My cup overfloweth

So Dan and I found a little gem in the school cafeteria...an all organic, vegetarian/vegan cafe! We had a terrific lunch this afternoon. Also, my friend Kristin from the studio has two extra tickets to the opening night of the olympic trials. So that's where me and my hubby will be this evening. Also, just got an email regarding our architecture overnight field trip, and the coordinator asked if anyone was vegetarian/vegan. They actually care! I am all smiles.

celebration! we gonna celebrate and have a good tim

So before I share our good news, let me provide some background information. Finding an apartment here was hell, with the olympic trials everything was booked- want something close to campus? forget it, try 3 miles away. Well we found a house that seemed perfect, only 1.5 miles away and we were 98% sure it was ours, the old lady landlord even called on our wedding to wish us luck! Well, on our honeymoon we get an email saying she gave it to someone else. So we were scrambling. To our luck, we found a two bedroom apartment one block from campus! The only downside was that it was above our budget and we could only stay until August. (k this story is long and boring- i will cut to the chase) So that's where we are now, but we aren't moving out in August, we are moving in two weeks becaaauuusee........we are the new apartment managers so we are moving downstairs. Not only do we get free rent and free utilites and a landline, we get 1000 dollars a month! Hooray! What a blessing. And I can come home for lunch.

To celebrate the good news, Dan and I ate at Pizza Research Institute, the most incredible pizza you will ever eat. Seriously! Hands down the best pizza I have had ever, vegan or not vegan..EVER! We ordered the vegan chefs special and I am hesitant to describe it for fear you might doubt its goodness, but trust me (Dan too) it is amazing! So it had a nutritional yeast based 'cheesey thing' the dough was herb and rosemary, and the toppings were out of this world: broccoli, peaches, cranberries, bell peppers, onion, curried cauliflower, tomato, corn, and much more. And yes, all those were on the same pizza. I don't know how they pulled it off, but they did without a hitch. Every bite was something new and something incredible. If you ever come to Eugene- first call us, then go get yourself a pie.

Then to celebrate some more, we went to the indie theater by our house which is actually inside an old church. We watched The Fall- go see it!

K I have wasted to much time writing this. But I wanted to share the good news. I have to get to the studio.

married

So Dan and I are here in Oregon, we have a two bedroom one block from campus which is terrific, but it is only ours until August, then we are out on the streets again. The move here was really hectic. It took us 6 days to go from Las Vegas to Eugene because we had to stop and pick up stuff in three different places, then there was the Palo Alto reception, and we visited Dan's sweet Grandma in Eugene. We had to drive separately the whole way though, Dan in the Penske and me in my car. Oh and the Penske ran out of gas once. That was fun.
We love Eugene so far! Here are some things we love:
-How nice people are: three strangers have stopped to talk to us. The first two thought Dan was a track runner here for the olympic trials, and the second was this man at wells fargo with the whitest longest beard, he welcomed me to Eugene.
-Great bike and running trails, so alternate transportation friendly
-The flora
-Being able to wear linen pants confidently and oh so comfortably
- The abundance of vegan options. Although we are married now and can't eat out all the time, so I have started cooking again- I love it! What's more, the supermarkets have everything for your vegan cooking needs!
Saturday morning I made blueberry and banana whole wheat pancakes

For dinner we made a southwestern style tofu scramble with whole wheat tortillas, and it was incredible!
Then for desert, vegan s'mores
School starts tomorrow which means I will be busy busy, I hope I can still find time to cook.
Oh and btw, there are honeymoon pictures on facebook, I haven't gotten around to writing a blog about it yet.
Oh and btw, it has been sunny and warm for three days straight!

i wish i had time to post! so much to write and so little time. sorry dudes, will try harder.

some more!

some wedding photos taken by this woman:



and then this one taken of nicole and carly. not taken by sandy, but stolen from brittany m.

back

back from the wedding back from costa rica...still busy as a bee. i am so happy- with the wedding, honeymoon, and life. will post photos later, but until then here is a link to a sneak peek from the photoman.

you have to scroll down for the slideshow

time to gush!

I get married in three days and I am so excited! I knew after 20 days of dating Dan that we would get married- I have journalistic proof of that claim, and more than two years later it is finally here. He is my best friend and still the biggest babe I have ever seen. I am so lucky.

I am so excited to see all of our friends, and I have to give a special shout out to Daisy, that little gem of a professional tennis player and Cambridge bff, who is flying all the way from NYC to be here.

And I can not wait for Costa Rica! We are staying in the middle of the rain forest, but still on a private beach. Private bungalow with outdoor shower, yoga decks on the sand, repelling, salsa dancing, hiking, book reading! After probably the hardest year of my entire life this is just what I need. (actually this is only the second hardest year- there was one that takes the cake)

snapshot

Past:
Calculus and Physics final successes
Carly's wedding a blast!
Bellagio so accommodating to bridesmaids
Temple- wonderful and can't wait to go back!
Present:
Sleep deprived
Exercise deprived
Future:
Wedding!
friends
dancing
Costa Rica
reception 2
more friends
more dancing
move
homeless

And my VME (vegan made easy) tip for today comes from a wonderful little slice of heaven called Amy's kitchen.
The food that comes out of Amy's kitchen/ factory is terrific for 3 reasons
1. Many of her dishes are vegan friendly and delicious!
2. Her dishes are organic, MSG free, and GMO free
3. You can find her in the freezer aisle which means her meals are quick and simple!
Amy's is also great for non-vegans who may have other food allergies, such as soy, gluten, and tree nuts. Amy is looking out for us all!

My favorites include the vegan pizza, the enchiladas, and her minestrone soup! But there are so many more I need to try.

Thank you Amy's kitchen for caring about our health and making it easy for us to care as well.

garrrrrrrr

we can't find anywhere to live!

I'm vegan and you can too

You don't know how many times I find myself in a conversation that goes something like this:
them: Tell me why you are vegan/ how you became vegan after growing up on a high protein diet
me: explain, explain, explain
them: that makes a lot of sense, i would totally do it BUT: i just don't have the willpower, or i don't know what i would eat, or i am too busy, or i just can't give up meat/cheese.

Well i have something to say, and it may sound trite, but i mean it in all honesty. If I can do it, so can you. I am weak duckling with little self control-give me a box of cereal and I can't restrain myself. So I have decided to list tricks and tidbits that have made veganism a piece of cake for me, a delicious piece of dairy free german chocolate (see post below).

Note: these postings aren't to convince anyone to become vegan, or make anyone feel bad for not wanting to. i just want to show people how simple it can be.
Also note: I am not a perfect vegan, nor would I ever pretend to be.

So without further ado, I present VEGAN MADE EASY
tip #1: when first starting out, don't skip meals or let yourself go hungry. you will be too tempted to waiver. (after a while the temptation is replaced with apathy is replaced with dislike). Soon you will be able to walk through costco and not give the meat/cheese samples a second glance.

tip#2: My SF roommate and vegan missionary Mindy (xoxo) told me this when I first decided to change my ways. I thought she was crazy, but when I didn't heed her advice and saw the repercussions I knew she was totally right. Be very cautious about who you reveal your veganism to. At least at the beginning...people think you are wacko!

tip#3: When trying veganism for the first time give it a good 2 to 4 weeks before you decide its not for you

I will stop there, I don't want to spoil all the fun.

documentation of oregon. only 1/18th of what i should have documented

In Portland, we ate at Voodoo donuts- a supposed favorite of Mr. Nate Barnes. This place is great, we got the vegan maple and the vegan oreo.







This is our hostel. It is actually a house, a block away from the larger hostel. This is Dan.
Sweet life is a delicious patisserie, they have the most amazing vegan pastries/desserts I have ever had! One thing I love is that they don't have German Chocolate and then Vegan German Chocolate. Their German Chocolate by default is vegan (although this isn't a completely vegan bakery), so goes with many other flavors. How confident they must be in their vegan baking abilities! And once you taste their desserts, you will see that the confidence is well deserved.


This is my future husband. I am the luckiest woman in all the world.

time flies

Today is Saturday May 17. Dan and I will tie the knot in exactly 14 days! (Carly and Eric in 7!) The engagement has lasted 9 months, and the long distance relationship has lasted nearly 12. I am a little overwhelmed right now, but to be honest it isn't even about the wedding- its mostly finding a place, moving and getting settled before I begin school. The wedding should be stressing me out, there are still many things that need to get done and small details that need to be perfected, but at this point I don't care. I don't care if its the wedding of my dreams, because as a child I never dreamed about my Wedding Day. But I know it will be perfect because I will be marrying Daniel and because my friends and family will be there to share the happiest day of my life.

Even though its been a long engagement, it has been a good one. Special thanks to:

-Rosie and Tom for screen printing the invitations I designed even though you've never screen printed wedding invites before


-Silverwoods- for putting on an unforgettable performance, I am sorry it didn't work out.
-Chris for taking some great photos

-Mr. ROOOON JONES! for giving Dan and me some great inside jokes. I am also sorry it didn't work out. Please visit the link and click on "Hear Ron's voice".

- My wonderful gfs for throwing me a bridal shower


-My mom's wonderful gfs for also throwing me a bridal shower. And to my 'best gf' amanda for being there with me

-Rose for making my dress design a reality (no photo available)

-Carly for sending me little gifts along the way: the most recent- a pair of fluffy blue underwear that reads "soon to be mrs." on the behind. The irony being that no one will see them until after I am married.

-The museum of photographic arts for letting Dan and me take some photos
-My sweet mom who drives to San Diego regularly to help with preparations.

-Sister Chavez for giving me a private temple class to accommodate my ridiculous schedule.

-All of Dan's and mine friends/family who have been supportive and so generous.

xoxo

oh p.s. I am so excited to move to Oregon!

never have i wanted to go swim laps so badly...the pool is closed!

I picked up "Life of Pi" at the hostel in Oregon, and I actually like it a lot. I am typically apprehensive to contemporary novels, but I am into this one. Pi is a devout Christian, Hindu, and Muslim, and I like that. I love my religion, but went I took a class on Islam I found myself wanting to explore that religion further, and lately I have felt that way about Hindu (hinduism?, I don't know). Can you worship in a faith though that you don't believe? I believe in God the Father, and Jesus Christ, so would is it disrespectful to "worship" with other faiths if you know you will never convert.

update for those who like updates

Dan and I have decided on where to move!

Despite all logic, we will be moving to Eugene, OR and I will be starting school June 23. Washington University made the most sense- the better program, I could start later, new part of the country. But Oregon just felt right. We are so excited but will very busy these next few months! Next week Carly's wedding, then ours, the Costa Rica, then Palo Alto Reception, the school starts. All in four weeks time.

I can't wait! And I love Oregon, we had such a great trip, and ate such great food! Starbucks even has vegan pastries! I will post more about last weekend later.

wedding present you won't find on the registry

Metropolis magazine (an amazing architecture/ design magazine that is my favorite favorite) featured these radios, and I want one! First they are gorgeous and I can just picture it sitting neatly on my drafting table. And for those of you thinking "radio? how primitive" no need to worry you can connect your ipod. If the beauty of the gadget isn't enough for you, you should read the story behind.

Singgih Susilo Kartono designed these radios to help improve the economic conditions in his hometown of Kandagan- focusing on the importance of environmental impact. And get this for every tree he uses, he plants another.

After reading the article I immediately went online to purchase one, but at 200$ for the smallest size, and graduate school/ marriage soon approaching I just couldn't justify the splurge. Feeling generous anyone?

Note:

If you have not RSVPed (how do you past tense an abbreviation?) please do so. If you lost your SASE (self addressed stamped envelope), call or email. Merci.

GFs

Amanda is in town! Katie has moved back! I have gfs again. Woo woo woo!

a word of adivce...

To anyone who has recently become engaged:

If you are planning a wedding with a full reception, and applying for grad schools, visiting grad schools, taking physics and calculus, working 25 hours a week, out of town 3 out of 4 weekends a month, and your fiance, mom, and bridesmaids all live out of the area...hire a wedding planner!!

I once thought I was terrific at time management, a true multi-tasker, but I have been deeply humbled and have come to accept my limitations.

Even though the wedding isn't until May 31; we have already received so many amazing wedding gifts. When I look out the window and see another package waiting on my porch, I often feel a tinge of guilt. I think my little cousin put it well, "She gets all these presents just for being in love?" Honestly! But despite feeling a little undeserving, I can't wait to furnish our house!

I love love these dishes!Such a beautiful Kate Spade album
And these candles smell so great.But I can't get over this Alvar Aalto vase!

Aalto was a modernist architect. And for those of you may be out of the loop, I will begin graduate school, for architecture, in August. Such a thoughtful, beautiful present!

no more negative nancy

I have done a little too much complaining lately, which is no fun for blog readers (although I have conceded to the fact that my blog is no longer fun anyway- I don't know if it ever was). So let me talk about what a great weekend Dan and I had. Sorry, no pictures

He arrived late Friday night, and he watched Enemy at the Gates while I slept through the 90% of it. Then Saturday we woke up, took my mom to the airport, and went to Pacific Beach to go running. After a nice jog on the sand we ate at Cafe 976, and had a delicious acai bowl and veggie sandwich. Then we went back to the beach and soaked up some sun. After that we went to the temple and did baptisms. Then we went to Hillcrest and had some delicious Indian food, then headed over to Cilantro Live, a great all raw/vegan restaurant, for a delicious chocolate sundae. Then we came back to Coronado and played a game of night tennis.

Sunday we met with the DJ and got a lot of wedding stuff figured out, then went to church, then came home, made dinner, and enjoyed it on the porch....then Dan had to leave.

I can't wait until we can hang out everyday!

i feel sick again

i went into my 'final' dress fitting before she starts cutting the fabric, and i am not happy.

she is so weary of garments and has never worked with them before, that she doesn't want any exposed skin under the lace. which kind of defeats the purpose of my design.

and the skirt is poofier and longer then what i originally wanted. i tried to say something, but my mom was in agreement with her, and i don't want to be a bridezilla making sure everything is my way. plus she is redrafting a new pattern for me to try on this week and with the wedding soon approaching i can't make any more changes.

all of these ridiculous minor details that lead to major headaches....you don't know how many times i have wondered, "what would be the cost to cancel everything now and just elope"

right around the corner

Dan and I got engaged August 26, and have been dating long distance ever since...3 months of which he was in London. Actually we were dating long distance for three months before the engagement as well. It is awful. But luckily/crazily/surprisingly/etc... the wedding is only....

meet me in....

So in a nutshell, my visit to Washington University was great. They are ranked 5th in the nation, have terrific study abroads to Helsinki, Sao Paolo, and Barcelona, they offered me dinero, and the dean is huge on sustainable architecture! So right now its looking like this is it. Dan has never been to St. Louis before and so we booked flights and a rental to car to visit on the 24th....that's the real make or break moment.

make or break

Washington University is flying me out to look at their school. I have never been to St. Louis, and not sure what to expect, but who knows, Dan and I could be moving there in two months. This weekend will determine it!

Pictures to come...

actually probably not, i don't have much time these days, and as a result my blog has become less and less interesting. sorry dudes.

Scratch that

I need to retract my complaining from earlier. The taxicab driver drove all the way back to Coronado, came to my place of employment and brought me my phone. How he found me, or how whomever found him, I don't know- but I am so awed by his kindness. I wish he hadn't ran out so fast, I would have made him a delicious beverage of his choice.

week from hell

this is going to be the worst week. it started out by living my phone in the taxi cab, and i leave for st. louis thursday. i have class until 10pm, work at 4am, work 8 hours, drop off more invitations to be printed, drop off film, and pick it up, write 30 thank yous, delete target registry and switch because target it ridiculous, a midterm, all my thursday homework handed in by tuesday, another starbucks meeting, and more. oh yeah: no harvard and no austin. the good news rain had to try up sometime.

...wish me luck

i want to puke

seven months ago i decided to make my wedding colors black, white, and yellow. i thought it would be fun, but still have a sense of timelessness. now everything is black white and yellow...everything! it is so nauseating! i want to change my colors but the wedding is two months away and that just isn't an option. plus i love the jcrew bridesmaid dresses. i know i sound lame, and i have been trying not to talk about my wedding. but this just kills me.

round 2

slowly but surely...

accepted to university of oregon. good sustainable architecture program, but eugene?? don't know if dan could find a job there.

i need to respond to some schools by april 1! the rest better get here ASAP!

getting antsy

Dan and I won't know where we are living until we know where we will move for grad school. Why is it taking so long hear back. Here is the status thus far on my apps.

Harvard- no word (but we can guess what their answer may be)
Berkeley- no word
Washington University, St. Louis- accepted!
University of Michigan- accepted!
University of Oregon- no word
University of Washington- no word
Univeristy of Utah- accepted!
University of Colorado- no word
University of Nevada Las Vegas- accepted (no exclamation).
U Texas at Austin- no word

I still need to hear from six schools and March is coming to a close- I hate not being able to plan ahead.

In good news, Alison and Eric are tying the knot..right here in San Diego. That means I get to see lots of my friends including SAMSAMSAMSAM and my beau. What's crazy is our (Dan and me) original wedding date was set for March 28, that's next week!

I am usually pretty lucky with celebrity sitings, especially here in Coronado. I blogged about this a while ago. But i just found out from my fellow baristas that Justin Timberlake came into Starbucks last month! Where the hell was I?

At work, a customer- a young woman with lots of makeup- asked me to participate in the Miss Coronado pageant. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

dos anos

dan and i celebrated our two year anniversary this saturday. we began the morning with a yard sale: furnished mostly by me, merchandised mostly by dan.




i made a whole fanny pack full of dinero.
then we went to la jolla for a nice water front meal. we are holding up two fingers to show two years, not to be confused with the ultra hip peace sign and pouty face with which everyone loves to shower their facebook photo albums. dan you are looking fly. here's to another two.

almost famous

This year's Harvard Career Discovery catalog features this flattering photo on page 7...awesome.

its 11:45 am and so far today has been great. here is what i have already accomplished:

-7am bike ride to imperial beach
- vacuumed the downstairs
-ate delicious oatmeal with flaxseed and blueberries
- took in my tank top, made my work pants skinnys, fixed the waist on my sweatpants, and sewed the button back onto my peacoat
- cleaned and vacummed my car
- studied calc and physics
- organized things for my yard sale

it is now 11:50, i work at two. what i may try to accomplish before then:
-film developed from costco
-place ad in coronado eagle for yard sale

i am pleased with my productivity. for the past two weeks i have felt cloudy brained and it was a struggle just to get out of bed. maybe my change in mood is due in part to the 73 degree weather.

and two more days until utah, woo woo woo!

my mom went to a psychic today. her friend gave her a gift certificate to one (awesome). here is what she said regarding me:

-dan and i are a good match
-i will get into three graduate schools
-i will move approximately 3 hours away from my mom (can be by plane)
- we will choose a school based on dan and jobs
- and for the first part of our marriage finances will be important.

i hear from schools in about a month. i am interested to see if she was right.

another wedding post... i have been trying to refrain

but i am so excited because i found a screen printer to print my invitation design! i sent them to press today. finally things are starting to come together.

also, can't wait to go to utah!!!!

am i that typical?

dan and i got engagement photos taken, which we were originally against, but upon mrs. gilman's insistence we had our pal chris take pictures for us. i am actually happy with them and now i have a desire to put them on facebook. shoot me down!