For those of you who don't know, I was born in Japan and lived there until I was eighteen months old.
I also have a desire to travel to different countries. I want to visit Japan, for obvious reasons. France is another country I long to visit, so I can practice my French. If I don't make it to France, then Quebec would suit me fine. Then there's England, Scotland, Israel, and others.
But if I say anything in conversation about wanting to visit these countries, or even about wanting to travel in general, people who know I was born abroad will almost always say:
"But you were born in Japan!"
As if that exempts me from ever traveling outside of this country again, or even wanting to. In many cases, people somehow think I'm culturally superior to the average American because of it.
I talked about this with Stephan, and he gave me a possible reason for why people will remind me of my foreign birth when I express my desire to travel. His theory is that these people want me to feel that because I was born in Japan, I am equal to those who are well-traveled, therefore I really have no right to want to travel.
The reason I want to travel is because in some ways, I feel cheated because it seems like I did all of my world traveling before I could even form a complete sentence. I have absolutely no memory of living in Japan, and yet I'm supposed to be satisfied with the mere fact that I did.
I love that little contradiction.
I really hope this post doesn't sound whiny. That is not my intent. I just wanted to point out the contradiction I've been dealing with for a long, long time.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Getting older can be a good thing...
A little while ago, we got a check from our insurance company. Cool, we thought, but what for?
Stephan called our insurance company today, and we found out that because he is now 23, the premium for the coverage he has for his scooter has gone down. By a lot. We're saving about 300 big ones a year! The check they sent was a refund.
Now, if they would do it for our health insurance.... ;)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The Stephan and Laura Story: Part II
It took a while for our first date to happen. Sometimes I wondered if it would ever happen. I think it took about five weeks for it to happen, after I decided that I would meet him.
I knew very little about Stephan going into all of this. Well, I knew a lot more about him than he did about me, which isn't saying much. I knew (from what Jenny and Andrew had told me) that he apparently looked like he could be my brother, was tall, played video games, was recently home from his mission, and he had a motorcycle. So from all this, I imagined a shy, dark-haired, dark-eyed, tall, skinny nerdy guy with glasses who wore a leather jacket.
Boy, was I dead on.
The date finally happened on November 8, 2008. It wound up being a double date with Jenny and Andrew (not the Andrew I dated, mind you), because Stephan had been too shy to call me. I didn't really have high hopes at this point, but for some reason, I was very anxious about my appearance that night. I think I changed clothes three times, and fussed with my hair too much.
Andrew and Stephan were late, but we did manage to get to the De Jong concert hall on time (we went to a BYU Men's and Women's Chorus concert). Before the concert started, I made some conversation with Stephan. I found out that he was born in Logan, was studying Math at UVU, had served a mission in Everett, Washington, and had been back for a year. From that, I assumed that he was about a year older than me.
Then, right as the concert was starting, something in me said, "Guess what? You're marrying this guy!" I was confused, and thought, "What?! I barely know him!" I shrugged it off and went on with the evening.
After the concert, we went in search of ice cream. That was a fun trip because in Provo, just about every place closes at nine. I tried to make more conversation with Stephan, but he wasn't really being conversational, which annoyed me.
We finally found a gelato place on Center Street that was open after nine. We had to park a little far away and walk there. While walking to Maestro's (the gelato place), I think the subject of birthdays came up. His was July 30.
"Oh," I said. "you're 22 then!"
"Actually," he said. "I'm 21." This meant he was younger than me, but not by much.
I tried to do the math. He had been home from his mission a year, and yet he was only 21? Huh?
He then told me that he had come on an honorable medical release for depression, but that he was fine now.
"I like seeing the look on people's faces when they try to figure out the math," he added.
I was thinking, "Oh great, not another Andrew." My opinions on early returned missionaries would drastically change as my relationship with Stephan became serious. In fact, my opinions on missionary service in general.
By the end of the date, I had decided that I never wanted to see Stephan again because he OBVIOUSLY wasn't interested in me, since he didn't speak to me very much. But to my surprise, he asked for my phone number when the date ended. I gave it to him, thinking that he would be too chicken to ever call me.
Jenny and I went inside, where Amy and Jessica were, and they proceeded to ask about the date. I basically said that I didn't like him, didn't want to go on another date with him, and that I was sure he would never call back. Of course, they teased me about it, because Jenny went on about how we were so right for each other and all that.
I went about the next several days, convinced that Stephan would never call and that I didn't like him at all. But just over a week after the date, I was checking my phone as I was leaving orchestra and noticed that I had a voicemail, so I called it.
"Hi Laura, this is Stephan...." said a nervous, but familiar voice in the voicemail.
My thoughts were, "NOOOO!!! He was supposed to chicken out! Maybe he won't leave his number..."
He left his number in the message. This meant I had no excuse to NOT call him back. But I was determined not to.
The date finally happened on November 8, 2008. It wound up being a double date with Jenny and Andrew (not the Andrew I dated, mind you), because Stephan had been too shy to call me. I didn't really have high hopes at this point, but for some reason, I was very anxious about my appearance that night. I think I changed clothes three times, and fussed with my hair too much.
Andrew and Stephan were late, but we did manage to get to the De Jong concert hall on time (we went to a BYU Men's and Women's Chorus concert). Before the concert started, I made some conversation with Stephan. I found out that he was born in Logan, was studying Math at UVU, had served a mission in Everett, Washington, and had been back for a year. From that, I assumed that he was about a year older than me.
Then, right as the concert was starting, something in me said, "Guess what? You're marrying this guy!" I was confused, and thought, "What?! I barely know him!" I shrugged it off and went on with the evening.
After the concert, we went in search of ice cream. That was a fun trip because in Provo, just about every place closes at nine. I tried to make more conversation with Stephan, but he wasn't really being conversational, which annoyed me.
We finally found a gelato place on Center Street that was open after nine. We had to park a little far away and walk there. While walking to Maestro's (the gelato place), I think the subject of birthdays came up. His was July 30.
"Oh," I said. "you're 22 then!"
"Actually," he said. "I'm 21." This meant he was younger than me, but not by much.
I tried to do the math. He had been home from his mission a year, and yet he was only 21? Huh?
He then told me that he had come on an honorable medical release for depression, but that he was fine now.
"I like seeing the look on people's faces when they try to figure out the math," he added.
I was thinking, "Oh great, not another Andrew." My opinions on early returned missionaries would drastically change as my relationship with Stephan became serious. In fact, my opinions on missionary service in general.
By the end of the date, I had decided that I never wanted to see Stephan again because he OBVIOUSLY wasn't interested in me, since he didn't speak to me very much. But to my surprise, he asked for my phone number when the date ended. I gave it to him, thinking that he would be too chicken to ever call me.
Jenny and I went inside, where Amy and Jessica were, and they proceeded to ask about the date. I basically said that I didn't like him, didn't want to go on another date with him, and that I was sure he would never call back. Of course, they teased me about it, because Jenny went on about how we were so right for each other and all that.
I went about the next several days, convinced that Stephan would never call and that I didn't like him at all. But just over a week after the date, I was checking my phone as I was leaving orchestra and noticed that I had a voicemail, so I called it.
"Hi Laura, this is Stephan...." said a nervous, but familiar voice in the voicemail.
My thoughts were, "NOOOO!!! He was supposed to chicken out! Maybe he won't leave his number..."
He left his number in the message. This meant I had no excuse to NOT call him back. But I was determined not to.
Friday, August 27, 2010
An actual update
I haven't given very many updates lately, mainly my menu plans and the first installment of our "how we met" story. I don't know how many people are so interested in it, but I actually really enjoy reading about how couples met.
Stephan started school on Wednesday, but had a training meeting on Tuesday for the Math Lab. Yep, he's still working at the Math Lab. In the past, Stephan has worked about 20 hours a week (in a normal fall/winter schedule), and every year he has gotten a small raise. He's still getting the raise, but his hours have been cut down to 14. Bummer. He thinks the time cut is due to how many more tutors they have hired this semester. And I thought that there had been a budget cut? Hmmm. Anyway, he told me this via text message while I was at work, and I told my supervisor about it (he works right next to me). He asked me right then and there if I wanted to increase my hours! It took me a couple of days to decide, but starting next week, I'll be working 30 hours instead of 25. That should make up the difference. And Stephan is tutoring one of his friends once a week for a fee (the friend insisted on paying him), so we should be fine in the money department.
So far, Stephan really likes his classes. He's taking an iPhone programming class, which is great because he's been trying to get into iPhone programming for a while. One of his favorite professors is also teaching it, which is also a plus. He is also taking three math classes: Complex Variables, Number Theory, and Statistics. Only one abstract class, which means the others are more problem-solving.
After this semester, Stephan only has three classes left to take, and then he'll graduate in May! I hope it all goes according to plan :)
Stephan started school on Wednesday, but had a training meeting on Tuesday for the Math Lab. Yep, he's still working at the Math Lab. In the past, Stephan has worked about 20 hours a week (in a normal fall/winter schedule), and every year he has gotten a small raise. He's still getting the raise, but his hours have been cut down to 14. Bummer. He thinks the time cut is due to how many more tutors they have hired this semester. And I thought that there had been a budget cut? Hmmm. Anyway, he told me this via text message while I was at work, and I told my supervisor about it (he works right next to me). He asked me right then and there if I wanted to increase my hours! It took me a couple of days to decide, but starting next week, I'll be working 30 hours instead of 25. That should make up the difference. And Stephan is tutoring one of his friends once a week for a fee (the friend insisted on paying him), so we should be fine in the money department.
So far, Stephan really likes his classes. He's taking an iPhone programming class, which is great because he's been trying to get into iPhone programming for a while. One of his favorite professors is also teaching it, which is also a plus. He is also taking three math classes: Complex Variables, Number Theory, and Statistics. Only one abstract class, which means the others are more problem-solving.
After this semester, Stephan only has three classes left to take, and then he'll graduate in May! I hope it all goes according to plan :)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Menu Planning: Week 2
I didn't really do a "menu" last week because our schedule was highjacked by our trip to Cedar City, so this week is officially week two with a plan.
Monday:
Spaghetti
Broccoli
Bread
Tuesday:
Chicken and vegetable stir-fry
Rice
Wednesday:
Sloppy Joes (with ground up carrots in them)
Thursday:
Pasta with shrimp
Salad
Friday:
Burritos with the fixings
Saturday:
Homemade Pizza
Since we ate out so much while we were in Cedar City (didn't have much of a choice), menu planning will hopefully guarantee that we won't be eating out for a good while :)
Monday:
Spaghetti
Broccoli
Bread
Tuesday:
Chicken and vegetable stir-fry
Rice
Wednesday:
Sloppy Joes (with ground up carrots in them)
Thursday:
Pasta with shrimp
Salad
Friday:
Burritos with the fixings
Saturday:
Homemade Pizza
Since we ate out so much while we were in Cedar City (didn't have much of a choice), menu planning will hopefully guarantee that we won't be eating out for a good while :)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Stephan and Laura Story Part I
I got this idea from another blogger who chronicled her courtship and eventual marriage to her husband. And since we just celebrated our one-year anniversary, I thought this would be appropriate.
Most of the time when people ask us how we met, we tell them, "Blind date." Occasionally I'll add that my roommate and a guy in his ward set us up. Even our wedding website only gives the Cliff's Notes version of it.
If you hate long blog posts, I suggest you stop right here.
Still reading? Okay, but you can't stop now ;)
Our "how we met" story wouldn't be complete if I didn't include the story of Andrew. I met Andrew my freshman year of college in the non-audition orchestra at BYU. We became good friends, and I soon developed a major crush on him. It wasn't reciprocated, which was okay because he was going on a two-year mission for our church. While he was on his mission, I wrote him friendly letters and sent him a few things to cheer him up whenever he was having a hard time. But just nine months after he left for his mission, he suddenly was home for medical reasons. I had little contact with him when he came home, and I decided that since he wasn't exactly trying to contact me much, that it was definitely time to move on with my life. There was also a passage in my Patriarchal Blessing that I thought indicated that I wasn't to marry an early returned missionary. It said that my future husband would have "fulfilled" a full-time mission, and I took that to mean all 24 months.
Six months after not hearing from Andrew, I randomly ran into him. He kept talking about how we needed to do things together and he got my phone number (he had lost it). I fully meant to be friends with him only, but over the summer, he seemed to want more. He called me a lot, came over to visit, and took me to events with him. These are things that guys do when they're interested in a girl...or so I thought. I started liking him again, even though I had a very deep, sick feeling about him that I couldn't put my finger on.
At the end of the summer, I went home for a couple of weeks and then moved into my new apartment in Provo before fall semester started. This is when things started to unravel with the dear boy. He started calling less, for one. Deep inside, something was telling me to end everything with him, but I was denying it. I no longer had issues with the fact he came home from his mission early; I decided that he had completed the mission that he could complete.
With the new apartment, I had brand new roommates. They were all wonderful. One of them would be instrumental in my meeting Stephan. Her name was Jenny, and she was casually dating a guy named Andrew (not the same one). One Saturday evening, she went up to his single's ward activity up in Pleasant Grove. That's where she met Stephan, and determined that he was perfect for me. She and Andrew approached me with the opportunity to meet him, but I declined because (a) I was "dating" Andrew, even though I knew deep down that it was about to end and (b) I wanted to be the one person in my family who didn't need a blind date to meet my spouse.
Jenny did essentially try to talk me into breaking it off with Andrew. She told me that I deserved someone who would be crazy about me and who I wouldn't have to worry about not calling me. My other roommates, Jessica and Amy, pretty much said the same thing. I could tell that they didn't think highly of him.
Not long after I declined Jenny and Andrew's offer, they amicably stopped dating. And not long after that, I told Andrew that I wasn't dating for the heck of it anymore. He admitted that he wasn't interested in dating me...he was just being friendly and didn't realize that what he was doing could be leading me on! Yes, he was clueless. His parents had to tell him that he was leading me on. I've often thought about sending his parents a thank-you note for that.
We stopped going on dates (well, he thought we were just hanging out), but he wanted to stay friends and I agreed (I was too emotionally shot to say no). I sulked about it for a week, and I feel sorry for my roommates who had to put up with it. Even though I sulked, that sick feeling had gone away and I was at peace again.
The week after my break-up was General Conference and we roommates spent part of it with Jenny's family in South Jordan. As we were driving back Sunday evening, I half-jokingly said to Jenny, "Gee, it's too bad you aren't dating Andrew anymore. You could set me up with Stephan!" Jenny said, "Actually, we're still friends. Do you want me to talk to him about it?" I told her yes, having decided that I had nothing to lose and that I wanted to get back in the dating scene. This was my chance to get started.
To be continued....
Most of the time when people ask us how we met, we tell them, "Blind date." Occasionally I'll add that my roommate and a guy in his ward set us up. Even our wedding website only gives the Cliff's Notes version of it.
If you hate long blog posts, I suggest you stop right here.
Still reading? Okay, but you can't stop now ;)
Our "how we met" story wouldn't be complete if I didn't include the story of Andrew. I met Andrew my freshman year of college in the non-audition orchestra at BYU. We became good friends, and I soon developed a major crush on him. It wasn't reciprocated, which was okay because he was going on a two-year mission for our church. While he was on his mission, I wrote him friendly letters and sent him a few things to cheer him up whenever he was having a hard time. But just nine months after he left for his mission, he suddenly was home for medical reasons. I had little contact with him when he came home, and I decided that since he wasn't exactly trying to contact me much, that it was definitely time to move on with my life. There was also a passage in my Patriarchal Blessing that I thought indicated that I wasn't to marry an early returned missionary. It said that my future husband would have "fulfilled" a full-time mission, and I took that to mean all 24 months.
Six months after not hearing from Andrew, I randomly ran into him. He kept talking about how we needed to do things together and he got my phone number (he had lost it). I fully meant to be friends with him only, but over the summer, he seemed to want more. He called me a lot, came over to visit, and took me to events with him. These are things that guys do when they're interested in a girl...or so I thought. I started liking him again, even though I had a very deep, sick feeling about him that I couldn't put my finger on.
At the end of the summer, I went home for a couple of weeks and then moved into my new apartment in Provo before fall semester started. This is when things started to unravel with the dear boy. He started calling less, for one. Deep inside, something was telling me to end everything with him, but I was denying it. I no longer had issues with the fact he came home from his mission early; I decided that he had completed the mission that he could complete.
With the new apartment, I had brand new roommates. They were all wonderful. One of them would be instrumental in my meeting Stephan. Her name was Jenny, and she was casually dating a guy named Andrew (not the same one). One Saturday evening, she went up to his single's ward activity up in Pleasant Grove. That's where she met Stephan, and determined that he was perfect for me. She and Andrew approached me with the opportunity to meet him, but I declined because (a) I was "dating" Andrew, even though I knew deep down that it was about to end and (b) I wanted to be the one person in my family who didn't need a blind date to meet my spouse.
Jenny did essentially try to talk me into breaking it off with Andrew. She told me that I deserved someone who would be crazy about me and who I wouldn't have to worry about not calling me. My other roommates, Jessica and Amy, pretty much said the same thing. I could tell that they didn't think highly of him.
Not long after I declined Jenny and Andrew's offer, they amicably stopped dating. And not long after that, I told Andrew that I wasn't dating for the heck of it anymore. He admitted that he wasn't interested in dating me...he was just being friendly and didn't realize that what he was doing could be leading me on! Yes, he was clueless. His parents had to tell him that he was leading me on. I've often thought about sending his parents a thank-you note for that.
We stopped going on dates (well, he thought we were just hanging out), but he wanted to stay friends and I agreed (I was too emotionally shot to say no). I sulked about it for a week, and I feel sorry for my roommates who had to put up with it. Even though I sulked, that sick feeling had gone away and I was at peace again.
The week after my break-up was General Conference and we roommates spent part of it with Jenny's family in South Jordan. As we were driving back Sunday evening, I half-jokingly said to Jenny, "Gee, it's too bad you aren't dating Andrew anymore. You could set me up with Stephan!" Jenny said, "Actually, we're still friends. Do you want me to talk to him about it?" I told her yes, having decided that I had nothing to lose and that I wanted to get back in the dating scene. This was my chance to get started.
To be continued....
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Our Anniversary
As of Sunday, we have survived our first year of marriage! It's gone by so fast I can hardly believe it. Our first year was no bed of roses by any means. Personally, I think those people who say that the first year is the easy and blissful year are liars. Before I scare any of my unmarried friends, let me tell you that marriage is absolutely wonderful, but it is a lot of work. Our trials were mainly in the financial sector because I was unemployed for most of our first year and then at one point, we were both unemployed. There was also the car accident, health problems (mainly on my part), on top of learning how to be married.
To celebrate, we drove down to Cedar City for the Utah Shakespearean Festival. We stayed at a bed and breakfast called Amid Summer's Inn, which was wonderful and we highly recommend it. The hosts were very hospitable and accommodating; the breakfasts were tasty; and our room was very comfortable. Plus, it was walking distance from the festival. We saw two plays at the festival: Pride and Prejudice and Much Ado About Nothing. After seeing Pride and Prejudice, Stephan decided to download the novel onto his iPod and he has agreed to see the six-hour A&E series in one-hour increments. Of course, I have to agree to read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as part of the deal. Yay?
I really wish we had been able to stay in Cedar City longer, but I had to go back to work today. Employers should give their employees a week off for wedding anniversaries. We had so much fun in Cedar City that we might make this an anniversary tradition. Yes, we're nerds, but we're cultured nerds. Ha!
What are the plans for our second year of marriage? The one we're definitely shooting for this year is having Stephan graduate from college. He is determined that he will graduate in 2011, one way or another. Hopefully, he'll have a job when he graduates, and it may very well mean that we will leave Utah. We shall see what this year brings.
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