long weekend

Sorry for neglecting this, but Tyler had a four day weekend, and I just wanted to enjoy it. :)
   Thursday, he had staff duty. Basically, you’re watching headquarters for 24 hours. There is also CQ, which is watching the barracks for 24 hours. Yikes. He’s been doing it a lot these past 2 months too. Ah well, such is life I guess. For some reason, I was a little more bored and lonely then usual; one of those days I guess. Sometimes I really enjoy my nights alone and take advantage of them. Thursday was not one of those nights. I watched some TV on my computer (yes, we still don’t have a TV, so we watch everything of the computer. But it’s cool. I would rather travel than get a TV anyway.) and just relaxed.
   Tyler slept a lot of Friday to recover from being awake so long, haha. I got a good workout in and some cleaning. I even took a nap with him. Then, I woke him up he could actually go to sleep that night. He also started to work on our family tree. Needless to say, he was up VERY late...dare I say up early?
   Saturday we went to Kreuzberg in the Rhön Mountains with our neighbors.  It is a monastery that makes beer. It's so pretty there, and the beer was delicious! And this is coming from a person who doesn't even really like beer! The food is also pretty good and cheap! I recommend going.There are also some really neat places to hike, camp, etc. around there.

   Sunday, we went over to a friends for an early Memorial Day BBQ. We had some margaritas, delicious food and fun with friends. Unfortunately, Tyler's allergies got the best of him in the evening. He couldn't stop rubbing his eyes. He finally had to take his contacts out. Then, he came up to me and was like, "you're going to have drive home. I just had to take my contacts out, and I don't have my glasses with me." Luckily, I hadn't drank TOO much (also ate with it and had water), and we could sit around and chat for awhile just in case. Tyler's allergies have been SOOO bad lately! Hopefully they get better soon. 

   Monday, memorial day, we just relaxed. Good way to spend it I think. :)  Before I end this post, I just want to say this: Thank you to all who serve/have served in the military, especially those who have lost their lives. We thank you and will never forget what you have done for us :)

How was everyone else's weekend/memorial day? Do anything fun?

Life and random facts

   First and foremost, how about those Mavs?!? I'm so excited that they're going to the finals! Yup, that's right, I'm a huge Dallas Mavericks fan. Why? Well, I grew up there and I enjoy basketball. I'm a huge Mavs fan, rangers fan and now Angels fan. I don't really do pro-football or any hockey.
   Anyway, Wednesday was definitely a better and more productive day then Tuesday! I actually got stuff done, made a good dinner and Tyler got off work early :). Woohoo! Today, he has staff duty...bummer. This means he's gone a whole 24hours. Ah well. At least this weekend and the next are four days! :D. Today I went to base for his Captain's surprise birthday lunch. We had pizza and delicious cake! Since Tyler couldn't be there, I delivered him some goodies afterward. What a good wife. haha. Then I did some shopping downtown. Got some tanks from H&M just in time for summer, a pair of much needed white sandals from some shoe store and yellow-gold Gerber daises. I love having fresh flowers in the house. :) 
   Now,  I would like to take this time to thank Alisha from Married in Chicago. She is one of my favorite blogs that I read religiously. Alisha was kind enough to give me the the Kreativ Blogger Award! I'm so excited to get this! I'm still fairly new to the blogging world and have already received my first award! I'm so excited. I had the biggest smile on my face when I saw that. Thank you so much, Alisha!!! 

Now, as is customary, I'll present 10 facts about myself and pass this along to 10 awesome bloggers:

1. I suck at creating titles for things like this blog, papers, etc. Really though. Have you ever looked at the titles of my blog posts? Terrible. I'm a decent writer, but I can never think of good/clever/creative titles.

2. I enjoy coming up with stories, but I have problems putting them in to words/writing them.

3. I love headbands. Maybe I'm obsessed...I do wear them a lot.
4. I love to wear dresses
5. Wine is my favorite alcoholic drink. (Though, some others do come close...margaritas, sex on the beach, cosmos...) Sometimes I think I love wine too much.
6. I have problems picking favorites. I just like too much? haha.
7. I love shoes, but I hate my feet.
8. I can't spell. Spell check and editors are my best friend. I can edit the shit out of other people's papers/writings/etc., but my own? Forget about it.
9. I love to travel. I want to go pretty much everywhere! (Working on Europe currently).
10. I know how to play the flute. (I haven't in years, but I hear it comes right back to you, kind of like riding a bike, which I also haven't done in years...fail).

First of all, I want to give this award back to Alisha at Married in Chicago. Yes, that makes my total 11, but since she's already received it, does it really count? But she totally deserves it again and again. :)
Without further adieu, here are the 10 awesome bloggers I am presenting the award to:
Fit, Fierce and Fabulous
Alisha & Brandon 12.04.10
Piloting Life
A Complete Waste of Makeup
The Diary of a Working Girl
Love is Home
The McDonald Family European Adventure
A Journey of Hope
Experiencing Ukraine
Casey and the Sunshine
(Sorry if some of you have recieved this award already, but clearly you deserve it! :)) 

One of those days

   Do you ever have one of those days where you just don't want to do anything? That was me today. I had so much I could've/should've done, but didn't. Rooms to organize, laundry, dishes, PR stuff, looking up lesson plans for potential substitute teaching in the future...and that's just some of it. I did walk to the ATM and the grocery store with a neighbor today. I also worked out and figured out dinner well in advance. Usually we plan dinner close to when we eat, today I figured it out soon after I woke up. That's a start right? I mean, dinner was kind of a fail. I made tri-tip in my crock pot, and well, I wasn't paying attention to the temperature of the meat and I overcooked it a little. By over cook I mean this...Tyler and I like our meat rare to medium-rare; medium is acceptable on occasion. This meat however was well-done. Tasted fine, but not what I was going for. I also should've let the potatoes bake a little longer...the green beans were delicious though. Tyler of course then had a fit about the meat and gave me a lecture about paying attention. Yeah, yeah. I know. Just wasn't my day I guess. Ah well, happens. I hope everyone else has a more productive day than mine! :)

Celebration of our Marriage

   This summer, Tyler and I are renewing our vows and celebrating our marriage. We will be doing this Sunday, July 10, 2011, 2 years and 3 days from the first time we got married July 7, 2009. Now, we could've waited for our 5 year anniversary, 10 year anniversary, etc. but at this time in our life, we decided to do it now.
   Around April/May 2009, Tyler and I decided to get married in early July he was set to deploy to Afghanistan and that was when he would be home on leave before the deployment. We just wanted to get married in the courthouse and have a picnic with those who could be there after because there wasn't much time to plan anything bigger, and most locations were already booked for the time he would be home in the summer. Then, Tyler's parents suggested doing it at Angel's Stadium since they were going to an Angels game anyway. A couple days before the big day, one of my best friends decided to throw me a bachelorette party with lingerie given as gifts. I loved it! It was so much fun...we had appetizers, dinner, LOTS of drinks, some fun games, followed by a slumber party :).
   On Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 6:05 in the evening, we were married (by my Uncle who is a pastor in the San Diego area) in a suite at Angel's Stadium in Anaheim, CA.

After the brief words and exchanging of vows, we met some of the Angels staff, including Rex Hudler and the communications director. Then we had delicious Angel's style BBQ, watched the Texas Rangers beat the Angels and had some good cake.

   The next day, we went to Disneyland with some of my family. On the 9th, Tyler and I drove up to San Francisco for a few days there, followed by a trip to Ukiah, CA, to see Tyler's great uncle and aunt who have a vineyard there

    When we were married, we were only together a short while, then he had to come back to Germany and I went back to my internship and back to school. Right before he was deployed in November, he got to come back home for a few weeks. Some marriage, huh? Then I didn't see him again till March, again, only for about 2 weeks. Then, I didn't see him again till November when he was back from being deployed. In our first year of marriage, I saw him maybe 2 months, if that. For the first year and a half I think it totals to about to about 4 months.
   Now, why do we want to renew our vows, and why do we want to do it so soon? It's not that we've forgotten the vows we made to each other on that day in a suite in Angel's stadium, it's just, well, we've been apart for so long, and we want to recommit to each other in front of God, friends and family. We also want to celebrate our marriage with all of those friends and family. When we were married, there were only a  few family members and friends in the suite with us. I, I guess selfishly, want to have the wedding celebration you dream about with all of our friends and family (those who can make it out anyway).  In our "first" wedding, there was no real walk down the aisle, no first dance, no father daughter dance (no dancing at all actually...silly baseball game), no garter or bouquet toss...there were some toasts and a cake cutting at least. I didn't even wear a wedding dress, I wore a white cocktail dress from Target, which is cute, but not what you think of. I want to wear a real wedding dress, have a first dance, a father daughter dance...
   Later, in August 2010, my sister did throw me a bridal shower, in my home town of Dallas, since I never had one. It was so cute! I loved it.
   Am I being selfish in wanting another wedding? Maybe. But so many people are renewing their vows or having "another" wedding with the same person, I figure, why can't I? Many people in the military do this as well. So again, why can't I?
  According to theknot.com article about Wedding Vow Renewal: How to Retie the Knot, they answer the question why renew? Their answer, "To celebrate. Perhaps you've made it to 10, 25, or 50 years together and you want the world to know that you'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Maybe you want to reaffirm your commitment to each other after a rough period in your relationship. There's no wrong reason to renew." Exactly why we want to do it...to reaffirm our commitment to each other and to celebrate with friends and family! :)

   I have gotten some crap for wanting "another wedding" and have been called selfish. Some have said it's not fair, why should I get two weddings? What's not fair is that for the first year of our marriage he was in Afghanistan for basically all of it. What's not fair is that some people didn't acknowledge or remember I was married because he was never around, I still lived in a dorm room and they didn't see us get married, what's not fair is that people stopped inviting me out because, "oh...I didn't know you still wanted to go out being a married woman and all." What does that even mean?
   Most of those close to us have been supportive of our decision to have this "celebration of marriage" and are really excited about it! It's a time to have fun and finally celebrate our lives TOGETHER with friends and family. Having the wedding I've always wanted doesn't hurt either. Well, I can't say always wanted, because I did want to get married by a castle or something like it (hahaha...not kidding unfortunately). If I had millions of dollars to spare? ha.
  All in all, I'm really excited about this upcoming event! And I can't wait to spend this special day with friends and family close to us :) 

Here's some info about our upcoming Celebration of Marriage...
Location: Walnut Grove
Website: http://www.mywedding.com/tylerandbethberryswedding
Food: California BBQ
Dessert: Pie :) 
My dress: Can't share that yet. Tyler may stumble upon it, and he's the one who doesn't want to see or know anything about the dress until the evening of July 10th. Cute, huh?
Tyler's outift: He'll be wearing his Army Dress Blues
Bridesmaid Dresses: In the color of midnight
Groomsmen: Will be wearing tuxes from Friar Tux.

Oh life sometimes

   This weekend was productive, but upsetting at the same time. Tyler and I got a lot done around the house and did some MAJOR grocery shopping, but on Sunday we were supposed to go on a trip...yeah, that didn't happen sigh. Let me back up. Tyler had off Friday, so we went grocery shopping and did stuff around the house. That night, he started to feel nauseous and couldn't fall asleep till like 4:30 am. So, I let him sleep till like 1pm the next day. He was mad I let him do that, but if he's sick he needs his sleep. Plus, I got a good workout in and some cleaning done hehe. Thus, the rest of Saturday we were kind of lazy, but i was excited because tomorrow we were going to take a day trip to Bamberg! Sunday morning came and I was showered, dressed and ready to go by like 9am. Tyler had still not stirred from bed. When I tried to wake him he made angry noises and said he didn't want to. Ugh. Really? Another lazy day?? Ok, I'll give him another hour or so. I was mad, but I was like, he'll be fine then. When I tired to wake him like an hour later he said he didn't want to go. Aw man, I was looking forward to this like all week!  So, I threw one of my "fits." Basically,  I got so mad that we weren't taking a day trip that we had been planning, that I threw a fit. Then, I saw Water For Elephants the movie had come to base and this was the last day it was playing! So, I was planning on going with or without Tyler. All of a sudden it was like 3:40 pm (movie started at 4),  and I was like Oh my gosh... can I make it...idk sometimes I don't drive fast. Tyler was like, you'll be fine you'll probably make it, maybe miss the first bit, but you'll probably make it. Instead of getting it together and speeding off I just got mad all over again. I was too mad and didn't think I could get there in time. Sigh. Ah well. After my fit/tantrum and nap I took a walk and felt much better. Tyler and I then talked it out and made up quickly...all was well. I was still upset that we didn't go, but ya know, I'm glad he's not sick. Also, I think I just got mad at myself for acting like that and missing the movie. Ah well. Happens. Does this ever happen to you guys? Doesn't happen to me all the time, but when it does...oohhhh man. God bless Tyler for being with me and putting up with this crazy haha.
    Monday was just more of the same, but today, oh today. I turned in my first real press release for the girl scouts. I really hope someone picks it up! Then, I had a hair appoint on post. I just wanted my hair to be healthy, so like an inch or so off the length, clean up the layers and give me bangs again. Simple right? Wrong, this hairdresser had a mind of her own! She said my last layers were boring and that she wanted to do something different. While objecting and saying I didn't want different right now, she started cutting anyway...ugh. Then, she left my bangs long and when I said that I would like them shorter...shortest part at like the eyebrow, she told me to be careful what I wish for. What does that even mean!? Well, it means that she's going to cut them much shorter than that. Now, I don't hate the haricut, but it's not my favorite, or Tyler's, yes, he said that haha. Many people like it though...I'll take a picture tomorrow because I'm undecided. Maybe it will grow on me? I just wanted something simple so my hair would look healthy and continue to grow/look good. I didn't want anything to drastic because Tyler and I are renewing our vows this summer. Ah well. It's just hair. It grows. Like I said, I'll post a pic soon.
   Anyway, before I got my haircut, I look down at my phone and it's turning itself off. What? Weird. So I turn it back on and it asks for a pin. Uh....ok? Well, after several failed attempts, it now locks me out. I can't even see the freaking time! I had no idea what time it was all day unless there was a wall clock or something around. Yes, I don't have a watch. Sigh. So then I go get my haircut, see that it took and hour (longer than it was supposed too...I didn't even get a wash...), pick up Tyler's food and head to another part of base. Oh yeah, Our car doesn't have a clock either because it has no radio. Fail. Now, the problem is that I was supposed to call my friend to let her know that I'm on my way to give Tyler food so she can pick me up and head to the farewell luncheon for a Captain's wife that is leaving. Ugh. But since my phone wasn't working, well, I couldn't let her know. Luckily, we had talked that morning and I had told her what time I should be there. So, without my phone I find Tyler to give him his food, and my friend finds me to go to this luncheon. We're a little late, but that's ok. The food was so good, and the cake...oh man, incredible! Now, I didn't really know this woman, but she seems to be an amazing person. Too bad I really won't get to know her. We both felt slightly weird being there since we're the wives of enlisted men (of the military hierarchy at it's finest...but more on that later...), but I was friends with the new Major's wife, and we were both friends with the other Captain's wife, so it was ok. Felt a tad out of place, but it was still nice.
   After cake, we headed back to base so my friend could go to her hair appointment. She said it would be an hour or two long...she was getting a trim and highlights. So I decided just to hang out and go to the PX. I really should have borrowed a phone, gotten Tyler's cell number and told him to meet me at the other part of base later, because her appointment took over three hours!!! AHHHH. So I shopped, read magazines, walked around, etc. Then, we drive to the other part of base to see if they're off work, and low and behold, they got off work early...of course they did. So, my friend drives me home. Thank goodness.
   Once home, I find that I still have the box this cheap-ass, prepaid German phone came in and type in the number its asking for...and presto! Fixed. Praise the Lord.
   Thus, I digress. The moral of the story? How did we ever live without cell phones before, even crappy ones? Oh man. How is everyone else doing today? How was your weekend? Have a great day :)

Spring is in the air, and Summer is jsut around the corner.

   I love this time of year...spring is in the air, summer is right around the corner, and for most people, school is ending. This is the first time in my 23 years of life that I am not ending school. CRAZY! Last May, I graduated college. This May I'm being a housewife, helping the girl scouts with some PR, potentially being a substitute teacher and planning on doing some major traveling. I've been to many places in Germany, but I think this weekend we're going to go somewhere I haven't been locally.
Some of the "bigger" places I've been since traveling with Tyler include Rome and Prague. (You can read a synopsis of some of my travels here or for specific cities, check out the links above.)
   When I was young and would think about my post-college life, I never imaged that I would be living in Germany for a little over a year and be married. Heck, even after I graduated I couldn't really fathom living in a different country together with my husband who I had been separated from for so long. Crazy how things change and come together, huh?  
   What did I want to be, you may ask. Well, when I was first applying to colleges, I wanted to be a screenwriter and director. Heck, between my junior and senior years of high school, I went to screenwriting camp at UCLA. Yup, you heard me, screenwriting camp. I had so much fun and met so many cool people. Once I took more classes on the subject, I realized that this may not be the lifestyle for me. I LOVE movies/TV. I love coming up with story ideas and sometimes writing them out, but man, it's a crazy life because I also knew (and still know) that I wanted a family and a life outside work. I still kept the film (media production) emphasis as part of my major, but I added PR/Advertising/Event planning, which I absolutely fell in love with I've had several internships that have had to do with these subjects. So, I changed my mind and I thought I would do something with PR/HR or event planning. I do absolutely love doing these things, yet, I am still at a loss what to do with my life. Sigh. Anyway, you can read more about this subject here .
   Enough about me and my crazy quest to find myself and what I want to do with my life. I want to take this time to congratulate all those friends of mine who are graduating from Cal Lutheran and other colleges this year. You did it! I'm so proud of you! And maybe a year from now, you can look back and think about where you thought your life would be one year after graduation. Many of you have jobs waiting for you, or some of you may have already started them. Some of you are continuing your education. But the rest of you are like me, trying to find what you want to do with your life and just trying to find a job. Anyway, I wish you all the best no matter where your life may
take you. CONGRATULATIONS!!! It may be a little anti-climactic, but enjoy this day :)
   As for everyone else, enjoy this season and this time. After all, it is a great time of year :). I know the hubby and I will. We have some big travel plans coming up that I will be sure to share. 
   Happy Saturday everyone! Any big plans coming up?

Quotes to live by...

I saw these four quotes and loved them instantly. They are all things I try to do and live by. Enjoy :)

all photos via site.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there in the world, especially my mommy :) 

 

 Sorry that Sarah and I can't be there to share it with you...But, WE LOVE YOU! Happy Mother's Day :)

Also, a very Happy Mother's Day to my mother-in-law. Hope you have a great day and sorry we can't be their to celebrate with you, but at least your other two children are there. We love you!

Oh me

   Thursday I went in for Substitute Teacher orientation here on base. Not going to lie, I think it made me more nervous. We talked and went over some rules, then we had a tour of the school. I still have to finish some paperwork and meet with HR, but then I'll be good to go. Part of me is not sure if I actually want to go through with this. I mean, it's just subbing, but there are so many rules, things to remember...and I'm scared of teaching in general. ha. If I've ever taught, it's been with older kids/young adults or I've been the assistant, so I didn't teach. Needless to say, I'm scared. I mean, I'm up for a challenge, but I'm not sure if I feel right about it.

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   On a lighter note, I do have a funny/embarrassing story for you guys...you know when you're in the shower and realize you need more body wash, soap shampoo, etc.? So you get out, get the item and continue with your shower. How many times have I done this? A lot. Thursday morning as I was in the shower, I squeeze my body was and not enough comes out. Ugh. I'm going to have to get out and get my new one...great. I throw the old bottle on to the mat outside the shower, I can put it in the plastic recycling later, and get out to get the new bottle. Now see, what I didn't realize was that some of the body wash had gotten on the floor of the shower. So, when I go to get back in, I totally ate shit. Yup, that's right, I fell in the shower. Now, not to worry, it's a normal American tub shower...it's just a couple inches off the ground (we have a separate bathtub). Luckily I kinda caught my fall, so my left side and butt got most of it. Unfortunately for my butt, well, it landed on the old bottle and shattered the plastic lid...I have cuts on my upper butt...ugh. It hurt a lot. I'm actually still kind of sore. Right after it happened, I kind of started to cry, but then I was like, no, I need to get up, turn off the shower, check out the damage and continue showering. After all, I had to go to substitute teacher orientation. I think the best part of this was that I cut my butt and the fact that I got back in the shower. The shitty part is that I fell, hurt myself and was home alone. It's like a fear of mine coming true ahhh. Not to worry though, just some cuts and bruises. Ha. Oh me.
   Well, I hope that story made you laugh. Makes me laugh now haha. :)  Have a Happy Saturday everyone! Any big weekend plans? Any funny/embarrassing stories to tell?

Teaching?

    Tomorrow, I'm going to substitute teacher orientation. I don't know whether to be excited or nervous...both? Yes, I'm both excited, but at the same time extremely nervous.
   I've never really wanted to be a teacher, but lately many people have said that I would be good at it/they can see me doing it. Huh. I mean, I've thought about it a couple times, but I always come to the same conclusion...no, I don't want to to that. I do like talking about ("teaching") things that I am knowledgeable and passionate about, but I've never wanted to teach teach, like give homework, grade papers and all that. I was fine doing freshmen seminar at Cal Lutheran; talking to students about sex, drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, time management, etc., and I was fine in student government teaching new senators how to do things, but like I said, actual teaching...well, I'm not sure about that. I'm not totally ruling it out, but I'm just not sure it's what I want to do. We'll see how subbing goes, then I can let you know, or at least give myself/you a better idea of whether I want to do it or not.
   Wish me luck? :) 

A beautiful wedding and a relaxing weekend

   I know you all are probably sick of Royal Wedding talk, but I generally don't post on the weekends and didn't finish it yesterday and wanted to share my thoughts with you :).  So, without further adieu my follow-up post on the Royal Wedding.
   I know many, if not most of you watched the Royal Wedding on Friday. I did. Being in Germany, we are an hour ahead of London, so I got to watch it at noon. At first, I wasn't sure about her dress, but after I kept looking, well, I fell in love. It was so beautiful and classic and too over the top. The train and lace were amazing. She looked gorgeous. I just love her style. Also, can you believe she did her own makeup?

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   What did you think about her sister Pippa's dress? I for one loved it. She looked soooo good. Now, some were having problems with her wearing white as well, but I loved the look of white with white. Very classic.

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   During the ceremony, at first, I was wondering why they, especially Kate, were not smiling. This is one of the happiest days of your life people! Then I realized how nervous she must be! Not only is she getting married, she's getting married live in front of millions of people, tons of cameras and she's becoming a royal! Eesh. I can't even imagine.

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   How much did you guys love all the hats? I think I want to start wearing big hats for special occasions now. haha. All in all, I thought it was a wonderful ceremony and everyone looked great! Maybe next time there's a royal wedding someone will invite me? Ha. Did you see Kate's second dress? It was gorgeous too!

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   After watching the wedding, I did a little shopping and went home. Then, Tyler and I went out with some friends that night. Let's just say we had some STRONG margaritas and this Tex Mex restaurant. Yes, they have Tex Mex in Germany. Weird? Yes. Gross? Eh, it was ok. The next day, we watched our neighbors almost 11 week old boxer puppy. Oh my gosh, that little guy is such a love! I've been wanting a dog/puppy for awhile now, but this has confirmed it. But then reality and practicality sets in, and no dog for me right now. Tyler doesn't want a dog until his one at home dies you see. Plus, we decided it would be better not to have one in Germany because of how much we want to/are traveling. Sigh. Other than that, we just relaxed, and watched TV/movies. Always nice for a weekend. :)
   How was everyone's weekend? How was your Monday? Hope it was good! Have a happy Tuesday!