Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The happiest place on earth

This weekend we had several things to celebrate. First and foremost, Andy celebrated his 27th birthday. Next, Saturday marked our official 6 months to our wedding. Thirdly, Monday was our 4.5 year anniversary (yes, I still celebrate the six month marker). We decided that the only place that could handle such celebration was Disneyland...the happiest place on earth.


We got stuck inside the Matterhorn and had to walk through the ride to get out. We saw it with the lights on which broke the illusion, but was secretly really cool.



Andy found a delicious Turkey leg...I stuck with mouse ears ice cream bar.


I fell in love with WALL-E all over again.


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We found out that I still hold the title of the Wicked Queen and we also learned that Andy's disney character is Mulan. Ask him about it. He is really excited.
Andy tried desperately to pull the sword from the stone.


We decided that Disneyland is still one of our favorite places to be. Happy Birthday, Andy!!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Proof of why you shouldn't do your cousin- a Halloween tale

I have been to hell and back. I have seen many frights that the world has to offer. During this time of ghosts, vampires, and such, I enjoy a good scary story. Usually I seek out said story in a film, book, or frightmares at lagoon. Never did I expect that these horrors would find me at work.

On a busy day, I was given the task of receiving patients from the waiting room and showing them back into their individual rooms. I enjoy this assignation from time to time...I walk out to the front with a smile on my face, call a name, and make small talk as I show them to their room. Approximately two o'clock in the afternoon, I walk out to the waiting room. I call the name written on the chart. No one answers. I call it again. From the corner of my eye, I notice a woman recognize the name and give me a toothless grin. She walks into the child play room to gather what I assume to be her children, but was surprised when she emerged with a tall adult man with a matching toothless grin. He gives me a goofy wave and holds a finger up, which I assume is meant to tell me to hold on for a second. He and his significant other turn their back to me and face the tv in the children's play room. I wait, and wait, and wait. The people are not talking. The are not moving. They motionlessly watch the television.

After about two or three minutes, I grow a little restless. I call the name again, louder this time. Both of the adults slowly turn to look at me and slowly turn back to the tv. I look around the crowded waiting room and see a mirror image of confusion staring back at me. For the fourth time, I call the name. Finally the mom begins to walk toward be followed by her toothless husband and two children. I start leading them back to their designated room.

"How are you doing today?" I ask, trying to mask my irritation.

Mom stares at me like a deer caught in the headlights. Dad continues picking at a mole he has spotted on his finger. The two children stare ahead like a really awkward pair from 'Village of the Damned.' I immediately abandon my conversation and show them to their room.
I inform them that the doctor would like new x-rays. At this information the dad looks at me and tells me that his child will not cooperate without a parent there. "That's fine," I reply. "You or your wife are welcome to go with him." With that having been said I told them that it wouldn't be too long of a wait and I left to continue on with my duties.
Five minutes later I pass the x-ray room and pass the odd parents staring at the wall. These people weren't looking at anything in particular, just staring blankly at the wall. Soon after seeing them, I remember that they had a smaller child who wasn't present during the fascinating wall stare. I hurried back to their room and find the four year old sitting on the floor, playing with his shoelaces, and singing to himself. He noticed I was there and smiled at me. Smiling is nice, but a little creepy when given by a child with a foot long head with a four inch face. It's creepy. I smile back, ask if he is ok, and resume my job.
After I room a few more patient, I hear loud talking from the hallway. I peek my head outside of the room I was in and see this strange family in a huddle in the middle of the hall. I close the door and move closer to investigate. I approach the family and make out what is creating the loud noise. Mom was reading aloud from a book to her family. As she read the boys and dad had their hands clasped and their heads bowed. I took a closer look and saw that she was reading "Mouse Soup." I cleared my throat. Slowly they all turned toward me.
"Hi. Sorry. I need you to be in your room, please."
Silence. The family continues to stare.
"See, the doctor will be coming soon and it will be easier for him to see you in your room."
Mom looks astonished. "But, I'm reading," she proclaims.
"Yes. And you are welcome to continue. It would be great if you would continue your reading in your room." I smiled hoping she got the point.
"But, I'm reading," she stammers.
I realize that this could go on for a while. I walk past the family and open the door to their room. I put my arm toward the door to show them that I wanted them in the room. Silently, the family walked single file into the room. I shut the door and wash my hands of them completely.

I continue to have nightmares.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Six months and counting...

Since the big day is six months away (on Saturday!!) I thought I would give everyone an update with the planning and such.
We have a place for the ceremony and reception. We have a photographer and a florist. I have my dress and the bridesmaid dresses were delivered yesterday! We have two pastors and an awesome line. We have printed out the save the date cards and they will be in the mail tomorrow.










After all of this planning, we are retreating to Disneyland for Andy's birthday!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The Katydid; or, that which is my enemy

After a trying day of work I pondered the idea of picking up dinner on the way home. I considered my options and decided on the Mad Greek who not only has a delicious diet chicken platter, but is also two blocks away from my home. I struggled with the idea 'Candace, you should just make something you already have' then realized that meal would consist of tater tots and a grilled cheese sandwich. Yeah, I know. It's time to go grocery shopping.

Eager to eat my delicious dinner and watch the debate, I got off the freeway and headed toward the Mad Greek. I pull up to the speaker where you order, roll down my window, and confidently tell the employee that I would like a diet chicken platter (delicious!). As I begin to pull toward the pick-up window, something flies into my car, scares the crap out of me, and decided to rest on my cheek. In my extreme surprise (including screaming), I jerked my car to the right, making a somewhat forceful contact: tire to curb. I hit the breaks, took a breath, and analyzed the situation. By this time, the large flying object had moved from my face to my shoulder. It was a katydid.

My senses recovered and I was able to drive to the window. The katydid seemed to enjoy the ride. He was not unlike a really small dog, perched on my shoulder and ready to take on the world.

"Looks like you got a friend there, miss," said the jovial Mad Greek Employee indicating the bug on my shoulder.

My facial expression must have mimicked the profanity going through my head. He promptly gave me my change and handed me my much deserved meal.

My heart rate continued to slow, but wasn't quite back to normal yet. The katydid and I pulled out of the establishment and made our way two blocks to my apartment. As I went over the speed bumps that my landlords deem necessary, my car seemed sluggish. I suspected the worst. I quickly found a parking spot and walked around to look at the flat tire. I sighed a heavy sigh. Figures. I looked at the katydid and we shrugged.

The katydid has since found a new place to live (rather than my shoulder). He found a nice hedge that he has decided to rent out and seems to be doing well. As for me, I enjoyed my chicken platter and am waiting for the tire center at Sam's Club to open.

The end.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Just a quick note...

This morning as I pulled into the parking structure, my normal routine was immediately halted by an idiot (let's call him Bud) trying to back into a parking spot. Bud (who obviously didn't care that some of us needed to catch the 7:15 train) attempted backing his unnecessarily large penis-mobile into a compact stall not once, but thrice.
I, as well as the four cars now stacked up behind me, waited patiently as Bud tried over and over again to achieve the perfect back in.


Here's a thought that Andy and I have discussed at great length over our 4.5 years together. People back in to save time when leaving. But really, it doesn't save any time. When it takes you four minutes to back into a stall you aren't saving any time just because you can just hit the gas when you leave. It may take 30 seconds for you to leave, but you have already wasted four minutes backing in. If you can't make it on the first shot, don't waste your time. What exactly are you trying to prove?

Bud was not exactly masterful at maneuvering his vehicle. Well done, Bud. I am really glad I didn't miss my train.

Thoughts?