One Boy, One Girl

Nine years ago today, a very nervous boy and a very nervous girl went on their first date. The date was three months, a million hours worth of phone calls, and a few notebooks' worth of notes in the making--remember, this was back in the days before IM or e-mail or Facebook played a part in budding young romances. She drove them to the theater, he tried to put his arm around her. She awkwardly rejected his advances. He persevered. They held sweaty hands inside the theater, during what turned out to be a seriously LONG movie, way too long for a first date, they later agreed.
The ride home was filled with silence and uneasiness...neither person knew what to say. The evening ended with a good-night kiss, which I will not dare to describe here. I will, however, be happy to re-enact it for you sometime, as it was pretty hilarious.
It's hard to believe that was nine years ago. If you'd asked us that night, we probably wouldn't have guessed that we'd be married today. But we are, and that makes me really thankful for that cold December night, nine years ago today.

Snow/Ice Day!

Last night's bad weather brought good news this morning--no Chem final for Mark and no work for me (not that I don't love my job and Mark doesn't love chemistry, of course). Here's the view through our camera lens, courtesy of my photographer husband:

Our car's antenna

Not the Pacific Ocean...just the  windshield 

Shannon Miller cries as she remembers her Olympic victory, and how she made Edmond, OK proud

No comments, just a question: how does this happen?!?

We Miss It

For our Japan friends:
In case you're wondering if we miss Japan, let me tell you about last night. While we were making dinner, Mark found and played SMAP and Orange Range music videos on Youtube. We listened and we cried and cried and cried.

(this picture is from "Good-Bye Sunday" at Mito Church. Not the most flattering shot. And I'm pretty sure this is how all of our Japanese friends and co-workers will remember us forever, because this is how we looked at every good-bye ceremony)