Just wanted to quickly say Happy New Year!
We will be back for the next greatest year ever…2009!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
16
So today is December 16th…less than 10 days until Christmas. That means ten total days until one of my favorite days of the year. Last year was my first Christmas celebration, in which I had such a fantastic time in Syracuse. We played games, watched movies, got presents…just overall an awesome experience. This year I get to do it again, this time with my fiancé.
On that note, it is almost the end of the year. 2 weeks away. Pretty sick. I remember this time last year, living at home, waiting for Amanda’s call at approximately 10PM every night. This year, and until forever, I get to sleep in the same bed with her every night. I get to say good night to her, in person, and wake up with her right next to me. It is a wonderful thing and so joyous.
I guess I am pretty fortunate. Well, I know I am. I am in this because I am in love. Because I can’t imagine spending one day apart from this wonderful woman. Because I have passion for her, passion for us to build our life together.
We really have come so far in 2008, in so many ways. I just can’t begin to describe how thrilled I am going into 2009 with great wind for our sails and clear skies all around.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and have a wonderful New Year.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The ballad of Andy & Mandy.
I was inspired to write this post by my yoga teacher, Paul. I took his class this past Monday - as I do every Monday during my lunch hour. The class is an intermediate yoga class, which really doesn't mean all that much, other than that he assumes we know what we're doing and doesn't take the time to explain the different poses. Plus he throws some challenging ones in there. But anyways..back to my point. Monday's date was December 8th...and it was brought to my attention (during this yoga class) that December 8th is the date John Lennon was murdered. Paul is a musician and a yogi (obviously), and therefore seems to have been inspired and influenced by the Beatles and John Lennon. Not only was their music revolutionary, but John himself was quite the humanitarian/ idealist. I keep telling Andrew that I think of Bono from U2 as the sort of John Lennon of today. Not that I'm a huge Bono fan or anything...but he is deeply involved in political and social issues, and his music reflects this.
Even though John Lennon died in 1980 (before I was born)...I can hear the voice that he had through his music. His message lives on through that music. And my wheels starting turning after we honored this man during our hour yoga practice on Monday. I started thinking about what a tragedy it was that he died, and never was able to see his dreams through. But then again, if he had lived he would have seen that not much has changed in the effort to achieve world peace. There are still wars, and terrorism, and people dying in vain. People are still homeless, and starving, and poor, and lonely.
"Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world."
I am so touched by his words. By this picture he paints - a picture that I don't think we are any closer to achieving today. With the economic crisis that is ensuing across America and the corruption on Wall Street (haha...okay that makes me laugh a little. Just a little stab at the terms they used during the recent election) it is clear that Lennon's vision hasn't come to fruition. I think many American's have been taken over by greed - everyone needs a huge flat screen tv, and a huge gas guzzling SUV, and a house that has too many empty rooms, and to eat out 5 times a week, and buy new clothes every week... This is the world we live in. And of course not everyone is like that, but I think there are a lot of people who are - too many who are. What is important in life? What do we want to achieve in our lifetimes? I know that I could care less about what kind of car I drive or what kind of watch I have...but I do care about the people in my lives that I love and care for. I care about being healthy and happy. And rich - rich with love, rich with friends, rich in spirit, rich in heart. Because aren't all of those the things that truly make us rich? I would rather be envied for my mind than my possessions.
And I also pondered the thought of life and death and what we accomplish in our lives when thinking about Lennon. He left a legacy of hope and heart, of huminitarianism. But what if he had lived? I wonder if he would have fulfilled his own dreams of helping to change the world - would he be a part of a philanthropic effort? Or would he have become jaded in the years that came when the world did not change? When people die young (Lennon was 40 when he died, and I consider that to be young) we always say "they had so much promise, so much potential." We honor their lives, and we look to what they would have, to what they could have become. Because hypothetical futures always look bright and sunny. But what if they aren't. What if you had all the potential in the world to be great at 25, and then never lived up to it. Doesn't everyone have amazing potential when they are young?? Is it better to die young and have people paint a beautiful picture of your life (even though it is not real), or is it better to live your life and not live up to that potential? I guess the best thing would be to have the potential and live your life, and live up to it.
I'm not trying to say I think it is best to die young...although that was the first conclusion I came to when discussing this topic with Andy. Die young, die beautiful, die with all the potential in the world. Obviously I don't want this, nor would I want anyone else in my life to die young. So I came to a better conclusion - live your life. Live it to it's fullest, and don't ever let yourself say "I wish I would have done this or that." Own your actions, and be the best you can be. Be intentional with every thing that you do...and then when you review the "video tape of your life" you don't have any reason to rewind and stop at 25. Instead you say - keep going forward, 45 gets even better, and heck - wait til you get to 60, just wait and see what I did at 60.
On that note - I can't wait for Andy and myself to embark on our own social, political, & humanitarian efforts.
Even though John Lennon died in 1980 (before I was born)...I can hear the voice that he had through his music. His message lives on through that music. And my wheels starting turning after we honored this man during our hour yoga practice on Monday. I started thinking about what a tragedy it was that he died, and never was able to see his dreams through. But then again, if he had lived he would have seen that not much has changed in the effort to achieve world peace. There are still wars, and terrorism, and people dying in vain. People are still homeless, and starving, and poor, and lonely.
"Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world."
I am so touched by his words. By this picture he paints - a picture that I don't think we are any closer to achieving today. With the economic crisis that is ensuing across America and the corruption on Wall Street (haha...okay that makes me laugh a little. Just a little stab at the terms they used during the recent election) it is clear that Lennon's vision hasn't come to fruition. I think many American's have been taken over by greed - everyone needs a huge flat screen tv, and a huge gas guzzling SUV, and a house that has too many empty rooms, and to eat out 5 times a week, and buy new clothes every week... This is the world we live in. And of course not everyone is like that, but I think there are a lot of people who are - too many who are. What is important in life? What do we want to achieve in our lifetimes? I know that I could care less about what kind of car I drive or what kind of watch I have...but I do care about the people in my lives that I love and care for. I care about being healthy and happy. And rich - rich with love, rich with friends, rich in spirit, rich in heart. Because aren't all of those the things that truly make us rich? I would rather be envied for my mind than my possessions.
And I also pondered the thought of life and death and what we accomplish in our lives when thinking about Lennon. He left a legacy of hope and heart, of huminitarianism. But what if he had lived? I wonder if he would have fulfilled his own dreams of helping to change the world - would he be a part of a philanthropic effort? Or would he have become jaded in the years that came when the world did not change? When people die young (Lennon was 40 when he died, and I consider that to be young) we always say "they had so much promise, so much potential." We honor their lives, and we look to what they would have, to what they could have become. Because hypothetical futures always look bright and sunny. But what if they aren't. What if you had all the potential in the world to be great at 25, and then never lived up to it. Doesn't everyone have amazing potential when they are young?? Is it better to die young and have people paint a beautiful picture of your life (even though it is not real), or is it better to live your life and not live up to that potential? I guess the best thing would be to have the potential and live your life, and live up to it.
I'm not trying to say I think it is best to die young...although that was the first conclusion I came to when discussing this topic with Andy. Die young, die beautiful, die with all the potential in the world. Obviously I don't want this, nor would I want anyone else in my life to die young. So I came to a better conclusion - live your life. Live it to it's fullest, and don't ever let yourself say "I wish I would have done this or that." Own your actions, and be the best you can be. Be intentional with every thing that you do...and then when you review the "video tape of your life" you don't have any reason to rewind and stop at 25. Instead you say - keep going forward, 45 gets even better, and heck - wait til you get to 60, just wait and see what I did at 60.
On that note - I can't wait for Andy and myself to embark on our own social, political, & humanitarian efforts.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Most Wonderfilled Times...
Of the year! Yes, it is that time again...the Holiday season. So for those celebrating anything from Winter Solstice to Christmas...well, happy holidays!
Now a few weeks ago I asked Amanda out on a "date," and when she asked me where and what we were doing, I had to tell her it was our tasting. We both laughed at the time, however as you may have read below, we had such an abundance of food that it in fact was a true date with a huge tasting menu.
Little did we know at the time that it would be so romantic, in fact I believe it was one if not the most romantic times out together for us. It had such great meaning for both of us. It was in the place we were getting married, on a beautiful night, we were pretty much alone in the restaurant for a while, with some wine...you get the drift.
It has always held true but the DUMBO part of Brooklyn has always held such significance for us, and all of our days there have been the most wonderful of my 25 years of existence. From the first time we went there, to our engagement, to our tasting, to visiting with family...it has really truly been so wonderful. I wish I could write more about how great it is, but the feeling is just so much that I don't believe I can ever describe it in words.
Everyday is just so...wow. Even laundry this morning (we had a ton of it) was absolutely great. We put in a few loads, went for a walk, Amanda got some coffee...just a great way to start the day.
We made ourselves a little goal today. Whenever we go to a new place, we want to get up and go for an early walk so we can see what that place is like in the morning. So when we go on our cruise, we want to get off the boat and just go for a walk around all the spots that we will hit.
I also wanted to say I am so happy that we have our tree. I just love having a home. It is our home here in Queens that we have built that makes me feel so warm. I haven't really had a home in a long time, and to build it with the love of my life is the most rewarding and joyous thing in the universe.
Well, I suppose I will get going, we haven't ran yet today and as everyone knows, it is something we love doing together.
Now a few weeks ago I asked Amanda out on a "date," and when she asked me where and what we were doing, I had to tell her it was our tasting. We both laughed at the time, however as you may have read below, we had such an abundance of food that it in fact was a true date with a huge tasting menu.
Little did we know at the time that it would be so romantic, in fact I believe it was one if not the most romantic times out together for us. It had such great meaning for both of us. It was in the place we were getting married, on a beautiful night, we were pretty much alone in the restaurant for a while, with some wine...you get the drift.
It has always held true but the DUMBO part of Brooklyn has always held such significance for us, and all of our days there have been the most wonderful of my 25 years of existence. From the first time we went there, to our engagement, to our tasting, to visiting with family...it has really truly been so wonderful. I wish I could write more about how great it is, but the feeling is just so much that I don't believe I can ever describe it in words.
Everyday is just so...wow. Even laundry this morning (we had a ton of it) was absolutely great. We put in a few loads, went for a walk, Amanda got some coffee...just a great way to start the day.
We made ourselves a little goal today. Whenever we go to a new place, we want to get up and go for an early walk so we can see what that place is like in the morning. So when we go on our cruise, we want to get off the boat and just go for a walk around all the spots that we will hit.
I also wanted to say I am so happy that we have our tree. I just love having a home. It is our home here in Queens that we have built that makes me feel so warm. I haven't really had a home in a long time, and to build it with the love of my life is the most rewarding and joyous thing in the universe.
Well, I suppose I will get going, we haven't ran yet today and as everyone knows, it is something we love doing together.
Beef carpaccio to start.
Beef carpaccio with crispy leeks & parmigiano reggiano. Sound good?? Was delicious!
So as I mentioned in a previous post Andy and I had a tasting at Bubby's this past Friday for our wedding menu. The tasting was amazing, and also wonderfully romantic. When we arrived at Bubby's they had a special candlelit table waiting for us. It was perfect. We shared some wine, and proceeded to taste various hors d'oeuvres, entrees, salads, sides, and desserts (my favorite part of course!). It was a night to remember - filled with delicious food, the best company and conversation one could ever ask for, and a spectacular view. Love was in the air, truly.
And for all my fellow foodies out there here are some of our favorite dishes (and they will most likely grace the menu at our wedding): bbq chicken skewers (the homemade bbq sauce was amazing), mini slider burgers (grass fed beef = so good, and perfectly cooked), the beef carpaccio (as described above), an arugula salad with roasted pears & parmigiano reggiano, pecan crusted salmon with orange butter (my favorite!), buttermilk fried chicken (I bet you can guess who loved this dish!), roasted brussel sprouts with bacon (because everything is delicious when you add bacon), macaroni with sharp white cheddar cheese (a little guilty pleasure never hurt anyone), onion rings (of course!), & the peanut butter chocolate pie! I'd like to pretend that Andy and I are more refined than we actually are, but I think it's pretty clear that we like a lot of simple foods. And it just so happens that Bubby's menu is a mish mosh of comfort foods for the most part - so we pretty much love everything on it. It's funny because we picked Bubby's for the view, and thought the food would be decent...and that that would be fine with us. BUT, after the tasting both Andy and myself agreed that the food is also a high point of this lovely restaurant. Andy also informed me that he had read it is Tom Collichio's favorite restaurant to take his children to. Who can argue with that??!
Oh Christmas tree, our Christmas tree!
Sorry for the slight blur...I haven't quite mastered taking pictures in dull light on my camera. I actually think it just doesn't take good pictures in this type of lighting (which is unfortunate), but oh well...I suppose that is more reason for us to get our DSLR soon!
But despite the blurriness of this photo, I think you can get a good idea of what our tree looks like. We decorated it in a silver/ gold & ivory theme, and it's just about 5 feet tall or so. I like to think of our tree as a she...not sure exactly why. Maybe I am trying to maintain the majority of she's in my household - now 3 to 1, instead of 2 to 2. But nonetheless, our tree is a she to me. She is Cleo's new bff, which is probably nice for Cleo, but also strange considering Cleo doesn't take well to any foreign beings. I suppose our tree is not a being, but Cleo also doesn't tend to like any large foreign objects. But she likes our tree, and I'm not going to argue with that.
On to the significance of our first tree. This is the first tree I have ever had of my own in NYC, and this is Andy's first Xmas tree ever...so we are both thoroughly excited about it. It brightens up our home, and just really makes the whole apartment feel like Christmas. Christmas is really in the air now that we have our tree. There's something special about having a real tree - going to pick it out together, the fresh scent, putting it up. I like the experience...I personally think it is a much more fulfilling experience than pulling an old dusty fake tree out of a closet and setting it up. Where is the magic in that??! Of course, I've only ever had live trees so I can't say this with complete authority...then again I hope to never say I prefer a live tree to a fake tree with complete authority because I never plan on having a fake tree!
With this new tree Andy and I started our own traditions. We bought it from a Xmas tree vendor on the street (which felt so authentic!), and then put it up together while listening to a playlist of Xmas tunes Andy had put together, whilst sharing a glass of red wine. It was the perfect start of our Xmas tree tradition, and I look forward to continuing it for many many years to come!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Happenings
I signed in to update the blog, and lo and behold - my other half has already done so. And quite eloquently if I do say so myself. Not only does he say wonderful, beautiful, amazing things...but he says them beautifully. That is my Andy. Andy the poet.
I suppose I don't have too much to add, other than that we have our tasting for the wedding this Friday. We are doing the dinner tasting - and I have to admit that I'm pretty excited about it. I think I will feel a little like Padma, or Gail, or Tom (ha) on Top Chef when the contestants bring out dish after dish for them to taste. Hopefully I will not gain 10 lbs. after eating this meal, as Padma admitted she does when she films each season of Top Chef. I think my body may be resilient enough to bounce back after one tasting. But anyways...
It is December. Isn't that crazy?! I really can't believe it is. Where did the year go?? I feel like we all say this every year..but really, this year went fast. Perhaps it was so fast for me because I was constantly starting on new endeavors at every bend. Moving in with Andy, getting Cleo, getting engaged, planning our wedding...
Andy told me that 2008 was going to be the best year yet, and I have to agree. It was. I think 2009 will be even better!
But in the meantime, there are many many exciting things to come in December. First off Andy and I are having engagement photos taken by our wedding photographer. Then there is Christmas in the Cuse! And then (the most exciting thing of all) is my mom & Mike's wedding on December 27th!!! It is going to be beautiful (but not as beautiful as my mom!).
I suppose I don't have too much to add, other than that we have our tasting for the wedding this Friday. We are doing the dinner tasting - and I have to admit that I'm pretty excited about it. I think I will feel a little like Padma, or Gail, or Tom (ha) on Top Chef when the contestants bring out dish after dish for them to taste. Hopefully I will not gain 10 lbs. after eating this meal, as Padma admitted she does when she films each season of Top Chef. I think my body may be resilient enough to bounce back after one tasting. But anyways...
It is December. Isn't that crazy?! I really can't believe it is. Where did the year go?? I feel like we all say this every year..but really, this year went fast. Perhaps it was so fast for me because I was constantly starting on new endeavors at every bend. Moving in with Andy, getting Cleo, getting engaged, planning our wedding...
Andy told me that 2008 was going to be the best year yet, and I have to agree. It was. I think 2009 will be even better!
But in the meantime, there are many many exciting things to come in December. First off Andy and I are having engagement photos taken by our wedding photographer. Then there is Christmas in the Cuse! And then (the most exciting thing of all) is my mom & Mike's wedding on December 27th!!! It is going to be beautiful (but not as beautiful as my mom!).
Prospect Parque
Hello, hello…
So as we have been going through the wedding stuff, I suppose my posts on here have become less frequent, and I am sorry for that.
Just a little update…Thanksgiving was awesome, with my mother and Amanda’s father meeting for the first time. It was really cool how well they got along and I was very happy that everything worked out. I haven’t had a proper Thanksgiving in a long while, so I give thanks to having a great one this year.
So I figure I might touch on something that has been sort of a phrase that I say pretty often which is “Is this real?” Well, it is. Every single day I really do fall more and more in love with Amanda, and I really am just so excited to get married to her. She is a role model to me, and I really couldn’t ask for anything more than what she gives me every single day. I have never, and will never meet someone who I love and respect more than her. Those are some of the many things that make her the most attractive person to me. I ask if it is real because I have never experienced this…but then again, how could I since she is my only one. The only person that ever fit into my puzzle, the only one that can always make me smile, the only one who knows exactly what I am thinking, that can finish my sentences, the only one that makes me feel absolutely and truly happy. Thank you my love.
In some exciting news…I took the day off yesterday for my gastro-doc appointment…those fried foods may not be the best thing for my stomach, BUT one of the better things I did was secure the permit to our wedding ceremony location. Prospect Park. Brooklyn, NY. Amazing. It is done. Finito. And what was the cost? $25. That’s it. Our wedding ceremony location costs $25. Paid for already. Haha. I laugh.
What else can you buy for $25? For me, that’s 125 Nuggets from Wendy’s. Or 2 burritos from Chipotle. Or about 75 Lindt chocolates. Or 2 drinks at Little Branch (first date!). But yes, $25.
I also figured out how to get Mark (Amanda’s brother) ordained so he can do our ceremony. Seems like I have to buy a package which is $25, plus pay the $15 fee to become licensed as an officiant. So what is that? $40. Crazy!
Gotta love it.
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