Married Monday: Count Your Blessings

It has been a couple of weeks since I've posted.  The normal deadlines have increased, along with my attempts to study for my second exam while balancing my mini family.  Life has been the same up till August 29th. 

That Thursday, I was running late coming home.  I had a deadline and lost track of time.  Brian had to go to choir rehearsal that night and I wanted to make it home in time to see him off.  I made it home 5 minutes before he had to leave and I talked with him for a few before he kissed me and left.  He decided to take my car since his car was already in the garage. 

Hours later, I was on Google Hangout with my study group.  I was expecting Brian to be home by 930pm but I knew the rehearsal usually runs late.  At 945pm, I got a call from Brian saying that he was in an accident and was on the way to the hospital.  Brian didn't know the severity of it at the time, so he told me not to worry and he will give me updates soon.  Later, I found out he was T-boned by a guy who ran a stop sign.  I couldn't do anything.  I was shaking, crying and freaking out.  I didn't know what hospital he was in and I was too emotional to drive his car.  My uncle helped me out by finding out all the information I needed and picking Brian up.  Brian had soreness on his left side and had to take off work for a day.  I had two projects to turn in the next day.  So I finished everything and left early to take care of him.

My car on the other hand:

 

With the damages shown, Brian should have been seriously injured and everyday I let him know that.  I hug him all the time.  I know he is probably tired of me by now, but I just think "what if."

This situation has been an inconvenience for us: missed work, half days and calling our Vehicle Tag Office and insurance non-stop.  My in-laws even drove down to help us.  With all of this happening, this situation has also given me a new prospective on life and learning to appreciate everything.  I'm not saying that I didn't do this before, but it definitely reassured me to count my blessings.  Cars can easily be replaced, but life can't. 

Overall, this whole process has eaten up my motivation to study or post.  With that said, posts will be a little slow for a while to focus more on my family and my studies.  It's hard writing something when I'm feeling this way. 

I will update BR 2.0's Facebook page in the meantime.     

Cya Soon,

Architecture Random: Candy Crush

Brian and I are I'm very competitive.  It has taken me years to admit it, but I am.  Any video game that Brian has played, I've always found a way to "attempt" to beat his score.  I can only beat him in two games, but other games, I lose horribly.  Then Candy Crush came along. 

Source: Google Images

First it started with me catching up to my sister's level, then I accidentally got Brian hooked. 

Source: Google Images

Before I got serious about studying,  Brian and my sister were trailing me.  Once I got serious about the Architect Registration Exam, I only played Candy Crush in my free time, allowing Brian to catch up.  Two weeks before the exam (during my weakest moments), Brian caught up.  The day after the exam, I found out Brian was 20 levels ahead of me!  Today, he is 40 levels ahead.

Me: Level 213

Brian: Level 253

Now that NCARB started the Black out period for the ARE yesterday, I started my mission to catch up!

Last week, I was 8 levels behind him till I got stuck on level 201.  Brian has felt sorry for me and helped me figure it out.  Today, I'm on level 213 and I'm trying to keep myself distracted while I wait for my Construction Document and Services scores.  I think I can catch up before I start studying for the Site Planning and Design Exam in August. 

Let's see how I do!

Married Monday: Cotton Anniversary

Last Tuesday was my 2nd Wedding Anniversary!

After last year's anniversary, we wanted to do something that was closer to home and where we didn't have to travel to multiple places.  Also, because we got married on Memorial Day weekend, we automatically have a 3 day weekend!  We decided to go to the movies on Monday.  Before we prepared for Iron Man 3, we saw Thor and Avengers and rewatched Iron Man 1 and 2. With a recommendation from my boss, we went to CineBistro in Atlanta.  CineBistro is a dinner and a movie theatre. 

Source

The experience was amazing!  When you walk in, they asked us what movie we wanted to see and where we wanted to sit.  They had stadium seating with attached tables and cup holders.  The leather seating was so comfortable too.  If you come in 30 minutes in advance, you will be able to order from their menu.  After you order, they serve you your meal during the previews.  If you wanted refills or wanted another meal, you could order from the bar and bring it back into the theatre.  Oh, and Iron Man 3 was awesome too!  Afterward, we went to a friend's cookout.

Also this is our "Cotton Anniversary," I had to find something perfect for my husband.  For my first anniversary (paper anniversary), I gave Brian love coupons and lyrics in a frame.  For our second anniversary, I saved up more money and decided not to take the DIY route.  Canvas People had a special on canvas photo where a 11x14 canvas was free.  All you had to pay was the shipping that was $18.95.  Their normal price would have been over $50.  They have specials all the time, so I may come back to add on to our collection!  Here are the results:

(L) Brian's gift: Card and Canvas of our wedding rings.
(R) My gift: Two cards (left card for the words and the right card for the 3D flowers) with the 25th Anniversary CD of Bad.

If I could paint, I would have tried it.  But I was only blessed with drawing skills.  Anyway, Brian enjoyed it!  Next year, I will try the DIY route again (especially since I will be knee deep in my licensing exams and will be spending $$$)

Here are three DIY suggestions I came up with before I went the store brought route:

1. Make an anniversary t-shirt and write all the reasons you love him.  To prevent it from smearing in the wash, frame it!
2. Instead of buying a ready made canvas photo, try this DIY Canvas Photo transfer!
3. Get creative and paint on a canvas!

Find out another blogger's take on their Cotton Anniversary!
Alex @ Good Girl Gone Wife: One | Two | Three

Find out other Traditional Anniversary gifts here.



What have you done for your anniversaries?

Married Monday: Weekend Recap

This weekend, Brian and I went out to my co-worker and his girlfriend's birthday party.  They always have a big party every year, but I haven't gone to one since I've been married.  Since last Saturday was part one of my 3 busy weekends, I decided to put my hair in Marley Twists after I finished my errands on Friday. (I will post about this on Thursday)  I got off work earlier than usual because I had to take Mr. Tibbs to the vet and the office closed at 3pm because my firm was accepting an award out of town.  After I finished my errands, I came home and did the worst thing: took a nap.  My 10 minute power nap turned into a 3 hour nap.  I didn't start on my hair till 8pm, and I didn't start installing the twists till 930pm.

I stayed in the computer room while pouting in the mirror saying "Wwwwwwwwwwwwwhy!"  On top of starting late, I was also moving slower than usual.  That's when Brian came in and stayed with me till I finished.  From 10pm to 330am, he played songs, YouTube videos and an episode of Big Bang Theory to keep me entertained.  I kept telling him that he didn't have to stay up with me, but he always answered "I know plus I'm able to."  By 3am, I felt like I did when I was in Architecture school.  It was rough.  After I finished, Brian and I fell asleep on an episode of Dr. Phil.  Later that morning, Mr. Tibbs woke me up at 830am to play.  I was so tired, that I dosed off when he was on my arm.  I took a total of two naps before the party. 

By 5pm, I started getting ready for the party.  I was really excited because I was trying out a foundation brush a couple of my friend recommended.  I've always used a sponge or my hands, so this was a step for me.  My acne has cleared a lot, so I wanted my foundation to look flawless.  I looked at the pin I found on Pinterest and started my application.

The foundation brush I brought.  This brush is $5.99 in stores and online.
Source: Google Images



How I applied my foundation.
Source: Pinterest.com

The results were awesome!  My face didn't look cakey at all and my hands remained clean.  I still have to get some new foundation that has a better coverage but that brush is my new best friend.  Even though I thought I looked okay, I had to get approval from my favorite two men.  Brian approved!



Results!

After Brian and I got ready, we headed to Buckhead to go to Shula's 347 Grill.  We met a couple of people we already knew so it was a mini reunion.  Because I took two naps, I forgot to eat so I was starving.  My co-worker ordered appetizers for everyone, so we got to taste rib tips and chicken.  Afterwards, we ordered our burgers and ate bread while we waited.  We mingled and talked about work and family, as my co-worker took photos of the guests.

 

Brian and I.  My co-workers flash on his camera was BRIGHT and I blinked, lol.

Finally, our food arrived.  I could smell the bacon on my burger and I was so excited.  Then I cut into my burger and it was medium-rare.  Brian had the same issue.  The waiter took our food and we continued to mingle.  During cake time, our food finally arrived.  Because we got our order late, we boxed our food up and said our goodbyes.  We had so much fun.  We got home a little after 11pm and ate our French Onion burger and BBQ burger.  We are not big beef eaters but that burger was sooooooooooooooo good! 

I can't wait to continue the fun for next weekend!

Married Monday: Shoulder to Cry On

Source: Google Images

Today, I was going to post about the banana ice cream recipe I found on Pinterest, but I decided to save it for another Monday.  Today's post is kinda directed towards my usual Wednesday theme, but I'm making it work for Married Monday.

On Saturday, between resting and cleaning, I spent some of my time on Facebook trying to beat my sister's Candy Crush Saga score.  I'm currently on level 60, while she is on level 65.  Since she got me hooked two weeks ago, I have been spending my lunch period and at least two hours a night trying to make it to the next level.  After I used my five lives and my numerous "free lives," I got in bed and watched Saturday Night Live with Brian.  When I turned around and looked at the blank wall, all I could see was the candy pieces from the game. 

That's when I had an epiphany: Candy Crush is freaking addictive and I'm subconsciously doing everything in my power not to study for my Architect Registration Exam.  I'm making time to talk on Skype, play Candy Crush for hours, write blog posts, have family time and work on drawings through lunch, but I can't make time to study.  Even on weekends, I will take a nap and avoid studying at all costs.  I thought going to the AIA study session was going to be the motivation I needed, but I opened up my study guide only once since then.  The goal that I set for myself for March, has been pushed to April.  I don't even think I will even take it this month. 

I broke down and told Brian.  I cried like a baby on his shoulder and told him my fear:  I'm scared to start.  The first exam isn't that hard compared to the other sections, but I'm more worried about failing.  Once I start, the clock begins and I have 5 years to complete all seven exams.  If I fail, I have to wait 6 months to take that section and $210 goes down the drain.  I'm basically investing $1,470 towards my exams; more if I don't pass. I also thought creating the ARE Study group was going to motivate me to study, but I still feel like I'm a failure in Architecture and all the studying in the world isn't going to help.  Three people have since joined the study group, and I'm scared I'm going to lead them in the path of negativity.

Then Brian replied with this:
"First of all, stop seeing the test as a competition with others and failing as the end of the world.  I know you grew up where if you get a B, you get in trouble but you have to change your mindset and see it as a learning experience.  You don't know the outcome if you don't take the first step, plus you are not a failure. Study and go to the study sessions.  Also, this weekend is the last time you have free time.  Starting Monday, we will make sure that you study (2 hrs/day M-F, and 4 hrs/day on the weekends).  I will help you so you will be prepared before you start your study sessions with the groups. Trust in God; he didn't give you the power of fear."  Then he proceeded to tell me a story about exams vs. papers.

I don't like giving up.  I don't even like saying it out of my mouth.  But studying for this exam is rough and it has knocked me down before I even started.  I miss the college days where I could study with my Architecture buddies.  Now we are at different parts in our life in different parts of the country and I'm ahead of them in taking the ARE.  With that said, that's when I have to lean on my husband and God.  Out of the 10 years we have been together, I think about all the times I wanted to give up on Architecture (thesis especially).  Each time, he brought me back to reality and I went farther than I ever thought I could (I even got best Thesis, woooo!).  I thank God for putting this man in my life and keeping him strong when I am weak.

I love being married and I love talking with my best friend!  Hopefully, Boot Camp Architecture with Brian isn't too bad compared to when I was in college.  (He confirmed it will be.  Boooo!)