Nick and I have been enjoying our summer a lot. May not feel like summer today (It’s currently 63F) but I know it’s not over. Sunny days are still coming and I can’t wait for more. We’ve been swimming at Green Lake for 5 straight days and it has been wonderful. I came into work today wearing a sweater, and because of all the swimming we’ve been doing since the weekend, it actually felt like Monday. I did not like that. But hey, our weekend made up for it.
My friend hosted a big luau at his house. He invited my capoeira group to come and perform. We did great by the way. Photo below shows us, wearing white, with the hula dancers and the samoan slap dancers. haha!
Ashley and I in the roda.
After the performances and the eating that commenced.
And the last photo below was taken last Monday night. Our friend Jonny, same guy who hosted the luau, invited us over to Lake Union to enjoy the sunset. I had such a blast! I actually went swimming in the middle of the lake at 11pm. It’s not all the time that I get to say that. I’ve got some stories to tell my future kids.
Did I tell you that Nick and I are going to watch Matisyahu tonight? Oh yeah!!!
In the 4 years we’ve been married, it’s our second major concert that we’re going to, where we both actually like the artist. The first one was Dave Matthews Band. Which is my all time favorite band in the whole world. He bought the tickets on our first year of our marriage as a gift to me. 
Tonight, we’re going to sing.. “Ah yoyoyoyoyoyo!!!!”
Crying. It happens to me a lot. Usually once a month. Nick doesn’t get surprised anymore if I have my one good cry once a month triggered by something stupid. Like if he forgot to bring me home some food that I asked him to. Especially if it’s food that I have been craving for for a whole week. And I’m not even pregnant.
I’ve been wanting to blog something about crying ever since a friend asked Nick if he thinks that I’m weak when I cry. I was quite taken aback by the question. I’ve never thought that crying was a sign of weakness. I actually have more respect for people who are not ashamed to cry when they talk about something that is close to their heart. I mean, women are the weaker sex but it doesn’t mean we are the lesser sex. Physically weak, I agree with that, but our worth? It’s the same.
And I know that Nick doesn’t think I’m weak for crying. He knows it’s my way of releasing the stress or emotion that I have boiling inside of me. Yes, going to the gym, going for a run or whatever physical activity is also a good way of releasing stress, but sometimes, a good cry is ok. You may look all puffy around the eyes the next morning, but you feel better after letting it out.
I know we’ve had people tell us some things are not worth crying about. I agree with that, but what if it hurts so bad that there’s no other way to release it but cry? You shouldn’t stop yourself from crying. It’s ok to cry. Having a friend’s shoulder to cry on would of course always be better.
After crying over something, I get to release my emotion and know I will be better after it. I will cry then move on. There are even studies that say crying is good for you.
I cry and I’m not ashamed of it.
I was reading this and thought about the things that I did when I was small. Everything was so big and far. I always looked at trees with a challenge in my mind, wondering if I could climb it or not. Now it seems like they’re just staring at me, asking if I’d like to play with them sometime. I have refused because it seems so crazy trying to do that now. When was the last time I climbed a tree?
I have stopped looking for ants on the window sill. I have stopped collecting petals from flowers. I’ve stopped running around and around our house just because. I’ve stopped throwing rocks in the air to see how high I can throw them. Have I really forgotten to do all these things. Or does it seem so meaningless now? It was soo much fun! Why isn’t it anymore?
Fun is described differently now. Computers and mobile phones have become such a distraction. I have stopped playing without a care in the world.
I wish I was small again. I wish I would have that moment to just be and not worry about what I’m going to eat, wear or people I have to see.
Summer is around the corner, I’m going to go out and play.
Did I ever tell you that I went to Mexico for 8 days a few weeks ago? And that Nick didn’t come with me? I didn’t mention that did I? Well now you know.
Nick is on his one week of break before summer quarter starts so for his turn to leave the house and be away from the spouse and enjoy guy time, he’s making the most of it by camping for 3 days. He’s done this a couple of times with his guy friends and I’m still not used to it. I have always shared a bed with someone and being alone in bed is not something I look forward to. The only great part about this is that I get so much space. I can finally sleep diagonally without anyone complaining about how I take so much space.
I hope he has fun on his trip. I guess to make myself feel better, I’ll just imagine Nick sleeping in a tent while it’s cold and yucky outside. And here I will be in my Temperpedic bed under the warm covers.
Goodnight world! Goodnight Nick my love! Haha!
St. Helens
This weekend, Nick will surprise me with an adventure we both have never done before. I am excited for what he has planned. I have to remember to keep in mind that whatever happens, I will try to not be whiny and to just enjoy whatever my husband has planned for our adventure together.
I told him I will try to be the best outdoorsy wife I can ever be. I say this because I am a city girl. The outdoors for me is the beach and water. I would kayak, ride the rapids and surf. But the mountains, yeah they’re God’s beautiful creation, but I like to be on horizontal ground. But that’s just me. I know I will learn to love it more and more. I just have to do it frequently.
Two things that are a must to bring: 1) Hiking Shoes and 2) Camera
I’m excited!
PS. For those that missed the photo of our anniversary spread last night, here’s a link http://twitpic.com/1lo37q
Update: Added the photo for a sneak peak on what we did. Will post more photos soon.
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It has now been 4 years since Nick and I made our vows. How time flies! 4 years may sound like nothing to those who have been married for like 15 years and more. But I guess they understand since they too have probably felt the same way Nick and I are feeling.
It has been 4 crazy and amazing years being married to the most wonderful man in the world. I can’t thank God enough for He has blessed me with a man that was more than I have ever dreamed of. I feel like I’ve said this last year and the year before that. Let’s try something different. Here are some of my thoughts on our 4 years of marriage.
1. The first year was hard (like most marriages) since we were just getting to know each other. Not just two people coming together as man and woman, but our backgrounds are totally different. It was sort of, a clash of the cultures that we both had to work on. Eventually, after that first year, things got better and better. Now Nick knows me so much that we have become such a great team together.
2. There is nothing like marrying my best friend. I get to be who I am. Dance like a dork in the living room, make funny faces, walk like a clown, and do other crazy things and I know that my husband still loves me for who I am.
3. Don’t let a day go by without saying “I love you” to each other. I know actions speak louder than words, and they do, but for me, just hearing it everyday makes me feel more and more loved. I grew up in a house where we didn’t say “I love you’s” much. It’s the truth. Although my parents did a lot to show it and I know they love me but I felt like I didn’t hear it enough. So hearing it from my husband is such a breath of fresh air that I savor it everytime I hear it.
4. Selflessness and laughter are the things that I truly enjoy in our marriage. I struggle a lot on the first part and Nick’s really good at it but it’s something that I think marriages should have. Laughing together is such a great thing because we get to release the tensions and stresses of the day as we enjoy each other. We are both dorks so it works out really well. HAHA!
5. Taking walks together is not only good for our health but for marriage as well. There are no distractions, we get to enjoy the stars, and get fit at the same time. Everytime Nick and I take our nightly walks we always end up with the best conversations. We would end up talking about our dreams, future little kiddies, the ministry we’d have as a family, and basically living the life God intended us to live. I’ve found that the only times that we both truly get to be open with each other is during our walks and talks in bed (Of course we don’t just talk in bed. Some amazing stuff happens there too. Hahaha!) I truly recommend taking long walks with your spouse.
6. I have been more in love with Nick than when we first got married.
I know I have a couple more points up my sleeve to write but I have to go to bed and spend the rest of our anniversary night together. He just finished his HW. So off I go. Good night everyone!
Ok seriously. How much does an average woman pay to get their hair done. After having it cut and colored (foil). I spent so much bucks getting my hair done yesterday I couldn’t believe I paid for that much. I wish my mom was here so she can just do my hair.
I probably get my hair done 3 times a year. I cut it, grow it out, cut it, grow it out. That’s the process. I don’t go to the salon to get my hair done for a wedding or some special occasion. Just a cut and color, 3 times a year. That’s it.
I got my hair done at Babalouise in Ballard. The person who did my hair is one of the people that started the salon. Meaning, her rates are higher than the other stylists in the salon. Oh my gosh!!
Can someone please recommend another stylist that’s really good but I don’t have to pay too much money? The request may be out of this world but if you know anyone. I would gladly accept the suggestions.
Always always keep your pantry well stocked. That way if you are lazy but still want to make home made food, you can easily put something together in no time. With Allrecipes.com and other similar websites, you can make a search for ingredients that you want in a dish and it’ll give you the results of which recipes that has the ingredients. Sometimes you have to run to the store for one missing ingredient sometimes you don’t.
Tonight, I was lazy and did not want to cook. I was even willing to go to the store to just buy some instant noodles. (BAD!) But then realized that we had some leftover chicken that was used from making chicken bbq sandwiches. It’s just chicken meat, bbq sauce and buns. Yeah easy.
So I decided to make chicken casserole. I had all the ingredients the recipe called for and then some. I added asparagus to it. I loved how it gave extra texture to the dish since it still had a little bit of crunch in it even after it was baked.
I skipped the butter and added onion soup mix. I used 3 cups of egg noodles, about 2 cups of chicken meat, plus 3/4 cup of chicken stock, used half and half instead of milk, and lastly 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese. Add more stock depending on how saucy you want it. Don’t salt it anymore, it was salty enough.
Nom nom nom
I realize that I have been doing a lot of food postings. I want you guys to know that I don’t just cook and eat all the time after I get off from work. I workout a lot. Just this week, I went to the gym 3 times. Ran for 40 minutes on Saturday then went hiking on Sunday. I love eating but one has to balance it out with working out and being fit. I know this recipe is not a healthy one but we don’t eat it all the time. I’d make this like 3 times a year. I don’t even remember the last time we made chicken casserole.
So yeah, eat (don’t stuff yourselves) and workout. Oh and stay away from fast food. It’s the healthy way to go.
