Welcome back to A Rambler's Rambling. This is the new and improved version of this blog that is going to just blow your mind! Well, maybe not, but it's at least going to be updated frequently. Kind of like the way it used to be way back when (we're talking almost four years ago now!). . .
Anyway, my stress level is at an all-time high as I am in the process of moving in the middle of Week 14/16 of the semester, which also happens to be the first week of Prom for the high schools in the Simi Valley area, causing me to have to work a few extra hours at the ol' MW. So not only am I pulling twelve hour shifts (tomorrow, in fact, I will be there from 9-9), getting ready for finals and doing final projects (my last Lab Report is due this Thursday), but I'm busily packing the items that just got unpacked seven short months ago. . .
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
How did I get to some of these spots exactly? Let me divulge, if I can be brief. . .
Back in mid-late September, things were going decently at the MW in Palmdale. I was comfortable in the location and really getting to like the crew there. I was approaching my one year mark with the company (to see my thoughts after my first week there, head here) when Kim, my District Manager who recruited me, asked me if I wanted to go down to Woodland Hills (one of the top two volume stores in our district) and interview for an upcoming opening on their Sales Team. I was nervous, but thanks to her encouragement, I went for it. I got down there, met the Store Manager, Edward, and the position was all but mine, save for one thing. . . Me accepting it. Now, I had wanted to move down that direction for some time (even doing this same interview thing back in May 2008 in Burbank) but it was also a scary idea of having to move out of the nest, which was a rather safe nest at that.
But after much deliberation (and pushing from Kim - she told me that this could be my last chance to get down below, closer to school, for some time) I decided to take it. Ok, great, now you start in two weeks! So within that two weeks, I looked at some apartments in the cities in between Northridge (school) and Woodland Hills (work) and tried to find the best deal/situation available in such a short time. I felt like Goldilocks, where things were either too nice (therefore too expensive) or too disheveled to even consider setting something down for fear it would get taken. I finally found one in Reseda, and the apartment was 3 miles from school and 6 from work. Perfect! It wasn't great but it had a garage that I could share with four other people, so at least my car would be protected. It was a downstairs apartment, so at least moving would be easier. It was a one bedroom, all I needed, with a spacious kitchen and living room. And although the neighborhood was almost Little Mexico (complete with an Ice Cream truck that plays mariachi music), I took it because I could get it on my own without my parents co-signing, a big deal for my first place. So I signed a one-year lease to pay $950 a month plus utilities at the Ambassador Apartments.
Fast forward to today, and I have mixed reactions about my time spent here. It's been seven months, and having served my minimum tenancy of six months, I'm bailing. I gave them plenty of notice, so I will get my security deposit back (a cool $1000 thank you very much), but why leave, you might ask. Well I have had some interesting events occur around here over the last month or two, (don't worry, those stories will make their debuts soon) and my overall safety is in limbo on a day-to-day basis. I don't feel personally threatened or anything, but I just feel ridiculously uncomfortable, a feeling that you shouldn't have at home, or anywhere that you're spending more than $1000 a month to live in.
So I'm moving. Now, common sense says to move to northern Northridge by the 118 freeway, since I now work at the Simi Valley MW (oh, I didn't say that earlier - - sorry, I guess that longer story will have to wait too. Just go with it for now - I got promoted and am now an Assistant Manager II at the store there) and that would be better for getting to work. But, as I said the other day, I am going for happiness.
And the thing, or should I say person, who makes me happiest is Heather. We have now been together nearly 5.5 years (remember from my last post before my big break that we are no longer engaged, but happily moving towards that time - we don't want to get engaged again until the wedding could be in planning mode and we want to be closer to careers before that happens. . . but again, I'm getting ahead of myself) and now that I live down closer to her, our relationship has really hit new levels. We are closer than ever and enjoy spending time with each other more than anything. She gets her Bacherlors degree in June and starts up again in the Fall at Cal Poly Pomona for her Masters degree. Her lease with her three roommates (four girls, two bedrooms, rare visits for Justin) is up in July so we had already began planning a big move when my lease was up in October. However, with me getting out of mine early, she agreed to do the same (while still paying her minimal rent in Pomona) and we began apartment hunting a month ago.
And now we are just three days from moving to Glendale together.
But I think I'm gonna leave it at that for the night. If you got this far, I commend you, and promise that more details will follow. But for now, my bed is what calls me and I must listen, because like I said, a twelve hour work day awaits me.
I would like to take a second and welcome any new readers (namely, Fletch from Blog Cabins, based out of my home state of Arizona!) who have decided to see what I make of this renewed interest in blogging. I do hope to post things different than updates on my life, but since it has been so long, that's what's going to be prevalent for a couple weeks. Hang tight, learn a little something about me, and when we get to some more "fun" stuff, it will be worth the wait.
I hope.
Goodnight all, and I hope you have a pleasant Thursday - - -
Showing posts with label Heather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heather. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 14, 2008
I'll Be Brief (For Now)
So here's the plan, Stan. . .
My goal here starting on Saturday is a post every night leading up to my birthday on May 10. The reason I will be starting on Saturday is that it is 21 days before my 21st birthday, and I will be doing a post called "21 til 21" on that day and so on ("20 til 21," etc.). Each day I'm gonna re-live a story that I may or may not have shared on this site in the past through my 21 years alive. I know it's not much, but I think it could be fun. If anything, it will get me to posting again, and it will be more about the past and not about my present and/or future. . .
Which is completely and utterly up in the air.
As an "Update" of sorts to my previous post this past week, I have to say one more thing about "Who I Am":
- I am starting to realize that I just might be depressed. The distance between Heather and I (the 95 miles, that is) is starting to really take its toll on our relationship. Our rare moments together are amazing and are everything to each of us, but the moments apart are much more prevalent and much more difficult. It's tough. And I know it sounds so. . . sad. But guess what? It is! We're working hard at something that every day seems less and less likely to succeed. Which is exactly the opposite of what we want - -but the lows are so low. . .
So we're working through things. And I know that posting that here is probably not the right move, per se, but it's what is going on for me at this time. It weighs on me every day. And it keeps me from putting my best foot forward (Except, of course, for those moments that we are actually together - no one brings out the best in me like her!). . .
So look for those posts starting on Saturday and enjoy the trip down memory lane as I near a milestone birthday!
Thanks as always :)
Until later,
My goal here starting on Saturday is a post every night leading up to my birthday on May 10. The reason I will be starting on Saturday is that it is 21 days before my 21st birthday, and I will be doing a post called "21 til 21" on that day and so on ("20 til 21," etc.). Each day I'm gonna re-live a story that I may or may not have shared on this site in the past through my 21 years alive. I know it's not much, but I think it could be fun. If anything, it will get me to posting again, and it will be more about the past and not about my present and/or future. . .
Which is completely and utterly up in the air.
As an "Update" of sorts to my previous post this past week, I have to say one more thing about "Who I Am":
- I am starting to realize that I just might be depressed. The distance between Heather and I (the 95 miles, that is) is starting to really take its toll on our relationship. Our rare moments together are amazing and are everything to each of us, but the moments apart are much more prevalent and much more difficult. It's tough. And I know it sounds so. . . sad. But guess what? It is! We're working hard at something that every day seems less and less likely to succeed. Which is exactly the opposite of what we want - -but the lows are so low. . .
So we're working through things. And I know that posting that here is probably not the right move, per se, but it's what is going on for me at this time. It weighs on me every day. And it keeps me from putting my best foot forward (Except, of course, for those moments that we are actually together - no one brings out the best in me like her!). . .
So look for those posts starting on Saturday and enjoy the trip down memory lane as I near a milestone birthday!
Thanks as always :)
Until later,
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Memory Lane
Happy Anniversary!!!
No, not for this blog and not to some family member who might be reading this. . .
To Heather. And me. It's four years now. . . Who would have thought it?!?!
I have to bring it up because it is a true feat and I am proud of our progress, not only as individuals, but as an awesomely compatible couple!
And now, for absolute kicks and giggles, I want to take you back four years into the past to see a young couple who have no idea where the next forty-eight months will take them. But wherever it takes them, I want to assure you that they never stray apart. In fact, the further apart they are physically, the closer they seem. It's uncanny. And it's good. (Although this picture here is far from good. . . I can't believe how little we are!!!)
And now here they are, just three months ago after having gotten engaged. Unbelievable. . .
Heather, you are my Best Friend. And as WEEZER says:
"When everything is wrong I'll come talk to you
You make things alright when I'm feeling blue
You are such a blessing and I wont be messing
With the one thing that brings light to all of my darkness
You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
There is no other one who can take your place
I feel happy inside when I see your face
I hope you believe me
Cause I speak sincerely
and I mean it when I tell you that I need you
You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
I'm here right beside you
I will never leave you
and I feel the pain you feel when you start crying
You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
Yes I do...
Yes I do"
I'm making a special trip down to Pomona tonight (Thursday) even though I have to leave early on Friday to get to work, but it will be fun to actually see each other on our anniversary, something I don't think we have been able to do since maybe our first one. So you can bet good money that we will be happily in each other's arms. And yes, I know how lucky I am. I am reminded of it every day :)
I love you Heather! Always have - always will. . .
No, not for this blog and not to some family member who might be reading this. . .
To Heather. And me. It's four years now. . . Who would have thought it?!?!
I have to bring it up because it is a true feat and I am proud of our progress, not only as individuals, but as an awesomely compatible couple!
And now, for absolute kicks and giggles, I want to take you back four years into the past to see a young couple who have no idea where the next forty-eight months will take them. But wherever it takes them, I want to assure you that they never stray apart. In fact, the further apart they are physically, the closer they seem. It's uncanny. And it's good. (Although this picture here is far from good. . . I can't believe how little we are!!!)
And now here they are, just three months ago after having gotten engaged. Unbelievable. . .
Heather, you are my Best Friend. And as WEEZER says:
"When everything is wrong I'll come talk to you
You make things alright when I'm feeling blue
You are such a blessing and I wont be messing
With the one thing that brings light to all of my darkness
You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
There is no other one who can take your place
I feel happy inside when I see your face
I hope you believe me
Cause I speak sincerely
and I mean it when I tell you that I need you
You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
I'm here right beside you
I will never leave you
and I feel the pain you feel when you start crying
You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
Yes I do...
Yes I do"
I'm making a special trip down to Pomona tonight (Thursday) even though I have to leave early on Friday to get to work, but it will be fun to actually see each other on our anniversary, something I don't think we have been able to do since maybe our first one. So you can bet good money that we will be happily in each other's arms. And yes, I know how lucky I am. I am reminded of it every day :)
I love you Heather! Always have - always will. . .
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Engagement Story
(UPDATE: YOU CAN VIEW THE PICTURES THAT I HAVE POSTED ON MY MYSPACE BY WAY OF THIS LINK HERE)
Ok well there are about twenty things that I should be doing right now (18 of them being homework) but instead, I'll post my version of the story of how this whole proposal thing went down (Heather's version can be found here). . .
And o yeah, we're engaged!!! (That's for those of you who didn't know and had no idea what I was talking about. . .)
And away we go. . .
So the back story of this whole thing begins in July, when I bought the ring. That's right - July! I had to get it because the one that I wanted was the last one in the entire company of Kevin's Jewelers! The last one! So I did it - - I bought an engagement ring (and for those wondering, yes it is beautiful, big - but not gaudy - and bought and paid for in one fell swoop). . .
But I had to have major self control. In my head I had always planned on proposing on a special, planned night and not on a whim or just because I felt like it. I have always been a helpless romantic (poetry, flowers - you name it, I've probably done it) and I have always known that my wonderful Heather enjoyed all of the things that I did for her.
Plus, as Heather's sister Chelsea told me when I requested her assistance, Heather has always wanted a special event come time for her engagement. Apparently when they were little (Chels is three years older than Heather) and were playing "house," Heather had to be the one playing the bride or was in the process of getting married. She wanted (deep-down, no matter what she says) a memorable engagement. Now sure, just the process of getting engaged is a big deal, but I wanted her to have a story to tell people when they asked what had happened.
So I planned it - - it wasn't going to be extravagant, but it would be memorable. I had requested off November 11th (for the significance of the date 11/11, check out the beginning of this post back in 2005) from the FL and then made it a requirement if the MW wanted to hire me, which they absolutely agreed to. This would be better than Christmas or her birthday (12/27) because I wanted to make this a special, separate occasion. This was not just a birthday present. This was forever.
So I planned to head down to her apartment on the 11th. I had talked to Chels and she was going to take Heather out to lunch while I went into her apartment with flowers and my ring. I would wait in her room til she got back and then when she walked in, I would present her with flowers and she would probably ask why I was there. I would then say that it was because it was 11/11 and then I would kneel down and propose, having the date be the biggest deal of the whole thing.
But then, something happened. . .
With the Veterans Day holiday causing us both to have no school on Monday the 12th, Heather suggested she come home for the three day weekend (after she got off work on Saturday). Well this set me back quite a bit, as you can imagine. So I was left with a work and school-filled week to come up with a better proposal plan than the one I had originally intended.
And boy did I ever. . .
We went to Hollywood on Saturday night, the 10th (not before I supplied Heather with a beautiful collection of peach roses) to the AFI Festival at Arclight. We went to see CHRIS AND DON: A LOVE STORY, an independent feature directed by Guido Santi and Tina Mascara, two fantastic individuals whom I met back in April at an AVC function by way of my professor, Charles Hood. I also met Don Bachardy that night (I can't remember if I ever blogged about that night) - that night was one of my most memorable ever!
But anyway, their film was having its Hollywood premiere and since I had kept in touch with both the directors and the producer, James (Jim) White, I was invited to attend. I took Heather with me (we both got dressed up - me in a button-up underneath a nice sweater, nice blue jeans, and my new shoes; Heather in a beautiful blouse, black dressy pants, and some heels that pulled it all together) and we had a fantastic time. The movie was good and all, but I was more excited to be out and about with Heather on a Saturday night! After the film and the meet-and-greet (we met up with Prof. Hood to say hello and also Jim, and the star of the night, Mr. Bachardy) we headed outside.
Since I had wanted to get back to my house at midnight (thus making it the 11th) I needed to find a way to prolong our evening down below. As we walked out, we saw the newer restaurant Charcoal (at least we think it's newish), a club-like bar with some tables along the side. We went in, both being hungry and desiring a new experience. We enjoyed some $16 Baked Shrimp (for only four shrimp!) and a couple drinks (of course meaning a Sprite for Heather and an Arnold Palmer, like always, for me). We got out around 2215 and had nothing else to do but head home.
On the way home, Heather actually brought up the fact that we were going to be together on 11/11 and all I could do was nod and smile, knowing full well that Heather had absolutely no idea what was about to happen. . .
We got to my house around 2330 and Heather and I entered the house. Before I had left that morning, I had put a bunch of rose petals up my stairs and leading to my room. Heather saw this and was excited, and asked if she could go upstairs. I told her that of course she could and I waited downstairs. . .
When she got up the stairs, she found a note on my bed that read: "So here's what I need from you: - Sit on the edge of my bed.... - Press play on the remote... - And just listen...... I love you!" When she pushed play on the remote, "Come What May," a song from Moulin Rouge that has been one of our many songs along the road of our relationship, came on from my iTunes. As soon as I heard that the song had started, I began walking up the stairs with the box in my hand.
I got up to my room and there she was, sitting on the edge of my bed. Smiling. Oblivious to what was about to happen. I hugged her when she put her arms out for a hug, but with only one arm, the other being behind my back. She asked "What's behind your back?" and with that, I knelt down in front of her. I looked into the eyes of the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and calmly asked the question that sounded o so surreal coming out: "Will you marry me?"
When I said it, her jaw dropped. She covered her mouth and gasped. I'm pretty sure there was no oxygen left in the room immediately following my proposal. But anyway, she kept asking "Are you sure?" and exclaiming "O my God!" and crying . . . but was not giving me an affirmative response! I kept staring and waiting. . .
Once she asked me "Are you sure?" for what was probably the fifth time, I took off my glasses and said once again "Will you marry me?" And finally, (it's not that I was worried, but I just really expected a different response) she said "Of course" and I put the ring on her finger, and the shock slowly began to wear off. We began to smile and laugh. I kissed her and told her I loved her and when she asked if I was sure for what was probably the tenth time, I looked at her and told her I wanted to marry her and spend forever beside her.
Then it got crazy exciting! Heather started screaming excitedly and saying "We're engaged!" Then she started calling everyone in her phone book that was possibly awake at what was now 0030 on the 11th. . .
And as Heather said, we were ecstatic. We stayed up for quite awhile, calling people and reliving the past hour over and over. We finally went to bed around 0200, woke up around 0830, and had an entire Sunday together since I surprised her with my day off :) The Sunday included a trip to the movies to see BEE MOVIE (a big let-down - grade: C+) and a journey down to San Clemente to celebrate with a dinner with her dad and his wife Claudia. It all went well and it seems that everything will fall into place in the coming months. . .
And that's how it all happened. . . I'm now a Fiancé and Heather is now a Fiancée (Yes, there is a difference in the spelling, according to the all-knowing Wikipedia). . .
It's very exciting - - - But really, that word does not say enough about what it is that we feel. We are both ready to make the next steps towards becoming a married couple and all that that entails. This is just the first of many. . . And I couldn't be more ready to get the ball rolling!
For those wanting dates for the wedding, well, we just aren't that sure yet. But our goal is to be married over the summer of 2009 and most likely either the end of June or the beginning of July. But we'll see. . . it's a long time til then, but it will most assuredly fly by!!!
Thanks to everyone who knew and didn't say anything to Heather. Thanks to everyone who didn't know and is now offering their congratulations. Thanks to all those who are just as excited as we are - you being excited for us just helps us know that we're doing things right.
But most of all, thanks to Heather for saying yes. . . I love you!
Ok well there are about twenty things that I should be doing right now (18 of them being homework) but instead, I'll post my version of the story of how this whole proposal thing went down (Heather's version can be found here). . .
And o yeah, we're engaged!!! (That's for those of you who didn't know and had no idea what I was talking about. . .)
And away we go. . .
So the back story of this whole thing begins in July, when I bought the ring. That's right - July! I had to get it because the one that I wanted was the last one in the entire company of Kevin's Jewelers! The last one! So I did it - - I bought an engagement ring (and for those wondering, yes it is beautiful, big - but not gaudy - and bought and paid for in one fell swoop). . .
But I had to have major self control. In my head I had always planned on proposing on a special, planned night and not on a whim or just because I felt like it. I have always been a helpless romantic (poetry, flowers - you name it, I've probably done it) and I have always known that my wonderful Heather enjoyed all of the things that I did for her.
Plus, as Heather's sister Chelsea told me when I requested her assistance, Heather has always wanted a special event come time for her engagement. Apparently when they were little (Chels is three years older than Heather) and were playing "house," Heather had to be the one playing the bride or was in the process of getting married. She wanted (deep-down, no matter what she says) a memorable engagement. Now sure, just the process of getting engaged is a big deal, but I wanted her to have a story to tell people when they asked what had happened.
So I planned it - - it wasn't going to be extravagant, but it would be memorable. I had requested off November 11th (for the significance of the date 11/11, check out the beginning of this post back in 2005) from the FL and then made it a requirement if the MW wanted to hire me, which they absolutely agreed to. This would be better than Christmas or her birthday (12/27) because I wanted to make this a special, separate occasion. This was not just a birthday present. This was forever.
So I planned to head down to her apartment on the 11th. I had talked to Chels and she was going to take Heather out to lunch while I went into her apartment with flowers and my ring. I would wait in her room til she got back and then when she walked in, I would present her with flowers and she would probably ask why I was there. I would then say that it was because it was 11/11 and then I would kneel down and propose, having the date be the biggest deal of the whole thing.
But then, something happened. . .
With the Veterans Day holiday causing us both to have no school on Monday the 12th, Heather suggested she come home for the three day weekend (after she got off work on Saturday). Well this set me back quite a bit, as you can imagine. So I was left with a work and school-filled week to come up with a better proposal plan than the one I had originally intended.
And boy did I ever. . .
We went to Hollywood on Saturday night, the 10th (not before I supplied Heather with a beautiful collection of peach roses) to the AFI Festival at Arclight. We went to see CHRIS AND DON: A LOVE STORY, an independent feature directed by Guido Santi and Tina Mascara, two fantastic individuals whom I met back in April at an AVC function by way of my professor, Charles Hood. I also met Don Bachardy that night (I can't remember if I ever blogged about that night) - that night was one of my most memorable ever!
But anyway, their film was having its Hollywood premiere and since I had kept in touch with both the directors and the producer, James (Jim) White, I was invited to attend. I took Heather with me (we both got dressed up - me in a button-up underneath a nice sweater, nice blue jeans, and my new shoes; Heather in a beautiful blouse, black dressy pants, and some heels that pulled it all together) and we had a fantastic time. The movie was good and all, but I was more excited to be out and about with Heather on a Saturday night! After the film and the meet-and-greet (we met up with Prof. Hood to say hello and also Jim, and the star of the night, Mr. Bachardy) we headed outside.
Since I had wanted to get back to my house at midnight (thus making it the 11th) I needed to find a way to prolong our evening down below. As we walked out, we saw the newer restaurant Charcoal (at least we think it's newish), a club-like bar with some tables along the side. We went in, both being hungry and desiring a new experience. We enjoyed some $16 Baked Shrimp (for only four shrimp!) and a couple drinks (of course meaning a Sprite for Heather and an Arnold Palmer, like always, for me). We got out around 2215 and had nothing else to do but head home.
On the way home, Heather actually brought up the fact that we were going to be together on 11/11 and all I could do was nod and smile, knowing full well that Heather had absolutely no idea what was about to happen. . .
We got to my house around 2330 and Heather and I entered the house. Before I had left that morning, I had put a bunch of rose petals up my stairs and leading to my room. Heather saw this and was excited, and asked if she could go upstairs. I told her that of course she could and I waited downstairs. . .
When she got up the stairs, she found a note on my bed that read: "So here's what I need from you: - Sit on the edge of my bed.... - Press play on the remote... - And just listen...... I love you!" When she pushed play on the remote, "Come What May," a song from Moulin Rouge that has been one of our many songs along the road of our relationship, came on from my iTunes. As soon as I heard that the song had started, I began walking up the stairs with the box in my hand.
I got up to my room and there she was, sitting on the edge of my bed. Smiling. Oblivious to what was about to happen. I hugged her when she put her arms out for a hug, but with only one arm, the other being behind my back. She asked "What's behind your back?" and with that, I knelt down in front of her. I looked into the eyes of the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and calmly asked the question that sounded o so surreal coming out: "Will you marry me?"
When I said it, her jaw dropped. She covered her mouth and gasped. I'm pretty sure there was no oxygen left in the room immediately following my proposal. But anyway, she kept asking "Are you sure?" and exclaiming "O my God!" and crying . . . but was not giving me an affirmative response! I kept staring and waiting. . .
Once she asked me "Are you sure?" for what was probably the fifth time, I took off my glasses and said once again "Will you marry me?" And finally, (it's not that I was worried, but I just really expected a different response) she said "Of course" and I put the ring on her finger, and the shock slowly began to wear off. We began to smile and laugh. I kissed her and told her I loved her and when she asked if I was sure for what was probably the tenth time, I looked at her and told her I wanted to marry her and spend forever beside her.
Then it got crazy exciting! Heather started screaming excitedly and saying "We're engaged!" Then she started calling everyone in her phone book that was possibly awake at what was now 0030 on the 11th. . .
And as Heather said, we were ecstatic. We stayed up for quite awhile, calling people and reliving the past hour over and over. We finally went to bed around 0200, woke up around 0830, and had an entire Sunday together since I surprised her with my day off :) The Sunday included a trip to the movies to see BEE MOVIE (a big let-down - grade: C+) and a journey down to San Clemente to celebrate with a dinner with her dad and his wife Claudia. It all went well and it seems that everything will fall into place in the coming months. . .
And that's how it all happened. . . I'm now a Fiancé and Heather is now a Fiancée (Yes, there is a difference in the spelling, according to the all-knowing Wikipedia). . .
It's very exciting - - - But really, that word does not say enough about what it is that we feel. We are both ready to make the next steps towards becoming a married couple and all that that entails. This is just the first of many. . . And I couldn't be more ready to get the ball rolling!
For those wanting dates for the wedding, well, we just aren't that sure yet. But our goal is to be married over the summer of 2009 and most likely either the end of June or the beginning of July. But we'll see. . . it's a long time til then, but it will most assuredly fly by!!!
Thanks to everyone who knew and didn't say anything to Heather. Thanks to everyone who didn't know and is now offering their congratulations. Thanks to all those who are just as excited as we are - you being excited for us just helps us know that we're doing things right.
But most of all, thanks to Heather for saying yes. . . I love you!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Just Me and My Pam
Before I get all sorts of comments or e-mails about some blatant infidelity, allow me to say don't. As I was driving out of the Antelope Valley on Saturday night, I texted Aimee to tell her to enjoy her weekend with Jim and Pam (the finally together couple on THE OFFICE, which she is catching up on - actually has finished catching up on) since I knew she would be watching my seasons non-stop. She replied by telling me to enjoy time with "My Pam" since I was heading out to spend some time in Pomona with my Heather :)
So, in conclusion: Heather = my Pam. Problem solved.
I was able to come down on Saturday night because I had off from work at the FL on Sunday, which was nice. We were able to be lazy most of the day (Watched some football for the first time all season which was fantastic - although, I did not get a chance to watch the much-anticipated Patriots-Cowboys throwdown because of the non-local nature of the contest; I was stuck with the Chargers-Raiders borefest. . . score!) and then decided on a dinner destination in the afternoon:
BENIHANA! It was our first visit to the Japanese restaurant, and my first visit to ANY JAPANESE RESTAURANT!!! I was sorta scared actually, because I am not a fan of food from the Orient. However. . .
We had a blast! It is one of those places where they sit you around an oven with other people (there were 8 of us at our table/oven thing) and they take your order and then the chefs come out and make your food for you right there. They interact with you as much as they can and they also do some food tricks that are quite entertaining. I tried their Japanese Onion Soup (or, as Heather so clarified: the broth only!), fried rice (which is just steamed rice combined with a veggie mix, several eggs, soy sauce, and garlic butter, which makes an appearance in EVERYTHING else that they serve), Hibachi Chicken (what I ordered - it was very good!) and some of Heather's Hibachi Shrimp (which I know my dad would like - another guy at our table got lobster and scallops which also made me think of my dad. . .). They really pile on the food and you leave completely stuffed. . . yes, it was a bit pricey, but with the amount of food and all, it was well worth it.
You see, you might remember a little while back when I said that I had been recruited by the Men's Wearhouse. . . well here is the whole story, for the last time. . .
I was working at the FL on a Wednesday night and it was incredibly slow. These two ladies came in and they were both dressed in women's suits - they looked very nice. I usually go out of my way to assist customers who are better dressed, because I feel like I can maybe sell them a little more. I approached them, provided my usual dose of charm and wit (of course), and once I was told they were just looking, I told them that I would be there in case they needed any help. My parents then came in with some food for me (I was working one of those shifts that does not allow for a break of any kind) so I chatted with them for about a minute. As I was walking my food back to the back room, I saw the two ladies looking at the toddler shoes and decided to say something. I asked if anything was "jumping out at them" and they approached me and asked me if I worked on commission. This was an odd question, but not an entirely new one. Mostly people just assume that we do work on commission when, in fact, we do not. I told them I didn't and they followed that up by asking what my incentive to sell was. I told them that we have to run numbers (8.5% accessories and 52% multiples - - if you are really interested, ask me) and that my incentive was originally to get promoted, which I had done.
They continued to ask some questions about work and all that and I finally requested to know why they were curious. The one that had done most of the questioning responded by saying that she was the District Manager of Men's Wearhouse and the other lady was the Store Manager of the one across the street from the Mall. They asked how much I made and I told them and Kim (the DM) told me they could give me more. They gave me business cards and asked me to call them if I was looking for another opportunity. . .
So I did. I called the following Wednesday and was told to come in on Thursday for an interview of sorts. So I did. I talked to them for about 45 minutes and I was really impressed. They offered me more money overall (I'll be making far less an hour but I will be getting commission as high as 10% on items I sell) and that's exciting, because we can always take more money!
But I was extremely torn. I am very comfortable at the FL, and only getting moreso as I learn more about the world of management. Here's the thing though: the MW (which it will now be referred to as) also offered me full benefits if I work over 32 hours a week (for the FL it was over 35 hours a week, which I did not do). So not only would I be getting more money, but a chance to have benefits for the future. My exact title would be Wardrobe Consultant, and I would actually be second on the ladder, just under management, and ahead of three other positions.
Not that that matters. . .
So what did I do?
I took it. I had to. It's not every day that you get offered a job at an upstanding, highly revered company (according to the website, it was voted to the Fortune Top 100 Best Companies to Work For. . .). It's a once in a time thing (not lifetime, exactly, but close). I had to take it.
SO. . .
I put in my two weeks notice at the FL and my last day will be Saturday, October 27 and I assume my first day at the MW will be the next Sunday, the 28th.
Scary.
But I'm ready and excited and nervous and excited and scared and excited!!!
So, yeah.
I'm actually writing this from Heather's apartment as I am still down in Pomona until tomorrow when I head to school and then home from there. It has been a great couple days with her and I can't wait until I get to come home from work (or school) every night to see her on the couch and curl up with her, or snuggle in bed as we drift off to dream. It's just wonderful. . .
And now as LOVE ACTUALLY winds down (the movie that has now risen into the ranks of my top 25 of All-Time), I'm going to retire for the evening. . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
COMING SOON:
- NBA Preview
- The Road to Nowhere: Parts VI and VII (I promise. . .)
- The first ever guest blogger: I'll give you a hint: it will be called A RAMBLERETTE'S RAMBLING. . . O, and another hint: it's Heather :)
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Have a happy Tuesday ladies and gents (and avoid the 14/5 interchange at all costs - trust me on this one!!!) - - -
Goodnight, and peace for now. . .
So, in conclusion: Heather = my Pam. Problem solved.
I was able to come down on Saturday night because I had off from work at the FL on Sunday, which was nice. We were able to be lazy most of the day (Watched some football for the first time all season which was fantastic - although, I did not get a chance to watch the much-anticipated Patriots-Cowboys throwdown because of the non-local nature of the contest; I was stuck with the Chargers-Raiders borefest. . . score!) and then decided on a dinner destination in the afternoon:
BENIHANA! It was our first visit to the Japanese restaurant, and my first visit to ANY JAPANESE RESTAURANT!!! I was sorta scared actually, because I am not a fan of food from the Orient. However. . .
We had a blast! It is one of those places where they sit you around an oven with other people (there were 8 of us at our table/oven thing) and they take your order and then the chefs come out and make your food for you right there. They interact with you as much as they can and they also do some food tricks that are quite entertaining. I tried their Japanese Onion Soup (or, as Heather so clarified: the broth only!), fried rice (which is just steamed rice combined with a veggie mix, several eggs, soy sauce, and garlic butter, which makes an appearance in EVERYTHING else that they serve), Hibachi Chicken (what I ordered - it was very good!) and some of Heather's Hibachi Shrimp (which I know my dad would like - another guy at our table got lobster and scallops which also made me think of my dad. . .). They really pile on the food and you leave completely stuffed. . . yes, it was a bit pricey, but with the amount of food and all, it was well worth it.
You see, you might remember a little while back when I said that I had been recruited by the Men's Wearhouse. . . well here is the whole story, for the last time. . .
I was working at the FL on a Wednesday night and it was incredibly slow. These two ladies came in and they were both dressed in women's suits - they looked very nice. I usually go out of my way to assist customers who are better dressed, because I feel like I can maybe sell them a little more. I approached them, provided my usual dose of charm and wit (of course), and once I was told they were just looking, I told them that I would be there in case they needed any help. My parents then came in with some food for me (I was working one of those shifts that does not allow for a break of any kind) so I chatted with them for about a minute. As I was walking my food back to the back room, I saw the two ladies looking at the toddler shoes and decided to say something. I asked if anything was "jumping out at them" and they approached me and asked me if I worked on commission. This was an odd question, but not an entirely new one. Mostly people just assume that we do work on commission when, in fact, we do not. I told them I didn't and they followed that up by asking what my incentive to sell was. I told them that we have to run numbers (8.5% accessories and 52% multiples - - if you are really interested, ask me) and that my incentive was originally to get promoted, which I had done.
They continued to ask some questions about work and all that and I finally requested to know why they were curious. The one that had done most of the questioning responded by saying that she was the District Manager of Men's Wearhouse and the other lady was the Store Manager of the one across the street from the Mall. They asked how much I made and I told them and Kim (the DM) told me they could give me more. They gave me business cards and asked me to call them if I was looking for another opportunity. . .
So I did. I called the following Wednesday and was told to come in on Thursday for an interview of sorts. So I did. I talked to them for about 45 minutes and I was really impressed. They offered me more money overall (I'll be making far less an hour but I will be getting commission as high as 10% on items I sell) and that's exciting, because we can always take more money!
But I was extremely torn. I am very comfortable at the FL, and only getting moreso as I learn more about the world of management. Here's the thing though: the MW (which it will now be referred to as) also offered me full benefits if I work over 32 hours a week (for the FL it was over 35 hours a week, which I did not do). So not only would I be getting more money, but a chance to have benefits for the future. My exact title would be Wardrobe Consultant, and I would actually be second on the ladder, just under management, and ahead of three other positions.
Not that that matters. . .
So what did I do?
I took it. I had to. It's not every day that you get offered a job at an upstanding, highly revered company (according to the website, it was voted to the Fortune Top 100 Best Companies to Work For. . .). It's a once in a time thing (not lifetime, exactly, but close). I had to take it.
SO. . .
I put in my two weeks notice at the FL and my last day will be Saturday, October 27 and I assume my first day at the MW will be the next Sunday, the 28th.
Scary.
But I'm ready and excited and nervous and excited and scared and excited!!!
So, yeah.
I'm actually writing this from Heather's apartment as I am still down in Pomona until tomorrow when I head to school and then home from there. It has been a great couple days with her and I can't wait until I get to come home from work (or school) every night to see her on the couch and curl up with her, or snuggle in bed as we drift off to dream. It's just wonderful. . .
And now as LOVE ACTUALLY winds down (the movie that has now risen into the ranks of my top 25 of All-Time), I'm going to retire for the evening. . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
COMING SOON:
- NBA Preview
- The Road to Nowhere: Parts VI and VII (I promise. . .)
- The first ever guest blogger: I'll give you a hint: it will be called A RAMBLERETTE'S RAMBLING. . . O, and another hint: it's Heather :)
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Have a happy Tuesday ladies and gents (and avoid the 14/5 interchange at all costs - trust me on this one!!!) - - -
Goodnight, and peace for now. . .
Friday, July 20, 2007
Look Out Emeril!
Hey all - - -
I am once again reporting from Heather's Pomona apartment as she works away. I have been holding down the fort a little bit today, but was gone for the last two hours.
Where did I go?
Well I first stopped by the Montclair Plaza, which is a Mall about ten minutes east on the 10. I stopped by to say hello to my former General Manager Wes, who is now the GM over there. We caught up on things and that actually took almost an hour out of my day. I also bought two CSUN shirts that they had there (gotta represent, right?). Then I went over to Olive Garden and bought a jar of their delicioso Italian dressing.
Well why did I do that?
I decided last night right before I fell asleep that I was going to cook dinner for Heather tonight. She gets home around six, and I didn't feel like going out again (especially since we will most likely be going out to eat tomorrow night). So this morning I planned out a menu and then went shopping this afternoon.
I spent $15 on the following items:
1 lb. of Ground Beef
2 lb. of Spaghetti noodles
1 loaf of French Bread
1 two-liter of Ginger Ale
1 jar of Prego Spaghetti Sauce (Italian Herb and Garlic flavor)
1 package of pre-made salad (Iceberg lettuce and such)
1 bag of Marie Callendar's Croutons
I think that's it. . .
So in about a half hour or so I'm gonna begin my first real attempt at cooking. I'm scared. I've already called mi madre three times to ask her simple, 1o1-level questions about cooking, and I'm sure to call her at least once more.
But I think it will be worth it! I hope she's surprised and happy :)
O, we went to Raging Waters yesterday and had a blast! It was the best $31 I have spent in a while (you save $4 if you buy your tix online!). I even went on one of those open-air slides that are really high up and go straight down - - yep! It was called Dropout and it scared me like crazy. . . but it was awesome! The thing said it was 7 stories high and sends riders to speeds of 40 mph. . . Why did I ride the damn thing! Holy crap! Well here's what it looks like:
Yes, I did that. . .
Anyway, I had planned a little short story for today, but since I have to cook, I'll postpone that til probably Sunday. . . Gotta make it good :)
Besides that, all is good on most fronts. I've been down here since late Wednesday night and am not going home until Sunday morning (I have to work at noon). I had off yesterday, today, and tomorrow and Heather has off Thursdays and Saturdays so I decided to stay here. . . fun times!
Not sure what's happening tomorrow, but I'm sure it will be fun!
I'm gonna go do some magic in the kitchen now. . . I hope!
Have a safe and fun Friday and I'll holla at you again on Sunday!
Until later,
I am once again reporting from Heather's Pomona apartment as she works away. I have been holding down the fort a little bit today, but was gone for the last two hours.
Where did I go?
Well I first stopped by the Montclair Plaza, which is a Mall about ten minutes east on the 10. I stopped by to say hello to my former General Manager Wes, who is now the GM over there. We caught up on things and that actually took almost an hour out of my day. I also bought two CSUN shirts that they had there (gotta represent, right?). Then I went over to Olive Garden and bought a jar of their delicioso Italian dressing.
Well why did I do that?
I decided last night right before I fell asleep that I was going to cook dinner for Heather tonight. She gets home around six, and I didn't feel like going out again (especially since we will most likely be going out to eat tomorrow night). So this morning I planned out a menu and then went shopping this afternoon.
I spent $15 on the following items:
1 lb. of Ground Beef
2 lb. of Spaghetti noodles
1 loaf of French Bread
1 two-liter of Ginger Ale
1 jar of Prego Spaghetti Sauce (Italian Herb and Garlic flavor)
1 package of pre-made salad (Iceberg lettuce and such)
1 bag of Marie Callendar's Croutons
I think that's it. . .
So in about a half hour or so I'm gonna begin my first real attempt at cooking. I'm scared. I've already called mi madre three times to ask her simple, 1o1-level questions about cooking, and I'm sure to call her at least once more.
But I think it will be worth it! I hope she's surprised and happy :)
O, we went to Raging Waters yesterday and had a blast! It was the best $31 I have spent in a while (you save $4 if you buy your tix online!). I even went on one of those open-air slides that are really high up and go straight down - - yep! It was called Dropout and it scared me like crazy. . . but it was awesome! The thing said it was 7 stories high and sends riders to speeds of 40 mph. . . Why did I ride the damn thing! Holy crap! Well here's what it looks like:
Yes, I did that. . .
Anyway, I had planned a little short story for today, but since I have to cook, I'll postpone that til probably Sunday. . . Gotta make it good :)
Besides that, all is good on most fronts. I've been down here since late Wednesday night and am not going home until Sunday morning (I have to work at noon). I had off yesterday, today, and tomorrow and Heather has off Thursdays and Saturdays so I decided to stay here. . . fun times!
Not sure what's happening tomorrow, but I'm sure it will be fun!
I'm gonna go do some magic in the kitchen now. . . I hope!
Have a safe and fun Friday and I'll holla at you again on Sunday!
Until later,
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Live From Pomona. . .
Good morning everyone. . .
So the reason for the morning post is that I am in Pomona at Heather's apartment and she is out for the day at one of her many responsibilities (today it is the internship). I came down last night as to not deal with good ol' morning traffic and also to give us a little bit more time together (and Heather time has been at a minimum as of late).
The apartment is really nice - she now has her room all set up (including the desk and filing cabinet that we picked up at IKEA last week when I was down here) and she looks so happy here. This is now home for her. It will be so for the next two years (at least, I guess) and I'm happy that she likes it. She also really likes her roommate Sydney, a girl she met at Cal Poly Pomona who has very similar aspirations (veterinarian-wise). She's cool - we don't know each other very well as of now, but I'm sure that will change as we have two years of me visiting as much as I can in front of us. It's such a relief to just not be in that dorm anymore (is this me or Heather talking. . .). I love it and I'm stoked for her to have this opportunity. End of story.
On my living front, there is constant rumors (a lot like all those KG and Kobe trade rumors - - all of which are unlikely to occur) but nothing going. Yet. Apparently Chels is in dire need of moving out and is looking for apartments near the CSUN campus. She is looking at this moment, I believe. I'm absolutely interested, but it will require a little bit of immediate sacrifice. Since I have gotten the chance at the A.M. position at the FL, I will probably have to hang around my store for at least six months or so.
SO. . . .
If I do in fact get the position (I have completed my training and have two weeks to study the main material before I go have the interview thing with the GM at the Northridge store - after that I will get keys to my store and will be an official Assistant Manager) then I will have to drive to work five days a week or so I guess. So I will be both commuting and paying rent (which is the same thing as if I moved out into an apartment in the Antelope Valley) for the first semester or so. Once I get comfortable in the managerial shoes, I can request that transfer to a store down in the San Fernando Valley. It might be worth it to go through that first six months or so just to get that transfer eventually. I don't know. My goal I guess is to first get this promotion. After that, if it works out that I get to move out this summer, then great. If not, then I'll go through what I thought I would - which is commute to school and work at the FL the other days.
But, I guess time will tell. Time reveals everything - - -
So what else is new????
Well I had that academic advisement at CSUN on Monday and it went pretty well. All of my General Education units are completed save for my required 9 Upper Division G.E. units (three classes which I take at CSUN) and an Upper Division Writing Test that I have to take before I graduate. I got my schedule for the first semester figured out, but I just have to see if I can make it work in a straight, concise way. Also, my goal is to get them into two days. We'll see.
Not much more to report since I've been working every day since last Thursday (I worked seven straight days). . . Well I have six more hours to kill (it's now noon) until Heather gets back so I'll probably go work on my schedule thing, then I'll do some studying for my interview. I also brought some books that I have been working on and a few movies (CLERKS 2 has been playing while I have been posting). So I'll be fine. We'll probably go to dinner after she gets back and then I'm not sure what after that.
But again, time reveals everything. . .
Hope you enjoyed the post and I'll post again this weekend most likely. . .
Have a day - - -
So the reason for the morning post is that I am in Pomona at Heather's apartment and she is out for the day at one of her many responsibilities (today it is the internship). I came down last night as to not deal with good ol' morning traffic and also to give us a little bit more time together (and Heather time has been at a minimum as of late).
The apartment is really nice - she now has her room all set up (including the desk and filing cabinet that we picked up at IKEA last week when I was down here) and she looks so happy here. This is now home for her. It will be so for the next two years (at least, I guess) and I'm happy that she likes it. She also really likes her roommate Sydney, a girl she met at Cal Poly Pomona who has very similar aspirations (veterinarian-wise). She's cool - we don't know each other very well as of now, but I'm sure that will change as we have two years of me visiting as much as I can in front of us. It's such a relief to just not be in that dorm anymore (is this me or Heather talking. . .). I love it and I'm stoked for her to have this opportunity. End of story.
On my living front, there is constant rumors (a lot like all those KG and Kobe trade rumors - - all of which are unlikely to occur) but nothing going. Yet. Apparently Chels is in dire need of moving out and is looking for apartments near the CSUN campus. She is looking at this moment, I believe. I'm absolutely interested, but it will require a little bit of immediate sacrifice. Since I have gotten the chance at the A.M. position at the FL, I will probably have to hang around my store for at least six months or so.
SO. . . .
If I do in fact get the position (I have completed my training and have two weeks to study the main material before I go have the interview thing with the GM at the Northridge store - after that I will get keys to my store and will be an official Assistant Manager) then I will have to drive to work five days a week or so I guess. So I will be both commuting and paying rent (which is the same thing as if I moved out into an apartment in the Antelope Valley) for the first semester or so. Once I get comfortable in the managerial shoes, I can request that transfer to a store down in the San Fernando Valley. It might be worth it to go through that first six months or so just to get that transfer eventually. I don't know. My goal I guess is to first get this promotion. After that, if it works out that I get to move out this summer, then great. If not, then I'll go through what I thought I would - which is commute to school and work at the FL the other days.
But, I guess time will tell. Time reveals everything - - -
So what else is new????
Well I had that academic advisement at CSUN on Monday and it went pretty well. All of my General Education units are completed save for my required 9 Upper Division G.E. units (three classes which I take at CSUN) and an Upper Division Writing Test that I have to take before I graduate. I got my schedule for the first semester figured out, but I just have to see if I can make it work in a straight, concise way. Also, my goal is to get them into two days. We'll see.
Not much more to report since I've been working every day since last Thursday (I worked seven straight days). . . Well I have six more hours to kill (it's now noon) until Heather gets back so I'll probably go work on my schedule thing, then I'll do some studying for my interview. I also brought some books that I have been working on and a few movies (CLERKS 2 has been playing while I have been posting). So I'll be fine. We'll probably go to dinner after she gets back and then I'm not sure what after that.
But again, time reveals everything. . .
Hope you enjoyed the post and I'll post again this weekend most likely. . .
Have a day - - -
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The Weekend Grab-Bag:
The "Long Time, No See" Version
Good evening ladies and gentlemen - welcome to A RAMBLER'S RAMBLING!
It's been since Thursday of last week that I blogged as I have been preoccupied since Friday night. You see, my wonderful Heather came home on Friday night! It had been two weeks since we had seen each other, but the last two time we have seen each other were for merely hours at a time. It had been about a month since we had had any quality time together and both of us had displayed our displeasure about that fact over the previous week or so.
But this weekend I was the happiest person there could be as Heather made it home and we were able to spend most of the weekend together. She got home later Friday night but we hung out almost all of Saturday and Sunday (including a viewing of 300 and long periods of doing nothing!) as well as Monday night and this afternoon (my Racism 101 class was cancelled again!).
Let me just tell you right now (if you haven't noticed it already) - - I truly yearn for only a few things. Counting down:
3) A Phoenix Suns NBA Championship
2) To become what the media calls a "household name"
1) To get to stand up in front of family and friends and publicly express my love and commitment to one Heather Lynn Acuff and spend the rest of my breathing hours dedicated to making sure her life is one filled with joy, security, and most of all, love.
(Yeah, that's marriage. . .)
I can't wait to spend forever with her. I get a taste of it on weekends like this when we get to spend extended periods of time together as well as wake up next to one another (she is the only sight I want to have when my eyes open up). It's the best! I highly recommend finding someone that you care for more than anything material.
So I guess this is not as much of a GRAB-BAG as it is a declaration of my love. Heather headed back to Pomona this evening and I immediately entered "wreck-mode". I eventually got some work done (my review for 300 is just about polished enough to print) and was able to fully enjoy my SUNS dominating Minnesota tonight (about damn time!) to earn their third straight division title. . .
But Heather. . . I miss you!
And. . . I love you! See:
The beach says it all. . .
Goodnight everyone - - -
It's been since Thursday of last week that I blogged as I have been preoccupied since Friday night. You see, my wonderful Heather came home on Friday night! It had been two weeks since we had seen each other, but the last two time we have seen each other were for merely hours at a time. It had been about a month since we had had any quality time together and both of us had displayed our displeasure about that fact over the previous week or so.
But this weekend I was the happiest person there could be as Heather made it home and we were able to spend most of the weekend together. She got home later Friday night but we hung out almost all of Saturday and Sunday (including a viewing of 300 and long periods of doing nothing!) as well as Monday night and this afternoon (my Racism 101 class was cancelled again!).
Let me just tell you right now (if you haven't noticed it already) - - I truly yearn for only a few things. Counting down:
3) A Phoenix Suns NBA Championship
2) To become what the media calls a "household name"
1) To get to stand up in front of family and friends and publicly express my love and commitment to one Heather Lynn Acuff and spend the rest of my breathing hours dedicated to making sure her life is one filled with joy, security, and most of all, love.
(Yeah, that's marriage. . .)
I can't wait to spend forever with her. I get a taste of it on weekends like this when we get to spend extended periods of time together as well as wake up next to one another (she is the only sight I want to have when my eyes open up). It's the best! I highly recommend finding someone that you care for more than anything material.
So I guess this is not as much of a GRAB-BAG as it is a declaration of my love. Heather headed back to Pomona this evening and I immediately entered "wreck-mode". I eventually got some work done (my review for 300 is just about polished enough to print) and was able to fully enjoy my SUNS dominating Minnesota tonight (about damn time!) to earn their third straight division title. . .
But Heather. . . I miss you!
And. . . I love you! See:
The beach says it all. . .
Goodnight everyone - - -
Monday, February 12, 2007
For Blogging's Sake!
Sorry all - -
But I did say that I might have less time for blogging. . . so you can't say I didn't warn you!
Either way, it's Monday night and I'm going bowling very shortly (leaving in about twenty minutes). But I wanted to let you in on a couple things real quickly, and then I'll update again tomorrow night (I promise).
- School. Wow. I hate it! I have four classes. One is unbelievably wonderful and awesome (PSYCHOLOGY 212 - Human Sexuality), one is everything I knew it to be despite the emergence of a new teacher with new motives (COMMUNICATIONS 123 - Newspaper Production), one is ridiculously boring but could ultimately be informative due mostly in part to the role of a 25-page research paper (SOCIOLOGY 110 - Race and Ethnic Relations), and the last is tedious, not my cup of tea, and will possibly be the cause of my untimely death (Honors ENGLISH 236 - Shakespeare's Comedies and Sonnets). I have two teachers I really like (the first two classes, naturally) one that I find intriguing (the Sociology teacher, a large black woman that remains seated at her desk the entire class period, but when she makes herself laugh, she somehow reminds me of Mom-mom, my grandmother!) and another that I know loves her subject and I admire so much for that, but I cannot get myself psyched up for the class (that Shakespeare class is three hours long, once a week - it's tough to get through). I have 15 weeks left. And no, I'm not counting :D
- It's playoff time for both Desert Christian basketball teams! The guys are playing on Wednesday night (at home) against Valley Torah, a school I can only assume is Jewish, which is interesting because my final high school game was a loss at home to Yeshiva High School, a Jewish high school from Los Angeles. The girls get a bye into the second round and will play Saturday night at home. I will definitely be announcing the guys game on Wednesday night (show up - starts at 1930) and possibly doing the girls game too. I'm torn between being on the bench for the game or announcing. I'll ask the girls what they would prefer :D
- Grammys were cool. Justin Timberlake is an incredible performer. I'm gonna buy that Corrine Bailey Rae CD. She's cool. O and Gnarls Barkley is not what I thought. I'm interested. . .
- Steve Nash is hurt. So are our chances of winning the first place spot in the Western Conference. Dangit. Get better soon Steve. You are the MVP - our performance without you should be enough to prove that!
- I love spending time with Heather, whether it be in Target ("Why are there so many people here?!?!"), helping her with laundry ("Why does it smell like vomit outside the guys' dorm rooms?"), or eating in the bar at El Torito ("I'll be watching her."). All those quotes were said by one of us this past weekend while I was with her. So were these: "I love you", "Don't go", and "Don't make me use the brush!". I guess you have to be us to understand it all. But what you all can figure out is that we are still good and looking forward as always. . .
More tomorrow, including when I'll be going to Phoenix, Lake Powell, and Portland (!?!?!?) - - -
Intrigued? I bet you are!
Later all - - -
But I did say that I might have less time for blogging. . . so you can't say I didn't warn you!
Either way, it's Monday night and I'm going bowling very shortly (leaving in about twenty minutes). But I wanted to let you in on a couple things real quickly, and then I'll update again tomorrow night (I promise).
- School. Wow. I hate it! I have four classes. One is unbelievably wonderful and awesome (PSYCHOLOGY 212 - Human Sexuality), one is everything I knew it to be despite the emergence of a new teacher with new motives (COMMUNICATIONS 123 - Newspaper Production), one is ridiculously boring but could ultimately be informative due mostly in part to the role of a 25-page research paper (SOCIOLOGY 110 - Race and Ethnic Relations), and the last is tedious, not my cup of tea, and will possibly be the cause of my untimely death (Honors ENGLISH 236 - Shakespeare's Comedies and Sonnets). I have two teachers I really like (the first two classes, naturally) one that I find intriguing (the Sociology teacher, a large black woman that remains seated at her desk the entire class period, but when she makes herself laugh, she somehow reminds me of Mom-mom, my grandmother!) and another that I know loves her subject and I admire so much for that, but I cannot get myself psyched up for the class (that Shakespeare class is three hours long, once a week - it's tough to get through). I have 15 weeks left. And no, I'm not counting :D
- It's playoff time for both Desert Christian basketball teams! The guys are playing on Wednesday night (at home) against Valley Torah, a school I can only assume is Jewish, which is interesting because my final high school game was a loss at home to Yeshiva High School, a Jewish high school from Los Angeles. The girls get a bye into the second round and will play Saturday night at home. I will definitely be announcing the guys game on Wednesday night (show up - starts at 1930) and possibly doing the girls game too. I'm torn between being on the bench for the game or announcing. I'll ask the girls what they would prefer :D
- Grammys were cool. Justin Timberlake is an incredible performer. I'm gonna buy that Corrine Bailey Rae CD. She's cool. O and Gnarls Barkley is not what I thought. I'm interested. . .
- Steve Nash is hurt. So are our chances of winning the first place spot in the Western Conference. Dangit. Get better soon Steve. You are the MVP - our performance without you should be enough to prove that!
- I love spending time with Heather, whether it be in Target ("Why are there so many people here?!?!"), helping her with laundry ("Why does it smell like vomit outside the guys' dorm rooms?"), or eating in the bar at El Torito ("I'll be watching her."). All those quotes were said by one of us this past weekend while I was with her. So were these: "I love you", "Don't go", and "Don't make me use the brush!". I guess you have to be us to understand it all. But what you all can figure out is that we are still good and looking forward as always. . .
More tomorrow, including when I'll be going to Phoenix, Lake Powell, and Portland (!?!?!?) - - -
Intrigued? I bet you are!
Later all - - -
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Microphones, Mucus, and Milestones
Hello everyone who is reading this! And only to you. The rest of the people out there really don't matter. . . Actually that would be a lot of people. . . I take back that first part then.
Anywho, it's Tuesday night and I have to work in the morning. I actually have to work the next three mornings. That's a good thing actually. So, in the words of a country song that I have heard the last few mornings when I wake up, "There's a lot of things I don't have to do. I get to." I don't know who sings this song, and I don't necessarily like it, but that line kinda resonates with me. How many daily activities are there that we say we "have to do"? Why don't we say things like "I get to fill my car up with gas" (an obviously unenjoyable experience but one that only occurs if one owns their own car, which is something to be grateful for!) or "I get to work today" (meaning of course that you are employed, which is something that not everyone can say)? Just a thought. Call it an insightful insight. . . (Remember that everyone???)
Moving on, I am sick. I picked up the head cold that seems to be going around whenever it is least desireable to have. I think I picked it up sometime Saturday because I woke up on Sunday and I felt like absolute crap. And that was my Heather day!!! Well I spent most of my time with her either coughing or blowing my nose, which was unfortunate. Either way, I almost called in sick on Monday and ended up sleeping most of the afternoon. I even skipped bowling on Monday night because I felt so bad. I ended up with several dayquils and a couple nyquils in my system before the day ended and I woke up this morning feeling a tad better. Not perfect. Just better. I dislike so much the common cold! Why can't it be called the "damn near irrelevant cold" because it's never around!?!?! That would be nice! But instead we are stuck with the almost full assurance that the stupid virus/bacteria/crap will strike us at least one time a year! That is, unless we're Bob Barker! Have you seen this guy? He has not taken a day off in like fifty years! That's why he's retiring at the end of this year! So he can get sick! I have you figured out Plinko-man!
Anyway, so I haven't been feeling well. And the funny thing is that I was just looking at my very own archives (a feature of this blog that I enjoy utilizing) and I was sick at the same time last year! I got my wisdom teeth taken out the end of 2005 and then was sick for over a month and into late January of 2006! Bizarre, huh?
(O, by the way, it is now midnight on the 31st, which means that it is officially mine and Heather's third anniversary! Balloons, streamers and confetti!!)
This evening was Senior Night at Desert Christian High School. This is the final home game of the regular season and an opportunity is given to the seniors to give out a thank you to their parents in front of everyone. Well, in order to do this, a microphone must be plugged in and the sound board must be used. I have been imploring the athletic director, Mr. Dean Spoelstra, to allow me the opportunity to announce the guys games. "Announcing" essentially means calling out the starting lineups and then doing a kinda play-by-play (saying "So-and-so for two" when a basket is made and stuff like that). Apparently the music teacher did not want her sound board messed with, so they could never allow me to do that. Well tonight it was hooked up! I took that chance and ran with it! I immediately asked Mr. Spoelstra if I could announce the guys game and he agreed! I figured it would be a great chance for practice and a way to see if I was any good at something that I hope to be a part of my future. In a nutshell, I loved it! I thought I did a good job and everyone I talked to after the game agreed with me and gave me kind words of encouragement. I'm hoping for at least one home playoff game so I can do it again, but we'll see. I loved every second I was doing it and I wasn't even nervous once I began talking. I was born to talk about basketball. Let's juse see if I am going to actually fulfill that destiny. . .
Well, now that it is 0025 and it is definitely my anniversary, I would like to say a few words about my wonderful Heather! This is how much she loves me: (a direct quote from a text she sent me back in November) "It's like when you draw a graph and the arrows on the ends of the lines imply they go on forever. . . like that :)" How lucky am I???? I was just thinking about an "It's A Wonderful Life" situation with me. If I had not hypnotized Heather three years ago, what kind of person would I be? Would I be happy? Would I be career-and-goal-oriented? Would I be dating lots of girls or would I be alone every Friday and Saturday night? Would I have more money? (The answer to that one is YES!!!) But all that aside, I know for a fact that I would be in no way better off if the wonderful Miss Heather Acuff had not said yes to me three years ago. If she had of pushed my hand away in that cold suburban driving through the streets of Tiajuana, Mexico (For the whole story of how we got together, head here), then I would be in a much worse position than I am at this point. I am forever thankful for the role she has in my life and I am never burdened by the fact that I have a girlfriend. I am always challenged, always tested, and never right (actually, sometimes I am - - o wait, that's just a mirage!!!). But I have a companion. I have a buddy. I have a friend. I have a mate. I have a beautiful young woman by my side and hopefully in three years time, we will not only share jokes and ideas of the future, but also a last name and an address. I love you Heather. Forever 11:11!
Goodnight everyone - - -
Sleep well and have a good Wednesday!
Anywho, it's Tuesday night and I have to work in the morning. I actually have to work the next three mornings. That's a good thing actually. So, in the words of a country song that I have heard the last few mornings when I wake up, "There's a lot of things I don't have to do. I get to." I don't know who sings this song, and I don't necessarily like it, but that line kinda resonates with me. How many daily activities are there that we say we "have to do"? Why don't we say things like "I get to fill my car up with gas" (an obviously unenjoyable experience but one that only occurs if one owns their own car, which is something to be grateful for!) or "I get to work today" (meaning of course that you are employed, which is something that not everyone can say)? Just a thought. Call it an insightful insight. . . (Remember that everyone???)
Moving on, I am sick. I picked up the head cold that seems to be going around whenever it is least desireable to have. I think I picked it up sometime Saturday because I woke up on Sunday and I felt like absolute crap. And that was my Heather day!!! Well I spent most of my time with her either coughing or blowing my nose, which was unfortunate. Either way, I almost called in sick on Monday and ended up sleeping most of the afternoon. I even skipped bowling on Monday night because I felt so bad. I ended up with several dayquils and a couple nyquils in my system before the day ended and I woke up this morning feeling a tad better. Not perfect. Just better. I dislike so much the common cold! Why can't it be called the "damn near irrelevant cold" because it's never around!?!?! That would be nice! But instead we are stuck with the almost full assurance that the stupid virus/bacteria/crap will strike us at least one time a year! That is, unless we're Bob Barker! Have you seen this guy? He has not taken a day off in like fifty years! That's why he's retiring at the end of this year! So he can get sick! I have you figured out Plinko-man!
Anyway, so I haven't been feeling well. And the funny thing is that I was just looking at my very own archives (a feature of this blog that I enjoy utilizing) and I was sick at the same time last year! I got my wisdom teeth taken out the end of 2005 and then was sick for over a month and into late January of 2006! Bizarre, huh?
(O, by the way, it is now midnight on the 31st, which means that it is officially mine and Heather's third anniversary! Balloons, streamers and confetti!!)
This evening was Senior Night at Desert Christian High School. This is the final home game of the regular season and an opportunity is given to the seniors to give out a thank you to their parents in front of everyone. Well, in order to do this, a microphone must be plugged in and the sound board must be used. I have been imploring the athletic director, Mr. Dean Spoelstra, to allow me the opportunity to announce the guys games. "Announcing" essentially means calling out the starting lineups and then doing a kinda play-by-play (saying "So-and-so for two" when a basket is made and stuff like that). Apparently the music teacher did not want her sound board messed with, so they could never allow me to do that. Well tonight it was hooked up! I took that chance and ran with it! I immediately asked Mr. Spoelstra if I could announce the guys game and he agreed! I figured it would be a great chance for practice and a way to see if I was any good at something that I hope to be a part of my future. In a nutshell, I loved it! I thought I did a good job and everyone I talked to after the game agreed with me and gave me kind words of encouragement. I'm hoping for at least one home playoff game so I can do it again, but we'll see. I loved every second I was doing it and I wasn't even nervous once I began talking. I was born to talk about basketball. Let's juse see if I am going to actually fulfill that destiny. . .
Well, now that it is 0025 and it is definitely my anniversary, I would like to say a few words about my wonderful Heather! This is how much she loves me: (a direct quote from a text she sent me back in November) "It's like when you draw a graph and the arrows on the ends of the lines imply they go on forever. . . like that :)" How lucky am I???? I was just thinking about an "It's A Wonderful Life" situation with me. If I had not hypnotized Heather three years ago, what kind of person would I be? Would I be happy? Would I be career-and-goal-oriented? Would I be dating lots of girls or would I be alone every Friday and Saturday night? Would I have more money? (The answer to that one is YES!!!) But all that aside, I know for a fact that I would be in no way better off if the wonderful Miss Heather Acuff had not said yes to me three years ago. If she had of pushed my hand away in that cold suburban driving through the streets of Tiajuana, Mexico (For the whole story of how we got together, head here), then I would be in a much worse position than I am at this point. I am forever thankful for the role she has in my life and I am never burdened by the fact that I have a girlfriend. I am always challenged, always tested, and never right (actually, sometimes I am - - o wait, that's just a mirage!!!). But I have a companion. I have a buddy. I have a friend. I have a mate. I have a beautiful young woman by my side and hopefully in three years time, we will not only share jokes and ideas of the future, but also a last name and an address. I love you Heather. Forever 11:11!
Goodnight everyone - - -
Sleep well and have a good Wednesday!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
My Girl
*sigh*
So I'm home now after going on the longest drive in the history of drives in the history of one man, yours truly, The Rambler. And that says a lot, considering that I've driven across this 3000-mile-long country! I am now in a very sad state - yeah, it's true.
So today I did the basketball thing in the morning and then headed over to Heather's after showering and running a couple of errands. We left around 1430 and hit crazy traffic on the way to LAX. We got to a LA QUINTA INN at 1630 (this is where their orientation was happening) and then went to a Taco Bell for a quick bite. I wish the bite had been longer. Barbara and I pulled away from a suitcase-wheeling Chelsea and Heather around 1900 and that's the last time I'll see my better half until August 24. That's a long time. I got home around 2100 when all was said and done and I'm now holed up in my room trying to distract myself from the reality that she's gone. And she is...
So, for those of you who don't like sentiment, romanticism, or just the release of an uncontrollable force that is a pining, very muchso in love boy: STOP READING!!! For the rest of you, prepare for a solid post of all-things Heather. Because, my friends, that's all I can think about. . .
I have liked Heather since fifth grade. She was the first girl that actually responded to me in any way, shape, or form at Desert Christian. We did kaleidoscopes together (yes, I remember that far back). She was always really nice and I always thought that she was a very cute individual. I continued to have an interest in her in middle school. We were friendly to each other, but she had a consistent boyfriend by the name of Travis through much of middle school (it was one of those off and on things that so symbolized middle school in general). We both remember Valentine's Day on our 7th grade year. We do, because on this day I taped two plastic flowers to her locker door in an attempt to woo fair ladies' heart. She was impressed, but lo and behold, I was still alone in the relationship department. I was one of those guys who had a bunch of friendgirls, but was lacking a girlfriend. I figured in whole this was ok, because I could only learn from watching others anyway, right? Well this continued for awhile, but Heather and I did kinda lose contact for a couple years. Then high school happened. . .
I didn't keep very close touch with Heather through our Freshman and Sophomore years. I was going through a weird phase where I would switch the girl I liked every month or so when nothing materialized over that monthlong period. I was very much interested in having a girlfriend. I wanted a gf merely to say I had one. I truly believe that. I was lonely, and my friends weren't meeting that need there. Every so often, I would be reminded of the existence of one Heather Acuff and be reminded what a great girl she was. On the infamous "Book Buy" day over the summer between our Sophomore and Junior years, I saw her walking towards her car while I was heading towards mine. I called out to her and said we needed to catch up (cuz we had been pretty close in middle school and I thought that we were still pretty friendly). She seemed in a rush (I later learned that their washer had gone haywire and was leaking at their house. Had I known this, I probably wouldn't have wasted her time :D ) so I asked if she was busy or something. She said she was, but agreed that we should catch up. I said I only wanted five minutes (I had a feeling I'd get more if I got that much) and suggested we do it at Retreat (the first week of school at DCHS is a Retreat to a local campground - three days of games, chapels, and meeting new people). I said ok and told her that I'd "Hold her to it" (this would later become an overly used quote of mine - actually, it still is). I ended up e-mailing her later that Summer before Retreat and we chatted a bit via the computer Postal Service. I was getting over being interested in someone else at the time (this one was a bit deeper than the others, but either way, it was nothing but an exaggerated emotional thing - I kinda went crazy for a little bit - not that there's anything wrong with that. . .) so I was pretty unstable in regards to girls. We ended up carrying on fun conversations and around October, I realized that Heather was the girl I wanted to have be my first girlfriend ever. I figured (assumed is more like it) she would completely disagree, though, seeing as though she was very anti-relationship (independent woman that she is). The next three months were a complete blur. . . And yet I remember them like they were yesterday.
Our phone conversations began to last longer and longer. There was one night in December (I remember it was December because, well, I'll get to that) that we actually talked until around 0400 in the morning. We realized that we couldn't possibly go to school at this rate (since it was so late and all) and we both decided we would beg our parents to let us call in sick to school. We hung up with a promise to hang out through the "school day" but not at school. I hung up and immediately got to cleaning my room. It was spick and span by the time my mom woke up and I asked her to please let me do what I wanted. She agreed and I met Heather at BAJA FRESH for lunch. This was my first date. Ever. I was scared shitless. She was so beautiful. I had previously been reminded of her attractiveness a couple months prior to this when she came to school with new highlights in her hair. Holy crap was she hot! It was at that moment that I realized how in over my head I was. Whether that was true or not, we left BAJA and went to the movies to see the Farrelly brothers movie STUCK ON YOU which had just come out. After we saw the movie, we hugged goodbye (o what I would give just to hug her now!) and I drove straight to my friend Mallory's to tell her all about my incredible day. I was beaming the entire time I told her about my experience (as Mal tells the story) and I went home on Cloud Nine (I think that's an expression which means that I was really really happy). What I didn't know was that Heather was just playing with my heart . . .
She has since told me that she didn't like me when we started going out occasionally. We went out for hot chocolate a couple of times and walked around the Mall. Even though she didn't find me at all attractive (among other things), she still got all dolled up and made sure she smelled ever so desireable (I can still smell the scent) just so that I would find her appealing. I did. She was everything that I was looking for. She was funny. She was interesting. She was smart. She was all of those things and more than me in every category. She was way out of my league. She is still. But that didn't stop me from trying. . .
We had 2nd period Study Hall together that year. I made sure I sat by her on day one cuz we had been chatting a bit online, so I figured she's be cordial. I found out quickly (I had to ask "so how is everything") that her mom had been in a terrible motorcycle accident just a couple days prior to school starting. The accident had left her mom in the hospital with terrible road rash and burns over her body and the guy she was riding with had died on-site. It was tough on her. I did what I could to help her get through it, but I wasn't good at consolation. I could sympathize, but I certainly couldn't empathize. Some days I wouldn't get to class on-time so another guy would get the seat next to her. This pissed me off. She was my friend! Plus, this was the "new guy" whom every girl in our grade was crazy about. I was screwed. I tried to use the fact that her and I had Trigonometry and AP Literature together to help. Sometimes it did. I later learned that, at that time, I had a bad breath issue that made it difficult for her to talk to me. How I ended up with her by my side? I'll never know.
I finally went to her house on Christmas Eve of 2003 with a cylinder (is it a can?) of Godiva Hot Chocolate. It was a birthday/Christmas gift (her bday is the 27th) and I was just trying to gain brownie points. We watched A CHRISTMAS STORY together (I had never seen it, which was a complete shock to them) and I was so preoccupied with the fact that I was on a couch next to a gorgeous girl that I don't remember much of the movie. I've heard it's a classic. Another night around this time a bunch of us went over to Cy's to watch some movies. I'll never forget that night. Heahter and I were both sitting on his couch and petting his dog, Ewok. Our hands kept touching, and it was really exciting. Then we ate some "Koalabees" (you know, those cookies that were little koalas with chocolate in the middle? I think that's what they were called) and kept going for the bag at the same time. More hand touching. More excitement. I can remember crossing my legs in front of me and thanking God that I was wearing jeans. I had touched a girl's hand. Wow. . .
It was sometime in the first couple weeks of January that I finally cracked and told her I had feelings for her. Our conversation on the phone lasted about an hour and I talked a good 50 minutes of that. She explained that she was not in the place to start a relationship. I told her (and I reitterated about fifteen times) to just "Consider Me" whenever that time came. I said I'd be waiting for her to come around. She was my girl. She was the Jenny to my Forrest. She was the Leia to my Han. She was the Rachel to my Ross. She said ok and we stopped that conversation quickly. I took her flowers (a dozen of em) on January 23, 2004. This was the night that we studied for our Chemistry final, which was the next day. This was also the night that Heather told me she had considered me and decided to give me a chance. She said she had prayed about it and almost overnight her opinion on me had changed. I thank God everyday at some point for putting her in my life, even though I don't do nearly enough to pay him back.
I just thought about dividing this into several different posts. Meh. I'm kinda almost done. . .
We went on a Missions Trip the last weekend of January. It was called BUILD-A-HOUSE CLUB and it was, well, I guess the title is pretty self-explanatory. It took place in Tijuana, Mexico. This was my first trip over the border. I was sick. Very sick. I coughed all the way down, even though I slept most of the way (I almost didn't go - if my mom had made the decision, I would never have gone). The real reason I went was to see Heather. I'll be honest. We (coincidentally?) were put in the same group and we spent the entire day together, putting up a house for a Mexican family who had no roof over their head. We chatted some more while nailing in the small tacks on the roof. She was incredible. She had said she wasn't sure she wanted to call me her "boyfriend" but she said she kinda liked me too. Well, on the night of January 31, 2004, I got an answer. We were driving to a place where we would be bonfiring and we had just left an ice cream place. I was sitting next to her in the middle section of a full Suburban. I put my left hand towards her and asked, ever so smoothly, "Are your hands cold?". She replied in the affirmative and I took her hands in mine and rubbed them awhile. Then I stopped rubbing and began to just hold her hand. Again, I was thankful that I was wearing jeans. The remainder of the trip was a blur as I was now the boyfriend of one Heather Acuff and this was the catch of the class. I had finally gotten my girl (no pun intended... actually, yeah it was. . .).
What has followed since then has been the best 2 1/2 years of my life. Heather and I have been growing closer and closer everyday. We've seen countless movies together, gone to Broadway and seen THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with our senior class, tried to kiss in Times Square even though our teachers were watching our every move (we never actually succeeded), taken swing dance lessons (even to the point of performing our routine in front of a live audience during THE TOKNIGHT SHOW, a talent show thing that Cy and I hosted our senior year), played an umpteenth amount of games of Egyptian War, stared at the stars for hours up on my roof, and so many more activities that I even struggle remember everything that we've done over that great amount of time. I always say that we're 2 1/2 years going on 60, and people laugh. I'm serious, though. So are we. So is US.
Now she's taking off (at the time of the post - I changed the time to reflect the scheduled departure time of their flight) from LAX and I'm at home on my computer with one of my favorite movies, THE SINGING DETECTIVE, playing in the background. I watched this movie with her once. You see, because of our gigantic amount of things that we've done together, everything there is (that's right, everything!) reminds me of her. I challenge you to come up with something for me to discuss that won't result in me creating a sequence of stories/events that lead me to Heather in some sort of way. Here's an example:
- Ping Pong: leads to Forrest Gump, which leads to the restaurant BUBBA GUMP, which leads to Heather since we've been there a few times for dinner
Not convinced? Here's another one:
- Michael J. Fox: was on SPIN CITY, which was created in part by Bill Lawrence, who also created SCRUBS, which I absolutely love and introduced to Chelsea, who is, in fact, Heather's sister - that easily leads to Heather then. . .
I am the best at this game. Especially since I'm in love.
That just might be the longest post in the history of blogspot.com - - - I wish I could know if that was true. But now, as my eyes well up a bit, and my arms crave to wrap around my girl, and my body lusts for connection (not physical gratification or anything like that, dirty-minds, but simply the closeness of laying next to someone and knowing they aren't moving anywhere) I realize that the five weeks has only just begun. It's funny. You know, the things I'm gonna miss most are having someone to say "Good Morning Beautiful" and "Good Night Heather My Love" to. It's that connection of always being able to text a small message of love and receive a similar "I love you too" back. It's that knowledge that not only is she not just six miles (her Palmdale house) away, not just 90 miles away (her LB apartment), but thousands of miles away and 17 hours ahead of me.
It's going to be a really long time. I'll make it. So will we. And friends (the few who have hung on this long), I promise you that much.
Heather, I love you. And I will miss you oodles! I don't need a koala or any other souvenir. I only need you back.
. . .
. . .
The End.
JUSTIN
So I'm home now after going on the longest drive in the history of drives in the history of one man, yours truly, The Rambler. And that says a lot, considering that I've driven across this 3000-mile-long country! I am now in a very sad state - yeah, it's true.
So today I did the basketball thing in the morning and then headed over to Heather's after showering and running a couple of errands. We left around 1430 and hit crazy traffic on the way to LAX. We got to a LA QUINTA INN at 1630 (this is where their orientation was happening) and then went to a Taco Bell for a quick bite. I wish the bite had been longer. Barbara and I pulled away from a suitcase-wheeling Chelsea and Heather around 1900 and that's the last time I'll see my better half until August 24. That's a long time. I got home around 2100 when all was said and done and I'm now holed up in my room trying to distract myself from the reality that she's gone. And she is...
So, for those of you who don't like sentiment, romanticism, or just the release of an uncontrollable force that is a pining, very muchso in love boy: STOP READING!!! For the rest of you, prepare for a solid post of all-things Heather. Because, my friends, that's all I can think about. . .
I have liked Heather since fifth grade. She was the first girl that actually responded to me in any way, shape, or form at Desert Christian. We did kaleidoscopes together (yes, I remember that far back). She was always really nice and I always thought that she was a very cute individual. I continued to have an interest in her in middle school. We were friendly to each other, but she had a consistent boyfriend by the name of Travis through much of middle school (it was one of those off and on things that so symbolized middle school in general). We both remember Valentine's Day on our 7th grade year. We do, because on this day I taped two plastic flowers to her locker door in an attempt to woo fair ladies' heart. She was impressed, but lo and behold, I was still alone in the relationship department. I was one of those guys who had a bunch of friendgirls, but was lacking a girlfriend. I figured in whole this was ok, because I could only learn from watching others anyway, right? Well this continued for awhile, but Heather and I did kinda lose contact for a couple years. Then high school happened. . .
I didn't keep very close touch with Heather through our Freshman and Sophomore years. I was going through a weird phase where I would switch the girl I liked every month or so when nothing materialized over that monthlong period. I was very much interested in having a girlfriend. I wanted a gf merely to say I had one. I truly believe that. I was lonely, and my friends weren't meeting that need there. Every so often, I would be reminded of the existence of one Heather Acuff and be reminded what a great girl she was. On the infamous "Book Buy" day over the summer between our Sophomore and Junior years, I saw her walking towards her car while I was heading towards mine. I called out to her and said we needed to catch up (cuz we had been pretty close in middle school and I thought that we were still pretty friendly). She seemed in a rush (I later learned that their washer had gone haywire and was leaking at their house. Had I known this, I probably wouldn't have wasted her time :D ) so I asked if she was busy or something. She said she was, but agreed that we should catch up. I said I only wanted five minutes (I had a feeling I'd get more if I got that much) and suggested we do it at Retreat (the first week of school at DCHS is a Retreat to a local campground - three days of games, chapels, and meeting new people). I said ok and told her that I'd "Hold her to it" (this would later become an overly used quote of mine - actually, it still is). I ended up e-mailing her later that Summer before Retreat and we chatted a bit via the computer Postal Service. I was getting over being interested in someone else at the time (this one was a bit deeper than the others, but either way, it was nothing but an exaggerated emotional thing - I kinda went crazy for a little bit - not that there's anything wrong with that. . .) so I was pretty unstable in regards to girls. We ended up carrying on fun conversations and around October, I realized that Heather was the girl I wanted to have be my first girlfriend ever. I figured (assumed is more like it) she would completely disagree, though, seeing as though she was very anti-relationship (independent woman that she is). The next three months were a complete blur. . . And yet I remember them like they were yesterday.
Our phone conversations began to last longer and longer. There was one night in December (I remember it was December because, well, I'll get to that) that we actually talked until around 0400 in the morning. We realized that we couldn't possibly go to school at this rate (since it was so late and all) and we both decided we would beg our parents to let us call in sick to school. We hung up with a promise to hang out through the "school day" but not at school. I hung up and immediately got to cleaning my room. It was spick and span by the time my mom woke up and I asked her to please let me do what I wanted. She agreed and I met Heather at BAJA FRESH for lunch. This was my first date. Ever. I was scared shitless. She was so beautiful. I had previously been reminded of her attractiveness a couple months prior to this when she came to school with new highlights in her hair. Holy crap was she hot! It was at that moment that I realized how in over my head I was. Whether that was true or not, we left BAJA and went to the movies to see the Farrelly brothers movie STUCK ON YOU which had just come out. After we saw the movie, we hugged goodbye (o what I would give just to hug her now!) and I drove straight to my friend Mallory's to tell her all about my incredible day. I was beaming the entire time I told her about my experience (as Mal tells the story) and I went home on Cloud Nine (I think that's an expression which means that I was really really happy). What I didn't know was that Heather was just playing with my heart . . .
She has since told me that she didn't like me when we started going out occasionally. We went out for hot chocolate a couple of times and walked around the Mall. Even though she didn't find me at all attractive (among other things), she still got all dolled up and made sure she smelled ever so desireable (I can still smell the scent) just so that I would find her appealing. I did. She was everything that I was looking for. She was funny. She was interesting. She was smart. She was all of those things and more than me in every category. She was way out of my league. She is still. But that didn't stop me from trying. . .
We had 2nd period Study Hall together that year. I made sure I sat by her on day one cuz we had been chatting a bit online, so I figured she's be cordial. I found out quickly (I had to ask "so how is everything") that her mom had been in a terrible motorcycle accident just a couple days prior to school starting. The accident had left her mom in the hospital with terrible road rash and burns over her body and the guy she was riding with had died on-site. It was tough on her. I did what I could to help her get through it, but I wasn't good at consolation. I could sympathize, but I certainly couldn't empathize. Some days I wouldn't get to class on-time so another guy would get the seat next to her. This pissed me off. She was my friend! Plus, this was the "new guy" whom every girl in our grade was crazy about. I was screwed. I tried to use the fact that her and I had Trigonometry and AP Literature together to help. Sometimes it did. I later learned that, at that time, I had a bad breath issue that made it difficult for her to talk to me. How I ended up with her by my side? I'll never know.
I finally went to her house on Christmas Eve of 2003 with a cylinder (is it a can?) of Godiva Hot Chocolate. It was a birthday/Christmas gift (her bday is the 27th) and I was just trying to gain brownie points. We watched A CHRISTMAS STORY together (I had never seen it, which was a complete shock to them) and I was so preoccupied with the fact that I was on a couch next to a gorgeous girl that I don't remember much of the movie. I've heard it's a classic. Another night around this time a bunch of us went over to Cy's to watch some movies. I'll never forget that night. Heahter and I were both sitting on his couch and petting his dog, Ewok. Our hands kept touching, and it was really exciting. Then we ate some "Koalabees" (you know, those cookies that were little koalas with chocolate in the middle? I think that's what they were called) and kept going for the bag at the same time. More hand touching. More excitement. I can remember crossing my legs in front of me and thanking God that I was wearing jeans. I had touched a girl's hand. Wow. . .
It was sometime in the first couple weeks of January that I finally cracked and told her I had feelings for her. Our conversation on the phone lasted about an hour and I talked a good 50 minutes of that. She explained that she was not in the place to start a relationship. I told her (and I reitterated about fifteen times) to just "Consider Me" whenever that time came. I said I'd be waiting for her to come around. She was my girl. She was the Jenny to my Forrest. She was the Leia to my Han. She was the Rachel to my Ross. She said ok and we stopped that conversation quickly. I took her flowers (a dozen of em) on January 23, 2004. This was the night that we studied for our Chemistry final, which was the next day. This was also the night that Heather told me she had considered me and decided to give me a chance. She said she had prayed about it and almost overnight her opinion on me had changed. I thank God everyday at some point for putting her in my life, even though I don't do nearly enough to pay him back.
I just thought about dividing this into several different posts. Meh. I'm kinda almost done. . .
We went on a Missions Trip the last weekend of January. It was called BUILD-A-HOUSE CLUB and it was, well, I guess the title is pretty self-explanatory. It took place in Tijuana, Mexico. This was my first trip over the border. I was sick. Very sick. I coughed all the way down, even though I slept most of the way (I almost didn't go - if my mom had made the decision, I would never have gone). The real reason I went was to see Heather. I'll be honest. We (coincidentally?) were put in the same group and we spent the entire day together, putting up a house for a Mexican family who had no roof over their head. We chatted some more while nailing in the small tacks on the roof. She was incredible. She had said she wasn't sure she wanted to call me her "boyfriend" but she said she kinda liked me too. Well, on the night of January 31, 2004, I got an answer. We were driving to a place where we would be bonfiring and we had just left an ice cream place. I was sitting next to her in the middle section of a full Suburban. I put my left hand towards her and asked, ever so smoothly, "Are your hands cold?". She replied in the affirmative and I took her hands in mine and rubbed them awhile. Then I stopped rubbing and began to just hold her hand. Again, I was thankful that I was wearing jeans. The remainder of the trip was a blur as I was now the boyfriend of one Heather Acuff and this was the catch of the class. I had finally gotten my girl (no pun intended... actually, yeah it was. . .).
What has followed since then has been the best 2 1/2 years of my life. Heather and I have been growing closer and closer everyday. We've seen countless movies together, gone to Broadway and seen THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with our senior class, tried to kiss in Times Square even though our teachers were watching our every move (we never actually succeeded), taken swing dance lessons (even to the point of performing our routine in front of a live audience during THE TOKNIGHT SHOW, a talent show thing that Cy and I hosted our senior year), played an umpteenth amount of games of Egyptian War, stared at the stars for hours up on my roof, and so many more activities that I even struggle remember everything that we've done over that great amount of time. I always say that we're 2 1/2 years going on 60, and people laugh. I'm serious, though. So are we. So is US.
Now she's taking off (at the time of the post - I changed the time to reflect the scheduled departure time of their flight) from LAX and I'm at home on my computer with one of my favorite movies, THE SINGING DETECTIVE, playing in the background. I watched this movie with her once. You see, because of our gigantic amount of things that we've done together, everything there is (that's right, everything!) reminds me of her. I challenge you to come up with something for me to discuss that won't result in me creating a sequence of stories/events that lead me to Heather in some sort of way. Here's an example:
- Ping Pong: leads to Forrest Gump, which leads to the restaurant BUBBA GUMP, which leads to Heather since we've been there a few times for dinner
Not convinced? Here's another one:
- Michael J. Fox: was on SPIN CITY, which was created in part by Bill Lawrence, who also created SCRUBS, which I absolutely love and introduced to Chelsea, who is, in fact, Heather's sister - that easily leads to Heather then. . .
I am the best at this game. Especially since I'm in love.
That just might be the longest post in the history of blogspot.com - - - I wish I could know if that was true. But now, as my eyes well up a bit, and my arms crave to wrap around my girl, and my body lusts for connection (not physical gratification or anything like that, dirty-minds, but simply the closeness of laying next to someone and knowing they aren't moving anywhere) I realize that the five weeks has only just begun. It's funny. You know, the things I'm gonna miss most are having someone to say "Good Morning Beautiful" and "Good Night Heather My Love" to. It's that connection of always being able to text a small message of love and receive a similar "I love you too" back. It's that knowledge that not only is she not just six miles (her Palmdale house) away, not just 90 miles away (her LB apartment), but thousands of miles away and 17 hours ahead of me.
It's going to be a really long time. I'll make it. So will we. And friends (the few who have hung on this long), I promise you that much.
Heather, I love you. And I will miss you oodles! I don't need a koala or any other souvenir. I only need you back.
. . .
. . .
The End.
JUSTIN
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