Tim Buys - the famous one

Todd's brother Tim, has recently had his 5 minutes of fame on many local websites and TV stations.

CNNmoney.com interviewed him about how he recently found his new job at an accounting firm in Springfield, IL using google maps. See the article here: http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/02/news/economy/hired_maps/index.htm?postversion=2009060212

Since then his story was featured on West Michigan's WoodTV8 News, and it has made it to 10 other websites. What a celebrity - congrats Tim.

Boston Friends

We were at a party for one of our friends in Boston last night, and it dawned on me how I am surrounded by incredibly intelligent and inspiring friends (including my amazing husband) who are doing great things. Here is a small sampling of what they do (which I will no doubt be simplifying):

• Genetic research on Cancer
  
• DNA research (very specific and groundbreaking, but honestly I didn't understand much of what he was saying)
• Clean Coal Energy - creates energy from coal with NO pollution and does not use water
• Many important public health issues - including sexually trafficking of women, where she is traveling to Nicaragua and Costa Rica for 4 weeks to research this topic
  
• Finance investments
• Real Estate investments
  
• Design engineer
• Social work
• Lawyer
• Endodontist
  
• And then me - the high school math teacher

Yet, they still know how to have a good time!!

Bunker Hill Bike Ride

We went on a bike ride today with some friends to the Bunker Hill monument in Chalestown (just north of the city across the Charles River). Todd and I have not explored this area of town but now that we have more time on our hands, so it was fun to ride along the Charles River, see the beautiful skyline of Boston and enjoy the amazing weather!
When we got to the monument we climbed the 249 twisty stairs to the top to see a great view of Boston.
Then we finished the afternoon off by sharing a smoothie - yum!

San Francisco & Napa in February

Below is a quick slide show with pictures of our trip to San Francisco. The weather was great after anticipating rain at first, and we appreciate Amit's hospitality.

Wednesday - Alcatraz, time in the city
Thursday - Napa
Friday - Biking to Sausalito from downtown via the Golden Gate Bridge! Also dinner at Kasa Indian Eatery (Mmmmmm! 5 stars!)
Saturday - Breakfast at Hobees and off to Santa Cruz! (Randomly running into Chris & Abby who we knew from Calvary Memorial in Oak Park, IL)
Sunday - diet coke and mentos??? ;-)

Gala

Last night we went to a Gala celebrating our church's 200th anniversary. It was a great night learning about the history of the church and spending time with friends. Just imagine 120 tables of 8-10 people singing the Doxology a capella - it was a great end to the night. God has truly blessed this church for 200 years and we pray He will continue to do so for another 200 years.

Raisins!!!

Todd found a great deal on raisins, so of course we bought them. After Todd's $10 free gift certificate 72 packages of Disney High School Musical raisins cost $1.08 (including shipping). Todd would also like to point out that the $10 has an opportunity cost, so it really cost $11.08 :-)

Studying

Todd passed the CFA level 1, but now he has to study for the CFA level II. He got a package with study materials, and included were these encouraging postcards to send to family and friends - real encouraging :)

They say:

My fashion sense is off








I sleep when I can









I feel like I'm in grade school again.









My dog is giving me the look.








Coffee is a food group.









I keep missing my bus stop.