme (my niece yet to be born)....
I can't wait for her to come into our family....we are in the need of more women :)

My pressure cooker

I got a fantastic deal on this pressure cooker @ Macy's this weekend! I am so excited to be able to cook my own beans! NO MORE CANNED BEANS FOR DI! :)

Maybe if you are lucky...you will be invited for dinner at my house to enjoy some tasty dish from my new pressure cooker....

My house :)

Here are some pics from my house :) It's somewhat of a blank canvas. Here and there I have started to find my style. I have never had such room that required my style talents (which I still have not "found")...
So---I am sure once I know more my aesthetic "theme"...I will be implementing changes.

But, I am so very thankful that I have this bright home--and that I share it with Mike. One of these days I will post pics of his pad too :)

(No secret here, he has the artistic talent I lack, but couldn't knit a scarf to save his life, hehe).

Yes-- I know I need curtains...send me suggestions!

Thanks to my brother Mike who has helped me with so many little things...like putting up my candle holder above my fake fireplace :)

The sun bursts into my dinning room.

I love my pantry!

The kitchen needs help~ Soon....

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Friday was my Mom's birthday...

This funny picture was taken during her Story Corp interview--- :)


Friday I took her out for a lunch and shopping...Oh and for her first Reiki appt. too! At night we enjoyed a big dinner @ the Pryznosch's...and she got a gift she never thought she would get--A LAPTOP! I am so happy that all of us can give her such a gift.

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful mother. She rarely asks for anything, is always grateful for what she has, and loves us for who we are.
Love you mom! Happy BIRTHDAY!

Maybe only in Buffalo

Someone who moved to Buffalo from out of town once told me that people in Buffalo spend their weekends going to birthday parties and showers. And...that is exactly how I spent my past weekend. Today I attended Gail's baby shower. I am so happy for her--she will be such a wonderful mother.

To make her baby feel special, I made her this cute sweater. I am still new at knitting, but put my heart into making sure baby Fiona has something special from Auntie Di :)

I was so very happy to host Kris' birthday! She is my best friend...and I am so very lucky to have her and Joe in my life!

Explosion of positive energy

Explosion of positive energy, originally uploaded by Łukasz Strachanowski.

I thank the universe for providing me with people and life situations which help remind me of something very important.

Always approach problems with a positive attitude and belief that there is a solution. When you dwell on the problem with energy that is focused on pity, lack or fear (which translates into worry), you are only creating more of the problem.

By bringing in light...source energy, one can create healing and promote peace within the self.

I hope I can remember this next time I face a problem... :)

Yes---we will...

Last night I felt inspired by Obama.

I really think he can lead this nation into a new era....


This song came to my mind today and just made me smile and say, "Yes, we will"

Serendipity

Serendipity at the Royal Academy, originally uploaded by ^Tom.

Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.

Thanks to Catalina...I was reminded of this wonderful concept yesterday. One must never take lightly the signs or messages found within everyday life....
It might just take you exactly where you desire....

So watch and listen...and of course...have faith!

Highlights of San Fransisco trip

I just recently got back from San Fransisco. I so enjoyed spending time with Emre and his mom. They were such wonderful hosts! Emre's mom is an amazing cook!

They are both such bright, happy people...it was a joy to spend time with them.

Mohit joined us for the Alcatraz tour. It was so great to see Dr. Virendra :)

This picture was taken from Alcatraz prision...

This is the craziest street in San Fran...it's called Lombard Street. 

We VERY much enjoyed Napa Valley...can you tell? 

Umesh's brother got us tickets to see the San Fran open. We saw Pete Sampras play an exhibition game! Reminding me how much I love tennis!!!!

It was really cool to spend time with Umesh and his family. They are such wonderful people....happy and welcoming! 

 

My Second Publication

Thanks to many!!!!---I have published part of my dissertation proposal in Comparative Minds, Critical Visions, A working paper series in my academic department. Unfortunately, you cannot access my article on-line. But you can purchase a copy (or just come by my house and read my copy :)

Comparative Minds, Critical Visions
Working Paper Series at the Center for Comparative and Global Studies in Education
Volume 3

Yoshiko Nozaki
Editor

Tomoka Toraiwa, Maria Sian Lew, & Rima Aranha
Managing Editors

Gender and Higher Education in Israel
Robert Rood

Challenging Notions of Parity: Gender,
Higher Education, and Labor Force Participation in Argentina
Daniel Velez

Gender, Higher Education and Development:
An Overview of the Philippines Case
Maria Sian Lew

Women and Higher Education in the United States:
A Literature Review
Heather Maldonado

Empowerment through a Sense of Being Cared For:
Graduates' Narrations of the Women's Studies Learning Experience
Tomoka Toraiwa

English Public Libraries from a Neo-Gramscian Perspective:
Social Contexts, Political Alliances, and Compromises
Hiromitsu Inokuchi

Techno-Orientalism and the Images of Japan in National Geographic
Shuzo Kogure and Yoshiko Nozaki

International Students' Identity in the United States: A Literature Review
Diane Hardy

Whose Imagined Community? Locating gender and Nationalism within the Field of Education
Rima Aranha

Mortgage

Mortgage, originally uploaded by Rev Dan Catt.

Today I made my first Mortgage payment....only hundreds more left :)

Actually--I realize how lucky I am to co-own this house.

Thank you universe!

New band--Fleet Foxes

I saw this band on SNL two weeks ago. I am still craving their music! Their 70s style harmonization is cool...I enjoy their eclectic nature...it's sorta like me! :)

Hope you enjoy too!

Some highlights from D.C. the week of Obama's Inaguration

This was one of the most memorial events of my life. Being in D.C. for the inauguration was not just experiencing a great moment in U.S. history-- it was history for me too. One of the first times in my life I felt really proud to be American :)
All I can say is "GO OBAMA"...
AND--THANKS SOFIA (Check out her blog, she has great photos!)

This was from the "We are One" concert---

The day of the inauguration, we stood outside for 6 hours in the lines to get into the parade area. It was cold, but worth it.

People all over were giving out these signs! And when the black hawk helicopter flew over (with Bush inside) the entire crowd cheered!

The line was crazy---but we finally made it in right before Obama came by in his motorcade!

I don't have a picture of Obama, but I did see him!!! Check out my facebook page :)

It was so amazing to hang out with these guys! We sure bonded--- as a result of 6 hours in the cold and the joy of seeing OBAMA!!!!!

Sign of Abundance

Sign of Abundance, originally uploaded by incurable_hippie.

For the past few months the universe has been blessing me with an abundance of wonderful things.

And--I want to take a moment to be thankful...

First---I share this wonderful new house with Mike. A house that is beautiful, big and healthy :)

Second---I have such wonderful friends (and family) in my life. I am so very thankful that I have people in my life that love me for who I am.

Third--my dissertation is starting to roll again--so many students are responding to my call to be interviewed. And they seem so excited to help me!

Fourth---I believe in the power of abundance. I believe that life has so much to offer--and there are so many opportunities coming my way...to fill my life with wealth, love, happiness, joy etc.

It's a good day!

My New TV

So here is my new TV. Yes--I took the plunge and bought a LCD, 1080p, blah blah blah....

I didn't realize its power until I went through the channels yesterday---I stumbled on to the HD versions of the channels...OH MY GOSH...it is amazing...and in my living room!

Well---if you are lucky, you will get to come sit on my comfy couch and enjoy the magic too :)

We are on WBFO!

Today our StoryCorp interview was broadcasted on WBFO! This was the interview that my sister Jen and I did with my Mom.
Check it out: Margurite joined her daughters Diane Hardy and Jen Przynosch at StoryCorps for a frank discussion about her life as a nun.

Holiday Fun

Some pictures from Christmas....