twenty-something

marriage

2012-02-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Six months ago today, I married my husband. I knew for a long time that it was going to be him. The wedding ceremony, the vows I made to him- they were true. Our wedding may be the most memorable day of my life, but sometimes I look back on it as one bright flash of happiness, flickering then gone.

Back to life.

We were untraditional. (But perhaps traditional in today's world.) We lived together for a year before we were married, through our entire engagement and a little before. For a large part of my life, I didn't want to live with a boy before I married him. It wasn't because I was conservative or because I thought it was wrong, it was because I wanted marriage to be a novelty. I wanted our lives to start together officially when we were married. I wanted to come home from my honeymoon and be whisked across the threshold into a new home, a new life with a new person. I didn't want the novelty of the marriage and its intimacies to wear off before the marriage itself had started.

Alex and I moved in together before our wedding because it was right for us in our lives at that time. And now I'm glad that we did because it gave me a perspective I might not have otherwise known. When Alex and I lived together before our marriage, we were in love. We didn't worry about trust or commitment; we were planning our wedding. We were a part of each other's families. We put both of our names on our mailbox. We got to come home to each other every night, have our friends over to OUR house, share meals, share a bed, share a life.

But we weren't MARRIED.

We have only been married for six months. I used to worry that nothing in this marriage would be new because we had already experienced it. I had already learned that Alex squeezes the toothpaste with his fist like a caveman, leaving the tube mangled and wrinkled. I had already learned that Alex loves tomatoes. I had already learned that Alex folds his t-shirts and jeans so meticulously that they have creases.

What I had not known before our wedding was the intangible beauty that lies in the commitment of marriage. I didn't know how different it would feel to live with Alex as my husband, my teammate in life, the father of my future children, the person who had vowed his life to me. I did not know the peace that came with knowing that I would never be alone. I did not know the joy that came with understanding unconditional love and commitment. I did not know the power of the intangibles in this union. I did not know Alex as my husband. I did not know our life in marriage, and now that I do I can say that it is the best thing I have ever known.

Now that I have experienced marriage, living together and sharing our lives with each other would not be enough. I don't want to go back to being Alex's live-in fiance. I am his wife. And it isn't fair that not everyone is granted access to the intangibles of marriage. Allowing couples to live together in domestic partnerships or civil unions- those aren't marriages. It isn't fair or equal or right. Marriage is not about living together, it is about living together in lifelong, formal commitment. Commitment to whatever you believe in- God, each other, your family, your union, your life. Commitment made public and warranting recognition from your friends, your family, your neighbors, your boss, and your children. Commitment made legal.

How can a happily married person in this country not want that for any couple? How can anyone not be deserving of that right?

Some day Alex and I are going to have children and we are going to raise them as well as we can. We are going to mess them up in our own unique way. I hope we are good parents, and I hope that our children know they are loved. But our parenting and our ability to love our children will have nothing to do with our sexual orientation. There are plenty of straight people who have children (intentionally or accidentally) who do not know how to parent. I'm a teacher. I see children from those households every day. It isn't fair.

And it isn't fair that I get to imagine a future with my spouse and children when other people cannot. It isn't fair that I've already had the privilege of six months of happiness that some couples have not gotten to know. It isn't fair that the life I came back to after our wedding is one that is better than I ever could have known when I was just living with Alex. It isn't fair that our marriage is recognized when others are not.

I have found the person with whom I want to spend my life. When we decided we wanted to get married, no one questioned whether or not our love was legitimate. People who know us can see that we love each other, make each other happy, make each other better. And anyone else who has found that kind of love in another human being should be granted the right to have it recognized. They should have access to the happiness marriage has brought me.

It should be fair.

bad art

2012-02-07T14:12:00.000-08:00

Alex and I were watching TV after the Superbowl when all of a sudden I had the urge the sketch him.

Me: "Alex, I am going to draw you. Hold still."
Alex: "Why?"
Me; "Because you're beautiful."
Alex: "You're being weird, and you can't draw."

Oh, yeah.

I look on people's blogs all the time, and they always have these adorable, quirky drawings that some other blogger has sent to them, and I thought, Even though I can't draw, I can probably make something adorable and quirky.

I was wrong. My favorite part about this sketch is Alex's lack of a skeleton and the proportions (or lack thereof) of his limbs. I was pretty proud of the face, though.

Alex: "What's wrong with my hand?"
Me: "That was supposed to be a fist. And I forgot to draw the other hand."
Alex: "What's wrong with my legs?"
Me: "What do you mean? I think they look fine."
Alex: "My foot is bigger than my whole arm."
Me: "Oh. OK, now draw me."

It took Alex a minute to get into the idea, but I think my artistic ability really inspired him. Alex sketched me while I watched Mama Mia! on TV, and I'll tell you I felt just like Rose from The Titanic when Leo DeCap was drawing her. I could see Alex shading and erasing and squinting- I just could not wait to see my portrait.

Alex: "Well, I'm done. I couldn't get the nose right, but here it is."

Bah!

Me: "Is this how you see me? This is what I look like to you? I look like I should be hiding under someone's bed!"
Alex: "Well, I'm not very good at faces."
Me: "Is that the face I was making while I watched Mama Mia!? Mama Mia! is a happy movie!"
Alex: "What do you think about the shading?"

Hahahahaha.

We decided to keep the pictures. Well, I decided to keep them. I hung them up on our wall for everyone to view.

Last night, our friend Fernando came over. We all ate Thai food, and then when The Bachelor came on Fernando decided it was his cue to leave.

Fernando: "Unless you want me to sketch you guys..."

Some people just have all the talent.

les mis movie- 2012

2012-01-20T12:31:00.000-08:00

My parents were Les Mis cult junkies in the 90s, which not only allowed me to see the show a number of times, but also allowed me to be able to sing almost every lyric to every song of the soundtrack that was constantly playing in our green Suburban.

(I remember that Suburban having three CD's: Les Mis, Boys II Men, and Eagles Greatest Hits. Eclectic.)

I have mixed feelings about the movie coming out at the end of this year- mostly because the cast seems like such a far stretch. I'm a huge Taylor Swift fan, but T-Swift as Eponine? And every time I see Amanda Seyfried, my mind automatically goes to her role in Mean Girls. "My breasts can tell when it's going to rain. Well, they can tell when it's already raining."

Our Cosette, ladies and gentlemen.

The man who played Borat is Monsieur Thenardier. Yes, that's Sacha Baron Cohen alongside Helena Bonham Carter as masters of the house.

Actually, as far-fetched as it all seems, I can't wait to see them pull if off. And I really think they will. What do you think about the rest of the cast? Russell Crowe, anyone? I can't wait to see it.

Cast

Amanda Seyfried	...	Cosette (rumored)
Hugh Jackman	...	Jean Valjean
Anne Hathaway	...	Fantine
Russell Crowe	...	Inspector Javert
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Madame Thénardier
Sacha Baron Cohen	...	Monsieur Thénardier
Eddie Redmayne	...	Marius
Taylor Swift	...	Eponine
Aaron Tveit	...	Enjolras

not second class citizens

2012-01-18T21:43:00.000-08:00

It's time to stop discrimination.

It's time to open our hearts to love.

To love EVERYONE.

"We are not a nation that says 'don't ask don't tell.' We are a nation that says, 'Out of many, we are one.'"

-Barack Obama

Dear Michael

2012-01-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Michael,

I really wanted you to be a girl. I didn't know why Mom and Dad were getting my another brother- that was not what I asked for and I already had two, thank you very much.

But then I saw how cute you were, and I decided I liked you. Also, Mom told me that if I had a sister, I'd have to share my clothes and my dolls and my room. That made me like you more, too.

"I like you."

Hey, it looks like I decided to share my pony with you after all!

Us celebrating the year 2000 in style.

You're almost as tall as Wax Michael.

Squeeeeeze!

Looking through these pictures makes me think two things:

1. Who had the camera all of the times we were fighting? This surely does not accurately capture our relationship. Remember that time we were driving my car home from Los Angeles and we didn't talk for two hours because we got in a fight about the music?

But then we both started laughing because it was such a stupid fight.

2. I hope you've had as much fun the last 22 years with me as I have had with you. And I'm really happy that all of those times you were sledding/snowmobiling/rock climbing/snow boarding/drag racing that you only had minor-ish injuries. And I would also like to apologize for the time you were driving me on the snowmobile and I started punching you when you were driving too fast and scary. Punching the driver was probably a really bad idea at that speed.

Three generations of competitive people. Look at Grandma!

Top chefs. Or not, if you look at our finished products in the bottom left corner.

Go Broncos!

We like to party.

Happy 22nd birthday to my cute baby brother. I can't imagine that I would have had nearly as much fun if you had ended up being a girl like I wanted you to be.

Love, your big sister.

P.S. When you told me today that you read The Hunger Games, I have never been prouder.

liz's grown-up book list

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

I was happy to receive such positive feedback from my YA Lit suggestions last week and glad to know that so many of you share my love of a juicy teen series. The great thing about YA Lit for adults is that many of us can devour a book over a Saturday afternoon, then buy the next in the series and finish it by Sunday night, leaving us feeling seriously deprived as we wait for the movie/next book in the series to come out.

In between our YA Lit binges, however, sometimes it's nice to feel a little more grown up in our literary choices, which is why I am offering the favorites I have read over the past few years. Each and every one of these books has made me laugh, cry, think, discuss, and ultimately pass on to friends or family, which is why I pass them on to you now. Here we go:

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is absolutely one of the favorite novels I have ever read. I read it a few summers ago, became absolutely obsessed with the 25-year-old author's humor, creativity, emotion, and colorful style. The book is told in precocious 8-year-old Oskar's perspective after he loses his father in the 9/11 tower attacks. And yes, the reason I recommend you read this book first is because the movie with Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock is coming out this weekend, and I am terribly worried that even with its star cast, it won't remotely do the book justice. I loved this book. I frequently laughed and cried all at the same time.

So, as you can guess, I immediately went to the bookstore to find out if Jonathan Safran Foer had ever written anything else. He had. I read it. I loved it. Everything is Illuminated is the story of the author's own journey to Poland to find his Jewish ancestors who lived through the Holocaust. When I read this book, I imagined all of the characters in cartoon form- that's how quirky and creative the author's storytelling is. Basically, I wish I were Jonathan Safran Foer. Take my word for it and read his books.

In Little Bee, I could not believe that the British male author was able to so beautifully write from the perspective of a young African girl and a middle-aged, white British widow. This book was beautiful and inspiring and hauntingly happy and sad. I did not want to put it down.

Yes, true to form, I read Little Bee, then ran right back to the book store to see what else Chris Cleave had written. And don't you just love when you find out that one of your favorite new authors has written another book that you end up liking EVEN BETTER than the first one you read? I DO! Incendiary is written about a fictional terrorist attack on a British soccer match, and it is written as a letter to Osama Bin Laden from a middle class British woman who lost her husband and son in the match. Chris Cleave is a genius! This was a beautiful, universal novel.

Oh my gosh, I don't know where to start. I read this senior year of college after one of my roommates recommended it to me. I didn't come out of my room for three days reading this woman's TRUE STORY. She grew up in dire poverty and overcame, well, everything. This is a real story of human triumph that will make you feel as though you've never had an obstacle in your entire life. It's an amazing book. Bring tissues.

This one's a doozy. I mean, it's a big book with small font- kind of a marathon, this one, but one worth running. It is the story of a man and his twin brother who has schizophrenia- their childhood, their challenges, their triumphs. And seriously, just when you think this guy's life can't get any more depressing, it does. It's not a feel good read, but it's one that makes you feel so glad that you read it when you're done. Probably like a marathon, if I had ever run one. I am currently reading another Wally Lamb book and going through the exact same emotional roller coaster. When you've finished this one, you're probably going to want to go back and read another fluffy teen series. And by then, hopefully I'll have more YA Lit recommendations for you. The cycle continues.

Do any of you have any great recommendations for me? I'm searching. And give me your feedback when you've read one of these. I'm telling you, they are worth it.

on competition

2012-01-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was gorgeous in Santa Monica, as usual. And as close as we live to the beach, it seems as though we just don't spend enough time taking advantage of it. We decided to pack a lunch, pack a game, pack some beers (don't tell), and spend our Sunday afternoon on the beach with good friends Cliff, Haley, Wills, and Michelle.

The game was ladders, and for this story, you don't really need to know exactly how it's played. You just need to know that both Alex and I have this inherently competitive nature that is so crazy strong that games can go one of two ways: 1. We win, celebrate, then boast about it- OR- 2. We lose, get mad at each other and every one else, and accuse the other players of cheating or the game itself of being faulty.

It's a super attractive quality to have in a couple, I know. And admittedly, I am probably worse than Alex. When I first met Alex's mom and she found out how competitive I was (probably after observing me for about 12 seconds), she said that she never pictured Alex with a competitive girl because she thought that they'd butt heads too much. I of course retorted with something like:

"Well, I'm better than all the other girls Alex has dated EVER, and I'm really competitive, and I can probably beat Alex at most games (other than a footrace). Wanna play a game? Wanna go? Do you guys have any games? Do you want to arm wrestle? Bring it! Best out of three."

It wasn't really like that, but you know what I mean.

Sometimes I forget that my competitive nature is not always a quality, and others don't always view it as adorable or endearing. Growing up in my family, I thought it was totally normal to be competitive. Frequently, family games would end in a temper tantrum, or the game was "stupid," or the other team was "stupid," or Milton Bradley was "stupid," or "HAHAHA! I WIN, LOSERS!"

We really are a happy family. I'm serious. Bear with my exaggerations.

Anyway, back to the beach. Sometimes I forget, like I said, that other people don't always think that my overabundance of competition is cute. During a particular game of ladders, Alex and I played against Cliff and Haley while Wills kept score. It was a battle of the couples.

At least that's how I viewed it- a battle. Adorable Cliff and Haley probably just saw it as a fun opportunity to spend time with friends on a beautiful day- to share a memory together and work as a team.

That probably would have been a better way for me to see it, too. Midway through the game (which was neck and neck, by the way), Wills made a poignant observation:

"Every time Cliff misses, Haley says, 'That was so close, Babe! Great job.' And every time Alex misses, Liz says, 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT WAS THAT? YOU'RE SO INCONSISTENT! GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME! DO I HAVE TO CARRY THIS TEAM?'"

That one was not an exaggeration, guys. And it was aimed at Alex, my loving husband.

(Hanging my head in shame right now.)

My problem is, I don't know how to turn it off. Even when I try to be more subtle, I think my competitive nature probably still comes out abrasive and threatening. It's not just in games. It's everything- weddings, blog, sports, life- and especially at school. I'm learning now as a teacher that students like the one I was growing up (think they know everything, raise their hands every time, compare grades with the whole class), are actually some of the biggest nightmares to teach. Sorry, all teachers, K-12.

Make that K- Graduate School.

I'm trying to work on it, and sometimes I think I'm really getting better. But then, someone points out one of my little episodes, and I realize that I haven't made much progress.

There is a positive side to my- our- competitive problem, however. I think we keep each other on our toes. We try to better ourselves. When Alex starts working out all the time, I have to do it, too. When one of us accomplishes something, we both celebrate. As a couple, we both win when one of us does.

Unless we're playing each other. Then, IT'S ON!

Be afraid for us when we have children. I have already told a number of people that we will teach our babies how to do tricks so that they'd be the best babies and so that everyone will want to hang out with them all the time.

Please help me.

thanks again

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Our second Thanksgiving took place on the traditional day, and we spent it in Sacramento with Alex's family. Recently, I've had a very displaced feeling of "home." On first instinct, "going home" still feels like going to my parents house in Idaho, back to my hometown. But the longer I live here, "coming home" is starting to feel like flying over Los Angeles or walking into the front door of our tiny apartment in Santa Monica. And now, I feel like I'm going home when I arrive in Lincoln, CA, with Alex's family. I say three homes are certainly better than none, and we're lucky to be able to visit all of these places as often as we do. Especially because I would never be able to pull off making an entire Thanksgiving meal in our own apartment, where our broken oven continues to heat and heat to the point that it burns everything that has been in it for longer than 10 minutes. We need to call the landlord.

My first Thanksgiving with the Navarro family was as natural as any other I have had, which have all been with my family except for the one I spent in Paris (my first date with Alex) in 2006 when we were living abroad. I'm learning more and more that holidays are not about where you are, but about the people who are with you. And it was the PEOPLE, our friends and family, who definitely made our first holiday season as a married couple this year.

YA Lit

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

I read The Hunger Games series in late 2010, and ever since then I have made it my mission to make everyone else read the series as well- especially before the movie comes out.

I HATE going to movies with people when I have read the book and they have not. A recent example:
Alex and I went to the last Harry Potter movie with our friend Derek. I had read all of the books, they had read none.

Alex: Who's that?
Me: Shhhhh.
Derek: Dumbledore died?
Me: Shhhhhhhhh!
Alex and Derek: What's a Horcrux?
Me: WHY ARE YOU EVEN HERE??
Alex and Derek: Hehehehehe. Hermione is hot. Is she 18?
Me: (Scooting one seat away). I hate this.
Alex: This movie makes no sense. I don't remember what happened in any of the other ones.
Me: YOU SHOULD HAVE READ THE BOOKS! THEY'VE BEEN OUT FOR LIKE 15 YEARS!

Harry Potter was like a childhood friend to me, and his reign was ending before my eyes. I couldn't even get emotionally involved in the movie because I was too emotionally preoccupied with my anger toward the people I came with. Hence, since late 2010, I have been begging Alex to read the Hunger Games so he would not sit next to me in the movie uniformed. And also, so he could revel in its glory.

At this point, almost everyone I know has read The Hunger Games INCLUDING Alex, who is currently enjoying Catching Fire, my personal favorite. My mom, brother, sister-in-law-to-be, seventh graders, and most of my male and female friends have all read the series and liked it. Every day I hate myself for not writing that series. (Not that I would have ever thought of it.)

As much joy as a get from watching other people read the epic series, I've had to fill my own void until the movie comes out by reading other YA lit, which is never quite as good but gets the job done. My recommendations include:

Matched is the first book in the trilogy by Ally Condie. It's a dystopian scenario where every choice for citizens is predicted based on numbers and probabilities and skills, including who you are "matched" with (the person you marry). The society was a little bit like The Giver. I'll admit, the first book wasn't my favorite. It was a little too "Bella Swan" love triangle, but was a quick read that kept me entertained. The series really got going in:

Crossed, the second book. I liked this one much better than the first. And for those of you who are from Idaho and Utah (many of you), you'll recognize the landscape of the area. (The author is from Salt Lake City.) Cassia, the heroine, displays a lot more strength and credibility in Crossed than she did in Matched, although she is still a little too much like a love-sick Bella Swan. At no point, however, does she try to jump off of a cliff to her death. At least Ky and Xander (angles B and C in Cassia's triangle) are much more appealing options than a creepy, impregnating vampire man or a jealous, sweaty, baby-faced dog. The third book in the Matched series has yet to come out, but I will be reading it when it does.

I liked Divergent even more than I liked the Matched series. Veronica Roth published it at 22, which makes me feel like a dried-up old woman. Another Dystopia, another teenage female protagonist, this book felt a little more like The Hunger Games than any other I have read. The book is set in a futuristic Chicago area, and citizens have to choose one of four "virtues" based on their natural tendencies to exhibit at all times that become the pillars of the four communities that make up their society. Of course there is an uprising. There is always an uprising. The next book in the trilogy, Insurgent, comes out this spring.

abbot kinney first fridays II

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

This weekend was our first back in Santa Monica. On Friday night we headed to Abbot Kinney with our friends to celebrate First Friday, which takes place accordingly on the first Friday of every month. It's a place for the Los Angeles food trucks and hipsters to gather together for a night of eating, drinking, and meandering Abbot Kinney's stores that stay open late and serve food and drinks. The entire thing basically screams photo opportunity, which I took advantage of.

The crowd this time was insane, so we only stayed long enough to grab some food truck grub and wander through a few shops. The weekend was a fitting way to welcome us back to Los Angeles; it was 70 degrees, sunny, friend-filled...

...and weird. Weird in a good way that only LA can pull off.

twice the thankfulness

2012-01-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

In our first year as a married couple, Alex and I decided to forego the traditional "Christmas at your house, Thanksgiving at mine" option and just have two of every holiday. More is better. So, the weekend of my 25th birthday, we flew to Idaho and enjoyed an early Thanksgiving with my family there. I hadn't been home since right after the wedding, and there was no place I would have rather spent my birthday- not to mention the fact that we got an entire Thanksgiving meal out of the trip. It is always nice to have the reminder that places outside of Santa Monica have seasons. It helps me remember that time progresses and cycles. Being home always reminds me of the MANY things I have to be thankful for, especially this year.

Our family is growing, as you can see, but besides the fact that I got married this year and my brother Tommy got engaged, our family has grown only in the dog department. My brothers keep getting dogs, and the dogs keep getting huge. My mom calls them her granddogs, and my dad complains that by the time he has actual grandchildren, he'll be, "So old that I'll drool all over them." His words, not mine. I guess the fact that his third child is 25 and he is still grandchild-less is a bit disconcerting in my hometown where people are seeming to repopulate in litters. The weird thing is, every time I go home, 58 new people from my high school class have had babies, but the town is still as small as it was seven years ago when I left it. Spooky.

For now, we pose our dogs in front of the mantle instead of our children. Look how cute they are! Alex and I don't have a dog to contribute to the mix, but that's because we don't have a yard, and I am against walking behind a dog in the city carrying a little plastic bag. It's embarrassing for both the dog and the human involved. Anyway....

It was so good to be home to celebrate the birthday that constituted opening A THIRD 12-pack of candles. I am moving up in the world.

notes from my classroom

2012-01-08T17:34:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and has had a happy first week of 2012. I'm finally getting back in the swing of things after a fabulous Christmas vacation in Northern California, Idaho, and back to Santa Monica. Tomorrow is the first day of my second semester of grad school, and all I have to say is BRING IT. I have been sleeping nearly 12 hours a night, and I am REVITALIZED! I'm sure my attitude won't be nearly as enthusiastic in 10 days, but I just wanted to put on the record that at ONE POINT I was motivated.

I've been meaning to post these fabulous notes that my seventh graders wrote me on the last day of class. It was bittersweet to end my three month term teaching middle school, but I'm ready to teach high school (full time!) this semester. I'm curious (and a little afraid) to see how the quotes from my classroom change when my students age four years.

Here are a few of the highlights from the notes my seventh graders, my first class ever, left me. I miss them already.

JLM Weddings Feature

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm still here. Last night was my last final (almost), so I can officially say that I've finished semester one of grad school. Saying goodbye to my students was so difficult yesterday!

But more on that later.

I'm so happy to transition back to blogging with this bit of good news: we've been featured on JLM Weddings! Just when you all thought the wedding news was over. Nope! We are continuing to announce that we got married- four months ago.

JLM is to thank for my amazing wedding dress. It was the second one I tried on the day we went dress shopping, and I could not be happier with the way that it turned out. It felt like the dress was made for me, and I am honored to be one of their featured brides. Check out the photos here!

PS- I've missed you. Soon, you will be bombarded with updates.

twenty-five

2011-11-16T09:07:00.000-08:00

And then I was 25. When I turned 23, I remember mentioning that one became a lady at age 25. When I turned 24, I struggled with the awkwardness of settling down into adult life while a part of me still wanted to be running around Europe, jobless and irresponsible. Do we always have to choose?

I think that at 25, it's fair to say that I really don't know what to do with my age anymore. This year- this birthday- has come and gone so quickly. I opted to spend this one with my family, a luxury I am beginning to appreciate more and more as I grow up. Besides, they give the best presents. No, but seriously, I don't get to see my family very often, and they were the ones I wanted to spend this birthday with. No clubbing, no party dress, no plastic tiara, no limo, no sitting on the edge of a piano in a bar, no "Buy me another birthday shot, Mr. Bartender!"

Oh my gosh, I am so old.

I officially started lying about my age when I turned 23. I went to a bar in San Diego with my friends, and I told everyone in the bar that it was my 21st birthday. I don't know why the lie came out, but I received incredibly positive feedback in the form of free alcohol. Everyone loves a 21st birthday, and nobody likes you when you're 23.

You were a child of the '90s if you picked up my Blink 182 reference.

Speaking of the '90s- the kids I teach were not born in the '90s. They were born in the year 2000. Well, not all of them. Some of them were born in 1999. I may as well have been born in 1825 for as old as they think I am. I guess it's true. I am officially (by age only) a lady.

My mom was 25 when she had me. I bet you can do the math to figure out how old she is right now. I asked her recently which she liked better, the first 25 years or the second. She was quick to respond that she preferred the latter, and I asked why.

"Because the first 25 years happen to you; the second 25, you make happen."

I have always been on this strange deadline system. "If I don't get this + this done in X amount of time, then this + this will be delayed, resulting my inevitable downfall and life failure," or something dramatic like that. To further reiterate my "pathological need to have a master plan," I took a personality test for a career training class at grad school this week. My strength results were as follows:

1. Futuristic (meaning I must have long term plans)
2. Strategic (meaning I strategically plan longterm)
3. Competitive (meaning my plan must be better than your plan)

My other strengths had to do with words and learning, which, I could argue, are both parts of my long term plan.

I have had a lot of amazing things happen to me in the last 25 years. And I think that because of my obsessive goal setting, I can take credit for a few of them that have taken fruition. So instead of trying to define myself and my age this year, or further belabor the fact that yet again, I have officially become one year older, I am going to reflect on the things that have happened to me in that past 25 years. And true to my futuristic personality, I am going to set goals for what I am going to make happen in the next 25.

The First 25:
1. I grew up in Idaho.
2. I wanted to be a boy like my three brothers.
3. I went to Kindergarten. And high school. I got perfect grades, until I went to...
4. COLLEGE
5. I played a lot of sports. I miss that.
6. I learned to read. And I read so many things.
7. I learned to drive. And I got so many tickets.
8. I got my first email address (it had the word "angel" in it), cell phone, laptop, iPod, bike, pair of roller blades, bra, prom dress, tooth, CD, home run, boyfriend, car, award, scar, kitten...
9. I played the piano.
10. I learned how to wear makeup. And how not to wear it.
11. I lived in Italy. I traveled to so many countries.
12. I moved to California.
13. I had a curfew. I broke it. (Like once. I was very afraid of getting in trouble.)
14. I worked at a magazine.
15. I graduated from so many things.
16. I fell in love.
17. I joined a sorority.
18. I began to love writing. I started a blog.
19. My parents encouraged me.
20. I got engaged.
21. I had my first beer. I was not 21.
22. I memorized the Spice Girls CD.
23. I met my best friend.
24. I went back to school for a masters. I started teaching.
25. I got married.

The Next 25:
1. Be married for 25 years and three months.
2. Get a masters degree.
3. Live in another country again.
4. Own a house.
5. Teach.
6. Write a book.
7. Learn the guitar.
8. Become fluent in another language.
9. Have children. Watch them grow. (I would have put it at #1, but Alex would have freaked out.)
10. Travel everywhere.
11. Continue to watch seasons 1-10 of FRIENDS on repeat.
12. Maintain my friendships, new and old.
13. Get a puppy.
14. Run a half marathon. (My ambition is not high enough for a full one.)
15. Learn to cook.
16. Be in a flash mob.
17. Play the piano.
18. Go on a mission trip.
19. Spend time with my family.
20. See the Hunger Games movie.
21. Become a better photographer.
22. Become a better writer.
23. Laugh more, stress less.
24. Get health insurance/change my last name/finish my thank you notes.
25. Learn to deviate from my plans.

One thing is for sure: I have five more years of writing here until I have to change the name of my blog. And this lady can't wait to see what they have in store.

Hunger Games Official Trailer

2011-11-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

It's here! It's here! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Click here for the official Hunger Games trailer.

painting by jess michael

2011-11-13T14:12:00.000-08:00

If you remember this photo from our engagement session, then you'll definitely recognize the next ones. We received this painting as a wedding gift from our friend Jess, who is an amazing talented artist in any medium he touches. We were finally able to bring the painting home from Alex's parents' house and hang it up in our own. Every single time I look at it, I'm not only reminded of this perfect day on the pier, but of our incredible friend Jess, who can do amazing things with a paintbrush.

To see more of Jess's incredible work, visit his website here.

when I was broke and homeless

2011-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well, I've always known this was going to happen. You see, where I grew up, we rarely used keys. We used them to start our cars, but we often left them in the ignition. We left our houses open. At high school, we left our lockers open, and even in college, I left my dorm room open. I guess that maybe I'm just a trusting person.

Or maybe I just suck at keys.

What I'm trying to tell you is I locked myself out. It was a day with no student teaching, so I had a relaxing morning at home while I leisurely waited for my 12:30 class. I waited too leisurely it turns out, giving myself only 20 minutes to make the drive, which would leave little room for traffic complications. I hurried out- grabbed my book bag in one hand, my phone in the other, turned the lock on the door and closed it behind me. It was there on my little stoop that a little voice inside me yelled, "NOOO!" Right as that door closed behind me, I knew I had locked my keys and my purse inside.

In a matter of seconds, I had gone from being an upstanding citizen to being broke and homeless. Where did I go wrong?

The first person I called was Alex. He was in Idaho, so he'd be little help in providing me keys, but I knew that he had broken in to our house before in similar situations. I dropped my things on the stoop, precious time ticking, and ran around the building to our bathroom window.

"Alex, I need your help. I need to break in."

"Try the bathroom window." It's funny, looking back. He didn't ask where or why I had to break in, he just directed me right to the bathroom window.

"I'm here, but it won't open. I'm standing on the pipes. Should it be easy to slide?"

"If it's not latched, it would be easy."

"Nuts. It's latched."

He directed me to every other window in our house, each with the same result. Of course they were all latched. It's the beginning of a freezing cold 60-degree California winter here. We need to keep the warm air inside.

"Alex, what am I going to do? I have to go to class. I don't have any money. Everyone's at work. Our landlord won't answer."

We both decided to call our friends and our landlord just in case, to no avail. Still on my stoop, I decided to have a movie-moment and pulled a bobby pin from my messy bun. I yanked it apart with my teeth, stuck the end into the lock on the door knob, and wiggled it around waiting for it to click.

After a moment of this madness, reality came back to me. "What the hell am I doing?" I said out loud. I grabbed my phone.

4-1-1. "City and state, please."

"Santa Monica, California."

"For what listing?"

"A cab company that accepts memorized credit card numbers."

I was connected to Santa Monica Yellow Cab. I asked the driver if he would accept a credit card number without the card. He said, "Credit card. Yes," which I took as a loose mutual understanding. He said he could be to my house within five minutes.

I stood at the end the driveway with my bag and waited. I called Alex again and told him my plan. I think I also told him, "This was the absolute worst thing that has ever happened to me in my entire life." I like to stay cool and collected in pressure situations.

A black car pulled up to my driveway with all of its windows down. Besides the yellow happy face on the windshield, the car was the the opposite of yellow. Un-yellow and unmarked- no sign on top, no phone number on the side. A man was inside. "You call cab?"

"Yes (scary stranger), that was me. Do you take credit card numbers? My card is locked in my house."

"You know the number? The security number, too? And expiration date?"

"Yes. I can give you the whole thing before we leave if you want."

I guess this is a good time to explain that I have my credit card number memorized. People have been generally surprised at this part in the story, but I am more surprised none of you have your credit card numbers memorized. How else do you buy things in emergencies? How else do you buy things from your couch? How else do you order take-out? Those 16 numbers (and security code and expiration date) are your ticket to the world, my friends. And after typing it in so many times (airline tickets, Etsy, wedding items, iTunes, automatic bill pay) doesn't it just stick?

Anyway. At this point, I had already climbed in the anonymous car. I am not one to miss class.

"OK. Write it down on this piece of paper."

"Why isn't your cab yellow?"

"This is Yellow Cab. I'll show you all the information."

"No, no, that's ok. (Even though it was not OK. I was updating my Facebook status to help the police find me.) Here is my credit card information." (Which I will be canceling later this afternoon.)

"How do you have it all memorized?"

Sigh.

"OK. It worked. I'm texting you your receipt." (You have my number?)

And he did. He texted me my 45 dollar (ouch) receipt. We were still sitting in my driveway. Class had already started. Time was ticking.

"OK. Let's go. I get you there fast. And here's your credit card paper back. Don't lose it. Someone could steal it. Happened to me. No good."

Well, this weird black car was turning out to be a fabulous cab experience. We flew through Santa Monica, down the 10, and to the 405. It's amazing how many times we didn't die. No matter. He crossed five lanes of traffic to exit Howard Hughes and got me to class only 18 minutes late.

"I call you so you have my number." (Why does it matter, dude? You're always going to have mine.)

I jumped out and ran into class. As I walked in, my professor gave me a knowing look. I've never been late to class, and she had gotten the email I'd sent from my stoop (pre-bobby pin.) After class when I told her I was wallet-less, car-less, and homeless until my husband flew home from Idaho at 9:30 PM, she gave me 20 dollars for food. She told me that she didn't want me to be picked up as a vagrant, and I think she really meant it.

But you know what? I'm not a vagrant. And I am neither broke nor homeless. In hindsight, it probably wasn't "the absolute worst thing that has ever happened to me in my entire life." I think the new Twilight trailer was probably the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my life. I will see the movie anyway.

And honestly, I was starting to run out of things to blog about. This situation definitely remedied that little problem.

quotes from my classroom

2011-11-10T17:43:00.000-08:00

Another week of teaching is another week of entertaining quotes from seventh-grade students. Here are a few gems.

1. The 1980s
Regarding The Hunger Games
Me: "Does anyone have a guess, after reading the first chapter, about what the setting of this story is? Are our characters in the past or the future?"
Student: "I think they are in the past. Like, not a really long time ago, but a pretty long time ago. Like maybe in the '80s. Because they didn't have a lot of electricity and stuff, and they had to go hunting."

2. Horses
Student: "Mrs. Navarro, where are you from?"
Me: "I'm from Idaho."
Student: "Is it high tech there? I mean, is it a city?"
Me: "No. I'm from a very small town."
Student: "Mmmmmm. I bet it smells like horses in the morning."

3. Katniss
Me: "Here is a picture of Katniss, the main character in our book." (I showed a photo of Jennifer Lawrence in costume.)
Male student: "Our book is hot."

4. Trick or Treat
Student: "Mrs. Navarro, last night I was trick-or-treating, and I thought I went to your house. A lady with blonde hair answered the door. She looked like you, but she was holding a beer, so I knew it wasn't you."

5. Still Waiting
Student: "Mrs. Navarro, you still haven't called me."

6. Wrestling
Student: "Mrs. Navarro, you look like a celebrity that I saw."
Me: "Which one?"
Student: "She's a WWE wrestler."
Me: "Thank you."

my positives, my thankfuls

2011-11-08T20:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's hard for me not to be negative- not to stress. Every so often, I just need to give myself an attitude check and remind myself of all things good, exciting, wonderful, peaceful, beautiful, right. Tonight is a good time for that.

1. My students started reading The Hunger Games today. We handed them out their OWN brand new books. Their faces lit up. They touched the covers. They smelled the pages. They wrote their names ever-so-neatly in the top corner of the first page. And they READ. And they LIKED IT. "I've been wanting this book!" they exclaimed. "I actually like this book," they said with surprise. I feel like we gave 152 presents today.

2. It's fall. The seasons are changing and bringing new things.

3. My test is over.

4. My friends provide my life with comic relief.

5. My husband has been home more this month. I love not having to miss him.

6. My 25th birthday is in 8 days, and I will get to spend the weekend with my family in Idaho.

7. GLEE is on, and The Warblers are back.

8. I have the makings of five dinners in my refrigerator, and I have someone to eat them with. I have brownie mix, too.

9.

I don't know why, but I have been laughing at this picture for about 9 days. The other night I tripped in the dark on my way back to bed from the bathroom, and as I came crashing to the ground I blurted, "Jesus, take the wheel!" and collapsed in a convulsion of giggles that awoke me multiple times later in the night. I am laughing right now.

10. Even though it sometimes feels like I can't, I really can get through this semester. And I can still make time to blog.

11. Apple cinnamon tea.

12. Sweaters, boots, and scarves. In fact, the other day I wore a sweater that I got in 8th grade. I think it's back in style- in a vintage, ironic kind of way.

13. This cookie. I'm sad I already ate it.

Life is good.

iPhone scenes from the weekend

2011-11-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend was the first that it felt like fall- football, sweaters, and Snuggies. Of course, it was in the low 60's in California this weekend and we all bundled up to prevent frost bite while people in my home town were watching the first snow fall. I do miss the seasons. Alex and I had a funny conversation about his niece attending a football game in the snow. He was convinced that babies couldn't go outside when it was snowing. Surely they were not snow proof. I had to explain to him that the entire reason you would take a baby to the snow is to bundle it up in tiny little snow clothes and tiny little baby Ugg boots. You can't just keep babies inside from November to March. I think he understands now. People from California are seriously confused about weather.

Anyway, Saturday morning after my test (which I hope I passed), we headed to the Rose Bowl for an afternoon of tailgating and football with friends we rarely get to see. It was a good relief from the studying I'd been buried in all week. We played lawn games and music and scalped $10 tickets. I didn't bring my camera, so my iPhone sufficed to document the day. Today I'm looking forward to a lazy Sunday- until my homework kicks in.

1. I just found him like that- sadly looking in the empty box. 2. Tailgate 3. Best friend and ladders 4. Rose Bowl 5. UCLA v. ASU 6. Me with my Mr. 6. UCLA 7. Best friend and boyfriend 8. Snuggie- Varsity Edition

study hall

2011-11-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

You know that feeling that you get when you've studied just about as much as you possibly can, and there is nothing left to do but pray?

I'm there.

I mean, I could probably study more, but I don't think it's going to do any good anymore.

So, Andy just texted me and asked if I could send him over a few more pics from his and Lauren's wedding. I jumped at the opportunity to do anything but take another practice test, so I edited a few more photos of their day. Photography and photo editing are two goals that have fallen to the wayside in the past year, but I'd like to pick up where I left off. Anyone have any breakthrough knowledge that would help me with these photos? If you haven't noticed already, I STALK photographer blogs looking for tips and styles, but rarely get a chance to practice. Here is my latest experiment. What is your feedback? (I'm thinking the kiss picture would be better without the random head blocking the view.)

Featured On Style Me Pretty

2011-11-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

I am so over-the-top excited to announce that OUR WEDDING was featured on my absolute favorite wedding blog of all time, Style Me Pretty!

Thank you to all our amazing vendors, friends, and family who helped with the gorgeous details that made our wedding come together. I am so honored that others get to draw inspiration from our big day.

Check us out on SMP today!

stress relief

2011-11-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

As you know, we spent this weekend at a wedding. It was so nice to dance and eat and drink and be merry and laugh with family and celebrate love. It was nice to get out of town for a little bit and pretend that I'm not completely overwhelmed with life.

Then, I came back.

My school program is crazy. I mean, it's great. I love the kids and the classes and the things that I'm learning. But it's for crazy people. I have this huge test on Saturday called the CSET, and I have not studied enough. I never get test anxiety, but I have it now. I hardly had any spare time to begin with, but now when I have spare time I feel guilty if I'm not studying characteristics of postmodern literature. There are not enough hours in the day or days in the week. At home is a stack of forms for health insurance (which I was somehow denied- I am so healthy!), name change, license renewal, and- OH YES- THANK YOU NOTES that I have still not finished from our wedding. And if you haven't already noticed, I procrastinate doing all of these things by blogging more frequently.

Is it possible to get senior-itis in a one-year program? Because I have two and a half semesters left of school and I'm already ready for it to be over.

I would ask someone to whisk me away on vacation, but I don't have time to go.

Help me.

Lauren and Andy's wedding

2011-10-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

Alex and I spent the weekend in Northern California with friends and family. We got to go to the most beautiful wedding to watch our friends Andy and Lauren get married. After getting to see the two of them get together and stay together while Andy was deployed, getting to be a part of the proposal, and going on many a double date, it was incredible to hear them say their vows and start this next step of their lives together. And now, every time I go to a wedding, I get to remember how amazing it feels to be surrounded by family and friends who love and support you. It was such a happy day. And the couple was glowing.

To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, we wish you all the happiness in the world! Your wedding was perfect, and we had so much fun celebrating with you- maybe even too much fun. We are so happy that we got to be a part of your day!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the weekend.

quotes from my classroom

2011-10-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

These are quotes from my curious little seventh graders this week. The more time I spend with them, the more I realize how much MTV they watch and how little difference they see between a twenty-year-old and a fifty-year-old.

1. Mrs. Navarro's Kids

Student: "Mrs. Navarro, do you have kids?"

Me: "No, not yet."

Student: "You don't want kids?"

Me: "We're not really old enough to have kids yet."

Student, looking more confused than I have ever seen a human look: "I don't understand how YOU can't be old enough to have kids."

Student 2: "Yeah. I know 14-year-olds with kids."

Me: Sad face.

2. Jersey Shore Fail

Student: "You can call me "Kevin the Situation."

Me: "I will not call you that."

3. Pick Up Line Fail

Student: "Hey, Mrs. Navarro!"

Me: "Yes, Kevin?"

Student: "Call me."

4. I Like to Party

Student: "Mrs. Navarro, where did you go to college?"

Me: "I went to Pepperdine."

Student: "Did you party?"

Me: "I got good grades."

Student: "OHHHH! You totally partied! No, offense, and I'm not calling you a nerd or anything, but in college even the nerds party."

What am I supposed to say? I hope they don't find our wedding reception photos.

5. My Name is Kimberly

Student: "Mrs. Navarro, what is your first name?"

Me: "If you guess it right, I'll tell you."

(They guessed it on the first try. I think they must have already known.)

Student 2: "Oh. I thought it would be Kimberly."

6. I Am Old

(I'm going to preface this one by saying that Alex and I get carded when we go to Rated R movies.)

Student: "Mrs. Navarro, how old are you?"

Me: "A lady never tells her age."

Student: "Are you 35?"

Me: Sad face.

7. Pick Up Line Fail #2

Student: "Hey, Mrs. Navarro!!"

Me: "Yes, Kevin. Is it relevant to the lesson this time?"

Student: "Call me."