Categories: Photographic Memories
Just a regular thirty-something-year-old trying to capture the essence of life in writing. Join me as I journey through the ups, the downs and the adventures in between.
One year has passed and I haven’t stopped smiling since day one.
There’s just something remarkable about love – being in love. It’s an over encompassing emotion. A feeling that never fades, but only grows stronger with the passage of time. It lingers throughout our days, nestled in the deep crevices of the soul. I have spent thirty years looking for this, this which I could never articulately define or comprehend. But now, now I finally understand. Through every daily, monotonous task, I feel him. I carry his love for me with me. It is constant and unquestionable. It has the power to move mountains, to change the world and to better everyone in it. And as I write this post on our anniversary dedicated to my “the one,” I hope that everyone reading, everyone out there, experiences this; this which I am so lucky to have found.
Categories: Straight From The Heart
After work, some coworkers and I headed to Brookdale Park in Bloomfield for the “Summer Concert Series.” Simply, The Infernos performed and we danced. As a bonus, we witnessed a spectacular firework show. So much fun!
Categories: Photographic Memories
Tagged: concertsinthepark, friends, newjersey, summerconcerts, summerfun
One thousand miles and about seven state lines separate us. Before he left for Oklahoma, we were chatting through the crunches of warm, restaurant-style tortillas doused with spinach dip (our favorite). He made a humorous presentation utilizing Sweet’N low sugar packets: “THIS is you. THIS is the New Jersey state line. At no point during this month do you cross the state line.” Although I am horrified of the violently rotating columns of air we like to call tornadoes, Brian knows I would hop on the next plane to see him, regardless. However, after his convincingly sweet lecture, pun intended, I agreed. With that said, it is amazing how many television shows one can watch in a month – that $7.99 monthly Netflix fee proved to be quite the investment. Anyway, Brian comes home on Saturday and I cannot wait! Funny thing is, although he is one thousand miles away, it doesn’t feel like he ever left my side.
[The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)]
Categories: Straight From The Heart
Tagged: distance, distantlove, heart, longdistance, love, soul
Categories: Photographic Memories, Voyages and Explorations
Tagged: baltimore, fun, maryland, marylandzoo
“Sometimes I’m terrified of my heart; of its constant hunger for whatever it is it wants. The way it stops and starts.” – Edgar Allen Poe
The GPS signaled our next turn onto “1st Mt. Olive Way,” which, of course, is only notable because of my nickname “Olive.” Jokingly, I viewed this rectangular, green street sign as confirmation that it was my destiny to be here – and by “here” I mean Edgar Allen Poe’s home in Baltimore, Maryland. Admittedly, this stop sparked my inner nerd, which, I’m sure, is obvious simply from this introduction. As an English major in college, I lived and breathed literature, and Edgar Allen Poe was one of my favorite American authors.
We were greeted at the entrance by several museum guides, who collectively heightened my excitement with their overpowering energy and enthusiasm. The first floor contained several wall-mounted displays with information about the home’s history dating back to the early 19th century.
“Poe is hardly an artist. He is rather a supreme scientist.” – D.H. Lawrence
“Your raven has produced a sensation, a ‘fit of horror,’ here in England. Some of my friends are taken by the fear of it and some by the music.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Quotes about Poe and his works were painted in calligraphy on the walls of the second floor. A feather pen and quill set rested atop an aged dresser on the third floor.
We concluded this chapter of our adventure with a few more pictures. What an opportunity to stroll through the walls within which some of Edgar Allen Poe’s most famous literary works were composed. If you enjoy literature as much as I do, and ever find yourself in the Baltimore area, I strongly suggest that you visit! Thank you to Poe Baltimore for the wonderful experience.
Categories: Voyages and Explorations
Tagged: baltimore, edgarallenpoe, maryland, poe, poebaltimore, poehouse
Before I even arrived in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday afternoon, Brian had already constructed a creative to-do list, listing six local “must see” attractions for our weekend in the Mid-Atlantic State. Our adventure commenced at the Cylburn Arboretum, a 200-acre public garden located in central Baltimore. We followed the winding trails through its floral settings, all encircling the ground’s focal point: a renaissance-revival mansion constructed in the late 19th century, its stone façade rising behind a colorful mansion-front garden.
As I reflect on this experience, I realize that no amount of words can sufficiently describe the beauty that we witnessed that day. Instead, I include photographs which capture but a small portion of the majestic beauty that this garden has to offer.
Categories: Voyages and Explorations
Brian and I were big fans of the show “How I Met Your Mother.” On the show, the yellow umbrella symbolized true love. Destiny. The main character’s “the one” carried a yellow umbrella throughout all nine seasons. When he eventually met her on the series finale, she was waiting at a bus stop, on a rainy night, holding a yellow umbrella. For my birthday, Brian got me my own yellow umbrella, telling me that I was his “the one.” I’m not sure how much he spent on that umbrella, but to me, it was the most thoughtful and heartfelt gift I have ever received.
Kids, there’s more than one story of how I met your mother. You know the short version, the thing with your mom’s yellow umbrella, but there’s a bigger story – Ted
Categories: Milestones and Memories, Straight From The Heart
Tagged: birthday, himym, howimetyourmother, yellowumbrella
Thirty one years old.
I entered the new decade with high hopes. My thirtieth birthday marked a new beginning for me; a period of self-discovery, of self-love. I had no expectations other than hoping for happiness and a reignition of my inner flame which had dimmed throughout the past few years. What I received was much more than that. What I realized was, despite the ebbs and flows of life, I am blessed.
I am blessed with a family who loves me with every breath. A mother who would sacrifice her own health and well-being for my happiness. A mother who answers my phone calls with “kuzum,” a Turkish term of endearment which translates into “little lamb.” A mother who cannot go to bed without saying “I love you,” regardless of whether I am home or miles and miles away. A father whose voice escalates with excitement when he hears my voice over the telephone, who calls me his beautiful daughter on a daily basis. A brother, my childhood best friend, who has taken my hand through every life struggle. A brother who makes me laugh to tears, a comedic quality I always wished for. A brother who would fight for me, who has fought for me, who continues to amaze me with his charming personality and motivation to succeed.
Cousins, my first friends and role-models, who I played Barbie’s with on Thanksgiving mornings and wished on clouds with, while lying on the front green of their Anderson Drive home. Cousins who sheltered me from life’s negativity at a young age. Cousins who, although some now married with kids, I can still count on.
I am blessed with a group of friends who, despite distance and time, are still available for a cocktail or a lending ear.
I am blessed to have met my soul mate, who walked into my life on that warm July evening; the one who has made me smile every single day since we shared appetizers and stories on our first date; the one who has made this sometimes senseless world make sense – the one I will never let go of.
I am blessed to have met his beautiful family. His brothers who I can share a laugh with while wearing reindeer antlers and singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus at Aunt Renee’s Christmas party. His father who has welcomed me with open arms. His grandparents who I proudly call “Grandma” and “Grandpa,” who beat me at bowling by double digits, who I love deeply like my own. His mother who I can sip pink moscato with on a rainy Saturday night, sharing laughs and stories over the kitchen counter.
I reflect on the year’s beautiful memories which are firmly embedded in my heart. I thank God that I not only have another day, but another year. Armed with faith and excitement, I look forward to the future.
Here’s to thirty one.
Categories: Milestones and Memories, Straight From The Heart
Tagged: birthday, future, gettingold, memories
Brian’s flight from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was expected to arrive in Newark at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. To be honest, I had been counting down the minutes since I left Cleveland exactly two weeks ago. While Skype and the iPhone equivalent provide the facetime needed, pun intended, when three hundred miles separate us, nothing compares to an exaggerated bear hug in person. The minute hand on the wall clock was barely reaching for 6:45 a.m. when I sprung out of bed. The sunshine emanating from the side window was blinding, its rays peeled my eyelids open while the scent of fresh coffee lingered in the air. As hard as I tried to count sheep and revert back to dreamland, drowning myself under the shadow of a charcoal colored pillow, I could not sleep. The anticipation of Brian’s arrival was equivalent to a dozen shots of a double shot espresso. I lingered around the home in my polka dot pajamas, first to the kitchen to rummage the cabinets and refrigerator, then to the bathroom to wash up. I spent the first hour tidying up my bedroom, then headed to the mall to return a few items. Finally, after several long hours, I headed for the airport around 3:30 p.m.
I had every intention of capturing a photograph of Brian walking towards me through Gate 72 at Newark International Airport. However, when the moment arrived, I was so excited to see him that I just ran, full speed (almost past security), to give him a welcome hug and kiss. I savored that moment and I couldn’t let him go. My jaw hurt from smiling so much.
We spent the afternoon and early evening with his family before heading out with friends. Then, bottle of wine in hand, we headed to a quiet park underneath the George Washington Bridge, where we sipped on Moscatto and Reisling while listening to the water of the Hudson hit against the shore rocks. Sometimes we plan extravagant excursions to celebrate important events in our lives. However, sometimes it is the simple nights – nights like these – with good friends and a good bottle of wine – which are the most memorable.
Welcome back, Brian.
Categories: Straight From The Heart
LOVE AND OLIVES 