My site moved to this new webhost.  I should probably upload my old entries but whenever I move to a new place I like a fresh, clean start!  Mmm, love that generic white and gray smell…

Here’s a photo of my hot wife (the fleece blanket was way too warm and we had the a/c turned off) and some guy in glasses doing a puzzle which we picked up at Disneyland.

We did the puzzle in our “quiet room.”  We wanted a room in our house to be free from distractions, to read or ponder life’s great questions, like why are do all the sky puzzle pieces look the same, or why did I buy a Puzzle Roll Up when all it is is a plain piece of felt.

We got library cards! Last weekend we visited the Calabasas library after church and decided to get library cards. I checked out this children’s book which was on display, and Lauren got a few audio books including Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. I studied a bit for my next exam this coming October while taking breaks reading. I haven’t checked out a book for a really long time and it felt like growing up visiting the library, seeing the community announcements and reading programs. I think each place we visit around the neighborhood, Lauren and I wonder what it’d be like to grow up and raise kids here. I suppose it’s unavoidable, after the home purchase and all the box unpacking. It took several overflowing recycling bins of boxes and a trip to Goodwill but we’ve finally manged to unpack most of our stuff and put them in their proper places. A lot of the stuff we’ve got as wedding gifts has already come in handy, from the blender (made a green smoothie this morning) to the pots, pans and measuring cups (first cooked meal: congee) to even the ice cream maker (Lauren made strawberry ice cream yesterday). I’m told after awhile we won’t use the ice cream maker much, but Lauren does like her ice cream…

Anyway, after finishing up most of the leftover unpacking last weekend, we did more exploring and drove to El Scorpion Canyon Park and walked along the trail. I remember hiking here with Nick some odd Thanksgiving and we had hiked a few miles before turning back. I’m not sure how far the trail goes but Lauren was in sandals and couldn’t walk too far. We heard lots of frogs croaking in the stream below and we just stood there together, soaking it in, before we decided it was getting dark and turned back.

I guess a lot of things have happened since my last post! Back in mid-January I was notified I passed my seventh actuarial exam. One more to go!  Lauren took me out to a French restaurant to celebrate and it felt nice to be done with studying for a bit (I plan to take my next exam in October) which was good because I was super busy with other things. Particularly wedding type things.

I wanted to paint each of my groomsmen a painting related to how I remember each of them, as a gift. To be honest, it did cross my mind whether I could paint something for each guest too but that might have stretched my skills a little further than what I could handle in that time frame…

Lauren and I ended up hiring photographer couple Nataly and Art Lemus and taking engagement photos with them. We were thinking of taking the photos around the Larchmont area, where Lauren and I would walk around a lot, but we opted for a more natural setting, Topanga Canyon State Park. Lauren appreciates nature and the photos turned out great.

It was really nice to not have to be behind the camera and set up a tripod and fiddle with focusing and camera settings! Lauren and I do the tripod thing quite a lot and we tried to take some photos ourselves back in March at Descano Gardens in Pasadena. It’s a really nice place to visit, and neither of us have been there before.

Earlier this year, Lauren and I were driving around LA thinking of places to live and although initially we were wanting to rent (to test out areas where we might want to buy), we quickly realized that renting in LA was going to be expensive and it may be beneficial to buy in the long run. Then we quickly realized that buying in LA would be pretty expensive too. So we tried to balance price, commute, and schools (finding two of these things is easy; finding all three was impossible) and narrowed it down to three different areas (Valencia, Northridge, West Hills) before settling in at a place in West Hills. Signing all the papers and forking over a large chunk of change was a bit overwhelming, but it felt good to find a place we could call home for now. And of course we couldn’t close escrow and enter our house for the first time as home owners without setting up the tripod for a photo-op.

May, the month before our wedding, was busy. We finished the bulk of the home repairs and refinishes. She finished most of the wedding preparations/decorations/flowers/vendor arranging/programs. And we went to four weddings – two of my groomsmens’, our small group leader’s, and one of Lauren’s high school friend’s. Two of them were back to back the same weekend! It was really exciting to see our friends get married and the feel of each wedding seemed different. I guess you notice stuff like the feel of each wedding when you’re planing your own. We traveled a lot for each wedding and for Vincent’s we got to go up to the New Hampshire area where we’ve never been before. It was beautifully green up there much different from the concrete landscape of LA, and we even got a chance to go up the coast of Maine before we left. I had a lobster roll for the first time at this place. It was delish.

I remember constantly asking Lauren, what if we lived in a place like New Hampshire. A place more secluded and less crowded and less smoggy. I think we both like the idea but I suppose a change of scenery has never been a reason for us to move in the past. I guess it’s always been school or job related. We have friends and family moving to NYC and South Carolina and that’ll be a big change in landscape but I suppose they’re also motivated by a job.

So after we came back from our wedding travels we started putting the last touches on the wedding. I assembled our cake topper, cut mattes for our photos, and did a last minute borders for the photobooth and ceremony program.

 

Aside from a few art projects, Lauren did pretty much everything. The day before our wedding, seeing all the family and friends together during rehearsal, I just felt really happy to see everyone all there in the same place. I also felt tired. I never knew getting married (compounded by home buying) could be such work! Sorting through who would do what when and how was mentally exhausting even though Lauren was doing most of the heavy lifting. But at the dinner rehearsal, when there was nothing left to do, I felt just happy to be sitting with my groomsmen and having a meal. Considering they’re all a healthy drive or a plane ticket away, that doesn’t happen too often anymore. Anyway, we eventually called it a night and I went back to my hotel room I was sharing with Nick, who shined my shoes for me that night!

I didn’t sleep a lot the night before my wedding. Maybe a few hours. I was thinking about all that might happen the next day. People I’d see and things that we didn’t plan for. And my thank you speech. I’ve spoken at a number of weddings and some of the speeches turned out ok, but most of them were filled with so much awkward pauses and awkward silence and awkward phrasing that I’m a bit self conscious about them. It felt a little weird to be so nervous on a day that was supposed to be a celebration but I was.

I got up early and one of her bridesmaids gave me a gift and letter from Lauren. It was a wooden wrist-watch with an engraved backing, “You got me – Lauren, 6.13.15” from this song we used to listen to. I had brunch with Kevin, Ed, and Nick, and Kevin suggested I write her a card to thank her for the gift so I drove to Target, wrote the card, showered, dressed, and got ready for our first look in the hotel courtyard.

I remember feeling so thankful the rest of the day, mainly for having someone that would promise everything of her to me. (I felt like I was going to cry at the altar the whole time so I’m guessing I’ll look like I’m frowning in most of the photos.) We said our vows and I promised to love and be faithful to her for the rest of our lives. And then we took photos, ate food and cake, played games, and greeted everyone who came. Sort of. I’m glad I got a chance to say hello and talk to some people I don’t see often, but most everyone else I hardly got to talk to, and it didn’t help that I awkwardly called someone by the wrong name. My thank you speech went ok. Like most of my speeches, it was generally outlined in my head. I got to say 80-90% of what I wanted to say, so I suppose it could have been worse :).

We remembered we didn’t get a chance to take a photo of the sign in front of our venue so that night Vincent’s wife, Libby, took one of us

Of course, I had to try to suggest we return to take one ourselves the next morning. Out with the tripod!

The sign references this riddle game Lauren and I used to play (and make fun of since some of the riddles are absurd and overly difficult).

On Sunday we had brunch with some out of towners and then spent time at Terranea resort walking along the ocean-line and having a nice dinner there.

We left for Catalina Island by ferry on Monday. The entire trip was incredibly relaxing and not having wedding or house things to attend to was really nice. Our hotel room was one of the most comfortable I’ve been in with it’s own jacuzzi (which we made good use of every night), and it was nice to just lounge around the beach area playing Carcasonne, our favorite board game.

 

We decided to spend our last full day of our honeymoon on Friday at Disneyland with Vincent, his wife, and his aunt and cousin. We hardly waited for any of the rides using Vincent’s Fast Past Strategy and all the Disneyland staff congratulated us on getting married with our cool pins.

Like most trips to Disneyland, it was a big workout for our feet and calves which were satisfyingly sore the next day.

Phew!¹ So that’s the last six months of my life. The last six months of wedding planning and house buying. The last six months of traveling and celebrating. And the last six months of being single! I’m a married man!

[Slideshow credit: Sarah L.]

¹I now feel like I have to take a vacation from writing all this about my vacation.

“For the past few weeks, I’ve been pretending to be someone else. I’ve been pretending to be Glasses Theo.

Glasses Theo is sophisticated, hip, and smart. Glasses Theo has received compliments on his new glasses. People assume Glasses Theo used to wear contacts all his life but recently switched to his new glasses. No one suspects Glasses Theo is wearing non prescription Gamma Ray Flexlite computer reading glasses which Lauren got him for Christmas, after joking about how Regular Theo would look in glasses. No one suspects Glasses Theo is wearing glasses just for show.

Well, no one except for a few people in my small group who asked what I got for Christmas. Regular Theo just had to spill the beans about his fake glasses. Regular Theo is such a spoil sport.

Glasses Theo was able to spend time with Lauren over New Year’s Eve, going out to a drive to Calabasas, visiting the Malibu Pier, and taking photos. But Regular Theo is really thankful Lauren is willing to wait for him to set up the camera in the freezing cold and take photos.

My exam went ok (I took in on October 30th). I think I gave it my best shot for the most part but I probably could have used my time better, answering questions that I knew how to do more fully. Like most people I’m probably hovering around the border between pass and no pass. I thought I was prepared but I guess bringing three calculators to the exam doesn’t really help in most circumstances.

It’s been nice not having to study, at least for the time being. Although I haven’t been getting very far on my to-do list. Like wedding planning. Or finding a new apartment. Or Christmas shopping. Or getting back into exercise. (I tried lifting weights today and had to drop five pounds from the dumbbells.) To feel more accomplished, I tried doing the more simpler tasks on my list – like seeing Interstellar. I saw it yesterday. It was so good! I was tearing up at the end. I can see why some people might fault it but I think its emotional feelings of wonder, exploration, and loss were right on.

I was able to do a painting for Lauren for her birthday. It was my how-I-wish-my-proposal-turned-out painting.

“So I had two ideas, take her out star gazing, or take her to a neighborhood ice cream shop.  The way I saw it:

• star gazing: romance, wonder, the future, the unknown, exploration, beauty, nature.
• ice cream: smiles, contentment, refreshment, sweetness, walks around the neighborhood, summer memories

I wasn’t quite sure what was best so I figured I’d just play it by ear.

On Wednesday we went out to Ethiopian food (our first date) and I figured tonight was the night!  We’d go back, eat ice cream, and walk around the neighborhood and I’d propose where I had first picked her up!  Bam!  But the food came out late and by the time we got home she was fast asleep in the car after a long day at work so I figured I’d do it another day.

On Saturday, I thought we would go for a drive and leave the city. Tonight was the night! It was dark, close to being a new moon, and we’d gaze out over the stars while I get down on one knee and propose. Bam! But she felt pretty sick in the morning, and although she felt a little better toward the end of the day I figured I’d do it another day.

On Sunday she felt better and I suggested maybe we go up to Mt. Pinos to stargaze after she rested during the day and I thought today was the day! Gotta remember to bring my camera! Maybe I can propose while the camera keeps taking photos. Maybe I can get a photo of the stars. We’re on our way! It’s sunset! Hmm, this place is far. Where’s the parking lot? We’re surrounded by trees. I guess there’s no overlook. It sure is dark. I guess I’m not going to get a photo of us. Maybe I’ll try and take a photo of the stars. She’s suggesting we go outside. Now’s my chance! I’ll just stuff the ring box in my pocket. We’re hugging. Should I do it? What’s that noise? Why is it so creepy here? It’s not romantic at all! She’s suggesting we go back inside. Ok, plan #2: ice cream! We can probably make it back in time and combine both my ideas in one evening! Oh no, it’s getting too late and she has work the next day! Oh no, the parking spot where I first picked her up when we first started dating is taken! Oh no there’s a line for the ice cream! She’s suggesting we go to the supermarket. Ok, got the ice cream (Dryer’s slow churned vanilla bean). Hmm, ok so I couldn’t get the parking spot where I picked her up but at least it’s on the same street. Now’s my chance! Wait which direction does this ring box open? Ok she got out of the car. Let me set the ice cream down. Oh man, which knee do I kneel on? Why didn’t I practice this before? Ok just go with my right knee…

Well, it didn’t really happen as I planned but maybe it didn’t matter in the end :). We’re engaged!

I had a dream last night that I was taking my next actuarial exam and I had to add up all the calculations to my problems and lie on top of the numerical answer and however much I was above the correct total answer, I would be shaved off by a giant razor. If my exam is anything like this, I’m going about studying for this all wrong… I’m now 37. As my cheesy coworker might say, I’m in my “prime.” It feels a bit more of a leap than from 35 to 36 because I feel less that I’m in my mid 30s. Last time I felt this sort of leap from one phase to another was going from 23 to 24. But according to my mom, who is probably biased, I’m not an old man until I reach 70. At age 40 I become an “average man.” So to her I’m still a young man. Thanks mom! This weekend Lauren and I watched The Princess Bride in an outdoor baseball field park in Beverly Hills. It was really nice! I haven’t lied down outside under the sky in a while and it felt nice being under the blankets under the cool night eating food truck food. We got dumplings in Koreatown afterwards.

We also ate this spongy, milky cake from Porto’s. It’s called Tres Leches (“three milk”: condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whipping cream) and she decorated it with fruit. It was really good chilled! I was looking at an archive of an old blog my friends and I used to keep. I didn’t remember exactly who was who but I could sort of guess by what they wrote.

Phew!  Just taking a study break at work.  I have a little over two months until I take my seventh actuarial exam, the Group and Health Advanced exam, and feeling ok about it.  I’m not as further along as I’d like to be, but I wanted to be super far ahead so I guess I’m just slightly ahead of where I was last year.  But I have excuses. This summer has been a big traveling summer for me.  I took three trips to Philly (for friends’ weddings), one trip to Portland (to visit family), and one trip to the San Francisco.  I went up there to ask my girlfriend’s dad for her hand in marriage and he approved!  Most memorable moment: being seated at the far end of a long rectangular booth opposite him in an almost empty steak restaurant.  He was far away and I didn’t know if I should move closer to him but I eventually got up to sit closer.  The meal was quiet and it wasn’t until I managed to eat half my fish and chips that I was able to declare my love for his daughter… Now I just have to get a small circle.