There she is. Isn't she a beauty? That's the gorgeous 2006 Pontiac G6 GT that was in our last posting, but it no longer sits at a dealership in Saratoga Springs, NY. It's ours! Sometimes, I can't believe we actually bought it. It's just the basic G6 GT design, but it has the addition of what's called the "Sun and Sound" package, meaning it has a 6 CD changer and that amazing panoramic sunroof. Wow! And with only 12,500 miles on it when we bought it, we just couldn't pass it up. Unfortunately, between now and when we drove it off the lot, we've been back up to the dealership three times in order to get our keychain remotes, replace a rear speaker, and install a backseat cupholder. Regardless, it's a great car and the first one Brett or I have ever purchased. We're happy that all our research paid off.
For my birthday this year, we took our NEW car on a trip to Watertown, MA to visit The Clark Institute. This art museum is truly a diamond in the rough, and it's only a quick hour's drive away from Albany. The Clark Institute houses the extensive art collection belonging to Sterling and Francis Clark. Their collection is huge and includes lesser known works from well known artists. Some of the pieces we saw include a painting called The Duck Pond by Monet, which really doesn't resemble many pieces from Monet's work. The large John Singer Sargent painting, called Fumée d'Ambre Gris (Smoke of Ambergris), was stunning. You can't really appreciate the quality of all the subtle white shades until you see it in person. Sargent's paintings are everywhere in the Boston Public Library. There was also a wonderful painting by Joseph Mallord William Turner, who is one of my favorites. I don't really know why I like his paintings so much. They are usually about war or a sinking ship, but Turner has this strange was of being able to convey deep feelings through color. I loved his Slave Ship, which is in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. So when I saw Rockets and Blue Lights at the Clark, I was excited to simply stand in front of another of his paintings. The Clark also has an extensive collection of Renoir paintings. They are his less popular works, but I think you can really get to know the artist through theses paintings. I know I had a great time. Brett is so patient with me, especially in art museums!
After spending some time at The Clark, we walked around downtown Watertown, which consists of about two short blocks, and ate a late lunch at a small sushi restaurant. We then drove through Bennington, VT and headed home. It was a great birthday!
Work has been going well. Brett is still sitting in the hangar here in Albany waiting for his plane to be fixed before flying at least one round trip this week. I actually expect him home in about an hour. They usually end up cancelling his flights when this happens. Good news on his front though. One of his fellow first officers, who is only a few spots higher than him in seniority, is on the upgrade list and will be moving on to a captain position in late May or early June. That means Brett should be moving up soon after him. YEAH! So now it's a waiting game.
My job has been going well. The office is still getting used to me, and I'm still trying to figure out the dynamic. I've been working a lot with a local printer, which has been fun. I can't say that I 100% enjoy this job, but it works for now. I've learned a lot in the few weeks that I've been there, and I'm sure things will get better as time goes by. My freelance work has been picking up. I pretty much go to work during the day, come home, make dinner, and work on freelance in the evenings. A display company near NYC has hired me to do some work for them. Sarah Bauer is currently working on her second album, so a new CD and website design will be coming soon. I still have some work to do on Carla's Mary's Psalter website, plus some designs to do for the summer vacation bible school that she's running. Never a dull moment here. The great thing is that I'm able to pay my school loans with all this freelance work!
We should be having some company in the grand city of Albany soon. Grant said he's headed up to the GE offices in Schenectady for two weeks and it planning to come see us. Trent is going to fly up for a weekend while he's working in DC for the month of April. Brett's parents are planning to visit some time. And we may even have a visit from one of Brett's former Pan Am students who was just hired on at SkyWest Airlines.
Brett and I are headed to Lafayette from April 13-15. Andy Korty is getting married, and Brett and I are doing the photography for his wedding. STRESS! I've shot all sorts of live events, and Brett used to shoot at college dances all the time. Neither of us have ever taken photos at a wedding before, so it's going to be a real experiment. Between the two of us, we have three cameras - one digital and two film. Brett has the equipment for it, so at least we'll look like we know what we're doing! Andy's really taking a chance on us. Consequently, we aren't charging him a dime. It's good experience for both Brett and me, and now we don't have to go shopping for a wedding present!
The BIG NEWS on the Suppinger front is...drumroll....Aaron and his family are moving to West Lafayette. Laurie has always wanted to move to Indiana, and now they have a chance. Aaron got a new job with Butler International, a small engineering design firm that does contract design for Sikorsky helicopters. They have already sold their house in Seattle and they are looking for a house in Lafayette. Aaron starts his new position as a lead designer on March 29. The whole family is flying in to Indy on March 27, and they are planning to stay with my parents until they find a house. It will be so nice to go home to visit and be able to see the entire family!
That's the latest update on our front!
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