That moment when...

... you write a truly terrible blog post after weeks of silence because you were in a mood and just threw something out there.  (I apologize to anyone who had to read that before I deleted it)

... you start reading The Book Thief with Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of Death, because you started it just after you finished watching Sherlock, and his voice just fits perfectly.

... you sit in awe watching television... real. actual. television. on your TV. Because your parents discovered that you can pick up an antenna and get basic channels for free. Would you believe that we've not had television reception since I was 6?

... you realize that this means you get to watch the Blackhawks without having to leave home (but only when it's on WGN).

Ignoring the fact that I happened to take this picture on my laptop right when Vancouver scored a goal. Of course.

... you get a message on Facebook from Iris, because it just so happens that you both know the same family offline!

... You realize why it's been so darn cold out here lately.

... you download the trial version of Microsoft Office 2013 so you can do homework for class and realize just how primitive OpenOffice really is, and how on earth can you ever go back?

... you realize that having television means you can watch the Olympics, and the Oscars, and Once Upon a Time and Sherlock and Downton Abby WITHOUT USING ALL THE INTERNET BANDWIDTH.

... you realize that you have less than two months left of being 21. (I am dreading the inevitable posting of Taylor Swift on my wall when I turn 22.)

... after multiple attempts of staring and blank blog posts and then closing them, coming up with ideas and discarding them, you finally hit publish on another post.

So It Begins OR Have a Wonderful Journey

This Friday marks the day that a close friend of mine currently is getting married... the very first one.  No really! I haven't had any of my close friends get married yet.  Now one is.  And I have another one who is engaged.  And I'm eyeing some other friends who look rather suspiciously inclined in that direction.

And so it begins.

Its a little disconcerting, because that means we are all growing up.  I am realizing that there is a very real possibility that I will be married myself within the next few years.  We aren't kids anymore.

It's weird.  But it's exciting.

As much as I look back with wistfulness at my childhood, growing up is full of it's own adventures and experiences.  Yeah, life is a little more frustrating and stressful an as adult, but at the same time it's more rewarding too.  When you are young you don't have the perspective to appreciate and anticipate things the same way as you do when you are 'grown-up'.

My dear friend Elenatintil is getting married.  In my mind, I am still struggling to wrap my head around that fact.  Wasn't it only yesterday that we were meeting up for the first time when she was only 21 and I was 18?  (Oh gosh really? We were that young?)

We became friends online, and then this was taken at the first time we met in person =]

Now she's all grown up and getting married.  (In a funny coincidence - to a young man who grew up 20 minutes away from where I currently before moving out by her!)

At the premier of the movie version of "The Shadow of the Bear" that Elena directed

We've had our differences at times, but over the years have formed a strong friendship that I think is going to last us for a good long time.  She is a very wise young woman, and one that I know I can always turn to for some solid advice.

ReginaCon 2012

Also, can I mention here how happy I am that I actually have a photo of us together from each year since the first year that we met?  This is awesome.

Surprise visit after she and Nathan started dating!

It's a new chapter in both our lives.  Hers, obviously, as a married woman, and my first step into the age where we all start to grow up and get married and go wherever it is our lives are taking us.  As Bilbo used to say...

"It's a dangerous business Frodo, going out your front door. You step onto the road... and there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."

Elena, you are about to find out where the road is sweeping you off to, and I am sure it will be a beautiful and breathtaking journey.  I think you've picked out an excellent companion for your journey and I know the two of you will keep each other safe and sound.  Have a wonderful adventure.

I am so Blessed...

to have a Knight who loves me far more than I deserve.

Who is so patient with me when I am irrational and moody and selfish and decidedly not the best me.

Who makes me laugh and smile with his silliness and teasing.

Who makes me melt every time he smiles at me and gives me a kiss and my heart skip a beat each time he says my name.

Who gives me new reasons to fall deeper in love with him every day.

Who is willing to undergo the struggles and painfulness of a long distance relationship, who does so much to care for and support me and is there for me even when 1,000 miles lie in between.

Who is the best Knight a Lady could ever ask for and more than she had ever dared to hope might come riding into her life.

Who makes each and every day that we are apart worth the wait until I can see him again.

Hey Y'all

I've been quiet lately and I blame it on my man!  I've been out in Rhode Island visiting for hte past week and enjoying alternating temperatures of 16 degrees and snow and then 60 degrees and rain and now 8 degrees and a little more snow.  'Tis nuts!  Due to negative temperatures back at home and American Airline getting all their anti-freeze frozen (how ironic), my flight back home was cancelled and I get an extra two days out here. Happy me!

To atone for my absence, here are some photos.

He got me a Kindle for Christmas!

Free coffee on New Years Eve!

Poker night

Our snow heart out in the middle of the lake

Cold!