6 5 2010 The Wedding Day

As I write this I am taking a break in packing for the honeymoon, I wish I could increase the brevity. Alas, I want to be thorough.

I woke in the morning of my wedding at 5 am. Who does that? Couldn't sleep after that, not a wink. I got out of bed, got some coffee and ate 1/4 bowl of oatmeal. I convinced Kara and Brandon to go to Squaw with my parents and waited for 9 am to roll around.
At 9 Jackie, Christine and I headed to Cal-Neva. When I got to the front desk, there was a photo of Doug and me on the counter. I turned the photo around and said "this is me, I need to check in."
The clerk laughed and said "Yeah, we had a discussion about that this morning. 'that's guy from Safeway!' " Apparently Doug is a celebrity in these parts. I was told to wait because they had to clean the room. Somehow there was a mix up because when we went up there, the room was still not clean. But Cal-Neva quickly changed that for us.

The view from our suite was absolutely spectacular. From the balcony there had to be a view of over 200 degrees of the lake. In this beautiful room, though stressing, Robyn, Jackie and I read magazines and waited for our hair appointments. During this time, I met with Meredith, my youngest cousin, to do her hair. Nice, silky and long, my flower girl's hair only took about half and hour, and had a perfect spot for the cala lily I had waiting for her. Before she left, I also painted Meredith's nails my favorite shade of pink. I had never seen the little girl happier. :)

After I brought Meredith back to her dad in the parking lot, I headed back upstairs to room 920 (top floor). I waited there, nervous and helping people with their nails until my turn for hair rolled around.

I headed downstairs and was very happy to see Whitney ready for me, (btw she did an amazing job with Christine's hair). Whitney sat me down and started working while both Sharon and Alex came in the ask some final questions. An hour and a half later, my hair was done, the tiara was in and my makeup was done. I headed back upstairs with my go to girl Jackie. We called Yuen (the photographer) to let him know the dress application process would be beginning.

Kara brought me into the bedroom part of the suite and very deftly slid the dress over my head. My mom stepped in to help tie me in for the day. By the end of it, I could only take a half breath, something that may have caused problems later. Once the gown was on, I was coerced to stand on the balcony. Not that I would have complained, it was the coolest place in the room.

After we were all dressed, we headed out to Mountain golf course for some photos at the putting green. With our props included we had some great pictures. Picture frames and Umbrellas, who could ask for more on their wedding day.

When the prephotos were finished we headed to the church, climbed in the back door and waited in Jim's (Minister) office. It was 3 minutes to the scheduled time. My adrenaline was going..it was warm in the office...no worries. Kara came back after checking on the status of things only to tell us we were waiting on the marriage license... Oh Doug...Apparently it was ready in the car and he was given a ride to the church so the license was sitting in his car at home.

So now that I find out I have time, the nerves take over as the adrenaline leaves...it's warm....Someone has me sit down on the edge of a couch since I have time...it's warm... I mentioned that I might have been a little faint. Kara looked down at my feet...They were purple. Hmm, that doesn't sound right.

I was tipped Kara and Christine onto the couch. Good thing too, the tunnel vision was starting, but quickly ebbed with my now inverted position. Once it seemed to be safe, and we were given the go ahead, and marched in file from the room.

While we stood waiting for the processional, I watched as my groomsman friends cracked jokes and gave high-fives. At least they seemed to be at ease. I had to slap myself a little just to calm down. And got some funny looks for that one. As pachebel's canon floated down the aisle, so did my friends, leaving my dad and me waiting with the Pepin children for my 'fairytale' (Tong Hua, it was the song).

Kevin started playing the guitar and I watched my flowergirl and ringbearer head towards my fiance. My dad and I followed...but something wasn't right. Apparently the lack of the Mendelssohn's wedding march caused confusion because no one stood up. I looked down the aisle to see Doug smiling at me. I missed his face, his first impression, his jaw drop, as he told me but between his smiles he was trying to coerce the congregation to stand. Mid length of the aisle they did and gave my thanks, which then caused an embarrassed general laugh.

Standing at the front of the church, my father and I waited as Jim went through the standard lines, and my dad handed me off the Doug. I don't remember much of what we said, but I know, I was shocked and terrified planning to mumble my way through the any of the ceremony that I took part in...too bad Doug did not have the same plan.

Proud, poised and clearly, with a smile on his face, he repeated the words led by the minister. In my head, "How dare he!" Prepared to be neither poised nor clear Doug challenged me to bring my A game. Somehow, I managed to repeat my lines without a voice crack or mumble. We married. Before we left the alter the congregation joined in song to "What a wonderful world". I was fine until the last chorus, when I forgot the words and finally was emotional about my own wedding.

The regular receiving line formed and I got to finally see my guests face to face. Again, the memory is a little faded a week later, but I was glad to see them all.

My new husband and I climbed into our limo, and the smile on my face promptly ended. Why? Apparently the limo company double booked our limo and we only had 15 minutes left because he arrived early. Anger. Yes. Anger. We had him bring us to Sand Harbor as planned and I tried not to worry about it.


It was a funny thing at Sand harbor, we started on the beach for some group photos and then headed to the rock side. Once we got to the rock side, after Doug graciously carried me off the edge, I climbed on the nearest rock with dress hoisted. I turned and saw all the bridesmaids doing the same. We took photos jumping from rock to rock, but the photographer, Yuen was better. We all worried for the safety of his camera. Doug had to carry me down a couple of them.

After the group photos, our limo left us at Championship golf course, luckily we knew Yuen and Jess were on their way. We quickly took a photo of Doug, holding a photo of Doug, holding a photo of Doug at one of the tee boxes and were dropped off at Cal-Neva.

Sharon met us up front and we headed downstairs for our grand entrance. One of the tribal songs from Civ 4. We sat down but I couldnt eat much, not that I really had a lunch, so I was not too surprised by my lack of hunger at dinner. I mingled instead.

Concerning the cake, I still maintain Doug did not listen when Sharon gave the instructions. :P He cut 2 pieces instead and one, so we dropped some. I was told later, by the ringbearer, that "It was very funny when Mr. Doug put cake on my nose," and I backed away from him afraid of a face full. Delicious cake though.

We finally got what I have been waiting 2 years for. Our first dance. We danced to Lucky by Jason Mraz. After months of practicing a graceful foxtrot my dress turned it into gown surfing. I'm pretty sure it was not too apparent, but try keep a smile on your face while your keeping yourself from falling.

The Daddy-daughter dance went with little hitch and according to Rose, the Mother-son dance was too short. ;) (4 1/2 min)

I was so annoyed at myself concerning the bouquet toss. Mine hit the ceiling. I almost caught it again for another shot, but alas, My cousin Anne picked it up off the floor....so sad. I had a fight planned an everything.

Once the party dancing began it didn't stop. Anything from 1961 to 2010 people were moving. I have to admit I am rather proud of my song choices.
I was also very careful to talk to everyone, even though the ringbearer tried to get more than his share of dances with me.

After the party ended...which Sharon let us have go late, we said our good byes. Doug brought me upstairs and carried me across the threshold of room 920.

Tuesday the 30th

Since the heel is trying to give Achilles a run for his money. I will not be enjoying today's blizzard-like conditions at Squaw today.

I am currently elbow deep in wedding planning, but I suppose that is natural when you're closing in on the 2 month mark. (Eeep) I went down to Woodland (Doug's parents house) to meet Mary and Christine, without whom I wouldn't have finished what I did. Rose helped with her beautiful, practiced hand to do the addressing. Other than a small hiccup with some glue and laser ink we finished enough of the invitations for every invited guest.

Where to begin.

I realize my entries for the past year have been few and far between, I will not make any excuses about it. Work is different than school and updating people on things that are always the same hardly makes sense. I will however try now to fill in that gaps that I have left.

In August of this year, Juno and I moved into a real home, not that small studio we both started in. We have a nice kitchen and a fenced yard now, complete with washer and dryer. There is even a Christmas tree in here, purchased from Forestland, through boyscouts. We have daily walks at the local park, but not that tourists have come in for wintersport, we have go deeper before she can run free.

At the end of August Doug wanted to go on a real mountain hike. We went up Mt. Rose with the dog and did a 6 mile- round trip hike through the valley of the highway (approx. 9000 ft). At the end of our hike was a waterfall, where we ate the picnic we brought, and where Doug dropped to one knee. I suppose my answer shows when you see my left hand, as his grandmother's ring sits on it. Since then I have been elbow deep in planning and we took a road trip home to Ohio to tell the news in person, not that it wasn't expected. We will be married in Incline Village on June 5, 2010.

Doug moved to North Lake Tahoe in July. He started working at Safeway for the Fourth and worked hard to get extra hours whenever he could. With that and his well-rounded abilities in the social scene, he has jumped rungs and changed ladders. He often works as a manager now, and easily jokes with his bosses concerning their idiocy. It would seem far too sincere from me were I to do the same.

In November jobs at my office hit the ultimate low. I was let go, with the promise of being contacted should anything come up. It's slow going right now, but I do have a season pass for Squaw, so once these holiday tourists leave, I will hit the slopes.

Office Website

I am adding to the Website again at work. I am also adding a link here, because apparently google and yahoo will see our site better with it.

www.prdei.com

Juno ≠ Hot Sauce

I was feeling particularly productived today and decided to make a rope for Juno. No, not like spinning yarn, or macrome, but just a nice rope with clips on the end so Juno can be on her own outside without a fence. It took a little work, as the local Hardware did not have any no nylon rope. Doug and I went down to Carson today to do a little shopping (costco...not little) and we went to Home Depot. Again, they did not have non nylon rope. I caved and bought some climbing rope and a couple clips. After just now assembling it, using the time patented double half hitch knot(Friendship bracelet knot), I put the new rope on the Dog to test it out. What do you know? Juno being who she is promptly started to chew on it. To nip that in the bud I decided to wipe the ends with hot sauce. I walked to put the sauce away and came back to Juno, back chewing on the rop again...but not for long.

She stopped, looked at me, and gave a start. While twitching she started to hop in place. She then quickly threw her head to the floor, pushing her mouth along the carpet like a self propelled Hoover. After a small bout of laughter, I caved and poured her just a little milk in her bowl to curb the burn. Silly pup, hopefully she learned from that one.

A breather

Wow, its been 9 months since my last post. That could worry some people about the things I have been up to...

In fact there is someone new in my life. She was born on January 26, 2009 and she currently weighs 53 lbs. My Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy, Juno. I had puppy fever, for well, lets face it, a couple years, but had started to call breeders after christmas looking for my very own. Much to my chagrin, Bernies are hard to come by and most people either send out for one from afar, or they are on waiting lists with breeders. Lucky me, a breeder returned my call a week after she told me all pups were claimed. Apparrently a girl who was supposed to take one was in a car accident and if I wanted the pup, I would need to act fast.

On March 27, two years to the day after I left for Europe, and 1 year to the day after Doug and I started dating, I got my puppy.

For the past 3 months we have been getting to know each other and the potty training is done. i have been kept quite warm at night. Although she is pretty good up on the bed, she insists on being like me and putting her head on my pillow. that will end soon however she insists on facing me at all times. Right now her head is just inches from my keyboard and she had twice now tried to put her own two cents into this post.

My other reason for not being present and up to date on my posting is LEED. (usgbc.org) I have spent the past 3 months intensely studying for a 400 dollar test for Accreditation. The past 6 weeks, any free time was lent to its study and walking Juno. However i am glad to say, that is all over and I have passed with cool initials after my name. Best part is, since i passed first go around, my office paid for it.

I brought Juno to the fireworks at the beach, and she was stunned by all the people. Thousands of tourists inhaling and imbibing, swearing and littering. What happened the beach on which I could walk with her alone? She was a little frightened by the fireworks, but I thought she would do better seeing the source of the sound. Juno sat on my lap and watched the fireworks with me, as intent as I have ever seen her on something that wasn't living, or food (or both).

I have been living here Tahoe for 10 months and am currently dealing with the summer flow of tourists. Boy do I hate them

Because they are on vacation, they assume everyone here is on vacation and therefore can wait for 20 minutes while a herd of them cross the road on red. They walk down the center of the road and glare at the cars who are just trying to get the errands done. No wonder the "locals of Tahoe" are such grouchy people. according to the tourists.

Ernie! S.O.S. Our Time Machine and Robot Need Fixing!

Today was the usual day, with some unusual humor that I thought I would share with you.

Over the weekend Meghan's (co-workers) computer was taken over by a vile Greek. I mean Trojan, or something of the sort. Either way it completely marauded her system, taking out all means of office printing and a location for her to work.

Meanwhile last night J. Bradley (also a co-worker) was working late to get things done sp that he could head up to Portland for Stream Bed Analysis Course. Computer Crashes, leaving him distraught and panicking. 6 hours of work seems lost.

No worries. Lets all use the Time Machine! That's right we have a time machine in our office. Unfortuneatley, it too broke in our most misfortuitous of weekends.

My boss Andrew called our tech guy stating "Get here quick Ernie, our time machine's broken and Meghan's Bot isn't doing its job!" Well, the time machine is a program in our server used to autosave backup files so that time are not panicky like bradley's was last night. The bot that wasn't doing its job was SPYBot on Meghan's Computer. Yeah, so bland now, huh?

Also, I got in a spicket spat with Andrew. Not really though, I just like the alliteration. We were debating over how to spell it, spigot, or spicket. I went with his way, cause well...he pays me money. However, I did look it up. Spicket and spigot are the same thing, different spelling, just a case of regional dialects and time changing what a word is. What sayeth thou now?

I also worked my first 11 hour day today, so I am tired.

My Oh My

Everyday here in Tahoe is beautiful, either its sunny, or its snowing.

Lake Effect Snow FTW

It was pointed out to me the other day, that I had moved from one vacation location, to an even more exclusive one. I guess that's my way of not needing to vacation too much.... darn.

An amazing thing happened today, something I don't know that I have personally ever experienced. It snowed today. It snowed weeks before Halloween, which, by the way boggles my mind. It didn't snow much, but it did just enough to keep me distracted from work as i could see the snowflakes falling through both periferals. I had lots to do today, but I am pretty proud about my success before the clock struck 5. I coordinated, assembled and formatted no less than 50 details on 9 sheets in the past 2 days. As this was only the 75% design docs, there is still work to be done, one being metric units needing conversion, but i will deal with that next week, if someone else doesnt take on that role for me.

I went by my new place after work to get my lease signed for my move-in next month. Yay exciting. My own refrigerator...Ive never had my own before. I was told by Cindy, the landlord, and her husband Dave, that they seem to have a nearby resident bear, who on description sounds an awful lot like MY bear. They also said not worry though, their dogs run that bear off, or the wrong direction into the front yard. But atleast they make the bear afraid, right?

As for me, tonight is quiet. And I am quite jealous as Doug is off with Sean and his parents in a weekend of contests of American splendor. That is...the Stanford game, a Sharks game, and the 49er's all in one swoop. Wow! Still jealous though. Me and my snow will get on just fine without you and your silly games. Thank you very much! Haha.

Lions and Tigers and Bears? Oh Yes.

I suppose it indeed has been awhile since I sat down and forced myself to retell some tales..of myself. I guess however it would be good to catch some people up on the current events in my life so that it is widely know that I was not swallowed by the Lake that is Tahoe.

Things have been going pretty slowly here, all things concerned. I have two new roommates, temporary ones, which seems to be the norm up here, though I suppose I am one as well since I will be moving into my studio next month.

Two weeks ago, I attended church in Incline. It was very nice that there was an acoustic guitar to play with the hymns, and that they played my favorite one too. Shout to the Lord. It gets stuck in my head even thinking about it. I talked with the minister, and he suggested that I check out all five of the "good" churches in North Lake so that I would find my place. OK then.

The next week was spent frantically trying to put together a statement of qualifications for a project that came up in Yosemite Park. 4 Days and many hours of scrambling, we created a nice little book about ourselves, including portfolio work...and my senior project.... who knew? Incidentally I answered a call from the Yosemite Fund after hours two fridays ago and our office, PR Design & Engineering Inc. was one of 4 chosen....including EDAW....uhoh.

Last weekend I took a day and half off work to go take part in a red carpet event. Robyn formerally known as Carmichael's wedding. It was quite the ordeal, and I am happy to say that it was one of the most fun Ive ever had at a wedding. With the wedding in the Old Movie theatre, The Fremont, the top hats, popcorn and prewedding slideshow trivia they were quite inventive in their themes. Even the vows alluded to films but my favorite comes from Derek (the groom). our love makes "Audrey Hepburn skip her breakfast and teaches Clark Gable how to give a damn."
Doug and I left early in the evening to make our way back north for school and work in the morning.

On another note, mountain life hits a little closer to home than I was perhaps prepared for. Not long ago, I returned home from a visit at Dougs. It was about 930 at night, and I had just parked at my house. I was walking across the street towards the door, when i heard a dog bark. I turned, expecting to see the neighbor's sheepdog Shiloh. Instead I see a huge brown bear looking at me as if to say, "Don't look at me, I didn't bark" It was a large thing coming atleast up to the back window of the explorer next to where he stood. And that was on all fours. I would guess that he/she weighed 600-800 pounds. I wish i were exaggerating, it was big.

That's all for now, as I am on my lunch break and will be driving to Truckee to pick up yet another packet put together by my office.