Merrily We Roll Along...

January is coming to a close, meaning my birthday is now a mere 7 days away, and we're another month closer to W Day.

Last weekend I bought my dress...it's strange to now have an actual image of how I'll look. I always had a kind of fluid idea, but now I can really picture myself walking down the aisle at the church, dancing at the reception. The dress is mercifully comfortable and I had a really great consultant who was like an extra Mommy--she took such good care of me, my mom, and Tara. We had a really fun day, and I was just really impressed with the whole experience. I even came in well under budget--more money to go toward another aspect of the day. It was a win-win. haha

I think my favorite story involving the dress so far actually involves my dad. When Mom took it home, she went to hang it in the closet, but the bar wasn't high enough, and so I guess it sagged on the floor a bit (safely tucked in its garment bag, of course!). I want to digress a moment to add a note about my dad. He and I have taken quite some time to get to where we are now--when I was younger there was a lot of not understanding him (I'm sure that went both ways), and so it was hard to forge any true sort of relationship. I think a lot changed when I was in college, and since moving out we've developed a much easier relationship, which makes me really happy--conversation comes easier, and I think we relate to each other better, and probably respect each other more since we're not piled on top of each other in the same house anymore. This is a pretty typical story of children growing up and growing closer to their former rivals.

That said, my dad is still not a very vocal man when it comes to emotions--he's always been sentimental, but has also always chosen to show rather than tell. For as long as I can remember, he has always brought my mom Just-Because flowers and takes time to pick just the right card. So his daughter's wedding dress on the ground wasn't quite good enough. He ran out to the store to find a hook to fix in the ceiling in the corner of my (former) bedroom to hang it.

I know it's small and kind of silly, but that is one of my dad's ways of saying I love you in way that's been difficult to say in voice. I love you, too, Dad, and I hope I make that clear every day. That said, it's still not okay if you step on my train! ; )

Also coming up is my 25th birthday. I told John instead of a party this year, I'd much prefer a getaway weekend since we haven't had a vacation since Las Vegas, and won't have one again til the honeymoon. So we thought a bit about Atlantic City and The Hotel Hershey, but John found an amazing deal for winter getaway at Renault Winery, and we jumped on it. It includes a 6-course dinner, champagne brunch, a winery tour and tasting, and take-away bottle of champagne. Sounds good to me! I can't wait. I even took a half day this coming Friday to start the celebration a bit early. I'm very glad my birthday will be on the weekend next year, too. Bday 27 will be on a Monday, though--yucko. But one thing at a time.

I think that's about it for now. Just enjoying the winter and hoping Tuesday's storm will yield a SNOW DAY! Jammies inside out, everyone, and think snow. : )

More to come, friends. Til next time.

Let It Snow

As the first big snowstorm this winter happened while I was on vacation, I missed seeing Princeton blanketed. Today's snowfall won't be nearly as eventful, but just enough to make everything look like gingerbread houses. Okay, gingerbread mansions.

I haven't seen much else of campus yet, but hope to snap a few more pics when I venture out for lunch in one of my favorite Hogwarts-esque buildings.


For now, I can't really complain cuz every time I turn around and look out my window, this is what I see:



Happy winter everyone.

Santa

Christmas was, again, wonderful, and full of time with families, good food, and good presents. Big wins are the Wii Santa brought us, a Flip video camera from the in-laws, and a nice assortment of smaller awesome objects (lots of textured tights, Christmas wine glasses, wine to put in the glasses, CDs, clothes, gift cards, and lots I'm forgetting at the moment).

Christmas Eve was up at John's aunt and uncle's, and is always a relaxed and good time. We then went to midnight mass in town, and though we were sleepy, the church looked beautiful--poinsettias everywhere you looked, four trees on the alter, and huge swags hanging on each pillar. I wish I had my camera. It was pretty breathtaking. We then walked home at 1AM, and promptly passed out, leaving the trees on to guide Santa.

Christmas Day was at my parents' and Boxing Day we went to Casa Branin. And thus began our phase of vacation in which we were snowed in. Some 12 inches, loads of wind, and a day without plowing later, cabin fever was setting in, even with all our cool new toys. It wasn't until today we were able to get out and about in the world. We had a nice breakfast date at Panera, then set out for some shopping for the weekend, which we will spend at my friend's. Happy to ring in another new year surrounded by people I love. And what a year 2011 will be.

2011 was run in in Maryand at my friend's apartment. It was a nice road trip with John, and it was great to see Dana for the first time since the summer, and to see her new home and get a little tour. Sadly, the weather didn't cooperate with our original plans, and we had to stick indoors most of the time, but that was okay, too.

So happy January, all, and happy 2011.

More to come.

Christmas Season in Pictures

Welcome home:

Hammy's Tree:
Big tree:
Gingerbread house:

Not necessarily Christmassy, but here's our new dining room set:


From Frost Fest at Dillon Gym at Princeton U:

And from Saturday, the tree at Rockefeller Center:

Less than 2 weeks and counting! More pics to come as Santa gets closer.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Christmas has once again come to Bordentown, as John and I prepare for our first Christmas in our (not-so) new apartment, and for our last Christmas before we're married. Weird thought.

This year we sprung for a 6.5 foot (artificial) tree since we finally have the space for it. It's decked out with lights, red, green, gold, and silver ornaments, and gold garland, despite John's protestation (I win!). We also have a fluffy red tree skirt, that Hamlet has claimed as his new favorite bed. Saw that one coming. Our door is decorated with a live balsam wreath purchased through our church, and man it smells so delightful. It just feels so much more like home this time of year when everything is shiny and happy and welcoming.

Shopping is almost done, I'm planning my baking, and we're planning our holiday travels, which will finish with an exciting getaway to visit Dana in her new home and new state of residence! I get a nice heap of time off work, my first vacation since I started here back in May--that's right. I'm well overdue, and totally ready for it. I've been doing a bad job of taking care of myself, so it'll be nice to stop for a while and catch up on a little gal named Maureen.

This Time Last Year...

In my head, I've been composing a look back at the past year, as so much has changed. And now I'm finally sitting down to write it.

This time last year, I was in the deep depths of a depression after getting the boot from my job. I won't say, "It was the best thing that happened!" because it wasn't. I had never been so down on myself or on my future, and it was just a generally dark 6 months. I was truly unhappy at the job, but I liked the people with whom I worked, so going in every morning was a little less cumbersome. But now, I am finally in a place where I feel like I have direction, where I am truly appreciated, and where I feel like I am important, not just as an employee, but as a person and a friend. While it wasn't ideal, I see now that I am where I am supposed to be.

This time last year, we were living in our first apartment, eagerly anticipating moving out. After a no-win scenario concerning our downstairs neighbors and the living noise of us being 20-somethings with a kitten, we just had to go somewhere we didn't feel afraid to move in our own home. So we came here, where we are much happier with the layout, with the apartment itself, with not having to go outside to get to the laundry machines, and with the fact that two of our greatest friends are across the lawn.

This time last year, John (unbeknownst to me), would be picking up my engagement ring in 2 days. We were planning our trip to Central Park to explore the zoo and to hunt for Shakespeare's statue. I can't believe we're already coming up on the one-year anniversary of getting engaged. We've come a long, long way from talking about a fall 2011 wedding, and now we've got our church, reception, and photographer lined up.

This time last year, I couldn't imagine how it was all going to get better, but here I am: 365 days separated from that self. I am surely stronger, happier, and maybe a little more happy-go-lucky. All in all, I feel like I've come out of the darkness, and landed on a sunny beach in Florida. I'm just soaking it up because I know hard days will come again, and I'm sure I'll forget that things will right themselves, and I'll always get back to feeling just like this.

So now, I offer a look forward: this time NEXT year, John and I will be married and off on our honeymoon in Disney World!

And with that, goodnight.

Until next time...

October!

I still feel compelled to draw a pumpkin in my "O" every time I write out October.

I'm home sick today, recovering from a massive, all-day allergy attack on Sunday. I muscled through work yesterday because it meant, at the end of the day, going to Barnes and Noble and meeting Alton Brown as he launched his new book tour. He was literally what made me get out of bed and go to work. Having taken care of the Monday business, however, I felt okay about taking off if it means resting and actually feeling better rather than continuing to simply fight my way to 5:00.

So, yes. Mr. Brown. We got there right at 5 when seating started, and nabbed seats in the 3rd row! Then I started worrying. What if he was a jerk in person? What if he literally looked and acted like he wanted to be anywhere but here? But as we talked excitedly about him, his shows, books, recipes, general wonderfulness, the anxiousness started to go away. Around 6:40, the B&N lady said she just got confirmation they were entering the area, and would be here to promptly start at 7, as planned. Everyone started buzzing and craning their necks to try and be the first to spot him. When he was announced, everyone's butts left their seats, and there he was...every bit as handsome and charming as he is on TV. Maybe more so.

The format was simply a Q&A. He arrived, coffee in hand, assistant in tow, and rather than sitting stiffly, he grabbed the mic, and walked around, talking with everyone, relishing the kids' questions, and really just appeared to be enjoying the energy of the room. It was fantastic. Then he did autographs and photos once the chatting was done, and he made a point to personally go to the families with small children first so they could get off on their way--it was a school night, after all. What a gentleman.

Favorite quote of the evening? Upon talking to a strict vegetarian in search of non-fish ways to take in iodine, Alton said, "I understand. I really am a vegetarian, too. I just get most of my vegetables...through a cow." Sitting with my vegetarian (though pescatarian) friend, we both whipped out our notebooks and jotted that gem down. haha

It was a great night, but my allergies were flaring again, and I was grateful the autograph line moved fast and I was home before nine.

In other news, John has been away since Sunday night at a conference in Atlantic City. It's been lonely, and I'm glad he'll be home tomorrow night after class. I have to say it's been nice to have 100% control of the TV and house, and Hammy's been on his best behavior (maybe he thinks John's return is contingent on him NOT yowling at 4:30am for food) and been my little shadow. But John is enjoying the conference, is learning a lot, and is apparently enjoying some good eats of his own. : )

That's all for now. Pumpkin picking soon! Whoo hoo!