Things I Learned From Our One-Year Anniversary

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything on my blog. Time flies when you're married! Let's see, a quick update from this last year... Married last February, lived in Pasadena until October, Dave got a call at a Presbyterian church in Richmond, VA, we moved, kept my job with Fuller and have been working remotely, and yes -- we officially celebrated our one-year anniversary last week!

On to the exciting stuff! We decided to take a cruise to the Bahamas for our anniversary on Royal Caribbean. We found a sweet deal that we couldn't refuse! So, off we went for a week. Upon our return, we went to Disneyworld and stayed with Dave's great aunt and uncle.

Here are some lessons I learned from our trip:

1. Older people reeeally like to cruise. Especially on Royal Caribbean during the weekdays.
2. A cruise ship feels like an ongoing earthquake.
3. The word "stateroom" does not at all imply what you're getting. It is neither the size of a state nor a room. It is a closet.
4. Having a "salsa night" at the club is a waste of good music on Royal Caribbean.
5. Dave is the best dance partner on "salsa night" -- he didn't care that no one else was dancing. Instead, he suggested that we "get the party started." (If a party refers to three other couples on the dance floor, we succeeded.)
6. Experiencing the touristy area in another country doesn't really count as an international experience to a cross-cultural studies grad.
7. $10 for a hot fudge sundae in the Bahamas (or anywhere, for that matter) is preposterous.
8. Fifty degree weather in Florida is an abomination. Especially at Disneyworld.
9. There are some really good nap spots in Epcot.
10. Former microbiologists who can't find a job in Florida work as food cashiers at Epcot.
11. Magic Kingdom's Pirates of the Caribbean sucks in comparison to Disneyland's.
12. People who have been married for a year have arguments about miscommunication.
13. People who have been married for 60 years still have arguments about miscommunication.
14. A Valentine's Day church dinner party with couples who have been married for 65 years is inspiring.
15. Sharing a room with twin beds on your anniversary makes for a funny story.

Just a few thoughts for now... On to the next adventure!

Easter, WestPres Style

It was a blur of a morning, but we managed to get to church on time for Easter service. We wound up sitting in the front row since the rest of the church was packed! I must say, although Paul's sermon was good, here's a small glimpse of how we will remember Easter 2010...

Easter wouldn't be complete without singers, dancers and Abe Lincoln!

The infamous "Happy Song" with beach balls! This guy was so fast, he's just a blur!

A Busy Day

What a wonderfully busy day - and with my favorite ladies! Jenn and I started out the morning by going to the Garment District in LA. She needed a few things for her upcoming wedding in May, and I was happy to oblige and take her on a downtown adventure. Here are a few things we saw...

To top off the day, we gave Jenn a bachelorette party! We celebrated her upcoming nuptuals with Josh in style, complete with homemade fondue, Color-Me-Mine, Cosmos and Pinkberry. :)

A Compliment Goes A Long Way...

...Especially in my office! Today, something was smelling absolutely yummy in the copy room (where we have a microwave), and sure enough, Magda was heating something that smelled simply delicious. It was lentil soup, she said. She even offered to give me the recipe so I could make it for Dave one of these days.

She insisted that I take a little bowl full, so I could try it out for myself. I made a feeble attempt of turning down her offer, I'll admit. So, she heated up a separate bowl and walked out for a minute. When the microwave stopped beeping, I took the bowl for myself and she met me in the hallway.

Here, she said. You'll need this to go with it! From one little (and very sincere) compliment, here's what my lunch consisted of today:

• Lentil soup
• Steak
• Crackers
• Marinated red bell pepper from Greece (meant to be eaten like a salad)

Palm Sunday

Ahhh, another Sunday at West Pres, and it didn't disappoint! We got to the early service thinking it would be quiet and peaceful. Dave immediately went for his coffee...

...And we were surprised to see a bunch of crazy kids getting ready for the Palm Sunday service.

Gotta love our church! The morning was topped off with Paul blessing the bikes from a local motorcycle gang! Most of them were visitors to our church, but the leader of the pack is a regular -- Barbara, an attorney by day, biker chick by weekend. She's probably my mom's age and owns a sweet bronze Harley Davidson. Awesome. :)

End of a Love Affair

I never thought I'd have to say this, but I'm afraid I must end our love affair. You see, you're not good for me anymore. You drive me insane with your delicious temptations, but it is I who suffer in the end. You tease me with sweet kisses in my office, but it's too much to handle. So I must ask you to go away. I simply don't know what I can do with you -- or without you.

It's so hard to write this to you. My heart is in this, but it's my head that's holding me back. I thought our love would last forever. I truly thought it was meant to be, with all your sweet, wholesome goodness... Still, the mere thought of you makes my mouth water.

It's not you. It's me. Go on and find another; I will be fine. In fact, I'll be all the better without you.

Always,

A Chocoholic

* A tearful goodbye letter written after I finally accepted the fact... I'm allergic to chocolate. *

 

Dreaming in Wonderland

Yesterday, I had a play date with our next door neighbor’s daughter, Emma, while Dave played Legos with Caleb. Since the boys wanted to do their own thing, we made a race for the play yard in our apartment complex. Who would have known that this little adventure would be like my very own trip to Wonderland? Within the hour, I met an entrepreneur, a teacher, a rapper, a chef – and their parents!

When we got there, one little guy was selling tangerines and “sprouts” from the playhouse. All we had to do was chuck up a few coins for some fruit, but neither of us came downstairs with any money. Luckily, he let us dip into his bag of coins so we could pay him for our yummy groceries. He didn’t mind sharing. According to him, he was rich. “I have a whole dollar in nickels, see???”

His sister, who was a couple years younger and holding her own little bowl of goodies (a mixture of animal crackers and coins), insisted that we listen to her. She wanted to tell us about how her brother started the store, and how her favorite thing was to jump rope. I’d say she was no more than three, but had the gift of gab – and loved giving me a play by play of everything going on. She even wanted to teach me how to peel my tangerine!

Near the end of our adventure, another little cutie patootie of a guy came out to play with us. He was at the age where formulating words were cool – and words that rhymed were even better! I’m not sure what he was rapping about, but I know he somehow made use of “Darth Vader” and “poo.” Snoop Dog had nothing on this kid.

All the while, Emma ran around the yard, making a lovely rock salad for us to eat. Unfortunately, her version of make-believe actually involved putting the rock salad in her mouth… Bleh! Luckily, I convinced her that going home for some real food was a pretty good idea.

We raced home, but I couldn’t help think – if only I were a hot air balloon pilot…