Brady & Ashlin: July 2008

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Better late than never...or is it?

So we have been cut off from the internet for a month or so now, though it feels like its been forever. I have not gone this long without home access to the web since the days of AOL dial up and "you've got mail!" It has really made me realize what an impact the internet has had on my life. I almost feel crippled without it at my fingertips. How do I get information now? ...like movie times, weather, directions, phone numbers, all the little questions I have throughout the day that I rely on the internet to find an answer to. The only way that I can have internet access is by driving down to the local library.
So that is why I'm showing pictures of my birthday over a month later. The laptop I'm using is giving me problems so I can't see the pictures down below, But I remember the day because it was the 2nd day off (besides Sundays) that Brady has had since April.

Before we left Brady snuck out to 7-11 to get me flowers, not surprisingly they didn't carry flowers there, but not wanting to come home empty handed he picked (some might say 'stole') a handful of yellow flowers from someone's yard. Though I felt bad for the victim I appreciated the thoughtful gesture and was sad to find my flowers wilted away and covered with bugs in its little red Dixie cup vase by the time we got home that night.

So we went into the city and saw Cirque Shanghai, kind of a poor man's Cirque du Soleil, but it was pretty cool. We were in the very front, which was great because we could see everything but also bad for the same reason. (Their costumes were a little worn out and see through; the white panties kind of took away from the magical atmosphere)

Afterwards walked down to the waterfront because it was sticky and hot out that day. The water was cool but not very appetizing even jsut to stand in. Suspicious looking garbage covered the beach and rolled around in the little waves. I couldn't tell if it was mostly shopping bags or toilet paper but it didn't seem to bother the locals. I guess I'm just spoiled by my recent trip to Santa Cruz beaches where the only thing rolling around in the surf were a few dead baby seals and seaweed, nature.

What else did we do.... we had some pizza, the first pizza I've had in Chicago that I didn't like (the crust was cornmeal, I guess its one of the Chicago styles), we also saw a free outdoor concert in this beautiful pavillion, did some shopping with my birthday gift cards, and watched fireworks over a bridge.

Maybe the best part was right before we left we decided to check out the John Hancock Tower again (one of the most popular places to get a good view of the city) I wanted to go the the top but the price for tickets were rediculous so we found a loophole and went to the fancy restaurant at the top. We ordered a dessert (for my birthday cake) and got to eat it by the window overlooking the city for half the price of taking the elevator to the observatory. It was a great way to spend my 23rd birthday.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

A Fond Look Back: First Year of Marriage

Well its been a year now that we've been married and things are pretty great. Here's a reminiscence of what's become of us since that fateful day in June.

Ah, the engagement period. Such tumultuous and exciting times. The cake tasting and dress hunting and all that good stuff. Here were two different engagement photo shoots one in Santa Cruz and one on San Fran's Baker Beach. Notice a theme?

Then there was the wedding day itself. I know its cliche to say but it was pretty surreal.

Then was our first real vacation together.

We got to play catch with some local kids, then they showed off their cliff jumping skills. They were so funny.

We don't like to be bored so we've tried to get out and have little adventures when we can. (and no, I'm not wearing pants in this picture.)

With all the awesome camping gear we got for our wedding we were all set to do some real outdoor livin' on the weekends. Really we only went camping twice I think but when we get back from Chicago we'll take advantage of living in beautiful California again.

Brady has learned a lot in this first year. He's learned to do the dishes to my standards

(ie. clean dishes must be free from nasty food chunks)

He's also had to learn to deal with cluttered countertops which he hates, I guess. Sorry, but its hard to fit everything in the sticky old cupboards and then pull them out twice a day.

He has also learned to deal with my occasional quirkiness. But thats okay, I think I gave him fair warning beforehand.

But worst of all, he's had to learn to accept my hat. He really can't stand this hat but I like it and I know it bugs him so I wear it whenever I get the chance. Do you hate it too?

How about now?

But I've learned to do some things too.

For example I'm attempting to learn to decorate. Don't judge, I'm trying.

I also learned to accept the UPS attire.

But overall its been a really great first year, it flew by so fast and we're definitely looking forward to more good times to come.

Like snowboarding...

or kayaking with Buster...

(but probably not again because he hated it, and because there's nothing worse than petting a dog while driving home from a hike and realizing that ticks are crawling all over him)

or christmas...

or almost going into a cave but not really because there's a giant spider in there...

or hanging out on the beach with good friends...

(while wearing a UPS sweatshirt)