Tuesday, April 8, 2014

the last of the double digits.

8 weeks ahead
Shop for wedding dress and all accessories  shoes....

7 weeks ahead
Order cake cake DONE!

6 weeks ahead
Select and purchase groom's ring Needs work

5 weeks ahead
Plan honeymoon and transportation and make arrangements Planned, almost paid for
Purchase temple clothes  can't do that until I have a recommend, I checked. 

4 weeks ahead
Register for gifts simpleregistry.com/spencerariaorr
Schedule temple recommend appointments  RED ALERT HERE...because nobody answers their phones during conference

3 weeks ahead
Mail invitations early in the week-still passing the last ones out here in HI.
Get marriage license DONE!
Evaluate the tables and decorations at the reception, make sure you have EVERYTHING not my job 

2 weeks ahead
Talk to photographer/videographer about special shots you need started conversations
Double check all reservations (temple, place of reception, florist, hair stylist, caterer, photographer, cake, rental items, honeymoon) or finish making the reservations...
Make freezer meals to feed out-of-town guests during wedding week need 

1 week ahead
Pack for honeymoon coming up with a list
Get manicures, pedicures, wax your eyebrows ew.
Purchase food- as if it isn't already in the fridge.
Compile fix-it kit-safety pins, needle and thread, ibuprofen, bobby pins, mints, nylons, makeup


Also- Spencer and I are working on our blog, which is spencerariaorr.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

20-something days.

8 weeks ahead

Prepare a budget Budgets are always in process.  we've got a skeleton.
Meet with the in-laws to discuss date and how expenses will be shared hey, this is all official now!
Schedule a photographer for engagement photos (immediately), bridals, wedding day (we used 3 different people) check
Shop for wedding dress and all accessories  needs to be cleaned.

7 weeks ahead
Order cake cake, right.

6 weeks ahead
Select and purchase groom's ring HA! done
Reserve rental items (backdrops, decorations, etc.)  Calling Brother Kaitoku...soon.
Order or purchase supplies for favors and for decorating: tablecloths, centerpieces, everything! Still a Brother Kaitoku thing

5 weeks ahead
Start addressing invitations I would have liked them to be done on the 12th-14th, but they are finally printed. 
Plan honeymoon and transportation and make arrangements No new news
Purchase temple clothes  can't do that until I have a recommend, I checked. 

4 weeks ahead
Finish addressing invitations- done, for the Hawaii people and everyone on  the Google form
Register for gifts done. 
Determine menu and order supplies if needed working
Schedule temple recommend appointments  aka, camp in front of Hannemann's office and then MacArthur's

3 weeks ahead
Mail invitations early in the week-absolutely no later than the 28th. pllllllease.
Make sure wedding party clothing is completely purchased (jewelry, shoes, etc.) not my job
Get marriage license working
Purchase or order accessories such as cake knives and servers, garter, guest book and pen got the guest book, need the other things.
Evaluate the tables and decorations at the reception, make sure you have EVERYTHING

2 weeks ahead
Talk to photographer/videographer about special shots you need
Double check all reservations (temple, place of reception, florist, hair stylist, caterer, photographer, cake, rental items, honeymoon)
Gather any borrowed items
Make freezer meals to feed out-of-town guests during wedding week huh.  good thought. 

1 week ahead
Pack for honeymoon 
Get manicures, pedicures, wax your eyebrows 
Groom's haircut- DONE! 
Final guest counts
Purchase food- as if it isn't already in the fridge.
Compile fix-it kit-safety pins, needle and thread, ibuprofen, bobby pins, mints, nylons, makeup


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Wedding Checklist- almost 1 month out

8 weeks ahead

Prepare a budget Got the basic idea. Still working out the kinks. 
Meet with the in-laws to discuss date and how expenses will be shared labors of love my friend.  We're rebuilding the deck.
Decide on a color scheme FINALLY DONE!!!!! ALL BLUES from greenish blues to deep blues, just, all of them.  and then sand colored-ish things, and an orangey-choral-"cool melon" color as an accent.  You don't get a text sample of that because blogger won't do it justice. 
Schedule a photographer for engagement photos (immediately), bridals, wedding day (we used 3 different people)  engagements=done; wedding= called; bridal= maybe, but we'll see.
Shop for wedding dress and all accessories  dress shopping= CHECK; success at the bridal shops= well, I know what I like.  Found a dress that I liked and fits like a glove from a fellow student for 1/4 the price I could have gotten others that I really liked= WINNER!

7 weeks ahead
Begin compiling guest list and addresses (determine temple, luncheon, and reception guests)  well, it began.
Order cake cake, right.
Reserve caterer, if using still think i have to know the guest list, but we have at least some ideas of food...and a lot of students in the Cambodian/Thai chapter who will help :)

6 weeks ahead
Select and purchase groom's ring well, that's a good reminder.
Reserve rental items (backdrops, decorations, etc.)  Calling Brother Kaitoku...soon.
Find a place to live when married subleasing an apartment in TVA from a friend for the summer!!!!!
Order or purchase supplies for favors and for decorating: tablecloths, centerpieces, everything! umm....no idea, delegating that out to anybody who wants it.  
By March 7th I need to have all the facts ready for invitations and have a set design for invitations  invitations are kinda finished. 
Planning to go dress shopping here  done.

5 weeks ahead
Finish compiling guest lists oh good, I still have time for that. 
Start addressing invitations  I would like to have the invitations in hand by March 12th; and all addresses finalized and in my possession by the 14th. well, we've started addressing some things.  
Plan honeymoon and transportation and make arrangements Spencer's job
Arrange for health and auto insurance no car! health insurance...crap
Purchase temple clothes  can't do that until I have a recommend, I checked. 

4 weeks ahead
Finish addressing invitations
Register for gifts simpleregistry.com.  Awesome.  should actually add things to the registry though. 
Determine menu and order supplies if needed someone just ordered 30lbs of beef today.  so that's good. 
Determine what help you need on wedding day (servers, table clearers, kitchen help, pick up food), ask people  right...um. well, we'll see who is still around.  
Schedule temple recommend appointments  aka, camp in front of Hannemann's office and then MacArthur's
I can get a marriage licence starting the 20th.  We don't have school on the 20th, that may actually be a good day to do that. ha. 

3 weeks ahead
Mail invitations early in the week- I would like the invitations to be mailed by the 21st, and absolutely no later than the 28th.
Make sure wedding party clothing is completely purchased (jewelry, shoes, etc.) My mom's job and Spencer's mom's job.  awesome. they've done good so far!

Get marriage license absolute last day to do this is the 12th of April, because it has to be done at least a week in advance apparently. 
Purchase or order accessories such as cake knives and servers, garter, guest book and pen plastic-ware; ordered a picture guestbook in February.
Evaluate the tables and decorations at the reception, make sure you have EVERYTHING

2 weeks ahead
Talk to photographer/videographer about special shots you need
Make sure music playlist is ready Alayna made a Spotify channel for us.  It's a little bit sappy- we need some Jack Johnson in there and I think Spencer has a few delete requests, but it is a VERY good start, and it has the proper amount of Michael Buble, so it's a pretty good thing.  
Double check all reservations (temple, place of reception, florist, hair stylist, caterer, photographer, cake, rental items, honeymoon)
Gather any borrowed items
Make freezer meals to feed out-of-town guests during wedding week huh.  good thought.  My thought, because people are flying in and, well food is expensive, was make a costco trip when people got here and that would set everyone up fairly well for the week. 

1 week ahead
Pack for honeymoon 
Get manicures, pedicures, wax your eyebrows nude colored nail polish, hopefully borrowed from my roommate...or bought.
Arrange for moving in to your new place easy, my contract ends on the 15th
Groom's haircut-  ah, good point.  Should probably happen sooner than later. 
Final guest counts
Purchase food- as if it isn't already in the fridge.
Compile fix-it kit-safety pins, needle and thread, ibuprofen, bobby pins, mints, nylons, makeup

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Wedding Checklist- 7 weeks out

8 weeks ahead

Prepare a budget Still working on it
Talk to family members about any date conflicts   check
Meet with the in-laws to discuss date and how expenses will be shared ummmm, still working on it
Set a date April 19th everybody- that is 48 days from now
Schedule temple time and endowment time, if necessary I can't schedule an endowment until I have that recommend, so no. 
Select and reserve a place for reception check
Decide on a color scheme still fail
Schedule a photographer for engagement photos (immediately), bridals, wedding day (we used 3 different people)  engagements=done; wedding...we have options
Schedule hair dresser, if using dude, I pro-braid my hair myself.  
Schedule invitation appointment. Order invitations as soon as possible  what the heck is an invitation appointment?  i did talk to BYUH Print Services, and cousin Aprihl is willing to get me cheaper paper if can.  Megan has somewhat agreed to design them 
Shop for wedding dress and all accessories  avoiding like the plague
Schedule temple preparation classes as needed  check, but who 'schedules' these things?

7 weeks ahead
Begin compiling guest list and addresses (determine temple, luncheon, and reception guests)  this is a today thing.
Arrange for a florist Patti's petals.  Spencer's mom is a florist. 
Take engagement photos CHECK!
Order cake ummm...cupcakes anybody? or TED's pie....or...sheetcake...or... I really don't wanna
Reserve caterer, if using dude, I have to know the guest list first
Determine bridesmaids and bridal party, invite them CHECK- go sisters!
Determine what the wedding party will wear (including groomsmen) and begin shopping CHECK- hooray for brothers.

6 weeks ahead
Select and purchase groom's ring still deciding....haven't looked at it in a while
Reserve rental items (backdrops, decorations, etc.)  this means absolutely nothing to me.
Find a place to live when married square 1.
Make appointments for premarital exam, dental work, eye doctor, etc. before insurance runs out  assuming you have fantastic insurance anyway, and now marriage doesn't kick you off your parent's insurance.  thank you Obama.
Order or purchase supplies for favors and for decorating: tablecloths, centerpieces, everything! umm....no idea, delegating that out to anybody who wants it.  
By March 7th I need to have all the facts ready for invitations and have a set design for invitations
Planning to go dress shopping here
5 weeks ahead
Finish compiling guest lists
Start addressing invitations  I would like to have the invitations in hand by March 12th; and all addresses finalized and in my possession by the 14th. 
Plan honeymoon and transportation and make arrangements haven't even looked at it.
Arrange for health and auto insurance no car! health insurance...crap
Purchase temple clothes

4 weeks ahead
Have bridal portraits taken  n/a I think.  
Finish addressing invitations
Register for gifts I have no idea how to do this.
Determine menu and order supplies if needed wouldn't this be done with the caterer?
Determine what help you need on wedding day (servers, table clearers, kitchen help, pick up food), ask people  right...um. well, it's a good thing I have visiting teachers. 
Schedule temple recommend appointments  aka, camp in front of Hannemann's office and then MacArthur's
I can get a marriage licence starting the 20th. 

3 weeks ahead
Mail invitations early in the week- I would like the invitations to be mailed by the 21st, and absolutely no later than the 28th.
Make sure wedding party clothing is completely purchased (jewelry, shoes, etc.)
Arrange for time off work- assuming you have jobs
Get marriage license absolute last day to do this is the 12th of April, because it has to be done at least a week in advance apparently. 
Purchase or order accessories such as cake knives and servers, garter, guest book and pen plastic-ware; ordered a picture guestbook yesterday.
Evaluate the tables and decorations at the reception, make sure you have EVERYTHING

2 weeks ahead
Talk to photographer/videographer about special shots you need
Make sure music playlist is ready PANDORA ALL THE WAY
Complete anything you are making, framing, or sewing for the special day or just focus on my recital
Double check all reservations (temple, place of reception, florist, hair stylist, caterer, photographer, cake, rental items, honeymoon)
Gather any borrowed items
Make freezer meals to feed out-of-town guests during wedding week

1 week ahead
Pack for honeymoon assuming we're going somewhere for an extended period of time...which, in all likelihood, we're not
Get manicures, pedicures, wax your eyebrows nude colored nail polish, hopefully borrowed from my roommate
Arrange for moving in to your new place easy, my contract ends on the 15th
Groom's haircut-  ah, good point.
Final guest counts
Purchase food
Compile fix-it kit-safety pins, needle and thread, ibuprofen, bobby pins, mints, nylons, makeup

fighting with social media

Social media sucks.

EVERYBODY is seemingly ETERNALLY connected to some kind of social site.

But people rarely talk to eachother.

You know what makes a healthy brain?  Touching people and talking to people face to face. You don't get the same neuron development from a conversation on facebook as you get when I talk to you face to face?  But that's mostly how we talk to people...if that.

Well that's just fake and ridiculous isn't it.


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Wedding checklist.

I'M GETTING MARRIED!   We're all very happy and excited, and it's happening in 8ish weeks, so mom found me a checklist.


8 weeks ahead (hopefully you have more time!)

Prepare a budget working on it.
Talk to family members about any date conflicts   check
Meet with the in-laws to discuss date and how expenses will be shared ummmm
Set a date check
Schedule temple time and endowment time, if necessary check
Select and reserve a place for reception check
Decide on a color scheme fail
Schedule a photographer for engagement photos (immediately), bridals, wedding day (we used 3 different people)  check on the engagement
Schedule hair dresser, if using dude, I pro-braid my hair myself.  
Schedule invitation appointment. Order invitations as soon as possible  what the heck is an invitation appointment?  postcards people.  postage is $.28 instead of $.49
Shop for wedding dress and all accessories  fail
Schedule temple preparation classes as needed  check, but who 'schedules' these things?

7 weeks ahead
Begin compiling guest list and addresses (determine temple, luncheon, and reception guests)  crap, forgot to ask mom about that
Arrange for a florist Patti's petals.  signed, sealed, delivered
Take engagement photos hopefully by 2/21
Order cake ummm...cupcakes anybody? or TED's pie....or...sheetcake...or... I really don't wanna
Reserve caterer, if using talk to the thai lady for the family dinner and
Determine bridesmaids and bridal party, invite them CHECK- go sisters!
Determine what the wedding party will wear (including groomsmen) and begin shopping CHECK- hooray for brothers.

6 weeks ahead
Select and purchase groom's ring still deciding....
Reserve rental items (backdrops, decorations, etc.)  like what?!?!?
Find a place to live when married check(ish)
Make appointments for premarital exam, dental work, eye doctor, etc. before insurance runs out  assuming you have fantastic insurance anyway, and now marriage doesn't kick you off your parent's insurance.  thank you Obama.
Order or purchase supplies for favors and for decorating: tablecloths, centerpieces, everything! umm...bamboo and flowers from Patti...and around the town.  

5 weeks ahead
Finish compiling guest lists
Start addressing invitations
Plan honeymoon and transportation and make arrangements
Arrange for health and auto insurance no car! health...crap
Purchase temple clothes

4 weeks ahead
Have bridal portraits taken  n/a I think.  we can wait for those.
Finish addressing invitations
Register for gifts I have no idea how to do this.
Determine menu and order supplies if needed
Determine what help you need on wedding day (servers, table clearers, kitchen help, pick up food), ask people
Schedule temple recommend appointments  aka, camp in front of Hannemann's office and then MacArthur's

3 weeks ahead
Mail invitations early in the week- so should be done before this
Make sure wedding party clothing is completely purchased (jewelry, shoes, etc.)
Arrange for time off work- assuming you have jobs
Get marriage license
Purchase or order accessories such as cake knives and servers, garter, guest book and pen plasticware
Evaluate the tables and decorations at the reception, make sure you have EVERYTHING

2 weeks ahead
Talk to photographer/videographer about special shots you need
Make sure music playlist is ready PANDORA ALL THE WAY
Complete anything you are making, framing, or sewing for the special day or just focus on my recital
Double check all reservations (temple, place of reception, florist, hair stylist, caterer, photographer, cake, rental items, honeymoon)
Gather any borrowed items
Make freezer meals to feed out-of-town guests during wedding week

1 week ahead
Pack for honeymoon assuming we're going somewhere for an extended period of time...which we're not
Get manicures, pedicures, wax your eyebrows nude colored nail polish
Arrange for moving in to your new place easy, my contract ends.
Groom's haircut-  ah, good point.
Final guest counts
Purchase food
Compile fix-it kit-safety pins, needle and thread, ibuprofen, bobby pins, mints, nylons, makeup

Wedding Day
Don't forget breakfast
Give yourself a lot of time to get ready
Be sure to have temple recommends, rings, marriage license

Thursday, February 13, 2014

where did the adventures go?

There are so many blog posts that I've half-written.

I start.
I write about my day, or some event, or trip, or crazy afternoon.
And then....I never know how to end it.
If there is a lesson I learned that some readers can take home?
If there is someone I served, is that my story to tell?
Then I close the tab.
I don't finish it.
I don't publish it.

A while ago I had a meeting that...was very pointed...and was focused on FERPA regulations and policies.  With my job, I have a lot of access.  So I'm careful.  After this meeting, I made it a point to approach my teachers during the first week of the semester and tell the what I did as a student worker, make them aware of the course access I had, and ask them if they would rather I submitted assignments in paper, or took tests their office.   You know when your youngest sibling was 2, and they had a phase where they would only watch ONE movie, back to back to back to back?  This FERPA meeting felt like part of one of those phases.  I'm dating a man who wants to be a shrink.  His father is a shrink. I was in the relief society presidency.  I have, in effect, an all-seeing eye for the school's classes.  I have friends and roommates that I can empathize with, but I can't fix.
I'm not sure which stories are mine to tell anymore.

I've had adventures, I promise I have.  I realized that blogging takes a lot of time, and with my computer going the way of the world, I didn't make time for it.  Staring at the computer for long periods of time makes my head hurt...until I put on my glasses.  Thank heaven for optical technology.  I've turned a lot of personal computer time into OBERT time.  Which is handy now that I'm almost ready to play 2 sonatas for my recital.

It feels weird to write in this medium.  My life is no longer filled with an ever-changing variety of characters.  I chose a few.

I feel like there is so much back story that I'd have to trudge through in order to have anything I say make sense.
I don't have a very vivid imagination.  My mind is a fairly quiet place.  Ask my mom and my 2nd grade teachers, sometimes my mind is just empty and content to be so.  I don't paint pictures with words.  Look at my old posts, I tell stories with inserted back-story, and I talk in circles.

To make a hard story into something digestible-- I had a lot of good people around me.  I liked them a lot.  I mothered them more than I, or they, realized at the time.  We joked about it, that I was 'mom'; but nobody knew how much until I left.  And I did, I left.  And they threw a parting party, and it was sweet.
And I heard nothing more from them until the day I came home.

I learned to keep my stories, to write them down just for me, and to share them in person; that meant more to whomever I was conversing with anyway.

I would love to tell you why; but a lot of those aren't happy stories.  I'm not good at being sad.  Spencer says that's why he chose me.

The adventures aren't gone, they're just as simple as they used to be.  The world is so much bigger than I am, and you have just as much to offer it as I do.  I don't like telling my stories and not hearing yours.