Sunday, April 29, 2007

Dreams, plans, and panic





Finally a moment to write a few words... There are so many thoughts that enter my mind and so many things I need to do. Luksa and I finally shared the news with our families that we are expecting a little on in the middle of October. Everyone was very surprised (so were we initially) but very excited for us and supportive of us. Now that I am out of the first trimester, at least I'm not battling feeling queezy. But overall I have to say that I probably had it easy compared to many women. Anyway, now I'm in the stage that my belly is starting to show and I'm having "growing pains" occasionally. But overall, smooth sailing so far. I can't wait to feel that first kick. It is an amazing feeling knowing that there is life inside you and I feel truly blessed and thankful to God. True, Luksa and I kinda skipped a step or two in the usual process, but we could not be more happy and more thankful for the life entrusted to us. I just dream and hope that we can be the best of parents for this little one and make his/her life as happy as can be. I know that both of us will try.
I have to admit that I was nervous to share the news with anyone. I had no idea how anyone would react - all of our families, my bosses, our friends, etc. But everyone has been very gracious and supportive, more than I could have ever expected. And that means the world to me. So now there is a ton of planning to do - preparing for the baby (I don't even know what all I need much less when and where I will be getting all that), preparing for our life together (figuring out finances, living conditions, cars... the list is endless), and trying somehow to plan ahead. I consider myself a realist and a very practical person, so I don't usually worry about things that are not in my control. So I focus on short term goals with long term hopes in mind. Luksa is a much bigger worrier than me and he would like to have answer for things that are a complete mistery right now. Something we'll have to try to counterbalance better. So, I try to calm him down somehow, but at the same time it rattles me a bit too. And hence, panic! Every once in a while when we talk about everything that needs to be done, covered, taken care off, blah, blah, blah, I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack because most of those things are not in my control right now! I really need to take things one at a time, as efficiently as possible and as quickly as possible, but I cannot handle worrying about everything at the same time. That just locks me into a helpless feeling and I don't act on anything. Not a good thing...
I guess my point is just this - we are very excited and ready to try our best in making the best life for our family, but with that come new worries and new responsibilities neither of us had to deal with in the past. I just hope and pray that God will give us the insight, the strength, and the wisdom to do everything (well at least the necessary things) in time without too much stress and panic.
Well, that's what's been going through my head this weekend... I cannot thank both of my families enough for all the support and love they've given me. I would not survive without that...
On a brighter note, here are a few pics from the cherry blossom day - unfortunately they were almost gone that day, but we got a couple of nice photos in the two trees still full of blooms...

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Is it spring yet?

I've been gone a long time - too busy with life I suppose. This is a big weekend (Easter) and I am looking forward to celebrating the event with Luksa's family. We are planning on going to the cathedral for mass, and then indulge in a variety of sinfull, delicious food prepared by his mom. It should be a nice time. I do miss my American family too though and am picturing all of them gathering tomorrow with all the kids rummaging through their baskets as fast as they can to find that perfect candy or toy. There is always so much excitement - sometimes too much, but when I'm not part of it, I miss it anyway. Overall, I like things kinda hectic and full of life. My parents will be celebrating by themselves, but then they will go visit my brother tomorrow and pick up my nephews to bring them to Zagreb. They get another week of Spring break, so they will have a chance to play with their cousins in Zagreb. Fun for them!

The weather here is just weird! We go from having a couple of days in the 80s and then it snowed again last night! What is up with that? All the flowers are already blooming and now this cold is trying to freeze them to death. Even some of the Easter egg hunting events around the city have been cancelled because they were expecting such bad weather today. What a shame for the little ones.
I will be going to DC today to see the cherry blossoms - last chance this year! It is really cold outside, but I hope that means that there won't be too many people out there and I can take some nice photos. I love that scenery - it's like a fairytale. I will post some pics soon if I get a few good ones.
Well, happy Easter everybody! Enjoy all the blessings in your life, particularly family and friends! May God bless you always!

Monday, February 19, 2007

Finally an overdue tag response...

Well, my sister tagged me about a month ago to write some things about myself. I managed to ignore that for quite some time, but I promised I would complete the questionnaire. So here it goes... Plus, I have been gone for so long from this site that I need an easy transition back in.


A - Available or Single: Neither; Very happily in love…
B - Best Friend: Not a simple answer, I have several really, each one unique and irreplaceable in different situations.
C - Cake or Pie: hmmm… Cheesecake and cherry pie – who says you have to choose?
D - Drink of Choice: Non-Alcoholic -Diet Coke or tea; Alcoholic – wine, Gin & Tonic
E - Essential item you use everyday: computer
F - Favorite Color: maroon, purple
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Gummy Bears
H - Hometown: Zagreb, Croatia
I - Indulgence: extra sleep and desserts
J - January or February: January
K - Kids & Names: none yet
L - Life is incomplete without?: God’s love
M - Marriage Date: none yet
N - Number of Siblings: 1 (+4 borrowed ;-) )
O - Oranges or Apples: both, although in the States, I can’t seem to find good oranges. So now, I prefer apples – fuji or gala
P - Phobias or Fears: I don’t know, I worry about many things, but can’t say that I really have a fear about it…
Q - Fave Quote: Don’t have one. I like being inspired by a variety of sayings…
R - Reason to Smile: my family, my faith, my hope, life in general, the seasons, a beautiful flower or a sunset, the moon when it hangs huge and orange in the sky… I could go on for a long, long time ;-)
S - Season: each one brings excitement to my world! I second that!
T - Tag 3 or 4 People: I’m afraid this will stop with me for a while…
U - Unknown fact about me: I wanted to be a veterinarian. I thought I would never find the love of my life, but have now been proven wrong…
V - Vegetable you don't like: celery – horrible, horrible, horrible, and people sneak it into to all sorts of things thinking they can hide it. Don’t they know that the flavor is strong enough to come through anyway?
W - Worst Habit: an occasional smoke, watching senseless TV
X - X-rays: chest for TB test because I always used to get a big red reaction from the skin test. Ended up having to take 6 months of some nasty pills so that I don’t have to be tested ever again.
Y - Your Fav Food: Again, not so simple… Broth soup with my mom’s dumplings, lots of different main dishes (a dish called “a la vild” that my mom makes, pasta with spinach and feta, pizza, my sister’s Spanish dish with potatoes and eggs, my American mom’s hamburger pie or hamburger Stroganoff, so many others…). Dessert? Cheesecake, cherry or pumpkin pie, crepes, pumpkin bars, etc… No end to this one either…
Z - Zodiac Sign: Saggitarius

Friday, January 05, 2007

Should I go blond or red???


I hope your New Year's was fun! I had a great time with L at a party in DC. And somehow, the challenge for guests appartently was to bring a wig to the party (if they dare). Well we didn't bring any wigs, but there were plenty at the party to be had... Hence, the pics - should I go red or blond? LOL The other pictures are just as funny - it was a good party - lots of great food, drink, a little dancing, a lot of acting goofy with the wigs.

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


The holidays are going by so quickly! My favorite part of the holidays so far has been visiting with my "second family". Yes, I am blessed to have two wonderful, albeit somewhat disfunctional, families that I love with all of my heart. Every year at Christmas I can only spend time with one - something about them being in opposite parts of the world - can't imagine why that would be a problem. I had the most wonderful time catching up, watching how much the kids have grown, playing with all of them, laughing, crying, and eating the most delicious food (particularly desserts). I even had a chance to go see Santa with one of my sisters and her kids. It is so amazing to see the magic light up in their eyes when they sit with Santa. And I even got a hug too! Whoever says Santa is not real - watch out, I might have to *%&#*$ you up ;-)
One look at the kids and it is all very real and we all need a little magic in our lives...

I had a chance to talk to my family and L over the phone - that also meant a lot to me. My parents and my brother's family decorated the tree Christmas eve and then went on to the midnight mass at the cathedral. Both of my nephews sang in the choir for that mass and everyone said it was beautiful. My older nephew really loves to sing and has already been in a couple of operas with his choir - they are really good!
Speaking of additional families - I seem to be getting closer to adding another family in my life. Although it is really too soon to tell, L and I seem to be pretty serious about each other. I really hope everything continues to develop as well as it has so far because I have never been in a relationship as honest and open as this one. So anyway, who knows, maybe there will be a third family in my life afterall...

And tonight... L and I are going to DC for a New Year's Eve party! Who knows what 2007 will bring?
I wish you all a very safe evening and many fulfilled dreams in the new year!

Monday, December 18, 2006

B-day photos


Just a little recap from my B-day... I know it was almost a month ago now but I'm sure you'll enjoy some photos. It was low key but great at the same time. L, R, and S were there... We went to dinner to Mezze restaurant - tappas. The food is absolutely delicious! The best part is that you get to try lots of little dishes - quite a cornucopia of flavor ;-)
And yes, they ordered a birthday cake for me and sang to me... Can you see the happiness on my face for blowing out the candle? It's the little things in life that make us happy huh? You would think I blew out all 34 of them (I mean 29 of course)!

Friday, December 08, 2006

Thanksgiving



Clearly I'm running waaaaay behind with this post because I should be focusing on Christmas now. But I will, I promise. I just couldn't skip Thanksgiving just because I was too busy to post before... So here are some fun photos and memories from the trip to NYC to see the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade.
The morning started off very early for a holiday - we had to go to the parade route and find a good spot. So, by 7am we were around 52nd street admiring how many people are already lining up the streets. Of course, since the first row spots were all already taken, it made perfect sense to satisfy our morning hunger first with a delicious New York bagel - mmm. And it was yummie. Then we found a spot on a corner where we could see the parade pass by. It was very cold and rainy the whole time as you can see from the umbrellas. It took about 30 minutes for the first float to get to us from the start of the parade. That was soooooooo exciting. After the first float, my favorites were Scooby, Snoopy, and Garfield although there were many great ones. The wind was very strong that day so the baloons almost weren't allowed on the parade. Luckily, they were allowed to come through but they were held pretty close to the ground so that there wouldn't be any accidents. That's why some of the baloons look like they are looking at the ground.
After the parade, S and I did some shopping and later in the evening we went to a "fancy" dinner at Del Frisco's steakhouse - yum!!! We also went to see an off broadway show called The Altar Boyz. It was pretty funny... The next day we participated in a lottery for Wicked but didn't win, but then we did the lottery for The Drousy Chaperone and S won two tickets! That was so much fun. The show was OK, although I probably wouldn't recommend spending full price for the tickets. And that night, the NY magic had to end. That city is so much fun, there is so much stimulation all the time and when you leave, it feels like it just all of a sudden ends - you come to a screeching hault. Then you can just sit back and enjoy the memories...
Overall, that was a fun way to start my birthday weekend...