A-team + I = AI-team

Kris Shingles

>> Dec 21, 2005

Hi, everyone. :(

Question: What is a very painful and often debilitating condition that is caused by the same virus as chickenpox? After one contracts chicken pox, the virus can lie dormant in sensory (skin) nerves for decades. It reappears when the immune system is weakened by age, disease or unmanaged stress. When events occur that decrease the immune system, such as aging, severe emotional stress, severe illness, or long-term usage of corticosteroids, the immune system cannot suppress the dormant organisms any longer and they become active again, causing infection along the pathway of the nerve.

Painful skin blisters erupt on one side of your face or body. Typically, this occurs along your chest, abdomen, back, or face, but it may also affect your neck, limbs, or lower back. It can be excruciatingly painful, itchy, and tender. After one to two weeks, the blisters heal and form scabs, although the pain continues.

This disease in itself is not a communicable disease. However, exposure to the rash may cause small children to develop chickenpox. Pregnant women, adults who have never had chickenpox, and persons with impaired immune systems should avoid direct contact with anyone suffering from this disease.

Answer: The SHINGLES! And Annie has it!

Yes, in the year of interesting illnesses Annie has had (a few months ago, a weird, violent, but quick episode of stomach flu), I have now found a way to get the shingles (sounds like a rock band, yeah?).

Surprised? Not really! With all of my stress out from the wedding and the early and late hours I'm putting in at work, I'm surprised I haven't collapsed yet, just like rock stars do, when they have "exhaustion".

Fortunately, I caught it early. My mom is a plethora of knowledge when it comes to what is wrong with me. She suspected I might have shingles. I went to urgent care right away, and they were able to treat it. My medication makes me hurl every couple of hours, but that's because I hate medication of all kind, and whenever I take them, I get every side effect that it lists. I now only feel a lot of tenderness around my rib area on the left side of my body, but other than that, no rashes, no break outs in blisters, no scary swollen scabs anywhere (nothing like the horror pictures I found on the web). So, I'm okay, but I'm staying home from work just to make sure I don't spread the wealth to anyone who has a low immune system or is pregnant.

Unfortunately, though, I think this may affect my Christmas. I don't think I'd want to cook for the family, because then I'd cry if everyone chose to stay away from it, worried that it might be laced with the shingles, even though by then, I don't think I'd be contagious. Also, there are people with low immune systems and young kids galore in Anthony's side of the family, so I don't know if it would be wise to offer some big Auntie Annie hugs. I did want to do so much, but I just don't have the energy. I haven't even sent out Christmas cards yet, and I just don't think I will.

Anthony also has been hit by the sick bug. First day of his two-week vacation, he got a really bad cold. It's been a few days, but with sleeping in and taking it easy (and a few Coldbusters from Jamba Juice), he's been feeling much better, although he has a really annoying cough that won't go away. But hopefully his plans of catching up with packing for the condo, Christmas shopping, and honeymoon planning should still be able to take place.

And to top it all off, Bennie has been sick! He's been throwing up since Sunday, and we don't know what's wrong with him. DJ had a party for his friends last weekend, and we think he might have eaten something weird. But he's okay now, but he's a little run down. Poor little guy. Right now he's sharing the computer chair with me (tight fit) and making it impossible for me to use the mouse because he's lying his head on top of the pad.

Oh well, a Merry Christmas to all of us! Other than that, we are in good spirits and hopeful that with the New Year comes better health and smooth planning for the wedding!

xoxo and the shingles,
Annie

Happy holidays, no wait, MERRY CHRISTMAS..

>> Dec 16, 2005

Hi, everyone. :)

Just wanted to drop in and say hello and see how everyone is doing. As usual, I've been stressed out. I think that with the craziness of the holidays that I get caught up in the frenzy of it all (I'm spending an insane amount of money on presents), and I find that that makes me want to accomplish more for the wedding. But everyone keeps telling me to wait until after the holidays to get anything done. But there just doesn't seem to be enough time. I'm not sure if people understand that the wedding is about 4 months away. Sooooooo much to get done before then.

Christmas will be interesting this year. Anthony and I have always found a way to make time for both families, but for some reason, this year seems a lot more difficult. Maybe because we're making too much of it than it really is? Either way, somehow we'll end up offending someone. I'm a very, very positive thinker.

But here's what's going on with the wedding planning. I ordered my veil and blusher. So cool. I forgot about the veil part of the dress for a while, but just ordering one just made me feel so complete. The blusher is what gives me the tinglies. Just so pretty and frothy looking. The wedding attire is all coming together! I thought I knew what shoes I wanted, but a few weeks ago, I was checking out Christing Aguilera's (I know, but don't judge) wedding pics and I fell in love with her shoes. I'd always seen them in stores, but I always thought that they were like 17 years behind fashion, but actually, they looked so cute. We'll see.

The bridesmaids picked up their dresses. Very cute, very brown. I was happy to see all of the dresses together, although I haven't seen my girls in them yet. I love them all. Now we need to find shoes.

Ooh, ooh, and we finally picked our cake! It's going to be so fabulous. I'm not a cake person, but I just loved designing our cake and going to the tasting and everything. And it'll be different flavors, so we can accommodate all the picky eaters of the bunch.

I can see January being very busy for all of us. I know the bridal shower should be happening around then, and we've got lots of appointments to finalize invites, food (my favorite part), itinerary, music, readings, and other things that can't be put off, at least in my mind.

Seriously, I just can't wait to be married. We've been together for so long, and I keep staring at our empty condo, just itching to move in. But we're doing this the way we'd always planned, and I know that with all the waiting will come its reward. Leana told me a story about her and Oscar (the soon-to-be-ousted newlyweds) that made me feel so excited all over again about starting the Anthony-Annie life together.

Hmm. MZ (love her) passed along the rumored lineup for Coachella. When we were planning our day, we completely forgot about Coachella weekend, which falls on our weekend. Sorry to all the music fans if we're making you choose between us and the Coachella Music Festival. Of course, we can't make it on Saturday, but I'm trying to convince Anthony that we should head on over to good ol' Indio on Sunday. Am I pushing it? But how cool would it be to wake up and know that we've got a sort of honeymoon before our honeymoon? We don't leave for the real thing until May anyway, so IT MAKES SENSE. I'll wear my veil and we'll wear matching shirts that say, "Just married and we're at Coachella." I'll wear my X-tina shoes, too. With shorts. And my hair still did from the night before. YES! Why don't I just wear my wedding dress, too? No, that would be too much. Just the veil, shoes, shorts, and matching shirts. Hahaha. Anybody who knows Anthony knows that he loooooooves to match with me. There was this one time long ago when he picked me up, and we were wearing the same light blue color, and he turned back to his house, and I asked where we were going, and he said, "Back to my house. I need to change." I hope he's over it, because I bought us matching Christmas sweater vests this year. Looks great with light blue shirts.

Merry Christmas to all, if I don't a chance to say it later!

Love, Annie

"There's only us..."

>> Nov 28, 2005

So last week we saw the movie version of RENT. It brought back lots of memories for me. Did anyone ever wonder how Anthony and I came to be? As cheesy as it may be, it all started with RENT. First of all, the final count is Anthony: 11 times and Annie: 6 times--the number of times we had seen RENT the musical.

First of all, Anthony and I met at Souplantation when we were 18 (we're 27 years old now, so it's been awhile!). So you could say that it's a combination of RENT and Souplantation (the best combination there is!). Anthony was just another co-worker in the grinding, well-oiled wheel that was Souplantation. Gradually, we both realized that we had the same sense of humor (everything was either a pun or an inside joke that was funny only to us), so we were buddies. He had gone to Boston and had seen RENT and came back a raving maniac about it, and talking about it non-stop and how much he loved it, and how he wanted to see it again and again, and that it was coming to LA. I knew vaguely of it; I had gone to a dance recital and heard one of the songs ...I knew I liked it but I never knew what the name of the song was.

And then RENT came to Los Angeles. I told him I was interested in seeing it some time, but I was never really committed to anything. Then a co-worker (female) came up to me and asked me, "Are you going to see RENT with me and Anthony?" I was surprised and replied, "I'd love to, but I don't think I'm invited." Knowing Anthony's game (the pimp at the "'plantation"), I figured I was part of a plan relating to Anthony's latest crush, so I thought, "WHATEVER; he's using me and didn't even tell me." To make a long story short (I know, I know), after lots of back and forth banter, Anthony convinced me that he really wanted me to go with him and that I wouldn't be the third wheel on their date because it WASN'T a date.

If I remember the back story correctly, Jonathon Larsen (composer, who passed away shortly before opening night on Broadway) had always wanted to make sure students got a chance to see the musical. Thus, the first 2 rows were always reserved for a $20 student rate, and patrons were usually chosen by lottery or by "first-come, first-serve" basis. In the case of Los Angeles, it was by first-come, first-serve, meaning, "You'd better be ready at dawn to bring your sleeping bags, snacks, a good attitude, and hard fists (if anyone tried to steal your place in line), and set up camp at the side of the Ahmanson like a bum if you have a prayer of getting a seat to tonight's show."

I remember asking my dad if I could go see a play in LA with 2 people from work. As many of you may not know, my parents run a tight ship. They have, and always will be strict with me. Imagine how surprised I was when my dad waved at Anthony (whom he's never met) from the top of the staircase at 4 A.M. on a weekday when he came to pick me up. I had an overnight bag and a dressy outfit hanging, and GET THIS, GET THIS, I said to Anthony when my dad went back in his room to continue getting ready for work, after telling us to be safe and drive carefully, "Dude, I feel like I'm eloping, and my dad doesn't even mind."

Tee hee. Ah, my future husband and my dad's future son-in-law. The meeting was perfect.

So we finally get there and after about 14 hours of bumming it against the side of the building, we were ready, and since we were first in line, we got 1st row, center. :)

All I know is that from the moment they started singing, "Rent", I couldn't stop crying. I'm not sure why I was crying, but it was that emotional for me. I cried through the entire show. The show just had such powerful singing and a unique message. The song I didn't know the name of? "Will I?," which is still one of my favorites.

After continuing to see the show on its run in LA, Anthony and I became closer and soon, best friends.

We became each other's confidante. I remember Anthony once saying about his love life, "I don't think it's in the books for me to get married." And I remember saying back to him, with all sincerity, because I was his best friend, "I think you have to be married. You have a lot of love to give someone else and that can't be wasted." I knew he was touched by that. BUT I DIDN'T MEAN FOR THAT SOMEONE TO BE ME! jk.

We soon realized that we were getting jealous everytime we talked about our recent dates with other people, or who were were pining away for at the moment, or just anyone of the opposite sex that we happened to talk to, I think. But we resisted to tell each other how we felt. After a lot of subtle hints, we decided to give "us" a shot.

So here we are in the present. After 8 years of fighting, soul-searching, moments where we knew we could love no one else but each other, and lots of other musicals and plays (feeding into Anthony's love for theater), we have decided that it IS "in the books" for Anthony to be married, and that I should have convinced him to elope that morning if we knew what we know now.

So as far as the review of the movie...I loved it, aside from the corny parts (hmm, riding around on a bicycle singing doesn't work well, and neither does singing on top of a desert canyon with arms spread open "Scott Stapp"-style). It's difficult to translate certain parts of the play from the stage to the screen. Anthony liked it, but expected more because he loved the play so much. I loved how "Rent", "Life Support", "Tango: Maureen", "Out Tonight", "Another Day (another absolute favorite of mine)", "La Vie Boheme", and "I'll Cover You reprise" were done.

Have no idea what the hell I'm talking about? WTF is La Vie Boheme? See the movie or even better, see the play!

I'll see if I can find some dusty pictures of us during those days...

xo, Annie

Thankful

>> Nov 24, 2005

This year I have found a whole new world to be thankful for.
To be short, simple and stright to the point, I am thankful this year for my future wife (In 5 months!!!!), I am thankful for my wonderful job ( I feel so blessed with this opportunity), I am thankful for my wonderful students, I am thankful for the opportunity to attend graduate school (I'm so stressed out but I'm having so much fun with it), I am thankful for my dads health, my family, Annie's family.

Lots of people are in my thoughts and prayers this Thanksgiving. Some who I know personally, and others who I don't know but know they need our love. Please keep others who are less fortunate than you to be blessed with a nice thanksgiving in your thoughts and prayers. Be safe and Happy Thansgiving.

I have a dream

>> Nov 22, 2005

I kept meaning to post this. I had a horrible dream the other night. Very uncool. I realized that all of my fears come in dreams, and this one is a perfect example.

So I'm in my wedding dress and I woke up to find that it's late in the evening. I put on my flip flops (flip flops ?) and walk outside to see the reception in full swing...with the exception of me. I had no recollection of the wedding ceremony. I start crying. I look for and finally find Anthony, who didn't really seem to notice or care that I have been missing all of this, and I asked him, "Why didn't you wake me up?" and he said, "Because you were tired, and I thought you needed to rest." I then see our whole wedding party lined up and are in the receiving line to be announced into the reception, again, without me or Anthony. I asked Anthony, "What about our pictures? We need to take our pictures," to which he replied, "Well, you were asleep, so they took pictures without us." Unbelievable.

For the rest of the evening, I walked around, numb, and invisible (apparently, because no one stopped to talk to me). I kept thinking,
"I forgot to buy the cake knives; how will they cut the cake?"
"Are we still doing the Father/Daughter dance? Does the deejay know I wanted to do that because I don't remember finalizing the itinerary with him."
"What is everyone eating? I didn't choose a menu yet."
"My dress doesn't fit because we never got a final fitting. Why am I wearing slippers?"
"Why does Anthony look so happy in this nightmare of a wedding?"

The intent of this post is not to feel sorry for me, but just to laugh. I'm 99% positive all will go well on the big day, and that all of my fears will only turn up in dreams.

Still, with the way I am, I still worry so. :)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, if I don't get to post before then!! Let's see, what are Anthony's and my plans for this holiday? Spending it with our respective families, and worrying about how we'll split up our time with each family NEXT YEAR. Too much thinking for now! :) I know...so bad.

Happy Turkey Day!

Much love, Annie

Happy Birthday to Anthony!

>> Nov 18, 2005

So it's Anthony's birthday and he's 27 years young! This is his last birthday as a free man. It's all downhill from here!

It's been a hectic week for me, but I just wanted Anthony to know that I thought of him all the time, and as tired as I am, I am so excited about celebrating his birthday! I get to take him out tonight. If all goes well, I will treat him to his favorite burger joint in LA (his choice, not mine...my choice would be somewhere a little schnazzier, but he's got simple tastes), and then take him to see "Walk the Line." Again, if it were me, I would be demanding nothing short of a 5-star restaurant, and something else extremely expensive and romantic. But that's me.

But how did this blog turn out to be about me? It's about Anthony, and how he's celebrating a birthday, and he's got so much to be proud of this past year, and this upcoming year. Anthony, I love you and I'm proud of you and you're 27 now! Happy Birthday :) Enjoy your day!

Everyone, please join me in wishing Anthony a happy birthday. This will tell me how many people actually read our blog! And how many people love Anthony. Now that I've guilted you into posting a comment, POST!

>> Nov 14, 2005

Why you cry?

>> Nov 3, 2005

*sniff sniff* I miss you, too, Anthony!

It's been a rough week, lemme tell ya. Right now, I am stuck at work due to a "suspicious package" on the subway station. I am stranded and I am waiting for my Dadoo to pick me up, since I lost my chance to ask others for a ride to downtown LA.

And you'd think that with my big straw hat and teary eyes that someone would take pity on me and give me a ride. :(

Missing Annie

On a typical week I talk to Annie nightly as we recap our days and tell each other about the hell we went through. Generally I don't see Annie at all throughout the entire week and we find ourselves jumping in each others arms come Friday. Lately I've been busy with school and work that some nights in the week we talk for maybe a half hour. As hard as that is, this week has been harder due to the fact that Annie is very busy at work. Last night when I got home from school at 10:30pm I called Annie up who was already sleeping having been up since 4:00am and I said maybe a total of ten words to her before I said goodnight to her and let her go back to sleep. I guess the point of this post is to let her know that I miss her but that with as little the time we've spent talking to each other I still love her very much and maybe even more. It use to feel good to see her face on Friday but now it feels good just to hear her voice. bye bye

Can the Toyota Pasucko get any worse???

>> Oct 24, 2005

Did I not just hit someone from behind today with the Paseo?
I could have sworn I saw her take off and turn right like I was about to.
I slowly inched my way up, taking my eye off the car in front of me and looking at oncoming traffic, thinking she had taken off, and all of a sudden...Bam!

As if the Paseo can look any worse?
Nothing was wrong with her car and I just have a broken turn signal.
It pisses me off though because anyone that knows me knows that I'm a careful driver! In fact Annie calls me grandpa when I drive.

As mad as I am andunable to concentrate on anyting school related, I figured the one thing that would help take my mind off matters would be to think about Annie.
Since we've been back from our retreat I haven't had the opportunity to express how the weekend affected me. Everyone I see asks me "How was it?"
My answer, "It was really great! I didn't want to be there at first thinking we were better than that, but the last day really hit Annie and I."
It's true. I figured Annie and I had been together for so long that we know everything there is to know. While that remained true, we did learn how we might go about to better understand the issues that we both know we disagree on. Sounds a bit confusing but we understood.
Annie gave a wonderful summary of how we spent our weekend and what it did for us as a engaged couple. I left the retreat with a new appreciation for her as a woman and as my future wife. Even though I had so much work to do when I got home I wanted nothing more than to be able to lie down, relax, and soak in the weekend.
How sucky was it one week later when Annie takes off on a family vacation and leaves me alone. Again, having a lot of school work, and teacher work to keep me busy, it was still hard to focus and get things done. I thought about how I spent my weekend when I heard a couple of people say to me, " Oh you're a free man this weekend." Did I once think that way and think about the fun I can go out and have? No! Why? Because the one person I can have fun with was not here...my Annie.

>> Oct 16, 2005

Another beautiful view from the retreat center. That's all.

Anthony holding a bag of a staple food of his people. Also, the conference room where all the couples joined together with the presenters.

Anthony writing. Not posed at all. But doesn't he just look like a perfect fiance?

Me writing. Just a glimpse of what we did all weekend. Anthony gave me that rose that I'm mistreating by sitting on it.

This is Bud, the retreat mascot. He's waiting for someone to fish out his slimy tennis ball and throw it to him so he can catch it and then drop it back in the fountain. Rinse and repeat.