I think it's time I update my movies-I-want-to-see list. There are a lot of good movies coming out, and I'll forget them all.
Flypaper
50/50
Breaking Dawn
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2
Moneyball
Cowboys vs. Aliens
Horrible bosses
The Vow
Turtle
The Descendants
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Raven
The Darkest Hour
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
All for love
All for love. The title of the song for our first dance as husband and wife.
Jake and I have been married for two weeks, and I'm not sure if there is any better feeling in the world. I am so happy to be starting the rest of my life with him, and look forward to everything the future holds for us.
I wish I could describe the wedding in full, but it would take hours! I'll break it down as best as I can.
On Thursday before the wedding, I had my bachelorette party with my 4 bridesmaids (my sister, matron of honor, and my three closest friends). We had appetizers, drinks, and games at my sister's house, then went to Santa Fe, shared a pizza on the plaza, and then went to a bar called El Corazon where we had drinks and latin danced!
The next day, me and two of my bridesmaids got manicures and pedicures, then the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner was later that day.
Finally, THE DAY arrived. I slept surprising well the night before. I thought I'd be up all night, but I think the two Tylenol PM and extra strong herbal Sleepytime tea helped :) Erin sent me this text message that morning: "Good morning (almost) Mrs Stupka!...YAAAYYY IT'S FINALLY HERE!!" My cousin's fiance, Lindsey, came to my parents' house and did all the bridesmaids' and my hair and makeup. We all headed to the church, and got dressed and put on our jewelry and last-minute beauty touches in the office. My bridesmaids and flower girls and mom all looked beautiful! My dad came into the office close to ceremony time, and cried upon seeing me for the first time, all dressed and ready. I had been really relaxed the whole week, up until I heard the processional music at 1 PM and Joan saying "It's time for you all to start heading down." That's when my heart started beating harder and my knees started shaking and I had to tell my dad to not let me fall down.
My something old: A golden pin in the shape of a music clef, with three pearls. It used to be my great grandma's, and I pinned it on my bouquet.
My something new was, well, several things: My dress, veil, shoes, headband
My something borrowed: My mom's original wedding ring that I wore on my right hand
My something blue: The jewelry set my parents got me for Christmas for this occasion; the earrings and necklace have my birthstone, blue topaz.
"Butterfly Waltz" was the song the wedding party and I walked down the aisle to. I saw my groom standing at the end of the aisle, a huge smile on his face, and tears pooled in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. My dad walked me down, pulled the blusher veil back from my face, kissed me, hugged my groom, and handed me over to Jake, who had tears coming down. The ceremony was beautiful, and the whole time I felt happy and complete.
The reception was just as amazing, but in a different way. So much fun and happiness and celebration. Plenty of dancing, good food, tons of laughter, and good feelings generating from everyone. Seeing everyone there made me love them all more!
At 10 PM, Jake and I left the reception through a shower of bird-friendly rice and into a decorated car, off to the beginning of wedded bliss. We stayed the night at Sunrise Springs Resort in Santa Fe. The next morning, I got this text message from Danielle: "Congrats Mrs Stupka you looked so beautiful! I am beyond thrilled for the two of you! Have an amazing honeymoon!! :-)" And an amazing honeymoon we had! The day after the wedding, we headed to the airport in Albuquerque. We first had to fly to Los Angeles, oddly, and had dinner at the airport. We left LA at about 9:45 PM, flew overnight, and landed in Miami at about 5 AM. Around 9 or 10 AM, we left Miami and made it to St. Lucia at about 1:30 PM, then were taken by van to the Sandals Grande St. Lucia. What a beautiful, amazing, fun, and relaxing place! Our room was beautiful, complete with flower petals and champagne; nothing too fancy and not a huge suite, but perfect for us. That week we did plenty of watersports (snorkeling, Snuba diving [yes Snuba, not scuba], jet skiing, hobie cats, and of course, swimming), a rainforest biking trip which ended with a refreshing dip at the foot of a waterfall, ate tons of delicious food, had some awesome drinks, and soaked in the beautiful Caribbean island. Last Sunday we flew to Miami and stayed the night in a 5-star hotel near the airport (free for us, thanks to Jake's dad's credit card rewards points). Monday we got into Albuquerque and went to my parent's house where we opened all our wedding gifts, and of course, did laundry for free for the last time in a while. Tuesday we came to Las Cruces, where I moved in with my new husband :)
Since then we've been organizing all our new gifts, packing up a lot of old stuff for Goodwill and a soon-to-be-college student my mom knows, and relaxing and enjoying the beginning of our new life together.
This post is a very limited description of all the fun and happiness that our wedding day and honeymoon held. Perhaps some pictures will tell the story better than words can, but you will have to wait for those! I have many photos from friends and family, but I'll wait to post some pictures until we get the professional ones in. Of course, you will have to check Facebook once we have them, but that will have tons more pictures that I'd post on here :)
For all who have given their support and faith and love to us during this time, thank you! We are so happy right now and grateful for everything many of our family and friends have done for us. I am so obviously in the honeymoon phase right now, and I'm totally diggin' it! I am head over heels for my husband!
One of the photos from our complimentary photo shoot in St. Lucia
Jake and I have been married for two weeks, and I'm not sure if there is any better feeling in the world. I am so happy to be starting the rest of my life with him, and look forward to everything the future holds for us.
I wish I could describe the wedding in full, but it would take hours! I'll break it down as best as I can.
On Thursday before the wedding, I had my bachelorette party with my 4 bridesmaids (my sister, matron of honor, and my three closest friends). We had appetizers, drinks, and games at my sister's house, then went to Santa Fe, shared a pizza on the plaza, and then went to a bar called El Corazon where we had drinks and latin danced!
The next day, me and two of my bridesmaids got manicures and pedicures, then the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner was later that day.
Finally, THE DAY arrived. I slept surprising well the night before. I thought I'd be up all night, but I think the two Tylenol PM and extra strong herbal Sleepytime tea helped :) Erin sent me this text message that morning: "Good morning (almost) Mrs Stupka!...YAAAYYY IT'S FINALLY HERE!!" My cousin's fiance, Lindsey, came to my parents' house and did all the bridesmaids' and my hair and makeup. We all headed to the church, and got dressed and put on our jewelry and last-minute beauty touches in the office. My bridesmaids and flower girls and mom all looked beautiful! My dad came into the office close to ceremony time, and cried upon seeing me for the first time, all dressed and ready. I had been really relaxed the whole week, up until I heard the processional music at 1 PM and Joan saying "It's time for you all to start heading down." That's when my heart started beating harder and my knees started shaking and I had to tell my dad to not let me fall down.
My something old: A golden pin in the shape of a music clef, with three pearls. It used to be my great grandma's, and I pinned it on my bouquet.
My something new was, well, several things: My dress, veil, shoes, headband
My something borrowed: My mom's original wedding ring that I wore on my right hand
My something blue: The jewelry set my parents got me for Christmas for this occasion; the earrings and necklace have my birthstone, blue topaz.
"Butterfly Waltz" was the song the wedding party and I walked down the aisle to. I saw my groom standing at the end of the aisle, a huge smile on his face, and tears pooled in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. My dad walked me down, pulled the blusher veil back from my face, kissed me, hugged my groom, and handed me over to Jake, who had tears coming down. The ceremony was beautiful, and the whole time I felt happy and complete.
The reception was just as amazing, but in a different way. So much fun and happiness and celebration. Plenty of dancing, good food, tons of laughter, and good feelings generating from everyone. Seeing everyone there made me love them all more!
At 10 PM, Jake and I left the reception through a shower of bird-friendly rice and into a decorated car, off to the beginning of wedded bliss. We stayed the night at Sunrise Springs Resort in Santa Fe. The next morning, I got this text message from Danielle: "Congrats Mrs Stupka you looked so beautiful! I am beyond thrilled for the two of you! Have an amazing honeymoon!! :-)" And an amazing honeymoon we had! The day after the wedding, we headed to the airport in Albuquerque. We first had to fly to Los Angeles, oddly, and had dinner at the airport. We left LA at about 9:45 PM, flew overnight, and landed in Miami at about 5 AM. Around 9 or 10 AM, we left Miami and made it to St. Lucia at about 1:30 PM, then were taken by van to the Sandals Grande St. Lucia. What a beautiful, amazing, fun, and relaxing place! Our room was beautiful, complete with flower petals and champagne; nothing too fancy and not a huge suite, but perfect for us. That week we did plenty of watersports (snorkeling, Snuba diving [yes Snuba, not scuba], jet skiing, hobie cats, and of course, swimming), a rainforest biking trip which ended with a refreshing dip at the foot of a waterfall, ate tons of delicious food, had some awesome drinks, and soaked in the beautiful Caribbean island. Last Sunday we flew to Miami and stayed the night in a 5-star hotel near the airport (free for us, thanks to Jake's dad's credit card rewards points). Monday we got into Albuquerque and went to my parent's house where we opened all our wedding gifts, and of course, did laundry for free for the last time in a while. Tuesday we came to Las Cruces, where I moved in with my new husband :)
Since then we've been organizing all our new gifts, packing up a lot of old stuff for Goodwill and a soon-to-be-college student my mom knows, and relaxing and enjoying the beginning of our new life together.
This post is a very limited description of all the fun and happiness that our wedding day and honeymoon held. Perhaps some pictures will tell the story better than words can, but you will have to wait for those! I have many photos from friends and family, but I'll wait to post some pictures until we get the professional ones in. Of course, you will have to check Facebook once we have them, but that will have tons more pictures that I'd post on here :)
For all who have given their support and faith and love to us during this time, thank you! We are so happy right now and grateful for everything many of our family and friends have done for us. I am so obviously in the honeymoon phase right now, and I'm totally diggin' it! I am head over heels for my husband!
One of the photos from our complimentary photo shoot in St. Lucia
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Day 30 (finally!!)
Post a picture of someone you miss...
I miss my grandpa Bob, who passed away when I was in 8th grade. It's strange, I've been missing him during the last year more than I did in high school and the first four years of college. Maybe because so much is happening with me. I wish I had known him more. He spent a lot of time with us, but during the time he was alive I was always too young to really want to get to know him. I loved being around him; he was the most ruthless tickler I've ever known. He was nearly blind, but would somehow find us kids and corner us, mercilessly tickle-torturing us until we were about to pass out. He had a most distinctive laugh, too. I can't even describe the laugh in writing. He was gone too soon, but I still think about him a lot, and I know he'll be there watching and smiling at my wedding in two days.
Love you, Grandpa!
I miss my grandpa Bob, who passed away when I was in 8th grade. It's strange, I've been missing him during the last year more than I did in high school and the first four years of college. Maybe because so much is happening with me. I wish I had known him more. He spent a lot of time with us, but during the time he was alive I was always too young to really want to get to know him. I loved being around him; he was the most ruthless tickler I've ever known. He was nearly blind, but would somehow find us kids and corner us, mercilessly tickle-torturing us until we were about to pass out. He had a most distinctive laugh, too. I can't even describe the laugh in writing. He was gone too soon, but I still think about him a lot, and I know he'll be there watching and smiling at my wedding in two days.
Love you, Grandpa!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Day 29
Post a picture that can always make you smile...
Gross, right? This was near the end of our Yellowstone trip last summer. My parents, Jake and I were outside our camper playing cards and snacking. I don't remember who started it, but it ended with chocolate-covered teeth and faces. My dad and mom had some all over their mouths and decided to kiss and make it worse. My mom, in this picture, is laughing so hard she may pass out. Before this, we were taking pictures with my dad's ring, trying to put on "NOOOOOOOOOO" faces Lord of the Rings-style...
We keep saying that at this point, we had had too much fresh air and nature, and it was getting to us. This picture always makes me smile because 1) it's funny, 2) it reminds me of my parents' love for each other and their never taking anything too seriously and making sure to incorporate silliness into daily life, and 3) it reminds me of that trip in general. So amazing.
:)
Gross, right? This was near the end of our Yellowstone trip last summer. My parents, Jake and I were outside our camper playing cards and snacking. I don't remember who started it, but it ended with chocolate-covered teeth and faces. My dad and mom had some all over their mouths and decided to kiss and make it worse. My mom, in this picture, is laughing so hard she may pass out. Before this, we were taking pictures with my dad's ring, trying to put on "NOOOOOOOOOO" faces Lord of the Rings-style...
We keep saying that at this point, we had had too much fresh air and nature, and it was getting to us. This picture always makes me smile because 1) it's funny, 2) it reminds me of my parents' love for each other and their never taking anything too seriously and making sure to incorporate silliness into daily life, and 3) it reminds me of that trip in general. So amazing.
:)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Day 28
Post a picture of something you're afraid of...
I almost didn't even post a photo for this one because I was too afraid to Google spider images. I can't even look at pictures. But I decided to google "cartoon spider" and came up with that guy, who isn't so intimidating. Even some of the cartoon spiders, though, were still too realistic for me and gave me the shudders.
It might be a typical female thing, but I have a serious phobia of spiders. If I see one in my house, I'm pretty much set up for a nightmare that night. Not long ago, I woke up with a scream because of a spider dream. Sometimes I hallucinate via dreams that one is dangling above my bed, and then I can't fall back asleep. Once in a while, I can work up the courage to attempt to kill one in the house (with as long an object as possible), but if I miss or don't squash it hard enough and it starts scurrying, I panic, so usually I yell for other people.
I do, however, understand that spiders are good (mostly) so if I see them outside I usually just leave them alone (and steer waaaay clear), unless it's a black widow. Sometimes I feel that spiders can sense fear, which is why I seem to be the one always finding them in the house.
*Shudder*
I almost didn't even post a photo for this one because I was too afraid to Google spider images. I can't even look at pictures. But I decided to google "cartoon spider" and came up with that guy, who isn't so intimidating. Even some of the cartoon spiders, though, were still too realistic for me and gave me the shudders.
It might be a typical female thing, but I have a serious phobia of spiders. If I see one in my house, I'm pretty much set up for a nightmare that night. Not long ago, I woke up with a scream because of a spider dream. Sometimes I hallucinate via dreams that one is dangling above my bed, and then I can't fall back asleep. Once in a while, I can work up the courage to attempt to kill one in the house (with as long an object as possible), but if I miss or don't squash it hard enough and it starts scurrying, I panic, so usually I yell for other people.
I do, however, understand that spiders are good (mostly) so if I see them outside I usually just leave them alone (and steer waaaay clear), unless it's a black widow. Sometimes I feel that spiders can sense fear, which is why I seem to be the one always finding them in the house.
*Shudder*
Monday, May 23, 2011
Day 27
Ugh! I must finish this challenge before the wedding! That means once a day this week. Even in all the craziness, I MUST finish it like I said I would before Saturday.
Post a picture of yourself and a family member...
Of course I couldn't just post one again. These two pictures are of me and my immediate family members. The first is my dad, sister, and I taking a nap in the most creative way (I look like I may be faking though) and the second is me with my mom and little brother in the hospital after he was born. I have some memories of being at our old house during these years. I don't remember these situations specifically though. I remember my little brother as a baby and helping to take care of him, but I don't remember when he was born. I love my family sooooo much and each member in it means so much to me. No matter what, they'll always be mi familia.
Post a picture of yourself and a family member...
Of course I couldn't just post one again. These two pictures are of me and my immediate family members. The first is my dad, sister, and I taking a nap in the most creative way (I look like I may be faking though) and the second is me with my mom and little brother in the hospital after he was born. I have some memories of being at our old house during these years. I don't remember these situations specifically though. I remember my little brother as a baby and helping to take care of him, but I don't remember when he was born. I love my family sooooo much and each member in it means so much to me. No matter what, they'll always be mi familia.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Day 26
Whew! I am back after a whirlwind two weeks! It's been so crazy with work/school/moving/wedding. I was on a roll with the 30 day challenge for a little bit, but alas, life called. But school and work are over for the time being, which gives me a lot more time to be able to blog again. Just a brief update on life before I go on to the challenge. All my belongings and furniture are all moved into Jake's (and I suppose I can call it mine now, even though I'm not living there yet) apartment. What a transformation! It went from bachelor pad to comfortable, tiny home for two in a matter of days (MANY thanks to my parents' help, who both went to Las Cruces this weekend to help). Plus my dad made a BEAUTIFUL coffee and side table that he designed himself and crafted in his garage, as a wedding gift to us. So now I am back in Los Alamos, waiting out the last three weeks until the big day! It's going to get here in a flash, I can feel it! Which is why I need to finish up this thing and get to the 30th photo challenge! I'm on 26 now, and if I can't finish them before I'm married, well, I'm a hopeless case I suppose.
Post a picture of something that means a lot to you...
I wasn't really sure what picture to post for "independence," because I google imaged it and just got images of the constitution or American flag. Which is all great, but I wasn't talking about national independence. My personal independence means a lot to me. So this photo was the closest I could find to "my" independence. Those who know me know that I am fiercely independent...not to be confused with separated! I am very close to people I love and don't know what I would do without them. However, I do not like asking for help if I can help it, from simple things like opening a jar of pickles to complicated things like what to write my thesis on. I love being my own person and not letting anyone tell me how I should be or what I should do. I get giddy from figuring things out on my own. It means a lot to me to not be completely dependent on someone else, and to not be one of those people who just want and/or let others tell them what to do. But I've learned more and more, probably mostly in the last year, that no one should go through life 100% independent. It's obvious in a few aspects of my life that I've learned this; for one, getting married. Two, I realized I can't survive graduate school without the help and support of my colleagues. And three, I wouldn't even be the independent person I am without my family and friends. A marriage is about interdependence, not being dependent. My cohort in grad school, we're interdependent. And family? Interdependence! So while my independence in some walks of life means a lot to me, I don't want to end up completely at one extreme.
Post a picture of something that means a lot to you...
I wasn't really sure what picture to post for "independence," because I google imaged it and just got images of the constitution or American flag. Which is all great, but I wasn't talking about national independence. My personal independence means a lot to me. So this photo was the closest I could find to "my" independence. Those who know me know that I am fiercely independent...not to be confused with separated! I am very close to people I love and don't know what I would do without them. However, I do not like asking for help if I can help it, from simple things like opening a jar of pickles to complicated things like what to write my thesis on. I love being my own person and not letting anyone tell me how I should be or what I should do. I get giddy from figuring things out on my own. It means a lot to me to not be completely dependent on someone else, and to not be one of those people who just want and/or let others tell them what to do. But I've learned more and more, probably mostly in the last year, that no one should go through life 100% independent. It's obvious in a few aspects of my life that I've learned this; for one, getting married. Two, I realized I can't survive graduate school without the help and support of my colleagues. And three, I wouldn't even be the independent person I am without my family and friends. A marriage is about interdependence, not being dependent. My cohort in grad school, we're interdependent. And family? Interdependence! So while my independence in some walks of life means a lot to me, I don't want to end up completely at one extreme.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)