Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween! Here's a fun pic of us from Halloween 2008. I came dressed as a Native American, and Ate and I threw on the M&M costume on Derrick. We needed to make him festive. This was also the Halloween where Derrick carved his first pumpkin EVER! So exciting :) Hopefully there'll be many more Halloweens dressed up for fun.

The Commencement of Many Things

So it's been a long time since the last blog! It's been a busy month, and it's only bound to get busier! Trying to stay on track here. The above picture is a rare one! It's one where we are both in our cap and gown. Problem is, you can't see our gowns! This past weekend, Dante Derrick David became a Master. A Master of Business Administration. YAHOOOOO!!! I am so proud of my Babe and his hard work over the past 3 years. I still remember when I lived in Montana, and we were a newbie couple. Derrick had mentioned he wanted to pursue his MBA and enter into a program either at Long Beach or Fullerton. He also said he'd hope I'd be along for the journey. Well, lo and behold, here I am with you, Babe! It's been a challenging few years, but the sacrifices we've encountered has only made our relationship stronger. With God, all things are possible, and love makes it an easier journey :) So, CONGRATULATIONS MASTER DANTE DERRICK DAVID! In a few weeks time, I'll officially join you!

4 years, and going strong!

4 years ago... G-chats, emails, and phone conversations were all they had.
4 years ago... 1 a.m. didn't seem too late when they were laughing and talking.
4 years ago... Distance made the heart grow fonder.
4 years ago... There was a lot of uncertainty, but hope in the potential of what could be.
4 years ago... Butterflies fluttered in her heart and stomach.
4 years ago... RENT was playing in Seattle, and her beloved friends decided to fly her out.
so, 4 years ago... Derrick decided to fly out to Seattle to meet her there.
4 years ago... They reunited SeaTac Airport.
4 years ago... Smiles and giggles were exchanged, along with bashful smiles and sideways glances.
4 years ago... They headed to Pike Place Market for their first unofficial date.
4 years ago... She grabbed his hand and held it tightly as they strolled through the Market.
4 years ago... They decided to check out the Space Needle.
4 years ago... They snapped photos in a photo booth, and Derrick planted his first kiss on her cheek.
4 years ago... They sat on a bench, and as they watched the dancing fountain, they decided that this was it.
4 years ago... Derrick and Rowena decided it was their time, by the grace of God, to begin a journey of intimate friendship and love.

4 years later... Derrick and Rowena are headed down the aisle! :D

Happy 4 years Babe! I love you lots.

Sunsets are Pretty

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had a great Mother's Day with your mommies or if you are mommies, with your kiddos :) Storytime with the picture: This was taken in Seaport Village in San Diego. Cute lil' spot with shops and places to eat. It is also very picturesque, hence the reason we have a photo here taken at sunset. We rarely have sunset shots because typically we part ways about that time of the weekend or we're at Mass or we're eating... Anyhoo, thought the sunset and water was very lovely in this shot. Hopefully we get to come back soon!

Date Night!

This pic was taken a few years back at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. The Getty has great art, pretty outdoor picnic spots, and a nice view of LA from downtown to the water! For those out-of-towners coming in for the wedding, this is a beautiful spot to check out! I definitely hope to return for a romantic picnic with my future husband :)

I will love yoooou, I'll love yoooou, I'll love you!

Here's a pic of Dante and I last May at the Hotel Cafe for our very first KINA GRANNIS concert! Kina Grannis = amazing!!! I found her a couple years back (thanks for Barbra!) who sent me a link to attend an Asian American event in LA. I didn't attend, but I was mesmerized by Kina's voice. She was singing with other Asian American artists, performing a cover of Chris Brown's "Forever." Decided to youtube this girl, and it was one of the best things I ever did! Found my study buddy music and newfound appreciation/admiration for Kina! Derrick soon fell in love with her too. * sigh *We got to meet Kina at Hotel Café and she is the sweetest! We even got to hug her! (We have pics to prove.)

We love Kina so much, we decided to go to another concern in the fall. This time, we got a picture of her with both of us included!

Kina, you’re an inspiration! And it all started with this:

Love, it's a special day

We should celebrate and appreciate

that you and me found something pretty neat

And I know some say this day is arbitrary

But it's a good excuse, put our love to use,

Baby, I know what to do,

Baby, I will love you

I'll love you, I'll love you.

To check out Kina Grannis: http://www.kinagrannis.com/

Youtube her!: http://www.youtube.com/user/kinagrannis

Back in the Day...

Here's a pic from our second time hanging out! We're kickin' it at Dave and Busters with (from top left around the table) Marites, Meechy, Ate (me, Derrick) GP, Angie, and Kathee! Derrick didn't know he was in love with me yet at this point. He was playing cool guy in his denim shorts. And look how he and GP matches so! Awwww so cute! Derrick started to talk to me a couple times here. I suppose that Corona loosened him up ;) Good times, friends!

This is a picture from our first roadtrip together. We went to one of our favorite places, NorCal. I don't have much of a story here, but I do remember dirty old guys at this lounge/club. haha.

Joke's on Us!

This is a silly pic of us. It was taken in my room in Montana. After Derrick and I became official in Seattle, we knew we had 3 long months of a long-distance relationship before I moved back home to Cali. Well, being the sweet romantic he is, Derrick planned a surprise by visiting me in good ol' Big Sky Country Montana :) Just days after we parted ways in Seattle, he purchased a ticket to Montana and mailed me proof of his surprise. He flew out a couple months later in late July, and we spent a few days together. It was great having there, being able to show him Montana and spending time with my JV roommates. The above picture is a tribute to my JVC roomies: COURTNEY, ERIN, HEATHER, & MEGAN. These girls knew how much Derrick and I missed each other and figured we'd spend most of our time "spooning." As a prank, the girls decided to hide SPOONS all over my room, tucked in my bed, in my drawers, on the dressers, in my shoes, they were literally EVERYWHERE! Although the pic did not capture it, we were holding a jar full of spoons! Good one, ladies!!!

(For the record, we did some of that cuddling business, but I also took Derrick on a tour of Montana - visited the mall, watched a movie, drove out to the Museum of the Rockies and went above on the Rimrocks - which is actually the first pic posted on our blog by Dante!)

"College" Sweethearts

College Sweethearts? Kinda, I suppose. :) The nice thing about being in graduate school at the same time is an understanding of our incredibly demanding schedules. Homework is not fun, but it becomes more "do-able" knowing that Derrick and I are doing our work together. We've had a few study dates at our respective school libraries and many a weekend at home, working on readings, papers, and projects. Oh the life. It's nice to know that Derrick has about 2 more weeks to go and I have 7 more. Cheers to that! Raise your Hefeweizen (or Dos Equis...whatever you like), people! You know we will when we're done!