Happy Halloween

Greetings from me and Beans. He's Dogzilla :)
(Blue eyes are due to flash, *not* colored lenses.)

Mr. Big

Alas the day has come. Mr. Beans is no longer able to fit through the rise of my staircase. Able to do so two weeks ago, but as of yesterday? No luck. His belly's gotten too big!

Babysteps

Naughty pup decided to practice stair climbing while I showered. Pictured: Beans stuck on the second step of my stairs. He looks frightened as he obviously hadn't planned on getting himself back down...

New Look

How important is it that my sketches be accurate? Beans is growing at a rapid pace and his face is no longer blockhead-esque. His face is starting to look longer... Should I redesign him or should I continue to depict him as a blockhead?

Lapdog

Weighing in at roughly 20lbs, Beans is anything but a lapdog. He's a retriever! But hmm, I think the puppy's confused. He's been crawling onto my lap lately in hopes of receiving some bellyrubs. Oh no! I've created a monster...

Vroom!

The manfriend bought a new used car and it's pretty snazzy. I particularly like the dash. It's a convertible! Had never ridden one prior to last Sunday. Think Beans would enjoy a ride. Will need to wait until he's fully potty-trained though.

Overachiever

Beans does *this* seven times per day.
I have apparently landed myself an overachieving pup. Oh boy...

Heading On Up

Beans is slowly learning to climb the open-flight stairs in my home. They're very scary for (1) The rise per step is open; (2) They're wooden and are therefore a tad slippery for puppies. Beans has, however, been exhibiting much interest in making the trek up as he notices (1) Debra sleeps up there; (2) Yummy hotdog slices are often mysteriously left sitting along the steps; and (3) Being cooped up in the same old apartment can get dull. See above photo. Beans pressing his nose against the window pane. Awww. Melts my heart. And no, it's not that I'm a mean mommy denying her puppy of the pleasures of the great outdoors. Doctor said he cannot go out until he's fully vaccinated, and I'm just trying to do the right thing. Don't want a sick pup, that's all. I hope Beans understands.

Cherry Blossom

Lonely like me. The manfriend is never around. So lucky to have Beans keeping me company.

Shake It Up

It's Friday, and the weather here in San Fran is looooovely!!! Can't wait to get out!
Digging: Lady Sovereign's "Love Me or Hate Me." It makes me want to boogie.

Can't Wait...

For the weather to get chilly. Back in New York, I always looked forward to the unveiling of ear-flap hats as the winter season came about. Folks look so goofy when they wear them. But they make me smile...

W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G

When it comes to Beans, what you see is what you get. He is incapable of hiding his feelings. It's all in the tail. (He loooooves to chase his waggy tail.)

Love Bites

Despite the title of this entry, I have actually yet to bite Beans. He bites me all the time--but this is only because he's teething. The manfriend, on the other hand, has done so already. He is convinced that this method of training will work. Poor Beans.

Ghost(s)

Illustration Friday entry. Topic" Ghost
Sketch is one of myself with my new puppy, "Beans."
In case you cannot tell, we're ghosts.

Have a Happy Halloween, everyone.
Remember to consume lots of candy!!!

Doc, Beans. Beans, Doc

Beans' first visit to the vet. He was a VERY good boy. I think it was because he had his Froggy as company.

Smelly

Apologies for not posting these past few days. Haven't had much free time as I've been catering to the above-pictured 20 pound blob of fur who's been aptly named Beans. This puppy passes gas all the time! Havea couple of doodles to upload though. All inspired by the puppy, of course. Will try to post these sketches as soon as I get my scanner from the manfriend's place. And until I get my gadget back, enjoy the photos of my new forever-happy-to-see-you flatmate. He's growing at lightspeed!

Hello World

Welcome home, BEANS! The manfriend and I brought home our first choice puppy Thursday evening. Sweet and easy-going... He's so cute I want to eat him.

P.S. Happy Birthday, Madge!

Puppy-Puppy-Puppy

Oh my goodness, the puppy's coming home today!!! I'm soooooooooooooooo excited.

Need to Sleep

Twas a long day. This was all I could come up with. A stripping cupcake.

Smitten

Illustration Friday entry. Topic: Smitten.
I actually do this. Chase the manfriend while screaming "Say you need me! Say you need me!" Creepy? Yeah, I suppose so. But it's only because I care. Or er, because I'm smitten!

Please, Pretty Please

I ask and the magic 8 ball answers. "Better not tell you now." Hmm. I attended an info session for UC Berkeley's Haas MBA program last night. Am wanting to attend the program now more than ever. Will do whatever it takes to get my bottom in the door. Oh wait. I did that two years ago. Got my bottom in the door, was waitlisted, and then rejected. Not good enough. A poor fit. So perhaps I should rephrase? I will do whatever it takes to straight-up be offered admissions. Now if only I can figure out what "whatever it takes" is.

Crackerjack Prize

Beans, Boo, or Batman. The manfriend and I still don't know which puppy will be coming home with us. And we won't be in-the-know until this Thursday when we're picking up the puppy. Bummer? Yeah. The suspense is killing us...

Google Gummy

Pammy and I grabbed dinner together at a Red Robin this past Friday (accompanied by many others) and it was there that she presented me with a cup of worms. Noooo, not the nasty slimey kind, but the yummy gummy kind. But these weren't just any gummy worms. These were smiling! Leave it to Google to stock such cute sweets. Leave it to Pammy to discover them in the employee snack bar... Needless to say, these worms made a smashing debut...

But ooh, one last comment. A bit odd that their eyes and mouths are displayed on the top of their heads as opposed to their sides?

Another "gift" from Pams:
http://www.boratonline.co.uk/

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

You never know what you're gonna get...

Still waiting to hear back from the breeder as to which puppy the manfriend and I will be assigned. We feel like parents in line for adoption. While we were able to select the sex and breed of our future family member (male english labrador), all other traits were beyond our control.

The reality of the situation is that one of the three baby boys will be going on to be lead the life of a show dog. The remaining two will make up the pool from which our "normal" puppy will be chosen. Having met and seen photos of all three, the manfriend and I have concluded that "Red" (the pup that wears the red collar whom we've named "Boo) will most likely be the one to move on to pageant life. Which means either "Blue (the pup who's been wearing the blue collar whom we've named "Beans") or "Green" (the pup who's been wearing the green collar whom we've named "Batman") will be coming home with us a week from now.

It's a win-win situation, really. Both pups are adorable in their own ways. The two, however, share numerous differences. For starters, whereas Beans is sleek and slim, Batman is "big-boned." Whereas all the other pups boast smooth shiny coats, Batman sports a natural perm. A wild 'fro! Finally, whereas all the other pups are rambunctious and wild, Batman is very chill. Often sleeeeepy. Kind of moody, kind of sad. (See above photo.) The manfriend and I think he has self-esteem issues because everyone's been pointing at him and laughing at him since he was a teeny-tiny baby. Which explains why the manfriend and I have decided to address him by "Batman" if we are assigned him. A super name to boost his super low self-confidence. Will let you you all know who I get as soon as I know myself!

Two Is Better Than One

Good things come in pairs. Bread & butter, coffee & tea, shoes, even boobs. That said, starting next week, my bff (best friend forever) Pams, will become a contributing writer/illustrator/whatever on this blog. Cute, vivacious and ooh, did I mention shameless? Her input will surely be appreciated.Welcome, Pammy Pams!

Countdown

Ten days to go... yet the manfriend and I still don't know who we're taking home. Grr!
Pictured: Boo

Boo-Hoo

Despite being on call at the hospital (er, make that plural--hospitals) this entire weekend, the manfriend still managed to spend a bit of quality time with little ol' me. Our brief but lovely Sunday date took place at uber-romantic Costco. Upon arrival, we feasted on quarter-pound, condiment-loaded hotdogs, an endless stream of soda, and a single sugary churro. $4.34 footed the entire bill! Following the calorie-fest, the manfriend and I walked the aisles of the megastore and managed to leave toting a rotisserie chicken for dinner along with several other equally exciting purchases. Time spent with the manfriend can be a real rarity. Boooooooo.

P.S. Clarification. Above sketch is not one of a blob sporting a coned-shaped hat. Supposed to be one of a dropped ice-cream cone. Melting. Just in case you were wondering...

Trouble

Illustration Friday entry. Topic: Trouble
One of the fondest memories I have of my childhood is one involving my my dad and a giant cookie. I had come home from class one day having tasted "the-best-cookie-ever." A classmate's mother had baked us chewy peanut-butter cookies, and I desperately wanted to recreate the delicious treat. Always eager to please his favorite (read: only) daughter, my father offered to bake with me. Mind you, he's one, Chinese. And two, a man. The odds were against us from the start. Upon reaching the point at which cookie dough had been created, my father, not wanting to spend unnecessary time scooping and shaping each individual cookie, suggested that we bake one large cookie as opposed to many mini cookies. Not knowing any better, I thought, "This man is brilliant. This man is genius. The bigger the cookie, the better!" Yet what ultimately resulted was a colossal failure of a baked-good--burnt on the outside and raw on the inside. Apparently trouble comes to those who attempt to be too clever...

Quiet

My belated Illustration Friday entry. This week's topic: Quiet
I find it so nice to wake up in the morning all alone. The only sound to be heard being the whistle of my kettle as the water for my morning tea comes to a boil.

One Day at a Time

"Have You Begun Today What You Want to Be Tomorrow?"
Was browsing useless goods online when I laid eyes upon a mini notebook with the above quote embossed on top. Depressed me a bit as the cheesy quote got me thinking that I probably haven't been giving my career and/or life "my all" as of late and I really should start focusing once again. Grr. Thinking turns out to be an incredibly hazardous activity and I do not recommend it.

Loving: Ici's homemade ice-cream in Berkeley (they had rocky-road), my Puo-Puo (grandma--her birthday is today), Grey's coupled with Chinese take-out. Loathing: property tax payments (a kick in the balls--if I had balls), b-school application essays, notebooks with thought-provoking quotes.

Wednesday

The weekend's just around the corner...
Note: Sketch is of Pammy and me in Hawaii chillin' on our donut floaties. Water's hard to draw.

Woof.

These pups can get away with murder... that's just how cute they are.
Now five and a half weeks old, the litter's up and walking.
From top to bottom (the entire litter):
Beans (not his actual name) and kids (not mine).
Boo (not his actual name). He's a crybaby (but a very cute one).
Batman (not his actual name). Always sleepy. Always sweet.
Stanley (actual name). He's so fluffy he looks like a golden
Rosie (actual name). Only girl.