In my last post, I updated about the most important thing that has happened to me since my (then) previous post. Fittingly, this post will be an update about the second most important thing (just kidding…or am I?) that has happened since then: finally meeting the New Kids on the Block.


Earlier this fall in September, the New Kids had a CD signing at Newbury Comics in Faneuil Hall in their hometown of Boston. The night prior, I was contemplating whether I should make an attempt to go or not, and ultimately I decided that I owed it to my 1988 eight-year-old self to do so. Besides, I figured, when would I have another chance to finally meet them? So I went. And I am SO GLAD I did.


I ended up getting to meet and hug all five guys!


I didn’t have a real camera with me, so the following photos were taken via my cameraphone on my BlackBerry (the last two were taken courtesy of a Newbury Comics employee).

In the center of the last photo, Donnie Wahlberg is giving me a big hug! Then when I moved to the left in front of Danny, Donnie said to me out of nowhere, “You’re beautiful…” I looked over at him, and he continued, “Very beautiful.” And he extended his arms towards me for a second hug. I was surprised, but I of course obliged. On the outside, I was all calm and collected and simply said, “Aww, thanks”… but on the inside, I had reverted back to the teenybopper version of myself twenty years ago, freaking the heck out.


I then proceeded to meet and hug the rest of the guys–Danny, Jonathan, Joe, and Jordan. After I left the building, I was literally shaking and my heart was racing. Cuz I’m a huge dork like that. But let me be.

So… AHHHHH! A childhood dream come true

I haven’t updated in awhile. I doubt anyone even reads this anymore. I do want to make an attempt, though, at updating more often (really I do!) because I miss writing. And I like having a place to jot down my random thoughts and happenings… even though it’s likely only stuff that I or really bored third parties who have nother better to do ever care about.


But anyways, on to the biggest update:


I’M ENGAGED!


It happened several months ago during Memorial Day weekend. It went something like this…

* * * * *
I always wondered if, when, and how it would happen. Would it happen on an anniversary or birthday? Or would it be on a random, unsuspecting normal day? At a nice restaurant in New York or Boston? On one of our vacation trips somewhere? After all was said and done, though, I should have known. It ended up happening in the most fitting, most appropriate place possible for us and our story. To take the next step forward, we came back to the place where we started…


This spring brought our five year anniversary. Daniel had been ridiculously busy lately with an overloaded plate at work and with grad school classes. We celebrated our anniversary, but other than that, he didn’t really have free time to do much of anything else. He was constantly glued to his computer and BlackBerry. He said he’d make it up to me at some point. He said that when we went home to NJ (we both currently reside in our own respective places a few miles from each other in the Boston area) in a little over a month for the long Memorial Day weekend, he’d set aside a day for us to finally just spend time with each other. He said he’d plan a nice day since I’d sometimes joke around to him that he rarely does the kinds of nice things for me anymore that he used to do when we first started dating (his retort to that would always be something along the lines of… “I HAVE you already. What do I need to do that stuff for anymore? =P”).


So Memorial Day weekend came. It was the Friday of that weekend. He picked me up from my parents’ house (we had driven back to our parents’ homes in NJ the previous night). We spent most of the day hanging out in Hoboken, NJ, which was where Daniel went to college — our old stomping grounds when we first started dating a little over five years ago. He pretty much recreated our first date. We walked up and down Washington Street, where all the local restaurants and bars and shops were. We walked along the waterfront, across from the Manhattan skyline. He took me to the first restaurant we’d ever been to together. We stopped by his old fraternity house. Then, after sunset, he took me to Castle Point — a private overlook on the Stevens campus that is the highest point in Hoboken, right on the waterfront across from the NYC night skyline. Right before we went to Castle Point, though, we moved the car to a closer parking spot. When we got out of the car, Daniel had a guitar with him. Flabbergasted, I inquired, “Why do you have a guitar with you?” He replied with, “I’m gonna play for you.”


Now to give a little background on this, Daniel didn’t really know how to play the guitar. He had just bought a guitar last summer as an impulse buy since he found a really good deal at a shop in the Back Bay area of Boston. He eventually took a few lessons from a friend of ours up in Boston. I’d always ask Daniel to play something, but he’d always refuse. He said he couldn’t really play much more than an “A” chord.


So back to that night… we walked from the car up to Castle Point. We sat on a bench there, as we had done a few times before way back when we first started dating. He seemed a little nervous. I was a little edgy as well because I was having an argument with myself in my head that went something like, “OMG is he going to propose? No, stop thinking that. He’s just doing something nice for me like he said he would. But… what if he DOES? No, no… stop thinking that! There’s no way he’d have had the time to plan it with his crazy schedule lately…” He took the guitar out, started strumming, and then singing. Take note that not only was Daniel not really supposed to know how to play the guitar, but he’d never really sung to me before either. But here he was… doing precisely that.


Apparently, what I found out later is that the real reason Daniel had bought the guitar and taken a few lessons was for the sole purpose of learning a specific song. I recognized it immediately. It was from the movie, the Wedding Singer.


Click on the play button below to hear the original version of this song by Adam Sandler.

“I wanna make you smile
Whenever you’re sad
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do, is grow old with you


I’ll get you medicine when your tummy aches
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks
It could be so nice growing old with you….


I’ll miss you
Kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold
Need you
Feed you
Even let you hold the remote control.


So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed when you’ve had too much to drink
Oh I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna grow old with you.”



Determined to convince myself that the song was the main event and that there would be nothing more, I hugged him and was like, “Awww thanks, sweetheart… that was awesome.” He bent down to his guitar case on the floor to put away his guitar… but then… the next thing I knew, he was down on one knee in front of me.


“Will you marry me?” he asked.


Was this actually happening? The first thing out of my mouth was, “REALLY? Are you serious?” I looked down at him, looking back up at me… and, realizing that he was waiting for an answer, I immediately exclaimed, “YES!”


I was so bewildered and excited — the fact that I get a ring didn’t even cross my mind. He had to bring me down to earth and tell me to look at the ring. And so I looked down at the ring in the box he was holding. It sparkled brilliantly against the Manhattan skyline. He slipped it onto my left hand ring finger. It was all so surreal. I kept asking him if this was a dream and if I would wake up. He pinched me. It hurt. Which meant… it was all REAL.


I alternated between tears and pure giddiness.

It’s official.

Though I’m nearly 28, I have regressed back to my 10-year-old self.

And you know what? I don’t care.

I’m SUPER EXCITED.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

 

 

I never really understood the big hoopla with BlackBerries. When I envisioned BlackBerries, I pictured the suits and ties that went along with them — for in my mind, a BlackBerry was the closest thing to a ball and chain that corporate America could legally attach to one of its employees.

 

Then, after making its mark on the corporate sector, RIM decided to break out of its business niche and target the consumer market as well. It came out with snazzy new devices and flashy features. The Pearl, the Curve… camera, video, 3.5mm headphone jack, GPS… not to mention the endless plethora of add-on apps like Google Chat, Google Maps, Opera Mini. No longer was the BlackBerry just the quintessential mobile e-mail powerhouse and organizer.

 

So when I accidentally dropped my LG enV into a glass of milk (yeah… who does that), luckily it was only one day before I was eligible to get a new phone at a discounted rate. After much research, I decided to get a BlackBerry. Initially, I got the global 8830, but after a few days, opted for the silver Pearl 8130 instead.

 

The verdict? Love, love, love, LOVE it. It does everything short of cooking me dinner. It really is one of those life-changing devices, similar to the advent of the Internet and cell phones. I don’t even lament not having an iPhone in the least anymore (I refuse to switch away from Verizon to AT&T).

 

So about this whole crackberry addiction…

 

I now understand.

 

Initially, someone else was supposed to be my partner for Racquel’s cotillion that summer. Doris matched us up together, though, during that first practice, and I’m glad she did. Ever since, I’ve always said that you were my most favorite cotillion partner ever. ‘Till this day, I still remember that summer 9 years ago with fondness, and you definitely played a part in that. I remember those weekend practices in the basement and driveway. All of us hanging out and partying practically every other day that summer. The Funky Penguin Crew, DF (Dysfunctional Fam), pierogies. Us being DF “asawas” with Racquel as our “kid.” You begging me to pick you up from your then girlfriend’s house since you needed a ride back to your house and I was one of the few people you knew back then who could drive. Deep conversations on AOL.

 

Though you did a lot of crazy, funny, smile-inducing things, you had an insightfully mature view on life, even back then. During one of our conversations, you once told me a quote: “You only see what you see through your eyes and you don’t see what other people see until you use your ears to see what they see.” By that, you were referring to the notion that people tend to be so hard on themselves that they don’t see all of the awesome qualities they have until someone else tells them. You were no exception to that — I remember you being so hard on yourself back then, but I hope you know what an awesome person you were and how many people’s lives you’ve touched and how many amazing memories you’ve blessed people with.

 

It’s been a long, long time since that summer, and we lost touch, talking only every once in awhile since then. I remember several years ago when you said you were joining the Navy because you wanted to make something of yourself. I was sad you were going away to San Diego, but I was so, so proud of you for what you were setting out to do. I don’t think I ever told you that. I should have.

 

Anytime Racquel mentioned you or told me you were coming back to the east coast to visit, my reaction would always be the same at the thought of you. My eyes would light up and I would say, “Awww… Mikey!” You had that effect on everyone really.

 

Of all the times you visited home since you moved away, I think I saw you 2 of those times. The last time I ever saw you was almost exactly 3 years ago. You had brunch with Racquel and me at Menlo Park Diner. Racquel and I, being the pigs we are, ordered 4 plates of food for just the 2 of us, while you proceeded to order a measly half stack of pancakes for yourself. You then insisted to pay for everything, despite our protests that we had ordered enough to feed a small army while you ordered barely nothing and that it wouldn’t be fair. You didn’t care, though. You were always such a great guy with a huge heart for your friends. Who knew that that day, 3 years ago, would be the last time I would ever see you.

 

Last Sunday night, while I was back home for the long weekend, I got a call from Jaypee, but missed it. I thought it was a little out of the ordinary since he rarely calls and usually texts, but I didn’t think too much of it. The next morning, I got a text from Jaypee and Racquel at almost the exact same moment: you had been in a bad motorcycle accident with severe head injuries. During the long drive back up to my place and for the rest of the day, I kept you in my thoughts and prayers and hoped you would pull through… you had to. That night, while I was having dinner with some friends here, I got the call from Racquel. She sounded somber and I got scared. When she told me what was to happen, my heart broke.

 

Rest in peace, dear old friend. Thank you so much for the memories. You were a blessing to everyone who was lucky enough to have known you. We all miss you and will keep you and your family in our prayers. You’re in a better place now. =*

 

If someone said 3 years from now you’d be long gone, I’d stand up and punch them out, ’cause they’re all wrong…

Remember when we were such fools and so convinced and just too cool. Oh no, no no. I wish I could touch you again. I wish I could still call you, friend…

When someone said count your blessings now, before they’re long gone… I guess I just didn’t know how. I was all wrong…

I’ll keep you locked in my head… I won’t forget you, my friend…

If someone said 3 years from now you’d be long gone, I’d stand up and punch them out… ’cause they’re all wrong…

Who knew…”

–Pink

Guess this one won’t be going on sale…

* * * * *

Sitting in an office full of Pats-jersey-wearing colleagues this past Friday: absolutely depressing.

Trying to find a single item of Giants gear in Boston before the Superbowl: ridiculously impossible.

Being a Giants fan in New England right now: PRICELESS.

THE GIANTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!! =)

I had an abundance of vacation days from work that I needed to use before the end of 2007, so I scattered them throughout the month of December. Consequently, I haven’t had a work week longer then 2-3 days for the past month, and I spent nearly 2 weeks back home. The aforementioned, combined with all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season (Christmas is my “most favoritest” holiday ever), I pretty much felt like I’d been on vacation for the past month.

This year, Christmas Eve was spent at my parents’ house and New Year’s Eve was spent at the home of one of my cousins. In my family, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are typically spent at one of our relatives’ homes for a family party with an immensely large spread of food. The parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. can either be found gathered around the food, cracking jokes and laughing hysterically or line dancing in the family room. The younger kids are usually found playing video games in the basement or in a bedroom, while the older “kids” (myself included) alternate between the food, wandering through the other groups, and talking amongst ourselves. On Christmas Eve, when it hits midnight and is officially Christmas, everyone gathers around the tree and the unwrapping of presents commences. One person acts as “Santa,” choosing one gift, announcing who it is to and from, and giving it to the recipient. The recipient then opens the gift, as everyone around watches. This repeats until every present is accounted for. The whole process usually takes about 2 hours or so. Every year, there are always jokesters amongst the bunch who devise some sort of scheme to get laughs out of everyone. It all makes for good times. New Year’s Eve is similar, minus the gifts. These family get-togethers are one of the reasons why I love the holidays so much, even more so now that I live somewhat far away.

The rest of the time that I was back home for the holidays pretty much consisted of a whirlwind of family and old friends, mixed in with Peter Luger Steakhouse (the BEST steak EVER, seriously), Ess-A-Bagel (my favorite bagel place), Buttercup Bakeshop, Rice To Riches, PinkBerry, Lombardi’s Pizza (the first pizzeria in NYC), Big Ed’s BBQ, a Korean restaurant, a Pho restaurant, U-Yee’s, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Noodle Gourmet, Gaebel’s, the Grease Trucks, White Castle, Scrabulous, Wow Cranium, Mario & Sonic Olympics, and Guitar Hero.

Pictures to come, whenever I get the chance to sift through and process them all.

A few weeks ago, Daniel and I spent an extended weekend in our nation’s capital since my cousin, Paul, just bought a condo there. It was definitely a lot of fun. The highlights are as follows:

Day 1: Was able to get on an earlier flight than expected, so arrived in DC earlier than expected (early evening). Had dinner at Mai Thai, visited the Capitol Building and Christmas tree, drove around DC, stopped at Georgetown and had drinks at The Tombs.

Day 2: Tourmobile bus tour around DC to see all the major monuments, memorials, and museums. It was one of those tours where you can get on and off the bus at any point during the tour to explore any of the places more thoroughly. The places we got off of the bus for and explored include The Holocaust Museum, the Ronald Reagan building for lunch (cheese steaks), the top of the Washington Monument, and Arlington National Cemetery (where we witnessed the changing of the guard). That night, we had dinner at Five Guys for burgers, hung at out Sienna’s (my cousin’s girlfriend) place for awhile, then went to The State Theatre to watch The Speaks perform.

Day 3: Bagels, muffins, etc from Whole Foods for breakfast. Lunch at Peking Gourmet Inn. The afternoon was spent at the Spy Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and National Building Museum (where we randomly saw Katharine McPhee, Ne-Yo, and Vanessa Hudgens). Picked up some hot beverages from Starbucks and went to the courtyard outside of the Patent and Trademark Office to admire the festive lights. Dinner at Bangkok Joe’s, followed by a stroll down M Street to window shop. Checked out DC’s nightlife at Eyebar. Late night / early morning meal at an all-night Korean restaurant whose name escapes me at the moment.

Day 4: Dim sum at Mark’s Duck House, followed by bubble tea at Eden Center. A lazy afternoon ensued, spent recovering from the extremely late night out the previous night. Dinner at Cafe Asia, where we met with Paul’s old high school buddy that he hasn’t seen in 15 years. A visit to the Lincoln Memorial followed. The night concluded with ice cream and Superbaad.

Photos from our trip can be found here.

I’ve been on a pho kick lately. It’s amazing how satisfying a bowl of that stuff can be on a cold day. Apparently, numerous others share this view — the Vietnamese pho restaurant near my work has been pretty bumpin’ lately during lunchtime, sometimes even to the point where there’s a line out the door (and this particular restaurant has quite a lot of tables to begin with, compared to most of the other pho restaurants I’ve ever been to before).

This past weekend, I picked up a container of Williams-Sonoma Hot Chocolate. I was intrigued by it because it’s not your typical cocoa powder mix; rather, it consists of chocolate shavings that are stirred into hot milk until they melt, resulting in a smooth, rich, intensely-chocolatey concoction… a perfect companion on a cold, snowy night (which it was last night, being the first snowfall of the season).

It’s that time of year for Christmas card-sending. I recalled a couple friends mentioning The Paper Source being an addicting place to go to for stationary, cards, scrapbooking, and pretty much anything craftsy that is paper-related. I decided to stop by there today after work, and… wow. Lots of cute stuff. I picked up not one, but two boxes of Christmas cards (I couldn’t decide between the two). If nothing else, this little shop is rather inspiring… it ignited a creative spark that I feel the need to quench. I’ll definitely be back.