Happy Halloween & Ryan Adams!

Happy Halloween!!!
I love this holiday. It's fun, and exciting, and light hearted. And it's fall. What else could one ask for??!! Unfortunately Andy and I are not dressing up this year. I love dressing up for Halloween, so this is a little disappointing...however we have even more exciting plans (well at least I think so!). We are going to see Ryan Adams & the Cardinals play at the Apollo. And for anyone who knows me well, you know that Ryan Adams is my absolute favorite musician. This far outweighs the slight disappointment of not dressing up for Halloween.
But hopefully Ryan plays some Halloweenhead, and we sing, and dance, and enjoy the Apollo! Actually Andrew and I went to see him last year on Halloween - I think this is becoming an annual thing for us - Ryan Adams on Halloween.

I am also very much enjoying his new album with the Cardinals called Cardinology. My favorite songs so far (in case anyone wants to check it out) are: Sink Ships, and Evergreen. Although- the whole album is worth checking out beause Ryan never disappoints.

Happy Halloween!!

Mandy

I love the picture below. The love of my life looks absolutely stunning (as she does everyday). Gosh, I love her.

 

Always and forever.

 

A recent pic of Andy and I.

Thought I would share because I think we are looking very 20's- which goes right along with the feel of our wedding. Yay!

Fall in the air = excitement. Mucho excitement!

I just want to express (via our blog) how excited I am for October 17th, 2009! That is the day I get to marry the most beautiful, wonderful person I have ever met, my Andy.

Date Change, Ice, and Notorious B.I.G.

“Brooklyn, goin out for all…Marcy - that's right - you don't stop…Bed-Stuy... you won't stop”

 

I suppose we should have heeded the words of the late Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z from their song “Brooklyn’s Finest,” which by the way, I am using as my entrance theme to the wedding! Just kidding. Everyone knows I’m having the “Ruff Ryders Anthem.”

 

Anyway, enough with the really terrible jokes. So this Sunday, Amanda and I wanted to go for a run to the Park Slope area. We decided to take a new route. Well, we sort of didn’t realize that this route took us through what one would not call the nice part of town. As we ran up to the Marcy Housing Projects (assuming this was the inspiration for Hard Knock Life: Volume 2 by Jay-Z) I became a little enamored with the scenery, imagining I was in a music video. Thing was, the straight thug-types outside probably were not, especially the one blasting Biggie from his car. So we ran through, with no incident. Funny enough, we kept on going and got a little lost. In fact, in between the guy having the pitbull dog and the Blood gang member on another street, an older man remarked to us that “We was in the ghetto.” Yes, so we were in fact in the heart of Bed-Stuy. We ran a little more but then realized that we sort of had zero clue where we were, and in a very shady area. There were no subways, but due to our sense of direction and sort of random luck, we popped out near the Brooklyn Museum to some hugs and high-fives. Score one for us. We typically do very long runs on the weekend…and now this one will be marked off in our history book, however we will not be going that route again.

 

And onto our next quick topic. Amanda was asking me about diamonds yesterday and inquired about rough stones. I explained how they are cut and polished to make them look really shiny, then I see this in my RSS feed inbox as a “trend.” The link is here: http://www.ruffandcut.com/collections/fifi-bijoux-for-ruff-cut/nobel-ring.html

 

Does anyone think this is a good trend? I don’t.

 

And onto the biggest…and final news. The wedding has been moved. Mark the new date, which is precisely 7 days before the original date (and my original proposed date) to the now (and improved date of) October 17, 2009. Less than 1 year away (and precisely the day before my lovely Amanda’s birthday!) So this means that there are new events to discuss that historically happened on the date. I will save those for another post, however do note that we shall be hearing “Fugee-La” in honor of ‘Clef.

 

Furthermore, the Parks Department has canceled all outdoor events on the Brooklyn Bridge Park lawn, so now our actual ceremony is indoors by default. Not bad because it may be cold and now we don’t have to worry about renting chairs and the like.

 

So those are the big things that have been going on.

 

I also was just reminded by my coworker Ankur about a little game called 7 Up. Does anyone remember this? I forgot how it was played and so did he…until we looked it up on the Wiki. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Up_(game) There is your link. I definitely want to play this sometime soon. Man, to be a young kid again.

 

Speaking of being young…I remembered when I was in the 4^th grade my teacher was a big NCAA basketball fan and set up huge brackets for us kids to choose teams and play along. Well, I chose a certain team and bought a jersey to go along with my choice to wear to school. Little did I know that my choice of Syracuse University would be the alma mater of my future wife. From then on I always (and in spite of the not-so-friendly people that went there from my high school) had a positive view of the school.

 

Talk soon,

 

Andrew

 

 

1 Year, 1 Half-Day...Some thoughts.

Whew. So it is exactly 366 days. Exactly. And at midnight…exactly 365. I have sort of been laughing that it is T-Minus 365 days…but now it is here, in approximately 12 hours.

 

On January 1^st, right after midnight, I remember thinking that this was going to be the best year ever. At that point, I had not started my position at my job, and well, sort of really needed it so I could begin saving to propose. I kept telling Amanda that I wanted 2008 to be that best year but she had no clue what I was talking about (and rightfully so). Funny enough, I kept giving her little hints that I would propose this year, but I would say them really fast or when she wasn’t paying attention. I really cannot keep anything from her, so this was my way of telling her but not telling her.

 

I remember one time we were at the Cheesecake Factory (man, gotta love that place) and I pretty much said all these nice things and she retorted “Are you going to propose to me right here?” I wanted to say, “just wait a few weeks” but well, I couldn’t say that! Then came May…and well, it was the reason that this website exists.

 

It has been quite a journey. A journey of “up” events. Our rock has never been stronger. Our love, our loyalty, our compassion (for each other and for others) only grows stronger every day.

 

I feel like this is not really a countdown, but more of a count “up” to what will definitely be one of the happiest days of my entire (to be determined) existence.

 

It is kind of interesting that I am now seeing people I know getting married. I was talking to one of my friends and they remarked that (relationship status: single) that they really now think of this sort of “marriage stuff” being 25 and all. The thing is, I think when you are ready, and with a little bit of fate, great things happen.

 

To me, Amanda is my sunshine (which is what I call her) and well, with sun…things grow. They prosper. Everyone needs a little sunshine in their lives, whatever that is to them. Whether it be self-confidence, the ability to smile, a goal, a confidant/friend, etc. I say, find that sunshine. Find whatever helps you grow better as a person. I can immediately point out many things that Amanda has made me see that have helped me grow. I ate breakfast this morning. I ate pesto last night. I had a pancake (first timer!) over the weekend. For many people, they can be like “eh, so what?” but if you know me, you know it is a big deal. So that is just one.

 

Well, it is pretty much noon. Only 365.5 days to go…

 

 

Update

So I suppose that I have been a little lax on posting on the blog. I definitely apologize for that.

 

So as you can read, last weekend was my lovely Amanda’s birthday. I was just so glad that I could make her birthday as special as she made mine. I love you my darling!a

 

Quick update before I start working after this 5 minute hiatus…so we have not exactly found a place to get our wedding cupcakes from yet, so that is up in the air. Our photographer is booked (which is awesome) and we are going to start very shortly on our Save the Dates. Pretty wild how time flies. I feel like it was just yesterday that we got engaged.

 

I will write more, I promise, but that’s what you are all going to get for now!

 

Quarter of a century. Woohoo! I made it.

This past Saturday- October 18th, was my 25th birthday! Wow. Yeah. It's a big one. It felt like a big one. I feel older this year. I am now in my mid 20's, and I can unequivocally say that I feel it. I like my routine, I like getting up early/ going to bed early, I like my apartment, I love my fiance, I love staying in and watching movies, and a late night is now midnight. Haha. Yes, tis true. But I have to say that I've never been happier. This past year has indeed treated me well. Andrew and I moved in together, got engaged, got Cleo, and embarked on new careers (in his case) and continued on with a really great career (in my case). 24 was good to me. Indeed.

And so I begin my 25th year. I begin it with the man I love by my side, and with my wonderful family, and with the excitement of our wedding 1 year and 3 days from this very day. Wow, me = beyond thrilled about his year!!
So I know you all want to hear the good stuff. How did it begin??
Well Andy, as everyone knows, tends to go above and beyond in every way. I've said it before, and I'll say it again- Andy is the most thoughtful person I have ever met. And he's mine! Better yet. (That kind of rhymed.)
Back to what I was saying before. My birthDAY (er, week). Well that is how Andy made it - a birth week. Of gifts. He started it last Monday by dropping off gerbera daisies )in beautiful autumn shades of orange, red, and pink) at my office while I was taking a yoga class during my lunch break. Tuesday he gave me some gum, and a card. Tuesday was also our 1 1/2 year anniversary.
Wednesday I was given body butter in a really delicious fall scent. Thursday I was given 2 books from the Gossip Girl series. hehe. I don't know who's more excited about that one- Andy or me!
Oh, and Thursday June (my future mother in law) brought Andrew, Justine and I out for dinner at Dos Caminos. It was delicious and so much fun. Such a nice way to start my long birthday weekend.
Andy had asked me to take Friday off a while back...I wasn't sure why, since my birthday was on Saturday, but I figured he had something planned. Come to find out he had initially tried to plan a trip to Atlanta to go see my favorite musician/ band (Ryan Adams & the Cardinals). The logistics really didn't work out (which is actually good because we are now seeing them in NYC on Halloween!), so Friday was more of a day of relaxation. We ran, we napped, we had a grand ol' time. My Friday gift was concert tickets to see a band called Ra Ra Riot, in Williamsburg. Andy and I discovered this band over the summer, when we went to a free festival in Coney Island. They were playing at the festival, and I saw that they all went to Syracuse University and met there..so I wanted to see them. It turns out that they're really fantastic, and we both ended up becoming fans. The concert on Friday was great. We were able to get a seat at a table in the mezzanine which was great - because I'm not exactly the biggest fan of crowds or standing for extended periods of time. I was especially grateful for this seat when I had to sit through 45 minutes of electronica/ trance music from one of the opening bands. Ew. Yeah.
But all in all Ra Ra Riot was so good that I soon forgot about that other less than entertaining act.

Then came Saturday - my actual birthday.
The day started off with a bang. Andy made me pancakes in bed. Yum! And if you know Andy you know that he didn't used to eat breakfast, not has he ever eaten pancakes. We tend to be more of a run and then eat/ or grab & go kind of clan..so the home-made breakfast was a big deal. And fantastic!
Then we ran, and then it was time for my 2nd surprise of the day. I have to admit that I was a little nervous when Andy told me to wear comfy clothes and no make-up. I came up with a million awful things that he could have been bringing me to do. A few funny ones: off-roading, making an improv movie, go-karting. Ugh. Leave it to me to think of the worst possible things. As if Andy doesn't know me...
But of course none of the above were even close to the actual thing. What was the surprise you ask? Well, Andy had planned an afternoon of relaxation at the spa. A facial and a manicure with the most amazing hand massage ever. It was superb. I left feeling refreshed and relaxed and glowy. Yay. Then came the evening. Andy made me a wonderful dinner of citrus glazed salmon and brussel sprouts. It was delicious, and perfect. Then came the last surprise - a trip to Dave & Busters. For those of you who don't know Dave & Busters is a huge space in Times Square that has video games, and a restaurant or two. It's sort of like a Chuck E Cheese's for adults. Actually when Andy and I had our first ever date he asked me if I wanted to go bowling or go to D & B. I chose bowling. So this had meaning..of course! Leave it to Andy to put even more meaning into my birthday! And it got even better. When we arrived at D & B I was surprised to see familiar faces. My coworker and friend Mary Jo & her boyfriend Ryan, Nicole, Ange, Kristen and Michael. Everyone came to play video games and celebrate my birthday with me. It truly was so wonderful and thoughtful of Andy, and so great of all of my friends to come out. Thanks again guys for making my birthday so special!
Oooh- I almost forgot to mention my last gift from Andy (and this is not because I don't love it- because I absolutely do!) Andy bought me the first season of Felicity on DVD. This is my absolute favorite show ever. I have this thing with certain shows and movies. It just so happens that they are all ones that take place in NYC...but I always get a warm sort of happy feeling when I watch Felicity and Friends and You've Got Mail. hehe. I think it's because they take place in NYC and I feel like I'm there or something. Or maybe because I've always wanted to live here...I loved them before I ever moved to NYC. They make me happy. So it meant a lot that Andy got me this gift. I love it. So much. And you better believe I'm already getting him to love it too!

So in closing - thanks again to everyone who came out and celebrated my birthday with me...2 weekends ago, this past weekend, etc. Thanks to everyone else who celebrated with me in their hearts and in spirit. And thank you to everyone who called, texted, facebooked, sent a card, said a "happy birthday", etc. I love you all!
And thanks again to the most beautiful person I have ever met (inside and out)- my Andy. I love you always. Thank you for making my birthday so special!

L' Chaim!

Tomorrow is our 1 and 1/2 year anniversary. That means that we met each other well, 18 months ago. It has been such a journey together, from meeting, to courting, to falling in love, to moving in together, to getting engaged, and now the ultimate...planning a wedding.

I have never been more excited about any event in my entire life than I do about this wedding. I really want it to come tomorrow, but since I was a little boy they told me that good things come to those who wait.

I feel that I can accomplish anything in the entire world because I have the best team behind me. Anyone that knows me knows that my family is my family, and my friends are my family. And my immediate family, well I could not ask for anything better. I come home to the best girl on the planet to the best cat on the planet, just one happy little family of love.

I have told Amanda that our relationship is our rock. For me, she is also my rock. Our relationship is the strongest thing I have ever been a part of. And I love it. I love every second of it.

So Amanda, Happy 1.5 years, and here's to a lifetime together. I love you for eternity.

Tuesday, October 7th. Oy vay- it's been a while.

Hahaha.
And so goes my laughter in response to Andy's final statement in his post below. I have finally logged in to the blog to read that. He makes me laugh.
Yes, our home has become a land where political and economic conversation thrive. It is also a land where Miss Cleo rules. In fact our kitten (creature as we like to call her) has something in common with Andy and I. Oh yeah..she is an explorer.
About a week ago I was looking for Miss thang, and couldn't seem to find her anymore. Now in a one bedroom apartment it is quite the difficult task to find a hiding spot where no one can find you. But she managed to. Where, you ask.
Well creature decided it was a good idea to claw open the piece of cloth under the couch (the piece that hides the wooden boards) and climb in, to well, nap or something. It has become Miss Cleo's bungalow. Ha. She is quite the character.
She also brought upon laughter from Andy and myself this past weekend when she found a wrapped tampon in my bag and brougth it out in the kitchen- proud as can be. She then proceeded to play with it as if it were a toy. Creature..yes. I think you can imagine where she got her nickname from.

As for politics- I think Andy and I will indeed leave that conversation for our Winkler homestead. Yes, soon enough I will be a Winkler too!
However I will say one thing - it's important that we all educate ourselves on the important issues of today and of our future. It is my personal opinion (and not right or wrong) that we vote based on all of issues facing our nation- not just one that hits home more than another. We are all effected by the economic changes that have occurred recently, and we are all very effected by the war abroad. Let's not forget the importance of environmental issues, and education, and healthcare. And let's not forget the significance of foreign affairs and politics, and 9/11. In saying that- everyone is entitled to their own opinion..but I encourage you to educate yourself and to decide for yourself.
And hey- as Governor Palin gave a "shout out" to her brother's 3rd grade students, I must give a shout out to Senator Obama! If you don't agree with him, hey, that's your business. But if you haven't checked him out you owe it to yourself to do it! Hey-- Andrew and I read about McCain's politics all the time. Even though we don't personally agree with a lot of them. But how would you know you don't unless you read about them.
Okay- my little political blurb turned into a big one. But hey- I'm passionate, what can I say.

Anyways- Andrew and I watched a fascinating documentary last night on the bridges of NYC. It detailed the conception, engineering and construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, the Queensboro Bridge, the Triboro Bridge, the George Washington Bridge, and the Verazzano Bridge. It was really interesting and aweing. Anddrew and I have run over the Queensboro, Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges..and we are getting married pretty much right underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. When you're running on these bridges it really is an amazing sight. They are so massive, and beautiful. I can't wait for the end of the month whe I get to take my mom for a run over the Brooklyn Bridge. I can't wait to share it with her!

Until next time- happy October!

Friday, October 3rd 2008

So it is Friday and the end of the work week. Pretty crazy how yet another week has gone by. I feel like it was just yesterday that I proposed.

 

This morning, Amanda and I shared a little private moment in the middle of the street when I kissed her off to work. Frankly, when we do that, I really have no clue what is going on around me. I am just caught up, and frankly I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

So lately, myself and Amanda have been both caught up in the Presidential race. We watched the VP debate last night and also the Presidential debate last Friday. It has been quite a ride.

 

No real news to report except that we are in the midst of getting a machine that will help us print our own “save the date” and invitation cards. It is a machine called the Gocco, which is popular in Japan but not sold here, except online. So I am actually waiting for the machine to be delivered to my office from Japan. Pretty crazy!

 

We are a little over a year away from the actual date. I think it is wild that it was once May and now it is October, in which we are really just so close…yet so far.

 

Ahh yes, Amanda got her wedding shoes. They are quite sparkly and really nice with a little bow on top of them. She picked them up from an unlikely place, J. Crew, but they definitely rival any shoes in terms of comfort (her words) and style (mine).

 

I do have a lot of ideas right now about political things and how we are headed, but I guess I will have to start a blog that is not about the wedding to do that…

 

Until then,

 

Andrew