Pretty good day today. I couldn't sleep again last night until about 3am. I bet the 2 hour nap in the afternoon threw everything out of whack (ya think?). We got up early today and made waffles again in our awesome waffle iron. I've been using the Krusteaz pancake mix, but next week I might get adventurous and make some from scratch. Our waffle iron came with a recipe for pumpkin nut waffles, just the name of which makes me drool, but I'm not sure TJ will eat those.
I finally finished and put away the laundry (which I started on Wednesday but somehow forgot about). I can't believe I used to do laundry in shared, coin-op machines. Or even worse, the summer during my internship at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center where I had to actually go to the laundromat. The luxury of having your own washer and dryer is a beautiful thing.
And we got through most of our Thank You notes. The end is in sight! I ran out of the stationery I had printed with our names, actually, I ran out of envelopes and for some reason we have about 4 extra notecards. But since I'm a stationery junkie, I had plenty of backup to use for the rest. I used to love writing real letters to people. Now the only thing I write is Thank You notes and occasional letters to my grandmother in India and my grandfather in New Jersey. Everything else is email, which is a little sad. It's so cool to get a real letter in the mailbox.
Speaking of nice personal mail, we got a wedding invitation to our friend Ron's wedding. We went to college with Ron. He lives near us but sadly, we never see him due to bad schedules and stuff. I'm sure that's not going to improve any once I start taking classes... Anyway, congratulations to Ron and Allison!
And speaking of other cool wedding-related things, I found out that the only two friends I keep in touch with from high school have both gotten engaged over the last couple of months. Judy got engaged to Kevin in February (congrats again, guys!) and Judy got a rockin' Tiffany engagement ring (nice work Kevin!). They live in Atlanta. Judy was the first person I met when I went to orientation for Canevin High School in Pittsburgh. They split up the freshman class by zip code so I guess it was by chance I met her. We've more or less kept in touch since graduation and it's convenient that my parents now live in Savannah, just a couple of hours from where Judy and Kevin live. So I've seen them several times in the last few years. No matter how long it's been, Judy and I can pick up where we left off and there's no weirdness. I guess that's the mark of a true friend. Congratulations to Judy and Kevin!
The other person who got engaged was Kristine, a friend I met later in high school when we were stuck in Chemistry class together with the strange Mrs. Rockwell. Kristine and Mike have been dating for a while - I think she met him in dental school. The cool thing is that they got engaged in Seattle while they were out here for my wedding. Woo hoo! Congratulations, guys!
So there's lots of happiness in the air: babies, weddings, etc. On that shiny happy note, I should get some sleep. Or begin reading about the Java Programming Language.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Clean out Vivienne Westwood in my Galliano gown
Ok, so that lyric has nothing to do with my short post. But I can't get it out of my head.
Wow, so my plan to go back to school has already been put into place. In order to even be considered for admission to this program, I need to take one programming class at UW. Sadly, it's a class I dropped while in grad school there 7 years ago. I dropped it in the 5th week because I just couldn't keep up with that and my labwork. Now I wish I would have finished it - funny how that stuff comes back to bite you sometimes.
This class is offered in Summer quarter which starts June 20. And getting admission to UW as a "summer-only" student is super-easy - just fill out the short app online and pay $38 and you can take any summer class you want. I was getting distracted by the cool language classes they offer but found CSE 143, the programming class I need to take. Unfortunately it meets 5 days a week, and only at the Seattle campus which is going to be a pain to get to in the middle of my work day. Fortunately there are plenty of spots available (which isn't always the case for UW classes...)
TJ made some good points when I talked to him about this plan (I'm *so* glad I married him!!):
1. Just register and take the prereq class now - even if I don't go through with the degree program, the class will be useful to me. Plus, if I do go through with the program, Microsoft will probably reimburse me for this class.
2. Just apply for the degree program - if I get in, I can defer admission till Spring if I'm not ready, ditch the plan completely, or take the first quarter and decide whether I like it and want to do the work. Microsoft will pay for it so it's no loss to me.
Anyway, it was nice to have him lay this out for me so logically. So I've applied to UW as a summer-only student for the prerequisite class. I can't actually register until they send me some sort of code (love that bureaucracy!). And the sections that meet at noon are full or almost completely full though I may be able to talk my way into one of them. It's still going to be a 2 hour chunk in the middle of my day when you count travel time. But my schedule is pretty flexible so I should be able to deal with this.
Wish me luck! Now I've got to go pull out my old dusty Java materials as they've switched the course syllabus from C++ to Java in the 7 years since I last took it...
Wow, so my plan to go back to school has already been put into place. In order to even be considered for admission to this program, I need to take one programming class at UW. Sadly, it's a class I dropped while in grad school there 7 years ago. I dropped it in the 5th week because I just couldn't keep up with that and my labwork. Now I wish I would have finished it - funny how that stuff comes back to bite you sometimes.
This class is offered in Summer quarter which starts June 20. And getting admission to UW as a "summer-only" student is super-easy - just fill out the short app online and pay $38 and you can take any summer class you want. I was getting distracted by the cool language classes they offer but found CSE 143, the programming class I need to take. Unfortunately it meets 5 days a week, and only at the Seattle campus which is going to be a pain to get to in the middle of my work day. Fortunately there are plenty of spots available (which isn't always the case for UW classes...)
TJ made some good points when I talked to him about this plan (I'm *so* glad I married him!!):
1. Just register and take the prereq class now - even if I don't go through with the degree program, the class will be useful to me. Plus, if I do go through with the program, Microsoft will probably reimburse me for this class.
2. Just apply for the degree program - if I get in, I can defer admission till Spring if I'm not ready, ditch the plan completely, or take the first quarter and decide whether I like it and want to do the work. Microsoft will pay for it so it's no loss to me.
Anyway, it was nice to have him lay this out for me so logically. So I've applied to UW as a summer-only student for the prerequisite class. I can't actually register until they send me some sort of code (love that bureaucracy!). And the sections that meet at noon are full or almost completely full though I may be able to talk my way into one of them. It's still going to be a 2 hour chunk in the middle of my day when you count travel time. But my schedule is pretty flexible so I should be able to deal with this.
Wish me luck! Now I've got to go pull out my old dusty Java materials as they've switched the course syllabus from C++ to Java in the 7 years since I last took it...
Here I am, once again
I'm so happy it's a long weekend! Maybe I'll finally get a chance to organize the kitchen and figure out where all the new stuff *really* goes. Right now we've just put stuff away to get it off the counter, but nothing is in a truly intuitive place.
I had a brainwave this morning when I woke up (I tend to have good ideas, or come up with major life plans before I get out of bed...) I think I want to try to get a second bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I don't have enough CS background to get a Master's Degree, but I really do want to learn the theory and start from the basics. I have a little bit of programming background but just taking programming classes isn't satisfying for me. I found a program which might fit into my work schedule and looks really interesting - Computer and Software Systems at the Bothell campus of University of Washington. It's closer to where we live than the main UW campus and also has more of a focus on what you would do with a CS degree, with classes in management, technical writing, etc. I'm really intrigued by this.
The deadline to apply for Fall quarter is July 1, which is right around the corner. The cool thing about starting this year would be that I could collect the $5K tuition reimbursement from Microsoft for this year, as well as next year - it's done by calendar year.
But do I really want to go back to school? And do I really want to pay for it? But it would be the first time I went to school to study something I really enjoyed, with no eye on what kind of job it would get me, etc. And that really appeals to me. Plus, I'm good a being a student. I thought about this a year ago, when I decided to put it on hold to focus on the wedding. So now, I'm free to think about it again. Hmmm.
I had a brainwave this morning when I woke up (I tend to have good ideas, or come up with major life plans before I get out of bed...) I think I want to try to get a second bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I don't have enough CS background to get a Master's Degree, but I really do want to learn the theory and start from the basics. I have a little bit of programming background but just taking programming classes isn't satisfying for me. I found a program which might fit into my work schedule and looks really interesting - Computer and Software Systems at the Bothell campus of University of Washington. It's closer to where we live than the main UW campus and also has more of a focus on what you would do with a CS degree, with classes in management, technical writing, etc. I'm really intrigued by this.
The deadline to apply for Fall quarter is July 1, which is right around the corner. The cool thing about starting this year would be that I could collect the $5K tuition reimbursement from Microsoft for this year, as well as next year - it's done by calendar year.
But do I really want to go back to school? And do I really want to pay for it? But it would be the first time I went to school to study something I really enjoyed, with no eye on what kind of job it would get me, etc. And that really appeals to me. Plus, I'm good a being a student. I thought about this a year ago, when I decided to put it on hold to focus on the wedding. So now, I'm free to think about it again. Hmmm.
Friday, May 27, 2005
If the sky that we look upon should crumble and fall
When TJ and I were planning our wedding ceremony, we used a lot of books and websites to create a ceremony that reflected who we are. I'd like to attempt to help out others by posting our ceremony outline here. We tried to incorporate some traditions of a Hindu (Vedic) wedding, as well as those from American weddings that were important to us. Enjoy!
PROCESSIONAL
Stand By Me, Ben E. King
Here Comes the Sun, John Williams
OPENING WORDS
PARENTS’ BLESSING
We bless you that you may have a harmonious married life.
May your lives be filled with happiness and contentment.
May you fill others’ lives with happiness.
May you have good health.
May you have a long life.
May you have strong and healthy children.
May you be loving and caring parents.
May you be like the two wings of a bird.
May you be like the two oars of a boat.
May your lives be as bright as the sun.
May your lives be as gentle as the moon.
May your lives be as vibrant as the seas.
May you be strong and hold your heads high.
May you be united and face the world together.
READINGS
On Marriage, Kahlil Gibran
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
Husband and Wife, Manu (Indian sage)
He is Vishnu, the Preserver,
She is Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity.
She is Language, he is Thought.
She is Prudence, he is Law.
He is Reason, she is Sense.
She is Duty, he is Right.
He is Author, she is Work.
He is Patience, she is Peace.
He is Will, she is Wish.
He is Melody, she is Note.
He is Fuel, she is Fire.
She is Glory, he is Sun.
She is Motion, he is Wind.
He is Ocean, she is Shore.
He is Day, she is Night.
He is Lamp, she is Light.
He is Battle, she is Might.
He is Tree, she is Vine.
He is Music, she is Rhyme.
He is Justice, she is Truth.
He is Channel, she is Stream.
She is Beauty, he is Strength.
She is Body, he is Soul.
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
I, Anandi, take you, T.J.,
to be my husband,
secure in the knowledge
that you will be
my constant friend,
my faithful partner in life,
and my one true love.
On this special day,
I give to you
in the presence of God
and our family and friends
my sacred promise
to stay by your side
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow,
through the good times and the bad.
I promise to love you without reservation,
comfort you in times of distress,
encourage you to achieve all of your goals,
laugh with you and cry with you,
grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
I, T.J., take you, Anandi
to be my wife... (same as above)
SAPTAPADI (SEVEN STEPS)
T.J. and Anandi will take seven steps together as they state the guiding principles for their marriage.
An: We will share in the responsibility of the home
TJ: We will fill our hearts with strength and courage
An: We will prosper and share our worldly goods
TJ: We will fill our hearts with love, peace, happiness, and spiritual values
An: We will be blessed with loving children
TJ: We will attain self-restraint and live long lives together
An: We will be best friends and eternal partners
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
The wedding ring is a symbol of the vows T.J. and Anandi have made to each other.
MANGAL SUTRA (MARRIAGE NECKLACE)
Anandi wears this necklace as a symbol of her wedding vows. T.J. and his sister Robin will tie knots in it to indicate their acceptance of Anandi into their family.
UNITY CANDLE
This ritual symbolizes the joining of two families into one. At the beginning of the ceremony, the mothers of the bride and groom each light a candle, from which TJ and Anandi light their unity candle.
GUEST AFFIRMATION
Please give us your blessings and support us in our marriage by saying “We Will”.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
RECESSIONAL
I Can See Clearly Now, Soul Asylum
Hopefully this will help someone out there. It was very important to us to have *one* wedding ceremony that blended our traditions and I didn't find a whole lot online. The site that inspired me most was Sonia & Keith's. We'll probably never meet in real life, but I was so happy to see a wedding where they had incorporated disparate traditions into one flowing ceremony.
Good luck to you if you're planning a wedding! I'm honestly glad to say I am done - no regrets here, no post-wedding depression. Just relief that the much-anticipated event went well and is now a happy memory...
PROCESSIONAL
Stand By Me, Ben E. King
Here Comes the Sun, John Williams
OPENING WORDS
PARENTS’ BLESSING
We bless you that you may have a harmonious married life.
May your lives be filled with happiness and contentment.
May you fill others’ lives with happiness.
May you have good health.
May you have a long life.
May you have strong and healthy children.
May you be loving and caring parents.
May you be like the two wings of a bird.
May you be like the two oars of a boat.
May your lives be as bright as the sun.
May your lives be as gentle as the moon.
May your lives be as vibrant as the seas.
May you be strong and hold your heads high.
May you be united and face the world together.
READINGS
On Marriage, Kahlil Gibran
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
Husband and Wife, Manu (Indian sage)
He is Vishnu, the Preserver,
She is Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity.
She is Language, he is Thought.
She is Prudence, he is Law.
He is Reason, she is Sense.
She is Duty, he is Right.
He is Author, she is Work.
He is Patience, she is Peace.
He is Will, she is Wish.
He is Melody, she is Note.
He is Fuel, she is Fire.
She is Glory, he is Sun.
She is Motion, he is Wind.
He is Ocean, she is Shore.
He is Day, she is Night.
He is Lamp, she is Light.
He is Battle, she is Might.
He is Tree, she is Vine.
He is Music, she is Rhyme.
He is Justice, she is Truth.
He is Channel, she is Stream.
She is Beauty, he is Strength.
She is Body, he is Soul.
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
I, Anandi, take you, T.J.,
to be my husband,
secure in the knowledge
that you will be
my constant friend,
my faithful partner in life,
and my one true love.
On this special day,
I give to you
in the presence of God
and our family and friends
my sacred promise
to stay by your side
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow,
through the good times and the bad.
I promise to love you without reservation,
comfort you in times of distress,
encourage you to achieve all of your goals,
laugh with you and cry with you,
grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
I, T.J., take you, Anandi
to be my wife... (same as above)
SAPTAPADI (SEVEN STEPS)
T.J. and Anandi will take seven steps together as they state the guiding principles for their marriage.
An: We will share in the responsibility of the home
TJ: We will fill our hearts with strength and courage
An: We will prosper and share our worldly goods
TJ: We will fill our hearts with love, peace, happiness, and spiritual values
An: We will be blessed with loving children
TJ: We will attain self-restraint and live long lives together
An: We will be best friends and eternal partners
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
The wedding ring is a symbol of the vows T.J. and Anandi have made to each other.
MANGAL SUTRA (MARRIAGE NECKLACE)
Anandi wears this necklace as a symbol of her wedding vows. T.J. and his sister Robin will tie knots in it to indicate their acceptance of Anandi into their family.
UNITY CANDLE
This ritual symbolizes the joining of two families into one. At the beginning of the ceremony, the mothers of the bride and groom each light a candle, from which TJ and Anandi light their unity candle.
GUEST AFFIRMATION
Please give us your blessings and support us in our marriage by saying “We Will”.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
RECESSIONAL
I Can See Clearly Now, Soul Asylum
Hopefully this will help someone out there. It was very important to us to have *one* wedding ceremony that blended our traditions and I didn't find a whole lot online. The site that inspired me most was Sonia & Keith's. We'll probably never meet in real life, but I was so happy to see a wedding where they had incorporated disparate traditions into one flowing ceremony.
Good luck to you if you're planning a wedding! I'm honestly glad to say I am done - no regrets here, no post-wedding depression. Just relief that the much-anticipated event went well and is now a happy memory...
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