Once upon a time a nervous Assi went to her “intro to college” session at Santa Clara before the major life transition (college) was to begin. While there she met another nervous Assi from St. Louis. The two nervous Assi gals hit it off right from the start. The first day they met they stayed up late trying to plan their courses for the year (dorks!), they peeked into dorm room windows and felt the sinking feeling of “we have to live in that?!?,” they ran through sprinklers (which was probably sewer water), and they went out for milk and cookies with two other soon to be college boys. When college began the Assi gals were good buddies and experienced a lot of crazy moments involving butts, webbed toes, boxes, trips to Santa Barbara, Yummy Yogurt, lactose intolerance, art history flash cards…just to name a few. Now one of the Assi gals (the one with the best tan known to man) got married to an awesome guy in St. Thomas and the other Assi (the one without any skin color) was there to capture the moment. Congrats, John and Ashley…I am so glad we could be there!
Blog
side note…
A quick side note…
While watching some show in our hotel room in St. Thomas someone used my “puder” (pronounced pooooooder) word in a different context than I normally do. Looking at the UrbanDictionary I realize that the word puder does not have the same meaning as I have been using it. EMBARRASSING!! I will no longer be calling myself a puder.
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Completely unrelated: Ashley was a beaaaaaaauuuuuuuutiffffffuuuuuuuuuul bride. So naturally beautiful the camera ate her up. We have not edited photos yet but goodness! Johnny is a lucky one. Congrats Ashley! I am sooooo glad we could be there to capture it.
puder
I call myself a puder (pronounced pooo-der) when I have failed to do what I have set out to do. In this case: blog. (and clean my closet and paint my toe nails and take photos of our new pillows and stuff and stuff). At the moment I am an extreme puder. Our Europe trip is a blur so I don’t think I’ll get around to finishing the posting. All of the recent weddings are a blur and I can’t even begin to think about all that happened in Napa or Tahoe (except for finding gold, I’ll never forget that). Instead I’ll post baby photos. Yes, baby photos. Everyone loves a baby…especially when she is looking at you funny:
Everyone especially loves a smiling baby…
Does my lack of blogging make you sad?
So sorry, but if you do a jig and remember that it is summer and there is a big world outside waiting for you that frown will turn upside down in no time.
(side note, these photos are not super sharp, but poor Cooper has 237529387532987 things to do before our next trip that I can’t get the original sharp images…I had to pull stuff from snapfish). Better something than nothing, right?
Three events from this past weekend that made me smile:
1.) Dinner with my bro and sister-in-law. Fun to catch up with family every now and then and eat a good meal. Especially when that family member just bought a new boat and has aspirations to sail around the world.
2.) Getting a new and easy to use sewing machine and making PILLOWS!! for our couch. So dang fun. I even bought some new fabric to make some bags. Diddily dang whoo yaa day.
3.) Going to Renegade Craft Fair and finding the bamboo ring I have been on the hunt for for ages now made by these fabulous ladies: Twee Things. Then, thinking I was sure I was going to get a t-shirt with either a deer playing an accordion or a squirrel playing the drums, I actually ended up having hot flashes while looking through these photos…I couldn’t make up my mind on which one I loved best so I ended up buying one large print and two small cards. Oh my, I absolutely LOVE her stuff. I could fill my house with her box prints. Yeah, I blew through a bit of $$$, but it was soooooooo worth it.
I probably won’t be able to post for a few days (surprise!) because we are off to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands for a few days for Ashley’s wedding (yay Ashley!)…then to NY to “kill time” before another wedding in Connecticut. Did I mention Cooper just got a wedding in Bali for next year? Man alive I should invest in the airline industry…then again…maybe not.
drink a cold beer
Sooooo, I’ve been a little bloggish sloggish (kind of like sluggish but sloggish). It isn’t that I have not thought about blogging, but I just haven’t had the time. Actually, I have had time since I watched/wasted three hours of my life on Monday watching the Bachelor (gag me, I know)…but while watching I was doing something else on the computer, I just can’t remember what. The Bachelor causes memory loss! Ha!
Since I wrote last I have: been to work, worked for Cooper at night going through 29385729387592837592837592375 photos, gone to Napa for Justin/Lucille’s wedding, driven to Lake Tahoe with Charliemann and Cooper for Mike and Jill’s wedding, been to Colorado and back, and watched The Bachelor. I have so much to share…like Jim-isms, panning for actual gold, teaching a 2.5 year old how to do a rain dance only to have it pour rain after we finished dancing, etc., I just need a day to write. But, guess what! This weekend we don’t have a wedding! It is the only free weekend until September so I am going to clean my closet, help Cooper get caught up, design some albums, maybe go to a craft fair, make an Emily’s pizza and cinnamon rolls, and BLOG (i hope). I can’t wait.
In the meantime…drink a cold beer!
European adventure part 2: Switzerland!
Countries like Austria and Switzerland are without question top of my list in places to experience (or live, if I could!). There is something in me that just absolutely loves the beauty and culture of the people and land (oh, and the food of course!).
The train ride through northern Italy was amazing, but it wasn’t until we got into the Swiss mountains when I felt overwhelmed and awestruck. On the train we sat near an Aussie/New Zealand couple in their late 60s who shared with us the incredible views and their travel stories. These guys have been nearly everywhere and have done it all. They were inspiring folk, no doubt…I want to be like them when I grown up.
Once we arrived in Lausanne we decided to forgo the cab option and even though we didn’t know where we were or where our hotel was we just starting walking. Luckily it was the right direction and not too bad of a trek. First impression of Switzerland and Lausanne: clean and orderly! Compared to my little nook in Rockridge/Oakland and compared to Florence, Lausanne was the tidiest little spot on the planet. Even our hotel room was impeccable. We unloaded our stuff and set out for some food. Unfortunately, food in Switzerland was not cheap, at all. A salad started at $17 US, a hamburger was $20…and this stuff wasn’t over the top amazing foods…just ordinary grub you could find for $5-6 in the US. So, we learned our lesson: Switzerland was going to be pricey (which we knew, it was just a bit of a sticker shock at first). However, our shock and awe was helped by the bartender at the local pub giving us two for one beers. What a wonderful wonderful feeling that is (especially when you are in a crowded pub surrounded by tons of Europeans all speaking different languages while they watch a football game).The next day we over ate a complimentary breakfast (which was AMAZING!) then started out for a round of checkers…
Allison was a little slow with each game and could never quite beat Cooper-tron. I guess his massive head must have a large brain in it or something.
We then headed through Ouchy (to which Allison had to say “Ouchy, ouchy, ouchy” like a little girl with a paper cut…it is actually pronounced ooo-shay or some thing like that) and listened to accordion players #1 of 4 on the trip, walked past a sweet (as in cute) farmer’s market…took some photos of the two of us…
And then went up into the shopping district of Lausanne to find out that all of the stores close on Sunday. So….we went to McDonald’s (where they have fried shrimp on the menu!) to buy a $5 diet coke…
After we got our coke we came across an awesome looking cafeteria that had really attractive looking food (like Whole Foods style) but at really reasonable (i.e. normal US) prices. We knew that place would be on the menu at some point. While walking along there was an older woman on the sidewalk with blood streaming down her head…she must have just fallen and the medics were there to help…a sad sight. We went to a park with our $5 diet coke and sat and took the scene in. The park was impeccable like everything else we had seen…I could spend my life at the park, or at least search for dry land…
After our time at the park we went stopped by a design/art event where a guy was in a pink teacup hot tub then went to another park to pass the time until we could eat again (we skipped lunch). Our treat for the night: brots and sauerkraut, beer, and swiss style wood fired pizza. YUUUUMM!
The next day we ventured to Geneva where we did some shopping (just looked), walking, and of course eating. Geneva had much more of a city feel to it than Lausanne, but I kind of liked the home-ish feel to Lausanne. I took a nice nap next to the river in Geneva…that was awesome. No matter where you go though, folks are into their soccer:
From Geneva we had a few hours of day light left so we backtracked a bit and went to Montreux. I am glad we did because the sites by the lake were amazing! Look, even Cooper thinks so:
I’m still looking for dry land… (look at my pointy hand!)
After our days in Lausanne, Geneva, and Montreux, we headed to Interlocken which was a paraglider’s dream not to mention a bit of a tourist trap (but still beautiful). We decided to pick up a few things for a picnic lunch and head down towards the river. While in Italy Cooper purchased a log of dry salami as survival food upon the event that we would ever need it…perfect for our picnic So, we bought some fresh bread and some beers and headed towards the river. Cooper had the smart idea of finding a knife for the salami (although I put up a big fight because I wanted to gnaw at the log). Thank god we got a knife because look what was inside (!!):
Ever since I was a child I always had to pick chunks of fat out of meats…and I still do. My first reaction when I cut into the log was a bit of a gag but then I rallied and found it to be really really really fun to pick the chunks of fat out…a similar to popping a zit that keeps going and going and going. So I had a great time with my fat picking (although it took a long time before it was ready to eat). I kind of wish I could pick some fat out right now…
Instead, I think I need to take a break and eat some dinner. Until next time!
European adventure part 1: Florence, Italy
Rarity of life #297593874: When Cooper blogs about a communal event before I do. Sooooooo, I guess I’ve been busy, but there is still no excuse for not blogging. I’ll try and post different photos from the Coop-dog…
Anyhow…
Yahooo! No, not Yahoo as in the search engine, but yahoo as in whoo diddily plus a side of excitement on the side. I am hoping to dive into documenting the two week trip to Europe, but please note that a number of events will be left out (due to memory problems) and quite a bit will be uneventful (i.e. all I’ll talk about is what we ate). Nonetheless, my wallet is 29839287 times thinner and my thighs are 23979835 times wider (actually just looked at my thighs and yes, they are honestly larger).
Because Cooper is addicted to taking photos, the vast majority of images seen below are his. If he is seen in a photo I was lucky enough to take the camera out of his hands for a brief moment before withdrawal symptoms set in. For a better presentation of the trip, go to www.coopercarras.com. He did a much better job than I did.
Day 0: First arrival in Florence, late evening
Consumed mass amounts of amazing pizza and walked through a make shift German festival. Yup, a make shift German festival in Florence.
Day 1: Florence, Italy
The time change had a positive impact on us today because we were able to get up at 6am and conquer Florence without other tourists around (something we learned was a very welcome event). Unfortunately, my luggage was stuck in Rome so I had to wear the same outfit for nearly 72 hours, even after a bird left a surprise on my pants and hand. No worries though…we went on an expedition to take photos of the town and people and hiked up steep streets in search of a great vantage point for a shot of the city. Unfortunately, no vantage point was found, but we had an awesome walk and took some pretty good photos along the way.
A slight rain storm forced us to take shelter and eat lunch at a spot near the Duomo. Of course this means jacked up prices and low food quality. Allison enjoyed her piece of toast with tomato and basil on it for $9.00 US (!aye carumba!), but Cooper was the winner with four cheese gnocchi. Luckily the cheap table wine made us happy enough to enjoy the food no matter what. Following lunch Allison had to work in the afternoon (and pray for her luggage to arrive) while Cooper sought a laundromat. Yup, laundromat seeking just after Day 1. We went to a mediocre pasta/pizza spot and called it a night.
Day 2: Florence, Italy and to the Villa
Again we got up before the masses of tourists and American students studying abroad awoke so we had most of the city to ourselves (except for the commuters on their scooters). We did a brief stint in town before heading back for our free breakfast (oh my, how Allison LOVES her free breakfasts!!) and then Allison worked while Cooper went grocery shopping before we headed to the villa.
The villa was amazing. I’m sure Cooper will post tons of photos of the place once the editing process is complete. But, until then, let me just say it was a renovated spot from the 1400’s…it was beautiful…it was on top of a hill with a pool and an olive orchard…and it house nearly all of the 40+ guests. Awesome. While there we were treated to coffee, juice and pastries in our room in the morning, there was wine tasting in the afternoon…
And for the rehearsal dinner we sat near the largest chandelier I have ever seen…
Ate the best meat plate I’ve ever come across…
And of course had pizza…
I hate to admit this, but we never once had gelato while in Florence. For some reason the opportunity never arose at the right moment even though it was on our minds nearly every minute of the day. So sad.
The wedding was beautiful and sooooo emotional. It was extremely hard to take photos all day because my eyes were welling up. So it goes.
Next leg of the trip: OFF TO SWITZERLAND!!
cooper
I got up last night near midnight and doused Cooper with silly string while he was hanging with his bro. Why, you may ask? Today is Coopertron’s 28th birthday! Luckily we are still at an age where we don’t mind declaring how old we are, but unfortunately Cooper and I both are starting to show the signs of aging (crow’s feet, gray hair, soft bellys, aching muscles, slowing minds etc.).
If you have a moment and want to give this guy a shout out…give him a call, write him an e-mail, or send him a phony wedding photography inquiry (but make it obvious that it is a prank). All his info can be found at www.coopercarras.com. Even if you don’t know him, I’m sure he would appreciate the love.
Happy Birthday Cooper Hans!
whoa x1098375923875
Whoa. So much has happened in the past two weeks it hurts my head to begin thinking about it (not to mention the extreme jet lag setting in).
Top of the list: Welcome to the world Nora Esther Vidergar! Nora was born on May 31, 2008 at 10:44 am. She clocked in at 8 lbs 4oz and 20.5 inches. My sister calls her Nor’easter when her cries escalate to a shrill (as babies do).
I think nearly all of us thought the thing in the big belly would be a boy because it was so active and large. We were thinking he would be a big lazy lunk. Instead, out popped big girl Nora. But, I said to my sister (with a tear in my eye) that I am sooooooo glad Amelia gets to have a sister because my life would not have been the same without my sister. Plus, Nora gets to join our girl clan in the family (mom, sister, me, amelia, two female dogs and now Nora!).
Congrats, Steph and Cyril. I can’t wait to meet her.
croquet mania
A new favorite wedding idea: have a swanky lunch followed by a croquet match. This past weekend was eye candy for us: folks dressed in white, beautiful blue skies, green grass…it couldn’t have been any better (except for the massive farmer’s burn afterwards).
my big little bro is a big boy now
Congrats Bri Bri! You are the last of the crazy Bruce Beckord clan to make it through college. I am proud to say that the kid I used to share a bunk-bed with (who I would constantly tell not to put buggers on the wall) is now a true adult. Actually, folks thought you were an adult when you were 14, but now you can say you are truly an adult because you have to pay your own rent (ha!/aye!). I am so happy that I was able to be around for a good portion of the developmental stages of your life (remember the photo I took of your first few armpit hairs?)…I can’t wait to see what big boy Brian has in store. My 24 hours with you in San Diego were a blast…now go cut your hair!