It's too hot here.

I just got really sweaty from drinking a cup of tea.  It's time for cool weather.  12 days!!!!

We're Engaged!

Yep, it's true!  A couple weeks ago, Mike proposed.  Of course, I said yes!  I could go on and on about why Mike and I are so great for each other, but instead I'll say this:  We make each other so happy.   If you can't see it in those smiles, I'm not sure what else to say!

Mike and I had just started a new tradition of going for night swims on the full moon.  So once every four weeks, we cruise down to the beach when Mike's done studying and spend a little romantic time together.  Floating out in the Caribbean, in the middle of laughs about who knows what, Mike asked me if I'd marry him.   While romantic-y sappy stuff isn't my forte, I do have to admit that having the beach to ourselves with a bright full  moon overhead in the warm ocean was really kind of amazing.  I love this man with all of my heart, and cannot imagine spending my life with anyone but him.

Now, I know a lot of you have been wondering, "Did Mike get down on one knee in the ocean with a diamond ring that he brought from the US and kept hidden from you for the last three months?!?!"  And noooo he did not.  Haha.  We'll be going shopping for sparklies in California in December, and I have a sweet pearl and gold ring to keep my finger warm until then.  It's precious, and will mean as much to me as any diamond ever will.  God, I hate being cheesy.  But it's true.   Of course, I am super excited for sparklies!

Mike and I will be getting married sometime during the summer of 2014.  It all depends on when Mike's classes are done and when he has to take the USMLE.  And to be honest, I am glad to have a long engagement!  Planning a wedding from so far away is going to require a lot of coordination.  We're not even sure what state we'll be having it in!

Announcing our engagement, and the reaction that followed, was one of the most heart warming experiences ever.  Mike said, "I hate using the term 'positive energy' but seriously, so much 'positive energy' about our engagement!"  I don't mind using it at all :)  The reception from family and friends was awesome.  I love you all so much!!!

September 17th - 23rd

1. Bar night at Fort Matthew

The best bar I've been to so far. They've renovated a couple of old nooks inside the fort and turned it into a relaxed lounge-y set up. The cocktails were delicious and inexpensive to boot. We had an amazing group of girls (and a few gentlemen as well) come out. With drinks in hand, we hunted for spiders and let our imaginations wander while traipsing around the old run down fort.

Stolen from Julie Delgado Connolly!  Thanks :)

The best part of the night: the band. Headed by a 50-something white dude and his case full of harmonicas, they were rippin and roarin some blues. I can't wait to bring Mike in on a Thursday for more of their music!

Here is an amazing blog entry from a fellow SO with some awesome photos and info about visiting: http://grenadaguide.blogspot.com/2012/08/fort-frederick-and-fort-matthew.html

2. Hash / night swim / Umbrellas

Mike's weekend ran from 3pm Saturday to 10am Sunday morning. We packed a lot in to Saturday night.  

Photo cred: Allison Gray!  Beautiful.  Creek that the hash trail ran along.

We went hashing on Saturday afternoon (about 75 people running off into the jungle after shredded paper trails, then reconvening at the start for beer, food, and general kicking back), followed by a night swim (gotta wash that hashing dirt off somehow eh?), then more food drinks at Umbrellas (beachside place that far surpassed my expectations - also delicious and cheap). 

Photo by Amanda

More credit to Allison Gray!  "Chui Vision"  (Pardon my gross mid-chew face, but this really sums up hanging out on the grass, eating food, drinking beer, and playing with puppies post-hash.)

I DO love our six-pack triple dates.  

Thanks Amanda! Um Jasio is awkwardly hidden behind Katie. Pretty sure a lot of SOs aren't convinced he's real anyway... but he is! I promise!

3. De Big Fish

A five minute walk from our house and I hadn't been there before this week.  Tsk tsk.  Had a fun lunch date with Katie, Amanda, and Desiree out on the dock right on the water at the marina.  Amanda's cheesy garlic bread was the winner of the afternoon.  

Thanks for taking so many great pictures Katie!  Or maybe photo credit goes to the waitress?!  Anyway, Amanda, me, Desiree, and Katie having a tasty lunch waterside.

Tried to go back on Sunday for brunch with Mike, but they were closed.... which then led me to lead Mike all over the place to a few more closed restaurants.... sorry babe :(  We were both way too hungry for that.  

The upside to the failed brunch mission was that I found that De Big Fish has a book swap shelf.  Presumably for use by yachters, but hey, I read as much (and have as much leisure time) as any yachter.  Yay for books!   Picked up them by Joyce Carol Oates, and loving it.

4. Crossfit

Despite (or because of?) having a Crossfit engrossed roommate in Denver, Mike and I never really got into it.  I had my own awesome gym (I miss Qi so much!), and Mike was training for Tough Mudder on his own.  Crossfit just never happened.  

Now it definitely does happen.  Every Sunday.  And it kicks our butts.  Every Sunday.  

I'm all about classes and having someone push me to do a work out.   Joe is a great coach, carefully watching everyone's form with safety and effectiveness in mind, and letting you know he sees it when you're not working your hardest (without being an asshole).  

I think Mike's going to start doing the WODs (workout of the day) more frequently during the week.  I'm about to starting doing my own training for a half marathon in November... but will still be at Crossfit on Sundays.

5. One Year

Sigh.  Yes, I saved my favorite thing for last.  

Monday was a big day.  Mike had his first test of the term.  It was really more of a progress report/quiz, but any assessment is a big deal, and he studied very diligently for it.  (Note: He studies diligently ALL the time for everything.  He amazes me.)

September 17th also marks the day we had our first date last year.  Mike remembers that I got major bonus points for suggesting we head to a brewery fest + Oktoberfest downtown.

Not from our first date to Vine Street Pub, but not the last one either :)

As soon Mike's test was over, I met him on campus with snacks and a beer in hand.  We hopped on the bus and cruised over to the University Club for some quality pool time.  Jasio just finished the exam, too, so he and Katie (and some other SOs!) did the same.  

Thanks Katie!  Cheesin' hard.  So happy to be at the University Club with Mike!

A couple rum punches and a shower later, we headed for the Beach House for a really nice dinner.  It's amazing how much good service makes a meal.  Of course, seared ahi tuna, shrimp, chocolate mousse, and guava cheesecake makes me a really happy camper, too.  

Oh yeah.  And living on a tropical island with the love of my life isn't so bad either.  ♥

the very first post

Better late than never?  I should have started this blog weeks (almost months?) ago, but here it is.   Marie's Top 5 of the Week + a favorite recipe from a week of cooking.  Enjoy!