Taste of Chicago

Yesterday, I found some pictures I didn't realize were still on my camera.  I have learned, since starting this blog, that I enjoy reading older posts.  For example, what was going on last August.  Or, I have been in Russia how long?!?!  Needless to say, some of the most random or basic posts have been my favorite.

This post is dedicated to The Taste of Chicago.  The week before our wedding, many family and friends were in the Chicago area.  We wanted to find different things to do, and realized the Taste was going on.  Ryan and I had never been before, and others were interested in attending, so off to the Taste we went.  Who cares that I was going to have to put on my wedding dress in a few days, it was time to eat!

The weather was pretty warm.  And the fact that it was on blacktop did not help.  Luckily, I found a giant ice cream cone that cooled and refreshed me.  I think it was my favorite food item.  Of course; ice cream is always my number one choice.

Joey, Michael, and Ryan with frozen, chocolate covered bananas.  First (of many) food purchase of the day. 

Harper arrived and quickly found Ryan's shoulders.  

Harper has successfully showed both Lang brothers that little kids are pretty cool.  I don't know what the face is for, maybe something was in her mouth.  

Another funny face. :)

Bowling

In our endless search of entertainment, we stumbled upon bowling.  Personally, I did not discover the location, another expat wife did, but an invitation was extended to me.

When invited, my response was, "Sure, if only you promise not to think less of me after witnessing my awful bowling skills."  Her reply was, "My rules are, we begin at 300 and deduct pins."  The rules sounded in my favor, I was in.

It has been years since I have bowled.  I believe the last time was in Houston at a company event.  Needless to say, my skills have not improved with age, but surprisingly, they did improve yesterday.  I'm calling it complete luck, or maybe the helpful advice provided by my fellow bowlers.  The afternoon turned out to be fun, and it looks like we may have a new source of entertainment.  I will have to gather other's opinions, as to whether the bowling is entertaining or watching me throw endless gutter balls.

Starting off strong.  

Tami was the professional of the group.  She was bowling spares and strikes like it was her job.  

Our cuteness makes up for any lack of bowling skills.  

Tami giving Rose some professional advice. 

Adorable.  Notice all the pins are gone in our lane, and the dancing man on the screen.  Linda bowled a strike or spare, I can't remember.  

Shoe picture with the amazing carpet design. 

Score update.  Unfortunately, the dashes mean no pins.  But, if we are following Rose's rules, starting at 300 and deducting pins, then I am currently winning.  

I chose bowling balls that coordinated with my nail color.  Maybe that's why my skills are lacking. 

I wanted to document all the strikes (X).  Everyone but me. 

End of game one.  Anyone up for another game?  Sure, why not, I don't think I could possibly get much worse. 

Look at that!  A strike!  I don't think the Russians knew what hit them when I broke out into my happy dance.  

I couldn't let you think I had turned pro.  My strike was quickly outnumbered by gutter balls.   Sadly, I think my gutter balls are contagious.  Sorry, Rose and Linda. 

Happy dances all around.  Two strikes and two spares.  We were on fire!

End of game two.  I think this may have been my first time breaking 100.  I can't believe a perfect is 300.  Who does that!?!?

Celebrating 100.  Linda was a bit bummed.  Next time, Linda.  

Our Wedding

Originally I had planned to do this post on our anniversary, but I didn't. Then I planned to post on the one month mark, August 14th, but the Russian plague arrived.  Consider this a very tardy, but extremely special blog post.

Even today, as I sit in Russia, I can't help but smile when I think about our wedding.  I could not have asked for a more perfect event.  Ryan and I are truly blessed to have such incredible family and friends.  The love we not only felt for each other that day, but the love that surrounded us, kept us in a state of euphoria.

It's moments like these, spent with family and friends that helps us while we are separated.  Living abroad can take its toll, but to know we have so much support being sent our way is reassuring.  I can speak for both us when I say we are thankful for our strong network of family and friends.

Many of you have seen the sneak peeks posted on Facebook.  For those of you not on Facebook, here are a few pictures from the albums.  We have not received all of our photography yet, it will be waiting at my parent's when I am next home, sometime in November.  Until then, please enjoy the following few.

As Ryan and I like to say, "I love you so much, I think I'll marry you again."  

Married: August 12, 2010

Wedding: July 14, 2012

Who knows, we may decide to get married again......stay tuned. :)

I was honored to have the man who married my parents (35 years ago) perform our ceremony.  

Some things never change.  I have and always will love pretty shoes.  

The beautiful flower girl, Harper.  Her Mom Diane is right behind her, and her Dad, Phil was one of the groomsmen. 

The wedding was at Meyer's Castle.  Peacocks were everywhere.

Daddy's Girl 

Silly boys, such a great idea. 

Sitting on our throne. 

The Russian Plague

Last week, Ryan and I were hit by what we are calling The Russian Plague.  It began very slowly on Monday (for me), slowly making its presence and on Tuesday morning it attacked, forcefully.  Ryan believed it was food poisoning.  Last year, around this same time we developed similar symptoms, and ultimately determined it was likely food poisoning.  This year, the symptoms started similarly but quickly morphed into something much worse.  Food poisoning was ruled out and The Russian Plague was named.

Ryan dodged the worst of it.  Tuesday I was not able to keep anything in and suffered from really high fevers.  My fear of death (a bit melodramatic, but remember who is writing this) and the lack of any improvement by Wednesday left me only one option.  It was time to call the doctor.

I am thankful Chevron has supplied us with such an excellent company doctor.  We have no other options, the medical facilities here are either nonexistent or lack any kind of modern healthcare.  The Doctor arrived and prescribed a plethora of medication.  One remedy in particular, a hydration drinking solution was incredibly foul, but he was smart and didn't leave until I drank it all.  He feared dehydration and probably had a good idea I would not finish it.

Seven pounds gone (over five percent of my body weight) and a lack of desire to eat anything, it wasn't until about Thursday afternoon that I started to feel I was on the mend.  Ryan and I are still, occasionally suffering some stubborn symptoms, but all in all, we are back to health.  I have successfully found four of the missing pounds.

*Small side note.  Ryan left for Moscow yesterday and is scheduled to be gone the next two weeks.  If you have noticed any correlations between my postings and Ryan's business trips, then you know there will be many postings the next two weeks.  Apologies in advance for any incredibly boring or random ramblings.  If I can't meet my daily spoken word quota, then I am left to fulfill it through writing.  :)  

Two years.....still going strong

Yesterday, Ryan and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary!  I can't believe how quickly the time has flown. In honor of our anniversary, we went to dinner at a restaurant in Gelendzhik (about an hour away from our apartment).

Ha круче  

Ryan was with the fashionably fantastic, Phil when he bought these shoes.  They were quickly named his Bora Bora shoes.  He wore them often on our Honeymoon, but sadly we did not capture any pictures.  Happy, Phil? :)

Yummy food.  

Lovely view. 

Thanks to our driver, Sergei for this post dinner picture.  

I know we just had our wedding on July 14, 2012 but we were married on August 12, 2010 in Houston.  Numerous people have asked what date we plan to celebrate.  August 12th will always be our anniversary, it was the day we were married, and started our married life together.  I believe we will also celebrate July 14th, just maybe on a smaller scale.  Though you would not hear me complaining about large celebrations (trips, vacations) to celebrate both dates.  Maybe an entire month of vacation from July 14th-August 12th.  Haha. :)  No need, for a trip this year since we just got back from our Honeymoon.  Are you following all of this, confused? :)  Normal would not be a good adjective for our marriage.  I prefer exciting.....adventurous........downright awesome!

But on a serious note.  It is frequently said, "you marry your best friend."  I fully believe this, and it is such an important aspect of our marriage.  Considering the life we are living, through every struggle and celebration, I am so thankful to have my best friend next to me every step of the way.  Here's to an amazing two years together, and a lifetime still ahead.  I love you.

Trash the Dress

At the time of my dress fitting, while carefully pinning different areas, the woman asked me, "Are you going to have your dress preserved?"  I honestly had not thought about what I would do.  I knew many women had their dresses preserved, my mother included.  The dress is cleaned, pressed, carefully folded, and placed in a lovely box.  It will forever be a keepsake, and reminder of your special day.  In theory, it sounds quite lovely.

The many women I know, that have preserved their dress, now find their dress sitting on a shelf in a closet, or basement.  Considering our current living situation, I couldn't imagine me bringing my dress back to Russia (I could not afford to lose precious luggage space and weight for a preserved dress) and my dress would most likely take up space on a shelf, joining my mother's dress in the basement.  Maybe, one day, I would move my dress from my parent's house, to a house Ryan and I would buy, but at this point in Ryan's career, I do not know when we will purchase a house.  The idea of preserving my dress was not sounding like such a good plan.

I had a different idea, and personally what I believe to be a better plan for me.  I was going to trash my dress.  Not literally throw it in the trash, but celebrate the dress.  When we decided that French Polynesia would be our Honeymoon destination, I could not imagine a more beautiful location to celebrate, and capture beautiful photographs.  It was decided that my dress would make the trip to Bora Bora, and take a swim.

I know many people may read this, and be shocked by this idea.  How could you ruin such an important piece from your wedding?  What if you were to pass your dress to a future daughter?  Russian coworkers at Ryan's office found the idea of "trashing the dress" to be very odd and unusual.  For me, it is a personal decision that best suits my wishes.  I could not imagine boxing my dress, and placing it on a shelf.  Now my dress is showcased in unbelievable photos that I can share with others, and proudly display.  The photos capture not only the dress, but Ryan and I together, on our Honeymoon.

The photographer gave us many photos.  Here are a few favorites of us together:

Jumping off a dock, and trying to swim in a wedding dress, is the closest I have ever come to feeling like I was going to drown.  Great workout, lots of effort, but in the end, I made it out of the water, and survived to enjoy the amazing photos.