Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

Playing with our wii

Well, we got a Nintendo Wii as a wedding gift for each other and Clint is right--it's video game crack! We've even found a substitute to traditional couples therapy--Wii boxing. The first time we played, I mopped the floor with Ken after serving him my vicious right hook. Needless to say, I woke up with an extremely sore right shoulder the next day.

The Honeymoon--no worries, no problem mon

After the wedding, we headed to Jamaica for some well-needed relaxation. Our experience when we landed in Montego Bay was 'interesting.' We must have exited the plane at the same time as 4 others because the line to get through immigration was forever long. Everyone was crammed in this warehouse type of building WITH NO AIR-CONDITIONING. There were oscillating fans every thirty feet or so, but that did nothing to eliminate the stench of 500 sweaty travelers. As the paper signs taped on the walls explained, we needed to be patient while they 'remodeled.' Ken remembers these very signs being up last time he visited MB years ago. One thing that I learned during our stay in Jamaica: EVERYTHING is under construction at all times--homes, businesses, schools--you name it, they've got cinder blocks and rebar stacked next to it. And everything is done on island time....slowly. But in Jamaica, no worries, no problem mon.

We stayed at the Sandles Whitehouse resort in the French villa section. As our vacation was all-inclusive, we really didn't have to worry about much. This resort is relatively new and excluded, located on the northern side of the island. The food ranged from okay to very good, the Jamaican specialty restaurant being by far the best of the bunch. We also took advantage of the Cafe de Paris, a small patisserie specializing in French pastries. The majority of our time was spent either lounging at the pool, playing volleyball, walking along the ocean, or eating. Unfortunately, I dropped and broke our camera early on the trip, so we don't have much to show of it. =( Ken being Ken, he focused on photographing the various birds and insects we found at the resort. The cafe was also apparently a favorite of the resident peacocks, who strutted around arguing over discarded treats. On our walk back from dinner one night, Ken found a giant moth / butterfly critter on the wall and insisted on having his photo taken with it. Notice that after the flash of the camera, it began to launch itself at him, haha.

We did get a chance to do some snorkeling over by the reefs. We also went on a glass-bottom boat ride. Of coarse it started to rain just after we left the dock, so we didn't get to see much ocean life through the murky water. On our side of the island, it usually rained about once a day in the afternoon for an hour or two. For us, this was a good thing because it forced us inside and prevented us from getting too sunburned.

Our Wedding Day

Our wedding was on June 30th at Scripps College in Claremont, outdoors in the gorgeous Margaret Fowler Garden. Despite the sweltering heat of the California sun--we're talking Africa hot, people--everything was absolutely beautiful. Next time I have the bright idea of having an important event outdoors in the summer, shake me--very hard. I'm sure a large part of my discomfort was due to the fact that I was wearing enough layers under my dress that would have made even the most fashion conscience antebellum 'divia' grimace. But the atmosphere of the garden was worth it, and I could not imagine a more romantic location nearby in which to share our vows.

All of our vendors did such an awesome job! Everyone was professional and on time. The flowers were from Carol's Secret Garden in Upland and were gorgeous. (We did the orchid centerpieces ourselves, buying live plants from a local greenhouse.) KBDJ was a great help with keeping the event organized, not to mention that they were flexible in incorporating my own musical suggestions in the play lists. Vanessa from Gourmet Gourmet made sure that the food and setup met our every expectation. Our cake from Ontario Bakery was perfect--not only was it just like the picture I brought in, it was also moist and delicious. If you have an event coming up, we wholeheartedly recommend all of these great people. Below is a sampling of photos from Joy Marie Photography. We can't wait to see the rest of them when she finishes!

Below is a slideshow of some of the shots our family took throughout the event. Although we have developed the film from the disposable cameras that were placed on all the tables, I don't have a way of posting them yet. Perhaps I should take in the negatives and have them put on CDs, or I could scan them (put I think this may lower the picture quality). If we have them in digital format, we would be able to share them with all of you via email. Or we can snail mail everyone the photos we had developed, although that would be tedious. Suggestions? Please don't be disappointed if your picture isn't in the slideshow--the program wouldn't let me add anymore, lol.

Cool Slideshows!

His Dark Materials Trilogy

We all have our own favorite childhood pastimes, and one of mine is sinking into a comfy niche on the couch, preferably near a window, absorbing myself in a great book until my eyeballs are ready to fall out. Fortunately as a teacher, I have time during the summer to indulge in this pleasure virtually uninterrupted. Yet after devouring all the titles written by authors of which I am familiar, I am sometimes left with every bibliophile's secret fear: What do I read next? What if I can't find another author I enjoy?

Thankfully for me, this worry is always abated in one way or another. Such was the situation I found myself in recently. After biding farewell to Harry Potter and all of my friends at Hogwarts, I began to panic when I realized that I didn't have anything awaiting me on my bookshelves. That's when Ken pointed me to the series he had just finished: His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; and The Amber Spyglass) by Philip Pullman. I have not completed all three books--currently, I'm in the middle of The Subtle Knife--yet I can definitely say that I LOVE these books. If you enjoy tales of adventure and imagination, then you may want to check out these novels. Although marketed as young adult fiction, I believe that this is a misnomer. Except in rare exceptions, I highly doubt that your typical tween will grasp the rich subtext found within them.

In the tradition of C.S. Lewis, Pullman has created new, fantastic worlds for readers to explore. But unlike the allusions made in the Narnia Chronicles, Pullman takes a distinctive stance on theology and its affects on society. I encourage those who decide to read his work do so with an open mind, for you will not find characters like Aslan on these pages. Pullmans cast is dynamic, multi-dimensional, flawed; and sometimes frustratingly mysterious and distant. The saga focuses on the series of challenges facing young Lyra, who begins her tale within the antiquated halls of Oxford. Yet this Oxford is not as we know it, for it exists in a parallel universe in which people are constantly connected to their daemons, or creatures that are representative of one's true nature / soul.

I recently learned that the first book in the series has been made into a movie due for release in December. The cast appears pretty impressive--Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, and Sam Elliott star--all excellent choices for their roles. Given the nature of this genre, the real test will be what they do with the CGI.

Wedding Rehearsal

The wedding rehearsal was held the afternoon before the wedding. This first picture makes me laugh...look at the perplexed expressions on all three of wedding party's faces. Perhaps I was having a bridezilla moment?

We all headed over to Tutti Mangia for dinner afterward. Dinner was fabulous, especially the tiramisu (my favorite).

Margaret Fowler Garden

When we first visited the MFG at Scripps College, I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere the garden provided. Between beautiful simplicity of the surrounding colonnades and the lush plantings, I knew that it would be an ideal location for our wedding.











Perhaps the most breathtaking of all is the mural that cover the east wall of the garden. The frescos were painted by Alfredo Ramos Martinez, considered to be the founding father of modern Mexican art. It is said that it was Martinez who paved the way for such well know muralists as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and he became well known among Hollywood celebrities. Unfortunately, Martinez died of pneumonia before completing the mural.



The day before the rehearsal dinner, we took Ken's parents over to the garden where we would be getting married. As Pat explained, the Spanish influenced architecture gives the garden a very classic California feel.