Save-The-Date!

Dalan and I are getting married (in Atlanta) on...

JULY 19, 2009

Starring...
Me...as the bride
Ashley Rankin...as the Matron of Honor
Kelly Baldassare...as bridesmaid
Kary Brigger...as bridesmaid
Melissa Cohen...as bridesmaid
Stacey Cohen...as bridesmaid
Andrea Fineman...as bridesmaid
Nicole Fineman...as bridesmaid

Yes :) We're engaged...here's how it happened...

As if I didn't know that Lan was the perfect man for me - his proposal was all too perfect :)

We went to a place called Lake Predator Park and had a tour of the animals - I got to pet a few lions and a leopard actually licked my hand! After the tour Brenda (the owner) said that she wanted to show Dalan and I something special so, she dropped off the other people from the tour and we got back onto the little golf cart...I honestly thought she was taking us to get closer to some of the animals so I was SO excited!

As we kept driving I saw a table set in the distance near a small pond - wildebeasts , zebras and springbock all around - I'll admit, I sort of knew something was up then :)

We got to the table and it was set with champange and purple roses (my favorite rose!) - I thought that was the surprise, having lunch - Brenda wouldn't leave and I didn't understand why she kept looking over her shoulder...then I saw a little green John Deer heading towards us...I figured it was lunch...well, they had brought the Orangutan, Oshine, to meet me - she got off the tracktor and sat on my chair and started hugging me and making adorable kissing noises. I was posing for lots of pictures...then Lan grabbed my hand and I turned to look at him and he was on his knee and asked so cute and smiley "Baby, will you marry me?" -- of course I said yes and our audience clapped...they finally left us and he went through the speech that he had written and had intended on saying while proposing...it was beautiful and so romantic.

We stayed by the lake for about an hour drinking champange and making phone calls - it was 6:30 am Atlanta time so we woke my parents who had been expecting one because, as I always wanted, Dalan had already asked my parents for their blessing...:)

So :) We're now engaged and have celebrated here in SA with lots of Lan's friends and family...

I'll post pictures when we get stateside - it takes too long to upload here...

Loving South Africa

So, we've been here a few days now and I'm finally able to sit for a few moments and say hello to everyone :)

The flight was hectic - but, we survived - 8 hours to Amsterdam, 2 hours in the airport then an additional 10 hours on a flight...

Yesterday we all went to a delicious dinner...and then out - oy, ok, being told to get ready to go out again :)

love you all :)
See you soon...
Ames

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

So, this time tomorrow, Lan and I will be at the airport making our way through security and getting ready for our 18 hour flight to South Africa!

I cannot even express how excited I am about this trip! Africa - I never even thought I'd ever get there! I mean, not in this lifetime - maybe my "old" lifetime - but, not as a "young'in" and during the school year! I mean, missing school! That's crazy for me! But, I know it will be more than worth it!

Almost more exciting than Africa itself is meeting Lan's family! To actually see them and hug them and chat to them not via Skype from thousands of miles away - I just cannot wait! I've felt like I've known them since our first phone call (well, not with Melissa, apparently, I turned bright red with nerves when he gave me the phone to talk to her)...but, with Zoe and Lee - wow - I just can't wait to really meet them!

I don't really know how I'm going to leave Frankie for so long - I know he'll be ok...but, that's the only downer in this entire trip! I know he'd love it there! With all of Zoe's Zoo animals and walks on the beach and in parks and everything - it would just be awesome - but, we can't - I know...Fortunately (and selfishly) Dalan is taking him to Simon and Laureen's in the morning so, I don't have to leave him...but, oy, I'm tearing up now just thinking of saying bye to him in the morning tomorrow :(

Ok, ok, more positives! I just can't wait for this trip! It's going to be an amazing trip of a lifetime! (And, I'll probably get to do it again!)

Love you all,
Ames

So, I'm not the best blogger...

I've had this blog for a while now and I don't think anyone else knows about it but me...so, in an effort to help keep everyone in the loop during my trip to South Africa, I'm fixing this up and I'll update this blog (and of course, Facebook) throughout the trip...

So far in preparation for the trip...Lan and I have had a blast picking out presents for everyone. We found an awesome handbag for Zoe; Funky shoes for Sippy; Sneakers for Lee; the best hat for Grandpa Max; wallet for Stacey; Puma shirt for Garyn; iPhone stuff for Josh; and, the best stuff for the kids!!! They were easily the most fun to shop for! We went a little crazy money-wise - but, hey - they are worth it :)

Alrighty...off the computer for now - but, I will be posting this blog for people to read and enjoy (well, hopefully enjoy when it gets interesting :))

Kick It,
Ames

Personal Life is amazing...:)

Positive first - my life is coming together so smoothly, it's almost scary! If I had not been through all the crap I have - I would be worried that the ground would fall out from under me - but, honestly, I think I deserve these happy days :) So there!
First - Dalan - just wow, he's so perfect for me...it's hilarious...we're both completely nuts and nuts for each other...we have these moments of completely random and immature - I don't know - skits almost - and it's just too fun. I'm always laughing; my stomach actually hurts most nights!
Then - Frankie - ok, I know I'm biased, I really do, but seriously, everyone stops Dalan and me to tell us how adorable Frankie is - he's just a baby fluff-ball with the BEST "personality" -- makes us laugh all of the time...and is really using his puppy-pads well, so we're so happy ;) Of course, he's now allowed to sleep on the bed and he has basically the whole house when we leave, but, I mean, have you seen his face!? Charles, our PetSmart trainer thinks we're ruining our puppy - but, I'm sorry, I'm not going to stop loving on him and giving him attention - I would have gotten a cat if I wanted something to walk around my house and ignore it! (Sorry to you cat people...)
Washer/Dryer - So, completely ignoring all the research I did - and the Tarot Card readers advice last night Dalan and I bought a new washer and dryer...we didn't get the one Consumer Reports told us to - we got the one I've been drooling over for months...it's an LG and Cherry Red and it's coming next Tuesday! It may seem like it's no biggy - but, really, every time we see it on an ad - I drool! (And, my personal washer/dryer are stuck in my condo and we're currently renting a cheapy set for not a cheapy price...) I can't wait to get it! We'll have a washing clothes party! :) (Or not!)

L'hetraot (I think that's Hebrew for See you Tomorrow or Later or something)

My very first blog...

I decided because I spend more than enough time playing on the Internet and cyber-stalking my friends and family that I should put my time to better use and start actually talking about something...I'm not quite sure what will come of this - if it'll have a theme or even make sense. I do know that I do not plan to use correct grammar/punctuation/etc. - so, if that bothers you, sorry - but, I worried about that for Grad School and I really just don't care anymore :) I mean, not for blogging purposes anyway!

Ooooh, I can already tell that this is gonna be fun :) Especially since the next few weeks will be all about family with my dad's 60th birthday and the High Holidays coming up...woo-hoo - fun times! At least I have Lannie now...not quite sure just how I survived these things without him - well, that's not really true, I love my family and my parents' friends - it's just much easier now that I have someone by my side - and people aren't trying to set me up...although, those set-ups certainly make awesome stories - but, that's for later!

Alrighty, I guess I'll be "de-blogging" now and sign off until later...oooh, I really can't wait to get into this...poor Frankie and Lan - they'll never get any attention now!