Turkey and Mrs. Tom

I'm learning what it means to sacrifice and humble yourself for the sake of encouraging another. When I was about 10 or maybe even younger, I began slugging/running the BCC Turkey Chase with my parents and sisters.  Since then, I've probably run about 10 other Turkey Chase races sometimes with large caboodles of inspired friends and a few times alone.  I'm dedicated to this race.  Thanksgiving just isn't Thanksgiving unless I get a good run, whether in hot, cold, or even rainy weather. I've tried all three temperatures and every year, it reminds me of how good it feels to be healthy and able to run. 

In college, I quickly realized that I was capable of running further than the basic 2 miler.   Since then, I've run the 10k which is 6.2 miles and have graduated onto longer races even. I call myself a runner and quite proud of it.  Strangely, after the July nuptials, I haven't had the marathon/presidential discipline I typically have.  I feel lumpy now like a sack of sleepy potatoes.  

So this year, I convinced Kevin to run the 2 miler, which took some convincing might I say, and I as a married woman, signed up for the 2 miler as well.  That's right, I signed up for the 2 miler and while my desire and love would be to run the 10k, I decided to run with my man because he would like me to run with him.  In some ways, I'm embarrassed, hoping that none of my running friends from my club will see me. At the same time, I'm glad to get to run this race in whatever capacity and to have my man run it with me.   While he typically gets sick quite often, I'm glad to say that he has not gotten sick, despite the fact that he is teaching coughing germy buger filled 2nd graders.  If that's what it takes for a man to succeed, maybe it is worth it.  Maybe. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

(Photo: Julia helping me model one of many turkey chase shirts. )

I totally admit that this itandkt blog is not really about kevin and I, it's about me. I think I just like to blog or write and I was using our wedding as a reason to create another blog. Well, cheers to that.

Lately, life has been pretty chill. In some ways, I feel like I'm not busy enough because I find myself sitting on the couch just to sit and sleeping average recommended hours. Part of me is ready to volunteer, run the next marathon, and call someone up to catch up to fill the time, but the other half of me holds me back telling me that I need to learn how to just sit and do nothing and enjoy silence, solitude and chilling!

My busy bee mentality is simply a result of being born of the ultimate busy bee. My mother is by far the most productive person ever. She wastes not even seconds and she is no doubt effective, but very busy. I remember growing up, there was always something to do in the house. One time while I came home for a college break, I remember sitting on the couch watching TV and feeling guilty when my mom looked down in the family room at me. She might have asked me if I had something else better to do. Whatever the case, the women in my family are pretty quick, proactive aka busy women. Now you would think that being productive is a good quality to have, especially in the workng world. In reality it means that you do twice as much work in half the time and end up giving your company a coupon for all the work you did. And it also means that when you get home and lay down for a nap, you feel lazy! What a horrible horrible thing...
sigh.=)

A Good View

It's been a rough week where I have felt things have been thrown in my direction from all sides. Relationships with family, friends, school, they've all been a pretty big mess.  Despite all that, I have to say a good view can make all the difference and really has the impact to calm the soul. I'm at peace and I'm truly thankful for that. God is my ultimate sustainer. Kevin is second on that list. 

Some people want a big home with a great kitchen and all.  While I only have two bedrooms and one bath, I think I've gotten as big a home as I want and a great kitchen to go with it.  Add the beautiful view and I've got the ice cream with OREOS and 10 cherries on top.   When we first were looking at places to buy, I was deeply attracted to this condo.  Kevin was attracted to the new gas stove while I on the other hand, "loved the view!" With five sliding windows, the light streams in every morning, starting my day off just right.   

Right now, I'm working on a project for class and while it is "work" I can't complain because the sky is angelicly bluish white and the trees seem so content as they're slowly changing color. Yeah for beautiful views and for changing seasons.  Here's a peak at my current view in bad camera quality.  

The Children in My Life

It's been two months since I got married and really it doesn't feels like I'm not married.  I don't think I've realized yet that I'm not going home when this semester ends.  

Miss getting to play with Julia and Jonathan when I want to take a study break. The other day I dropped by home for a visit.  When my oldest niece Julia was about two, she started coming to find me in my room.  Right before I moved out, she would still come to my room and say things like "I gotta a question for you" or "I have a secret to tell you Yi Yi".   

This time when I went back home for a visit, I ran downstairs to gather some things from my old room. Next thing I knew, little Jonathan was coming down the stairs on his own saying "Yi yi, yi yi" meaning Auntie.   He came in my room and started exploring, just like Julia.  Too cute for me to handle.  Maybe God knew I would never be able to study with so many distractions.  

The closest I get to this is hearing the kids who live above us running upstairs.  They're more like giant kids though.  I am thankful for our new place.  OK, here's a picture when my two favorite cuties came to my house to hang for the night. They ate baked ziti, blew bubbles on the balcony, jumped on our bed, and of course as you can see we played in the coolest walk in closet ever known to man.  Julia and I had dance parties in the closet, and Jonathan stayed on our bed, enamored with this one light he kept turning on and off. What a blast. My grandma even joined the party=). Well, check out these two cuties, another one is on the way.=) 

"How to Be a Domestic Goddess"

I plan on buying this book sometime. I heard about it when I went to my friend Kerri's bridal shower.  Apparently, the girl who bought it for her was baking something with Kerri when they smelled something burning.   Who knew? They left the book on the stove top and ended up burning it.

My biggest fear before getting married was having to cook for the Mr.  It's not that he's ungrateful, but he is practically a professional cook himself and I've always felt stress when he mentioned the idea of me cooking for him in the future.  It's okay when your man can't cook a lick, but when his skills excel your own, that's some pressure I tell you.  Surprisingly, I think I'm becoming quite the domesticate.  I'm enjoying it alot too, except the fact that I have no time for running. 

Last week, I decided to surprise Kevin and rather than making spaghetti like I said I would, I decided to attempt to make meatloaf.  He stayed at work real late and I just remember him craving meatloaf the day before.   The only thing was I've never eaten meatloaf, cared too much for it, and I'd definitely never made it.  So being the smart woman that I am, I did what I always do when I cook. I googled!  I googled "best easy meatloaf" and although I messed up the recipe or I mean, "decided not to follow the recipe", it ended being a huge success. When I pulled the meatloaf out of the oven, I actually thought I screwed it up, but apparently Kevin said it looked fine. In my opinion, meatloaf is a piece of cake to make. It also looks like a pound of poo. Anyways, he was really impressed, had three servings, and said it was one of the best meatloafs he had.   All power to google!

New Things

The wedding and honeymoon are over. It's hard to believe and actually it feels like it just flew by or maybe never happened.  Maybe that's just because I haven't gotten any pictures back, haven't written too many thank you cards, and well, I think I know many of Kevin's quirks already, so in that way things haven't changed.  

On the other hand, a lot has changed.  I can truly tell you that I never thought marriage is what it is like now or will be.  While we were dating we didn't get into too many the past few years, but when you get married, it's funny how things change.   Kevin and I have definitely gotten into our first marital fights but it's not just that.  I began reading this book given to us by THE "Theo Lai" called "Sacred Marriage" and basically it says that marriage is not meant to make us happy. God uses it to make us holy. It all is starting to make sense now.  AHA moment!

This morning Kevin and I had an argument. It was big and I felt conflicted inside because half of me hated him and the other half knew that I had promised to "cherish" him like I said in my wedding vows.   I was so angry because Kevin really was telling me things about myself that I was like UGHhh!!  Basically he reminded me that I can be prideful, condescending, etc. etc.  That's when I realized that I think God uses marriage not to make us happier, but really to make us holier.  Honestly, that's not why I got married and I doubt anyone gets married simply to become holy, but really it makes sense.  That is probably why people end up separating so often. They get married hoping to be happy but really they don't realize that marriage is a relationship that is used to sharpen and challenge us to make us holier and closer to God.

So basically in my mind, it seems that in these next many years, God is going to use the closest person to me, my best friend, and the guy who I rate 10++++  on the scale of hotness to tell me the truth of my sin.  Instead of using some random person, Kevin's going to be the brave soul who is going to reveal to me my selfishness, my impatience, and the list continues on.   Knowing that this married life is meant to make me holier, it's a pretty startling and scary note to self that there will be many fights, many sharpenings, many battles that are meant to be there to make me more like God.   Hmmm..  What I'm realizing is that I really didn't sign up for this (I knew there'd be fights...but this is bigger, holiness).  And even more, I'm realizing that I barely have any idea of what marriage and being holy really mean.   I didn't know I signed up for so much, but I have a feeling that was all in the plan.  Here's to many years... cheers=) 

3 Days and Counting... (edited with pictures)

According to the counter on at our wedding website, it says there are THREE days until Kevin and I get married.  Are you serious?? There must be something wrong with counter.  It seems kind of soon doesn't it? 

Highlights

This weekend, my extremely skilled bridesmaids showed that they are quite the party planners. Oh my goodness, I had SO MUCH fun and had a million laughs.   I felt so loved and enjoyed time with some amazing wild women in my life.=)  Yes, WILD.  Kevin made a guest appearance thanks to my maid of honor, Winyan SooHoo, who put together the most hilarious video.   The theme of the shower was "Prettiest food, cutest gift, and wildest dress". Guess who won the wild dress contest? Of course, my mother herself!  I always knew she was a wild one and well, she definitely beat the competition hands down. My sisters could barely compete.   

With three days left until the "BIG" day, I plan to enjoy myself and spend time with my family and friends.  So far, so good.  Today, Kevin and I settle for our first new home.=) My mom has appointed a clean up team to get our new place ready... lucky for my sister and brother in law, they're the first appointed to that team=).

Well, the day must start, so stay posted for pictures from the shower!