Second guessing the whole wedding thing

This week was the most depressing morning commute to work. My morning drive has been inundated with news of bank failures. It just makes me want to run and hide all my cash in my mattress (it would all fit in a child's twin maybe even a baby mattress) . When I was listening to the interviews of suddenly unemployed Lehman Brother workers, I had a complete panic attack. I called Mike and told him we should cancel the wedding. In times like these should we be spending $20,000 plus on one day? I was having visions of growing vegetables in my garden, and preparing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for work. Then my wonderful friend Mark sent me a teaser of our engagement pictures. It made me calm down a little and get a little more excited about getting married. What are other people doing to keep from going crazy in these financial uncertainties? I think we are in the mode of denial, denial and more denial.



This is how we look at each all the time as we exchange love poems.
In reality this is what is happening: Mike, "What do you want to eat ? " Me, "I don't know, how about carne asade fries?"

We are Family

What do these two min pin mix have in common?

You guess it? Welcome Mei Mei, the newest member of our family. Don't they look like long lost twins? Minus the floppy ears and uh about 7 extra lbs on Max.

It doesn't hurt to ask

I have been reading wedding blogs like they were going to give me a definitive answer to some universal question of life and death. When in reality they are mostly about all these details and ideas that would overwhelm Martha Stewart. I came across this photographer who gave away free photography every year to couples on a budget. Sadly, I missed that deadline because we clearly qualify on the budget issue. So I sent him a quick email and asked a bold question about meeting our budget and he actually said yes. Now, I am not sure if this is true for most people, maybe its the Chinese bargaining powers and suspicion in both of us but we immediately thought, "What is wrong with this guy? It seems too good to be true! " So after some careful questions and great responses, we realized he is just giving us a great deal. It is totally serendipity (get it: ? wink wink... refer to our wedding website/theme) He donates a large part of his commission to homeless shelters in Chicago. If that doesn't just turn my social justice heart, I am not sure what will. And to top it off, he speaks mandarin. So drum roll please....
Chennergy Photography.
Here is a sneak peak of his work, hopefully I am not breaking any copyright stuff...

A Little Uncomfortable

Not sure what it is about but I am feeling kind of shy talking about the wedding. I know, its a freakin miracle that Maria Chan is at lost for words. I haven't really figured out why or what I am feeling these days. I am thrilled to be marrying my better half but something feels strange talking about the wedding. Part of me feels a little embarrassed, hell maybe its something weird genetic Chinese thing where I feel like I am imposing my will on someone else. I will have to sit on the toilet and think about this dilemma.

I am pretty stoked to be taking engagement pictures this Sunday. I am not sure why people take them, but its one of those go with the flow moments. I know, I should probably be a little more reflective but hey when does a girl get to pretend she is a model. Well I wonder what type of model I could be: super, runway, catalog, import car? hahahaha I don't want to know the answer.

Ball Park and Food

Just spent a week in NYC enjoying the city life and remembering how great it is not to drive.

Proof that I really love Mike


We spent 4 hours sweatin' bullets so we can watch the Yankees beat the Oakland As. I actually stayed awake...Then he repaid me by telling me that my shorts made me look short and wide.


This is our walk in the park shot:

Restaurant Week NYC Summer 2008 Tabla: American food with Indian Flair (hahaha what ever that means)

hmmm....not sure how this will help my attempt to lose weight for the rental dress. Oh well it was delicious!

New York Subway

I'm enjoying myself back in the Upper Westside in NYC. Today I was on the 1 train at 11pm, the guy next to me strikes up a conversation about my engagement. Hey I guess it comes with the territory, you wear an engagement ring everyone asks when you are getting married. Trying not to make too much eye contact, I have polite conversation. He precedes to tell me his best friend just got married and they were dating for five years. So its better if I script this right now:

the guy: They met in hs and got married after college.
Me: Oh that is kind of young to be married?
the guy's friend on my otherside: Not for Americans (with a slight attitude)
Me: (thinking "I hope asshole you are not thinking that I am not American." I smile because I think everything is racial) well for NYC that is really young.
the guy: Oh aren't you young for getting married.
Me: No I am 31
the guy: You Asians are so lucky...(awkward silence)
the guy:I've been to Asia and when I start talking to a woman I think she is my age 22, she turns out to be 35
Me:(I'm thinking "Because 35 is really old") oh where are you guys visiting from? ( I take a good look and no self respecting New Yorker would wear Tevas)
the guy's friend: Springfield, Missouri

This is dedicated to Tonya...I got the confirmation on a NYC train that all Missourians are married and have three kids by 30.

Short Lived Unemployment

So what might you ask have I been doing with my time for the last month and a half? I have been sleeping in and going hiking almost everyday. I forget how great not working can be on your soul. After breakfast, a hike, lunch and a shower my day is pretty much filled. Granted things that take normal people 20 minutes become something I have to schedule about three days in advance. My friend happened to have a day off and wanted to have lunch. I told her I was too busy because I had to go to the bank. Despite this great lifestyle (minus the income) I am now officially a LAUSD teacher. I am starting a new school year on July 1st. I finally got my contract and its been like re-enactment of Dante's Hell. I mean really if I have to go between the 14th and 15th floor of Beaudry one more time, I will have to stab myself in the eye. I am not sure what is in that building besides paperwork but I think there is less security at the Federal Reserve. Prior to signing it my days have been flip flopping between complete relaxation and nail biting anxiety about having to live in my car because I can't pay my bills.

Just to add to my obsession with Max, here are some pictures of our hikes.

Dog Beach with mi familia