Our Honeymoon stories are incredible, as in you won't believe them. Grandma said yesterday, "When you told me you had stories, I knew they would be long, but I didn't know they'd be so..." And with that, she was speechless.
We stayed at the reception so much longer than we expected. But we were having too much fun on the most perfect day of the year with so many of the people we love, leaving seemed like it would cause the bubble to burst. It didn't, of course, but having never embarked on a honeymoon adventure before that moment, I had no idea what to expect.
We ran through a raining arch of lavender buds, all harvested, processed, and transported by Leslie from Washington state. After driving approximately 1.75 miles in a very nice Lexus, we stopped by his parents to change and pick up my car and then head to Indy. The plan was to order room service, go to sleep early, and be ready to leave the hotel for the airport by 3:45am.
We arrived at the hotel near 9pm, completely and utterly drained, but beaming. We had delicious food -- me, chicken; Kyle, steak -- and passed out shortly thereafter. 3am came early, and by 4:30, when we'd checked our bags and passed through security, we could hardly stand up. This day of travel turned out to be one of the longest of our lives.
Indy to Chicago, O'Hare, to Houston (for 6 hours), to Liberia, Costa Rica. We disembarked around 7:30pm Costa Rica time (somewhere about 2 hours off from Indiana time) and we knew that at least 1.5 hours of driving stood between us and much-needed sleep.
Our car rental company had this deal where they'd bring our car to the airport and we could leave it there when we left, even though they were based out of San Jose, a mere 4-hour drive from Liberia. Upon exiting the tiny airport, we found a man with a placard reading "Kyle Wilson (Lana)". We had to sign some paperwork, but with 10 minutes, we were on our way. This tiny man explained that we had to take him to the bus station in Liberia (not part of the original deal), but we did, because he'd just driven 4 hours to drop our car off and had to wait another 45 minutes for our late plane.
It was raining. Which we expected, but rainy, dark, strange roads in a strange car make for interesting driving. We were starving, tired, and cranky. Kyle got a burger and fries from a Burger King in a food mall in Liberia and off we went, North on Hwy 1 toward La Cruz.
At some points, the farther north we got, there was a green canopy over the road that you could barely make out in the darkness and rain. Once we found La Cruz (roughly the size of Upland), it was dirt, bumpy roads for the next 35 minutes.
At nine-thirty we unfolded ourselves from the little Geo Tracker, which we later dubbed oso rojo or the Red Bear. In fifteen minutes we were in our room, which was much bigger than I had anticipated. It's ceiling was hard wood with great lines. We had a king-sized bed and a full kitchen (not that we had anything to cook, but the fridge was nice to use). The balcony overlooked the bay, but we'd figure that out in the morning when the sun began shining around 5:30a.m.
Kyle immediately began unpacking his suitcase into a drawer and hung up some shirts; I took out my contacts, brushed my teeth and laid down, nearly comatose from the extensive day of travel following the most monumentous day of my life -- so many emotions and feelings and experiences. I could not handle them all and passed out shortly after collapsing on the bed.
Welcome!
Goodnight.
01 November 2008
29 October 2008
Leslie tagged me
And it is now my duty to share with you six random facts about myself or my life.
1. I love my ab roller. I got it when I was 16 as a Xmas gift, and let me tell you how awesome that gift was. That I still use it 10 years later (oh dear, that's a long time), should be evidence enough. Not that I have rock-hard abs or a 6-pack, but I most definitely enjoy using this in my weekly workout. My time in grad school without it was quite depressing.
2. I love early American culture, as in the pioneer times. Probably from reading and watching Little House on the Prairie and other related time-period books and movies, but I requested a pioneer girl outfit in first grade. Mom made it for me and my first unveiling of this lovely ensemble, complete with bonnet, dress, pinafore, and pantaloons, was my costume for my Betsy Ross oral presentation. We were to dress up like and take on the persona of our report individual, and I chose an early American woman, the one who made the first American flag. I wore this costume for at least 4 years until it was so small and worn that the elastic was no longer useful.
3. I hate large groups of people. Sometimes, when I walk into a room filled with 15+ people, I will immediately start sweating. Nervous sweating. And I take note of every escape -- doors, windows, bathrooms -- in case I need it.
4. Contrary to popular belief, I do enjoy trying new things from time to time. Maybe one new thing per year. It could be a food, an experience, a place, etc. This year, however, has been the year for new experiences and new things, in general. I went skiing. I fell in love. I visited a wild cat rescue center. I got engaged. I spent a week at the beach with my dear Sara. I got married. I tried asparagus for the first time in about 15 years, and I liked it. I went to Costa Rica, somewhere I've always wanted to visit, but hadn't yet ventured to. I bought a king-sized bed. As one might expect, I kind of feel like this is a huge list for one year. Lots of changes and new, yet ongoing experiences. Perhaps this is some sort of an indication why it's been a bit challenging for me to grasp onto and embrace the newness.
5. I'm addicted to water. And to chocolate. This is what one of my Bloomington friends dubbed "The Lana Diet". It includes remarkable amounts of water and equally astounding amounts of chocolate. But I'm happy people, so SEE, there's the "Lana Diet" difference. I'm happy. Not starving. Not pale and wan. HAPPY! And my cells are each, individually, applauding their well-watered existence.
6. I am fully and totally ridiculous. While I work very hard to maintain a logical, rational, and "with-it" demeanor and existence, I am constantly finding myself doing, saying, and simply being ridiculous. Whether it's flipping out for no reason (just ask Kyle) or running into corners, door jambs, or tables, everything I do is couched in ludicrousness. A friend asked last night, "Have you ever thought about being a stand up comic," and I assured her that I would be a flop. Despite my detestation of public speaking, when comedy is needed, I have none. And when it is totally inappropriate, it overflows from me.
Whereas I used to take myself way too seriously in middle and high school, now I have awakened from that unreality to find myself nearly incapable of being serious. Whether it's a blessing or a curse, you decide as you interact with me. All in all, I think I'm in a better place now than I was at 18, but perhaps I should poll my parents and siblings who were forced to put up with me during that time.
There you have it. I have produced my six random facts. I don't know if they are interesting, but it's all I have. Again, when forced into something, I am generally incapable of successfully producing.
More on the honeymoon to come. My muse has been sleeping for weeks, trying to catch up on her beauty sleep this last month. Soon to arise, however, and astound you all!
1. I love my ab roller. I got it when I was 16 as a Xmas gift, and let me tell you how awesome that gift was. That I still use it 10 years later (oh dear, that's a long time), should be evidence enough. Not that I have rock-hard abs or a 6-pack, but I most definitely enjoy using this in my weekly workout. My time in grad school without it was quite depressing.
2. I love early American culture, as in the pioneer times. Probably from reading and watching Little House on the Prairie and other related time-period books and movies, but I requested a pioneer girl outfit in first grade. Mom made it for me and my first unveiling of this lovely ensemble, complete with bonnet, dress, pinafore, and pantaloons, was my costume for my Betsy Ross oral presentation. We were to dress up like and take on the persona of our report individual, and I chose an early American woman, the one who made the first American flag. I wore this costume for at least 4 years until it was so small and worn that the elastic was no longer useful.
3. I hate large groups of people. Sometimes, when I walk into a room filled with 15+ people, I will immediately start sweating. Nervous sweating. And I take note of every escape -- doors, windows, bathrooms -- in case I need it.
4. Contrary to popular belief, I do enjoy trying new things from time to time. Maybe one new thing per year. It could be a food, an experience, a place, etc. This year, however, has been the year for new experiences and new things, in general. I went skiing. I fell in love. I visited a wild cat rescue center. I got engaged. I spent a week at the beach with my dear Sara. I got married. I tried asparagus for the first time in about 15 years, and I liked it. I went to Costa Rica, somewhere I've always wanted to visit, but hadn't yet ventured to. I bought a king-sized bed. As one might expect, I kind of feel like this is a huge list for one year. Lots of changes and new, yet ongoing experiences. Perhaps this is some sort of an indication why it's been a bit challenging for me to grasp onto and embrace the newness.
5. I'm addicted to water. And to chocolate. This is what one of my Bloomington friends dubbed "The Lana Diet". It includes remarkable amounts of water and equally astounding amounts of chocolate. But I'm happy people, so SEE, there's the "Lana Diet" difference. I'm happy. Not starving. Not pale and wan. HAPPY! And my cells are each, individually, applauding their well-watered existence.
6. I am fully and totally ridiculous. While I work very hard to maintain a logical, rational, and "with-it" demeanor and existence, I am constantly finding myself doing, saying, and simply being ridiculous. Whether it's flipping out for no reason (just ask Kyle) or running into corners, door jambs, or tables, everything I do is couched in ludicrousness. A friend asked last night, "Have you ever thought about being a stand up comic," and I assured her that I would be a flop. Despite my detestation of public speaking, when comedy is needed, I have none. And when it is totally inappropriate, it overflows from me.
Whereas I used to take myself way too seriously in middle and high school, now I have awakened from that unreality to find myself nearly incapable of being serious. Whether it's a blessing or a curse, you decide as you interact with me. All in all, I think I'm in a better place now than I was at 18, but perhaps I should poll my parents and siblings who were forced to put up with me during that time.
There you have it. I have produced my six random facts. I don't know if they are interesting, but it's all I have. Again, when forced into something, I am generally incapable of successfully producing.
More on the honeymoon to come. My muse has been sleeping for weeks, trying to catch up on her beauty sleep this last month. Soon to arise, however, and astound you all!
By designation by the United States government...
...my name IS Lana Joy Wilson.
Social security says so. It must be so.
My friend Cara took some great photos at the wedding, both beforehand "prep" shots and reception. She's submitting one of my putting on my make-up in Ev & Em's bathroom to a women's art show on campus this week. The theme for all entered pieces is "Transformation" and she's entitled it: "Not Only Skin Deep".
In talking with her about entitling the picture last night, I realized how deep that transformation was, or is, and what it means for me now. In addition to all of that, my name has changed, signifying yet another great transition.
I'm new.
I'm remade.
I'm different and yet the same.
I'm whole, as I've always been, but better now with him.
I'm loving this life, the small things that bring me joy, and the bigger things that tell me I am loved in an astounding and everlasting way.
Social security says so. It must be so.
My friend Cara took some great photos at the wedding, both beforehand "prep" shots and reception. She's submitting one of my putting on my make-up in Ev & Em's bathroom to a women's art show on campus this week. The theme for all entered pieces is "Transformation" and she's entitled it: "Not Only Skin Deep".
In talking with her about entitling the picture last night, I realized how deep that transformation was, or is, and what it means for me now. In addition to all of that, my name has changed, signifying yet another great transition.
I'm new.
I'm remade.
I'm different and yet the same.
I'm whole, as I've always been, but better now with him.
I'm loving this life, the small things that bring me joy, and the bigger things that tell me I am loved in an astounding and everlasting way.
14 October 2008
Because this IS my life
It has been a great while since I have last gone for a morning walk on a Tuesday. Mostly this is due to my insanely hectic schedule since May, but it also has to do with pure laziness, and factors like what I'm about to tell you, which indicate I shouldn't do anything early in the morning.
I was so inspired this week to exercise every day. Alternating days of running and walking is one of my favorite methods of equalizing my mind and my health. So I began Monday with a run and planned to walk Tuesday morning before work at 1pm.
I snoozed for 30 minutes this morning and then finally crawled out of bed and into workout attire. I nearly forgot to put shoes on, I was so out of it.
After opening the front door and kitchen window for some breeze action, I locked the front screen door, knowing that I would leave the back door closed, but unlocked. Walking out the back, I noticed the outdoor light was on as I shut the door. I'll just turn that off now...I reached back for the doorknob and found it securely locked.
I nearly started panicking, but said to myself: Walk it off, Lana. You'll figure out what to do in the next 30 minutes.
I turned away, started my timer-watch, and walked on.
Though I prayed very hard for God to reach down and unlock one of the doors, they were both firmly rooted in place when I returned. I tried to rip open the front screen door, but only managed to bend the metal handle and hurt my already carpal-tunnely wrist. I walked around to the side door in hopes that God had opened the it, but it was distinctly locked.
What to do? What to do?
I remembered a story about Dereck climbing through his kitchen window and I decided to try. The screen and other glass window panes are total crap and I figured if I broke one, it wouldn't be much of a loss. After a minute or so of bending in the screen, I managed to get my fingers behind it enough to unlatch the sides and move it up. At that point, I could fully open the leaky glass storm window. Because there is a strange brick ledge about a foot from the window base, it was a fairly easy maneuver to push myself up and over the sill and onto the counter without breaking off the faucet (a disaster I'd envisioned during my walk, complete with water spraying everywhere and the house flooding). I closed up the window and screen, checked the neighbors' to see if they were watching (no one was), and washed my hands of the grime from breaking in.
I felt like a thief.
It was awesome.
I was so inspired this week to exercise every day. Alternating days of running and walking is one of my favorite methods of equalizing my mind and my health. So I began Monday with a run and planned to walk Tuesday morning before work at 1pm.
I snoozed for 30 minutes this morning and then finally crawled out of bed and into workout attire. I nearly forgot to put shoes on, I was so out of it.
After opening the front door and kitchen window for some breeze action, I locked the front screen door, knowing that I would leave the back door closed, but unlocked. Walking out the back, I noticed the outdoor light was on as I shut the door. I'll just turn that off now...I reached back for the doorknob and found it securely locked.
I nearly started panicking, but said to myself: Walk it off, Lana. You'll figure out what to do in the next 30 minutes.
I turned away, started my timer-watch, and walked on.
Though I prayed very hard for God to reach down and unlock one of the doors, they were both firmly rooted in place when I returned. I tried to rip open the front screen door, but only managed to bend the metal handle and hurt my already carpal-tunnely wrist. I walked around to the side door in hopes that God had opened the it, but it was distinctly locked.
What to do? What to do?
I remembered a story about Dereck climbing through his kitchen window and I decided to try. The screen and other glass window panes are total crap and I figured if I broke one, it wouldn't be much of a loss. After a minute or so of bending in the screen, I managed to get my fingers behind it enough to unlatch the sides and move it up. At that point, I could fully open the leaky glass storm window. Because there is a strange brick ledge about a foot from the window base, it was a fairly easy maneuver to push myself up and over the sill and onto the counter without breaking off the faucet (a disaster I'd envisioned during my walk, complete with water spraying everywhere and the house flooding). I closed up the window and screen, checked the neighbors' to see if they were watching (no one was), and washed my hands of the grime from breaking in.
I felt like a thief.
It was awesome.
08 October 2008
My favorite picture so far
Lots of people had cameras at the wedding, and I've been gleaning a plethora of pictures from Facebook and via email, on the web, etc.
This one was taken by Kyle's very good friend, Kristen. I adore her, the few times I've been around her, and apparently she's a phenomenal photographer.
Tell me what you think!
This one was taken by Kyle's very good friend, Kristen. I adore her, the few times I've been around her, and apparently she's a phenomenal photographer.
Tell me what you think!
07 October 2008
Wedding pictures
Our photographer is totally on the ball. In one week, she's already got the photos up on her site.
Visit: www.bellavitastudios.photoreflect.com
Look for "09.27.08 Lana and Kyle" link under Recent Work.
There are 4 (count 'em, FOUR) different albums under our name. They are all different.
Enjoy perusing!
Visit: www.bellavitastudios.
Look for "09.27.08 Lana and Kyle" link under Recent Work.
There are 4 (count 'em, FOUR) different albums under our name. They are all different.
Enjoy perusing!
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