Awesome Astronomy Observing Tonight!

Awesome and fantastic night of astronomy observing at Powell Observatory tonight! I saw...M13 (the Great Globular Cluster), Venus, Big Dipper, Ring Nebula, M22 (elliptical globular cluster), Saturn, Andromeda galaxy, M17 Swan nebula (it looked 3D!), M110 (near Andromeda Galaxy), M15 globular cluster, Arcturus, Milky Way, NSC457, Gamma Delphini (double star), M71 (globular cluster in the constellation Sagitta), Dumbbell Nebula, Polaris (double star), Gamma Cass (double star), a shooting star, and NGC-7331. 

You're Already Cool

Most everyone has an interesting life. It’s just a matter of recognizing and celebrating the “coolness” you already are.

Powell Observatory & Star Parties

My fiancé, Leif, showing a new astronomer how to use his telescope (last night's Parkville star party at the H.M.S. Beagle science store). And photo below that is of him giving a presentation of what was up in the sky. Tonight we are going down to Powell Observatory. Come join us! It's down in Louisburg, KS and open to the public. Presentation (in an air conditioned classroom) starts at 8pm and is about Mars. Followed by looking through the 30 inch telescope as well as many other scopes on the field.  http://www.askc.org/powell.htm

My Work Life

My wild, crazy, exciting work life as a mainframe computer programmer. Snapped this photo during yesterday's meeting. My co-workers look so serious. : ) Honestly? I love my job. It's never boring and makes me think. I get to not only program but do the business side as well. Best of both worlds. Plus I get to work with those from other countries. How cool is that?

Parkville Days Fair

Photos are of my friends and my little town,  Parkville Missouri. All taken from atop of a Ferris wheel today at the Parkville Days fair. Total blast.  : )

Bangkok Co-workers

Excellent lunch with our visiting Bangkok co-workers, Chut and Lek, at Nara's this afternoon. Yum...loved my bento box. : )

Fabulous Birthday

Wonderful birthday today! Fiancé surprised me with dinner at Jasper's, an Italian restaurant, tonight. Thank you, Leif!

Boss brought into work adorable cupcakes and yummy cookies! Thank you, Tricia!

Sharon gave me a Bonsai plant for my desk at work. It's adorable!

My ex-brother-in-law gifted, over Facebook, a Starbucks gift card. Perfect!

This is all on top of the fabulous early birthday my family gave me last month. We had celebrated early as both our girls were about to go off to college the end of July. 

I have a very blessed life and am so grateful for all my friends and family. It's times like these you're reminded to be thankful and appreciative of the life you are blessed with.

Lilly's Physical Therapy

Lilly's first physical therapy session went well this morning. They had her in the water tank & everything. Six more sessions to go!

Bright New Nova!

Tonight we saw a bright new nova in Delphinus! Used Leif's 9x63 binoculars and was able to see it despite the light pollution in our area. Magnitude 4.5 and easily the brightest object between Delphinus and Sagitta. Very cool! Check out this article on how to find it in the night sky. http://www.universetoday.com/104103/bright-new-nova-in-delphinus-you-can-see-it-tonight-with-binoculars/

Awesome Day

Most excellent day.

Started off by lunch being provided by our office for a job well done from the best BBQ place in Kansas City: Jack Stack BBQ.

In the evening we meditated for 30 minutes with visiting Buddhist monks at the Rime Buddhist Center. Their chants were so beautiful and relaxing. 

Rounded off the night with a walk along the Missouri River with Leif and pooch at our favorite park.

Relaxing and awesome day.

H.M.S. Beagle

Took this photo last Friday. Love the beautiful selection of glassware at my favorite science store. H.M.S. Beagle is my geek dream. They also have chemicals, elements, telescopes, microscopes…everything! I literally spend hours just reading through their selection of books and drooling over their telescopes (I’ve bought two from there).

Buddhist Monks

Buddhist monks making butter sculptures (with Playdoh for the kids) at Rime Center's Family Night with the Monks.

The monks making a mandala with the children and parents tonight at the Buddhist center's Family Night.

Farmer's Market

Goodies and baked yummies we picked up this morning at Parkville's farmer's market. Already munching on the bread and jam for lunch. Yum...

Science Store and Meteor Shower

Hanging out with Leif at the H.M.S. Beagle science store in Parkville, Missouri. Checking out the telescopes and all the other cool, geeky stuff they have. This place is a geek's dream. :) It's where I got my 10 inch Dobsonian telescope. Now I want more accessories. Planetarium, filters, star map.... Right now considering a case for the mammoth scope. Don't forget, everyone, to check out the Perseids meteor shower this Saturday and Sunday night!

Lunchtime and Downtown Kansas City

Late lunch at work in a quiet break room, reading the book "The Pragmatic Programmer". View is of downtown Kansas City.

Meditation

My simple Buddhist shrine where I meditate. Alex gave me the golden building at the bottom right for my birthday years ago.