anya | аня | anna...

Russian Orthodox Church - Ukrainian Village 'hood and other Chicago Pictures

2009-11-15T23:49:01Z

Russian Orthodox Church - Ukrainian Village 'hood, Chicago (where we stayed w/ friend)., originally uploaded by ❤annydub❤.

Russian Orthodox Church -
This church is right down the street from where our friend lives in Chicago (and where he kindly let us crash for 4 days). The 'hood is dubbed Ukrainian Village - and yes, there is a lot of Russian/Ukrainians/Belorussians in the area. I really loved this area - so quaint and easy to walk and neighborhood-y while being a short bus ride from downtown. Kruto, da?!

How do I make it all just S-T-O-P...?

2009-11-04T13:38:29Z

Yesterday:

- STILL living the ghetto fabulous life without a refrigerator and now the Exxon guys ask me if I'd like a bag of ice with any purchase I make. At least we upgraded from the cruddy styrofoam ice chest to a full-size Rubbermaid cooler!

- I got pulled-over for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, while driving to an extremely important meeting. And I was unforgivably late because of that cop bastard.

- Discovered water leaking under the bathroom sink. Now I get to call a plumber - yay!

- I rear-ended my new car into a fat, yellow, concrete post which I somehow did not see. I started crying on my way home...

Wrote a REALLY long post on LJ about a bunch of stuff I wanted/needed to get off my chest (the first in a looong while), only to hit the wrong button when my mouse suddenly went bat-shit crazy, deleting ALLLL of it. And no, the 'restore draft' thing didn't work. *cries* (yet again).

- Decided to get drunk off of Lambic (Framboise), which seemed like an excellent idea at the time. But it just ended up making me drowsy and feeling like a whiny lush.

Posted using TxtLJ

2009-11-03T04:40:18Z

Last night And here i was counting on everyone 2 b too hungover from halloween parties to come out . :P

All Hallow's Eve

2009-11-01T05:39:49Z

Happy Halloweeeeeen!
As one can see, the pictures are kinda blurry crap. I need a new camera ~~for Christmas~~.
My ever trusty Canon is practically dead. :((

Russian & East European Studies

2009-10-16T06:01:02Z

External Funding Opportunities for Graduates

Academic-Year Scholarships
Council of Higher Education Scholarship
Jacob K. Javits
Ford Foundation Predoctoral Diversity Fellowships
AAUW Educational Foundation Fellowships
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
American Council for Polish Culture
The Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarship
Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship
National Security Education Program (NSEP), David L. Boren Fellowship

Research and Study Abroad
American Councils for International Exchange (ACTR/ACCELS)
ACTR Fellowships for Language Study in Russia
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
IREX
Social Science Research Council (SSRC)
ACLS Fellowships in Southeast European Studies
United States Institute of Peace (USIP): Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship
Council for European Studies Pre-dissertation Fellowship Program
Institute of Current World Affairs / Crane-Rogers Foundation Fellowships

Dissertation Writing and Post-Doctoral Fellowships
Havighurst Center Post-Doctoral Fellowship
ACLS Fellowships for Dissertation Research / Writing
Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellowships
SSRC – Dissertation Write-Up Fellowships
Civil Education Project
Presidential Management Fellows
Human Rights Watch – Finberg Fellowship
East European Studies at the Woodrow Wilson Center- Short-Term Grants
Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies

Workshops and Other Training Opportunities
Summer Research Laboratory at UIUC
East European Studies Junior Scholar Training Seminar
IREX Regional Policy Symposium

Internships
New Voices National Fellowship Program
Central Intelligence Agency Student Programs
FBI Honors Internship Program
Alfa Fellowship Program

Academic-Year Scholarships

Council of Higher Education Scholarship
The Council of Higher Education has established a scholarship program for U.S. and Canadian students of Czech, Slovak, or Rusyn descent who plan to continue education in undergraduate and graduate programs. Renewable scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.
http://www.cheonline.org/

Jacob K. Javits
The JKJ Fellowship is a multi-year award for graduate study. Awardees are selected on the basis of demonstrated achievement, financial need, and exceptional promise, to undertake graduate study in selected fields in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. http://www.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/index.html

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Diversity Fellowships
Ford Foundation Predoctoral diversity fellowships provide funding of $17,000/year (plus tuition remission and health insurance) for three years of study in Ph.D. and Sc. D. programs. The awards are made regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation, however, membership in one or more of the following groups will be considered a positive factor in the application process: Alaska Natives (Eskimo or Aleut), Black/African Americans, Mexican Americans/Chicanas/Chicanos, Native American Indians, Native Pacific Islanders (Polynesian/Micronesian), Puerto Ricans. http://www7.nationalacademies.org/fordfellowships/fordpredoc.html

AAUW Educational Foundation Fellowships
The American Association of University Women Educational Foundation awards fellowships for graduate and postgraduate studies to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Selection criteria include an outstanding academic record, professional potential, and the potential of the field of study to improve lives of women and girls in the country of origin. Awards: postdoctoral fellowships – $30,000; doctoral fellowships – $20,000; master’s fellowships – $18,000. http://www.aauw.org/fga/index.cfm

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans provide funding of $20,000 and partial tuition remission for up to two years of graduate study in professional or academic programs. Eligible candidates must be a Green Card holder, a naturalized US citizen, or the child of naturalized parents; be no older than 30 years of age; demonstrate the relevance of graduate study to their long-term career goals and potential to contribute to society. http://www.pdsoros.org

American Council for Polish Culture
The American Council for Polish Culture provides a $5000 award to a qualified student to support graduate studies. Applicants must be American citizens of Polish descent who have completed one year of studies at the graduate level. www.polishcultureacpc.org/BrPulaskiSch.html

The Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarship
Program provides funding for full-time graduate studies in the United States or Poland. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $7,000. Applicants must be of Polish descent, and a U. S. citizen or permanent resident of Polish descent; an undergraduate senior or graduate student; and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. www.kosciuszkofoundation.org/EDScholarships.html

Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship
This fellowship supports students preparing to enter the United States Foreign Service. The award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the junior and senior years of college and during the first year of graduate (Master’s) study. http://www.woodrow.org/public-policy/graduate.php

National Security Education Program (NSEP), David L. Boren Fellowship
NSEP awards fellowships to graduate students to study a contemporary language and culture in an area of the world other than western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Awards are made for a minimum of one and a maximum of six academic semesters (24 months). Support for language or area study coursework at your home university is $2,000 per semester. Overseas study is based on program expenses for a maximum of $10,000 per semester for up to two semesters. All recipients of Boren awards must seek employment with an agency or office of the federal government involved in national security affairs. http://nsep.aed.org

Research and Study Abroad

American Councils for International Exchange (ACTR/ACCELS)
ACTR/ACCELS offers multiple programs, including the following. http://www.americancouncils.org.assi

Title VIII Research Scholar Program: Provides full support for three to nine-month research trips to Belarus, Central Asia, Russia, the South Caucasus, Ukraine, and Moldova. Fellowships include round-trip international travel, housing, living stipends, visas, insurance, archive access, research advising, and logistical support.

Title VIII Combined Research and Language Training Program: Provides full support and approximately ten hours per week of advanced language instruction for three to nine months in Belarus, Central Asia, Russia, the South Caucasus, Ukraine, and Moldova. Fellowships include round-trip international travel, housing, tuition, living stipends, visas, insurance, affiliation fees, archive access, research advising, and logistical support in the field.

Title VIII Southeast Europe Research and Language Study Program: Provides full support for four to nine months of research and/or language study in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro. Fellowships include round-trip international travel, housing, living stipends, visas, insurance, and affiliation fees.

ACTR Fellowships for Language Study in Russia
Graduate students are eligible for Title VIII State Department fellowships to study the Russian language through ACTR summer, semester, and year-long programs in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Vladimir. Awards are made on the basis of need and merit, and range from $2,000-15,000. http://www.americancouncils.org

Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
There are currently three types of scholarship offered by Rotary International (see below). Application procedures: the availability of the scholarships is determined by each Rotary district and varies from year to year. Applicants must contact a local Rotary club for information about local deadlines and application materials. Applications may also be obtained directly from The Rotary Foundation website at: www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/

Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships provide funding for one academic year of study in another country. This award is intended to help cover round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and some educational supplies up to $26,000 or its equivalent.

Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are for either two or three years of degree-oriented study in another country. A flat grant of $13,000 or its equivalent is provided per year to be applied toward the costs of a degree program.

Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships are for either three or six months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in another country and provide funds to cover round-trip transportation, language training expenses, and homestay living arrangements up to $12,000 and $19,000, respectively.

IREX
The International Research and Exchange Board offers multiple programs for U.S. and foreign scholars, including the following. http://www.irex.org

Individual Advanced Research Opportunities – Provides grants of two to nine months for doctoral students and senior scholars for research at institutions in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

IREX Short-Term Travel Grants – Provides grants for scholarly projects of up to two months focusing on Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

Social Science Research Council (SSRC)
SSRC offers multiple fellowships at the dissertation and postdoctoral level for research in the social sciences and humanities on Eastern Europe, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and its successor states, including the following. http://www.ssrc.org

Pre-Dissertation Training Grants - These awards invite graduate students in their first or second years of study to enhance their research skills for projects on the New States of Eurasia, the Soviet Union and/or the Russian Empire. Awards of up to $7,000 are intended to support language training, specialized methodological training, and/or exploratory research for 3 months – 1 semester.

International Dissertation Research Fellowship (IDRF) - This program supports doctoral research that advances knowledge about non-U.S. cultures and societies, grounded in empirical and site-specific research (involving fieldwork, research in archival or manuscript collections, or quantitative data collection). Fellowships of approximately $20,000 will provide support for nine to twelve months of dissertation research outside the U.S.

ACLS Fellowships in Southeast European Studies
The American Council of Learned Societies offers multiple fellowship programs, including the following, each of which carry an award of up to $17,000 for a one-year period. Developmental, Research, and Writing Fellowships are intended as sequenced support for completion of a dissertation. Recipients are therefore invited to apply the following year for the next level of funding. http://www.acls.org/seguide.htm

Developmental Fellowships are for use at a location in the United States other than the home university in preparation for fieldwork or archival research in Southeastern Europe. Applicants may propose intensive language training, acquisition of methodological or other specialized skills, or preliminary work in archives located in the United States.

Research Fellowships for use in Southeastern Europe to conduct fieldwork or archival investigations.

Writing Fellowships for use in the United States, after all research is complete, to write the dissertation.

United States Institute of Peace (USIP): Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship
This award supports one year of dissertation research and writing on international conflict, conflict resolution, and peace initiatives. Successful candidates must be A.B.D. by the time their fellowship begins. The award carries a $17,000 stipend. There are no citizenship requirements. http://www.usip.org/fellows/scholars.html

Council for European Studies Pre-dissertation Fellowship Program
CES Fellowships provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills required to undertake doctoral research through preliminary library research and field-site investigations. Eligibility is limited to doctoral students who have completed the majority of their coursework and whose universities are members of the Council. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ces/awards/awards.html

Institute of Current World Affairs / Crane-Rogers Foundation Fellowships
The institute awards fellowships for self-designed independent study abroad for a minimum period of two years to young women and men under 36 years of age who demonstrate initiative, integrity, outstanding character, good communications skills, seriousness of purpose, and enthusiasm for their chosen fields. http://www.icwa.org/index.asp

Dissertation Writing and Post-Doctoral Fellowships

Havighurst Center Post-Doctoral Fellowship
The Havighurst Center awards fellowships to junior scholars of exceptional promise in all areas of academic study related to Russia and other post-Soviet countries. Fellowships are for one year, but may be renewed for a second year. Fellows normally teach four 15 week courses in the field of their primary research interest per year and assist in developing Havighurst programs in the area of their interest. There are no citizenship requirements. http://casnov1.cas.muohio.edu/havighurstcenter

Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellowships
The Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellowships are designed to assist graduate students in the humanities and social sciences during the last year of Ph.D. dissertation writing. Applicants must complete their dissertations within the period of their fellowship tenure or shortly thereafter. Awards include university fees, research support, and stipend up to $33,000. http://www.acls.org/ecfguide.htm

SSRC – Dissertation Write-Up Fellowships
These awards of $22,000 for one academic year provide support to graduate students near the completion of their doctoral programs in the social sciences and related humanities. These fellowships are intended for applicants who have completed all formal components of their dissertation field research or data collection, and who have made significant progress in outlining emergent, innovative contributions to scholarship. http://www.ssrc.org

Civil Education Project
The CEP Visiting Lecturer program supports higher education reform in universities in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia by placing advanced graduate students/faculty in social science departments for a year of teaching and program development. For more information, visit the CEP website at http://www.cep.org.hu.

Presidential Management Fellows
Presidential Management Fellows serve 2-year internships with federal departments and agencies, with assignments related to domestic or international issues, technological changes, criminal justice, health research, financial management, and many other fields of public service. Graduate students who are completing or are expecting to complete a master’s or doctoral degree during the current academic year are eligible to seek nominations from their academic program. https://www.pmf.opm.gov

Human Rights Watch – Finberg Fellowship
Human Rights Watch awards paid fellowships with benefits to recent graduates of law schools or graduate programs (master's degree and above) in journalism, international relations, area studies, or other relevant disciplines. Fellows work full time for one year at Human Rights Watch, based in New York City or Washington, D.C., and monitor human rights developments in various countries, conduct on-site investigations, draft reports on human rights conditions, and engage in advocacy aimed at publicizing and curtailing human rights violations. http://www.hrw.org/about/info/fellows.html

East European Studies at the Woodrow Wilson Center- Short-Term Grants
EES offers short-term grants to scholars, including advanced graduate students, who require specialized access to Washington, DC and its research institutions. Grants are for one month and do not include residence at the Wilson Center. http://www.wilsoncenter.org

Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies
The Kennan Institute offers multiple grant opportunities for research related to Russia and the Soviet successor states, as well as paid research assistant positions. http://www.wilsoncenter.org

Title VIII Research Scholarships - lasting three to nine months are available to academic participants in the early stages of their career (before tenure) or scholars whose careers have been interrupted or delayed. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents. The Title VIII Research Scholar grant offers a stipend of $3,000 per month, research facilities, word processing support, and some research assistance.

Short-Term Grants - (up to one month's duration) for scholars who demonstrate a particular need to utilize the library, archival, and other specialized resources of the Washington, D.C. area. Short-Term Grants provide a stipend of $100 per day. There are no citizenship requirements.

Workshops and Other Training Opportunities

Summer Research Laboratory at UIUC
The Summer Research Laboratory on Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia (SRL), held at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, is a multi-week program of workshops and independent library research. Associates are given full access to the collection and resources of the University of Illinois Library, the largest Slavic collection west of Washington, DC, and are able to seek advice from the reference librarians of the Slavic and East European Library. Participation is open to graduate students, Ph.D. recipients employed within and outside of academia, regional specialists, area librarians, and other specialists. http://www.reec.uiuc.edu/srl/srl.html

East European Studies Junior Scholar Training Seminar
The annual junior scholar training seminar organized by the East European Studies of the Woodrow Wilson Center and the Committee on Eastern European Studies of the American Council of Learned Societies brings together junior and senior scholars for a week of presentations and constructive feedback on junior scholars’ research, advice regarding publishing, and discussions about the state of the discipline and employment possibilities. http://www.wilsoncenter.org

IREX Regional Policy Symposium
The Regional Policy Symposium Program, initiated in 2000 as a new model for supporting scholarship, provides US students, scholars, and professionals with a forum to examine and discuss current policy research on the countries of Eurasia and Central and East Europe from multi-disciplinary and multi-regional approaches. The research ultimately results in the development and dissemination of policy recommendations to academic and policy communities. http://www.irex.org/programs/symp/index.asp

Internships

New Voices National Fellowship Program
The New Voices National Fellowship Program offers leadership and employment opportunities to recent graduates of undergraduate and graduate programs, and others interested in pursuing a career in social justice. The prospective fellow should apply for the fellowship jointly with a nonprofit organization that would host her/him. newvoices.aed.org

Central Intelligence Agency Student Programs
The CIA offers paid student internships of various duration for undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must be US citizens and should have a strong academic record (3.0 GPA or better). https://www.cia.gov/careers/student.html

FBI Honors Internship Program
The FBI Honors Internship Program provides an opportunity to explore the many careers within the bureau. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are U.S. citizens with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above, are eligible to apply. http://www.fbi.gov/employment/honors.htm

Alfa Fellowship Program
The Alfa Fellowship Program provides U.S. professionals with a year-long opportunity to live and work in Russia. Qualified candidates will have Russian language skills, as well as a graduate degree or at least two years of professional experience in business, economics, journalism/mass communications, international relations, political science, government, or public policy. http://www.cdsintl.org/fromusa/alfa.htm

Russian & East European Studies

Best quote I've seen recently:

2009-10-14T21:20:14Z

"twitter is the autotune of the internet, producing worthless material."

-- agyoi (on 10/14/09)

The Worst And Saddest Of Yahoo! Answers

2009-09-24T09:50:17Z

Okay, this one is actually legit, but everything after the cut may not be... They're the kind of questions that make you want to bathe with a toaster (or SPOILER ALERT: poisonous jellyfish). I assume some of them are fake, but I sadly guarantee a
good portion are serious. And, well, *pouring out a little liquor* it's been real, humanity.

Hit it for a dozen or so of the worst questions ever asked...

Source:
http://www.geekologie.com/2009/05/the_worst_and_saddest_of_yahoo.php

English ---> Russian Language Contest

2009-09-24T01:10:40Z

Got an email from Lucia at Proz.com (a translation service). I'm posting a copy of that email in case anyone is interested in entering it - you don't have to be or become a member to do so, but you should probably be literate in both English and Russian. :)))

Here's what the email said:

Dear Xxxxxxx,

Another edition of the ProZ.com literary translation contest (theme: "business") is now underway, and entries in English to Russian are being rated by site users in what is known as the "qualification round". You are invited to stop by and rate a few entries; this will help ensure that the best entries make it to the finals.

Note that you don't have to be a member to provide feedback to contestants and rate entries.

Regards,

Lucia Leszinsky
Member services and support
Contest coordinator

Mexico Decriminalizes Heroin, Cocaine, Mariguana for ‘Personal Use’

2009-08-22T21:51:13Z

Oh this is just perfect.... does this "new" law even make a difference?

http://thefastertimes.com/mexico/2009/08/21/mexico-decriminalizes-drugs-for-personal-use/

anyasm @ 2009-08-16T04:36:00

2009-08-16T08:40:48Z

The stars are fascinating tonight - a multitude of a thousand flickering fireflies, each one outshining the other.

Read below link - and, yes, I realize I'm a tad late on this news. :P

2009-08-10T14:06:47Z

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/07/georgian-blogger-accuses-russia

R I P Ebou

2009-08-09T02:42:14Z

While watching one of the local news channels the other day, a story about a man who had been discovered inside of a burning minivan around 4am the previous week suddenly came up. I gasped when I heard that the burned body was identified as a 45-year old man nicknamed "Ebou" who lived in Takoma Park. It couldn't be him, it couldn't be! But when the camera panned into a familiar-looking Exxon station where he'd worked at near my mother's house for over 15 years, my heart just basically... burst. I couldn't believe it - I mean, I still cannot believe it. Who would want to burn one of the nicest people ever to have lived on earth? Why would someone murder this loving, hard-working husband and father of 3 young girls??? How could this have had happened?

Ebou was the most genuinely kind, humble, friendly, intelligent, big-hearted man I have probably ever met in my lifetime. We had countless conversations over the years every time I would come in to get gas. I couldn't help but always leave there with a big smile and a happier outlook on general life after having talked to him. And I couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed whenever he was not working. He always went out of his way to help me and my family in any way he possibly could. The last time was when he helped me change the front headlight bulb to my downtrodden, quirky VW. He was such a joy, such a refreshing person and I am honored to have known this beautiful, first-rate man. I cannot fathom the pain and anguish his family - which he loved so much & never failed to talk about - must be going through at this time. I hope with everything in me that this horrific ~~incident~~ crime will be resolved and that the truth of what really occurred that terrible night will come forth. You and your family are in my prayers, Ebou, and you will never be forgotten. I am blessed to have known you. May you forever rest in peace.

I will probably write/post more about this because a whole bunch of people are deeply saddened and outraged by what occurred. And, because, let's face it, he was from Gambia and the cops probably see this as just another black man who was murdered in America, this case will probably never be a top priority. But hopefully we can change this "outrage" and anguish into something worthwhile and push the police to work a little harder.

anyasm @ 2009-07-29T01:18:00

2009-07-29T05:24:51Z

The things that tumble and spin inside my head should hit an expiration date because they've lingered here for far too long...

anyasm @ 2009-07-27T19:59:00

2009-07-28T00:11:14Z

This morning, we came back from being at the beach all weekend. Got home around noon-ish.

Despite the weather being seriously wack and not getting as many rays as I'd hoped for, it was still very refreshing and so fuckin nice to get away from this area!

We wanted to stay for a lot longer - weeks - but, alas, life has priorities, unfortunately.

I loath being back again...

R.I.P. - Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T01:54:11Z

Yay! Summer!

2009-06-08T18:11:20Z

First watermelon of the season! Though not as sweet and juicy as they tend to be by July or August, it was still a yummy delight.
Here's to summer!
Cheers!

vendors and shiznizzlet

2009-06-08T00:03:36Z

Buying Bridal Attire and Stuff...
www.washingtonian.com/articles/weddingguide/3521.html

RC is cute – he climbed in on his own curious accord!

2009-05-26T06:05:16Z

Mariage

2009-05-11T21:00:49Z

Waiting for 9:45Am, May 15, baby! Wish us luck (and everlasting love)!
Kruto!

Chrysler -boo hoo and images

2009-05-01T19:39:19Z

Yep, Chrysler is filing for bankruptcy. I realize I'm late on this news-blaster.

Personally, I think Chrysler should have filed for it much earlier, like before taking money from us taxpayers. Most of us saw this coming anyways.. It was inevitable, really. And yeah, will we get a refund for our money spent which, obviously, did much of nothing???

Below is a chronologically ordered visual guide (emphasize is on the last 2 pictures) as to why things went sour and why it's no surprise:

anyasm @ 2009-04-30T18:05:00

2009-04-30T18:05:55Z

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty - Free Media in Unfree Societies

Posted using ShareThis

anyasm @ 2009-04-26T15:08:00

2009-04-26T15:08:26Z

listen to this. i really want to get the transcript - i'll see if i can come up with the $$$ and post it if I do.
listen.

Controversy over Chronic Lyme Disease (Rebroadcast)

Posted using ShareThis

Flickr

2009-04-24T19:36:47Z

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Super late cherry blossoms photos with a shitty camera

2009-04-24T14:39:46Z

DSCN0106, originally uploaded by anyastik!.

Hitched

2009-04-24T13:36:22Z

Well, I am now officially and "lawfully" engaged...

We went to the courthouse on Tuesday and submitted our application for a marriage license!
It was so much easier than we'd expected, easier than pie...

Seeing that his visa expires on June 17 and the license allows us up to 60 days to tie the knot, we'll be married in about a month - give or take a couple weeks. There's really little time to plan a swoon-type of wedding, but i'm not really into that kind of thing anyways - I have major stage-fright (thank you piano competitions) and being the center of attention in a room devoted to just us, makes me a littttttle chilly down the spine.

However, on the girly-romantic side of things, I really would like an amazing dress, and the whole registry thing, and flower petals and candles, and all my friends from around the world drinking Pérignon with us, and fantastic newlywed sex on 2000 thread-count sheets on a honeymoon cruise off the coast of Dŭbrovnik ... yeah, like that will all pan out perfectly.

But, in our situation, materiallistically, I can't have it all, or really much of anything for that matter. Just knowing that we'll be with one another forever and having a family with him someday is the most important thing to me and that's all that ultimately, truly matters, duh. Fuck the glitz and rhetoric.

His birthday is June 1, so we don't want it to be too close to that, yet we want to have a little time to plan it and make it nice, even if the wedding is to be a courthouse one and un-romantic as they come.

We'll have a kickass reception later - as in maybe a few months later. But we'll definitely be going out for drinks later that night!