Subtle Things & A Long Overdue Return

It still baffles me how so much time can pass, without a conscious acknowledgement of it.  This last year has been the best, and worst year of my life, but I am going to focus my long overdue return to writing on a similar sentiment to my last post-- my fiance, and the love of my life.

That's right, after two memorable years, Tim and I are ENGAGED, and we could not be happier.

For those who know me well, you already know that I am a sucker for weddings. And even more than the idea of a wedding itself, I am a sucker for long-enduring, ever-lasting, hopeless, passionate and mad love.
I would like to assure you all, that I did not settle for less than what I wanted. He is everything, and has every quality that I hold steadfast. He is honest, sincere, hard working, loyal, hilarious and before I had any idea that I would ever date, let alone marry him, Tim was already there, waiting in the wings. He has been a close friend of mine since seventh grade. He loves my family, and they love him back. He become a brother to my siblings long before our engagement. He is so easy to talk to, easy to have fun with, easy to work with, easy to spend time with. We know everything about each other, in fact, we can't keep secrets from each other. On Valentine's Day, we went shopping together for gifts, we didn't even make it to Christmas when sharing our gifts with each other, and he couldn't wait to tell me that he had put an engagement ring on layaway.

Tim and I have been through a lot together: among the hectic times of adolescence and puberty, middle school and high school, we have gone through some incredibly beautiful and devastating life experiences. These experiences probably don't even compare to what will happen throughout our  marriage, but I am so thankful to have my absolute best friend be the person by my side during those times.

It is so comforting to know that I have someone in my life, who will stand by every decision or mistake that I make, and will love me regardless. The feeling of selfless, non-shallow love, is something that I never even dreamed would feel so wonderful. This last year has been one of growth, and development of my individuality, and he consistently supports my choices, despite how it may affect our future. I am so grateful for his faith. 

Here are a few engagement photos we took when we visited his family in Seattle a couple weeks ago.
(Photo Credit: http://kararuephotography.zenfolio.com/)

Nothing is concrete about the wedding yet, but we are planning for it to be in July of 2013! :) I will post new pictures, updates about the wedding and our lives in the upcoming months. I hope to post more writing soon!

Subtle Things & The Love of My Life

On January 6th, 2010, I started dating this one kid. 

And today, we celebrated our first anniversary.

We decided to sleep in, and have a completely relaxing day. We got out of bed at noon, made a pizza and just talked and enjoyed our time together that wasn't otherwise occupied by work or school. Then we get dressed, and walked around Washington Square. We bought him a Mariner's beanie, I got some jewelry from Icing (which is where we purchased a promise ring for me!) and some undies from Victoria's Secret. After dinner, and fro-yo we headed home, and now we are laying in bed, eating Dove chocolate and watching Juno. 

My promise ring was something we came across by chance. I was looking through the clearance and found a double banded ring that says "endless love", in a script on the bottom band. After showing him, he encouraged me to buy it, and we determined that it would be a promise ring. 

This is only the beginning. I realize more and more everyday that I will never find someone else on this planet more fit to my personality and personal interests than he is. He deals with my crazy anxieties, and encourages me to be the best I can be. 

I love you, Tim. Here is to many, many more years of amazing-ness. 

Subtle Things & The Holiday Season

In one word, this month has been crazy. 
However, let me clarify, that "crazy" has both good and bad viewpoints!


Working in the retail industry is literally insane during the holidays. Einstein described insanity to be "the belief that one can get different results by doing the same thing." Everyday, I go to work, and I expect it to be a completely different atmosphere. "Maybe today won't be busy at all! After all, it is a Sunday night." But, alas, I am proven wrong, and therefore insane. Everyday was just as busy as the last, and the only thing that changed was the patience of the customers. I am so thankful that aspect of the holiday season is over!


School ended after a long three months of class, and with great results! I got straight A's in my classes, and flew through my exams. What did I learn? To never, ever procrastinate again. Next term, I am taking Hip-Hop, Psychology as a Natural Science, Spanish 102, and my Freshman Inquiry class. 1 more credit, but a whole lot more enjoyable. 


Christmas was wonderful with my family. I was able to spend Christmas morning with my siblings and see their smiling faces, and I was gifted wonderfully! My favorite gift? Either "Just Dance 2" for the Wii, or new silverware! Tim and I were completely spoiled. I am sad to see Christmas go, and to have to take down my first Christmas tree in my new home, and despite my discontent with retail in general, I will be really sad to see my hours dwindle after the new year. 


This month has also been a crazy one for my friends! Some wonderful as well as some terrible things are stirring in the lives of my friends, and I only wish them the best. A close friend of mine is going through her parent's divorce, and some disdain in her routine. Another couple of friends is engaged! And although there have been some miscommunication, arguments, and confusion, I really do hope that they are happy and that we can work everything out. Many friends are home from out of state schools, and others are preparing to move out! So many life changes, in such a short amount of time. I cannot believe it's almost 2011, and that I've already completed my first term of college. 


I am so ready for the new year. I need a fresh start, and a drastic change. This time next year, I will be the person I've always wanted to be, and hopefully will have been so for a couple months. I need to be healthier: mentally, physically, and socially.  And most of all, I need to be happier. 

Merry Christmas, and if I don't post again this week, have a wonderful start to the New Year! :)

Subtle Things & Overwhelming Love

Today, I was so full of love - I don't know what it was, but I just felt so much for everything in my life. 

I realized how appreciative I am of my family today - with it being close to Christmas, it's a financially difficult time for many, and they are always willing to help us out. Whether it be donating their used pop cans to us to return for bottle deposits, or buying me tampons when I ran out, my family is always available to assist us when we need it. My brothers give me so much joy; I babysat them last night while my parents went to my oldest brother's school play (which he did a great job in, by the way) and they enchanted me with their personalities and funny comments. My sister is so talented, and I am still awestruck by her work as well as her demeanor. She's so calm and confident; I admire it. This photo is from Christmas last year when we all got our traditional PJs. 

Lately, I've been realizing how much I love my boyfriend. We are both always so busy, and as expected, I miss him all the time. I know that I'm never going to want to be with anyone else. He's patient, loyal, loving, and he's my best friend and I could never ask for anything better.

Finally, I've become a crazy cat lady, and I really adore my kitty. She's my favorite to nap with! :)

Subtle Things & Spontaneous Kittens

SURPRISE! Tim and I adopted a kitten yesterday. :) Her name is Sam, and she is a Bombei kitten, three months old.

We went to the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter too look around, since we were planning on adopting a puppy. But we went into the cat room, and couldn't leave without this little one. We determined that because a cat is more selfsufficiant, it would be a more appropriate pet choice to fit our always-on-the-go lifestyle.

For those looking to adopt, I highly recommend this shelter. All the animals are well taken care of, particularly the cats, and it's a fairly easy process. All animals are spayed or nuetered and updated with shots and de-worming. It's really a great price too! Kittens are $80, cats over the one year old are only $10, and dogs are $150.

We love her! :D

Subtle Things & Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, my sister's birthday fell on Thanksgiving. As much as she loves this, because she gets pie for her dessert (she made a cherry pie, in fact) I feel like she deserves a day all to herself.
Happy 18th Birthday, baby sister. Like I said in your card, I truly admire your character and spirit, and I love you with all my heart.

Unfortunately, I worked on Thanksgiving. After work, Tim and I changed, and went to his mother's house for dinner, and then we went to my parent's house for pie and Toy Story 3. I really love my family, and I am utterly grateful for the joy that they bring me. I was talking with my little brothers as they went to bed, and before I tucked them in, I had shown them a photo of the puppy Tim and I are considering adopting. They spent ten minutes screaming out names such as "Tron", "Setharoth" (whose namesake is that of a "boss" in Kingdom Hearts) "Boogy" and "Flower". I love their naivete. However, their creativity inspired Tim and I; if we get a girl, her name will be "Daisy" and if we get a boy we like the names "Bruiser" and "Speedy".

Today was the terrifying Black Friday. I worked at 5:15 in the morning, and had to hunt down a parking spot in the goonies of the parking lot. I promise you, I sold at least 1000 pairs of socks. HOLYGOODLORDINHEAVENJESUS.

School is getting me down. It's dead week! Bah! Yo tengo examen el espanol en el viernes. (I have a Spanish exam on Friday). On Monday I have a 20 minute presentation, and a five page essay outline due (the essay is due next week, along with a website explaining my progress in college, and if I meet the University goals.) And I also have an oral exam for Spanish as well. Eeeegads.

On a happier note, I registered for my second term! I'm taking hip-hop, psychology, Spanish and FRINQ. I think it will be so much fun! I still only attend class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Life busy -- but I am thankful for it.

Subtle Things & A Whole New Ballpark

It's hard to believe that a month and a half have already passed since I last blogged. Man, how life catches up with me. Time to catch up with you! :)  

Tim and I are officially apartment renters! The move only took a day, and unpacking only took a week. Our place it wonderful, and surprisingly enough, we are not financially struggling. Here are some pictures!

Living on your own is such a culture shock.        It took me about a month to realize that I'm not on vacation with my boyfriend; this is my home.

Secret: Whenever I come home, I say "Hi, Home."

Combining two completely different lives is such a task. I mean, trying to change for the better, but make it fair is so diffcult. From little things -- (for example: I drink diet soda, Tim does not. Tim eats peanut butter, I do not.) -- to much  harder, deeper things to compromise. But we are loving every minute of it! I started school on the 27th, and I love it as well. I take the max to class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and I am taking 13 credits. I am taking WR115, SP101, and my FRINQ, none of which are particularly interesting, but I am getting by just fine. Next term, I plan to take WR121, SP102, Hip-hop! and my FRINQ class.

New developments about myself:

I am now officially a Gleek.

I now watch Criminal Minds.

I am in love with crazy P-town.

I miss dancing  more than anything, and somehow, I am more organized in college then I ever was in high school.

 More to come soon!