Just the facts Ma'am... { Kaje }

11 Random Facts about me--which most of you probably already know about me but here we go:


1. I love to shave my legs, but often don't. Yep. No filter today people. The cold medicine is working it's magic.

2. I used to love the smell of gasoline and frozen strawberry ice cream. What a strange child.

3. When I was little I had two imaginary black parents--and so began my white angst at the ripe old  age of two and a half.

4. My favorite thing on TV is Jeopardy.

5. I can make my tongue look like a fat pickle.

6. When I was ten I decided that I wanted to be Canadian, and a marine biologist, which was a step up in the coolness factor from my old to-do list: waitress, bank teller, ballerina-fairy princess, and wait for iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittt--Gym teacher.

7.  A list of actual jobs I've had (chronologically): Babysitter, nanny, cookie sampler for Mrs. Fields, groundskeeper, hospital laundry worker, bookstore clerk, Bed & Breakfast housekeeper and front desk clerk, waitress (worst job of my life!) early morning janitor, art-history-science-english tutor, and photographer. 

8. Because of my sweet and very hip grandmother, I'm a fan of old time radio shows. Mostly the detective ones like Box 13, Dragnet, and Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. (If you know what they are you win five million points in my book!) Sometimes I wish I had be born in the 1940s, but then I would have to wait every week for a new episode instead of listening to 15 podcasts in a row!

9. I want to learn Hebrew. But I should probably learn Spanish first, huh?

10.  Cooking is so fun for me. Add a little o' this, a little o' that -- flavor profiles, fancy plating!  I guess because it's easy to adjust at the time, because you can taste it so quickly. But BAKING makes me panic. I have to measure things! Math and chemistry! Ahhhh!

11.  I have pudgy knees.



Questions Brianna Asked me:
1. Where are you at right now? I'm sitting on the couch in our little house that we're watching for only a few more weeks, on the beautiful, and very wet island of Kauai.

2. What is your favorite thing about your current job? I babysit a little 17 month old who is very sweet. My favorite thing is that she naps twice a day with no fuss!

3. Would you rather... Have free gas for the rest of your life or be exempt from speeding tickets for the next 5 years? Free gas! I've never been pulled over for speeding. Expired registration? Too many times to count. But NEVER speeding. 

4. What is your favorite joke? The only one that's coming to mind now is, "Did you hear about the two peanuts that were walking down the road? --One was a salted." Pahhhh!


5. How often have you checked your phone today? More than I can think. It's my watch, my on the go camera, personal GPS, calculator, fitness instructor, and my link to family and friends...I didn't have a phone for a long time. Now I think I'd be pretty handicapped without it. Which is a little sad.

6. Would you rather go on an African Safari or sail through French Polynesia? SAIL! African Safari sounds good for one afternoon... but I could sail for a month. 

7. Fitness class or at-home DVD? I've never been to a fitness class that didn't make me feel like I was a fat wimp. I LOVED doing dance when I was younger...but now I prefer throwing in the Yoga DVD or Turbo Jam.

8. What one political policy do you have a strong opinion about? What is that opinion? Ooooh! Only ONE?! Can I roll them all into one giant eco-agricultural-education-party-welfare reform in the gay rights arena? Okay, fine. I have strong opinions concerning just about anything. Some fights I don't have the answers to. But if I could do one thing today? (whew...and another thing tomorrow-man we'd be so productive!) this is just a silly thing:

9. What is one thing you would change about your wedding? If not married, what is one thing you will make sure to include in your wedding? So glad to say looking back I regret nothing. Seriously, not one thing. (Okay--I wish everyone who wanted to could have come to party!)--but... It was perfect. Perfect weather, perfect place, perfect friends and family to celebrate with, perfect dress, perfect photographer, perfect music, perfect food--all the celebrating was just perfect. And all the support from friends and family made it stress free for me! Plus, I married the perfect guy for me.--

UPDATE: Okay--that was a pansy answer. After thinking about it for awhile there was a scuffle about how many guests could be a whatever party, and who's coming and who isn't and who didn't get an invitation---that was a bit of a stress because I wanted anyone who wanted to be there--to BE there, and to know about it. So--what I guess happened was a "failure to communicate" --eh? Name it?


And I have no idea if I expressed enough gratitude for all of my incredible friends and family who helped me tirelessly--but I'm pretty sure I didn't. They are the BEST.

10. Favorite appetizer? Dessert? Whatever I'm eating at the time--just has some KILLER calamari last week. Oh baby. Dessert? Hmmm....Sticky Rice and Mangoes!

11. What is your dream job? I have my dream job--Inspiring kids to connect to their place in history through the arts.

NEW Questions 

1. What is your favorite compliment someone has paid you?
2.  What hobby / new skill would you like to try next?
3.  How did you meet your best friend?
4. What would you like to be said about you in your obituary? 
5. What is one of your favorite family traditions?
6. Name three things every person should learn how to do:
7. It's been said, "You are what you eat" so, what are you today?
8.  Tell me about a friend you admire: What qualities make them such a gem?
9. Where is your favorite place to go in your town?
10. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
11. What would you say to your 16 year old self?

THE RULES:

1. Post these rules

2. Post 11 random facts about yourself

3. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag

5. Tag 11 people

Thoughts on Marriage {Ivan}

K: Well Mr. You've been married 5 months. Let's have it. The good, the bad, & the ugly. Come on.

I: It's good.

K: That's not specific.

I: Mmm, wonderful?

K: ...

I: Um---I dunno. We have good times. What is this?

K: Ha ha--I'm just messing with you.

I: I'm not. You're smelly.

K: HA! I know...

I: You make good food. And so far, I've learned that I should share my food even when you say you're not hungry.

K: Mm, that's true. I love to "share" your things.

I: Yeah...well...just because I love you.

K: Awww....So...you recommend marriage? Thumbs up?

I:  Yes. Marriage is a wonderful life....JUST LIKE THE MOVIE. Ha ha ha...

K: But please don't go jumping off bridges...

I: Fine. Can we go now?

K: Where?

I: Okay--you want a quote? Here: Marriage is like a fairytale because your spouse will accept you like you are...doesn't matter if you're so so so sexy, irrisitable, or with a very cute face, she'll still love you. 

K: You're hilarious. Where are we going?

I: I dunno. Let's go be adventurers. 

K: Sounds good!

I: VAMONOS!

Niku

This is Niku; the quintessential descendent of the Cat Who Walked By Himself...

...except at mealtime.

Things I never thought I'd think about { Kaje }

I am good at taking care of kids. I've done a lot of it. When I was 10 years old I had my first babysitting job. I was a summer nanny when I was 13--true story.

I love teaching kids, reading to them, making their eyes sparkle when we're playing with bubbles, or play dough. I can change a dirty diaper in the car, using a minimum amount of wipes. I can distract a fussy toddler to get him to stop crying. I can push kids on the swing for hours. I can tell them the same story over and over again.

I can do nap times, bath times, time-outs, band-aids, car seats, play time, potty training, and ridiculous kid songs until your brain turns to mush.

I can do bedtimes and I can take care of the kids that climb into your bed, and do helicopter legs all night.
 
Before I used to think, "Sure, I could be a Mom someday. Oh yeah! I could do this."

That was when I was an idiot.

Because now that I'm married to a wonderful man, who wants kids, and the possibility is real--I don't know how to reconcile the idea that one day my heart may be walking around on the outside of my body.

...that scares me.

Because that heart has been broken before. And if it's outside of me, how could I possible protect it from all the things that could offend, or wound, or stifle, or hurt it?

...and then all the "What if's" crash down on me and try to suck me away.


and then I try to remember that I don't have to be perfect at this. And I can ask for help. And whenever it is that we have kids, they'll be the ones we were meant to have. And I'll cry. And I'll laugh. And I'll just have to get used to it...

After all, that's got to be how Heavenly Mother feels every day.

El amor de mi vida

I think i'm  luckiest guy in the world because  I have an amazing wife. She makes me so happy every day. I hope to be  the best husband for her and always take care of her. Now we live in kauai, HI.  just for 5---well, 3 more months. I'm really sure this time here will be great and we'll learn a lot of new things to improve our lives in a good way.

Kjirstencita you changed my life. You are every thing I asked  Heavenly Father for. Thanks  for being my wife and thanks for loving me!

Very Berry

"It may be that when we no longer know what to do

we have come our real work,

and that when we no longer know which way to go

we have come to our real journey.

The mind that is not baffled is not employed.

The impeded stream is the one that sings."

The Real Work
-Wendell Berry

"Fer rills?"

Sometimes I look at my husband and think, "Is this real? Are we really married? Is this really our life? Am I really this lucky?"

Because....seriously.

*Pinch me!*

Yep. It's real.

Things I love about being married to this guy:

* Getting to wake up to those eyes every morning. 


* Laughing with him everyday. Silly faces, silly voices, funny movies, funny life moments. The best is when he makes me laugh so hard that I snort. Lately we've got this schtick about zombie squirrels that has me in stitches.

* Cooking up some iron chef-type dinner together. This usually happens after we've lost track of time talking about something (sports, politics, life plans/ combination of the three) and we look at each other with that, 'I'm hungry, are you hungry?' face. Then a race to the pantry! We've got: Rice, and canned salmon, and macadamia nuts....hmmmmm....

* Being in sync. Now before you start singing "Bye-bye-bye"--lemme 'splain. Often times we'll think of the same solution to a problem. This leads to lots of, "Hey! I was thinking of that too!" or "That's a great idea. What are you brilliant or something?"- several times a day.

* Living with someone who is so genuine and loving.


* Watching him work, and fix stuff and be especially resourceful. Shoot-dang, that's sexy.

How married life has changed me:

I think I've eaten more red meat, and cried more crazy girly emotional tears than I have in my whole life.  (Uh, suddenly I sob at stupid romantic trailers? What the?)

I've had to remind myself that while I'm an independent woman, and capable of accomplishing just about anything by myself--I'm also part of a team now. I get to rely on the support, insight and skill set of my other half--and that doesn't make me less powerful. 

I post more about this awesome man in my life--and I'm sorry if you're sick of it. It's Team Flores now, and turns out I'm one heck of a cheerleader. 

 You should just thank your lucky stars I'm not posting pics of my strapping husband's hot butt in jeans like Pioneer Woman (scroll down) does...

Yet.

Ivan and his best friends...

So here we are on our crazy awesome Hawaiian adventure...

 Ivan has been quick to make new friends

 Especially with the big fancy rooster---who turns to JELL-O whenever he's around...

and turns into territorial watch dog when ever I come near....(I think someone has a crush!)

 Pretty Glorious, huh!

 

And then there's NIKU-- who is my little shadow, and who Ivan likes to threaten with a calm "Accidents happen kitty" whenever the cats climb the screens...but I know he's really in love with her too.

Playing with my new camera is way too much fun! Gracias mi amor! Te amo!