Today, Prince William and Kate Middleton got married. The news coverage started at four o'clock in the morning here in the USA, and it went on for six hours or so. I didn't get up to watch it live, but I recorded it and, after a good night's rest, watched every last second of the ceremony and commentary. And I can't deny that I cried several times in those six hours.
I also can't deny that I'm slightly envious of Kate. Who wouldn't be? I mean, she is married to a prince! Don't all little girls, at least at some point in their lives, dream of becoming princesses? I'm about the least girly girl I know, but I've seen Cinderella and I like how it ends! Despite my love of sweat pants and no makeup, if someone asked me to be a princess, I would put on that poofy dress and those uncomfortable shoes, I would paint on my face, and I would get my butt up into that carriage as gracefully as possible and ride off to my palace to live happily ever after.
Really, who wouldn't want to be a princess (at least of the fairytale variety)?
So I look at this real-life Cinderella, and I am just in awe of her, but not just because she's a princess. Even if Kate were still a "commoner," she is a woman who appears to have it all - she is drop-dead gorgeous, and she has amazing clothes, which she wears with a poise and a confidence that most superstars don't even project. She's also intelligent and well-educated, and she has what appears to be a good and pure heart. (Yes, I get all of this from the countless photos I find online that I can't help clicking on and staring at.) The reason we all love Kate so much is that she is proof that dreams do come true, that fairy tales can be real.
By my favorite part of the story is that, with or without her fancy clothes, Prince William seems to really love her. He is, of course, the only one who truly knows what's in his heart; but if you were watching the wedding, you must have been able to see a glimpse of it on his face - pure, real, true love.
And that's the part of the fairy tale that really gets me. That's the most important part of the story. Yes, I'm jealous of the princess's beauty, and I'd love to have just a fraction of her wardrobe hanging in my closet. Yes, I'm slightly envious of the fantasy world she gets to live in - I certainly wouldn't complain if I never had to work again, nor worry about silly things like bills. But the thing I find most enviable about Kate is that she is so loved. It doesn't matter that William is a prince; Kate would be his princess regardless.
And so I realize that I have nothing to envy in Kate at all because the thing she has that everyone wants the most is an amazing love story. And I already have mine.
On my wedding day, I wore a simple dress for a simple ceremony, and only 10 other people were there to see me in it. But when Brandon held my hands and looked in my eyes, I caught a glimpse of the same thing I saw on TV earlier today - pure, real, true love. And I've seen it in his eyes every day since.
I don't need Kate Middleton's clothes; I couldn't pull them off anyway. I will still admire her from afar, and I may even find myself envying her from time to time. But at the end of the day, I will always know that she doesn't have anything I don't have.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 296: New York Prime
I didn't ask for anything from Brandon for my birthday. I'd had the big party over spring break, and he wanted to take me out to a nice dinner. With our big India trip coming up and our shed about to be delivered (and therefore needing to be paid for), this was more than enough for me. Brandon kept asking if there was anything I wanted, but I told him over and over that I was sure my birthday dinner would be more than enough. And I was right.
Brandon took me to New York Prime, which is a steak house frequented by the likes of Boca's wealthy residents, although, while it was probably one of the nicest dinners I've ever had, for the regular clientele, it's just a casual outing (like Brandon and I going to Chili's).
I was very excited about this dinner. Brandon has worked at New York Prime several times, and they always feed him when he's there. The food is so good, Brandon claims he would work there just for the meal. (And I would let him, as long as he continues bringing home the gigantic piece of cheesecake they always send him with!) He's been talking about this place and looking for a reason to take me there for a long, long time.
Our meal was wonderful. It started with wine, chosen by the restaurant manager, who is chummy with Brandon and made every effort to make sure we had a nice time. Then we ordered two steaks, one loaded baked potato (the portions at this restaurant are huge, and that one potato weighed over a pound, before it was loaded!), and an order of the largest onion rings I've ever seen!
Rarely in my life do I have the opportunity to taste food so delicious. And I'm not even that into steak. But this steak was something else; it was like nothing I had ever tasted, and it was perfect. The whole meal - no, the whole night - was perfect.
Brandon and I are pretty simple people. We don't go out all that much, and when we do, it's usually for wings and beer. But that means that treating ourselves really is a treat, and that's why this night was so incredibly special.
I just hope we're not spoiled now.
Brandon took me to New York Prime, which is a steak house frequented by the likes of Boca's wealthy residents, although, while it was probably one of the nicest dinners I've ever had, for the regular clientele, it's just a casual outing (like Brandon and I going to Chili's).
I was very excited about this dinner. Brandon has worked at New York Prime several times, and they always feed him when he's there. The food is so good, Brandon claims he would work there just for the meal. (And I would let him, as long as he continues bringing home the gigantic piece of cheesecake they always send him with!) He's been talking about this place and looking for a reason to take me there for a long, long time.
Our meal was wonderful. It started with wine, chosen by the restaurant manager, who is chummy with Brandon and made every effort to make sure we had a nice time. Then we ordered two steaks, one loaded baked potato (the portions at this restaurant are huge, and that one potato weighed over a pound, before it was loaded!), and an order of the largest onion rings I've ever seen!
Rarely in my life do I have the opportunity to taste food so delicious. And I'm not even that into steak. But this steak was something else; it was like nothing I had ever tasted, and it was perfect. The whole meal - no, the whole night - was perfect.
Brandon and I are pretty simple people. We don't go out all that much, and when we do, it's usually for wings and beer. But that means that treating ourselves really is a treat, and that's why this night was so incredibly special.
I just hope we're not spoiled now.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Day 292: Adventures with the Palm Beach County Buildings Department
It appears we didn't have quite enough fun with the Palm Beach County Health Department all those days ago because today we back to the county for more - this time with the Buildings Department.
Since we moved into our house over two years ago, we have wanted to put in a shed. See, our home has three bedrooms, but the third one used to be the garage. Converted garages are common here, being that we don't have to worry about leaving our cars out in the dreadful winter weather. And when we were buying, our budget forced us to have to choose between three-bedroom-no-garage and two-bedroom-garage. At that time, we decided we wanted the third bedroom more, so we bought a house without a garage.
But right away, we knew we were also going to have a problem with storage. We don't have a basement (nobody does here), and you can only throw so much up in the attic or at the back of closets.
Anyway, after the wedding (yes, I realize that was over nine months ago), we decided it was really time to put in that shed. And we have seriously been working on the project ever since. Much of the hassle has been in figuring out the building codes and permitting. And that is what we worked on today.
Last week, Brandon went to the courthouse in West Palm Beach to get the building permit. It was supposed to be a quick and easy thing (aside from the drive). But later we learned that, before the county can issue our permit, we have to get utility easement release forms signed by five different utility companies, which are, of course, spread throughout the county.
And so, we spent our entire afternoon driving from utility company to utility company to get these forms signed. Like I said, we have five of them. After all of our time and effort, three of them are signed, which obviously means this project isn't done. Brandon will have to go back out tomorrow to get signatures on the other two.
Brandon and I get frustrated sometimes because life seems like one long list of chores. I just want to be able to sit on my butt, eating junk food and watching TV! (Not every day, but some days!!!)
I guess being a newly-wed isn't just about being happy and in love. It's also about getting stuff figured out and getting life on track. Oh, and about finally getting a shed put up in the backyard so when Brandon's on my last nerve, he has a place to go!
Just kidding...I think...
Since we moved into our house over two years ago, we have wanted to put in a shed. See, our home has three bedrooms, but the third one used to be the garage. Converted garages are common here, being that we don't have to worry about leaving our cars out in the dreadful winter weather. And when we were buying, our budget forced us to have to choose between three-bedroom-no-garage and two-bedroom-garage. At that time, we decided we wanted the third bedroom more, so we bought a house without a garage.
But right away, we knew we were also going to have a problem with storage. We don't have a basement (nobody does here), and you can only throw so much up in the attic or at the back of closets.
Anyway, after the wedding (yes, I realize that was over nine months ago), we decided it was really time to put in that shed. And we have seriously been working on the project ever since. Much of the hassle has been in figuring out the building codes and permitting. And that is what we worked on today.
Last week, Brandon went to the courthouse in West Palm Beach to get the building permit. It was supposed to be a quick and easy thing (aside from the drive). But later we learned that, before the county can issue our permit, we have to get utility easement release forms signed by five different utility companies, which are, of course, spread throughout the county.
And so, we spent our entire afternoon driving from utility company to utility company to get these forms signed. Like I said, we have five of them. After all of our time and effort, three of them are signed, which obviously means this project isn't done. Brandon will have to go back out tomorrow to get signatures on the other two.
Brandon and I get frustrated sometimes because life seems like one long list of chores. I just want to be able to sit on my butt, eating junk food and watching TV! (Not every day, but some days!!!)
I guess being a newly-wed isn't just about being happy and in love. It's also about getting stuff figured out and getting life on track. Oh, and about finally getting a shed put up in the backyard so when Brandon's on my last nerve, he has a place to go!
Just kidding...I think...
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Day 283: Birthday Party
Although my birthday isn't for another 10 days, spring break seemed like the best time to throw myself a party! Some of Brandon's friends, some of my friends, a whole lot of beer, and...well, the night kind of makes itself!
We started at World of Beer (because where else would I have a birthday party?), where several friends met up with us. We saw some that we hadn't seen in a really long time. I guess there's nothing like a 28th birthday to bring old friends back together again!
From there, we went back to our house, where we got the grill going. Brandon made his famous burgers next to some beer-soaked brats. And while we waited for it to cook, someone started a game of Flip-Cup.
Wait...how old am I turning? Not 19, not 20, and certainly not 21. So Flip Cup? Really?
But I couldn't stay suspicious for long. After all, back in the day, I was a Flip Cup champion; a girl has to defend her title, you know! So we drank, we flipped, and we made a huge mess all over the patio (something I wouldn't have thought about if it had been my 19th, 20th, or 21st birthday party!). But it didn't matter because, in the end, I my team won, seven to five.
And that is how my husband and I, and 10 or so of our closest friends, spent my 28th birthday. They do say you are only as old as you feel. And, although some nights I feel like an old, married lady, tonight I feel like a kid again!
We started at World of Beer (because where else would I have a birthday party?), where several friends met up with us. We saw some that we hadn't seen in a really long time. I guess there's nothing like a 28th birthday to bring old friends back together again!
From there, we went back to our house, where we got the grill going. Brandon made his famous burgers next to some beer-soaked brats. And while we waited for it to cook, someone started a game of Flip-Cup.
Wait...how old am I turning? Not 19, not 20, and certainly not 21. So Flip Cup? Really?
But I couldn't stay suspicious for long. After all, back in the day, I was a Flip Cup champion; a girl has to defend her title, you know! So we drank, we flipped, and we made a huge mess all over the patio (something I wouldn't have thought about if it had been my 19th, 20th, or 21st birthday party!). But it didn't matter because, in the end, I my team won, seven to five.
And that is how my husband and I, and 10 or so of our closest friends, spent my 28th birthday. They do say you are only as old as you feel. And, although some nights I feel like an old, married lady, tonight I feel like a kid again!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Day 280: Adventures with the Palm Beach County Health Department
In my last post, I said that Brandon and I were looking forward to a chance to relax during this week of spring break; and fortunately, we have done some of that here and there. Unfortunately, we haven't had an opportunity to do much of it today because even when you are just sitting in a chair waiting for your name to be called, that can get pretty stressful when there are a thousand small, unsupervised children running around and screaming.
Oh, the joys of the county health department!
We were there because we needed to get our vaccinations for India. Brandon had to get four shots and a week's worth of pills. I only had to get the pills. But both of us had to spend our entire morning getting this done.
The first issue was our own fault. We drove to the Health Department office in Delray Beach, where we were told upon sign-in that we were in the wrong location. So we headed back to I-95 and went a few exits farther north to Lake Worth, where we spent several precious minutes (we were now late for our appointment) looking for the hidden health department office, which ended up being directly behind what appeared to be an insane asylum.
Anyway, we got there, we checked in, and we waited 30 minutes. We were surprised when our names were called so quickly; we weren't as surprised when we were simply taken from one waiting room to another. And this time we waited much, much longer. Perhaps we were there an hour, perhaps more. I had a book, but Brandon was stuck watching cartoons with some of those small, unsupervised children I mentioned before! We sat there and sat there and sat there.
Eventually, the nurse came to get us. She was jolly and talkative, but we were not; we just wanted to get the process over with.
Now, I had spent time several days prior researching all of the different vaccinations we needed, and I've also had all of them before. So we went into her office armed with information. I spoke confidently, telling the nurse that I'd lived in India for a year, had had all of my shots fives years prior, and just wanted Brandon to get this, this, this, and that shot. Plus, we needed the pills. All of this was already decided, and I didn't need anymore information. The nurse, however, felt obligated to share with us every piece of information ever recorded about every one of the vaccines we needed. I was sitting there thinking, "Just stick him a few times and let us out of here," as she went on and on and on about this and that.
When I finally thought she might be ready to shut up and stick him (I guess I got my hopes up when she took a breath), I heard her say, "Oh, and are you guys from Chicago?" (I guess she'd noticed Brandon's Bears shirt.)We should have just told her no, that we simply liked the colors, but it was too late. She went on and on and on about when she lived there and how she really prefers it to South Florida, except for the winters, and blah blah blah.
When this monologue was complete, the nurse was finally ready to stick Brandon in the arm a few times. She then gave us a prescription for the pills we needed, walked us to the door, and then stood there with us for 15 minutes as she told us everything we need to take with us to India. Had I not made it clear that I'd lived there for a year? I was so annoyed. But we were almost done.
And then...
We got to the pharmacy inside the Health Department at 12:15 and handed in the prescriptions. "We close for lunch at 12:30, so these won't be ready till 1:30, when we get back," said the pharmacist. We couldn't believe it. But what choice did we have but to wait?
We decided to take ourselves to lunch, and that was a nice reprieve. But, when our lovely lunch was finished, it was back, once more, to the Health Department pharmacy, where we were surprised to find that our pills were actually ready to go. And thus, six hours after we'd left the house that morning, we have returned.
And now we might be able to relax!
Oh, the joys of the county health department!
We were there because we needed to get our vaccinations for India. Brandon had to get four shots and a week's worth of pills. I only had to get the pills. But both of us had to spend our entire morning getting this done.
The first issue was our own fault. We drove to the Health Department office in Delray Beach, where we were told upon sign-in that we were in the wrong location. So we headed back to I-95 and went a few exits farther north to Lake Worth, where we spent several precious minutes (we were now late for our appointment) looking for the hidden health department office, which ended up being directly behind what appeared to be an insane asylum.
Anyway, we got there, we checked in, and we waited 30 minutes. We were surprised when our names were called so quickly; we weren't as surprised when we were simply taken from one waiting room to another. And this time we waited much, much longer. Perhaps we were there an hour, perhaps more. I had a book, but Brandon was stuck watching cartoons with some of those small, unsupervised children I mentioned before! We sat there and sat there and sat there.
Eventually, the nurse came to get us. She was jolly and talkative, but we were not; we just wanted to get the process over with.
Now, I had spent time several days prior researching all of the different vaccinations we needed, and I've also had all of them before. So we went into her office armed with information. I spoke confidently, telling the nurse that I'd lived in India for a year, had had all of my shots fives years prior, and just wanted Brandon to get this, this, this, and that shot. Plus, we needed the pills. All of this was already decided, and I didn't need anymore information. The nurse, however, felt obligated to share with us every piece of information ever recorded about every one of the vaccines we needed. I was sitting there thinking, "Just stick him a few times and let us out of here," as she went on and on and on about this and that.
When I finally thought she might be ready to shut up and stick him (I guess I got my hopes up when she took a breath), I heard her say, "Oh, and are you guys from Chicago?" (I guess she'd noticed Brandon's Bears shirt.)We should have just told her no, that we simply liked the colors, but it was too late. She went on and on and on about when she lived there and how she really prefers it to South Florida, except for the winters, and blah blah blah.
When this monologue was complete, the nurse was finally ready to stick Brandon in the arm a few times. She then gave us a prescription for the pills we needed, walked us to the door, and then stood there with us for 15 minutes as she told us everything we need to take with us to India. Had I not made it clear that I'd lived there for a year? I was so annoyed. But we were almost done.
And then...
We got to the pharmacy inside the Health Department at 12:15 and handed in the prescriptions. "We close for lunch at 12:30, so these won't be ready till 1:30, when we get back," said the pharmacist. We couldn't believe it. But what choice did we have but to wait?
We decided to take ourselves to lunch, and that was a nice reprieve. But, when our lovely lunch was finished, it was back, once more, to the Health Department pharmacy, where we were surprised to find that our pills were actually ready to go. And thus, six hours after we'd left the house that morning, we have returned.
And now we might be able to relax!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Day 275: So Much to Celebrate
We have been married for nine months, spring break has begun, and, although it's April Fool's Day, none of this is a joke!
As I have said just about every month for the past nine months, it's hard to believe that this much time has passed. And this month, it's even harder to take in, because, not only have I made it through these nine months of marriage (which weren't too hard!), I've also made it through seven months of teaching (which were). I only have two months left till summer, and the first week of that is spring break!
Brandon was lucky enough to get several days off in the coming week so we can really spend some time together. If I had to do it all over again, I might not get married and change careers at the same time; it's been difficult to be the perfect, newly-wedded wife when my greatest focus for seven of the past nine months has been on my schoolwork. But I'm also a million times happier than I was at the bank, and that makes me two million times easier to live with.
Both Brandon and I deserve this coming break. We have been working extremely hard, constantly asking ourselves whether life will always be a long list of chores. But we have been getting things done. And now, for one blessed week, we plan to relax, cherish our time together, and just enjoy being.
And the best part about it is that, on this, the first day of spring break, we already have something to celebrate. Happy 9-month anniversary to us!
As I have said just about every month for the past nine months, it's hard to believe that this much time has passed. And this month, it's even harder to take in, because, not only have I made it through these nine months of marriage (which weren't too hard!), I've also made it through seven months of teaching (which were). I only have two months left till summer, and the first week of that is spring break!
Brandon was lucky enough to get several days off in the coming week so we can really spend some time together. If I had to do it all over again, I might not get married and change careers at the same time; it's been difficult to be the perfect, newly-wedded wife when my greatest focus for seven of the past nine months has been on my schoolwork. But I'm also a million times happier than I was at the bank, and that makes me two million times easier to live with.
Both Brandon and I deserve this coming break. We have been working extremely hard, constantly asking ourselves whether life will always be a long list of chores. But we have been getting things done. And now, for one blessed week, we plan to relax, cherish our time together, and just enjoy being.
And the best part about it is that, on this, the first day of spring break, we already have something to celebrate. Happy 9-month anniversary to us!
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