Today Jim and I wasted our precious day off moving. Well actually I worked a little before I started moving my things to my lovely aunt and uncle's home in Bothell. They have graciously took me in and I think it will be a good thing for sure as they are some of my favorite people in this world, not to mention I will be closer to Jim, Jobs, future mother-in-law whom I adore, and school. So ultimately it is a good thing.
I just think I get overwhelmed with moving and boy do I have a lot of books. Books everywhere. Which equals heavy stuff and many boxes. My dear friend Diana helped me out with a ton of boxes which I promptly filled with books and now need some more. The good thing is I have about a week to do it the bad news is I have to make another trip to Selah to storage to store all my stuff!
Jim helped me with all the big things with the services of my mother's big red van, aka Fire Engine. It got that name, not because it was red and big but because my sister in the seventh grade was mortified to be seen in it and one day when she was dropped off at school the van had been pulling a garden hose behind it dragging it the entire 5 miles to school.
Anyway, so I'm moving! Bitter and Sweet at the same time. I will miss my Aunt I live with now tremendously. Her cooking, her funny stories, and her all around funness. She will be missed but won't be too far away!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Just some lyrics I like!
Happy Holidays everyone! This is my favorite Christmas Hymn
Historical Note: This hymn was written during the American civil war, as reflected by the sense of despair in the next to last stanza. Stanzas 4-5 speak of the battle, and are usually omitted from hymnals: The poetry of this renowned carol was crafted by the great American literary figure, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), in the midst of the American Civil War. On Christmas Day in 1863, Longfellow wrote the familiar lines in response to the horror of the bloody fratricidal conflict in general and to the personal tragedy of his son, Lieutenant Charles Appleton Longfellow, who was severely wounded in November 1862.
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn, the households born
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Historical Note: This hymn was written during the American civil war, as reflected by the sense of despair in the next to last stanza. Stanzas 4-5 speak of the battle, and are usually omitted from hymnals: The poetry of this renowned carol was crafted by the great American literary figure, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), in the midst of the American Civil War. On Christmas Day in 1863, Longfellow wrote the familiar lines in response to the horror of the bloody fratricidal conflict in general and to the personal tragedy of his son, Lieutenant Charles Appleton Longfellow, who was severely wounded in November 1862.
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn, the households born
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Witty vs. Funny
There are certain people in my life that bring out the funny in me. I don't know why but somehow around these people I am witty when usually people and myself included would not describe me as witty. However, these certain people also find me hilarious which is kind of funny to me because I'm not. I'm mostly surrounded by funny people which is the way it has always been. But when I get around Enrique (you know who you are), Jim my fiancee, Kyle F., Sara & Brady M., Karine W., or Chelsey S., we have a grand ole time laughing it up! Not to be confused with the word "fun." I am certainly fun! But Funny goes to my friends and relatives: Carren, Laura, Leah S., Mary, Kyle S., Graham, Kacey, Damon, Carly or Uncle Nate, just to name a few. And there are other people in which I am exactly the opposite, unfunny, as can be. Namely, when I am around my brother, sister-in-law, Uncle Nate, Dad, Tayler, Whitney. Oh wow, they are all family members! Perhaps, because they are all so witty and I just clam up and can't even crack a joke let alone tell one correctly. And then there is Jim. Jim always gets this surprised look on his face when I actually come up with something witty. Now I know people have different definitions of funny and I've been throwing "witty" out there too. I know I can be funny (mostly it is made up of people laughing at me and I'm okay with that) and it is very rare when I'm witty except when I am around those mentioned above. So to all the funny people out there I applaud your efforts. Keep making me laugh. I need it!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Miracle or Hard Work?
There is a cool story behind this bloom of an orchid. Four years ago my aunt went to Hawaii and smuggled this orchid plant back on the plane somehow. Each year she was telling it to bloom and each year it would refuse. Also with each passing year she was getting more annoyed and threatening to throw it out. But she didn't and now in the fourth and almost final year it has miraculously bloomed. That has got to be some faith or love to the plant who taunted her for four years. I for one would have kicked it to the curb long ago but no, my aunt, kept on believing that it would bloom. And bloom it has!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
From my Dad!
Hayley, maybe you could forward this to those involved on my behalf.
____________________________________________________________
To my true friends,
This email is a hard line to draw. saying thank you is easy, admitting I need this kind of attention is not.
I have a bad habit of not sharing my faults, not even with myself. Although I know they show to everyone else.
In recent months, the realization that I could no longer continue my life by myself became real.
It was like a nagging pain that became noticeably worse every day. actually, every hour of every day.
Maybe everyone reaches this infamous place in their life. however, for me, it was unfamiliar territory.
In physics, nothing can stop the law of gravity.
As Emmylou so eloquently sang, "you keep on falling because their is no bottom". I was so there.
A place where every aspect of life was in a freefall. It is a terrifying place to find yourself. Still is.
That's when Hayley called suggesting a fast. Bless her heart. I didn't even tell her what was going on in my life.
So I thank her, and each of you for your thoughtful act on my behalf.
I love you all. I may be out of site and mind, but i think of you all more than you can imagine.
Right now I am truly grateful for your love and faith. Words cannot describe.
What a great gospel plan we have been given here on Earth.
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Love,
Mathew
____________________________________________________________
To my true friends,
This email is a hard line to draw. saying thank you is easy, admitting I need this kind of attention is not.
I have a bad habit of not sharing my faults, not even with myself. Although I know they show to everyone else.
In recent months, the realization that I could no longer continue my life by myself became real.
It was like a nagging pain that became noticeably worse every day. actually, every hour of every day.
Maybe everyone reaches this infamous place in their life. however, for me, it was unfamiliar territory.
In physics, nothing can stop the law of gravity.
As Emmylou so eloquently sang, "you keep on falling because their is no bottom". I was so there.
A place where every aspect of life was in a freefall. It is a terrifying place to find yourself. Still is.
That's when Hayley called suggesting a fast. Bless her heart. I didn't even tell her what was going on in my life.
So I thank her, and each of you for your thoughtful act on my behalf.
I love you all. I may be out of site and mind, but i think of you all more than you can imagine.
Right now I am truly grateful for your love and faith. Words cannot describe.
What a great gospel plan we have been given here on Earth.
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Love,
Mathew
Monday, December 7, 2009
Seahawks Game
A few weeks ago Karen and Jim took Tayler and I to our first Seahawks game. Jim and Karen have 4 season tickets and so it was great fun to see all the regulars at the games. However, I was in so much shoulder pain and on so much drugs that still didn't even touch the pain that I tried to enjoy myself as best I could but seriously have never been in that much pain before...well in a long time anyway.
So we were playing Arizona and we just got creamed! So much so, that Karen and Jim both suggested we leave at the start of the 3rd quarter. Now, Karen and Jim are very much like me in that we don't leave early from games EVER, we stay and support out team. But we had been playing horribly and they were just sick to their stomachs about how terribly we were doing and I think they knew how much pain I was in by the evidence of tears on my face. So we said the next score by AZ and we are out and 5 seconds later that happened!
We still had lots of fun pregame! So here are some pics of that!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tay Tay grows up
Here are some pictures of Tayler moving into her dorms at University of Washington! I felt special that I got to be the actual one moving her in. They put a "dork" flag on our car and everything, kind of like the dork dot you get when you go into the MTC. So after we moved her in to the tiniest dorm I ever saw and met Kim her cool roomate, we left and went to the LDS institute building and got her in a ward and everything! So as Tayler goes out into the world her two sisters will be right here in Seattle with her! Hurray!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A Fast for my Dad
Sunday I am asking for your strength and prayers for my dad. He lives alone and is going through some things right now and is desperately trying to get back on track. I've talked with him and offered that I post this on my blog so that we could hold a fast for him. He wasn't sure about the idea but I said the more the merrier and he agreed.
For some reason, next to prayer, fasting has always been my go to thing. For one, it gives us something to fast for on fast Sunday and two it just seems to have this power connected to it and I always feel the spirit stronger on those days. The fast will be held this Sunday, December 6th.
Please pray for him that he can have enough strength to get through this trying time and bounce forward from it. My dad has a lot of strength but it is always nice to have an extra push when you are starting something that seems very intimidating, especially with Satan lurking about.
I love you Dad!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Seattle Half Marathon Finisher!
So Sunday I walked a half marathon. I really don't know what I was thinking. I had trained for three months off and on, nothing spectacular. It was haunting me for months and I just dreaded it. But I had three goals, well two really. The first was to just finish it and trust me I really didn't think I would be able to. The second was to not get last or not be the last walker. Third, I actually did have a goal to walk twenty minute miles finishing with a four hour and twenty minute goal. Then I set another goal realistically giving me another hour! So to finish walking 13.1 miles in about five hours.
So here are some things I recall about the race (good and bad)
1. People were not cheering for me but rather the runners racing pass me and lapping me a second time. Obviously they are the hard core ones and I felt like an idiot a lot of the times just walking.
2. I distinctly remember on mile 5 thinking "why do people do these things?"
3. An old woman passing me on mile 10 with two canes! Yes that's right! Kind of funny now...or not.
4. Intense pain at mile 11 and seriously thought of quitting.
5. Jim coming to my rescue and walking the last half mile with me as I was limping in my right foot from mile 10 to mile 13. He knew I was about to lose it.
6. Jim knowing I could finish.
7. The cancer patients that we were raising funds for made me cry as they had their pictures posted along the route...or it could have been from pain.
8. The rush I got from people handing me water and gatorade and I would take it drink some squish the cup and throw it just like a true marathon expert.
9. The nice views of the men who would run past me with their shirts off (I'm being honest here)!
10. The adrenaline in the first 4 miles walking down fifth ave.
11. The sense of accomplishment I felt when crossing the finish line and getting my medal and beating my original goal time by ten minutes (four hours and ten minutes) despite not being able to walk today.
I now can answer my second observation question, "why do people do these things?" The feeling of doing it alone was great. Would I do it again? It was like that time I went to Punxatawney to see the Groundhog come out in Pennsylvania. Glad I did it, probably won't do it again for a long long time. But hey if you ask me to walk for a couple of hours with you I totally can! Six miles is cake now!
In all honesty, it was very hard to do all that mileage at once. I am glad I had Karen and Jim cheering me on, those two are hard core! My future Mother-in-Law ran it in two hours and forty-seven minutes. I won't give away her age but she is almost double my age. She's awesome! I was so glad Jim finished with me as I was limping and he just walked along knowing I could do it. My love for him quadrupled that day! At one point I called him up and said I am the last walker and then when he came and found me at the end he said there are tons of walkers behind you. BUt I was alone for the last 2 miles with no walkers in site...that is until Jim pointed them out behind me. Way behind me. I wasn't last! I finished it! And I finished it ten minutes under my ambitious goal! Though I am still dead two days later. :)
PS-the pics are scare of me because well I decided not to wear makeup! Sorry beware!
So here are some things I recall about the race (good and bad)
1. People were not cheering for me but rather the runners racing pass me and lapping me a second time. Obviously they are the hard core ones and I felt like an idiot a lot of the times just walking.
2. I distinctly remember on mile 5 thinking "why do people do these things?"
3. An old woman passing me on mile 10 with two canes! Yes that's right! Kind of funny now...or not.
4. Intense pain at mile 11 and seriously thought of quitting.
5. Jim coming to my rescue and walking the last half mile with me as I was limping in my right foot from mile 10 to mile 13. He knew I was about to lose it.
6. Jim knowing I could finish.
7. The cancer patients that we were raising funds for made me cry as they had their pictures posted along the route...or it could have been from pain.
8. The rush I got from people handing me water and gatorade and I would take it drink some squish the cup and throw it just like a true marathon expert.
9. The nice views of the men who would run past me with their shirts off (I'm being honest here)!
10. The adrenaline in the first 4 miles walking down fifth ave.
11. The sense of accomplishment I felt when crossing the finish line and getting my medal and beating my original goal time by ten minutes (four hours and ten minutes) despite not being able to walk today.
I now can answer my second observation question, "why do people do these things?" The feeling of doing it alone was great. Would I do it again? It was like that time I went to Punxatawney to see the Groundhog come out in Pennsylvania. Glad I did it, probably won't do it again for a long long time. But hey if you ask me to walk for a couple of hours with you I totally can! Six miles is cake now!
In all honesty, it was very hard to do all that mileage at once. I am glad I had Karen and Jim cheering me on, those two are hard core! My future Mother-in-Law ran it in two hours and forty-seven minutes. I won't give away her age but she is almost double my age. She's awesome! I was so glad Jim finished with me as I was limping and he just walked along knowing I could do it. My love for him quadrupled that day! At one point I called him up and said I am the last walker and then when he came and found me at the end he said there are tons of walkers behind you. BUt I was alone for the last 2 miles with no walkers in site...that is until Jim pointed them out behind me. Way behind me. I wasn't last! I finished it! And I finished it ten minutes under my ambitious goal! Though I am still dead two days later. :)
PS-the pics are scare of me because well I decided not to wear makeup! Sorry beware!
Monday, November 30, 2009
WW: Week 10?
So I am down another half a pound. I didn't reach my November goal of reaching my 5% goal but I am now one pound away from it. So perhaps next week. Not bad for Thanksgiving week though! And walking the half marathon probably helped too (that will be another entry entirely). So here is a song that is supposed to be sung to "Oh Christmas tree" to inspire you for the holidays!
Oh Pumpkin Pie by Susan K Benjamin
Oh, pumpkin pie! Oh, pecan pie! How filling and caloric!
Oh, chocolate cake! Oh, breakfast bake! How fatteningly tragic!
Once I was slim in summertime, but now I'm lost in food sublime
The treats are everywhere and I'm much tempted by their magic!
Oh, cookie sweet! Ohm fugge complete! It seems a shame to waste it!
Oh, crackers, cheese! Oh, roll-ups, please! Can hardly waist to taste it!
Once I had trim waistline. but now my tummy's over-dined.
My tummy aches, and yet I pine for turkey when I taste it!
Oh, taco chips! Oh, chocolate chips! I snack on dough, pot-licker!
Oh, topping whips! Oh, veggie dips! I'm eating more and quicker!
My toes are lost below the sight of belly weight much over height!
Yes, Weight Watchers will know my plight, I know I'm getting thicker!
Oh, high fat foods! Oh season's moods! We have such great traditions!
More calories! More drama, please! And each year more ambitions!
Our houses clean with much decor, our families loving evermore,
Our children grateful, pleased for sure, And charities fine missions!
Oh, read and green commercial scene, it's everywhere with caroling
Would I be mean to ask for lean when I eat out while shopping?
Do you suppose that Auntie Grace would get her nose bent out of place
or Grandma B would lose some face if they tried lower fat on something?
Oh, what if I could give a try to eat less food this season?
Still have some treats, but waaay less eats, is this committing treason?
I'll still enjoy the season's joy, but skip the fats that do annoy.
I'll miss the high caloric ploy? My health is good reason!
Oh Pumpkin Pie by Susan K Benjamin
Oh, pumpkin pie! Oh, pecan pie! How filling and caloric!
Oh, chocolate cake! Oh, breakfast bake! How fatteningly tragic!
Once I was slim in summertime, but now I'm lost in food sublime
The treats are everywhere and I'm much tempted by their magic!
Oh, cookie sweet! Ohm fugge complete! It seems a shame to waste it!
Oh, crackers, cheese! Oh, roll-ups, please! Can hardly waist to taste it!
Once I had trim waistline. but now my tummy's over-dined.
My tummy aches, and yet I pine for turkey when I taste it!
Oh, taco chips! Oh, chocolate chips! I snack on dough, pot-licker!
Oh, topping whips! Oh, veggie dips! I'm eating more and quicker!
My toes are lost below the sight of belly weight much over height!
Yes, Weight Watchers will know my plight, I know I'm getting thicker!
Oh, high fat foods! Oh season's moods! We have such great traditions!
More calories! More drama, please! And each year more ambitions!
Our houses clean with much decor, our families loving evermore,
Our children grateful, pleased for sure, And charities fine missions!
Oh, read and green commercial scene, it's everywhere with caroling
Would I be mean to ask for lean when I eat out while shopping?
Do you suppose that Auntie Grace would get her nose bent out of place
or Grandma B would lose some face if they tried lower fat on something?
Oh, what if I could give a try to eat less food this season?
Still have some treats, but waaay less eats, is this committing treason?
I'll still enjoy the season's joy, but skip the fats that do annoy.
I'll miss the high caloric ploy? My health is good reason!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
What are you thankful for?
I have been thinking about this a lot this morning. There are so many things to be thankful for even when things aren't quite going your way. For one, my fiancee Jim, who is ever supportive when it comes to me and my melt downs with school. I am also thankful for his mother who is so playful and keeps me laughing. My family and friends are also at the top of my list especially lately as I've been a basket case and we have kind of leaned on each other for support. I'm grateful that my sisters are so close to me and I get to see them on a regular basis now. I'm also thankful for baked cheetos! :)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
It has been bought
The wedding dress.
My mom and I went shopping last night and this morning she called me and said go take your sister right now and try your three favorite on and pay the deposit. And so I did. It has really finally hit me, I'm getting freaking married! And am so ecstatic. When I tried the dress on I kept thinking about Jim and what he will think. I just wish it was here but am taking small little joys in planning. I'm just now really starting to get into it. For example I stayed up way to late looking on all the wedding sites for silk leaves and aisle runners, etc. It's getting fun kids! And the wedding dress is superb. It was more formal than I originally wanted but it just doesn't matter it is beautiful from every angle and I love it.
My mom and I went shopping last night and this morning she called me and said go take your sister right now and try your three favorite on and pay the deposit. And so I did. It has really finally hit me, I'm getting freaking married! And am so ecstatic. When I tried the dress on I kept thinking about Jim and what he will think. I just wish it was here but am taking small little joys in planning. I'm just now really starting to get into it. For example I stayed up way to late looking on all the wedding sites for silk leaves and aisle runners, etc. It's getting fun kids! And the wedding dress is superb. It was more formal than I originally wanted but it just doesn't matter it is beautiful from every angle and I love it.
Monday, November 23, 2009
WW: update
I am down over 10 pounds! yeah! I still can't see it but I'm down. I am almost to my 5% goal. I hope to be there by next Monday but not entirely sure. I am soooo close!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Window Walking
So tonight I had to walk ten miles so I decided to do it at the mall because it was cold and windy outside. I got there at 5:45 and while everyone else went to see a movie I walked and walked and walked. Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked. Except I didn't feel like a pioneer child.
You know when you are trying to be real good and not spend any money and you've been like that forever and you just want to buy like even something for one dollar just to make you feel better. Well, after all that walking in and out of stores you really start to notice stuff you want (see below). But since you don't have a wallet on you and even if you did you couldn't really afford anything you keep walking. Then the mall is only so big you keep walking around again and again and again and it eats at you...that wanting to spend.
Now at this particular mall there is a target on one end so I literally walked up and down every single aisle as I had to keep up a certain pace as well, which is kind of quite difficult when the mall is filled with tweeners and gang bangers. At one point I seriously thought that someone would open fire on the mall but to my surprise it didn't happen. Thankfully.
Notes for next time, don't walk in a mall on a Saturday night that has a theatre attached with the opening weekend of New Moon and Blindside. It equals chaos personified. Anyway, window walking sucks.
You know when you are trying to be real good and not spend any money and you've been like that forever and you just want to buy like even something for one dollar just to make you feel better. Well, after all that walking in and out of stores you really start to notice stuff you want (see below). But since you don't have a wallet on you and even if you did you couldn't really afford anything you keep walking. Then the mall is only so big you keep walking around again and again and again and it eats at you...that wanting to spend.
Now at this particular mall there is a target on one end so I literally walked up and down every single aisle as I had to keep up a certain pace as well, which is kind of quite difficult when the mall is filled with tweeners and gang bangers. At one point I seriously thought that someone would open fire on the mall but to my surprise it didn't happen. Thankfully.
Notes for next time, don't walk in a mall on a Saturday night that has a theatre attached with the opening weekend of New Moon and Blindside. It equals chaos personified. Anyway, window walking sucks.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
I'm a loser
I have about 30 friends that have blogs. And when I procrastinate I tend to peruse them, however no one has updated theirs in quite awhile so here I sit twiddling my thumbs waiting for updates. I'm such a loser.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Jim vs.the giant Tumbleweed
I think Jim won! He had to move it a few times out of the way as it kept blowing back into my dad's long driveway!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
3 jobs and counting...
So I have another job from January to April. Tack it up to being insane, but someone has to pay the bills for the wedding. I'm just a grader for an assessment course but hey it pays!
Perhaps the most productive day ever!
Got up walked 6 miles
Ran errands
Dyed my hair
Wrote a paper (not quite finished yet)
Disinfected the bathroom
Cleaned bedroom/dust/vacumm
Talked with my brother for an hour
Took care of iTunes music! I have music again!
Laundry
Cleaned out desk
Wrote in my blog
Read some research
Scored some tests
Planned for tomorrow for practicum
Tookall out garbage in the house
Packed for being gone tomorrow night
Cleaned kitchen
Planned some wedding stuff
Paid some bills
Will watch the CMA awards
Redid entire closet (will have to hold off until the weekend, sad)
Ran errands
Dyed my hair
Wrote a paper (not quite finished yet)
Disinfected the bathroom
Cleaned bedroom/dust/vacumm
Talked with my brother for an hour
Took care of iTunes music! I have music again!
Laundry
Cleaned out desk
Wrote in my blog
Read some research
Scored some tests
Planned for tomorrow for practicum
Tookall out garbage in the house
Packed for being gone tomorrow night
Cleaned kitchen
Planned some wedding stuff
Paid some bills
Will watch the CMA awards
Redid entire closet (will have to hold off until the weekend, sad)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Bad News Bears
Today I got home from being at Mr. Rainier for the weekend. It was nice to get away from the tv, phone, and computer. My sisters and I stayed at my Mom's place she has up there and literally slept, watched West Wing, read, and played a game of boggle. We also got to hang out with my aunty who lives up there!
But when I got back tonight I had an 8 mile walk to do on my treadmill and it up and quit on me! I am SO BUMMED. I was going to test out my new shoes and everything. Now I have to hold off walking until Wednesday!
I am so behind here!
But when I got back tonight I had an 8 mile walk to do on my treadmill and it up and quit on me! I am SO BUMMED. I was going to test out my new shoes and everything. Now I have to hold off walking until Wednesday!
I am so behind here!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
2 years and counting...
Yesterday was Jim and I's second anniversary. We started dating two years ago on election day in Chicago. That is where we officially reconnected. I was there on a business trip from DC and he came to see me from Seattle. I can't say that it was love at first sight because I met him in elementary school but I did fall for him there. Then two months later I drove across the country in December to try to give it a go. And go it has!
Last night was pretty low key. I came from class and he had brought home a pizza and even got my favorite root beer which I only eat with pizza. I definitely ate into my extra points but that was okay! We got each other scrabble, skip-bo, and dominoes for our anniversary along with a basketball and he got me new walking shoes for the half marathon. We played skip-bo and then I was off to my house to do some studying. It was a nice quiet evening and that is just how I like it.
I love you Jim Owen!
Last night was pretty low key. I came from class and he had brought home a pizza and even got my favorite root beer which I only eat with pizza. I definitely ate into my extra points but that was okay! We got each other scrabble, skip-bo, and dominoes for our anniversary along with a basketball and he got me new walking shoes for the half marathon. We played skip-bo and then I was off to my house to do some studying. It was a nice quiet evening and that is just how I like it.
I love you Jim Owen!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
WSASP conference
I attended the Washington State Association for School Psychologists conference in Spokane last week and into the holiday weekend. I networked as I'm trying to find the perfect internship. I presented as I'm trying to build a resume and I skipped a lot of boring classes and hung out with all my school friends! They weren't boring per se they were not new to us as students. We get the most updated info. in school and so we knew a lot of it, this was more for those psychs that have been practicing for years and have no idea what's going on to some extent. My favorite professor won the most prestigious award from the state and of course she gets up there and to some degree states "I hate awards I think they are too exclusive." So her! I love her so much! So here are some pictures of the event! I couldn't afford to stay in the amazing hotel so we quadrupled up at the Ramada Inn baby. And guess what was right our door. That's right folks a freakin' train that passed through about 50 times a night (totally not exaggerating)to keep us all awake!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thank you Red Hot Chili Peppers
As I've mentioned it has been a VERY BUSY TWO WEEKS, not hard, but super super busy. Today as I was driving home for the billionth time in a week contemplating on everything that is on my plate right now-a song came on. Just a little song is all it took for me to smile to myself. Thank you Red Hot Chili Peppers for writing Scar Tissue. And thank you 103.7 The Mountain for playing it at that moment. I needed it.
Monday, October 26, 2009
WW: Week 4
You may notice that I skipped week 3. yeah I did. enough said.
This week however I rocked it losing 4.6 pounds total! I am making way better decisions than previously in my life and it feels good. Walking will continue this next weekend when I feel I am able to not be in pain and walk and that I will have time mostly!
I head to Spokane (armpit of Washington) to present at the Washington State Association of School Psychologists. I'm getting nervous. Then in March I head to Chicago and present at the National Association of School Psychologists. The reason I say this is I AM TOTALLY SLACKING On my walking and I have to do a half marathon in five weeks! Things will change, I just need to get over last week's "week of hell 1" and this week's "week of hell 2" then I will be back on track. Two jobs, grad school, and wedding planning are sucking my life from me rapidly.
This week however I rocked it losing 4.6 pounds total! I am making way better decisions than previously in my life and it feels good. Walking will continue this next weekend when I feel I am able to not be in pain and walk and that I will have time mostly!
I head to Spokane (armpit of Washington) to present at the Washington State Association of School Psychologists. I'm getting nervous. Then in March I head to Chicago and present at the National Association of School Psychologists. The reason I say this is I AM TOTALLY SLACKING On my walking and I have to do a half marathon in five weeks! Things will change, I just need to get over last week's "week of hell 1" and this week's "week of hell 2" then I will be back on track. Two jobs, grad school, and wedding planning are sucking my life from me rapidly.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Taking Jim for Granted
Doesn't that sound like the name of a movie or something? Or perhaps just "Taking Jim" sounds better. Either way, I am taking Jim for granted.
The other day he said that I hadn't written anything about him on my blog in awhile which I thought was an attempt at some attention so I better do it and the fact that it is totally true. I haven't heeded him the attention that he deserves.
As you know, I've had a shoulder/neck injury so bad that at the Seahawks game last week I sat crying for two reasons, one they sucked and two I was in an intense amount of pain even on lots of painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxers. So in comes Jim's part in all of this. The doctor literally said "any time you can get a massage-do, it will help." So I took that as "any time you can get Jim to give you a massage-do." So I did. In the last 16 days, for as long as this has been going on, he has been whole-heartedly giving me massages whenever I asked or even looked in pain. Just another reason I love him. Oh and he makes me dinner a lot, oh and he prints things out for me at his office a lot, oh and he brings all my heavy bags in and out of my car, oh and he's freakin' adorable.
The other day he said that I hadn't written anything about him on my blog in awhile which I thought was an attempt at some attention so I better do it and the fact that it is totally true. I haven't heeded him the attention that he deserves.
As you know, I've had a shoulder/neck injury so bad that at the Seahawks game last week I sat crying for two reasons, one they sucked and two I was in an intense amount of pain even on lots of painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxers. So in comes Jim's part in all of this. The doctor literally said "any time you can get a massage-do, it will help." So I took that as "any time you can get Jim to give you a massage-do." So I did. In the last 16 days, for as long as this has been going on, he has been whole-heartedly giving me massages whenever I asked or even looked in pain. Just another reason I love him. Oh and he makes me dinner a lot, oh and he prints things out for me at his office a lot, oh and he brings all my heavy bags in and out of my car, oh and he's freakin' adorable.
New Job
As If I'm not busy enough I decided to go get a second job to help with my schooling bills along with the wedding bills. SO, without further adeu let me introduce you to my new job. My title is "Research Assistant," and I work for the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Washington. This particular study has been going on since 2001 in which the two principal investigators received A HUGE AMOUNT of money from the National Institute of Mental Health, a branch off of NIH, for a longitudinal study looking at depression and conduct disorder in middle schoolers. They are looking at commorbidity issues and now taking it into adulthood. We are now in phase 7 of this and all the middles schoolers are now 12th graders and/or out of school. I go to their house or a place to meet and interview them for 3.5 hours and then someone else at the same time interviews their parents for about 2 hours. It is pretty intense but the people we interview have gotten the hang of it after 7 or so years. They make money so everyone is happy. There are very stringent rules when you are dealing with research and everyone needs to be trained the same way for inter-rater reliability which may or may not affect validity issues. So I've had a few intense training sessions and they will continue until they feel I am ready! Which should be at the start of November! Thank you Jennie for hooking me up with this job!
Now I've done research before in my undergraduate years where I worked with pigeons and then I worked on another research project in which we looked at pro-anorexia websites and categorized what anorexics had commented on, fascinating stuff. However, this time I don't have to enter all the data, we have someone for that to keep it unbiased. I just do the interviews and pass my computer to the other researchers! However, this is also majorly funded at the standards are 100 times more than what I am used to for research. I love it!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Injury Stops Training
So for the past week I have been in such intense pain. So much pain that I couldn't even lift my arms to wash my hair in the shower. I have done something to my trapezius so the doctor thinks. I think she is full of crap. She gave me medicine to reduce the inflammation but no pain medicine. Luckily I called my uncle up and he gave me a blessing and some prescription ibuprofen which has helped a little. I really am just shocked at how much I'm in pain. Seriously I'm in pain, sitting, standing, walking, anything. I'm just in constant pain and it had gone on for 9 days now. I can't sleep and I'm just frustrated. My muscle relaxers that I had from a previous injury don't even alleviate anything which makes me think it isn't a muscle injury. I am willing to try anything. But first, I just need something for the pain.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Calling 911 is never a fun experience
So Monday afternoon I was on a walk in Jim's neighborhood in Magnolia by myself. I knew I needed to get 40 minutes in so I just simply headed down the street all the way to the end and headed back all the way to the other end to end up back at his place. On the way home, about ten minutes from my destination, I saw this young kid trying to break into someone front window. He looked about 12-14 or a small 15 year old, kind of sk8terish (yes I just did the sk8 thing), with a yellow beanie, blonde hair coming out and a black shirt and jeans. I totally paid attention. So I made a little noise with my feet (I was on the other side of the street) and he turned and looked and immediately stopped what he was doing and walked away in a hurry. Then I kept walking to where I could see him but he couldn't see me. He went back to the window. Then someone from next door to the house he was maybe or maybe not breaking into came out, a kid, to take the garbage out. The kid immediately jumped into the bushes and hid and kept a watch out until the kid went back inside. Meanwhile, I'm contemplating whether or not to call 911. So as I was walking back, after taking notice of the street number, cars parked outside (none), description of the kids, etc. I decided that if it were me and my house had gotten broken into I might want someone to call, even if they were not sure. I mean the kid could have been breaking into his own house for all I know, except he acted so suspiciously. So when I got back to Jim's place I decided to call, better safe than sorry. They put an officer on and I was talking to the operator and the officer at the same time. All I can say is good thing I know where North, East, South, and West are or I would have been confused. They kept me on the phone for a bit and took my info. And that was that. The officer close to our area was on his way right then and there. I don't know what ever became of it but I hope I at least prevented a robbery from taking place and/or provided a very detailed description of the suspect/perp. That's all
Monday, October 12, 2009
WW: Week 2
I was down 3.8 pounds this week! Which translates too...I forgot how many sticks of butter. Someone want to do the math for me? For a grand total of 5.6 pounds lost in two weeks. Which means my points go down 1, which is good! What was funny is I thought this wasn't my best week but I had increased activity but I had eaten into my extra cushion of points, which I've never done before, but what was nice is instead of beating myself up about it I just realized that those points are there for these kinds of things so I didn't have to just give up as I probably normally would have. Today at the meeting we talked about nurturing the self and having a "Cat-i-tude." Basically, cats do things to get their way and take care of themselves and we need to do that too. Not neglecting duties but just taking care of yourself. I actually know quite a few people who do this very well. Analisa my cousin with three kids ages five and under always makes time for herself. My friend, Carren, knows when she needs her me time and my mom and sister Whitney know that even just reading a magazine alone with no distractions is taking care of yourself. So here is to another week of being successful. Here is a great quote by Susan Taylor (taken from her book, Lessons on Living).
"Whether we are female or male, we must not allow the relentless demands of family and work to override our critical need for self-nurturing. When we fail to nurture ourselves, our joy is depleted and our capacity to serve diminished. Giving from an empty vessel causes stress, anger, and resentment, seeds that sow disorder and disease. Attempting to meet the demands of the world without first attending to our own needs is an act of self betrayal that can cause us to lose respect for our value and worth."
"Whether we are female or male, we must not allow the relentless demands of family and work to override our critical need for self-nurturing. When we fail to nurture ourselves, our joy is depleted and our capacity to serve diminished. Giving from an empty vessel causes stress, anger, and resentment, seeds that sow disorder and disease. Attempting to meet the demands of the world without first attending to our own needs is an act of self betrayal that can cause us to lose respect for our value and worth."
Saturday, October 10, 2009
What?!
So I was telling Jim about some wedding dresses and I read out the description to one of them, it read "Satin Off-the-Shoulder A-Line with Side-Drape." Jim said, "that sounds like a play call for football." It does?
http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49991498¤tIdx=7&subCategory=-49999486|-49998983|-49991498&catentryId=2000169&cm_mmc_o=KPPybpzkCjCPybpzk7BcEPyBclwnii9CjCHFzbkCjClfYkw9_yviND
http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49991498¤tIdx=7&subCategory=-49999486|-49998983|-49991498&catentryId=2000169&cm_mmc_o=KPPybpzkCjCPybpzk7BcEPyBclwnii9CjCHFzbkCjClfYkw9_yviND
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Bob Dylan!
Jim and I had the chance to go to Bob Dylan the other night. He has been on my top five list forever so I just had to spend the money to do so. It was well worth it as he sang my favorite song second on the set list! Lay lady lay! PS-he doesn't sing that song very often on his tours. My eyes got misty and as I was standing there holding hands with Jim I thought how blessed and lucky I am. I may be broke a lot but I'm broke because I do fun things with my life. And I have someone whom I love very much. I am the luckiest (to steal from Ben Folds).
Friday, October 2, 2009
Weight Watchers
I'm on day five of weight watchers and I think I'm doing really well. But only the scale will tell on Sunday. All I see lately are points, points, points. As of now, I actually have quite a bit but it will go down as I lose weight. I need all the encouragement I can get and I'm writing this on my blog because I know the more I let the world know the more I will be accountable. For me, weight watchers is about weighing-in to the evil ladies (actually really nice, but said for dramatic effect)which makes me strive and push harder than ever because I would hate to let them down. Especially, Jeannie who talks with a Dora puppet and says "just keep swimming," which has always been my motto but maybe never spoken to me by a puppet before. But for now I'm still swimming! Hallelujah
PS-I have kind of fallen off the wagon for walking and need some help! I haven't missed my big walks on Sunday which to me are the most important ones (ie: five miles, two miles brisk, 4 miles easy), but the 20 minute strolls or the 35 minutes easy, have stopped. HELP. I HAVE TO GET BACK ON IT!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Update on my life
I've been in school literally one day (Wed. night) and I have already become overwhelmed with crying twice. And so it begins. Poor Jim has had to endure this busy week with patience. After class I went to Jim's house and the moment I walked in he looked at my hand and just shook his head. I had already started writing notes to myself on my hand, just one class in to the new quarter. This can't be a good sign. Then I talked to my friend Carren on the phone and she said "You sound frantic" at which I replied it was the first day of class today (And i was walking up a huge hill so I was out of breath).
On another note, Jim and I looked at 2 vendors this weekend as we are hoping to secure a date and venue soon. They both looked promising!
And tomorrow I start weight watchers which I'm excited about and my car gets repairs done to it because some idiot backed up and hit me and didn't leave a note while I was parked. I hate people like that. I am also starting my fourth week of training tomorrow for the half marathon and I'm doing okay, not bad at all. In fact, I have to go walk 2 miles "briskly" right now. Later.
On another note, Jim and I looked at 2 vendors this weekend as we are hoping to secure a date and venue soon. They both looked promising!
And tomorrow I start weight watchers which I'm excited about and my car gets repairs done to it because some idiot backed up and hit me and didn't leave a note while I was parked. I hate people like that. I am also starting my fourth week of training tomorrow for the half marathon and I'm doing okay, not bad at all. In fact, I have to go walk 2 miles "briskly" right now. Later.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
PEARL JAM
I really don't know what to say about Pearl Jam. You hear from everyone they are "high energy" and they are, there are no other words to describe it. They just pure rock hard and continuously. Well worth Jim's money. Ben Harper opened and we are huge fans as well. We had so much fun, it was especially fun to see Jim so excited it was like it was Christmas for him. He really couldn't contain himself and that might have been my favorite part. This was my first time seeing them and I was excited but I had nothing on Jim, and this was Jim's like 10th time. I loved every minute of it. It was also their 50th time performing in Seattle and they felt a little nostalgic returning home. They played 3 or more songs off of just about every album. So everyone was singing along of course at the top of their lungs. They didn't play my favorite song, Courderoy of Vitalogy but I'll live. At one point they changed the lyrics to Supersonic and made it into Supersonics about our basketball team that moved to Oklahoma, but the venue they were performing in was the same venue the sonics used to play in and they even took our flag downs and they talked about that too in the song! It was awesome. Their logo tshirt for the night was the supersonics logo with pearl jam written just below it. I didn't buy one, I'm not a sucker like that but I really wanted one. IT JUST ROCKED. They are so amazing but I don't think Eddie's voice will take him into his 60's like bob dylan's or Bruce's has.
but it said Pearl Jam instead. SO COOL! I WANT ONE!
Here is the setlist
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
All the Single Ladies: DANCE OFF
Okay, so Jim took me to a charity event on Saturday night at the Century Ballroom where they hold all sorts of dance lessons, from the lindy hop to salsa. For this particular evening, a dance off was in order to the video "All the Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)." Now remember, I've posted about this before as my favorite video and honestly a bit obsessed with the song as well. It definitely had a different meaning to me now that I do have a ring on my finger but still it was so fun to watch! There were five acts competing for a prize and peppered between the performances was dancing, watching other videos on you tube of it, and watching beyonce perform at the grammy's or something. It was so much funny and so disturbing at times! I was laughing so hard! The guy I wanted to win won, but everyone was so good! I wish I had had my camera, but let me see if I can find some pictures of the event. They are also now starting Michael Jackson dance lessons, and I think I have to participate!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Proposal: Part Three
JIM'S STORY
This was my big idea from the beginning was to surprise the heck out of Hayley. The original plan was way back in June involving Whitney and Tayler with a baseball game and to get the proposal in before we went to Kelly and Angie’s (and Oscar’s too) wedding. That didn’t work as planned as we have learned to find out. Basically the jeweler wouldn’t finance the entire ring so I saved all my money within a 60-day period that was allowed to keep the original offer on the table. I knew it would be crunch to get the cash but I knew I could do it, even trying to fit in money for Kaua’i. During Kelly’s wedding weekend is essentially when the surprise began. I informed her of what was going on and I was trying to get the money in time and it might not happen but just to ease her a little bit that I was in the works of getting it done. So when the 60 days was about up was the weekend a big sale was going on and I actually had the money I needed to buy it. Hayley calls me to inform me of the sale (after she tried it on again, #34 to be exact), I went down and got the ring. I conjured up this story about something went wrong with the dates of my application and the offer was no longer valid. Therefore they had to re-run a credit application and the offer was lowered which meant more time was going to be needed. I also told her that I was told that with the new catalog coming out soon that the ring might go back up again and it might take me longer to get the ring than anticipated. During the next month while I had the ring I kept bringing up various ways I was going to get the money by selling my guitars, or stuff I had around that I could go without just to make sure Hayley got the ring that she wanted. Hayley was losing hope, which was my plan all along. She even starting shopping for a cheaper ring if that would have meant getting engaged sooner. We had numerous conversations about it, getting a little bit tense at times. During this time I asked Tayler to step in and help by calming her down so nothing bad would happen in the heat of discussions. It also didn’t help that when she was at her mom’s reception in Pacwood that everyone was asking her when if/when we were going to get engaged. Hayley was almost at her bottom now. Kaua’i came and went about 3 weeks after I’ve already had the ring and four-day holiday weekend was upon us. I was supposed to go pick it up on Friday but Hayley showed up early and wanted to go on a ferry ride for the day. Opportunity #1 just received a roundhouse kick from Chuck Norris circa 1985. Saturday we went to the mall where I needed to pick it up. I wanted to go to Target first where I would have a bag to use to put it in until I got home. Got the ring when she went in to buy the last bottles of her favorite hand soap or whatever. Got the ring, went to Macy’s to get a different bag and wrapped so no she couldn’t know what it was. Sunday was going to be the day but we ended up doing something else instead. Opportunity #2 gets crushed to a pulp. It worked out as well because Monday I was not with her so I drove to Yakima to talk to Mat in person to get his blessing. He obliged as well as showing me his newly acquired coin collection. After his blessing, I wanted to take Hayley out on Tuesday but she informed me that Wednesday worked for her better. Opportunity #3 just lost to Jason Bourne in a knife fight. Opportunity #4 came on Wednesday 09/09/09 and we all know it was a winner. You might think all of this was mean, but it was merely a payback to the last 8 months of Hayley constant reminders of what her friends were saying and asking, and all of the people she knows who were getting married or engaged. All in all, the point was to lower her hope, which got to a point that Wal-Mart became an option for an engagement ring, and create the element of surprise which she can attest I did. A surprise so big that when the question was asked, there was utter silence for at least 5 seconds. This was not the reaction I was expecting. I expected a throwing of the arms around followed by high pitched words. I even doubted for a quick second that did I just not do it right, I thought she wanted to get engaged. After those 5 seconds, then a nodding of the head, covering of the face, and some form of sobbing. With that relief, I put the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit because I had it sized when I bought the ring. I'm finally glad the wait is over, and now we get to look forward to planning this wedding....oh dear. Hayley is the one for me, she provides constant entertainment and a bright future for our 2-3 kids. I love you Hayley!!
This was my big idea from the beginning was to surprise the heck out of Hayley. The original plan was way back in June involving Whitney and Tayler with a baseball game and to get the proposal in before we went to Kelly and Angie’s (and Oscar’s too) wedding. That didn’t work as planned as we have learned to find out. Basically the jeweler wouldn’t finance the entire ring so I saved all my money within a 60-day period that was allowed to keep the original offer on the table. I knew it would be crunch to get the cash but I knew I could do it, even trying to fit in money for Kaua’i. During Kelly’s wedding weekend is essentially when the surprise began. I informed her of what was going on and I was trying to get the money in time and it might not happen but just to ease her a little bit that I was in the works of getting it done. So when the 60 days was about up was the weekend a big sale was going on and I actually had the money I needed to buy it. Hayley calls me to inform me of the sale (after she tried it on again, #34 to be exact), I went down and got the ring. I conjured up this story about something went wrong with the dates of my application and the offer was no longer valid. Therefore they had to re-run a credit application and the offer was lowered which meant more time was going to be needed. I also told her that I was told that with the new catalog coming out soon that the ring might go back up again and it might take me longer to get the ring than anticipated. During the next month while I had the ring I kept bringing up various ways I was going to get the money by selling my guitars, or stuff I had around that I could go without just to make sure Hayley got the ring that she wanted. Hayley was losing hope, which was my plan all along. She even starting shopping for a cheaper ring if that would have meant getting engaged sooner. We had numerous conversations about it, getting a little bit tense at times. During this time I asked Tayler to step in and help by calming her down so nothing bad would happen in the heat of discussions. It also didn’t help that when she was at her mom’s reception in Pacwood that everyone was asking her when if/when we were going to get engaged. Hayley was almost at her bottom now. Kaua’i came and went about 3 weeks after I’ve already had the ring and four-day holiday weekend was upon us. I was supposed to go pick it up on Friday but Hayley showed up early and wanted to go on a ferry ride for the day. Opportunity #1 just received a roundhouse kick from Chuck Norris circa 1985. Saturday we went to the mall where I needed to pick it up. I wanted to go to Target first where I would have a bag to use to put it in until I got home. Got the ring when she went in to buy the last bottles of her favorite hand soap or whatever. Got the ring, went to Macy’s to get a different bag and wrapped so no she couldn’t know what it was. Sunday was going to be the day but we ended up doing something else instead. Opportunity #2 gets crushed to a pulp. It worked out as well because Monday I was not with her so I drove to Yakima to talk to Mat in person to get his blessing. He obliged as well as showing me his newly acquired coin collection. After his blessing, I wanted to take Hayley out on Tuesday but she informed me that Wednesday worked for her better. Opportunity #3 just lost to Jason Bourne in a knife fight. Opportunity #4 came on Wednesday 09/09/09 and we all know it was a winner. You might think all of this was mean, but it was merely a payback to the last 8 months of Hayley constant reminders of what her friends were saying and asking, and all of the people she knows who were getting married or engaged. All in all, the point was to lower her hope, which got to a point that Wal-Mart became an option for an engagement ring, and create the element of surprise which she can attest I did. A surprise so big that when the question was asked, there was utter silence for at least 5 seconds. This was not the reaction I was expecting. I expected a throwing of the arms around followed by high pitched words. I even doubted for a quick second that did I just not do it right, I thought she wanted to get engaged. After those 5 seconds, then a nodding of the head, covering of the face, and some form of sobbing. With that relief, I put the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit because I had it sized when I bought the ring. I'm finally glad the wait is over, and now we get to look forward to planning this wedding....oh dear. Hayley is the one for me, she provides constant entertainment and a bright future for our 2-3 kids. I love you Hayley!!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Engagement: Part Two
THE PROPOSAL
Jim decided to take me out to dinner before I headed off to Nashville to be with my girlfriends. So he suggested P.F. Changs. My favorite restaurant and also where we had our first date once I moved back to Seattle. He also had just had a haircut and looked pretty spiffy (yes I said spiffy) in a nice button down shirt, something he usually doesn't need to wear to work. When I asked him about it he said he was just sick of wearing the same old thing in his closet (his Seahawks or U.W. shirts). Now, I should have been suspicious there, but I wasn't. I too, had just had my hair done that day and was looking rather cute too! So when it came time to get the fortune cookies, one of our fourtunes would be "A suprise will occur in the near future," or something like that. So we headed back to his place as I still had packing to do at my place before I left in the morning. So it was a good thing he invited me up rather than me just drop him off (I had picked him up from work).
I should preface this by saying that it has been a really busy summer and we were apart for 16 days! Which was very hard, so just the weekend before we got to spend some quality time but not enough time together from that 16 days apart. When we finally got to see each other again he said "that will never happen again, until one of us dies, that was way too long." I agreed.
So, we get to his place. He asks me if I want my 4.0 gift for summer quarter and I was like yes yes yes, because let's face it who doesn't love getting gifts! In fact, even when it says please forgo gifts, I think it is a lie, everyone wants gifts! So anway, there we are and he reaches under a pillow and pulls out an envelope. Now, if you read the previous post, I was expecting something from Macy's, perhaps the perfume from Issey Miyake, because he said he consulted with my sister Whitney on something to get me. And the only thing I could think of from Macy's that I wanted was that perfume. So when he pulled out the envelope, I thought maybe it is a gift certificate there. So I open it and...
It was the greatest love letter that has ever been written in the entire universe. He wrote a top five list of reasons he loved me and then later wrote in the letter, which i thought was adorable, "Now I know what you are thinking, why is there only 5? ...We will have years to create more top 5 lists..." Anyway, I was crying and my heart had lept and I was totally on cloud 9, except I still thought where is the gift from Macy's?! I'm horrible I know.
So after that he says "Want your other 4.0 gift?" and he tells me to clothes my eyes and hold out my hand. SO I do, thinking it is the perfume from Macy's. I hold out my hand waiting impatiently for my well-deserved gift. haha. He puts what feels like a box in my hand and I'm totally thinking it is the perfume box, and when I open my eyes it is a ring box that has taped to it, "Will you marry me, please???"
My initial reaction was shock and the adorable and polite "please" at the end. I looked at him started crying and said yes, at which he said "Um, want to see the ring." I hadn't even opened it. At that moment, all I could think about was "us" and our future life together, the 2-3 children we want, etc. It wasn't about the ring at that moment at all. So he finally opens it as I'm balling, and slides the ring on my hand. Then you can probably guess what happens next, some major make out stuff.
Then we make all the necessary calls and I leave on a plane for Nashville.
Jim decided to take me out to dinner before I headed off to Nashville to be with my girlfriends. So he suggested P.F. Changs. My favorite restaurant and also where we had our first date once I moved back to Seattle. He also had just had a haircut and looked pretty spiffy (yes I said spiffy) in a nice button down shirt, something he usually doesn't need to wear to work. When I asked him about it he said he was just sick of wearing the same old thing in his closet (his Seahawks or U.W. shirts). Now, I should have been suspicious there, but I wasn't. I too, had just had my hair done that day and was looking rather cute too! So when it came time to get the fortune cookies, one of our fourtunes would be "A suprise will occur in the near future," or something like that. So we headed back to his place as I still had packing to do at my place before I left in the morning. So it was a good thing he invited me up rather than me just drop him off (I had picked him up from work).
I should preface this by saying that it has been a really busy summer and we were apart for 16 days! Which was very hard, so just the weekend before we got to spend some quality time but not enough time together from that 16 days apart. When we finally got to see each other again he said "that will never happen again, until one of us dies, that was way too long." I agreed.
So, we get to his place. He asks me if I want my 4.0 gift for summer quarter and I was like yes yes yes, because let's face it who doesn't love getting gifts! In fact, even when it says please forgo gifts, I think it is a lie, everyone wants gifts! So anway, there we are and he reaches under a pillow and pulls out an envelope. Now, if you read the previous post, I was expecting something from Macy's, perhaps the perfume from Issey Miyake, because he said he consulted with my sister Whitney on something to get me. And the only thing I could think of from Macy's that I wanted was that perfume. So when he pulled out the envelope, I thought maybe it is a gift certificate there. So I open it and...
It was the greatest love letter that has ever been written in the entire universe. He wrote a top five list of reasons he loved me and then later wrote in the letter, which i thought was adorable, "Now I know what you are thinking, why is there only 5? ...We will have years to create more top 5 lists..." Anyway, I was crying and my heart had lept and I was totally on cloud 9, except I still thought where is the gift from Macy's?! I'm horrible I know.
So after that he says "Want your other 4.0 gift?" and he tells me to clothes my eyes and hold out my hand. SO I do, thinking it is the perfume from Macy's. I hold out my hand waiting impatiently for my well-deserved gift. haha. He puts what feels like a box in my hand and I'm totally thinking it is the perfume box, and when I open my eyes it is a ring box that has taped to it, "Will you marry me, please???"
My initial reaction was shock and the adorable and polite "please" at the end. I looked at him started crying and said yes, at which he said "Um, want to see the ring." I hadn't even opened it. At that moment, all I could think about was "us" and our future life together, the 2-3 children we want, etc. It wasn't about the ring at that moment at all. So he finally opens it as I'm balling, and slides the ring on my hand. Then you can probably guess what happens next, some major make out stuff.
Then we make all the necessary calls and I leave on a plane for Nashville.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Engagement: Part One
THE RING
So let's go over the most important thing to some. The Ring. Here it is in all its glory. I think it is a total of 1.5 karats (spelling?) It was very hard to take a good shot! It is the ring I kept going back to over the last 7 months. I love it! Apparently he had had it for a month and I kept ruining his plans. He will tell his own story shortly for this blog. Also on the day he picked it up from being cleaned I was with him. Who knew?! We happened to be walking in Northgate Mall and I wanted to go to Bath & Body Works as some of my favorite stuff was being discontinued. So as we were walking I noticed the jewelry store where the ring I had been wanting was at, and I think I said "Oh look" and he said they are out of stock there. So I didn't even bother going over there if I couldn't try it on. Technically they were out of stock because he had bought it earlier that month from this particular store. So I go to my store and he said "I'm going to head over to Macy's to look at clothes." And I was like, okay. He said he would meet me back where I was. Well like 2.2 minutes later there he was back in my store with a Macy's bag and he said "I just had to go get your 4.0 gift real quick (At the end of every quarter Jim gets me gifts if I get a 4.0, this summer I almost didn't get a 4.0 and he said "let's just get you a finishing the quarter gift then." He's awesome like that). Needless to say he had gone over to the jewelry store picked up the ring from being cleaned and went to Macy's to have the counter girls wrap up the ring and put it in a Macy's bag to look like he had gotten something for me from Macy's. He was so worried I would walk to the jewelry store and try on other rings (I tend to do that) that he hurried back over to where I was.
So let's go over the most important thing to some. The Ring. Here it is in all its glory. I think it is a total of 1.5 karats (spelling?) It was very hard to take a good shot! It is the ring I kept going back to over the last 7 months. I love it! Apparently he had had it for a month and I kept ruining his plans. He will tell his own story shortly for this blog. Also on the day he picked it up from being cleaned I was with him. Who knew?! We happened to be walking in Northgate Mall and I wanted to go to Bath & Body Works as some of my favorite stuff was being discontinued. So as we were walking I noticed the jewelry store where the ring I had been wanting was at, and I think I said "Oh look" and he said they are out of stock there. So I didn't even bother going over there if I couldn't try it on. Technically they were out of stock because he had bought it earlier that month from this particular store. So I go to my store and he said "I'm going to head over to Macy's to look at clothes." And I was like, okay. He said he would meet me back where I was. Well like 2.2 minutes later there he was back in my store with a Macy's bag and he said "I just had to go get your 4.0 gift real quick (At the end of every quarter Jim gets me gifts if I get a 4.0, this summer I almost didn't get a 4.0 and he said "let's just get you a finishing the quarter gift then." He's awesome like that). Needless to say he had gone over to the jewelry store picked up the ring from being cleaned and went to Macy's to have the counter girls wrap up the ring and put it in a Macy's bag to look like he had gotten something for me from Macy's. He was so worried I would walk to the jewelry store and try on other rings (I tend to do that) that he hurried back over to where I was.
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