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.

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.

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.

The other night though, it was the sweetest words I have ever heard from a stranger.

Two nights ago, Nick was really sick. He was in the bathroom a million times, he had food coming out on both ends and it was not a pretty sight. It was the first time I ever saw him sick like this.  Before I got home from work I already bought him Pepto Bismol and it didn’t seem to work. So he asked me to go to the store and get him some Sprite and saltines. Never heard about Sprite or any kind of soda to make someones stomach feel better but because Nick said that his mom made him drink pop under this circumstances and it worked, I couldn’t argue with him. (did some research and found that the carbonated water makes the stomach acids settle).

I went to the grocery store, picked up the pop and saltines then walked to the cashier to pay for my stuff.  A lady was paying for her groceries when I got to the express line. I noticed that she probably just came from work with the clothes she was wearing and rode her bike home since she was wearing biking shoes, then just picked up some things before going home.

I placed the pop and saltines down, she took a quick glance at them and smiled.  I smiled back then looked away because I wasn’t really in the mood to have a small conversation about how cold it was that night.  And I was too worried about Nick to even stay an extra minute just to talk.  She probably even saw my not so happy face.

But as she was putting her receipt in her wallet, she looked at the pop and saltines, then at me and said,  ”You know what? I look at these and just want to say, I hope you feel better.” It took my by surprise. I was surprised at her thoughtfulness and kindness.  My attitude suddenly changed.  I said,”Awwww thank you! that’s so sweet of you!  It’s for my husband though. He’s really sick right now.” She replied and said,”Awwww I hope he feels better.  I just know how he feels. I’ve gone through what he’s going through a million times, and it is horrible.  I also always take pop and saltines when my stomach is not feeling well.  Please give my love to your husband.  I know you both don’t know me but please tell him, someone hopes that he feels better soon.”

Wow.

I went home and told Nick about the lady at the store.  He said that that was such a sweet thing for a stranger to say.  I thought the same.  He drank the pop, ate some saltines and was better in just 10 minutes.  I know the stuff I got at the store made Nick feel better but the kind words of the lady made Nick feeling better extra special.

She made me think of how often I say kind words to another person.  To my officemates, friends, husband or even the person sitting next to me on the bus.  I may have done it a couple of times but I feel like I don’t do it often enough.  Sometimes we don’t feel like it because we had a bad day.  I look back now and remember the lady actually looked pretty tired, she was sweaty and seemed to be in a hurry too.  I was even right about her riding her bike home since I saw her cycle away from the store when she left.  I don’t think I get to say kind words to another person when I’m tired. But with that quick conversation that I had, I think we should always be ready with kind words. With just a few, it opens up something in us.  There’s a feeling of relief in knowing that we are not alone through our struggles.

I’m going to do what she did to me. I could be tired, sweaty and in a hurry like she was, but I will try.  You think you can do it too?

My husband is a tiny bit Irish, I’m saying tiny because when I asked him how Irish he was this is what I got:

Me: ”Babe, is your grandfather full Irish?”

Nick: “Emmm… mostly.”

I’m guessing most Americans are the same way. A tiny bit Irish, tiny bit German, tiny bit English… yeah pretty much tiny bit of everything.  Nick I’m guessing has a lot more Italian then German, then English.. then whatever European immigrant decided to live in America back in the day.

Back to what we did during St. Paddy’s.  On the day itself, it was a Wednesday. So Nick and I decided it was best we just make our Irish corned beef and cabbage at home. Have a Guinness and then call it a night. We already celebrated a big St. Paddy’s/birthday at an Irish pub the night before so it was best we just rested.

Nick ready to attack the corned beef

Corned Beef and Cabbage w/ Potato Fingerlings

For the weekend we just went over to a friend’s house to see how Italian’s celebrated St. Paddy’s. I’m not sure if there’s a big clash of the cultures but hey, they’re an amazing Italian family who loves to celebrate anything!

Nick and Lowell

My friend Rebecca and her Dad

Rebecca's Stuffed Cabbage

Lowell's Meat Pie

I love Rebacca.. + the boy who wanted a photo then changed his mind

Nick and I woke up this morning with stuffy noses and deep sexy sick bedroom voices. haha! We had our coffee and lunch (yes we slept in) and headed out the door. We were going to the Seattle Asian Art Museum but decided that the day was too nice to be indoors. So we decided to just walk around Volunteer Park and enjoy the day.

Driving to the park, we had the windows rolled down. It was actually the first time this year that we were able to do that. It was that warm. Dude 64F is major! We loved it!

We arrived at the park, we saw the cherry trees all beautiful and blooming. The people were out in the field laying on their picnic blankets, reading books, throwing frisbees, walking their dogs, riding their bikes and also people with their cameras taking photos of the flowers. It was spring and Nick and I loved it!

We walked around the conservatory and the park and then sat by the black sun, to enjoy the warmth and the view of the Space Needle.

It was one of those days when I thanked God that I live in Seattle.  I am sure that this is just the beginning of the many sunny days we’re going to have here. I can’t wait for the late sunsets, bbq with friends, after-work swimming in the lake and throwing frisbees at Alki. Camping trips will then come, hiking in the mountains and lots of play time in the sun.

Sun, shine on me. I can’t wait to spend more time with you. (Don’t worry peeps, I suncreen like crazy)

I turned 28 on the 3rd. Had a wonderful lunch at work. With great food, wine and gifts. I felt loved. It didn’t end there, I had an amazing dinner with Nick and friends at Bizzaro. It was so funny when we they brought out the desserts. The waiter was singing happy birthday like a drunken guy. It was so funny. He acted so drunk that words weren’t coming out of his mouth, just the tune of the birthday song. I was laughing and enjoyed it a lot. You guys have to check out the video on their website to see what I’m talking about.

I had linguini with clams. Oh it was heaven! I’ll post some photos after this post. To make you all jealous of course. ha!

The good news is, I passed the knowledge test to get my student driver’s permit. You will see me on the roads pretty soon my dearies. So be prepared.

For an extra birthday gift, my wonderful husband got me a Blackberry Curve. It is like being on crack! I love the phone! Nick got a Samsung touch screen phone but I think he’s going to return it and exchange it with a Blackberry. Oh yeah!

Hope you guys had a wonderful weekend. Superbowl last night was pretty fun. Go Saints!

It’s been a busy one, especially today. Worked almost 10 hours on my deadlines. Goodness. I can’t wait for the time when Nick’s done with school, already working and I’d be making money part time. And no, no kids yet. That’s the plan. That’s the plan. God could change it anytime.

So tomorrow, at 27 yrs. of age, I will finally take that driver’s knowledge test so I can work on getting my driver’s license. It’s crazy how important it is to have it here. In Manila, tons of people survive without driving. Everything’s so far apart here it sucks big time getting on the bus, what with all the stops and the creeps.

Let’s hope I pass the test tomorrow. Get my student driver permit then get that dang license in my wallet.

Hope you had a great week everyone. I’m off to watch a movie, review and dream of  tropical waters.