This is going to be great...

I'm not sure how many people make decisions on the basis of what will make the "better story" later but, I often find myself in that place.  Sometimes, I choose the more simple path that will make a boring story and I like it.  Sometimes, I go the more complicated way that will make the best story, I've done a lot of things in my life for that reason.

Right now, I think that Ariel and I are living the situation that will make "the best story" even though if I had to choose I'd pick the more boring option of having everything figured out. I mean, it's not like moving to a different country, looking for a car, getting married, and starting a new job aren't significant enough changes to go through all at once.  We've just been lucky enough to have the "settling in our new place" part definitively un-settled as well.

I think that this would be one of those times that it would be SO nice if one of those parts of our life would just fall into place but, for the sake of the writers in us, we have some really great material for a novel.  The starting at the bottom type of a story where for the first few weeks of marriage you have "picknics" because you don't have a table and chairs and you will probably end up moving again in 3 weeks anyway.

All that being said, the good part is that we are so glad to be together, in the same place... it makes the uncomfortable part more bearable.

Married!

I have been married for one week, today.  It is wonderful to get to be in the same space as Ariel, to get to make our meals together, to talk, to read, and just be in the same physical space.  It is something both of us have longed for and it is so good to finally be together. 

All of the preparations before the wedding were a bit exhausting (to say the least) but, the wedding was just as I imagined it.  I had told Ariel that I imagined a wedding that started three days before,with friends meeting each other for the first time, just being together... it was amazing to have so many people from so many different parts of my life all together in the same place. 

The wedding day was also what I wanted.  As far as I know, nothing major went wrong.  There were things that we had talked about doing that we didn't do but, the most important things were in place and the ceremony was simple and meaningful, just as we hoped it would be.  It was so good to be able to stand there, looking at Ariel, smiling, and then be able to glance over and see so many people who've walked part of the journey with me at some point in my life.  It was beautiful.

We had great food and a good time just hanging out with everyone who came during the reception.  It felt just like it ought to, celebrating our love, and sharing it with the people who've loved and supported us along the way.  It was perfect. 

a new chapter begins

Yesterday, I traveled from Washington, DC to Panama City.  It was an uneventful trip.  I caught my flight on time (I wasn't charged for my two checked bags), made the connection in Miami, and arrived to a lovely afternoon in Panama.  Given the 103º in DC, Panama was cool in comparison.

I feel happy and right now, I am just enjoying being back in Panama with Ariel.  It was just good to be able to look at each other and be able to be in the same physical space.  It's a strange and beautiful thing to be in love.  Today, we started the process to get our marriage license.  The woman who attended us was so excited about us, it was fun.  I think both of us are so thrilled that we will be married so soon.

the fourth

I'm so happy that I got to spend the 4th of July in DC this year.  It was my first time to spend it here in Washington.  It makes for a fitting last weekend.  That culminating in fireworks kind of last weekend.  I think that I feel just the way I should right now, deeply thankful for the opportunities, experiences, and friendships that I've made here and utterly thrilled at moving back to Panama.

I've shed a couple tears at some goodbyes.  I wish with all my heart that it was easier to just come and go, to be able to see loved ones with all the ease of calling up and saying "Hey! Let's get together!"  Nevertheless, I am confident that this place and these people will be in my life long after I have left and possibly moved multiple times.  It has been meaningful and worthy of a grand fireworks display.

telling stories

Today, my brothers and I headed over to the American Art Gallery and saw the new Norman Rockwell exhibit.  The exhibit is called, Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. 

I love Norman Rockwell probably just as much as the next person.  His paintings are warm and personal.  You feel like you could and would like to know most of the people in his paintings.  He gives you a sense that things are well or that they will turn out well. 

It was interesting to look at the collections from the perspective of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg since they are such successful film directors.  The emphasized that one of the things that they love about Norman Rockwell's paintings that he tells a story in one frame.  He captures details, emotions, and even action in a single picture.  

I love that idea and as I think about storytelling and wanting to be a better storyteller myself, there is a lot to learn from the idea of storytelling being like taking or painting a picture.  The writing of the story requires adding all of those details, the emotions, the movements, and the colors that make you feel like you know those characters or you have been in that place.  

I'd love to be as good of a storyteller as Norman Rockwell.

hello storytime!

I am about to leave Washington, DC to embark on a new chapter of life.  I'm going to get married and will be learning to live life together with Ariel.  It's not surprising that I'm feeling introspective and re-visiting my sometimes neglected blog. 

I have a feeling that I'll be writing a bit more frequently for a while.  I'll have so many exciting new things to write about!  Getting married, living in Panama, starting a new teaching job, making new friends... I'm sure the list will be endless.  

To make things even better, I'm marrying my best writing companion.  We have always enjoyed writing together so, this space and others will probably be kept up with more diligence since it's something that we both enjoy and want to do with our time.  This will probably make my mom very happy, since recently I have not been very consistent in telling the stories of things happening in my life.

Needless to say, if you read my blog... welcome back.  =)