Last night was a lovely, tasty, and cozy success! Miso sauce is easy and deliiiiicious. Man, I could eat that stuff on anything. Is that bad? Chicken with miso sauce, pork with miso sauce, steak with miso sauce...Joaquim will be sick of miso sauce! But he liked it last night so that was a success!
My parents were impressed with the salmon, because it was so pink and beautiful. Yep, literally caught from a river in Alaska and it made it to my hands in a plastic bag. I wasn't quite sure how to cook the salmon, but I have this fabulous griddle from Princess House so I just smothered it in some butter and slapped the sliced filets on, covered it up, and away we went.
It was great to chat and spend some time with my parents and Brian (who was tired and quiet as usual...but he enjoyed some chocolate so there was a hint of excitement there) and my mom was excited to see our apartment. It was all in all a very nice evening. Joaquim and I did alllllll the dishes afterwards, and this morning we didn't have breakfast at home so it was great to have a maintained and clean kitchen for more than a few hours.
I am realizing that although I've lived on my own before and had to cook and clean and do my own laundry, etc...I have never been a wife. Duh. And that is very different! It is so fun and wonderful!
This weekend can't come soon enough...a relaxing evening at home is in store for us. Joaquim said yesterday, as we were washing dishes, that we have been so busy. Praise the Lord! The last thing we wanted was for him to feel bored or stuck in one place. He is tired because we've had something to do almost every night this week. This is a good thing! Tonight is a simple dinner of cooked polish sausage with onions, and rice. We'll watch a movie and chill, then sleep a LONG TIME tonight! Yes!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
When all else fails...rice
You know how sometimes you know something hypothetically, but until you experience it, it doesn't really hit you? Well, last night I was hit with the true reality that when Joaquim doesn't have rice for a couple days, things begin to go awry.
Monday was such a complicated dinner that I had run out of steam, so I just made quick, simple, one stop shop deals yesterday and Tuesday. He was fine with Tuesday, but by yesterday...where's the rice? Still in the pantry! Now I know that is not the right place for it...
Sensing my disbelief and incredulity that rice is really such a big deal, he graciously made me coffee and breakfast this morning. That helped start off the day well, but I think he was just sucking up so I'll make rice tonight! Ok, Ok, I will.
This week has gone by quickly! I can't believe I last wrote on Sunday and it's already Thursday. Does anyone want to support my petition for 3 day weekends? That would be great...
Another recent marriage learning experience: While Joaquim is in the shower, he cannot make decisions or answer questions. Check. He was warned by my brothers and past roommates not to talk to me in the morning or finish off any popcorn that may be in my possession. But no one warned me not to talk to him in the shower! Now I know! :)
Tonight should be a fun and decadent evening as my family is coming over. River-caught salmon from Alaska! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand rice and beans. :)
Monday was such a complicated dinner that I had run out of steam, so I just made quick, simple, one stop shop deals yesterday and Tuesday. He was fine with Tuesday, but by yesterday...where's the rice? Still in the pantry! Now I know that is not the right place for it...
Sensing my disbelief and incredulity that rice is really such a big deal, he graciously made me coffee and breakfast this morning. That helped start off the day well, but I think he was just sucking up so I'll make rice tonight! Ok, Ok, I will.
This week has gone by quickly! I can't believe I last wrote on Sunday and it's already Thursday. Does anyone want to support my petition for 3 day weekends? That would be great...
Another recent marriage learning experience: While Joaquim is in the shower, he cannot make decisions or answer questions. Check. He was warned by my brothers and past roommates not to talk to me in the morning or finish off any popcorn that may be in my possession. But no one warned me not to talk to him in the shower! Now I know! :)
Tonight should be a fun and decadent evening as my family is coming over. River-caught salmon from Alaska! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand rice and beans. :)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Lazy Sundays in Arlington Heights...and Brasil
Today feels like fall. Tuesday is the first day of fall, for any who didn't know...and we haven't been complaining one bit about the beautiful weather so far. Today Chicago began to show its true intentions...
The weekend was eventful in a nicely calm way for us. Yesterday we were "on call" expecting Isaac, Joaquim's loooong time best friend, who was due back in Chicago to catch a flight back to Sao Paulo this evening. He said he would come by and asked if we could take him to the airport on Sunday. Sure, no problem...he left a suitcase and an x-box here, and was also bringing us a belated wedding gift from Memphis, where he had been for the past week. So we were trying to be available and around the house yesterday in case he came.
This involved waking up to hammers and staple guns at 8:30am, which was lovely. (They put carpet in our hallway, which actually IS lovely...) and throughout the day we did lots of errands and eventually had the lovely Janell Keller over around 3:30...it was great to catch up with her. I am loving being married to a Brazilian because this means I can legitimately observe "coffee hour" on weekends. Yesterday I baked a little cake (from a mix, I'm not that impressive...) and we had cake and coffee at 5:30ish. It was lovely. Janell has officially experienced the Brazilian way to spend the late afternoon. Later we had tilapia for dinner, which was an adventure and was perhaps the most unappetizing meal I have ever seen. We were all wary because it didn't brown or anything...it was baked, and basically looked exactly as it had when I put it in the oven, though slightly more melted. Thankfully, it tasted great, and was approved by all. Phew. Joaquim eagerly ate more leftovers for lunch today.
Today we woke up early for the 9am service at Harvest. That's when Joaquim usually goes to church, so there goes my usual 11:15 am attendence. But it's definitely nicer to go at 9. Sleepier, but I took a nap before lunch, and the day has felt more productive. On our way home from church we went a little out of our way and stopped at Eurofresh. Joaquim saw lots of brands he recognized and said the supermarket even smelled like Brazil. We bought 2.5 liters plus 2 little cans of Guaraná, and also found some Japanese seasonings I needed to make Salmon with Miso Paste in a few days. Trying to recreate some salmon we had at Benihana in Hawaii. Delicious! So if you are looking for rice vinegar, sesame seed oil, and miso paste, they have it all in one little aisle at Eurofresh.
The rest of the afternoon has been spent relaxing...we read some, took a walk - just before the rain started, and now I have lit a few candles and Joaquim is listening to the Corinthians game. Very important. I have the Bears on the tv, muted. So we are following two different kinds of "football" at the moment. I'd say he cares much more about one than the other. ;)
All of this is also to say that Isaac has YET to arrive...and we don't have any way to contact him. So if he doesn't get here in 3 hours or so, it looks like we will have gained a suitcase and an xbox. Finder's keeper's!
The weekend was eventful in a nicely calm way for us. Yesterday we were "on call" expecting Isaac, Joaquim's loooong time best friend, who was due back in Chicago to catch a flight back to Sao Paulo this evening. He said he would come by and asked if we could take him to the airport on Sunday. Sure, no problem...he left a suitcase and an x-box here, and was also bringing us a belated wedding gift from Memphis, where he had been for the past week. So we were trying to be available and around the house yesterday in case he came.
This involved waking up to hammers and staple guns at 8:30am, which was lovely. (They put carpet in our hallway, which actually IS lovely...) and throughout the day we did lots of errands and eventually had the lovely Janell Keller over around 3:30...it was great to catch up with her. I am loving being married to a Brazilian because this means I can legitimately observe "coffee hour" on weekends. Yesterday I baked a little cake (from a mix, I'm not that impressive...) and we had cake and coffee at 5:30ish. It was lovely. Janell has officially experienced the Brazilian way to spend the late afternoon. Later we had tilapia for dinner, which was an adventure and was perhaps the most unappetizing meal I have ever seen. We were all wary because it didn't brown or anything...it was baked, and basically looked exactly as it had when I put it in the oven, though slightly more melted. Thankfully, it tasted great, and was approved by all. Phew. Joaquim eagerly ate more leftovers for lunch today.
Today we woke up early for the 9am service at Harvest. That's when Joaquim usually goes to church, so there goes my usual 11:15 am attendence. But it's definitely nicer to go at 9. Sleepier, but I took a nap before lunch, and the day has felt more productive. On our way home from church we went a little out of our way and stopped at Eurofresh. Joaquim saw lots of brands he recognized and said the supermarket even smelled like Brazil. We bought 2.5 liters plus 2 little cans of Guaraná, and also found some Japanese seasonings I needed to make Salmon with Miso Paste in a few days. Trying to recreate some salmon we had at Benihana in Hawaii. Delicious! So if you are looking for rice vinegar, sesame seed oil, and miso paste, they have it all in one little aisle at Eurofresh.
The rest of the afternoon has been spent relaxing...we read some, took a walk - just before the rain started, and now I have lit a few candles and Joaquim is listening to the Corinthians game. Very important. I have the Bears on the tv, muted. So we are following two different kinds of "football" at the moment. I'd say he cares much more about one than the other. ;)
All of this is also to say that Isaac has YET to arrive...and we don't have any way to contact him. So if he doesn't get here in 3 hours or so, it looks like we will have gained a suitcase and an xbox. Finder's keeper's!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
We do!
Well after a LONG WAIT of...well, over 3 years...Joaquim and I are married! It's official. Thanks so much to all who came to our wedding and also who expressed support and love and congratulations if they were unable to come. We have been so blessed by all of you.
We are also SO glad to be married. It was a wonderful day (pictures to come on facebook...eventually...) and we have such great memories. I tried to log them all in my journal on the plane to Hawaii, so hopefully the memories will stay fresh! I'm sure I forgot some things though...
We are all settled into our apartment and are just adjusting to living together and just...living. It's a totally different thing than dating and spending even tons of time together. When you are ALWAYS together and are responsible for each other and for your own home, it's totally different and totally wonderful! We are enjoying cooking together and watching movies and arranging our beautiful gifts all over our cozy kitchen and living room. Our bedroom is finally organized, which is wonderful, and there are still a few odds and ends that don't have homes in our living room, but...it's coming together.
So far we are doing very well! It's nice to have no big obligations this week. But I am already finding myself wanting to hang out with friends and see people! I know Joaquim feels the same way. But man, we have busy friends...so, anyone free to do anything? We might make you dinner! So far Joaquim has made some tasty beans and I made delicious bacon chicken and a nice tomato vegetable soup last night. Although the soup was too salty...apparently in Brazil they say that when a woman adds too much salt to the food it's because she's in love. Guilty as charged. But really...anyone want to hang out???
On the same vein, we do really ask your prayer for a job for Joaquim. He is at home all day, every day...and firstly needs something to do, preferably making a little something too! If anyone knows of anything that is available...work around the house, painting, moving, heavy lifting (haha), raking leaves...the man will do anything! He even said he would babysit every once in a while. (He's great with kids!) So...just get the word out and prayers too!
Another prayer request is for his green card, work permit, and social security card paperwork. We sent it off to the lawyer TODAY, and hope it all goes through well!
More updates to come...when we get internet at home, tomorrow. :)
Thank you all!
We are also SO glad to be married. It was a wonderful day (pictures to come on facebook...eventually...) and we have such great memories. I tried to log them all in my journal on the plane to Hawaii, so hopefully the memories will stay fresh! I'm sure I forgot some things though...
We are all settled into our apartment and are just adjusting to living together and just...living. It's a totally different thing than dating and spending even tons of time together. When you are ALWAYS together and are responsible for each other and for your own home, it's totally different and totally wonderful! We are enjoying cooking together and watching movies and arranging our beautiful gifts all over our cozy kitchen and living room. Our bedroom is finally organized, which is wonderful, and there are still a few odds and ends that don't have homes in our living room, but...it's coming together.
So far we are doing very well! It's nice to have no big obligations this week. But I am already finding myself wanting to hang out with friends and see people! I know Joaquim feels the same way. But man, we have busy friends...so, anyone free to do anything? We might make you dinner! So far Joaquim has made some tasty beans and I made delicious bacon chicken and a nice tomato vegetable soup last night. Although the soup was too salty...apparently in Brazil they say that when a woman adds too much salt to the food it's because she's in love. Guilty as charged. But really...anyone want to hang out???
On the same vein, we do really ask your prayer for a job for Joaquim. He is at home all day, every day...and firstly needs something to do, preferably making a little something too! If anyone knows of anything that is available...work around the house, painting, moving, heavy lifting (haha), raking leaves...the man will do anything! He even said he would babysit every once in a while. (He's great with kids!) So...just get the word out and prayers too!
Another prayer request is for his green card, work permit, and social security card paperwork. We sent it off to the lawyer TODAY, and hope it all goes through well!
More updates to come...when we get internet at home, tomorrow. :)
Thank you all!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Exploration has begun!
Well everyone, the famous Joaquim da Silva Fragoso has arrived!
He got here yesterday morning at 6am and was happy (not really...) to see a rainy airport upon his arrival. Hopefully it is a little sunny tomorrow at least so he realizes Chicago doesn't only rain. What a bummer of a summer...everyone pray for sunny skies on September 6th!
Yesterday was a whirlwind. I can't believe he only arrived a little over 24 hours ago because we have done SOOOO much since then. I went to work at 9am yesterday and left a bit early to go to the tasting for the caterer. (WOW - one of my only goals was to have impressive food at this wedding of ours and you better believe that I have achieved that goal. We were STUFFED because we couldn't stop eating! Joaquim still can't stop talking about it!) We got home from the tasting around 6 and dropped off some leftovers for my dad and my brother to have for dinner, then turned right back around and went out to the storage unit so Joaquim could know how to get in there. Of course, I promptly forgot which number it was, much to his disbelief. I know, I know...ridiculous. We found it and all is well. Then we took a few things, whatever fit in our trusty Camry, to our apartment and unpacked a bit. We do NOT have enough storage space. Shelves and/or portable drawers will soon have to be part of our lives. But until we get everything in, we won't know what the situation is, so in it all goes. There is a lot in my storage unit...how did I get so much STUFF? After all the apartment shuffling, we came back to my parents' house, and worked on paperwork for the greencard filing, and planned all of today's activities.
All of that travel was practice for Joaquim to take the car today and explore the area a bit! He was a bit reluctant, understandably so, but I promised him adequate mappage and that he could hang on to my cell phone (until we get him one tonight!) So he dropped me off at work this morning, and off he went! Thankfully he has a very handy sense of direction and at least is aware of when he is going the wrong way, so he has made a few turn-arounds today, but that's how you learn right? He has been very successful so far, with a trip to the apartment already under his belt, and he picked me up for lunch with our friend Yani. :) Now he's off to the storage unit and the apartment again...this afternoon after work I have my final dress fitting, then dinner, then the Verizon store, then seeing a potential $50 couch...oh my goodness.
Tomorrow we are going on a DATE, to see Harry Potter. :) it will be well worth it and I hope I don't sleep through the movie after all this running around!!
He got here yesterday morning at 6am and was happy (not really...) to see a rainy airport upon his arrival. Hopefully it is a little sunny tomorrow at least so he realizes Chicago doesn't only rain. What a bummer of a summer...everyone pray for sunny skies on September 6th!
Yesterday was a whirlwind. I can't believe he only arrived a little over 24 hours ago because we have done SOOOO much since then. I went to work at 9am yesterday and left a bit early to go to the tasting for the caterer. (WOW - one of my only goals was to have impressive food at this wedding of ours and you better believe that I have achieved that goal. We were STUFFED because we couldn't stop eating! Joaquim still can't stop talking about it!) We got home from the tasting around 6 and dropped off some leftovers for my dad and my brother to have for dinner, then turned right back around and went out to the storage unit so Joaquim could know how to get in there. Of course, I promptly forgot which number it was, much to his disbelief. I know, I know...ridiculous. We found it and all is well. Then we took a few things, whatever fit in our trusty Camry, to our apartment and unpacked a bit. We do NOT have enough storage space. Shelves and/or portable drawers will soon have to be part of our lives. But until we get everything in, we won't know what the situation is, so in it all goes. There is a lot in my storage unit...how did I get so much STUFF? After all the apartment shuffling, we came back to my parents' house, and worked on paperwork for the greencard filing, and planned all of today's activities.
All of that travel was practice for Joaquim to take the car today and explore the area a bit! He was a bit reluctant, understandably so, but I promised him adequate mappage and that he could hang on to my cell phone (until we get him one tonight!) So he dropped me off at work this morning, and off he went! Thankfully he has a very handy sense of direction and at least is aware of when he is going the wrong way, so he has made a few turn-arounds today, but that's how you learn right? He has been very successful so far, with a trip to the apartment already under his belt, and he picked me up for lunch with our friend Yani. :) Now he's off to the storage unit and the apartment again...this afternoon after work I have my final dress fitting, then dinner, then the Verizon store, then seeing a potential $50 couch...oh my goodness.
Tomorrow we are going on a DATE, to see Harry Potter. :) it will be well worth it and I hope I don't sleep through the movie after all this running around!!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Butterflies and Heartburn
Maybe one causes the other...but having both at the same time is a bit distracting.
I feel like I could just jump out of my skin waiting for Joaquim right now. Thankfully I received the official word that he's in Sao Paulo...he came online and called me "aunt" on accident, which was quite charming, and then proceeded to ask for a website, tell me his aunt said that if she could send me a piece of chocolate cake with Joaquim, she would, but she can't...and then he said he had to go eat lunch. Ok, see you tomorrow.
So, I am the most antsy, jittery, sleepy, anxious girl ever right now. Thankfully I have something to do this evening, though it might not be the most fun I'll ever have in my life, and then will take a shower and a Tylenol PM, and off I go to bed, to wake up at 5:30 and be reunited with my looooooove! And after that, cinnamon rolls for breakfast. WHAT could be better?
I just need to get through today without twitching and jittering my excited self off a cliff...
I feel like I could just jump out of my skin waiting for Joaquim right now. Thankfully I received the official word that he's in Sao Paulo...he came online and called me "aunt" on accident, which was quite charming, and then proceeded to ask for a website, tell me his aunt said that if she could send me a piece of chocolate cake with Joaquim, she would, but she can't...and then he said he had to go eat lunch. Ok, see you tomorrow.
So, I am the most antsy, jittery, sleepy, anxious girl ever right now. Thankfully I have something to do this evening, though it might not be the most fun I'll ever have in my life, and then will take a shower and a Tylenol PM, and off I go to bed, to wake up at 5:30 and be reunited with my looooooove! And after that, cinnamon rolls for breakfast. WHAT could be better?
I just need to get through today without twitching and jittering my excited self off a cliff...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Reuinited!
My fiancé arrives in two days. Less, in fact...something to the tune of 44 hours. Praise the Lord!
I'm sorry for not having updated much recently...pre-wedding life is chaotic. I can't wait to see everyone on the 6th, enjoying the fruits of my labors. My family has been super helpful...I truly wouldn't be alive at the moment if it weren't for them. And let's not forget my dear fiancé, Joaquim, who is currently scrambling and packing and saying goodbye to people, and will get on a bus for São Paulo in about 5 hours. Keep him in your prayers as he travels...his heart is doing well I believe. He is still excited to marry me, so this is good. :)
Last night I started planning our time in Hawaii...wow, we are going to be the coolest people. We got these Go Oahu passes for Wednesday and Thursday of our trip. They cost us $160 for two days, so we better use them! Basically we get free admission to far too many places, so we have to choose just a few. One of them will be a snorkeling adventure, which will probably really scare me. I don't like marine life or coral. However, how can you NOT go snorkeling? Get over it, Christine. There's also a tour called Grand Circle Island Tour, which is from 7am-4pm and takes you ALL OVER Oahu. That should be cool. And free. Well, not really since we already paid $160. But at least it's pre-paid. So it kind of feels free. I got a restaurant recommendation from my uncle, so our one big hoorah will be at a nice Italian place that is .3 miles from our hotel (google mapped it yeaaaa) and will have an ocean view table, with fireworks after sunset. I already bought a dress. It's great to think about this honeymoon business because at this point it is pulling us through the wedding. We are stress cases, though still in love, and quite tired because we can't sleep well. Last night I lay awake wondering if we would get plates so we could eat on something other than plastic.
After Joaquim's arrival, we will be really booking it...moving on Saturday...last minute details...tuxedo fittings...paperwork for his green card, which MUST be applied for by September 24th...his parents come on the 31st so they will be getting to know our new life...lots of shopping for groceries and things like toilet paper and dish soap...plus that whole wedding thing in 13 days. I think the whole business will be SO fun. But it will be crazy for two weeks!
So, pray for safe travel and for our sanity. Ah!
I'm sorry for not having updated much recently...pre-wedding life is chaotic. I can't wait to see everyone on the 6th, enjoying the fruits of my labors. My family has been super helpful...I truly wouldn't be alive at the moment if it weren't for them. And let's not forget my dear fiancé, Joaquim, who is currently scrambling and packing and saying goodbye to people, and will get on a bus for São Paulo in about 5 hours. Keep him in your prayers as he travels...his heart is doing well I believe. He is still excited to marry me, so this is good. :)
Last night I started planning our time in Hawaii...wow, we are going to be the coolest people. We got these Go Oahu passes for Wednesday and Thursday of our trip. They cost us $160 for two days, so we better use them! Basically we get free admission to far too many places, so we have to choose just a few. One of them will be a snorkeling adventure, which will probably really scare me. I don't like marine life or coral. However, how can you NOT go snorkeling? Get over it, Christine. There's also a tour called Grand Circle Island Tour, which is from 7am-4pm and takes you ALL OVER Oahu. That should be cool. And free. Well, not really since we already paid $160. But at least it's pre-paid. So it kind of feels free. I got a restaurant recommendation from my uncle, so our one big hoorah will be at a nice Italian place that is .3 miles from our hotel (google mapped it yeaaaa) and will have an ocean view table, with fireworks after sunset. I already bought a dress. It's great to think about this honeymoon business because at this point it is pulling us through the wedding. We are stress cases, though still in love, and quite tired because we can't sleep well. Last night I lay awake wondering if we would get plates so we could eat on something other than plastic.
After Joaquim's arrival, we will be really booking it...moving on Saturday...last minute details...tuxedo fittings...paperwork for his green card, which MUST be applied for by September 24th...his parents come on the 31st so they will be getting to know our new life...lots of shopping for groceries and things like toilet paper and dish soap...plus that whole wedding thing in 13 days. I think the whole business will be SO fun. But it will be crazy for two weeks!
So, pray for safe travel and for our sanity. Ah!
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