Friday, January 23, 2009
Sunday, January 04, 2009
New Year's Eve at Disney ~ Where Dreams Come True...
Charlene & Andrew are engaged!!!The story is this. We spent New Year's at Disney. Yes, I had a suspicion that Andrew MIGHT propose that night since he had already talked to my dad, but I didn't know when or how.
We arrived at Disney only to find out that Disneyland was sold out. Andrew was quite determined to find a way to get us in there if it was at all possible! Even to the point of spending $500 to upgrade our annual pass to premium membership, granting access 365 days a year. Unfortunately, they weren't doing ANY of that! But they were granting access to Disney's California Adventure with a discounted annual passholder ticket. It is what it is, and we took it. We hadn't visited California Adventure in a while, and it was still Disney, so, why not?
Andrew had the idea to get professional pics taken for a photo montage to send to our families. "It would be a nice holiday momento," he said. Okay. Yes, it would be great to have shots of us once I have the ring on, I thought. We talked to the photographer at the entrance to inquire about nighttime shots, and she assured us that nighttime photographers would be out all night.
We strolled around the park, enjoyed some Robert Mondavi Chardonnay, and checked out an exhibit of renovations to come at California Adventure, and I must say, the renovations are going to be AWESOME! I cannot wait to see the new, old-time Hollywood entrance with trolley cars and a replica of the Carthay Circle Theatre, where "Snow White" premiered. The renovation plan is one that good ol' Walt will be proud of!
Continuing our stroll, we stopped by another photographer who stood by the California Zephyr Diner Train to ask of all the photographer locations. He and his photographer partner gave us the rundown and explained how the photo cards worked; that we could use the one photo card and get as many photos as we wanted put onto the one card. We thanked them and moseyed on our way.
Andrew seemed very smiley.
After watching the Bug's Life "It's Hard to Be a Bug" show, we took another lap around the park, and we kept visiting the New Year's area in the Hollywood section. Andrew really seemed to wish there was a professional photographer there. In fact, he talked to one of the Disney cast members just to double check. However, cast members were only working the area and taking pics with the guests' cameras.
We meandered our way towards the front of the park, and as we seemed to be heading OUT of the park, I asked him what we were doing. He asked me where I thought we should have our pictures taken. I was confused because the last photographer had explained to us that we can get our pictures taken anywhere. Why did I need to decide on "the best place"? We ran through the list of locations despite my confusion, and decided that the park entrance with the Golden Gate Bridge background would be the best spot.
Andrew talked to the photographer there and told her what we were looking for ~ multiple shots for a montage, and he wanted a vertical, full length shot, to our shoes. She said she could waist up, but Andrew said "No, I want it to our shoes." She said "no problem," and just as Andrew started to head in front of the camera, I said "WAIT!!! I need lip gloss!" He seemed thrown back,
almost as if he thought we could do it later, and I said "No, we can do it now; I just didn't know we were gonna do the pictures now. I just need a little lip gloss. :-)" We waited for another family to take a picture. Just as they were done, another photographer came in to relieve the photographer we spoke to. Andrew had to explain to him what we were looking for. The guy said "No problem!" We situated ourselves in front of the camera, and the guy asked us to move a little to the right or left, and as the guy instructed us, Andrew started to step towards him, as he asked "Do you have our feet? Do you have our feet?" The guy assured him he did. Smile and click. Okay, what are we doing for our next pose? I wondered. I turned to Andrew, and he was down on one knee, pulling out the box. He asked if I would marry him, I said "yes" (and was a bit teary eyed), he put the ring on, we kissed and hugged, and the photographer captured it all! We also went back to the photographer by the train, who gave us all the info on locations, and we had a couple of shots there, as well, which turned out GREAT!!!Yes, I really had no idea that this was his plan. A plan he came up with an hour before we arrived at the park. Like I said, I really thought we would be going to the photographer post-proposal. Silly me! It's better that way, anyway. ;-)
Ring Specs for those interested:White gold band with a knife cut, 3 stone setting designed by Scott Kay, Echo diamond, round 0.71 carat, E/VS1.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Holiday Updates
Happy Belated Holidays! Hope it was great for everyone! Mine were...interesting to say the least. It started on a worrisome, somewhat down note, but ended with happiness!
On Monday, December 8th, I received news from my mom that my grandmother on my dad's side was just in a car accident with one of my aunts, and they weren't sure if my grandmother would make it. It was her 97th birthday. My mom and a majority of the family headed up to Canada; my dad had already been there for a few days to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. She made it through two surgeries that the doctors said she had a 1% chance in surviving, but even if she made it through the recooperation, they said she would live the rest of her life in pain. She passed away on Sunday, December 14th, after the last grandchild who could make it had arrived. She was a very healthy, strong, alert, and sweet lady. An accident seems to have been the only way to take her spirit to a better place...otherwise, she would've kept going! :-) We'll miss her, but at least she's back with her hubby on the other side.
During all of that, I had headed home to Richmond on Friday, December 12th. Sharon picked me up from BWI Airport, as it's become our tradition, and we caught up on the ride down south. Sharon left the following day, and the stillness of the house had me completely thrown off. I rummaged around my bedroom, looking for my old NKOTB treasures. I found a few things here and there, and while it was EASY to stumble on NK memorabilia I had forgotten about, a majority of what I was looking must certainly be in the attic.
Just as I became comfortable with the silence of the house, neighbors started inviting me out for dinner. I had already gone out with my friend, Brandon for dinner and a grocery shopping trip. I was set with Marie Callendar frozen foods and deli meats until my parents came back! I thoroughly enjoyed the time alone, but couldn't dismiss their invitations. Two out of three of those frozen foods are still in my parents' freezer.
My parents returned on Thursday, December 18th, both tired, but happy to be home. My dad was sick with 3 infections...and I was on the verge of a cold. My mom eventually caught it, but stopped it from getting any worse. It was a cozy, coughing household. ;-) We were all well enough, though, to celebrate Christmas with my aunt, uncle, and cousin from King William.
Andrew came to visit on December 26th. He walked in on a visit from my bubbly, sweet Auntie Melba, Uncle Gerry, and Auntie Lomen. They jokingly called this "The Auntie Inspection." Andrew passed with flying colors. ;-)
The next day, Andrew spent the afternoon strolling in Carytown ~ a charming, historic part of Richmond with unique shops and restaurants. That evening, my parents took Andrew and I out for dinner. While I wanted to introduce Andrew to the yumminess of Maggiano's, we had to settle for The Cheesecake Factory, as Maggiano's had a long wait. Once home, we had more of my dad's apple pie, then decidedly settled to watch episodes of "The Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother." Before I went to get my iPod, Andrew asked me to give him 5 minutes. I knew this was the time. He was going to ask my dad's blessings for us to marry.
I heard him go right in and say that he's never done this before and that he loves me very much. My mom heard my dad reply that I think the world of him, too. And gathering the rest of the story from Andrew, he asked my dad for his blessings, and my dad responded positively, of course. ;-) He said that he had a feeling that it would be coming soon, and he knows that Andrew will take good care of me. He appreciated that Andrew came to him. They continued to talk about marriage in general, living in L.A., and I don't know what else. My mom and I were keeping ourselves scarce and trying to listen in ONLY to hear if they were done "talking."
My mom came up to me after she had finished cleaning up the kitchen and whispered "Are they having a 'man-to-man' talk???" I whispered back "Yes! Andrew's asking for permission to marry me." I went on to explain that he had told me of his plan last February or so, and that he wanted to do this in person, not over the phone. So, I knew that it would be happening during the holidays, but I didn't tell her because I wanted her to be surprised, too.
Finally, my mom gathered that the conversation had come to its completion. I re-entered the den with my iPod that contained an episode of "How I Met Your Mother." My dad got up for a bottle of wine and wine glasses, saying that we were going to toast. My mom slyly asked "For the new year?" My dad returned, poured our glasses with wine, and announced "Andrew just asked me for Charlene's hand!" Since Andrew had told my dad that we had been talking about marriage for a while now, and that I knew he was talking to my dad about it, the announcement really didn't ruin any sort of "surprise." They welcomed Andrew "aboard," and we toasted. Quite a surreal, milestone moment.
We left the next day for Baltimore to spend time with Andrew's family. Most of whom were sick with the stomach flu or eye infection. Our first night, we had a crabcake dinner at Michael's, where we had our first date 3 years ago. We've managed to visit Michael's each time I've been to Baltimore with him. The following day, we walked around Baltimore Harbor and had Starbucks coffee in Barnes & Noble, located in Baltimore's old power plant. Dinner that night was at the Papastephanou's. The night ended with a meetup with two of Andrew's old friends in Fells Point.
Off to L.A. the next day, December 30th. And while a flight across the country can generally be unexciting...we were bumped up to first class on the second leg of our trip, and it was my first time in first class! My personal highlights of first class perks: warm nuts and a warm chocolate cookie!!! :-P Couldn't end the year better...with the exception of what was to come.
On Monday, December 8th, I received news from my mom that my grandmother on my dad's side was just in a car accident with one of my aunts, and they weren't sure if my grandmother would make it. It was her 97th birthday. My mom and a majority of the family headed up to Canada; my dad had already been there for a few days to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. She made it through two surgeries that the doctors said she had a 1% chance in surviving, but even if she made it through the recooperation, they said she would live the rest of her life in pain. She passed away on Sunday, December 14th, after the last grandchild who could make it had arrived. She was a very healthy, strong, alert, and sweet lady. An accident seems to have been the only way to take her spirit to a better place...otherwise, she would've kept going! :-) We'll miss her, but at least she's back with her hubby on the other side.
During all of that, I had headed home to Richmond on Friday, December 12th. Sharon picked me up from BWI Airport, as it's become our tradition, and we caught up on the ride down south. Sharon left the following day, and the stillness of the house had me completely thrown off. I rummaged around my bedroom, looking for my old NKOTB treasures. I found a few things here and there, and while it was EASY to stumble on NK memorabilia I had forgotten about, a majority of what I was looking must certainly be in the attic.
Just as I became comfortable with the silence of the house, neighbors started inviting me out for dinner. I had already gone out with my friend, Brandon for dinner and a grocery shopping trip. I was set with Marie Callendar frozen foods and deli meats until my parents came back! I thoroughly enjoyed the time alone, but couldn't dismiss their invitations. Two out of three of those frozen foods are still in my parents' freezer.
My parents returned on Thursday, December 18th, both tired, but happy to be home. My dad was sick with 3 infections...and I was on the verge of a cold. My mom eventually caught it, but stopped it from getting any worse. It was a cozy, coughing household. ;-) We were all well enough, though, to celebrate Christmas with my aunt, uncle, and cousin from King William.
Andrew came to visit on December 26th. He walked in on a visit from my bubbly, sweet Auntie Melba, Uncle Gerry, and Auntie Lomen. They jokingly called this "The Auntie Inspection." Andrew passed with flying colors. ;-)
The next day, Andrew spent the afternoon strolling in Carytown ~ a charming, historic part of Richmond with unique shops and restaurants. That evening, my parents took Andrew and I out for dinner. While I wanted to introduce Andrew to the yumminess of Maggiano's, we had to settle for The Cheesecake Factory, as Maggiano's had a long wait. Once home, we had more of my dad's apple pie, then decidedly settled to watch episodes of "The Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother." Before I went to get my iPod, Andrew asked me to give him 5 minutes. I knew this was the time. He was going to ask my dad's blessings for us to marry.
I heard him go right in and say that he's never done this before and that he loves me very much. My mom heard my dad reply that I think the world of him, too. And gathering the rest of the story from Andrew, he asked my dad for his blessings, and my dad responded positively, of course. ;-) He said that he had a feeling that it would be coming soon, and he knows that Andrew will take good care of me. He appreciated that Andrew came to him. They continued to talk about marriage in general, living in L.A., and I don't know what else. My mom and I were keeping ourselves scarce and trying to listen in ONLY to hear if they were done "talking."
My mom came up to me after she had finished cleaning up the kitchen and whispered "Are they having a 'man-to-man' talk???" I whispered back "Yes! Andrew's asking for permission to marry me." I went on to explain that he had told me of his plan last February or so, and that he wanted to do this in person, not over the phone. So, I knew that it would be happening during the holidays, but I didn't tell her because I wanted her to be surprised, too.
Finally, my mom gathered that the conversation had come to its completion. I re-entered the den with my iPod that contained an episode of "How I Met Your Mother." My dad got up for a bottle of wine and wine glasses, saying that we were going to toast. My mom slyly asked "For the new year?" My dad returned, poured our glasses with wine, and announced "Andrew just asked me for Charlene's hand!" Since Andrew had told my dad that we had been talking about marriage for a while now, and that I knew he was talking to my dad about it, the announcement really didn't ruin any sort of "surprise." They welcomed Andrew "aboard," and we toasted. Quite a surreal, milestone moment.
We left the next day for Baltimore to spend time with Andrew's family. Most of whom were sick with the stomach flu or eye infection. Our first night, we had a crabcake dinner at Michael's, where we had our first date 3 years ago. We've managed to visit Michael's each time I've been to Baltimore with him. The following day, we walked around Baltimore Harbor and had Starbucks coffee in Barnes & Noble, located in Baltimore's old power plant. Dinner that night was at the Papastephanou's. The night ended with a meetup with two of Andrew's old friends in Fells Point.
Off to L.A. the next day, December 30th. And while a flight across the country can generally be unexciting...we were bumped up to first class on the second leg of our trip, and it was my first time in first class! My personal highlights of first class perks: warm nuts and a warm chocolate cookie!!! :-P Couldn't end the year better...with the exception of what was to come.
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