The True Shine Gang

So. I've been in denial but it's time to come to grips with the fact that my camera is gone a broke. It's been broken for two weeks now, but it was this weekend that I really felt my loss.

Brandt Sykes planned a True Shine Weekend for all his workers and their family out by a lake house in Spring City. There were so many Kodak moments to captures as we swam in the lake, did assortments of water sports, had ping pong tournaments, played card games and just having plain fun hanging around the big porch roasting smores. But alas, I don't have pictures to show people. However, my camera still takes videos, so I am able to show you a glimpse of our weekend and the beauty that surrounded us.



So pretty, huh? It's what we needed. So relaxing and rejuvenating. Good social time and good food. Thanks B Sykes!

Yukari is now 25 years and a day old! Yeah!

My baby sister turned a quarter of a century, as of September 11th. Yes, yes - 9/11. It's a date that the world will always remember. And it's a date I will never forget 'cuz 25 years ago I got a sister. My go-to person. When no body gets me, no one wants to fight with me, no one wants to shop with me, no one wants to laugh with me, no one wants to cry over chick-flicks with me: Kari has been there. 100%
She stood by my side, when I got married. She was there when Vincent proposed...the second time. She was one of 4 people to come see me walk for my M.S. Degree. She went jogging with me in the middle of the night so I can de-stress from writing my S.I.P. She has been there for all my significant events of my life...So, to my dear dear annoying sister...

I love you and happy happy birthday!!!

Quake

(image by BBC.com)
Some of you may have heard - Indonesia has experienced another earth quake measured at 7.9M off the coast of Sumatra. In 2004, they experienced an earth quake of 8.9 M (possibly up to 9.3), which lead to a Tsunami that killed over 220,000 people. This was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the world.

The reason why I bring this incident up in my blog is because my mother is currently in Jakarta for a business trip. I have gotten word that she is fine and I have read on the news that Indonesia has lifted their Tsunami watch. Thank God! But please continue to pray for her safety and also for those in Sumatra.

By looking at the image above, it may seem as if Jakarta (where my mother is) is far enough away from where the earthquake hit. However, if you look at the image below (from wiki), the quake was farther away in 2004, but by looking at the countries most affected by the Tsunami then (yellow), its great news that my mother is okay. Thank God, Thank God.

365 days ago...

...we got married!
(picture by Andy Montgomery)

A toast

Well, Ben and Bethany have been married for a little over 6 months now. But it was only this weekend when we finally got to celebrate their marriage with them. So much went on, I don't know where to begin. It's always great to have an excuse to see friend, be with friends, come together as friends to celebrate their joys in life.

I didn't really give much of toast at the dinner or the party, because as most of you know, I can't go through one without crying. So, here is my toast: Bethany, you have been a true friend, as you have seen me through the thick and the thin. You are interwoven in so many of my memories, good and the bad. Jeff Buckley, Outkast, Radio Head to Portishead - they all make me think of you. You have known me more than anyone out there and have still stuck around - which says a lot about you as a friend. And Ben, you are lucky to have found a person like her that will stick by your side as she has me. I am so so happy for both of you. It was a joy for me to see your relationship grow - from the first time Ben came over and brought over a tomato, you two reading the Narnia books, to Ben buying out Green Life's supply of cheese, to Ben's book bag being a fixture in our living room...such great memories. I hope to be apart of more. Congratulations you two. Cheers! I love you both.

And all that said, Bethany deserved to have a girls night out before her big 'bash' on Sunday. So, some of us girls met up at the Meeting Place for some cocktails. It was so fun, we have to do it more often. We need to get those 'mothers' out more often! :)

Somers No More

So, the month of August is jammed packed for Vincent and me. We kicked it off by driving down to Little Rock, Arkansas for Jill and James wedding with Kristine.

This weekend is the B&B reception! Lots of festivities to come. But in the midst of it all work is wearing on me, I got tons to do...so if you remember, keep me in your prayers.

Isaac's Baptism

This past Sunday Isaac Righter was baptized. Vincent and I, and several of our friends, were honored to stand beside his parents as they saw their son through this special event.

Happy Birthday Em!

Today is Emily's birthday!

So, last night I hung some candles on our tree...
(photo by Andy Montgomery)

...and we threw her a spaghetti party in our back yard.

Emily, I hope you have a great birthday!
I love you!!

P.S. Thanks to those who brought food and drinks!
More pictures on Flickr, and better pictures on April's Flikr...
(it's time I get a better camera :))

Blitzen Trapper

After a VERY long week of work, I de-stressed Friday night by going to see Marty Marquis and his band, Blitzen Trapper. It was a rockin' show, they blew me away...and it's exactly what I needed; a foot-stomping-body-moving music. Pitchfork has them under Best New Music, and if you haven't heard them yet, go pick up their new album.

Marty surprised me at how hard he rocked out. When people mention him, I always think a) 'oh, such a nice guy', b) he's a quite natured guy and c) everyone got him confused with Isaac Wardell. I would never have thought he's a rocker-outer...mmm...but he is. The last time I saw him, we were at Paul and Mary's wedding, everyone was dancin' and he just sat on the sidelines telling me about what he and his wife were up to. When he told me then about his band, I never thought it would be country-rock, mild mannered indie pop or jagged art-rock. I don't know what I expected...just not this:

(Sorry about the little 'blackness' in the middle of the clip. I was trying to get Meg, Andy and Paul in the crowd...and it just didn't work...)

Anyways, all that to say: Go check em' out (if you haven't). And Marty - it was good seeing you again and nice show, I had such a blast!

A week and a day ago...

...we had a party in our backyard...

... Meg rented a 24ft water slide...

...for Diesel's birthday!

And yes, we all had fun till someone got hurt.
That someone would be 'D', who broke
his hand doing a backward swan dive.

No worries, he's doing okay.
And we still had a great time...
...so check out the pictures on Flickr to see.

As April mentioned, it's funny we are old
enough to afford toys like a water slide.
It's funny we still think we are
young enough to play on a water slide.

Another Friend Makes Me Proud

Here we are at Kristine's art show couple of weeks ago. It was a full house.
Vincent's article on the AVA's Emerging Artist's Exhibit has also come out on the Pulse. So you if want to know more about Kristine's art and the other artists that participated in the show, read the article!

Ruth, My Hero

Ruth is absolutely my hero. This past Sunday she participated in Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. Ruth swam 1.5K down the TN river, biked 40K on highway 27 and ran 10K down Riverside drive. She was AMAZING, I was so impressed! If I'm correct this is her third race and there are more to come.

This is Tommy: her number 1 fan

This triathlon was my very first one to go see. I was so proud of everyone that participated in the race. I just can't get over what a body is capable of. Craziness. I gotta go see more!

We were so proud of you Ruth!!!

Here below is a video of us cheering for Ruth as she crossed the finish line.
Yes, Ruth had the loudest and largest fan base there.
The announcer couldn't say her name 'cuz we were so loud...sorry dude.
What can we say, we love her.

(I wish I got her as she was coming down the road. But I was so busy screaming that I only got her running by.)

photo courtesy by Mitch the Kate

4th of July Shinanigins

I am behind on my blog postings as I'm just posting about 4th of July. I have a ton of pictures to display from this weekend but I wanted to post these first.
So, the eve of the 4th, some of us walked across the walking bridge to check out the fireworks.
We tried to meet the Righters, but they were in the crowd so we opted to stay on the bridge. I can't believe how many people can fit in Coolidge park. I enjoyed the crowd though, this is the one time of the year where so many people from so many backgrounds come together. I got a kick out of the wide range of fashion...I wish I had to gutts to shoot pictures of each different styles. Anyways, there is something impressive about the masses joining to partake in a tradition together. There are no other holidays where EVERYONE gets together, you know?

The next afternoon, on the 4th, we all went and celebrated Independence Day in a more intimate setting at the Dixon's. We had BBQ, a little game of kick ball...

...a little bit of fireworks...

...and last but not least a little bit of sliding.
Ryan and Abby rented this thing for the 4th of July celebration and we had such a blast that Meg rented it again yesterday...but those pictures will be up later.

So thats it for now. Good night.

Friends in High Places

This is April Roe. She recently started cooking at the St. John's Meeting Place, one of the yummiest and yuppiest restaurants in Chatty. I've always have had friends working there and they have always given me special treatment when ever I go. This past weekend, Vincent and I joined some friends there after Kristine's art show. April was working hard and looked so kick-butt. She's wanted to be apart of the culinary world for awhile, so I'm super proud of her to see her in action. To top it off, I felt so cool as the server brought up a dish- 'from the chef'. Thanks April, for making me feel special. We'll stop in again, soon.

Grandimary

Grandimary, happy birthday!!!

As you can see in these pictures, Grandimary is the greatest grandmother as she is so involved in all of our lives. She has been one of the greatest blessing I have gained in being married to Vincent. I have never met such a great woman with such constant faith in our Father or a woman so loving and stable for her family. I have learned in these past couple of years that she is one person that I will always be able to count on - she is gentle, loving and full of wisdom. If you have not met her yet, I highly recommend you do.

I love you grandimary! I hope you are having a great birthday!

My favorite city in America is...

...SEATTLE!!!

I visited Seattle a couple of years ago and fell in love w/ it. This was Vincent's first time and he fell in love too. You just can't beat the beauty that surrounds it and its fresh fresh air. I mean, come on! The first thing you see flying into the city is this beautiful mountain, Mount Rainier. I love this city!! It's big, but 'quainty'...if that is a word.

AND, ah, the fresh fruits, vegetables and the seafood. Oh! and there is so much to do! Vincent and I went on walks along rivers and piers, hung out at parks, sought out coffee shops and went shopping for records. If we weren't there for a wedding, there were so many music shows to choose from. I would consider moving, but I'm sure I don't have a good perspective on Seattle weather since I've only been there during the summers.

Anyways, enough about the city. The reason why we went was to see my two high school friends, Becky and Joel get married. The trip was amazing, not only because of our destination, but because of our time with my high school friends. For those who don't know, I went to Faith Academy in Manila, Philippines. The friends I made there have a huge part of my heart. We have been there for each other since way back when. And when ever we get together, it almost like we've never been apart (except for the fact that we are no longer 14 or 15 and lots have happend since then). We have attended each other's weddings, which oddly enough have always fell on every other year in August. (I got married August, 2006; Kip got married August, 2004; Bill got married August 2002 and Alcoe got married August 2000.) Until this year when Joel and Becky got married a year after me in June, and Joey and Becca will be getting married this September. Anyways, every wedding is so special to all of us since it's like a mini-reunion. This one was more special than the other ones for me since I got to share it with Vincent. I got to share with Vincent what I still consider a huge part of my life-my friendships with my high school buddies. It was amazing; Vincent fell right into the groove of things and got to know them more. He was considered one of them, as he and the other guys had usher duty at the wedding together. I couldn't have asked for a better time, especially when my two worlds were colliding...great times. Great times.

So, the company was great and so was the city. BUT, I can't leave out the incredible wedding we were apart of. Becky and Joel had dated in high school a decade ago, but it was only a year ago that God brought them back together. So the whole wedding was a celebration and praise to God, for His provision and faithfulness in bringing the couple a happy ending. Becky found this big tree to get married under and had white banners flying from the tree to the barn, where we had the reception.

The barn it self was lit with lots of paper lanterns and flowers. It was the the coziest wedding.

All that to say, the trip was perfect. It was Vincent and my first plane trip together. I have found myself the most perfect travel buddy.

But travel buddy or no travel buddy, it's always nice to be back home.

EMERGINGCY: Kristine featured at Emerging Artist Exhibit

My friend, Kristine Zacharias was chosen from a large group of applicants to showcase her art at AVA's Emerging Artists Exhibition. Tomorrow, there will be a Reception from 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. at A.V.A. Come join us as we celebrate Kristine's art.

The show will be up till August 24, 2007.

Never wanna grow up

We are back from Seattle.
I'm tired so I'll write about it later.

But here are pictures from last week...
of us just enjoyin' life.

















John, Kristine, Vincent and I enjoyed the simple things of life: slides and a little bit of late night ice cream!!

Mrs. Galpin

Hello Dear Friend! I hope you are having a great birthday today!! I love you and miss you buddy yo! Happy happy Birthday to you~~treat yourself to sugar!!

I Can Totally Relate

Oh, so cracks me up! I despise roaches! And my friends, including my husband, mock my detest for these devils. I freak out, scream and at times I have cried at the sight of roaches. The other day, I was e-mailing and the 'nasties' flew on my hand!!!!! I freaked, screamed, curled up in the fetal position and couldn't move. Vincent had to run over, pick me up and move me away from the roach. There was another incident where I started crying, swearing there was a roach in my pants. At the time Ryan Dixon was driving, so I made him pull over, come to find out the 'roach' was only a seam in my jeans. I just can't STAND those things! There are many a times Vincent had to hold the sobbing me and reassure me that he will protect me from the roaches. (Oh, so embarrassing...but funny.) SO! In this weatherman I have finally have found a kindred spirit.

For 5 Talbot, click here.