A Day of Condensed Bridal Stuff

Hal and I went to the "Bridal Day" at our wedding venue where we got to sample more of their food, participate in a Q&A and get contact information for area vendors that they recommend. I think my favorite part, quite honestly, was when we got to taste 5 different cake samples from the bakery that will be making our wedding cake. So scrumptious!

While I know I should have been focusing on how this "bridal day" impacts my bridal day, I couldn't help but get distracted with people-watching. Think about it - you're surrounded by almost 200 strangers, yet connected by the common thread that you're all getting married within the year and celebrating at F.E.A.S.T. So essentially, you're all on this prenuptial planning boat. Let the entertainment commence.

Hal and I noted that most of the couples were on the younger side, in their twenties, with a few scatterings of those clearly in their 30's or older. There was the perky (anxiety-ridden) blonde, with her wedding folder permanently attached to her arm who had a million questions. There was the high-maintenance brunette with the fiance that doodled through the entire Q&A period, while she got frustrated that her wafer thin arm was being ignored, or maybe she was getting tired from raising it.

And then there were the parents of the bride who had an opinion about everything. They only stayed to try the food while their daughter seemed to cater to their every thirst and hunger pain, leaving her fiance to fend for himself. A highlight for Hal and me was listening to mother-of-the-bride and future son-in-law get into a debate about the videographer that she claims they need, while he wants nothing to do with it. He's going to use his Flip camera, after all. But my favorite moment had to be watching her pick at the smoked salmon as she said, "I love how this looks with the edges dark like this. So classy!" Meanwhile, her husband (father-of-the-bride) was voraciously tearing the salmon apart on the plate. Such an entertaining juxtaposition and in many ways sums of the day.

You could look around the room and see the excited brides, the anxious ones, and even the high maintenance ones. And then you saw the grooms. For the most part, they all looking mildly interested at best and a bit pained at the same time. After the Q&A, Hal was done. He was overwhelmed with too much "condensed wedding stuff" as he put it. And while I could sympathize to some degree, I was actually comforted by the fact that all those emotions the 70 brides in that room were feeling, I was feeling as well.

Roasting away the stress

Both the fiancée and I have been super busy lately. Sadly, the least of our time is being consumed by wedding planning. Work and school (the latter only applies to Hal) have eaten away at brain matter making it difficult to do anything else remotely productive.

We did manage to take down our Christmas tree this past weekend and said farewell to one of the best trees we’ve had. But it wasn’t a feel-good accomplishment since I miss seeing all the pretty lights and decorations every night.

I also attempted to replicate this amazing eggplant dip that Hal and I always devour at The Greek Village in Northvale, NJ. I scoured the Internet for recipes and managed to combine a couple I liked but left out the tahini; not the best decision. The dip tasted great, fresh but smoky from roasting the eggplants, but the consistency just wasn’t the same. Mission partially accomplished. No photo sadly, as we ate every morsel.

Besides sleep, the occasional workout, and debates over our wedding registry, work has become the focus of our energies. Our one consolation prize, however, has been a wonderful little treat that packs so much satisfaction with every bite – S’MORES! Last night, Hal came home from class and instead of a “hello” I got “S’mores?!” And I didn’t hesitate to take out the ingredients. Crunchy graham crackers, melted chocolate (mine had bits of toffee) and a charred marshmallow oozing out from the sides.



Is there anything more comforting? Hal might say a foot massage, but that’s why I write this blog and not him.

What I meant to say, not what I actually said

Last night while persuing the Nordstrom website for shoes, I get the fiancee's input, sort of.

Hal: What about that ballerina slipper?

I do not see a ballerina slipper, or anything close to it but I acknowledge that Hal's image of one may be open to interpretation, so I begin moving the mouse around the page pointing at every flat shoe I see.

Jenn: This one?

Hal: No.

Jenn: This one?

Hal: No. C'mon babe, what looks like a ballerina slipper?

Jenn: None of these!

Hal: What looks like some middle eastern dance slipper?

What is he talking about? And then I spot it.

Jenn: Oh, this sandal. (said sandal is below) That isn't even close to a ballerina slipper.



Hal: Whatever.

Jenn: I actually kind of like that. It caught my eye before.

Hal: Really?! I was totally kidding!

Jenn: What do you think about it in the dark?

Hal turns to face me with his eyes closed.

Hal: Yes, they look great in the dark!

Oh brother.

I later pulled up an image of a ballet slipper to demonstrate just how very off his image was, to which he said, "It's all about what I meant, not what I said. What I say could have no resemblance to any reality. I acknowledge that fully."

Say what you mean and mean what you say? Yes, only if ballerinas start doing pirouettes in gladiator sandals.

PS, Ladies beware, the average heal is a platform and sits 4 - 4 1/2 inches high. Are they trying to cripple us?

Childhood “scars”

It’s funny how certain childhood experiences stick with you no matter how inconsequential and banal they actually were. Of course, they didn’t feel that way at the time or else we wouldn’t be sharing “war stories” 20 years later.

At the mere mention of wheat germ last night, Hal’s face contorted in disgust. “I had a bad experience with wheat germ” was all he said. This is our bedroom talk; so romantic, huh? He further explained that when he was in his early teens, his mom went through a wheat germ phase and put it on everything. He didn’t eat hot cereal for years because it had been destroyed by the wheat germ. And other foods were casualties as well - yogurt, and its breakfast peer, oatmeal. No wheat germ will be entering our home, ever, apparently.

Puffed Rice cereal, that was my wheat germ growing up. While kids across the country were eating cocoa puffs and Trix cereals, I stared at a bowl that was filled with the most unappealing breakfast a kid could imagine. Tasteless and chewy, it was an edible version of Styrofoam. I could be overdramatizing the situation but as a kid I don’t really recall there being a middle ground when it came to food. You either liked it or hated it. I hated puffed rice.

So when I got to college, I was determined to eat all the cereals I was deprived of throughout my childhood. Cocoa puffs, cinnamon toast crunch, lucky charms and pretty much anything that turned the milk a colorful shade of sugariness. Then I discovered Kashi cereals and decided to board the healthy fiber train. As my dad refers to it, I ate those twigs and gerbil food like it was my job. It was as if I came full circle and was back to eating no fat, no sodium, and no taste cereal. I eventually got off that train when I came to the uncomfortable realization that one can have too much fiber in her diet.

It’s been at least 15 years since I last ate puffed rice but I swear, I bring up the memory of it at least once a year to someone. I don’t know why. I really should move on. So in my attempt to do so, for breakfast I had hot chocolate and a pop tart. And it was delicious!

Randomness

This video makes me laugh every time I watch it. I love the momma panda's reaction.

I was listening to the Glee soundtrack on my ride in, so fun! However, it did not inspire enough glee to keep me from yelling at the stupid, self absorbed driver in his Audi going 40 mph in the left lane of a 55 mph interstate. Get off your cell phone!

I've been in the mood to bake something delicious (and I'm looking for an excuse to wear my new, cute little apron). Perhaps this weekend I'll take a stab at one of the following options:

S’mores pie: recipe (and photo) compliments of Smitten Kitchen. While this looks amazing, I would take as many shortcuts as possible. Make my own graham crackers? I think not!

S’mores cupcakes: recipe (and photo) compliments of Bakerella. Cupcakes not out of a box are a bit of a deterrant, I'll be honest. But they look very tasty.

Or be a purist and just make s’mores. Although this isn't technically baking but don't they look yummy?! And it could be an excuse to have a fire.

Happy Hump Day.

Haiku review

I finally saw two movies I’d wanted to see for a while: The Blind Side and Julie & Julia. Rather than comment at length about them, I’ve crafted a haiku for each.

The Blind Side

Tugs at the heart strings
The ultimate feel good film
Sandra Bullocks' butt

Julie & Julia

Julie Powell wines
Julia plus Paul equals love
Meryl is worth it

Because I love you...and CGI

Hal: How about going to see that movie you've been wanting to see with what's her name?

Jenn: What are you talking about?

Hal: Sandra Bullock, that Sandra Bullock movie.

Jenn: (enthused) You want to to go see The Blind Side?!?

Hal: No. I just want to be perfectly clear, I don't want to see it.

Jenn: Sooo, why all of a sudden are you willing to go now?

Hal: Because I love you and I know you want to see it.

Awww...but wait! I wanted to see this months ago. Didn't he love me then too when he kept side-stepping any opportunity we had to go see it?

Jenn: No really, why are you willing to go see it now?

Hal: I told you, because I love you.

And then it dawns on me.

Jenn: You want me to go to see Avatar, don't you? That's why you're willing to see The Blind Side with me so I'll go see your blue people movie that's over 2 and a half hours long!

Hal: (smirking. He's just so transparent sometimes) Yes. I want to see Avatar in 3-D before it leaves theaters...but I do love you!

Jenn: Fine. And I love you too.

I guess relationships are all about compromise and the little things we do for love.

A FEAST to behold

Sunday, January 31, Hal and I are headed up to our wedding venue for a tasting/bridal show. I can't wait! We booked the place so long ago, so this is the perfect opportunity to get super excited about it all over again. When we discovered FEAST, we had the good fortune of sampling some of their hors d'ouevres which are delicious. Ahh, memories of duck burritos and the brie with raspberry sauce are still very vivid in our taste buds.

And now we'll get to sample specialty stations filled with cultural cuisines. Food, how I love you.

I'm most excited about seeing the place again and picturing our celebration there in September!

I'm feeling Wednesday

Today has the feeling of Hump Day, the height of the uphill climb and the struggle to get through the rest of the week.

This morning's media has of course been filled with news about the earthquake in Haiti. The devastation is severe and just when you think the poor couldn't get poorer, many have been left with nothing. I think the latest report stated that much needed relief aide will be able to reach the country after all; thank goodness. Times of natural disaster remind us that at the end of the day, we're all the same. We're all humans vulnerable to the unexpected, experiencing pain and loss in the face of tragedy.

At the same time, it is amazing to see how the Internet is playing such a primary role in human connectedness. Aside from being a source of real-time news, people in Haiti are uploading content to the web- video, pictures, comments to blogs - showing the absolute and real devastation they've succomb to. People are even twittering to let family and friends know their whereabouts in Haiti and whether they're safe or not. I'm amazed that we can be connected to all this so quickly (I know I shouldn't be since it is the information superhighway), and it truly showcases the power of the Internet to share information, stories, and people's experiences right at this moment. It also reveals just how much people care, and how quickly they're willing to react and help when others are in need. I've been following a NY Times blog that's providing updates but also allows people to leave comments. http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/gleaning-information-from-haiti-online/?hp

In other news...

This is random but I read on Cup of Jo's blog that there's a weird occurence happening in San Francisco. Apparently, all the sea lions that used to sunbathe at Fishermans Wharf at Pier 39 have disappeared and marine biologists have no idea why. It's just so strange.

The two times that Hal and I have been to San Fran, we made it a point to visit The Wharf. It contained the three S's - sea lions, sourdough bread and saltwater taffy. But now the pier is vacant of these characteristically slumbering sea lions, and I honestly feel disheartened by their absence. This link shows a then and now photo that emphasizes this oddity: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/disappearing-sea-lions/.

Makes you wonder, what do they know that we don't? It also makes me think of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and how the dolphins left Planet Earth. I'm expecting to see an inscription on the pier: So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Fun way to amuse yourself

For a nostalgic feel, check out the Polaroid Image Maker. You simply download the program and you can easily transform pictures into 'polaroids'. When you drag and drop the file onto the polaroid camera, you hear a fun click sound as if the picture is being taken and you can watch it develop, just like a real polaroid. A thumbnail image (it's actually larger than that) will pop up on your desktop and you can drag it around. You can also save the image by right clicking on it. Visit http://www.poladroid.net/download.html.

Happy "picture taking"!

I love random thoughts

It's amazing how a simple but heartfelt gesture can make your day. Like your fiancee emailing you just to say how much he loves you and is lucky to have you in his life. I'm on cloud nine and it's not even 10am yet!

Bow-flailing

Hal and I have been Bowflex-ing (somewhat) regularly for the past couple months. I usually work out my arms and have recently started doing leg exercises. For me, the deterrent to working out my legs is that some of the exercises require putting attachments onto the Bowflex, which are generally too bulky and heavy to easily maneuver. That’s why I get Hal to set them up for me. This also means that the fiancée is around to witness my performing the leg exercises. Not such a fan of this, as I’ve previously noted.

There’s one exercise in particular that makes me feel especially self conscious: the lying leg curl.

This is not me as she looks like
she knows what she's doing

First off, it works your hamstrings and butt, neither of which is very toned on me so I end up only being able to curl 10lbs for each leg. Second, getting into position makes me look like the most uncoordinated person. I have yet to find a graceful way to hike my leg over the bench, lay face down on my stomach and tuck my feet under the curl attachment in one smooth motion. Once on the bench, I generally flop and slide down to be on my stomach and then attempt to blindly stick my ankles where they’re supposed to be. The other night, I got into position but kept having to decrease the weight so I had to do the plop and slide 3 times; all the while Hal was running on the elliptical next to me. I was a bit exhausted just from getting on and off the machine so I’m sure at one point I looked like a beached seal struggling on the sand.

Hal doesn’t quite understand why I’m so self conscious. We live together, he says, and we’ve seen the good and the not as good. That may be true. However, with my butt in the air, my little weak legs struggling to lift this nominal weight, and the sounds of me panting, it makes for a wholly embarrassing image that I’d rather not expose Hal to that often.

I think I’ll stick to squats.

Ode Christmas Tree

Apparently, David Murbach, the man who has made it his mission for the past 26 years to find the perfect Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has passed away at the young age of 57.

While belated, it does seem fitting to post a picture of the Rockefeller tree which Hal and I saw on December 18th. It was a brutally cold day but worth seeing NYC at Christmastime.

I said it to Hal then, the tree looks like its covered with those tiny dot sprinkles. It was very pretty, especially at night. Mr. Murbach chose well...

Sorry Jersey Shore, I just can't do it

With practically every television show on winter break (and the fact that the loss of the Food Network has left a void in my life), flipping threw the channels at an A.D.D. pace was a frequent activity over the holiday break.

With Hal armed with the remote, I never knew what we’d end up watching. The history of military bombers? It was possible. When dinosaurs roamed earth? Very likely. Something on the Discovery Channel? Usually.

Then he stumbled upon a different kind of show, Jersey Shore, and for some reason his trigger finger stopped its rapid fire of channel switching.

Jenn: Are you actually going to watch Jersey Shore? (I asked him with a tone of mild disgust)

Hal: Is that what this is?

Hal gave me the “don’t judge” look which I often give him when he catches me watching the Real Housewives or Bridezillas. I figured I’d let him find out for himself how intolerable this show had the potential to be.

Within the first few seconds of watching, I could see Hal staring with bewilderment at the over-tanned, over greased guy, flexing his muscles while trying to utter coherent sentences. Whether voluntary or not, Hal began shaking his head as if trying to shake the image of Jersey’s finest guido from his mind.

30 seconds later (if that), he changed the channel to Discovery and the intellectual comforts of MythBusters.

Hal: I don’t think I can watch that. I mean, I really don’t think I can do it.

Before the half hour was up, Hal switched back to Jersey Shore. This time, he could only watch for 10 seconds before quickly turning the channel.

Hal: Nope, can’t do it.

Having never seen an entire episode myself (actually, I think Hal’s 40-second viewing of Jersey Shore is about double what I’ve seen of it), I perhaps am not in a position to judge the show’s ‘merit’. However, these people seem especially vapid, which I imagine is the entertaining part. Similarly to the macaroons, I’m trying to understand the allure and seeming addiction to this show, but may just save my brain cells and pass on this one.

Crazy for Macaroons?

There seems to be a craze for macaroons (or macarons if you want to be French proper). They’re everywhere, and by everywhere I mean every wedding blog and site features these little colorful cookies on them. Personally, I’m more familiar with that sweet mound of egg white and sugar covered in coconut and occasionally dipped in chocolate. I have yet to try the sister cookie, but the round French version seems to be so popular it’s being integrated into wedding décor all over the place. I have to say as far as edible decorations go they appear to take the cake (or cookie). Apparently, they can be made into a multitude of colors, and regardless if you choose vibrant shades or soft pastels, they always look inviting (for the most part). Bright blue cookies? Why yes, I’m intrigued.

They’re adorable and elegant at the same time. So what keeps me from gravitating toward this latest trend? Like the cupcakes, it feels like this fad is a bit overdone. Some sites suggest the macaroon is trumping the cupcake as it’s not only being incorporated into wedding décor like the now infamous candy buffet table, but macaroons are showing up on wedding cakes, as wedding favors, even place cards. Do people love them that much? Are they that tasty? I may have to sample one the next time I hit up a bakery just so I may fully understand the allure of these delights. Honestly, they are starting to feel overrated to me already. I think I’ll stick to what I know, and love…Mmmm

All it took...

...was a wink. ;)

Christmas Day '09

Three years ago today, we met for the first time. And the rest is...just the beginning.