HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALYSSA!!!!

26 years young! WOOOHOOOO!!!!

Vectors, 3 months in

A good friend and mentor of mine likes to refer to his life in terms of vectors, which in mathematical terms essentially refers to directions. A vector can be long or short, steep or flat, but the primary basis for a vector is that it is continually moving. Such is life.

Whether we want life to slow down so we can cherish the important moments or whether we wish for life to speed up so we can get through the daily grind we can not escape the fact that our vectors are moving and changing the way in which we view life.

Recently, Alyssa and I have begun a new vector in our life. One with new challenges.

I have started, what I hope to be the final year of my undergraduate degree, followed by a new position in a local youth ministry. While Alyssa continues the "grind" of a medical office. Our schedules have left us apart for a large majority of the week. However, I am starting to feel that it is also giving us a unique appreciation for each other. While the time apart can sometimes be needed and most necessary, I find that after time I long for her relationship.

While marriage can be a challenge, we have so far risen to it. God is continually creating new vectors for us to engage with while granting us a greater understanding of love. May you find and engage in your vecotrs.

-Paul

Two Months In

Us in Panama. :)

So we're a little over two months into this whole marriage thing and life is settling down. A constant adventure and learning process, Paul is realizing that he now lives with a girl, and I am realizing that I now live with a boy. I must say it is a little different. Good, but different.

While we've enjoyed getting the apartment finalized and back into a routine with work and such, we've had an absolute blast during our free time together over the summer. We've managed a few hikes, hit up the Wild Animal Park, gone to the beach, and enjoyed two movies in the park near our apartment (nevermind the fact that they were both, in fact, children's movies). We've been to two weddings since our own, started going to a new church near our apartment, hosted a board game night, and have almost finished our thank you cards. We've had friends in town, gone to see friends, and made new ones. Speaking of friends, Paul has also found a new addiction to my ten seasons of Friends on DVD (I couldn't be happier/prouder).

Overall, the journey has been nothing less than great so far. We're going on a backpacking trip in two weeks to get away and enjoy the great outdoors together. Paul has already pulled all the gear out of the garage and has begun packing. He even loaded down his pack with weight to "see how it feels". Did I mention we don't leave for two weeks? I'm sure he'll update you with more on that soon.

-Alyssa

Pictures

Thought you'd enjoy some.

Love Alyssa

Many Blessings

We are home now and settling into our new life together. The trip was great but about a week in all either of us could think about was how excited we were to get home and to really start living together. To get into the nitty gritty of life, but to enjoy the idea that from now on neither of us has to deal with any of it on our own.

Last night we went to a wedding, Congratulations Erik and Allison Johnson, the first we have been to since our day. Since our wedding we have been trying to recap our big day. The things that happened and the people we conversed with. The day happened so fast that all we are really left with is mental snipets or portions of the day. For example, I remember breaking the ice by anxiously saying "I will" a few lines too early, or I remember attempting to cut the rock hard cake. But one thing that has and will continually stay in the forefront of my mind is you, our friends and family.

The word or idea I have constantly been thinking (and talking) about is blessing. Whether you gave us a nose hair trimmer or a new bed you have completely and entirely blessed our new life together. I believe that many years down the line when we look back on our marriage and recap the highs and lows I guarantee that your contribution has and will continute to be one of the greatest highs. Your many blessings have given us the best opportunity to succeed in our marriage.

Thank you family for your continued support. I continue to believe that our marriage is a reflection of the people you have taught us to be.

Thank you to our friends. All week one of the things I constantly heard from my father was, "You've chosen great friends." He is right. Not that Alyssa and I are friend snobs or anything but you truly are the best of the best. Be proud of that fact that you are some of the greatest people we have ever known.

May you recieve the blessings you have poured on us.

Parque National (HIGHLIGHT/'LOWLIGHT OF TRIP)

After yesterday's adventures in which it felt like we saw the entire city of Panama, Alyssa and I decided to head over to Soberania National park about 15 km North west of the city. The park lies about 3 km from the main locks of the canal so during our expensive taxi ride over we were able to see the canal which didn't interest us much but we still felt like it was a must see. So for those of you who told us to check it out, we did.

The national park, which only cost $1.00 per person, was awsome. We went in looking for a nature trail that Alyssa had heard about where we could walk by waterfalls and see animals in their natural habitat. But after spending an hour looking for the begining of the trail we gave up and asked a security guard. He told us that in order to use any of those trails we needed to have pants, boots and a machette. We had none of these things with us (I bought a machette yesterday. Too bad I didn't bring it with me) so the prospect of an adventureous nature walk was off. So we walked around the park. The park however was not as much a park as it was a zoo with exhibits. I mean thin fenced land that contained alligators (oh yes we have pictures), jaguars, toucans, monkeys, vultures and many other exotic animals. The greatest part was that you could get so close to the animals, closer than any zoo I have ever been to. I was able to pet some monkeys and was even licked by an anteater (huge tounges) much to Alyssa's safety concerns.

We can get so close in fact that if the animals wished to they could PEE on you. Just ask Alyssa. That's right. As Alyssa is bending down to take a picture, this pig/gerbal/thingy (see picture) pops up on its hind legs, rears its wee-wee and marks its territory. I don't think I stopped laughing for 5 minutes while Alyssa rubbed hand sanitizer everywhere she could. The worst part about the pee is it smells like syrup. Yep, that's right, my wife smells like syrupy animal piss.

On the way home we couldnt help but laugh as it started to pour and the buses and taxis sprayed puddles all over us. What a great last day to our honeymoon.

-Paul

$3.25 movies and lots of itching

Sadly we only have two more days in Panama before we head back home. We only made it two days of camping because of the chitres, or sand flies. Now we are suffering the aftermath. I wish I could upload some pictures because it looks like I have chicken pox my legs are so covered in bites, and they itch. Bad. So bad that I have definitely ripped open parts of my skin from itching, even in my sleep.

We are back in Panama City for the remainder of our trip and are heading down to the old section of the city today. Weŕe staying at a really cool hostel and just met a married couple serving as volunteers here with the Peace Corps. We picked their brains for, well, a long time, and are now really amped to get our applications in once I change my name. Wahoo.

Last night we went to see a movie, El Super Agente 86, AKA Get Smart. I used to watch the reruns as a kid and would crack up at all that Maxwell Smart got himself into. The movie did not disappoint me. The best part was that it was only $3.25 per person! We both saw a movie for less than one of us could back home. Crazy.

Congratulations to Stew and Annie that are expecting their second munchkin come December! That is very cool news indeed. ourthugson.blogspot.com

We will be back late Sunday night, and once we have pictures from both Panama and the wedding, we will post some.

-Alyssa

La Boda y los chitres

Hola nos famila y amigos desde la pais de Panama.

Hello our family and friends from the country of Panama.

We are currently sitting in an Internet cafe in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Located in the northwest corner of the county and situated in the Carribean it has served us for an amazing adventure filled honeymoon.

We arrived here in Bocas after a 5 hour flight from Tijuana to Mexico City and a 3 hour flight from Ciudad de Mexico to Panama City. We took an hour cab ride to another, smaller airport, where we took an hour flight to Bocas. After all was said and done we had been traveling about 20 hours and it was time for a nap. We were met by Tyson, an American from Texas who manages properties in Bocas. He showed us around the small town on Isla Colon (the main island) and then took us by boat over to the beach where we would be staying. These bungalows were amazing. Wait for the pictures. One hundred feet from our own private beach, no gringos, and our own kitchen. We stayed here for 6 days and nights. For the most part we just rested up after the stressful 6 months we have had, but we also did some surf and gerneral exploration in which we found a few nice surf breaks and some conch shells.

After the Tahitian bungalows it was planned for us to take a boat over to the furthest east island in Bocas, Cayo de Agua where we would camp. After a 45 min ride and $110, followed by a 15 minute conversation in broken Spanish with the locals, we were able to set up camp and get situated for the night. But then came our friends, el chitre, or sand flies. They are one-third the size of mosquitos and they are everywhere. Needless to say we didnt camp very long. This morning we packed up camp, called our boat driver and went back into Bocas. After a nice shower and some grub not cooked over an open fire, we are settling in and again enjoying the adventure that is our honeymoon.

Thank you all to attending our wedding and helping to make it one of the greatest days of our lives.

-Paul

Mad Hatter Tea!

Last Saturday my dear friends and family did something quite amazing and threw me a bridal shower unlike any other. Knowing that I'm not the typical bridal shower sort, they came up with the idea to have a Mad Hatter Tea due to the fact that a) I really do love Disney and b) I absolutely love color. It was wonderful and came complete with tea (iced that is), three different types of delicious cupcakes made from scratch, chocolate covered strawberries (my personal favorite), giant playing cards, inflatable flamingos, and absolutely crazy hats.

My mom and sister slaved away to create some rather eccentric hats, but mine was created with what I can only describe as extra special love. It was huge. Actually, that is an understatement. It was enormous and blanketed with white roses and ribbon dangling down my back. All dressed up with the monstrosity upon my head I felt a bit like a Stepford Wife, sitting there chit-chatting away, drinking tea and munching on tea sandwiches and cupcakes. I also received some great advice, as well as had the opportunity to give some of my own (hence the photo).



Needless to say, it was a blast. I felt incredibly loved and was showered with numerous incredibly thoughtful gifts. I am constantly amazed by how many people want to celebrate with Paul and I. Thanks.

-Alyssa

65 Days and Counting

So Paul proposed on Christmas which means, if you do the math right, we'll be getting married in less than six months from start to finish. Of course the first question after anyone finds out you are engaged is, "So when's the wedding?" to which we reply with, "June 14th." That generally then receives the second question of, "2009?" or "Next year?" For some reason people are shocked to find out that we are in fact getting married this year. They look at us like we're ridiculous.

Now, I've heard of girls that literally go crazy while planning a wedding and consequently carry everyone else around them to the same mental state. I'd like to think that I have yet to venture anywhere close to this and have maintained a level head. I may just be in denial, but I'd have to attribute this stability to the fact that Paul and I have tried our very best to keep things as relatively simple as possible. The funny thing about that is simple weddings don't really exist. It's a lie. Trust me. We tried. We tried hard.

So, we've managed (with invaluable help of course) to plan a wedding in less than six months proving that it is in fact possible to do so and leave within safe mental state boundaries. We've checked off all the big things and are working through the details which basically means if we got married tomorrow things would be a-okay. There might not be centerpieces but hey, there would be people and rings and vows and cake. What more do you need? Now is just a waiting period.

I tried to describe this waiting period to my roommate. I explained it as wanting a pony for Christmas and being told in summer that you would in fact be getting a pony for Christmas but that you'd just have to wait. By Halloween you're all ready. You've set up a place for it, you've got food for it, you know how to take care of it, and you have taken precautions in case something goes wrong. The thing is you're just waiting. This is us. We're just waiting for time to move faster. Everything is set to go except there are 65 days in the way. I couldn't imagine if there were 430 days. I may have found the culprit behind these crazy brides. Too much time to think.

Anyway, my analogy apparently didn't work so well. All I got from my roommate was, "Are you comparing your wedding to a pony?" Maybe I should have used wanting a puppy instead.

-Alyssa