update + funny puppy video!

First of all: finally, at loooong last I have finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, the third book in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series. I think you've probably seen my reviews on the first two installments, and I was less than impressed with them. I figured I ought to finish off the series though, considering the second book ends in the middle of some pretty good action.The third book follows Lisbeth Salander during her recovery from brain surgery and as she tries to prove her innocence in the crimes she was arrested for in the second book. She and Michael Blomkvist are ruthless in the tactics they use to bring down a corrupt secret political agency responsible for stealing years of Lisbeth's freedom and life from her. This book was my favorite of the three, and I'm glad I read the series so that I could have an opinion on them. Definitely not even on my Top 20 favorite books. And I'm proud to say I have now completed 7 books thus far in 2011. Beating my one book/month goal, which is good considering I'll be up to my ears in medical books come June! I'm sure I'll fall behind on my leisure reading soon enough...

As for my impending doom, I mean education opportunities...I am super nervous yet excited for what is to come! It is now May...which means I start school next month! June 1 I will start the path to become a Physician Assistant! All my textbooks have arrived, my order for medical equipment is in...eeeek!

Anyhoo. Stressful future-life-ahead-of-me aside...Tyler and I celebrated our wedding anniversary last week! He had a long day at the hospital {3rd year medical student on his neurology clinical rotation}, but when he got home we went to the gym and then went to Lala's Wine Bar & Pizzeria --- one of our favorite Denver restaurants! We love it there! Casual yet delicious, affordable yet divine! Mmmmm. The restaurant even comped our dessert since it was our anniversary :) Here are some pics from our date night out!

Wine flights for $12 --- yes please!

Cheese & Salami Plate. Salivating right now.

Also, a funny update on the puppy front. My coworker gave me an educational treat-dispensing toy for dogs. Her cute little pug didn't like it so much, so it was gifted to my furbabies! We originally thought Gryffin would be all over it, since he likes to be such a busy guy all the time...but turns out Penny was the one who was ALL ABOUT IT! Haha. She is obsessed. Here is a video of her playing with this toy for the second time.

I think she needs to go a few steps up on the difficulty level! Do any of you have toys like these for your dogs? Which brands/ones would you recommend? 

Hope you all are having a great start to May and I hope you all have very blessed weeks!

Cheers ---

my response to celebrating death

As I am sure you are all aware, tonight it was broadcasted as a special news alert that Osama Bin Laden, leader of the Al Qaeda, is dead. Responsible party: the USA. Tyler and I were just sitting down with our bowls of pasta for dinner when I turned on the TV to find this news alert. My initial response was just disbelief. It has been almost 10 years since September 11, 2001, the day that started a chain of events that have spiraled into more involvement/occupation of countries in the Middle East than I ever thought would happen. It was also because of that day that the name Osama Bin Laden became familiar to every American citizen. Over the years, he has come to be the face of terrorism. A name people say with hate and disdain.

No doubt, he was an awful man. Responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. Innocent people. Americans as well as people in his own country. Men, women, and children. It seems he did not really discriminate against who he killed. He caused more pain and suffering in this world than is imaginable. It is a good thing he will not have the ability to wreak havoc ever again.

However glad I am that he is unable to continue his "work", this moment is still bittersweet for me. I can't bring myself to celebrate triumphantly in the streets. I think we should only celebrate the beautiful and joyous occasions in life, categories of which death can never be a part of. I hope that Osama's death can allow for closure for those who lost family and friends to 9/11 and its aftermath. I hope that some can rest easier and that this can be a new beginning for peace to reign over terrorism.

However idyllic my sentiments are, I am not completely naive. I do realize that the death of this man does not mean that Al Qaeda will stop operating altogether. Terrorism will continue to exist in various forms across the world. And honestly, my first formed thought upon hearing of this death was, "What will their retaliation be?" 

I thought President Obama's speech in response to the news alert was wonderful. He spoke with pride and wisdom. Tonight, I am proud to be an American. But not because we killed a man.

 

As someone with multiple friends and a brother in service to the country, I recognize and honor the sacrifices individuals and families have made to fight for freedom and peace {as paradoxical as that very phrase is...}. I am thankful for the bravery of those who put their safety on the line to guarantee everybody else's. I could feel the collective sigh of relief American citizens breathed upon hearing the news, and I can only hope and pray that today's events mark a positive tomorrow.

That is all.

Sorry for the rambles, I just felt the need to share my thoughts :)

cheers.

Disclosures: I don't claim to be an expert in politics or the happenings of the war(s). I realize this is a very controversial topic, of which there are vastly differing opinions. Feel free to comment and share your opinion, but don't take this post as an opportunity to be rude to me for sharing mine. Thanks.