Photos_Those who paved the way for us

My grandmother and grandfather, Evelyn and William, circa 1940s

Video_Us + Ravens = Dancing & Superbowl

Photos_January Babies

Words & Video_Golden Globin'

Over fried chicken, moscow mules, baked mac & cheese, and spinach salad, me, Robbe, and our friends Rachel and Asher came together for a lively, thought-provoking debate over--no, not the fiscal cliff, not gun control--but yes, something exponentially more important. Of those nominated for the prestigious Golden Globe awards, who would be generously recognized for their directorial/actorial (yes I just made up a word)/scripting prowess?

The 25 Golden Globe nominations meant 25 predictions which meant 4 people plus 25 predictions equals 100 different predictions. We decided whoever collected the most correct predictions would be able to deliver a 1 minute thank you speech. The. Heat. Was. On.

Before I get into the ugliness, the cat-clawing, the heckling, the teeth-gnashing, foaming of the mouth fierce competition, here is my thoughtfully profound detailed list of Golden Globe superlatives...

Most Adorable Counterpart 
Don Cheadle's wife

Most Tender Winning Reaction 
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner

Weirdest Exchange
Jodie Foster and Robert Downey, Jr. (Keyword: Hamsters)

"Me Likey" Dresses 
Amanda Seyfried; Kerry Washington (too skinny); Amy Adams (Marchesa); Jennifer Lopez (goddess); Kate Hudson, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba

"Most Likey" Dress
Kate Hudson

"Whad Up Wit Dat?" Dresses 
Lucy Liu, Jessica Chastain, Halle Berry

"Seriously, What Up Wit Dat?" Dress
Lucy Liu

The Most Beautiful Woman in the World Who Consistently Dresses From Another Time/Planet
Halle Berry (Oh, for shame! What a waste of beauty and the most amazing figure. Sigh...)

"I'm In Love, I'm In Love, I'm In Love and I Don't Care Who Knows It!" Overall Look
Jennifer Lopez (flawless goddess)

You Finally Wore a Dress That Suits Your Long Torso Figure, Bravo!
Claire Danes (you'll always be Angela to me)

Just...Stop, Please
Anne Hathaway

I Like How You Talk In Real Life Better
Damien Lewis (Homeland)

Thanks For Making Me Feel Like I Haven't Done Anything With My Life Compared to You
Lena Dunham (25 years old, writer, creator, actor of Girls)

I'm Over You But I Technically Still Like You Because You're Not a Bad Person Plus You're Still Young 
Taylor Swift

Thank God You Won (Especially Over T. Swift) and For Your Speech
Adele

I Love You, When Are You Ever Going to Win???
Leonardo DiCaprio

...And Why Are You Here...?
P. Diddy

Best Jokes From the Best Golden Globe Hosts Ever

• "Taylor Swift, you stay away from Michael J. Fox's son. She needs some me time to learn about herself." (Tina)
• "Our next presenter is an actor so versatile, he played Iron Man in 3 different movies." (Tina)
• "Meryl Streep is not here tonight, she has the flu. And I hear she is amazing in it." (Amy)
• "You gave a stunning performance in Les Miserables. I've not seen someone so totally alone and abandoned like that until I saw you and James Franco at the Oscars." (Tina)
• "When left untreated, HFPA can lead to cervical cancer." (Amy)
• Amy addressing Ben Affleck and acknowledging their shared Boston roots by saying: "You're not better than me." 

If You Didn't Laugh, You're Obviously Not Human

Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell presenting best actress in a comedy/musical



So back to what this post is really about. Who won the Golden Globe predictions of 2013, you ask?

Well, we all did. We tied. (Seriously, there needs to be some kind of tie breaker in the future.) We all predicted 12 correct winners. And just as promised, we all went around and made 1 minute acceptance speeches.

Robbe's speech unfortunately was a rough 20 seconds as Asher didn't realize he was making a speech and talked over him about what was recorded on DVR.

Rachel's speech was heartfelt and thoughtful and--I actually can't remember anything she said, I'm sorry.

In Asher's speech, he thanked a lot of people. Just kept thanking person after person. To be honest, I don't remember his speech either.

My speech? A little of this and that. But ultimately I announced that Rachel and Mazel (Rachel's dog) and I were all running away together, with 5 seconds to spare.

And that, my friends... is how you Golden Globin'. 

Photos & Words_Jury Duty 2013

In a nutshell:

- Was paid $15 to sit in a room and watch 3 movies as follows:
- "It's Complicated" and lusted after Meryl Streep, her garden, her kitchen, her bakery, her everything
- "Maid in Manhattan" which I might have teared up in (she's a single mom trying to make ends meet y'all!) and it surprisingly got deeeeep. "What defines us is how well we rise after falling." Let that just sit for a minute.
- "College Road Trip" with Martin Lawrence and learned a lot about myself. Like how pigs disguised as newborns are hilarious to me.
- Paid $8 for lunch. $4.40 for fancy coffee. $12 for garage.
- Total loss of $8, which means I paid $8 for jury duty.
- Snapped this photo while on my lunch break.

Photos_New Year, New Kicks

To: Me

From: Husband

Words & Photos_2012

How quickly 2012 becomes the past. This was a huge year packed with surprises and marriage, a new life and new everythings. It's crazy to think there are so many moments; millions and millions of moments in this past year that I have already forgotten. Perhaps a blessing and a curse. I am beyond beyond blessed... I do not live as I should--grateful, humble, compassionate. There is much refining needed here. But in the spirit of reflection, here are a few illuminating and just plain fun moments of the past 365 days.

Marriage

Robbe and I were married on June 2, 2012. It was a perfectly beautiful day and surprisingly I remember so many details and emotions that make me feel so close to that day, still. We've been married now for over six months. I knew marriage was hard going into it. I had been told that so many times and knew it was a mountainous adjustment, especially as a thirty-something couple who had lived independent lives for so long. However, it wasn't living together or sharing things or making joint stylistic decisions that has been difficult for me. It's marriage's inescapable nature; there is nowhere to hide in your darkest moments, there is only constant vulnerability and illumination. Robbe has learned, as well as myself, that I have no middle ground. I am either sweet and silly or your worst nightmare. I go from zero to 60 in a flash over the most insignificant things. I remember an old roommate described marriage to me as "a constant mirror held up to your face". She is exactly right. It's a constant battle, mostly with myself, and I lose 99% of the time. Don't get me wrong, marriage is a million wonderful things. It's forgiving and heartwarming and sacrificial and sweet; it's hilarious and silly and one of the safest feelings in the world. But it's also incredibly challenging. For me, it's unnecessarily challenging as the simple choice to react in a loving way to my husband is easily overpowered by my selfishness. This needs to change. This has to change. And I suppose that is what marriage is; a constant refining; a daily mirror that exposes every hidden flaw yet despite all of these things, you are still deeply loved. 

J-O-B

I wonder what we'll remember most about our lives... our work? Our close friends and family? We spend more time at work than almost anything else, but in the end, will it be memorable? I celebrated my five-year anniversary working at my current job in April. I still wonder exactly how I got here and the meaning of it all. Robbe, by the amazing grace of God, got a new job as a technical writer in November (thanks to a close friend). It's something that happened so unusually fast; it's like we blinked and our lives changed. I am so grateful for God's provision. Again, beyond blessed and undeserving.

Life Cycle

One of the best feelings in the world is knowing your friends have found someone they genuinely love and who makes them happy. In September, my best friend Ashleigh got married to a bilingual, extroverted, 6-foot something teddy bear whose laugh would jolt you out of the deepest sleep. In November, my best friend Mandy got engaged--a miracle within itself--and I've never seen someone so notoriously noncommittal be so sure of something in my entire life--especially in the midst of criticism. I love the stories God has woven for all of us and the husbands he has led us to from the beginning. I am so thankful that he allowed us all to experience this incredible life change so close together in time. 

Here and There

• Friday Night Lights series finale (February)
• Financial Peace University (January - May)
• NYC (March)
• Robbe's surprise 30th birthday party (April)
• My friend Laura's boy Joel was born! (April)
• Parents' 30th anniversary (August)
• Luke & Jess married! Most fun after-party ever! (SC) (September)
• Caliann & Brendan married! (PA) (September)
• Ashleigh & Meeker married! (MD) (September)
• The Orioles in playoffs (October)
• Bengies drive-in triple feature (October)

InstaYear in Review