Three Months and Counting!

Since my last post, I have been busy with school, work, and also getting ready to get hitched. It's stressful, but of course I am incredibly happy. I haven't been super fast at getting the news out, but believe it or not I am getting married THREE MONTHS FROM TODAY!! Please see the above save-the-date card if you don't believe me.

I have also started a wedding blog to help keep you all up to date with wedding news: www.teammmadams.blogspot.com (Please note the three m's). So far it has another copy of the save-the-date, registry info, and a map to reception venue.

I will be harvesting addresses soon, so if you are not sure if I have your updated address, please shoot me an email, or comment below so I can email you.

Max and I look forward to sharing our Big Day with you!

One Word

If I could choose one word to describe my relationship with max, I would select "surprise." Because all in all, this whole thing has been a surprise. First of all I was pretty astonished to find a someone worth talking to on that one dating site, and even more astonishing was that he wanted to talk to me too.

The good thing is that I like surprises, especially good ones, and Max is very talented at surprising me. Even from the day we met in person. I may have mentioned that I invited him to my cousin's wedding reception, and thanks to some cell phone difficulties, I didn't know he was coming until I saw him walk through the door. My heart sped up and melted all at the same time.

(picture courtesy of my cousin Monica. How awesome is it that I have a picture of the day we met?)

As our dating progressed Max found other ways to surprise me. He sent me my favorite flowers for my birthday; he had the above picture framed for me on our third-month-anniversary; he has sent quite a few packages; and my favorite: when he visits for the weekend he always leaves hidden notes for me. A practice I have tried to adopt as well.

I know he's wonderful, but all the time I feel so surprised at how kind, generous, and thoughtful he is. And he's so good lookin' to boot!

Four weeks ago during a family campout, Max wanted to take a walk. We always take walks together so it seemed like we were going to fulfill one of our traditions.

While on the walk he started talking all lovey-dovey, and while doing so, he surprised me by going down on one knee and asked if I would marry him. Like all of his surprises, it was completely unexpected. Naturally, there was just one word I could say in response:

"Yes!"

School Is Hard

I've promised to do the Big Catch Up, but today is not that day. I just wanted to explain why I haven't delivered on my promise. The reason is: Midterms. Maybe you remember them and they haunt your dreams to this day. This will happen to me, I just know it. I have had so many big projects due all at once, and not only have they kept me up literally all night long, they have kept me from my blog.

Here's a teaser to keep your interest piqued in what I will write about hopefullythisweekendprovidedIdon'tgetdumpedonbymyinstructorsagain.

Also, I totally chopped my hair all off. Pictures to come.

Overachievers, Please Try Harder

Another quarter has come and gone, and I am officially done with my first year as an Interior Design student. I have already mentioned how much I love it, and I think it loves me too. Yes, I am still getting good grades.

However, I don't really like school's grading policy. Instead of giving A's, B's, and C's we get grades like 4.0, 3.9, 3.8...you get the picture. So my final grades for this quarter were: 4.0 for Textiles, 3.8 for Architectual Graphics, and 3.7 for Rendering. Technically these are all A's, and I can't help but be pleased about that. But when I look at my accumulative GPA for the year, I have a 3.87. It looks like a got a B somewhere, but I didn't. A 3.7 is my lowest grade, which is still an A, but it doesn't look as nice as a 4.0. This is very frustrating. It is no longer enough just to get an "A" but now it has to be a nice, solid, perfect-looking 4.0.

P.S. The image above is a picture I took of my final project for Architectual Graphics where we learned how to draw 2 point and 1 point perspectives. If it wasn't for the stupid models we did earlier in the quarter I would have gotten a 4.0 in that class too.

A Word About Tattoos

Sometimes I see a really cool tattoo and think, "If I could come up with something that cool, I would so get a tattoo." But I really wouldn't because 1. the prophet said no and 2. I'm not a huge fan of needles. Sufficeth to say, I am not ever contemplating getting one. After all, they are kind of permanent.

That being said, sometimes I do enjoy body art. I worked with a girl at the bakery in NYC who had some clever tattoos that could stand the test of time. I am even slightly proud to say that I helped pick out one of them. (She wanted an homage to the home state of Washington, and instead of an apple, I suggested blackberries. It looks cool.) However, not everyone can pick out great tattoo designs. It takes a truly creative and inventive individual. Because if you aren't, it could be disastrous. You know what I'm talking about. You've seen it.

Case in point: (and I soooo wish I had a picture of it) a middle-aged lady came into the store sporting a tattoo on her foot that caused me to stare for a while. It was a very two-dimensionally stylized hopping frog. The kind of frog you would see in children's fabrics or on a rubber stamp (for her sake, maybe it was a stamp?). The following picture can give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Just picture it bright green and with a bow on its head.

I thought to myself, "Really? This is how you've chosen to decorate your body. FOREVER? Did the tattoo artist laugh when you picked this out because honey, I for sure would have. In fact, I'm laughing now."

So consider this a warning to all would-be tatted-up individuals: Choose wisely.

A Bright, Shiny Weekend

Well it was two weeks ago, but since I promised to write about my weekend with Max I thought I'd better get right down to it. Especially before I forget all the fun details. I really looked forward to Max's visit. Even though we had already spent hours getting to know one another by phone, text, and Skype I wanted to solidify this attachment by actually hanging out with him. I was nervous about seeing him again. I worried that I wouldn't feel the same way, or that my parents wouldn't like him. Or worse, that they would like him and then he would immediately repulse me. Thankfully, my parents and the pets all liked him, and I continue to like him still. Additionally, he continues to like me.

Anywhooo here is our fun weekend. In a list format:

1. There may be some truth the the phrase that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Although this hasn't worked for me in the past, I decided to try again. This time I chose the meals and my mom made them. We ate pretty good at home with marinated steaks, cinnamon rolls, pie, tandoori chicken, caramel popcorn. Not all at once, of course. And I think it worked!

2. One of the biggest challenges I faced that weekend was finding a way to entertain Max. I haven't really explored Spokane so I was at a bit of a loss, and I did not want to spend all weekend at the movie theater. Thankfully the super-cute Browne's Addition neighborhood was sponsoring two events: Artfest and Elkfest. (The latter being a music event with really bad rock bands.) Artfest was not exactly filled with art that I would want to purchase, but it provided one thing that I wanted for the weekend: props for aiding in my quest for good get-to-know-you questions and topics. I'm not so good at asking people about themselves; I consider myself more of an observer. Thus, I need props. This is what I learned: he wants his own stuff to do wood working and build furniture, he wants to know more about furniture styles throughout history, he appreciated the photography, and like me he wasn't interested in the rest of the stuff.

3. Even though Artfest and Elkfest as events were a bit of a bust, the two festivals were in a lovely neighborhood with fantastic historic homes. Many were in great shape, and it was fun to spy in the windows...except for that one that had creepy dolls in the window. (More on creepy dolls later.)

4. Max is so secure in his masculinity that he not only wanted to go, but also enjoyed what I already referred to as the estrogen-filled activity that was the Farm Chicks antiques fair. It was a really cool fair with so many antiques and vintage treasures that even though we just casually looked around, we stayed for over five hours. But we did not leave empty-handed: we bought spicy Cowgirl Chocolate; he purchased a vintage Hermes scarf for me; neckties and a belt buckle for himself, and he managed to get my hand into his.

5. The antiques fair was brimming over with gorgeous furniture pieces, bikes, and stuff (for lack of a better word), but there was also a large quantity of creepy dolls. Why are dolls so creepy looking?

6. To replenish ourselves from a day filled with antiques, we ate a late lunch in a milk bottle...or rather a building that looked like a milk bottle. We also looked at vintage cars, and saw grown ladies ride tricycles.

7. We next headed to the downtown portion of Spokane, and looked at the Spokane Falls. It was a rare hot and summery day so I thought standing by the river would cool us off. It did. One rogue wave totally splashed me. For a moment, I thought we were at Niagara Falls.

8. To dry off we walked all over Spokane. We burned off every ounce of good home-cooked delights, and the fries from lunch. I showed Max a few of Spokane's highlights, like the gigantic Red Flyer wagon in the park. After the shock of seeing something so cool/odd we found a secluded bench for some restful getting to know you stuff. That's all the details I'm going to give on that. Wink wink.

9. We ate Indian Food for dinner because we both like Indian food. Max encouraged me to have an appetizer and I finally tasted a samosa. Why did I wait so long to eat one? Yumyum.

10. The sly ladies at church came up to me and asked if that handsome gentleman with me was my brother. They just wanted to know if he was my boyfriend. Which he is.

11. My favorite part of the weekend was the 3+ mile walk we took Sunday afternoon. For a few short hours it felt as though the planet slowed its rotation, and stretched out my final afternoon with Max (for the weekend. There will be other weekends and more afternoons.)

12. We also hung out with some neighborhood goats.

13. Max didn't seem to mind that I totally kicked his trash playing card games with the family. He is new to the game Hand and Foot, so I bet he's practicing to have his revenge.

14. Monday morning before he left, and before I went back to school, he came over to have breakfast with me one more time. It was hard to concentrate at school and work all day, and all week long.

15. I can't wait for 4th of July weekend.

The Bees Knees

*p.s.andbytheway, I have no idea why the font is so weird today.

Now that you have recovered from the shock of my online dating announcement, I thought I'd go back to the beginning to tell you how we got to last weekend. Along with pictures!!

Around the start of the new year, out of curiosity, I began the process of having a profile on one of those LDS dating sites, heretofore referred to as "The Planet." I was immediately...horrified. Even without a picture or a populated profile (do you dig the alliteration?) I started receiving messages from people wanting to connect even though they knew absolutely nothing about me. Does anyone else find that creepy, or is that my overly-sensitive creep meter? Additionally, I didn't really find any profiles that were interesting. So I kind of gave it up until some pleading from my parents, who were concerned about my lack of social activity, and kindly paid for me to talk to people on the site. I was still a little wary, but one profile stood out enough for me to give it a go:

This isn't Max's profile picture...this is him and my cat Mr. Bingley, who adores Max.

So I wrote up something cute and charming, posted my picture, and hoped for the best. The next morning I had a message from Max, who lives in the Seattle area. And so for a month we exchanged emails and even had some fun live chats. He pretty much had zero competition, because everyone else who contacted me was either over 60, from a developing nation, or just plain not interesting.

Fast forward to Easter weekend and my cousin's wedding. I thought that perhaps since I would be in the area, I should try to meet Max. So, I sent an email to invite him to the wedding reception, which is quite possibly the most awkward way to meet someone ever. Besides perhaps a funeral. My phone was not working at all, so I had absolutely NO IDEA he was going to come until he actually showed up. My heart totally skipped a beat when I saw him walk through that door. He's totally cute in person.

We hit it off famously, finding conversation natural and easy. It wasn't even awkward. After the reception we walked around Seattle and threw around potential opportunities to see each other again. Things like the Farm Chicks antiques show here in Spokane. You just can't help admire a guy secure enough in his masculinity to agree to go to this estrogen-fest.

But before he showed up at my doorstep on Friday afternoon, we got to know eachother by texting, phone calls, and Skype. Since the distance makes traditional dates a challenge, we have Skype dates. For example, to celebrate 1000 texts, we each got Jimmy Johns sandwiches and ate them while Skyping. He helped me have the best birthday ever by sending me flowers and a gift card to my favorite art supply store.

He found out that I like peonies and hydrangea.

We have a lot of things in common, like music, style preferences, and a healthy dislike for mushrooms. And the icing on the cake is his kindness, generosity, sensitivity and patience.

So naturally, I couldn't wait for his visit. Which I would love to tell you all about, but I need to get ready for my Skype date with Max. Wouldn't you be eager too to talk to this dashing fellow?

Besides Homework...

Work and school aren't the only things that keep me busy. Sometimes I spend a lot of time on the phone. Talking. And Skyping. I'm not just reconnecting with old friends. Sometimes, like this blog, they get ignored. (A little too often for both, really.)

This story is this: after that truly depressing date story I told you earlier, I decided to widen my dating search using *audible gasp* the internet. This is a story in and of itself, but at 11:42 pm, now is not the time. Long story short, I actually found someone interesting. The feeling was mutual, and we met at my cousin's wedding reception held in Seattle in April. (Another story...)

I'm telling you this now because he -whose name is Max - is in Spokane to visit little old me. I couldn't be happier.

maybe this picture is better:

I caught him off guard which is hard to do with a big camera.

Anyway, that's the condensed-because-I-need-my-beauty-sleep version.

More to come. I promise.

Apologies Are In Order

Dear Readers,

I just received an email from one of you (are perhaps all of you collectively) stating your disappointment in my negligence of this blog. I could be put off and cross and spout off all the reasons why I don't write as often, but instead I am going to apologize. I guess I didn't know you cared.

Since you apparently care, it is time to fill you in on the goings on that I tend to think are a little mundane for a blog once filled with travel adventures.

Monday through Friday I get up and go to school, which I think you know, but I haven't even gushed about how much I love it. I love love love it. It's challenging (more so than my B.A. in French), I have so much homework, and I am good (more so than that B.A. in French). Who knew that I could draw and build things like this:

Actually, that wasn't that much fun to build, and I am kind of glad model-building is over. But I DID IT, and sometimes that's what counts.

I really enjoy my classes, and I wake up looking forward to textiles, drafting, and coloring. Like I said before, the program is challenging. After all I am learning to do things (drawing & coloring) that I never thought I could do. Daily, I have an A-Ha moment of amazement when I look over a finished project and think to myself "did I draw that?" I have also discovered that I have a knack for choosing to draw challenging details found in traditional styled-homes like paneling, moldings, and other stuff. Maybe my subconscious realizes that if I tackle more difficult subjects I may actually be successful. Hopefully. Because truly I prefer cleaner, mid-century modern designs.

When I'm not at school, I'm at work. And to be honest, this is where the gushing stops. I really dislike retail. And I could honestly care less about oils and vinegars. It is not challenging to be grateful for school, but it is a challenge to feel grateful for this. I know that I am lucky to have this, or any job for that matter. But my mind and spirit craves something a little different, and my pocketbook wishes for something that pays for school a little better. A lot better. (Is there a scholarship out there specifically for me?) I have been looking for something else, but it is not easy to find work that pays well and allows me to go to school. (Insert a sigh of resignation.)

School and work do tend to dominate my life and time, and there is barely any time left in a day to add anything else. But there is something else, and that will soon get it's very own blog post.

Thank you, dear readers, for schooling me on my blogging duties. I will set aside some time to try to stay current, and keep you informed about my life. Thank you for caring.

Best regards,

Clifford

This Is a Breakthrough

Did I ever mention the odd dates I went on this fall? Probably not, because I haven't been blogging much, but I feel this is a bit noteworthy.

Last fall I got a phone call from a fellow I talked to at a single adult conference (and who I actually met when we both lived in Bellevue) to tell me that a lady in my ward wanted to set us up, and since he didn't know who I was he thought it might be a good idea. However, he warned, that he was dating someone so the "date" wouldn't lead to anything. Since I actually knew who he was, I let him know we didn't need to go out.

A few weeks later, he must have gotten out of whatever relationship that was, because he called again looking for baking tips. He was asking a lot about bread baking which I don't know much about bread, I suggested he talk to my mom. He came over and talked to my mom. She was actually surprised that that was all he wanted. Somehow I wasn't.

A few days later he called again, and this time asked me out. After finding what kind of restaurants I liked (I said Indian because it is tasty), he promised to find the best Indian restaurant in Spokane for our date. With the prospects of a good Indian dinner I was kind of looking forward to the date, but not really looking forward to the person I would be spending time with. But I thought I'd give it the old college try. That lasted 5 minutes. After picking me up, he announced that we were not going to have Indian food, we would instead go to the grocery store and create as good a meal as possible under $10. And the cheaper the better. Awesome. That's so much better than Indian food. In some weird alternate universe that I do not want to be a part of.

We ate a glamourous spaghetti dinner and watched a movie. Then he took me home, and I hoped he wouldn't call again.

Oh, but he did. He wanted to have a religious discussion and then watch a movie. He warned me that there would be no food. I agreed because I still felt that I should make an attempt, after all I hadn't made many friends and I thought perhaps a second chance might be fine. Yeah. Our religious discussion ended pretty quickly. He complained about the Book of Job, and when I shared my thoughts he got up and walked away. No response, no rebuttal, he just focused his efforts on finding a movie.

I enjoyed the movie, while he slept...all the way until the end of the movie when he apologized for falling asleep, and then slept some more. He drove me to his house, so I sat there wondering if I remembered the directions to his house enough to have my dad come get me. At 11:30 I woke him up and he took me home. Ye Olde College Try was officially over.

A couple of weeks ago I was a little sad that another Saturday night had arrived and I had no plans and friends to call. So when this fellow called at 11:30 at night to ask me out I said yes. But after much thought I called him back to cancel. He really only wanted to learn how to make creme brulee (our activity for the evening after going to the grocery store to buy another under-ten-dollar dinner). And I didn't want to go out with him; I was just sad and lonely. And that is not enough reason to go out on a date.

Believe it or not, this is kind of huge for me. Normally I would have gone and complained about it later, while bemoaning my terrible life.

It was also huge that I didn't convince myself to like him and put up with all of that.

Crappy dates. Yes. But it was a valuable growing moment for me.

A Lapse

Just so you know...all these weeks that I have not been blogging I have been doing homework.

I've been on Spring Break for a week now, and maybe I'll get a few posts in before it all starts up again.

I haven't checked my grades, but I may just have a couple "A's." Hopefully.

What's In Your Backpack?

One slow evening at work while I was washing some dishes, a fellow came into the store and requested some assistance from my coworker to put together a gift basket for his wife. Eager for something to due Olivia (my coworker, whose name is Olivia, and yes she works at an olive oil store. Ironic? Oh yes.) happily said she could help him pick out some products. As they started going through our best sellers, the customer said that if the present turned out well, he would show her what was in his backpack.

This is where I started listening. This was just a couple of days after a bomb in a backpack interrupted a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade. Fortunately the bomb never went off, but it certainly made headlines in Spokane. Anywhoo, bombs, severed body parts, and/or other scariness I peeked around the corner to make sure Olivia was alright and to make sure I could pick the customer out of a lineup if need be.

I quickly finished up my dishes and headed out to the sales floor. The customer seemed jovial enough, and my coworker and I ended up forgetting about that backpack. We helped him pick out jams, oils, and other foodstuffs, and he was ready to buy anything we suggested. I arranged the gift basket (it's one of my many/few talents), and Olivia rung him up. Then he reminded us about the backpack.

He mentioned that he had to be careful, because what was inside was alive. Puppies? Kitties? My eyes were lit up by the possibility of fuzzy little puppies. Then he asked if we were ok with snakes. Many people, like Olivia, are not ok with snakes. She headed for the back. I am ok with non-poisonous reptiles and stuck around to watch him pull out his live animal.

Which was not a reptile. "It's a baby kangaroo!" I squealed like a five-year-old girl, while the customer unwrapped a kangaroo wearing a diaper. Turns out this fellow is not only not a bomber, he runs a farm that raises exotic animals, like kangaroos. This particular fellow was a four-month old wallaroo who is still young enough to be in his mama's pouch or a surrogate's backpack.

Of course Olivia and I were more than excited about this little guy, so naturally when he said we could hold it we were over the moon. We ran for our cameras, and then took turns holding and snapping photos.

It's amazing that guy fit in a backpack!

The following Saturday our new favorite customer was back with his wife who also had a joey in her backpack, but he was much smaller. He was thrown from pouch very prematurely, so they kept him warm in the backpack...except when she took him out so we could hold him.

Now I wouldn't recommend throwing caution to wind if someone wants to show you his or her backpack, but at least make sure weather or not there is a kangaroo in there. Or warm, fuzzy, living puppies.