Tuesday, March 31, 2009

G is for Gourmet...

... Five reasons why a husband may not always enjoy gourmet cooking:

1. It often results in more dishes to wash.
2. It takes longer, which means he eats later.
3. It costs more money for the ingredients.
4. Sometimes it's delicious, and sometimes it's ... interesting.
5. Sometimes, all a man really wants is meat and potatoes.

Monday, March 30, 2009

S is for Saturday ...

... You know you're a married woman when your Saturday consists of cleaning and reorganizing the house, grocery shopping, baking, and doing laundry while watching an old movie. And you love it.

Monday, March 23, 2009

A is for Anniversary ...

... I know, I know, how can we have an anniversary if we've only been married for three months? Well, as of March 20th, Alma and I have been together for exactly one year, and that's worth celebrating.

If you had told me one year ago that I would be married to Alma Jean, I would have told you that you were smoking some sweet dope. Funny how life has a way of surprising you.

We've had our share of ups and downs over the past year. Ups definitely being the day we got married, the day Alma proposed, the day we said "I love you," and the entire two weeks of our honeymoon. Downs being our first fight, our first fight after we got married, and having no money cause we spent it all on the wedding and honeymoon. But it's all been totally worth it.

When I got home from Atlanta and was once again in the arms of my husband, I had the pleasant realization that I was indeed married to my very best friend in the world.

What an exciting, suprising, and funny life it is! I can only wonder what surprises our next year together has in store.

K is for sKetches

I've been meaning to finish this sketch for a while, a long while (so sorry Jeannie and Jared... and Jace I guess) but now that I'm almost done, I don't know if I like the dark background. Hmmm, I guess now it's kind of too late...

















Lexi on Sunday night, really bored, needing some attention...

Lexi: Umm, can you cuddle with me, please?
Me: I have to make an attempt to finish the sketching... sorry. Just pretend, imagine I'm cuddled up next to you. I promise it's just as good.










You can see Lexi getting progressively more and more angry...













The Angry face...

















Lexi running, actually walking away... either way I want my shoes back.

Friday, March 20, 2009

S is for Spring...

... It's officially the first day of spring today and, at least here in Atlanta, the weather is gorgeous. Mid-70's. I hear it's snowing in New York, though. Too bad for them. I hope the weather in Utah is somewhere in between. Actually, I hope it's closer to Atlanta's temps than New York's.

It's funny how just when you think winter will never end, spring arrives, and you're left wondering why you ever thought it was so bad. Every spring I think, Oh yeah, winter's not that bad. I don't mind Utah winters so much.

Isn't nice that we have the winters in our lives to remind us to be grateful for the springs?

Thursday, March 19, 2009

F is for Flying...

... As you may have guessed from my previous post, I'm traveling this week. I'm in Atlanta for a media relations conference.

To get here, I flew through the air. Incredibly. I sat in a chair in the sky. And every five minutes I shouted, "Oh my gosh! Wow! I'm flying!"

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

R is for Room Service..

... There have been a few mile markers in my life that have made me feel like I was a finally an adult. One of those is room service.

Every time I order room service at a hotel, I think to myself, "This is it. I have finally arrived at adulthood."

It never gets old. There's just something wonderful about making one phone call and 30 minutes later having hot food arrive outside your room. I don't know why I enjoy it so much, but I do. It's what I look forward to at the end of a long day of travel.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

T is for Television...

... Alma and I watch far too much television. We have a show for almost every night of the week.

On Sundays, we watch Kings.
On Mondays, we watch House. And 24. And sometimes Castle. (whew, Mondays are busy nights!)
On Tuesdays, we watch American Idol.
On Wednesdays, we watch Lost.
On Thursdays, we watch The Office and 30 Rock.

On Fridays and Saturdays, we usually watch movies. You know, you gotta have a break from all that TV watching!

Sometimes I think there's got to be a better way for two relatively intelligent, fun people to spend their time together. And then I snuggle up next to Alma on the couch and watch some more.

Monday, March 16, 2009

P is for Procrastination...

... I had a paper due today.

I told myself all last week that I would work on it. When Friday came, I promised myself I would dedicate my weekend to starting, and finishing, it.

I had no time to do it Friday night, or Saturday. More important things came up (see previous post). So I planned to do it Sunday afternoon.

I did everything but my paper. I did the laundry. I cleaned the bedroom. I reorganized. I cooked dinner. I did the dishes. (Some of them, anyway. Alma did most of them.) I baked bread. I made cookies. I watched TV. I read scriptures. At the end of the night, I told myself I'd have plenty of time to do it at work.

Today, I've been dedicated at work. There's no distracting me from my important responsibilities. Why did I ever think I'd have time to write a paper today?

But sometimes, procrastination pays off. I just went to class, and my teacher's extended the deadline until Friday.

W is for Wonderful...

... Ingredients for a wonderful weekend:

Snowboarding and shopping
Appetizers with a favorite girlfriend
Sleeping in late and cuddling with your husband
Picnic at the park and feeding the ducks with family
Dinner with two best friends and their spouses
Inspirational messages delivered by an apostle
Birthday party
Lazy Sunday afternoon

Sunday, March 15, 2009

K is for ducK whisperer


Jace fed the ducKs...


then he chased them...

he chased this particular ducK for five minutes...
the poor ducK did not know how to fly away...

*Just to clarify. Alma posted this, not Alexis, even though it says posted by Alexis below. I follow the "A is for ..." rule, Alma does not, as you can see.

K is for Konfessions

Dearest food,

I'm sorry, it's not you, it's me. I think we need a break. It's been good, I mean great 25, 26 years but we really need a break, maybe forever. I'm sorry... well sort of. Goodbye my once lover...

I loved food since I was very little, (
ed being the key tense here) like since I was 7lbs and minutes old; so it's been a long time. I loved food before I got married. (ed being the key tense again) You might be thinking to yourself, "Hmmm, maybe he is talking about his weight gain." [OCD Sharing Time: All recently married couple gain weight. All Asian people eat rice. All Asian people eat only half serving per day, unless your name is Kobayashi, "the all you can eat hot dog" or a sumo wrestler.] However, you would be sadly mistaken, kind of. Yes, I did gain some weight but I don't think it has anything to do with the amount of food digested, but probably the lack of exercise. I'm putting my money on the dusty gym pass. Anywho, I have parted ways with food all together because I hate doing the dishes. Let me share an equation: food + my belly = me happy. Simple right? [OCD Sharing Time: All Asians are great at math. That's why I was an English major. Suck eggs stereotypes!] Here's another equation: wife + cooking + dishes + dishes + four different spatulas + ten pans + food = my belly ache + phalanges ache + body ache. Yes, it's an exaggeration but not by much. Wait, I forgot two sets, not two measuring cups, two sets of measuring cups. Oh wait, I forgot three tasting spoons, and the dirty wall for checking pasta consistency. I feel like it's Hell's Kitchen every night, except my Gordon Ramsey or whatever his name is, is much better looking, however maybe I would rather have him and his ever-so-emotional cooks, because they would have less dishes, or maybe they would have a designated dish washer, much like designated hitters in baseball, sometimes I feel like a designated dish breaker. [OCD Sharing Time: All Asians love baseball, because they are too feeble to play football. All Asians love Chinese food and love doing dishes.]

Lexi: What do you want for dinner? (thinking: How many spatulas can I use tonight? hmm...)
Me: Oh I ate a late lunch, like ten minutes ago. (It's 5pm.)
Lexi: Why did you do that? (thinking: Idiot!)
Me: Oh, I love food so much and I was hungry, so hungry. (thinking: I hate dishes. Total Cooking Time = 1- 1.5 hr; Total Washing Time [Dishwasher Included] = 30-45 mins... 7 times a week. Again thinking: I hate dishes. I'm sorry dinner, you have to go.)

But, I'm too weak. I only break up to make up. Maybe I got it all wrong. I just need to figure out how I can eat delish food without the all the dishes, 1 hour worth.
[OCD Sharing Time: All girls like to cook. All boys have to eat and then do the dishes; I just prefer not to. I just remembered why I ate out so much.]

Here is a picture I need to share...














PS... If you merely say or hint that you want a puppy/baby, you are liar and not ready to be a parent... unless you are ready to steal a baby or maybe part ways with one or more of your body parts, like phalanges or limbs. Until you are ready to make those kind of sacrifices, you should keep your comments to yourself-ves. (I used YOU as an universal YOU, not thinking of anyone in particular.)

Thursday, March 12, 2009

I is for Idol...

... This year, as with every year before, I swore off American Idol before the season started.

"Why won't they just let the show die?" I asked. It's obvious America is no longer interested in another made-for-tv mediocre singer. Eight seasons is seven seasons too many, I said.

When I heard they were bringing on another a judge, I was slightly tempted. And then I reminded myself that I was so over American Idol.

The singers are never that great, I said, and the wrong person always gets kicked off too soon (think Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Michael Johns). What's the point of watching? Besides, American Idol is totally second-rate compared to So You Think You Can Dance.

But sometimes, a show is a phenomenon because it really is that good.

And I am loving American Idol this season.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

C is for Choir...

... Alma and I got a special calling last Sunday.

As it was explained to us by the bishopric member, our married student ward has a high turnover. And there are a lot of members, but not so many callings.
So there are some callings in our ward one doesn't normally find in a family ward.

Like ours: Ward Choir Members. Just think of us like this:

And yes, we were even sustained and set apart for it.

We'll now be attending church for four hours every Sunday. Yay.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

V is for Vote...

... Do you want to see your favorite newlywed couple on the cover of this magazine?

(The pic's a bit fuzzy, it the Utah Bride and Groom Magazine.)

If so, here's what you need to do:

1. Go to the magazine's photo contest website.

2. Find this picture (#1072) of me and Alma:

3. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and enter your name, email address, and our picture's number (1072). Click enter.

4. (Optional) Repeat with as many different email addresses as you have.

If we get the most votes, not only will we be on the cover of the magazine (yay!) but we'll also get a free canvas print from our photographer, Brody Dezember (double yay!).

Thanks for your help everyone!

Monday, March 9, 2009

S is for Snowboarding...

... Alma and I went snowboarding on Saturday. It's one of the few activities we both enjoy doing. At least, that's what Alma thought.

I may have been a bit dishonest about my actual feelings toward snowboarding while we were dating. I may have gone snowboarding a few times last year with Alma and never complained once. I may have said that I really enjoy snowboarding. I may have actually gone so far as to buy snowboarding equipment.

Taking all that into consideration, it may have come as a bit of a shock to Alma on Saturday when, mid-way through our first run down the mountain, after falling for like the kajillionth time, I starting crying and yelling about how much I hate snowboarding and that I never want to go again.

Eventually I did make it down the mountain, and surprisingly, I even went down a few more times. But needless to say, that's probably the last time Alma and I will go snowboarding together.

Anyone in the market for some almost brand-new snowboarding equipment?

Friday, March 6, 2009

M is for March...

... March has definitely come in like a lion.

After a week of relatively warm (60 degrees) and sunny days at the end of February, March has brought with it wind, rain, clouds, and snow. Miserable.

(There is a teeny, tiny, unselfish part of me that is slightly happy for the snow, because it means that Alma will have fresh powder on the mountain when he goes snowboarding. But that part of me is getting drowned out by the loud, selfish, complaining part.)

Here's hoping that March will go out like a lamb, but you never can know with this crazy Utah weather!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

W is for Wednesday...

... Wednesday is our favorite day of the week. Some reasons why Wednesday is so great:

At the end of the day, you're closer to Friday than Monday.

Lost is on.

We get to see Jared, Jeannie, and Jace.

Alma plays basketball.

I get to spend some girl-time with my sister.

... We always go to my sister's house to watch Lost, but this week they're out of town.

We're a little lost (haha, no pun intended) without our Wednesday routine. We miss you guys. Come home soon.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

B is for the Bachelor ...

... I don't know if all ya'll watch ABC's show The Bachelor, but last night's show was craaaazy.

I was at the gym last night, and because there was nothing better on the TV's, I watched the last two episodes of The Bachelor. Or maybe I should say the last episode, and then the follow-up to the last episode episode. I haven't seen any of this season, but last night's episodes sucked me right in. Too bad it's over with now. Or is it? Apparently, you never know with The Bachelor.

As I'm sure everyone knows, the last episode is the one where the bachelor picks one of two girls to propose to. So he dumped one, and proposed to the other, and they were so happy and cute together. I got a little emotional myself thinking of how happy Alma and I were when we got engaged. It was heartwarming. Exactly the kind of emotional response ABC wants you to have to the show.

AND THEN, not thirty seconds after the end of that episode, when you still have warm-fuzzy feelings, the "After the Final Rose" episode comes on. And guess what?

The bachelor has changed his mind. He made a mistake. He's actually in love with the other girl - you know, the one he dumped. He then proceeds to dump his current fiancee, and then ask the other girl for a second chance. By the end of the show, he's repeating all the things he said to the first girl when he proposed to her, except this time it's to the one he dumped in the last episode. How ridiculous is that? It was like a slap in the face to all of us who we're feeling so happy during the previous episode.

Reality shows are crazy, ya'll. They should be called: "A Distorted Reflection of Reality" shows. They sure make for some entertaining shows, though.

I is for Indian ...

... Sunday night, Alma and I had an Indian food night in.

I've recently developed quite the addiction to Indian food. I don't know why, but I love it. I think the blend of spices in Indian food is delicious. Unfortunately, Indian restaurants in Provo aren't the cheapest thing around, and since we're trying to save our pennies right now, we don't go out much. Which means that I've had a serious unfulfilled craving for some chicken tikka masala.

So I've been trying my hand at making some Indian food. I've made chicken tikka masala, naan bread, red kidney bean curry, indian spiced cauliflower and potatoes, raita, and homemade hummus. Most of it was delish, but the tikka masala was a bit too spicy for me, and I am still jonesing for the restaurant kind. Alma liked it a lot though. I think next time, I'll halve the amount of red pepper called for in the chicken marinade. The kidney bean curry was my favorite. Alma, of course, thought it would be better with meat.

Below are links to the recipes I used. They were a lot easier than I thought they would be. Give them a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Indian Spiced Cauliflower & Potatoes and Raita

Red Kidney Bean Curry
Chicken Tikka Masala
Naan Bread
Hummus

Monday, March 2, 2009

R is for Rejected...

... Sometimes in life, you get rejected.

Rejection hurts and it can derail you from your future plans.

But, as the trite saying goes, for every door that closes, another door opens.

Here's to new doors opening and the adventures that await beyond them.

A is for APX...

... For anyone who has driven on the Utah County side of I-15, you'll have noticed some particularly obnoxious billboards of preppily-dressed/groomed young adults with the saying "I am APX." I've always detested those signs.

I've recently had a change of heart. Turns out, Alma and I are APX too.

That's right folks. Starting today, Alma will be providing "Security for the ones you love." That is, of course, if you're willing to buy the security systems he'll be peddling over the phone.

PS - A big thanks to Kaulana and Nicole for their help with this. We'll forever be in your debt.