Nine Years Ago, In A Far Away Land...

Nine years ago today, I was eating breakfast on a Sunday morning with a group of friends, really dreading the date I was going on later that night. I had agreed to go out with Adam, a really attractive guy who worked at the office I interned at on Fridays. We had started talking a couple months previously, and then at work the past Friday, he'd asked me out to dinner. I really liked him so I agreed, but as the weekend progressed, I was having second thoughts. What if we had nothing to talk about? What if he turned out to be a real jerk? We'd still have to see each other every Friday, at least until my internship was over, and that would be less than comfortable...was one date worth all the hassle? My friends just encouraged me to have an open mind, and if things didn't work out, to just remain friendly with him.

Later that afternoon, as I was trying to study for an exam, but completely preoccupied with the thought of the impending date, Adam called. Instead of meeting me at 6pm as we had scheduled, he was running late (due to attending a computer expo with a friend) and wanted to meet at 7:30pm instead. He said he needed to go home, shower and change before heading into Manhattan to see me. I was a little irked, and convinced that this was just the first indication of what was to be a very bad date. But, I relented, and we agreed to meet outside of Tower Records on 4th Avenue at 7:30pm. My roommate judged the various outfits I was considering for the evening, and we finally agreed to black jeans, black heeled boots and a terrycloth blue blouse. I was getting increasingly more nervous as the clock ticked by, but I made my way the few blocks to Tower Records and waited.

And waited. And waited some more. By 7:45pm I was sure I was getting jerked around. By 7:50pm I thought I'd been stood up. By 7:55pm I was set to leave. Just then, through the midst of 4th Avenue traffic, I heard a car horn. I didn't pay much attention because everyone is honking their horns in Manhattan, but just then, a red sports car pulled up and a very handsome, freshly groomed Adam hurried out of the car, full of apologies for being late. Instantly, I forgave him. He escorted me to the passenger door and helped me get in, then promptly jumped into the driver's seat. Good thing I knew directions, because he couldn't remember where his "favorite" Mexican restaurant was. But what stuck out most while we were driving, was how immediately I felt comfortable with him. There were no awkward pauses, or lame attempts at conversation. It's like we were already two old buddies, yakking away about anything at all, and it wasn't forced or contrived.

We made it to the restaurant, sat down and barely studied the menu for all the talking we did. We chatted about our families, our friends, our collegiate studies, where we were from, you name it. He told me about his time in the Navy, and almost offended me when he mentioned I could never be in the service. When my feminist instincts were about to break bad with him, he added, "I've never seen women as attractive as you in the service." I promptly melted. Three hours later, at the end of dinner, I offered to split the bill, which he refused, then tried to pay the tip. I didn't know it at the time, but my offer to pay really impressed him.

So it was late, time to go home; work and school would come early the next morning. But I didn't want to go home, and I could tell he felt the same way. We parked outside my apartment building and talked and talked some more. He played me a few of his favorite songs (Alphaville's "Forever Young" remains our song) before finally acknowledging it was time to say good-bye. I was stuck; I really liked him, but didn't want to come across as too fast. I leaned over and kissed his cheek and whispered "thank you" to him before climbing out of the car. He had insisted I take some of his music with me, so I had the inkling I'd see him again (outside the office). I didn't dare look back at his car as I floated up the front stoop to the door of my building. I heard his little sports car motor away as I stepped inside. Boy, was I smitten; and I was pretty sure he was, too. Who knew what the future would hold?
Happy Anniversary, Ads. I love ya.

Happy Belated Birthday, Heather Colwell

I always miss your birthday, but it's not for lack of thought. I tried to call you that day, but I have the wrong cell number for you in my phone book. I thought about you all day long, if that makes it any better.
Here's my way of making up for it...now the WORLD knows (or could know if they knew to check this site) that I wish you a happy belated birthday, my friend.
Be well!

Waxing Artistic

Tonight we are heading to our friend Krishnan's for a painting party. No, not walls, canvases! Well, Krishnan thinks his friends might have some artistic talent lurking somewhere inside of us, so he presented the idea of a night of watercolors and acrylics. I have to admit that I don't paint; that is more my sister's forte. I am more of a sketch artist, dabbling in charcoals, pastels and pencils. But I thought it would be fun to maybe combine some of those media into an interesting piece tonight, so we'll see what happens. Perhaps I'll take a few pics to post here on the blog if it comes out looking okay.

Last night I made Cincinnati Chili for dinner, one of my all-time favorite dinners. If you have never had it, you need to go out right now and get a spice packet. It's a really really easy dinner to make so you have no excuse. Well, you have an excuse if you don't live in an area that sells the Cincinnati Chili spice packets. But still, try to find it (or go to Skyline Chili if you have one around) because it is YUM! I make it vegetarian (with the Boca Ground Beef Crumbles or the Morningstar Skillet Ground Beef) and it comes out just as good as (if not better than) the meat version. I believe that Skyline Chili restaurants are serving a vegetarian chili option on their menu now. 'Bout time!

Has anyone caught any of the PBS "Black History Month" specials in the last few weeks? They are typically on Wednesdays, but I guess this was the last week for them. Last month, they did a whole "Jews in America" weekly special that Adam and I really got into. I told him February was for "my people" so he's been watching the specials this month with me :-)

Hope everyone is well and have a good night.

A Connection Is Made

Yes, we finally got internet service. How exciting! Although, I haven't yet used it because we don't have a router yet for wireless, meaning only one person can use the port at a time. And I'm sure you can guess who that one person is...I'm not bothered, though, as I am on the internet all day long at work (as I write, as a matter of fact...).

Yesterday, we went to CompUSA's going out of business sale. I purchased the very last digital camera in the store (which I didn't need, but really wanted). It was priced to sell because it was missing the battery and the memory stick. Adam insisted that it was a good deal in any case, so I went ahead and bought it. I've been online today pricing all of the missing parts on Ebay and Amazon. I am starting to realize the fun (and the danger) of shopping online.

Today we've gotten quite a bit of snow. I was supposed to travel about 2 1/2 hours away for a meeting with a landowner today, but he called my office this morning to warn me about the weather/road conditions in his parts, so we cancelled for today. It's fine, but I've been a bit bummed that I've been in the office all day. I like getting out and about if I can; it breaks the day up more and helps it go faster.

Thursday is Adam's and my NINE year anniversary. I can't believe that I've been with him for almost a third of my life now. That's actually kind of creepy. In some ways, it still feels as though we just started dating. Not to get too sappy, but his blue eyes make me catch my breath even more than the first time I stared into them; his goofy grin at 7am when it's time to get up is one of the only things that make mornings okay; and the continued departure of hair from his scalp is just a reminder of how manly he is with all that extra testosterone coursing through his body. What a guy I have; and what a lucky gal I am to have him. Mmmmmm....love.

Chiks, Lit and Wine

So my friend Emily invited me to this book signing last night at our local bookstore. I had been looking forward to it all weekend because it was billed as a "Girl's Night Out" with discussion, and best of all, wine. I borrowed a copy of the book from her and got about 1/2-way through it before the event.

It was a lot of fun. The author, Eileen Cook (www.eileencook.com) was super--down-to-earth, honest and really funny. I was psyched for her because she got a great turnout; even a couple men showed up. Eileen's book is called "Unpredictable", and it's a fun look at the lengths one (slightly crazy) woman will go to in order to get her guy back. It's a really nice "after-a-long-day-at-work" kind of read. I ended up buying a copy and getting it signed. I never buy books; I just borrow them from libraries or friends. But Eileen had such a great personality I decided to break down and get one. Plus, they had a really nice Pinot Noir that I got a second helping of; they were not stingy at all on the wine. They offered me a third helping but I was the designated passenger and didn't want to fall asleep on Emily while she drove me home.

Tomorrow is Adam's birthday for anyone who is reading this and is interested. He's being really nonchalant about it, but I'm going to make him his fave dinner and a cake or pie or something. Okay, I don't do pies (except my famous cry-over-how-poorly-my-crust-comes-out apple pie). So maybe I'll make him his favorite--rice pudding--instead. He doesn't ever read my blog so he'll be the last to know about his birthday surprise!

Fond Memories

We think about the happy times with you a lot, Shabbi girl. Remembering how much love and happiness you brought us helps us deal with you not being here now. We love you so very much and miss you terribly.
Mum, Daddy and Kika

Deutschland, Nein!...und Andere...

So, for a bit there, we thought Adam would go to Germany with the Navy for his annual obligation. Just as I was getting appropriately jealous of his venture to my all-time fave country (of the few I've visited), and was making up my list of things he has to bring back for me (Chocolate, maybe some WeisBier, maybe a nice little Cuckoo Clock) he got the ix-nay, the kaibash, on his plans. Seems they don't need him over there so he'll stay in cold Michigan instead. I'm glad to have him here, but bummed not to have some German goodies. Besides, I have an old friend over there he could've met up with for a bit. Oh well.

In other news, we're heading to Chicago this evening for a weekend of military fun!! Actually, it's some kind of we're-here-for-you-now-that-you're-back-from-war-thingy that Adam registered for. I'm not sure how much I will (or am supposed to) participate in; instead, I might check out the Shedd aquarium and museums and coffeeshops located downtown. I do miss the big city atmosphere, and I haven't fully taken advantage of all that Chicago has to offer.

I'm really excited about Monday night, though. My girlfriend Emily has a sister-in-law, Jess Riley (check out her website at www.jessriley.com) who is about to be a published author! Her first book, "Driving Sideways" comes out in May, so keep your eye out for it. Anyway, she belongs to a community of other young, female authors, and one of them, Eileen Cook, will be in East Lansing Monday evening for a book signing at Schulers Book Store in Eastwood Towne Center Mall. They are advertising the event as a "Girls Night Out", with wine and chik lit (women's literature). Most of you who know me know that I'm all about the wine...so I'm going to be reading Ms. Cook's book this weekend so that I'm all ready for the signing event on Monday night. How fun!

Hope everyone has a darned great weekend! If I owe you a phone call, you just might hear from me on the road to or from Chicago. You know how time in a car can get....