My Blog

I've Been Showered

The shower did it: I finally feel like a bride! It was a lovely party at Lyn's house. We had delicious treats and cake. I got some great presents - from a blender to a bra!

All my sisters and moms!

(Thanks Aunt B for the books! We're already reading them!)

O, Jackie!

It wasn't the most eventful Halloween, but we did enjoy getting in our costumes. Aaron went as Fidel Castro and I was Jackie Kennedy. Fun times . . .

A Tricky Treat

I invited the two cutest little dudes over to make Halloweend cookies. Here's Aaron with the tray of decorating goodies - M&Ms, Smarties, red licorice, sprinkles, gum drops.

The boys also decorated containers to take home their cookies in.

We had a lot of fun with our nephews. They are the best!

Practicing . . .

. . . for the important moment. (You may now kiss the bride!)

STRESSSSS

Help!

I am so stressed out about my job! It is very difficult to get visits scheduled with teachers. I know it doesn't seem like a challenge, but it is unbelievably hard. I am very anxious right now about my schedule and whether I am capable of accomplishing what I am required. I feel like I'm not gonna make it.

Please pray that I book appointments with teachers. I really need prayer!

Wedding Website

Hi Everyone! Perhaps you saw us on the Dr. Phil show - yay! We were only on for a few minutes, but it was a fun experience.

Anyway, to learn more about our wedding, go to www.emilyandaaron.com and leave us a comment in the guestbook too!

"I want you to get excited about your life!"

Aaron and I did something really crazy this morning! We went on Dr. Phil! No, not as audience members, but as guests. The topic was verrrry interesting - Financial 911! That is a picture of us in our, ahem, dressing room.

Let me give you a play-by-play:
- A car picked us up at 6:30. We wore comfortable clothes and brought our show clothes with us.
- We arrived at the show and were shown to our dressing room. They gave us bagels, muffins, coffee, juice, etc.
- The wardrobe lady analyzed our clothes and made Aaron wear a different shirt and shoes.
- We each took turns in hair and makeup and getting dressed. I felt so glammed up! Aaron though I looked "too TV" and "too grown up" but I liked it!
- We were briefed by the producer and told that we would really only have a few moments with Dr. Phil. They put microphones on us.
- They seated us in the studio, about the fourth row.
- Dr. Phil came out and everyone was so excited . . . but then he went to the wrong place, because the producer sent him to the wrong place. So they had to redo the intro and we all had to pretend like he was coming out for the first time.
- Then Ben Stein came out as the economics expert! (Bueller . . . Bueller . . . ) and some other money expert. Ben Stein was the best part of the whole day!
- They did a show about the economy . . . blah, blah, blah. We were the third "guests" (more like planned audience members). There was a twenty second video on us and then we stood next to Dr. Phil and he basically asked a question for us to the experts. Their answer? Aaron and I should be paying our mortgage and life insurance. Huh??? Yeah, VERRRY helpful!
- I think we said about ten words between us about what financial losers we are.
- The show was over.
- We had cookies and chocolate covered strawberries in our dressing room (I stole a bunch of Parmount napkins cause I was bitter . . . in fact I took whatever I could - Diet Cokes, extra cookies, paper clips from our contracts. I almost tried to take off with the Braveheart poster in our dressing room.)
- A different driver took us home and didn't have GPS or directions so it took forever. I was further annoyed. But we were glad the day was over! And we certainly were impacted by the meaning of the show. We are really going to make a plan for thriving financially.

Watch Thursday on Dr. Phil!!!

Organizing Diva

After several weeks of tripping over boxes of work-related stuff in my hallway, I finally spent about an hour creating a well-organized work closet. Because I work from home, my employer sends me loads of brochures, posters and other materials. Once upon a time, it was all tucked neatly in my hall closet. But when I needed, say, a certain poster, I'd have to pull the ten boxes on top of the box with the needed posters.

WHAT A DISASTER!I found a container with drawers at a thrift shop for $9.95 (and to think I almost bought the same container from Target for $30 a few days ago!).

I used it for my most common and abundant materials in it.I used these bags to hold the goodies I give out to students, like pens and shirts.

And, finally . . . all organized and beautiful! I added cheerful yellow labels for everything. Hopefully, this will make one aspect of my life a little bit simpler. I will update in a month or two as to whether I kept it clean.

I'm so proud of myself!

Back to the Blog

I am sorry (again) it has been so long. I have been very overwhelmed with work and wedding planning and trying to organize my apartment! Following are three updates: Work, Home and Wedding.

Update #3: Wedding

Besides having just moved and started a new, rather intense, job, I am planning a wedding! I am just about three months away from becoming a Mrs. I recently went dress shopping with my mom, sister, future mom-in-law and sister-in-law (Karina . . . other sister-in-law Belen couldn't make it). My mom made cute little goodie bags for everyone. We went to about three different places. We didn't find THE dress that day, but we had a lot of fun and everyone helped me discover my favorite styles.

Karina is planning to wear this to the wedding . . . do you think she is stealing my thunder?

Our two wonderful mothers!

Update #2: Career

My new job is going pretty well. I am struggling a bit with scheduling, but things are looking up! Here I am at a college fair.

Update #1: New Home

About six weeks ago I moved into the cutest little apartment in Burbank! I was so blessed to find such a spacious place at a great price. Of course, Aaron will be moving in come January! Yay! Here are pictures from moving. Once I feel like things are settled, decorated and clean, then I will post new pictures.

Training

Sorry it has been so long since posting. Geez! My life has been crazy . . . a wonderful crazy! A new job, an engagement, moving to Burbank . . . wow, I am feeling very blessed right now.

Training for my new job took three weeks. We started in Pittsburgh, at corporate headquarters. It was a really, really intense week. We spent the entire day learning how to give presentations, then we spent the evenings practicing. And yet we managed to find some time for fun too! Here is the view from my hotel room:

My roommate Sharlett was fabulous! I just love her! She is the new rep in San Jose. My favorite Sharlett quote: "Some people are just bad at life." This is us at dinner on the last night:

Training Week #2 took place in Pismo Beach! I was sooooooo happy I could just stay at home. By this point I was completely exhausted. Pictures from this week to come soon.

Training Week #3 took us to Catalina Island. If you have never been there, I highly recommend a visit. Like a European village, Catalina is quaint and charming. There is a calm, mellow pace . . . except when it comes to training for a new job! My brain hit overload this week, but overall I had a great time.

Engaged!

Aaron proposed on the pier in Santa Barbara (site of our first date!). He surprised me by showing up in a bear suit and giving me a beautiful ring. I was shocked ... and very happy! Michael and Marissa were there to document the event. Wedding date should be early 2009.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Guess what? I'm 25! I had an extra-wonderful birthday this year for a plethora of reasons:

1. Aaron came up to visit.

2. We savored a brunch at The Spyglass Inn with BFFs Josh and Heidi.

3. The Wine Library at Trilogy (my parents' residential clubhouse) opened; providing free nibbles, wine and live music.

4. Dad cooked a moist Santa Maria Style tri-tip and Mom made her famous baked rice.

5. Mom prepared a yummy cake in the shape of a book -so cute! (We've been watching a lot of Ace of Cakes - she says the show makes it look easy.)

6. Aaron and I went to the drive-in with a bag full of my favorite snacks. Batman may not have been my first choice, but it was a lot of fun!

7. Great presents - accesories, lotion, a cookbook and other fun goodies from my parents, an iPod Nano from Aaron, a bottle of Paso Robles Merlot from Greg, a cute frame from Heidi, the Barbara Walters memoir from Monica ... and more!

8. I got so, so, so many calls from friends and family. I am glad that I am keeping in better touch with the people I love. It is so nice to know I am loved.

Painter Lady

I took an art class from my talented mother. It was hard work, but fun.

Naughty Words of the Bible

I learned something interesting recently ...

While Paul might have warned against using offensive language, he was not above breaking his own advice to get the point across. In Philemon 3:8 he says "For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ..."

"Rubbish" is a very "cleaned up" translation for skubala, the Greek term for shit. He could have gone with ther more acceptable, and ceretainly more "Christian" term, perikatharmata (that which is scraped off) used in 1 Corinthians 4:13. Instead, he went with the more vulgar word, for effect. As a writer, and as a person who once in while lets a colorful word out, I get it.

The Not-so-terrible Two's

On July 2 Aaron and I celebrated our two years of bliss.

First date highlights:

- Aaron brought me my favorite flower, hydrangea

- Going to the Santa Barbara zoo

- Dining on the pier

- "Have we already run out of things to talk about?" was asked during a quiet, awkward moment over dinner. We hadn't. And we still haven't.

- An orchid adorned my dinner plate. As we walked on the pier, I tucked it behind my ear, but was having problems keeping it in there. I asked Aaron to help put the flower in my ear. It didn't occur to Aaron until the next day that I was flirting.

- Going back to my house and looking up Guy Fawkes Day on Wikipedia. And no, that's not a euphemism.

We celebrated our anniversary with a lovely dinner at Red Fish and two balcony seats at Wicked (LOVED it! Brava!). 'Twas a wonderful evening with my wonderful guy.

Cutie Pie Nephews

I hung out with these guys a few weeks ago! So adorable, no?

Here we Go . . .

The Official News Regarding My Job:
I am now a High School Recruiter for the Art Institute. My job entails going into high schools and sharing information about attending the Art Institute.

Why? I love public speaking. I think AI is a great thing - Aaron goes there! I love the idea of encouraging students to follow their dreams of an art career, if that is right for them.

Why else? I'm done every day at 3:00. I work from home/car. I get summer off. I get great compensation and benefits. (Yay for health insurance!)

The tough part? My territory is South Orange County/North San Diego County. This is far from family and my boyfriend. I'm nervous, but trying to trust God that it is where I am meant to live. Please pray that I find a church, friends, affordable apartment, etc.

What a Trip!

I just spent a few days in Oregon with family.

The plan? Celebrate Grandma Myrna's 80th Birthday with a big bash at her church.

The results? Grandma Myrna experienced a health problem - the party was cancelled!

Oh, well. At least I got to spend some fun time with my cousins and Aunt and Uncle. Grandma Myrna is all better, by the way!

I forgot to take pictures. Oops. Here is a pic of me in the airport shuttle. I have a new haircut!

Oh, and a Mommy and Baby Deer hung out in my Aunt's front yard. So cute!

Summer Wine Suggestions

People are always asking me for wine recommendations. The best advice I can give is "Drink what you like!" Of course, you may not have the chance to try before you buy. And then there are folks like my mom, who doesn't drink wine too often, but wants to know what to serve guests or give as a gift.

Here are my picks for summer:

Having a BBQ? The best pairing for a juicy cheeseburger is Syrah/Shiraz. It can even stand up to all the weird condiments you may pile on your burger. For steak, a rich Cabernet Sauvignon always fits the bill. With grilled chicken or seafood, you absolutely must try a dry rose! They are perfect for summer.

As an all-around perfect BBQ wine, try the Elyse Nero Misto. It's full of ripe dark fruit, perhaps because it is made with over 12 different grapes. This California-Italian styled wine is one of my absolute favorites. In the summer, don't be afraid to pop it in the fridge for about 20 minutes before opening.

For something cool and refereshing on a warm summer day, enjoy a glass (or two!) of prosecco. This is the Italian version of Champagne. It has smaller bubbles and a crisp finish. I like Zardetto Prosecco right now; it has a green apple flavor to it. You can add some juice - try cranberry, peach or strawberry, and make a refreshing bellini.

Cheers! Happy Summer!

Live La Dolce Vita

Aaron and I are proud to announce the completion of the cookbook we worked on for fabulous Oxnard restaurant La Dolce Vita. I wrote/edited the material and Aaron designed the beautiful pages. To order, visit http://www.ladolcevitadimare.com/. Trust me, you will just love this book. It is full of great Italian recipes with a California spin, like Pumpkin Risotto, Tomato Fondue, Chicken Marsala, Pasta Carbonara, Flourless Chocolate Cake with Fig Port Sauce, Antipasto Rolls, Iced Praline Torte and much more. Most of all, it is so stunning you will want to keep it displayed.

M & M = Love

Happy Marriage to Michael and Marissa!

Vegas, Baby, Vegas!

Vegas Round 1

I went to Las Vegas for Marissa's bachelorette party. For those of you who don't know, Marissa is a dear friend brought into my life via Aaron. He has been soul mate to her husband Michael for many years.

The first weekend in May was spent gallivanting through Las Vegas with 14 of Marissa's super fun and crrrrrrazy gals. We had a blast. I love these girls!

Vegas Round 2

After two days of Bachelorette Party Fun, the girls dropped me off at my next hotel, where I met up with BFF from college Monica and her mom Nancy. For two days we did lots of walking the strip, seeing the sights and eating our way through Vegas. This is Monica, I mean Sheila, with Karaoke King of Vegas Doug. We somehow always find ourselves in interesting situations when we get together . . . (actually we both find ourselves in interesting situations when we are just individuals, but it just gets MORE interesting when our odd luck combines.)

Happy Birthday Aaron!

On May 9 I celebrated Aaron's 27th birthday. Thank you God for Aaron! He is the most wonderful man and I love him with all of my heart.

Stuffed

Don't you hate it when you buy one tiny little thing and it is surrounded by tons of packaging, which you can barely open by the way. It makes me crazy! Like this:

Aaron is taking a sustainable packaging class in his graphic design program. I thank God that somebody realized that those who design packaging needed proper education on this subject. Somehow though, Aaron and I ended up bickering about environmental thinking as a trend. I was being cranky and anti-everything. It was a Daria moment. (Sorry Aaron for being argumentative for no reason.)

What is funny is that I started The Environmental Club in 7th grade at my school. We planted native plants, took a low-impact train trip, cleaned the beach, created Earth Day skits, started recycling programs and lots more.


Over the years though, I guess I became jaded. And now, I feel like the "green" (I am so sick of that word) movement is still based on CONSUMERISM! And that is the problem to begin with. Our obsession with STUFF! (Which I am not above.)


Buy this! Buy that! "Green" products are a status symbol! Just like SUVs were a few years ago. So there is no change in our hearts or attitude. I saw this amazing video ... it's short, simple and easy to understand. It is called The Story of Stuff, and it helped me get why I can't let my jaded spirit and annoyed attitude stop me from making changes in my life and in my country. Please watch! Click here - http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Count them: TWO Bouquets

Bouquets are practically hitting me in the face. I'm not even trying ... I'll just be walking down the street and all of a sudden the bride's flowers are in my hands.

I caught Valerie's bouquet LAST June. Aaron looks a little freaked out here. It doesn't help that Bryon and Elizabeth and tosse their little baby into his arms. Well ... it has been almost a year, so maybe he is getting used to the idea.

Then in March, I caught Kellie's (my cousin Mark's beautiful bride) flowers.

If I hear "you're next" another time ... I'm gonna lose it.