Zora Travels

Double smiles

 Some days I have the blissful opportunity to see some of the kids I love.  I get to hold them, pinch their cheeks, fall more in love with their squirms and curious glances, swipe velvety curls and hairs from their foreheads....just witness them growing.  There are countless little ones whose laughs, tears, coos, tiny toes, and slobbery mouths I adore...but few live down the street.  Yesterday was radiant with the giggles and acrobatics of both Tafari and Rafaela.

Little man, Tafari, crawled around on our (unusually clean) wood floor showing off his latest talent.  He was mesmerized by his mom's dancing ability and the large Filipino basket.  Ginny's dancing ability actually brought me with her to a tiny island off the coast of Guinea four years ago for a month of West-African dance & djembe drum lessons.  The drumming I quickly abandoned; however, the dancing I pursued with my concrete feet and confused hips for the duration (not that I didn't enjoy an unusually high number of luke-warm beers to keep me engaged).  Ginny; however, brilliantly twisted and jumped, catapulted her hips, swung her arms to symbolize the harvest, and stomped her feet in the pebbly sand....while small children holding baby monkeys chuckled and scrawny chickens with varying colors of yarn (to symbolize to which family they belong) scratched along the sidelines.

The evening held hours of enjoying the gummy grin of Rafaela.  Her tan cheeks and light wispy hair revealing the joys of summer sun.  I have watched her mother breastfeed seven children.  All of them turning towards Mara with absolute adoration; and after nursing, falling from the breast with a gluttonous glow and heavy eye lids.  It still never ceases to amaze me.  Just how perfectly wondrous the act of breastfeeding can be.  My friend, Claire, recently wrote this article on this gorgeous relationship.  And having had a mother who volunteered for La Leche League and many friends who proclaim breastfeeding as the ONLY way to go, her article gave me pause.

And while we're on the subject of babies....I apologize to all friends, acquaintances, and all those to whom I've asked the question, "So, when are you going to start trying?"  This question in its myriad forms, which I've asked a hundred times myself to newly weds, has been launched from the sweetest faces with the best of intentions.  It comes via email, facebook, phone call, wedding cards, and in person.  I recognize that my devotion and adoration of children, having started with my mom's in-home daycare at the ripe-old age of four and continued through constant babysitting and nanny jobs through college, has often given the impression that I would be pregnant with my first post-nuptial breath; but I need a minute.  A few minutes, actually.

This past year, although a bountiful year of experiences and obstacles to work through and strengthen my relationship with Daniel, has also been very stressful.  Dual unemployment was not our intended "2009 Plan," on the contrary, we had this plan in mind.  I am not ungrateful for a year to experience the humbling task of a budget, frank discussions on future, finances, and options...but I am also looking forward to a year with a full-time job.  A year with health benefits (that start August 1st)....and a year that I hope blooms with all of my loved ones in continued strong health, robust love, and a wealth of laughter and peace.  And of course, no more wedding planning.

I am keenly aware that during a recession, my obtaining of a job with great benefits, is a fortunate reality.  The 150+ teenagers in my freshman English class have started to form their predictable shadows in my mind, my dreams, and my nerves.  I am ready to plunge into lesson-planning.  Ready to finger, tab, take notes, and develop projects that squeeze the literary prowess from novels and enliven our classroom and enrich our discussions with their youthful voices and varied experiences.  I am ready again to be a teacher.

Pure Paradise

One week of pure bliss.  That was our honeymoon...probably everyone's honeymoon is captured by those words.  A vacation designed purely to celebrate, relish, and frolic in the happiness of being newly married.

And we did frolic and relish...and relax.  Our normal "pocket-knife and a backpack" travel style gave way to simply waiting for our next meal and rum cocktail by the beach (a  white-sand beach in a small cove in St. Lucia that was surrounded by lush green mountains, by the way).

It was heaven.  A giant creamy sunshine slipping behind the turquoise horizon...leaving swirls of creamsicle, salmon and lime in the sky.  Hours spent basking in the sunshine by sand and our own private pool (and yes, I wore my sunblock).  Finding cover under a thatched roof when the rain drops began to fall.  Being massaged atop a mountain cabana as a light storm pattered the roof above us and magic hands rubbed warm coconut oil into our backs.  Yellow and translucent crabs scampering sideways to their holes...sting rays dusting up the ocean floor at our feet.  Dancing to Soca music on the streets of Castries as smiles painted the faces of all the Lucians around us. 

I've often wondered what all the fuss is about "luxury travel," I mean how could I have known that having a villa with plush robes and a private pool, sweet rum cocktails and glasses of wine, plates of fancy fish and tiny desserts that mesmerized my senses could be so fabulous?  Once in a lifetime for us. 

The next trip will merrily be once again a "camping, hosteling, sandwiches in the car" kind of trip...and that's exactly why we took this honeymoon.

And now we're home.  And home is lovely....but it ain't no tropical island. So, enjoy a montage of paradise, if you'd like.  I'm going to go chop onions for dinner.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Noa's Artistic PHOTOS!!!

of course...the LAST email I checked before leaving for the airport.....was the lovely Noa of Feather Love Photography.

Our vintage perfect photos are up on her blog...with many more to come in the future.

Her artistry was brilliant, her presence - unnoticeable, her photos - AMAZING!

Enjoy them by clicking here.

We're off to LAX.....

Wonderous Weekend

To set the mood - BEFORE reading this post, please listen to this in the background.

 

Daniel sits across from me now.  His freshly-shaven chin leans into his hand (wedding ring visible).  Soca music spills from his laptop and competes with Garth Trinidad's radio show.  Every few minutes he reads more reviews and suggestions for our trip to St. Lucia that begins tonight.  Turns out that we are visiting during Carnival.  Imagine our luck....the streets erupt with elaborate costume parades, steel drum competitions, and soca dance parties.  Near our resort giant leatherback turtles sun themselves on the sand...snorkeling in crystal clear water beckons...and cocktails, adorned with umbrellas and fruit slices, will flow freely from the bar....and back in our ocean-view villa our very own "private plunge pool" awaits.

I can't wait for our honeymoon....I'm abuzz with excitement.  My dad will enjoy our home while we enjoy the sun in the Caribbean waters.  Neither of us have ever been to this nook of the planet.  And although we're staying in a fancy hotel, you can't take the "hosteling/mosquito-net-carrying" mindset out of us...we have packed tupperware to scoop up "inclusive meals" and jaunt off on the bus into various little towns.  Towns that offer fish-frys from old men on the beach, dancing circles that erupt near local bars, Rasta food, and sand bars that allow for hours of simple sitting.

But before our feet trapse in the waters at Jalousie, I wanted to share just a few of my favorite photographs from the weekend....with a wee bit of storytelling.  The professional photographs from the artistic Noa should be available in 5 more weeks.  We can't wait to share them.


Courtney flew down with her son (and my Godson) Jonah for the nuptial festivities.  Here we are at the rehearsal dinner.  I forced myself to sit apart from her because we often get consumed in our own side-story, gossip, and inside-jokes (a growing repertoire since we were 9 years old)...but we often raised our beers toward each other, winked, and shared knowing glances.  For her to stand as my matron-of-honor, holding my hands in the bridal salon, spraying my shaking legs with cooling mist (thanks, Claire), and delivering the only speech of the night that made me cry....was an amazing gift.

Of course, the time with my nephew Sam has been incredible.  If only they lived down the street.  If only I always knew the pajamas that fit him, the book he loved most, the way he likes his fruit sliced, the songs he most enjoys...these little details I capture and relish in his presence...with heartbreak that they will soon change and I'll be once again just the  "Auntie Zora on the phone."

But this weekend, I knew the story.  "Dumbo" on page 233 of his Disney book.  Kathy, my other fabulous bridesmaid, holds a reluctant Becca.

And well, I know she's my niece, but seriously....is there ANY cuter than Becca-Bean-Bear?  I could hold her, sniff her neck, wipe her wispy hair from her face, watch her squish raspberries, blow bubbles with her lips, and dazzle me with her four-tooth grin all day.  I want to stop time when I look at her.

And this young man.  My, what a long journey it's been.  On the day he entered the world, I was anxiously awaiting his arrival along with Courtney's other family members.  We twiddled our thumbs, shot nervous smiles, and felt the sheer anticipation of this amazing boy.

His kind heart, outdoorsy spirit, and wild curls were a pure joy this weekend.  He listened to more topics (including me discussing bikini waxing, manny/peddys, bridal panic, and magic spandex underwear) than most young men his age should every have to.  He rode in the backseat of my car as we approached the wedding site...patient as I replayed my song for the day.

The rehearsal dinner was this golden evening when our two families, two sets of friends, gathered for a casual evening.  Lumpia and pancit were served while Bea (Daniel's Goddaughter & our flower girl) danced with Becca in the hallway.

And if only my immense gratitude for my mother could be captured in words.  Whether it be the ribbons dancing from flower balls, the bouquets and boutonnieres, the moss covered rocks, the shining vases filled with roses for Lola, the placecards swirled with calligraphy, the fountain bursting with succulents, the hosting of the rehearsal dinner, or the tugging of my magic underwear right before I walked down the aisle...she was my hero.  She is my treasured mother.

And she can sing, too.  Thanks to Ding & Daisy who brought their karaoke machine! (and to Daniela & Alyce for setting up the decorations!)

 

Days after the formal evenings...it was beach time!  Hours of sun-bathing, sandcastle building, and wave jumping took place.

 

Jonah also made an incredible friend in Eduard.  Another young man whose zest for life matches his own.

 

 

Sam is a blur in the midst of the men.  Shane, Daniel, John, and Steve all enjoyed watching him spin around the back yard.

 

We took a brief departure from our visiting family & friends and enjoyed a night at Crystal Cove.  Here is our first "vacation hand" picture.  Notice the rings!  It still makes me giddy to see it on his finger!

 

And with our wedding date inscribed in the sand, we bid adieu to the beach...at least for a few days...until we welcome the crashing waves once again on an island.

Happily Married!

What a fabulous wedding night we had!  In one candle lit room...with a fountain gurgling, glasses clinking, and music playing...were gathered almost all of those we both so dearly love.  Standing and dancing together, tossing an abundance of joy and smiles and congratulations our way.  We had so much fun! 

I had entered the evening trying hard to be present...in the moment.  Standing around the corner from the guests, waiting for my musical cue to walk...I kept telling myself to feel the intensity, to experience the anticipation of holding Daniel's hands, to meet his gaze for the first time down the aisle with the intention of truly listening to the words of the ceremony we had scripted.  And indeed the hours passed slowly, luxuriously soaking up the hugs, kisses, and merriment of those in attendance, giving a silent thought for those who were with us only in spirit...and most of all, squeezing my husband's hand...and kissing whenever the guests tapped their glasses.

The music played and we danced for hours.  The decorations, inspired by my vision, given life by my mother, and arranged by Daniela & Alyce, were simple and classy.  Food was forgotten, drinks (rum & diet coke) were in abundance....but I held it together with grace until the very end.  After all beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, and children had left for home...I tipsily crawled into the car with my step-dad, John, at the wheel, Courtney & Kenny in the backseat with me...and my HUSBAND in the passenger seat.  I recall rambling on about the fun, the dancing, the music, and the happiness.

And at 6:00am, after walking home several blocks from the "post-reception" party with Daniel's friends, we climbed into bed as a married couple and relished our first snuggle.  I spun his wedding ring around and around....felt the intricate swirls and stones of my own...and fell asleep with sun shining through the curtains and a smile lingering on my lips.




(Our first dance)

Wedding Bells!

I'm getting married to Daniel today.  Last night, our families sat in my mom's back yard, Filipino food piled on plates, Mexican beers and Cuban cake scattered about, karaoke ballads belting from the living room.  I was aglow with excitement, a wee bit of nerves, and just glorious joy at the merriment, satisfaction, and fortune in my life.

I am marrying a man who choreographed my dad and me on our "father/daughter" dance moves.  My dad's song choice.....tear, tear.

 

 

 

And when we couldn't quite get the hang of it....he stepped in himself.

And my best friend since I was 9 years old is also here to be my matron of honor.

 

 

And Kathy, my dear friend and brother's wife, is also here to be a bridesmaid! We got our manny/peddys yesterday.

 

 

Two maids I love, Claire & Fadime, are celebrating from Chicago and Germany.....and I'll miss them holding my hands and toasting me with champagne....but they'll get flooded with pictures soon.  My mom and step-dad and aunts have been angels.  Daniel's family, despite hearts still carrying grief, are all here with smiles and happiness on their faces.

And it is this man who just kissed me on his way out the door....who is going to become my husband the next time I see him....after I walk down the aisle to this song.

 

 

**Want a sneak peek at the vows I have written?**

"I promise to stand next to you on this day and all the days of my life. 

 

Together we will dream,

we will stumble but restore each other;

we will share all things, serving each other and our fellow humanity."

 

 

 

 

Friends & Loved Ones

These past several weeks have been rich with laughter, pain, tears, and excitement.  When the one you love the most loses someone who has so completely infused their life, personality, and family with strength, courage, faith, and kindness, it is difficult to watch.  Difficult to know what they need.  Difficult to temper your thrill of getting married, having a party, dancing a jig...with their knitted brow of grief, familial obligations, and respectful ceremonies that also need planning, thought, and an open heart.  May Lola Rose rest in peace knowing that her grandson is an incredible man, son, fiance and friend.  His love and that of his entire family was a beautiful embrace that kept her warm, comfortable, and secure until the end.  She knew she was treasured.

In these same two weeks that life has been experienced with many tears and also laughs, we have both enjoyed our Bachelor/Bachelorette parties.  Pics are above and below of these splendid days.