The End of October

Bridgedette's Thoughts:

October 2011 has come and is about to be gone. Time sure does fly when you are having fun! This month we celebrated 2 big events:

On the 15th I was thrown my first bridal shower by the Perez Family (Teri, Joanna and Vanessa). It was a lot of fun and lots of laughter was had. My Mom, my friend Carmen and my sister in law Melissa were also able to make the shower. 2 families meeting!






Our second big event was celebrating Larry's 36th Birthday!!
We began earlier in the month with tickets to the San Antonio Ballet's performance of Dracula. The performance took place at the newly renovated Lila Cockrell Theater, http://www.sahbgcc.com/. The performance was beautiful and engaging.




Today we had the party.......and you know the party had a Batman theme to it! Check out his birthday cake! A BIG THANK YOU goes out to my parents for hosting the event. All 5 of my brothers and sisters were there with their families, my Uncle Jaime and my Aunt Grace, Teri and Louis Garcia, Daniel Perez- King, Larry Sr. and Sylvia Ynman, Sonia and Pete Lozano and many more family and friends....there had to be at least 50 of us there (yup, it was a small gathering).







Tonight I prepare for Monday's Main Event....my Bridal Portraits. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. Our photographer is Dos Kiwis, http://www.doskiwis.com/, they are fun people so we should have some great photos. Lots of excitement, but lots to pack!!

I hope all is well that are reading this. 125 days till our wedding!!

Where Does the Time Go??

Bridgedette's Thoughts:

WOW! Its October!?!?! and now Im 30?!?! Where does the time go?

So many life events have taken place over the past few months. Summer was a complete blur to us with traveling, work (registration and new student orientations) and just life itself.


A little recap:

• Bridgedette is still working for the Alamo Colleges. She no longer does First Time In College Student Advising, but is now in charge of Graduation at PAC, that means I have to complete over 1,000 degree audits by hand and look over 100 course subsitutions.
  



• She Turned 30 on September 25th!...and she has survived to tell the tale!
  



• She is still torn between going to Law School and persuing a PhD., but has decided to take classes to earn an Associates in Paralegal Studies (YES, Still going to classes).




• Larry is no longer working for the Alamo Colleges and now works at Cafe College (http://www.cafecollege.org/home). Its the City of San Antonio's "One Stop Shop" for anyone wanting information on how to prepare and apply to college. His job allows him more freedom to be creative and use his Public Relation skills as he promotes Cafe College and has one on one advising sessions with all students wanting to enroll in college.
  



• He is also working very hard at his Masters classes in Organizational Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University. (I'm SO Proud of him!!)
  



• In his spare time he tries to keep me organized and sane, as I forget that there are only 24 hours in a day and tend to over schedule...I can be a super hero too, right?

Between all of these changes, we are still planning our wedding; here it comes February 25, 2012!! Larry and his 2 best men have been fited for their attire and so have I. The big decisions are all check off, but the little details are still afoot. Here is a small website that we started and will be updating with the details: http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/pwp2/view/MemberPage.aspx?coupleId=8034282314144067

On top of all this, I was slected by my Vice President of Student Affairs to attend the NACADA Advising Conference. The NATIONAL ACADEMIC ADVISING ASSOCIATION (NACADA), promotes and supports quality academic advising in institutions of higher education to enhance the educational development of students. Check them out if you have a chance: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/annualconf/2011/index.htm. I leave for Denver, Colorado tomorrow afternoon!!

**If I find another moment between Study Breaks, I will blog again.** Hope you are well and happy!

Master Class

Bridgedette's Thoughts:

While I do not like to schedule my life around the TV, I am very much loving Master Class on the Oprah Winfrey Network. If you havent seen it here is a brief synopsis:

They are the stories you've never heard from the people you thought you knew best. Handpicked by Oprah for their unique impact on the world, eight true modern masters sit down to share the untold stories that have shaped their lives and the greatest life lessons they've learned along the way. In an intimate setting, they open up about their successes, failures, triumphs, disappointments and heartbreaks.

Master Class offers an unprecedented first-person insight into the brilliant minds of famous people we love, respect and admire. First season masters include Diane Sawyer, Jay-Z, Dr. Maya Angelou, Simon Cowell, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Lorne Michaels and Oprah herself.

Below is not so great copy of Oprah's Master Class (part 1). She speaks of taking the time to listen for the "little whispers" and "finding your purpose." This is something I continuously work on. I hope you take the time to turn up your volume and listen.

Then and Now

Bridgedette's Thoughts:









The first photo is from my Senior Year in High School (2000) and the second was taken today during our family Father's Day Celebration. I would have to say that I am glad that I look relatively the same; this is a good thing!

For years I have struggled against my genetics of being short and dark; as well as my medical family history of breast cancer, heart attacks, high blood pressure and diabetes.

But as I get older I am leaning to chill out, work out more and do the best that I can with what I have. This is what leads me into my real topic:




In 252 days I will be lucky enough to marry my best friend. As Larry and I go through the "normal" stressors of planning our wedding, we have come to realize that the best part of the planning is that there really are no stressors. I am so proud of the communication and respect that Larry and I have together while making our plans. As each wedding topic comes up we have the ability to talk it out and think it through, sometimes people forget to do that, this is a major reason some weddings never get out of the planning phase.

While Larry and I are not perfect, we know that we can grow and learn from each other. This is how I knew that he was my person. Before I met Larry, I was so afraid to make a mistake.....any little thing that wasnt perfect or a major accomplishment wasnt something I associated myself with. Now, I have learned that being or attempting to be perfect is boring, it gets old...and so does the human body, from all the stress it endures. I had to learn the hard way, after getting shingles and struggling to be comfortable in my own body.

Today I am proud that I am vertically challenged and dark (some people pay for the tan I got for free)! I am also proud of all the potential I have to grow into a better person as I am lucky to have a great partner to share my life with.

Moving closer to February 25, 2012

Bridgedette's Thoughts:



266 days till our wedding! Very exciting!

As Larry and I will begin working our 4 day work week, the time will pass very quickly. June, July and August will become very busy for us with New Student Orientations and Registration.

I hope that all is well with those that read this. HAPPY SUMMER!!

Still I Rise

Bridgedette's Thoughts:



When I was in Elementary School I was truly the minority, I was surrounded by White people, but not just any kind...the kind that farm and ranch from generation to generation (a good o'l boy system). It was a new experience from what I was used to seeing as an inner city child from ther Westside of San Antonio. I definitely had "culture shock."

I never wanted to go back to school, but my Mom did not allow me to run. She put her foot down and told me that "I was just as good as any one else that was at that school." It was on that day that I decided that I WAS GOOD ENOUGH.

I was good enough to be in the same class as my peers.
I was good enough to run for Student Council President. (and win)
I was good enough to take the Gifted and Talented test. (and be placed in GT Classes)
I was good enough to try out for the high school softball team. (and letter 3 out of 4 years)


Sometimes we reach a fork in the road and it is the values that we have been instilled , or even new values that we have picked up along the way, that allow us to look at that fork as either an opportunity for success or an opprtunity to run....still, either way, its an opportunity.

Life is all about opportunities and sometimes we need others around us to remind us to take advantage of them. One of my favorite poems Still I Rise. There is such a powerful statment made that has always resinated with me.

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

~ Maya Angelou


I hope that where ever you are, that YOU RISE.

RISE to the challenge of everyday life, RISE from being a good parent to a great parent, RISE up to those who dont believe that you belong but most of all that you see that you deserve the right to RISE.

Closing out the Month of March

Bridgedette's Thoughts:

Flowers!

Hooray, spring has sprung in Texas and the Bluebonnets are HERE!

....and with Spring the Pollens have also sprung....not so good for my nose. But anytime that I can take a walk outside I do. With the sun shining and a nice cool breeze I found these flowers on the Palo Alto College campus; to me, it looks like a star.

Also, we had a "special project" at work, making paper flowers for our on campus event called PAC FEST (http://www.alamo.edu/pac/htm/new/homepage/campusNews/2011/News_Release_2011.pdf)....yes, Fiesta is around the corner!







Batman SAVES THE DAY!

Last week I bought a new pair of black shoes for work. They were supposed to be "comfort" style shoes, except they rubbed on my heels and created blisters! Not fun for me....thank God for Batman!





San Antonio Education Partnership's Road to Success College Conference


Larry and I help out with the former organization that I was employed with, The San Antonio Education Partnership. Each year SAEP organizes a College Conference for the 25 San Antonio high schools that it services. This year it was held at The University of Texas' Main Campus. 900 High School Students showed up!!! WOW!!

These students are the future of San Antonio and America, so I hope that they learned something new or were inspired by one of these Workshop Sessions (an abreviated list):

• Career Exploration:
o Education
o Law
o Math, Science & Technology
o Culinary Arts
o Engineering
o Graphic Arts
o Architecture
o Premed
o Nursing
o Fire Science
o Allied Health
o Art and Music
o Criminal Justice
o Business

• Financial Aid 101: The Basics

• Making the Connection: High School, Community College & Universities

• Scholarship Scoop: Finding Money for College

• Choosing a College: Finding the Right Fit

• Writing the Essays: The Good, The Bad…

• Mobile GO CENTER: Completing the College Admission Application


On a side note: Thanks to the San Antonio Education Partnership, Larry and I are together! http://www.saedpartnership.org/ Here are 2 photos from the event...sorry for the lack of cool photos, I was working, but it was so much more awesome than these photos tell.






Dinner with the Perez Family

Yesterday the Perez Family got together for dinner at La Fogota. The food and Company was fun and heart warming! I love it when we get together to catch up!








Flexing my Green Thumb

Sunday's are a great time to spend with family. I went over to my parents home to visit and my Dad and I ended up on an adventure at Home Depot and Walmart. He helped me pick out the suppiles for my tomato plant and bell pepper plant. The evening ended with a great steak dinner and a ton of laughs!





Until Next Blog...Have a good week!


Tonight
Apr 3


Partly Cloudy
71°

it's always funny to look inside yourself

Larry's Thoughts:::

Bridge and I recently took a personality exam called the Myers-Briggs and it's always interesting to see how someone can be 'scaled' based upon who you are and how God made you. My theory has always been that God created us sort of like how a someone might make a salad...you know a little spinach for health, some onion for spice, perhaps some croutons for flavor, carrots for crunchtime, and maybe a little dressing to cool you down. No matter what though it's good for you, know what I mean? Myers-Briggs pretty much matches people into one of 16 different categories based upon your personality traits- E vs I (Extrovert vs Introvert), N vs S (Intuition vs Sensory), T vs F (Thinker vs Feeler), and P vs J (Perceiver vs Judger). As you can see already, Bridge is an ESTJ- which means she is an Extroverted Sensor who Thinks and Judges. I personally think this type of person is valuable in the world or salad bowl, if you will, because they tend to bring order to chaos and sort of keep the ship in shape. However when I took the test, I came out to be an INFP- which is an Introvert who uses Intuition and Feelings to Perceive...basically the complete opposite of the ESTJ...lol

According to the Myers-Briggs folks themselves......

INFP-
Idealistic, loyal to their values and to people who are important to them. Want an external life that is congruent with their values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, can be catalysts for implementing ideas. Seek to understand people and to help them fulfill their potential. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened.

Haha, yup that sounds like me...

Anyone who knows us knows that Bridge and I are complimentary in nature...from the beverages we drink (water vs tea), temperatures we like (warm vs cool), and even baseball teams we root for (Yankees vs Red Sox...yikes!). I've always been somewhat fascinated with compatability and what types of people are likely to do well in friendships/relationships/etc. I had been under the impression that for successful compatability, one needed to find someone else like them due to commonalities that exist. In mathematics, when you have two like's, they tend to cancel each other out. I think that in real life, that can often happen to people as well. One thing that has been prevalent in my life has been that my eyes are open to view things from another point of view, such as Bridge's. A lot of my worldview has been updated to look at things from a contrasting point of view as opposed to a comparable point of view. I see now that many of our best friends in life or those whom we love dearly are those who represent parts of us that are opposite to ourselves that create the balance in our lives that enrich it. For my own self, what makes this relationship work is that, although our personalities can be vastly different, we have the same core values. Values such as faith, friendship, integrity, diligence, and character are what make many of our friendships/relationships compatible not the personalities. It is similar to taking an alternate road to the same destination. Sometimes the road isn't big enough for two cars so you can a different path to the same place.

So here's to finding the yin to your yang, the Coyote to your Roadrunner, the hip to your hop, or anything else that enriches your life...until next time here's a song that adds a little humor to this...be well everyone!

My Personality

Bridgedette's Thoughts:

I recently took a personality test and here is what I am:
Extraverted Sensing Thinking Judging .


Me, ESTJ? lol. If you know me, this is spot on for my personality! Here is a description:

ESTJs thrive on order and continuity. Being extraverted, their focus involves organization of people, which translates into supervision. While ENTJs enjoy organizing and mobilizing people according to their own theories and tactically based agendas, ESTJs are content to enforce "the rules," often dictated by tradition or handed down from a higher authority.

ESTJs are joiners. They seek out like-minded companions in clubs, civic groups, churches and other service organizations. The need for belonging is woven into the fiber of SJs. The family likewise is a central focus for ESTJs, and attendance at such events as weddings, funerals and family reunions is obligatory.

Tradition is important to the ESTJ. Holidays, birthdays and other annual celebrations are remembered and observed often religiously by this type. The ESTJ is inclined to seek out his roots, to trace the family heritage back to honored ancestors both for a sense of family respectability and for a sense of security and belonging.

Service, the tangible expression of responsibility, is another key focus for ESTJs. They love to provide and to receive good service. The ESTJ merchant who provides dependable service has done much to enhance her self image.

ESTJs have an acute sense for orthodoxy. Much of their evaluation of persons and activities reflects their strong sense of what is "normal" and what isn't. ESTJ humor is frequently centered around something or someone being off center or behaving abnormally.

ESTJs promote the work ethic. Power, position and prestige should be worked for and earned. Laziness is rarely viewed with ambivalence nor benevolence by this type.

The ESTJ is outspoken, a person of principles, which are readily expressed. The ESTJ is not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right even in the face of overwhelming odds. ESTJs are able to make the tough calls.

Occupations attracting ESTJs include teaching, coaching, banking, political office, and management at all levels.

Famous ESTJs:
Simon Peter (Christ's disciple)
John Heywood (c.1497-c.1580, collector of English colloquialisms)
James Monroe
Andrew Jackson
William Henry "Tippecanoe" Harrison
Franklin Pierce
Grover Cleveland
Harry S. Truman
Lyndon B. Johnson
George W. Bush
Carrie Nation
Elliot Ness
John D. Rockefeller
Bette Davis
Robert A. Taft (U.S. senator, son of Pres. Wm. H. Taft)
Sam Walton, owner and founder of WalMart stores
Barbara Stanwyck
Rev. Billy Graham
Dale Bumpers (U.S. Senator, D-Arkansas)
Phil Fulmer, head football coach of the U. Tenn Vols
Pat Head Summit, head basketball coach of the Lady Vols
Bill Frist, M.D. (U.S. Senate Majority Leader)

Fictional:
Lucy (Charles Schultz's Peanuts character)
Mrs. Harbottle (Herriott, All Creatures Great and Small)
Mrs. Rachel Lynde (Anne of Green Gables)
The Mayor (The Music Man)


[Some men can make decisions and some cannot. Some men fret and delay under criticism. I used to have a saying that applies here, and I note that some people have picked it up. --Harry S. Truman, Mr. Citizen "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." ]


****Here is another view****

ESTJ Relationships:
ESTJs are very enthusiastic people who are driven to fulfill their obligations and duties, especially those towards their families. Their priorities generally put God first, family second, and friends third. They put forth a tremendous amount of effort to meet their obligations and duties, according to their priorities. They are dedicated and committed to their relationships, which they consider to be lifelong and unalterable. They like to be in charge, and may be very controlling of their mates and children. They have high esteem for traditions and institutions, and expect that their mates and children will support these as well. They have little patience and need for dealing with people who see things very differently from the ESTJ.

ESTJ Strengths
*Generally enthusiastic, upbeat and friendly
*Stable and dependable, they can be counted on to promote security for their families
*Put forth a lot of effort to fulfill their duties and obligations
*Responsible about taking care of day-to-day practical concerns around the house
*Usually good (albeit conservative) with money
*Not personally threatened by conflict or criticism
*Interested in resolving conflict, rather than ignoring it
*Take their commitments very seriously, and seek lifelong relationships
*Able to move on after a relationship breaks up
*Able to administer discipline when necessary

ESTJ Weakness
*Tendency to believe that they are always right
*Tendency to need to always be in charge
*Impatient with inefficiency and sloppiness
*Not naturally in tune with what others are feeling
*Not naturally good at expressing their feelings and emotions
*May inadvertantly hurt others with insensitive language
*Tendency to be materialistic and status-conscious
*Generally uncomfortable with change, and moving into new territories

Our Last Full Week in January

Bridgedette's Thoughts:

So its the last full week of January and we are finally seeing the registration rush coming down. Here are a few of the events that Larry and I did this week.


Larry in Pink!
On Sunday January 23rd, Larry took me to see Legally Blonde the Musical at the Majestic Theater! I was SO excited!! I have seen this movie so many times I can quote it and now it has been combined with the theater..."OMG!!" (a big line in the movie). We had so much fun enjoying the musical and the downtown atmosphere at night. And I cant beleive that Larry wore PINK!!!!





Larry Tasting Cake
As the week went on, Larry and I were looking forward to our cake tasting this past Saturday. So many cakes....and Larry only had 1 fork! ha ha.




Larry at Work
That same Saturday morning, after the cake tasting, Larry had to do a 1 hour presentation at Northeast Lakeview. If you ever get the opportunity to watch Larry present, you would be in for a treat! He always finds a way to connect with his audience; and can always interject his slap stick humor into the speech. Here he is getting his Powerpoint ready.





Fortune
That SAME BUSY Saturday, we finally stopped for lunch. Our Chinese food was good, but my fortune seemed to be right on the money. There are so many things that I have questions about, some that I even allow to stop me from progressing....but I need to face those fears and allow them not to have such a big part in my life. Each day I grow and learn from those around me!




Walk Accomplished
To end our busy week, Larry and I went for a walk. We have been doing our best to walk every weekend together. These walks have been one of those catalyst times when we get the best conversations going; just him, I and nature. The weather was SO perfect too...80 degrees! After all the cold and windy days, we had to take advantage of the sun. We use the Nike+ sensor to track our walks, here is the lastest walk:




Until Next Blog!





72°F | °C
Current: Partly Cloudy
Wind: SW at 6 mph
Humidity: 35%

Connections.....

Larry's Thoughts:::

Work has been rather chaotic for Bridge and myself. For those that don't know, we are both community college advisors- myself at Northeast Lakeview and her at Palo Alto. I was walking down the hall at work last Friday and, with all the students waiting for advising or assistance, sometimes it gets so loud that you can't hear yourself think. But I did overhear the conversation between two young ladies talking about their respective boyfriends. One was talking about how lazy hers was and how seemingly unhappy she was, which I commonly hear young people talk about. However, the other young lady was talking about how happy she was and how theirs was a unique relationship. The part of the conversation that struck me most was when the happier young lady described how she felt as "love isn't a strong enough word".

Of all the entire conversations in that loud hallway, I was surprised that what I caught was such a powerful statement as that. I reflected on that statement for the rest of the day and over the weekend about the connections we have in life and those individuals that share our lives. Whether it be a friend, family member, child, husband, wife, or whomever, we all form connections with these people. Some are stronger than others however and formulate the people we become. Shakespeare himself said, "tis better to love and lost than to never have loved at all". However I think that it does not necessarily just refer to romantic love but the love that forms these deep connections. If we close ourselves off to love and connecting to others, we truly deprive ourselves of that which forms who we are. A child learns empathy from someone who empathized to him or her at a young age. A husband treats his wife with love and respect that in turn is given back to him by her love and respect. We become the humans that are capable of awesome and worthwhile ventures and successes by experiencing all the up's and down's that these deep connections give us.

My earliest connections were with my grandfathers who emulated to me, as a young boy, what it was like to treat others with respect, to be patient with those whom are different than myself, to be kind, and to use my intelligence in school among other things. These connections with them began to form me at a young age that I'm glad I have retained as I've grown into an adult. Sadly I lost my paternal grandfather when I was still relatively young but I did appreciate all the childhood and teenage memories I had that are still cherished by me. I was blessed to have my maternal grandfather up until last year when he left to a better place. Since I did have him for such a long time, I was able to experience what it was like to mature and grow into a man with him by my side. Losing him was more painful than words can describe but I try to remind myself that, as selfish as it is to want to keep them here, I cannot do so.

It is rather unique that sometimes these connections we form in life can defy time because we often see people mourning years and sometimes decades after someone passes on or simply leaves your life. We cling to the memories of those spouses, friends, family, etc that are no longer with us that we stay connected to without regard to how much time has passed. How painful yet how wonderful it is to be so connected to someone that the very scent of a perfume, a song played from years ago, or a visit to a special location unleashes a flood of memories that are as vivid as they day they originally happened. I think everyone should take the time to reflect on those who we are truly connected to and what connects them together. Nothing and no one should be taken for granted because the future is a book still being written. I feel blessed that Bridge and myself are connected so deeply. The funny thing is that it happened without us ever trying to make it happen but I suppose that is the truest sign of two people meant to be together. I tell her that I had to hit rock-bottom in life to fully appreciate her and the connection we have (as well as the connections I had to people like my grandfathers). I love her very much and am excited about the life we have together ahead of us because she is truly a wonderful human being and our life is one that I always wanted.

"Blessed is the person who appreciates without having had the pain but wise is the person who appreciates having had the pain."

Have a good day and a good week and remember to cherish the connections in your life!

Survived the first week back!

Bridgedette's Thoughts:



Phew!!! As expected, the first week back was very hectic!!

Lines of people trying to late register for classes, Registration systems crashing and little to no patience from students. But, Larry and I have made the best of it all....especially Larry. He has been working from 8am to 8pm for the past 7 days! Im glad that I made some yummy caldo to hold us over and a few other dinner meals so that when we arrive home, we would only have to heat it up!

San Antonio had a "cold front" blow in last week. It was nothing like what the northern states had, but for SA....it was COLD! It was a little hard to roll out of bed in the morning and putting on the layers was not that fun for me, who doesnt like the cold. The sun actually came out yesterday and is trying to come back this week too...maybe that will help some of the students be a bit more happy. ha ha.

Besides the lines of students keeping us busy, Larry and I have been planning our wedding. We are trucking along a little at a time. There is SO much to do, as Larry found out when I took him and my mom to the Bridal Extravaganza on Sunday January 9th! ;o) There was a lot to see and taste (Larry's Favorite Part). We should be sending out our Save the Date very soon!

This past Sunday Larry and I took our engagement photos. It was SO much FUN! The best part was that the photgrapher was Larry's Cousin Christina! You can view them on their website, www.twinflowerphotography.com
its under the BLOG section). I think that she did an AMAZING job capturing who we are as a couple as well as the love that we share for each other. It was a very comfortable photo shoot, even though the weather was cloudy and cold. Can you tell where we were? Its one of my most FAVORITE places....The San Antonio (Enchilada Red) Central Library!!

Growing up, I lived about 4 blocks from the Bazan Library (2200 W. Commerce San Antonio, TX 78207). I spent so many hours there that the staff knew me as I walked in...and I was no more than 10 years old! lol. Books, curiosity and learning new things are all part of who I am. I am glad that Larry is the same way. We love to spend hours at bookstores!!

Well, that's all for now. I'll keep you all posted on our lives and whats new in our world.



Wed, 19

66°/54°

Back to Work and the Daily Run Around.

Bridgedette's Thoughts:

I survived!....the first day back to work. :o)

After being off for more than 14 days, and dragging myself out of bed yesterday morning, I survived! It was a very steady day at Palo Alto, but not overwhelmingly busy (since the first day of class is not till January 18th) but there are students trying to fix and update their schedules for class, as well as meet the payment deadline of January 6th.


After leaving work yesterday, I went to the San Antonio Public Library to retrieve a book that I accidentally turned in (the book belonged to the Palo Alto College Library). I was glad that they still had it! I'm my defense, I did have 10 books out from 3 different libraries. As long as I can remember, I have always loved libraries. My Mom would always take us walking down the street to the Bazan library and we would spend hours just sitting in a corner (on the floor or at a table) and read. There was something so comfortable about just sitting still and not rushing anywhere (except to finish the book)!

I then went to CVS to pick up Larry's medicine, and as I stood in the line that was 10 people deep I remembered that it was the first Monday of the month and people were refilling their medicines and trying to meet their new deductibles....it would be awhile before I would get to the counter. 20 minutes later I had the medicine in hand and looked at the receipt to find a coupon for a FREE hand sanitizer! LUCKY DAY! If you know me, I love to have clean hands and sanitizers are my thing!

Driving home, I was happy and tired, but I made Larry and I some salad and whole wheat pasta for dinner. By 8pm, I was so tired that I just ate the salad. Larry walked in with a Redbox movie (www.redbox.com) and as he played it, I fell asleep next to him on the couch. The last thing that remember is the movie credits. Sad, I know, but getting back into the swing of things is a lot harder than I thought it would be!

Today I feel great...a lot better than yesterday, the weather is not that great, but we will make the best of it! Happy Tuesday!!

56°F |
Current: Cloudy with Showers
Wind: N at 4 mph
Humidity: 100%

Hello World!!

Larry's Thoughts:::

Ok, ok I know it has been a while since I've written on here. Ok probably a LONG while but those who know me, know that I'm a deep thinker but probably not the deepest communicator. 2011 is a new year and so I thought I'd start off the year with a few thoughts.

For the few of you left on Planet Earth who don't know by now, I popped the question to Bridge a couple of weeks ago. And not the big question of "what do you want for dinner?" but rather if she would be willing to be my wife. Yes ladies and gents, we got engaged. That was a big thing for me because, like most people, I had concerns and questions if this next milestone would change us. One of the finest qualities of the relationship we have is that a good one and, although I know change itself is inevitable, I don't want to change for the worse only for the better. I know people had been wondering about when or if we would take the plunge. It really came down to one thing-- and that was do I want to live my life without Bridge in it? The firm answer was "NO" because I truly believe my life is better with her being in it. I want to take that next step with her by my side because I believe in us, our friendship, and our love. Thankfully, after one "are you joking??", she agreed :-)

2010 was a big year for me for lots of up's and down's...I did lose my beloved Popo in February after him being ill. I loved him dearly and deeply because we had a strong connection. I remember after Bridge and I started dating, I told her that there was "someone else" and she was a little astonished. But after I told her that the "someone else" was my Popo, she understood. I was committed to making his golden years comfortable and happy so no matter what, I always made sure to get him whatever he wanted or needed. Losing him was losing a part of myself and I think I'll grieve in little ways for some time to come. Fortunately Bridge was there to help me weather through it and I'm stronger for it. On a happier note, Bridge and I took a nice vacation in June to Boston and we had a splendid time. The highlight was visiting Fenway Park and seeing my beloved Red Sox play AND getting to meet the players. I also started graduate school in August and that was something I never foresaw me doing because my goal had been to finish my Bachelors degree, which I did 10 years ago. But I knew the time had come to undertake the next academic challenge of my life and I did well having earned two A's. I'm going for a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University. This degree suited me because it is interdisciplinary in nature and applicable to virtually any endeavor I go for in life. 2010 was challenging because both Bridge and I got sick in July. I developed a staph infection in my leg which required surgery to get out. That was particularly concerning since I am a diabetic. But the docs did what they were supposed to and I made it through. Bridge got shingles about this time too and that was difficult for her because it was very uncomfortable. But, in typical fashion, she beat it and became stronger for going through it.

Overall I am curious to see what 2011 has in store. I'm always a believer in the glass being half-full and not half-empty. Attitude can take you far so here's to an exciting journey to us and to you all in the new year.

til next time...

Happy 2011

Bridgedette's Thoughts:

HAPPY 2011!!!

Okay, now that thats been said...WHO'S READY FOR A NAP!?!?!?


The week of Christmas was busy for us, so for our New Years Eve, Larry and I decided to keep it local. We cleaned our apartment and had dinner BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/. We came home and watched all the celebrations, from NYC to SA on TV...and we had our first dance of the new year.....Estelle Feat. Kanye West - American Boy.

Estelle |MTV Music

Looking back at 2010, it was a rough year with the loss of Popo and us being sick (at the same time), yet it ended with Larry and I dancing. I am thankful for all that I have and all the good and bad that I have experienced, because without it, I would not be who I am today.

The best and most memoriable event of 2010 is definitely experiencing love. Larry has asked me to be his wife and is willing to spend his life with me.

WOW! Me?.

How lucky am I to have such a honest, sincere and noble man to express his love for me as we strolled through downtown San Antonio on a horse drawn carriage ride.
Lucky me! (The ring is BEAUTIFUL! Simple and classic, he did GREAT!)



2011 comes with much planning (especially for the upcoming wedding), but also a resolution to have more fun. I resolve to socialize more....even if Im tired, I will not use that as an excuse. Watch out SA, here we come!