A (not so quick) Update.

Merry Christmas!

It's been a couple of insane weeks for us Yau's.

On the 14th, at 9.00 am, I presented my degree project in front of my adviser, a visiting designer, a number of other professors, and a few of my friends. I've devoted all of my energy and most of my time to RISD for the last two and a half years, and to my degree project for the past six months...and those 30 minutes on Friday morning were the most anti-climactic of my life. But I am done...and very happy for it.

After my presentation Herman picked me up and we spent the rest of the day packing, cleaning, and getting rid of things in our apartment. After our friend Larry arrived, we finally went to bed at 3.00 am, only to get up at 7.00 so that Dexter and I could catch our flight from Boston to San Francisco (we were on the new Beta Blue flight on Jet Blue - internet on a plane? Seriously? ). Herman and Larry then spent the entire day finishing up the apartment, and took off for New Haven (to my brother in laws) at 3.00 in the morning.

Luckily, the worst weather they encountered was from Providence to New Haven. They safely made the drive to California in 5 days. It's hard to believe that we are once again living in the Bay Area. I've had a permanent grin on my face since arriving. We're currently living with my in-laws until our town house is finished next month.

We went by the house on Sunday because we were told they were going to start laying the carpet...and that we wouldn't be able to go in again until our final walk through. I'm breaking with my normal format to bring you the last of the construction photos. The next time I post photos of the house, we'll be close to moving in!


A view of our front door and the big shared patio being built; it should be quite nice when they are finished. We're also lucky enough to have our very own private patio (some of the units share a stairway and patio).


We are so excited with how the subway tile back splash turned out. And when we were there this past Sunday, our appliances (dishwasher, gas stove, and microwave) had been delivered and installed.


Two different views of the main floor. We can't wait to have the paper removed from the floors so that we can see them in all their engineered hardwood glory. And one of my most favorite things in our house in the view out of the window above the front door. I will definitely be able to get used to that!


Our very own Mt. Everest. It's really impressive when you walk in the front door.


The master bedroom and sort of walk in closet.


A couple of years ago, Herman and I found a photo of a beautiful modern garage door in some newspaper. We tore it out and saved it for a future home...not knowing that our new home would come with its own beautiful modern garage door. Love it! That is, in fact, a two car garage. We get to have the joy of tandem parking...should be interesting.

A Few More!

Yesterday when I posted the photo, I didn't realize that Herman had actually taken a few more. So here they are!



1. Our front door and where our address will be...since they put in the wrong numbers.
2. The entry way (a half flight of stairs leading up to the first floor). That's our gorgeous dark wood floor peaking through!
3. Subway tile back splash in the kitchen. The stove and microwave will be in those spaces.
4. The master bathroom.

A Small Update

Herman is home one last time before we make the permanent move this coming weekend. He stopped by the house today and was super surprised to see that the wood floors have been laid, the kitchen countertops are in, the subway tile backsplash is put up, and the light fixtures are installed. Say what?!!!

My last full week here in Providence is insane. I've got to finish my degree project (I'm presenting at 9.00 am Friday morning), finish my last two assignments for Senior Studio (final crit on Tuesday morning), get some mock-ups of business cards done for Herman, and finish packing/cleaning/decluttering our apartment. I'm going to be so relieved on Saturday morning to climb on that plane in Boston, with Sir Dexter in tow, and fly away from all of this. It's been incredible, but I need to be done.

Until then, I'm keeping this photo open on my desktop, and reminding myself that in 5 1/2 days I'm finally moving back to California!



This photo is not the best...but it is pretty good for a camera phone, which is what it was taken with. When I get back this coming weekend I'm going to the house, and will take more photos.

Redecorating and Gratuitous Kitteh Shots.

So the really unbelievable thing is that in a little less than two weeks, Dexter and I will be on a plane home. Leaving Providence behind for good. It's crazy. And slightly sad. But mostly just exciting. Although there is a ton of stuff to get done before the 15th - including presenting my degree project and portfolio.

Which, speaking of my portfolio...hopefully within the next week, my website will be a fully operational portfolio website! I've decided though, not to link to my blog from the main site. But never fear my faithful 5 readers - I'm going to keep my blog running. Just make sure you type in the direct address to it: http://www.45walldesign.com/blog/.

And now for some photo fun:



1. Our living room as it has been for the last 2.5 years. Very comfortable.
2. Our living room after thanksgiving when my brother in law came up from New Haven and took the majority of our furniture. And yes, those are captains chairs. We're also sleeping on an air mattress. Très, très, classy
3. Our living room today, after we listed and sold the rest of our big items on Craigslist yesterday.
4-9. Gratuitous Kitteh shots. Blissfully unaware.