Tropical Storm: Fun

HIM: As you may know, we got smacked around a little by the tropical storm (Fay) that blew through Florida last week. Things didn't appear too bad out and about, but there was the occasional palm tree falling on our stairs. That's all...


It didn't actually cause any damage, in case you were wondering. Just strange having to duck under it to get in the apartment. It was there for several days as the chain saw people were elsewhere diverting other storm-time crises.

More Puppy Pics!

HIM: We have had the puppies for two days now and they are great!

To start with, we had to make sure that our apartments allowed them. We knew that the contract specified that no huskies or part-wolf breeds were allowed. Our friend Tierney's complex specifically names malamutes as allowable where huskies are not. Also, we did our online research to make sure that they are not considered wolves in the scientific community and were glad to find there was a clear distinction. We will be filling out the necessary paperwork and doing the pet deposit within the next couple weeks.

In the meanwhile, we have been training them for life with our family. Our routine has averaged 2 play times and 1 major walk each day, with potty breaks every 3 hours during the day. At night, the puppies sleep very well and only really cry when they are separated for their periodic potty. We had to do this because if we tried to let them out together one gets distracted and tries to go before we make it out the door. This way, we can keep an eye on one and make sure it does its business outside.

We have a chest harness for each so that they are at leash-length without having to yank on their necks. So far they are obedient enough that we don't have to yank them around much. They're so friendly, too. We found a few good websites on what to expect about our new additions. This one discusses malamutes in warmer climates, and this one information about the ancestry of the breed. Then, of course, there is Wikipedia's info. Don't forget that he's only part malamute as well. He's a lab/malamute mix from a litter of 9.

We took them to the beach yesterday and they loved it. Duke seems a little shy of the ocean waves, but Dexter is more adventurous and will follow me in paw-deep. They'll both run through it as we're running up the beach, though. I'd love to get some pictures of it soon. Keep your eyes out. We should have some more pictures with Vanessa and Sebastian up soon as well.

Asleep in the car on the way home from the beach at night.

Puppies'-eye view of the dinner table.

Children AND puppies love Lego Star Wars for the Wii...

As soon as Sebastian turned it on, they were riveted by the sounds and colors.

On the Phone

HIM: Sebastian gets as much phone time at home as the rest of us. Usually he's talking with his grandparents in Peru, like he is here. He can carry on a conversation with as much ease as many adults I know. He still has a hard time remembering to hold the mouthpiece to his mouth and earpiece to his ear, however. This picture shows that he's getting better at it! =) It won't be long before he's having heartfelt discussions with his abuelita for hours on end...

Brunch Time

HIM: We had another get-together, but served breakfast food only. We had sausage, eggs, potatoes, croissants, pancakes, and bisquits and gravy. It was the best meal of the day in late afternoon! mmmmm...... breakfast....... *drools*

Wes and Vanessa working in the kitchen. Smell the spicy sausage?

Jason, Michelle, Chris, Nicole, Jacob, Meaeggheaenn, Wes, and Vanessa breaking bread together!

Little Dinner

HIM: As you know, we get together for dinners often. We have people bring different foods and enjoy great conversation. We got together with Sam, Adriana, Pooja, and Nicole here for this one. The main dish was a very nice salmon fillet that Nicole picked out for us. People brought wine and various side dishes. Surprisingly, the white zinfandel Adriana brought was very tasty. I'd thought that my early attempts at enjoying wine (which consisted mainly of white zin) had tainted my taste for the drink, but this brand was pretty tasty. Thanks for a great evening!

Malamute Pups!

HIM: So, as many of you have now heard, we have new additions to our growing family! Puppies: Duke and Dexter! We brought them home late in the evening after picking up some puppy supplies, gave Sebastian a bath first, then his new brothers, and sent them all to bed.


Here they are napping on the bathroom floor after their very first bath.

They are nestled all snug in their bedroom for their first night as part of our family. =)

SUMMER 2008!

HER: I hope you had a great summer!

Now, that my family is back together =) I can finally talk about our summer.
Sebastian left for Peru to spend time with my parents. 6 weeks of fun with relatives and new classmates.
As for him, his experience was excellent, his Spanish is very impressive and had the chance to pick up "new skills" as he recalls, while at school.
Learnt a new sport, being in South America, joined a soccer club, now that he is back we are in the search of a new soccer club for him to join.

As for Frank and I, it was a pretty nice and lay back quiet summer.
We were so homesick for Sebastian not being home but then content because he sounded so happy over the phone every time we heard his voice narrating his day. After having the house for ourselves, Frank taking a full load of classes at school, I had no clue what to do with myself. Picking up a few hobbies, learning to relax (since I am constantly running all over the place), reading, laying out, a little shopping and spring cleaning that lasted half of my summer kept me busy... It was good.
We reminded ourselves the forgotten afternoon naps, enjoying a few dinners together and watching some old shows through Netflix.
It was a fair time to catch up with each other and our friends.

We also took a weekend vacation for our birthdays with the Newkirks to St. George Island. It was so nice to see everyone, have homemade dinners and great conversations, ride bikes with Annie and adopted Cami (the family dog) that weekend, she became my ally, my best buddy, I suggested I thought I should borrow her for the rest of the year, or offer to trade her for Aidan, (our famous cat who is still in Salem :'( ), but failed in the attempt to convince anyone.
I miss Aidan, we all miss him.

Ever since, We have been hoping we can expand the family with a couple of Golden Retrievers =). Hopefully soon.... Hopefully soon =).

The Four way stop crush - PART II

HER: So I quickly grab my cellphone, I still couldn't believe what my impulsive actions had conduct my own self to do...
On the phone all nervous and embarrased called my boss... Guess what I just did? half way laughing of excitement and nervousness....
I just saw my four way stop crush and I asked his name...

T: So... what is his name?
V: Frank.
T: What is his last name?
V: I don't know, I didn't ask...
T: Well.. Go back...

I, convinced that he was some ramdon guy, whom none have ever heard of...
Made a U turn and went back...

V: Hey Frank... What's your last name?
F: Newkirk.

I was already there... So decided to ask just a few more questions...
V: So how old are you? (You know, definitely did not want to have a crush who is younger than me..)
F: 27
V: Then thought great he is older than me.. At the time, I was 24.
Are you married? I asked... that was teh next thing to ask... It is a no, no to me to have a crush on a married man...
F: No, no...
Shaking.. reality impact to me again.. by then I was looking elsewhere quickly trying to think of something to say... My accent was raising heavier and heavier as my hands were sweating and my heart beating stronger... (I am telling you, I am a very shy person).
V: I am sorry I bothered you... My friend has a crush on you and I promised her if I ever saw you I would ask your name...
"Are you interested?"

F: That is nice of you to say... But I am actually seeing someone.

Then, I felt my face getting hotter of the embarrasement.. Oh what have I done... so apologizing and with a smile, I drove away.

It was a crush.. a crush story... the mysterious four way stop had a name. but that felt like the end of my story. I had no intentions but to learn his name and the story crashed then I found out he was taken.

He turned out to be the Judge's son who everybody knew...
I thought.... OH NO! I AM GOING TO JAIL... I HAVE STALKED SOMEONE ON THE STREET!
Since I was leaving for Europe the following year to restart my life, it was okay. My only concern was that someone I knew who knew him would let him know... I made sure I let people know he was taken and that I was not interested...
Later on, I found out he would be the new coordinator for the literacy and ESL program, which I had volunteer a couple of years back.

Becoming active in the program and introducing myself in a less awkward situation I found myself sharing my story with him, again... another awkward moment. clarifying it was just a story.

Months later, he joined my kickboxing class and I would share goodies with him (for him to share).
We hanged out one Saturday with some of his friends from back in Bloomington where he went to college and it was the best time ever... I still remember how much fun that was, all the laughs, conversations, stories, laser tagging, lots of food and everyone was so nice...
a weekend later with the intentions of going skiing early on a Saturday we ended up shopping, bowling, walking through the halls of a book store talking about classic literature and favorite books, sharing dessert and drinking water while still talking, walking through downtown Louisville, KY staring at the buildings and surrounding areas talking about lifetime experiences and points of views... followed by some sushi, a wall mart run, some cider at Starbucks, a movie (pursuit of happiness), a shot at a bar in Salem, some wine and we were still talking....
On Saturday December 23, 2006. after a fulfilled 17 hour date, I asked him out =).

Ever since... It has been a complete adventure with amazing memories and full of wonderful stories to share.
It definitely feels like a true fairytale story, filled with so many GREAT GREAT THINGS!
The Best part is that I get to be part of it =). It is so good to be alive!

4 WAY STOP CRUSH STORY....

HER: Alright, I know it has been a while and recently noticed I still have not posted the "FOUR WAY STOP CRUSH STORY".


Couple years ago while I was working a shift at Christie's on the square, a good friend of mine ran through the back door of the restaurant's kitchen talking about crushes... asked me if I had a crush on somebody. I replied, "NOPE, I don't know anybody", but if I ever have one I let you know..

Shockingly, that week I open my eyes to reality!.

I came to find that for consecutive days, there was a red vehicle and mine meeting at the same 4 way stop, just a couple of blocks from my house.



The first time, like at any other time, the first one to arrive is the one that goes first.

The second time, you notice but it works out the same way...

The third time, I smiled and noticed the red vehicle and the driver smiled, and waved, I then thought.. wow I like that guy, he looks so happy...

The fourth time, I let him passed... so I saw he parked a few doors down the street from the 4 way stop... He was smiling, the I thought to myself... Oh wow, The smiley guy is still smiling =) I think I like him...
By then, I obviously knew whether he lived there or someone he knows lives there.

After that, I started calling him my four way stop crush... a story to go by, that became popular around my circle of acquaintances. Being a chef at a local restaurant, and people knowing me from work, wanting to know about my life.. a little curiosity start getting after them... I obviously didn't grow up in the small town of Salem, so faces didn't look familiar, last names didn't ring names or anything like that.

A couple of months later, coming back from a trip to Peru. Somebody asked me if I ever found who my four way stop crush was...

Again... I replied "Nope, but it I ever see him I will ask his name"...

Now, people don't believe me when I say this... But I am very shy... I just happen to talk a lot... Maybe is my way of being shy... I don't know....

Anyway, one day I was on my way to Subway, just a couple of blocks down the street from my house, it was a beautiful warm sunny day in the fall, the maple tree leafs were turning colors and I was half way day dreaming... then I glanced at someone walking a cat on the sidewalk and that kind of caught my attention.... IT WAS HIM! It was my four way stop crush!!, THAT was THE moment!, It had to be THEN!. So I build myself with courage and turn around.

Roll the window down...
V: Hi there! - I asked. Can I ask you something?
F: Sure.
V: What's your name?
F: Frank. What's yours?
V: Vanessa. Nice to meet you Frank, see you around.

I was half way shaking, I couldn't believed what I had just done...
I new his name!

Summer's End

HIM: So, we've all enjoyed a long summer this year. I took a full load of classes at Florida Coastal, Vanessa worked with a constantly fluctuating crew at Bistro Aix, and Sebastian enjoyed soccer, summer academy, and the company of his grandparents and auntie Lia (and uncle [???] Pepi) in Peru. We should have pictures up soon.

Sorry for the delay in writing... There has been so much going on that we haven't made time to work on the website. That will change, however. Expect pictures of the summer soon!!!