The next few weeks flew by. After work I had decisions to make each day.

One evening, we went back to dinner at the same place that we had had our first lunch. David said he had something he wanted to show me. After dinner we went outdoors and walked past that building and two others. They were so beautiful. They were hotels, each appointed with spas, meeting halls, banquet halls, restaurants and each a different rich and luxurious theme.

"These are mine...these are ours." he signed to me. I only smiled. I was used to the surprises now.

We walked into the third building, and then into a room of gold. "This is where I'd like to marry you."

We sat down on a beautiful antique settee in the corner and he took out the pad. "I will have the wedding planners work with us," he wrote.

That was no problem for me. I would never be able to plan things properly for this hall.

We walked outside again, and he asked me if I had picked a gown yet. I told him I had a St. Pucchini.

"You will have to go to Paris to have it made right." he signed.

I didn't disagree. This is the gown: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/JanieCallanan/Janie/StPucchiniweddinggown.jpg

I had already decided to carry holly and ivy for my bouquet, and in my hair. And I wanted my train longer. If I were going to be a princess, no princess would out do me in train length!

As we walked, we ended up having our first fight.

“I want you to quit your job." he signed. A blunt statement.

I told him no, I would not be a kept woman.

Again he signed: "I want you to quit your job. I want you to have the time to spend with me."

Again, I told him no. I was getting angrier. "Is that all the respect you have for me?" I nearly shouted. He only looked hurt.

In the end, this would turn out to be the worst mistake I have ever made.

Click back next Wednesday night when Part 9 of David will be posted.

Click back next Wednesday night when Part 8 of David will be posted.

For additional reading:

SHOULD I REVEAL OR BURY THE FAMILY SECRET?

BLACK FLIES AND OTHER INSECTS: Then and Now

OF FIREFLIES AND LIGHTNING BUGS

KEEPING PEACE IN SOUTH AFRICA Part 1

THE BATTLE FOR PEACE

LOGGING IN MAINE AND ON THE PERU-BRAZILLIAN BORDER

BEAR STORIES ACROSS THE NATION

KILLED STRANGELY: A NEW ENGLAND MURDER STORY

WATCHING CORN GROW

HAIR UNAWARE

THE KILLER KITTEN

REACH OUT

SHALIMAR

You were fun to be with
Flying away your worries
Always happy, carefree
In love
Peter

Then she came and flew
To Neverland, stole you
I was first
banished me
replaced

I hurt by your dismissal
My wings withered slowly
My heart broke
You're mean
Dust

Hook gave comfort and compassion
Understood me, comforted me
Locations of you
I divulged
Revenge

I was tricked, silly me!
You are in danger
Peter Pan, run!
Listen now!
Boom!

Save the children from Hook
Even her I envy
My pixie dust
You need
Hero!

Now we are together again
I am extremely joyful
She's back home
Who cares?
Jealousy?

I wonder if Hook is alive
That croc fancies him
Another hand bitten?
Poor Captain
Pity

We lay on a branch
I danced on your hand
I shake glitters
Light up!
Moon

Oh Peter, my Peter Pan
I belong to you
Just hold me
Am always
Tinkerbell

It's one of those stories that starts out all awkward.  You know, where you cringe and think "wow, are you kidding me?" for about fifteen pages in Word before things start looking up.

So just for kicks and giggles, I'll be posting one part a week, probably on Wednesdays (PEPSI DAY!), until I finish.  I'm having a blast writing it, too.  I didn't realize how much yucky love stuff I had forgotten, but my favorite part has been hauling Joey over to read what I've written after I finish a part.  Love's fun.

I tried to be as tactful as possible...the ex referred to in this story as X is not a bad person, he's not a major jerk, and I don't have an X voodoo doll or anything.  I really tried to paint him in a neutral light, but as the author who fell madly in love with someone else, I know I probably failed at least a little bit.  I couldn't get around including him, or I would have.

That being said, please enjoy reading how Joey and I tiptoed around the "does he like me?" phase, continue to disagree about how long we actually did date before we got engaged, and eventually fell madly in love with each other.

He gave chocolates to all the girls living in the University student apartments and asked them to turn their lights on or off at 8pm that night. See the pic for the effect

Truly Breathtaking ! You don't need to guess his sweetheart's reaction.
Hundreds of students came over later to witness this great piece of Art driven by the Greatest Emotion known to Man - 'Love'.
 
Scroll down!

Naalala ko kung pano ako kiligin, sabi makikita mo daw sa mata kung blooming ang isang babae, kahit hindi ito nakangiti makikita mo ang kislap ng mga mata nya. Bakit nga kaya kumikislap ang mata pag inlove? Parang christmas light na kumukutikutitap. Pati mga ngiti ay walang kasing tamis.

Ang sarap ng pakiramdam pag inlove, parang lagi ka nasa cloud nine sabi ng iba, e hindi ka naman lumilipad. Makita mo lang siya parang kumpleto na ang araw mo, parang lahat ng darating na sakuna kakayanin mo dahil nandyan siya. Minsan para kang baliw na nakangiti nakatingin sa malayo. Lahat nang tao kaibigan mo, napapalampas mo ang mga nakaka asar sa paligid mo pag inlove. Kasi isa namang nagpapasaya sa tao e ang pag-ibig diba? Pag may nag mamahal sayo lahat kakayanin mo.

Ang sarap bumalik sa nakaraan.. pero minsan sa sobrang sarap bigla ka magigising o matatauhan ay.. matagal na pala yun... toinks! Maluluha ka na lang bigla, nasan na kaya sya? Okey lang kaya sya? Ano kaya ginagawa nya? Naaalala rin kaya nya ako? Mga katanungan na gumulo sa isip ko. Na nagkaroon ng kasagutan.

Nag log in ako sa friendster ko kanina, my bagong message, pag open ko si Mang Jose. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako o hindi.. (plastic) syempre natutuwa ako, walang pag lagyan yun kasiyahan ko, parang yun puso ko punong puno ng hangin di makahinga sa sobrang saya siguro. Okey naman daw sya.

Parang bigla nagkaroon ng instant energy, yun ngiti ko lalong tumamis.. basta ang sarap ng feeling. Yun lungkot na nararamdaman ko biglang nawala. Kung alam lang nya kung gaano ako kasaya ngayong nagparamdam ang nawawala kong boypren. Parang lahat ng nasa paligid ko ay maganda, pati mangkukulam ay nagiging angel sa paningin ko.. :)

This New Version of the film is longer and more involved, without feeling tedious or forced. I would recommend this to any fans of foreign films, and to any one looking for a good story.

Alfredo: Living here day by day, you think it's the center of the world. You believe nothing will ever change. Then you leave: a year, two years. When you come back, everything's changed. The thread's broken. What you came to find isn't there. What was yours is gone. You have to go away for a long time... many years... before you can come back and find your people. The land where you were born. But now, no. It's not possible. Right now you're blinder than I am.
Salvatore: Who said that? Gary Cooper? James Stewart? Henry Fonda? Eh?
Alfredo: No, Toto. Nobody said it. This time it's all me. Life isn't like in the movies. Life... is much harder.

Book Description
"Dana is my life force."

--Christopher Reeve

"A terrible thing happened. I wish it hadn't. But would I change who I married? Never."

--Dana Reeve

He was a hero in every sense of the word--the chiseled-from-granite star of four blockbuster Superman films and the romantic classic Somewhere in Time who, after being paralyzed in a freak horseback riding accident, became a symbol of hope for millions. Dana Reeve was no less heroic, standing steadfastly by her husband's side until his surprisingly sudden and unexpected death at age fifty-two. When Dana, a non-smoker, passed away from lung cancer just seventeen months after Chris's death, she left behind their thirteen-year-old son, Will, to be raised by friends and family. Dana was only forty-four years old.

That fate could have dealt such a cruel hand to this golden couple seemed unfathomable. That they could endure it all with grace, courage, and humor defied belief.

Yet for all the millions of words that have been written about their public causes and private struggles following Chris's accident, little is known about the lives they led as passionate young lovers. Now, in the manner of his poignant-yet-stirring bestsellers Jack and Jackie, Jackie After Jack, An Affair to Remember, The Day Diana Died, After Diana, and The Day John Died, No. l New York Times bestselling author Christopher Andersen draws on those who knew them best to examine in touching detail the Reeves' unique partnership and the romance, faith, and fortitude that defined it.

Sometimes heartbreaking, often uplifting, always compelling, Somewhere in Heaven is more than just a portrait of a marriage. It is the profoundly human story of two souls whose brief lives made a difference, a bittersweet saga of tragedy, triumph, and loss, and--above all else--a love story for the ages.
Christopher and Dana Reeve- New Book Info
Posted to Operation Save Clark Kent Video Channel by kateblake_2000 on July 14, 2008

Click to Play | View Details

To Show Your Support of Christopher and Dana and their efforts- give a donation to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. CRF is dedicated to finding a cure for paralysis. The PSA Erica Durance did for the organization talks about Dana and her efforts and role in the caregiver community.

Just then, a third pigeon (probably male) entered the scene. It came close the 1^st male and tried pushing him off the female. And he even seceded in his task. The 1^st male made a loud sound. I feel it was the pain of separation from his love. Furiously they both started fluttering their wings and (I guess) started hitting each other. A punch there and a flying wind attack here. Both showed off their fighting skills and tried to impress the female. The fight continued for some more time. Some more muscles were flexed and some more feathers were shed.

"Hi honey. I was hoping that you would come. Those freaks were bugging me." would the female pigeon have said while taking off towards the 3^rd male pigeon on the adjoining roof. "Let's go home." replied the 3^rd male. And they both departed the scene leaving the first two pigeons in total bewilderment.

The 70-year-old Chinese man who hand-carved over 6,000 stairs up a mountain for his 80-year-old wife has passed away in the cave which has been the couple's home for the last 50 years.

Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojiang a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu Chaoqin..

In a twist worthy of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, friends and relatives criticized the relationship because of the age difference and the fact that Xu already had children.

At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman.. To avoid the market gossip and the scorn of their communities, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing Municipality.

In the beginning, life was harsh as hey had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives.

Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, 'Are you regretful? Liu always replied, 'As long as we are industrious, life will improve.'

In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.

Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, 'My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day. He hand carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother's convenience, although she doesn't go down the mountain that much.'

The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife's hand even after he had passed away.

'You promised me you'll take care of me, you'll always be with me until the day I died, now you left before me, how am I going to live without you?'

Xu spent days softly repeating this sentence and touching her husband's black coffin with tears rolling down her cheeks.

In 2006, their story became one of the top 10 love stories from China , collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever.

Love Poems
Love SMS
I Love You

And you weren't too far off with your Momento hypothesis...Chapter 3 jumps to winter and then goes back to summer and then back to the winter all in a matter of paragraphs...it was all very Momento-esque. That and Mole's polaroid of Toad that reads "Don't Trust this Amphibian".

I'm also struck by the infinite patience of Rat (or Ratty, if you prefer--I prefer Rat). First Mole sneaks away after Rat has warned him of the dangers of the woods. Then he can't turn back right away because he's "dead beat" and then he trips and cuts his shin (do Mole's have shins?). I know that by the time I got to Mole's stumble I was thinking, "Good God Mole--get it together!". But not our Rat, he just tends to Mole with kindness and sympathy. I'm really touched as I get to see this love evolve. I'm ranking The Wind in the Willows right up there with Love Story and Brief Encounter as my favorite tales of true romance.

It almost makes me rethink my view of Rats and Moles, but if I'm honest with you and myself I have to admit that if I stumbled across one of these woodland creatures I'd probably react just as I did pre-Willows--by running away shaking my hands in the air screaming "The Rabies. The Rabies. They're trying to give me the Rabies."

Chapter Four tomorrow and then we'll be even steven.

Jon

P.S. I remember that Duck Ditty very well...was it not inspired by a duck attack that you survived?

Hearing your voice this morn has left me forlorn; as I sit at my window, gazing up through the trees, whose ancient branches once brought a false sense of comfort and peace, I now see as confining, constricting, threatening to consume; if I don’t flee this place soon, surely I shall go mad.

The sky grows ominous, as a storm brews and threatening thunder rumbles over the dark gray river; my heart leaps with each powerful boom, soaring toward you; to the comfort and truth I know awaits me in your loving embrace. My only fear being that once I find myself there, I will never find the strength to pull myself away; for as near as our union lingers, so does the shattering moment when we must once again part. My tears spill and stain this page at simply the thought; and I dare not wonder what the actual moment will bring, lest I drown in a pool of my own sorrow.

So many years separated us, so many miles still do; and for what? So that we might bring to our table the truth of life as we know it, as we have found in our separate search for oneness; a truth that few others could or would dare try to comprehend; the hand of fate so unfair to be cruel. And while you speak of deaths splendor in my own loving embrace, surely you must know that the same hand of fate has already written this plan, and yet there is still so much life to be lived; so much lost time to be made up for; so much work yet to be done; together, as one. Please let us not rush the inevitable; for that day will come when the universe decides it is time, and I have no doubt it will be a moment recorded in history; etched in the stars.

Your knowledge and travels far surpass that which I have been able to achieve, which leads me to know with complete and utter certainly, in the depths of my soul, that all I have left to learn, will be taught to me, by you.

As I bring this moment to a close and begin another day without you, never forget that I long to take your hand and begin our life together, as I have never longed for anything before. My solace is found in knowing that you’re waiting for that moment too.

No, my love, there are no endings.

Forever yours and yours alone,
Lissa

As I was frying the noodles, I sms Daphne and told her I am cooking and all of them have to say that it is nice, whether it actually is nice or not and she actually agreed.

When we arrived, we took a while to find them as the beach are filled with people, and it is a damn huge place to be looking for a small group of people. I think the last time I went to Siloso Beach was months ago, with Patricia and girls to Cafe Del Mar. So, I got a little shock to know that there are so many people at the beach.

The Boyfriend and me settled down as I started eating the food. Daphne prepared sushi and it is damn nice. She made these sushi rolls and Tian had to help me to cut it. It definitely taste better than those cheap Japanese Restaurant as she ain't skimping on the fillings. Alex made tiramisu and I was surprised that it actually taste very nice. I told him my opinions and a little fine-tuning, I am sure his tiramisu is going to be a lady killer.

Daphne's yummilicious Sushi

The early attendees - Daphne, Joanne & Tian

We laze at the beach, eating and talking. Daphne brought along her dog, Nicole and she is a little bundle of endless energy. She just keeps running around and making friends with everybody. Damn cute lor. Alex is a animal abuser, he tied a balloon around her waist.

Evident that the poor little creature got a balloon as a float

The little ball of energy

Daphne had to bring Nicole into the sea to swim, as well as to get the sand off her face whenever Nicole starts rubbing herself in the sand. As we were sitting there to talk, Daphne started telling us funny things about Alex.

Daphne and the group went to pick up Alex and when she saw Alex, standing below the block with his picnic basket, she started laughing as usually, only ladies would bring picnic baskets. When they arrived, they were discussing about the picnic mats that we would bring and they were guessing that I am going to bring a pink pokka dot mat. When Alex took out his mat, it is a blue pokka dot mat and everyone was laughing like siao.

He and his picnic basket

Then, Alex brought along balloons and started twisting and turning the balloons to make it into all sorts of shapes for us. I jokingly asked him, was he a part-time clown last time, twisting balloons and juggling all at the same time. The Boyfriend was commenting that he is very attentive, but we felt it only worked on the guys. Damn funny!

As it started to get dark, we made our way to Cool Deck, where they are having this Jazz Event. Damn ATAS lor... On the way to Cool Deck, Alex said that he wants to hold the leash of the dog, so that it can be a 'babe magnet'. As we were walking, the first group he met was a 4 year old girl with her parents. The Boyfriend laughed and said if he had attracted the wrong 'babe'.

We sat at Cool Deck, where Ruth Ling and her friends are on the set. We had beer and some finger food but everyone was filled to the brim with the over-whelming amount of food earlier that we didn't touch too much of it.

Jazz Event at Cool Deck

Joanne and Alex

Alex whipped out siren stick from his bag and we started laughing. Daphne kept saying he is gayish and when he even took out candles and candle holder, we almost fell off our chairs. How many man in this world actually brings along candles and candle holder to the beach. I can confirmed, he is a mommy boy!!! *giggles*

Alex made this flower out of siren stick and everyone had fun posing and taking pictures with it. Daphne even KNIGHT Alex as "Sir Alex of Ang Mo Kio', before changing her mind and LADIED him as 'Lady Alex of Ang Mo Kio' with the flower that is filled with water. The Boyfriend and me had a really good laugh over this. As I see it, it looks like she is using flower water to cast the evil spirits out of him rather than knighting/lady him.

Sir Alex Of Ang Mo Kio

Happy Daphne with her birthday present from Alex

The Boyfriend and Me

As The Boyfriend is a vegetarian and he couldn't find any food in Sentosa, we made our way out for dinner. The Boyfriend is damn sweet. He planned to go get a cake for Daphne after dinner and we racked our head on where to get cake at such late hours.

After dinner, I smsed Joanne and we planned on how to trick Daphne to meet at a place after we get our cake. At the cake shop, I ran in and got the cake while The Boyfriend waited in the car for me. We rushed back to Vivocity and started liaising with Joanne on how to bring Daphne to Vivocity without her knowing.

Our plans worked and Daphne was brought to Vivocity, not knowing what surprise awaits her. Though it is just a birthday cake, and it doesn't worth a lot, but The Boyfriend and me really went around looking for it. Light gift, heavy thoughts lah...

We did a short cutting cake session and went home. We didn't want to delay too long at Vivo as the cake is a ice-cream cake, it would turn into milk shake lor...

Daphne and her birthday cake

He kissed her once; he kissed her twice and said, "Now that's addition."

In silent satisfaction, she sweetly gave the kisses back and said, "Now that's subtraction."

Then he kissed her, she kissed him, without an explanation, and together smiled and said, "That's multiplication."

Then her Dad appeared upon the scene and made a quick decision. He kicked that boy three streets away and said, "That's long division!"

The plot summary (from IMDb): A British romance that spans several decades. Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.
IMDb labeled this film's genre as Drama, Romance, and War.

I haven't been overwhelmed by a movie in a long time, especially never in such a way that I almost couldn't sleep. Atonement is such a painful movie. But it doesn't mean I didn't like it. This movie is one of the greatest I've seen. Dramas are really not on top of my preferred movie genres, but I want to try one from time to time. This tops my drama list. Although I didn't shed a tear while watching, my heart, its innermost depth was definitely reached and I never could have imagined something so painful before.

It may seem odd that I liked a movie because it pained me. Yes, it was really sad and caused emotional aching but somehow it was "pleasurable" for me to get overwhelmed like that from watching a movie. It was just a movie after all. But it made me think, a lot. Only a powerful movie, and not because of any special effects, with one of the best writing, acting, cinematography, score and directing (Director is Joe Wright) could deliver such.

The director, Joe Wright, also directed the movie "Pride and Prejudice." In Atonement, I really appreciate his detailed, meticulous way of telling the story. The cast delivered a first class acting. There was also one war scene (World War II) in the movie which I've read, could be "one of the best ever executed in cinematic history." I agree though I won't elaborate futher for spoilers' sake. :) And to top it all, the ending could never have been guessed. Suprisingly unexpected.

I recommend this movie, especially to those who like deep movies. But if you just want to chill and watch a happy, entertaining movie, Atonement may not be the one for you for the mean time.

Well, luckily, for the time being, California is taking a stand and making it legal, and so I wanted to show my support however I could. I have been nagging my friend to please spread the word to all her lesbian and gay friends that I want to photograph a Gay wedding. Finally, Jessamyn, another photographer, contacted me and told me about the competition she held on her blog, asking gay couples to share their story and then she would pick the best story and photograph their wedding for free. She told me that she had picked the winners but that she was so bummed not to be able to photograph all the weddings.... and I said, "Pass them to me, I'd love to."

So Wednesday afternoon, I drove to SF and met and photographed the weddings of two different couples. Here are my photographs of one of the ceremonies along with the story they submitted for the contest:

Our story: we met 22 years ago and have lived together 20 years. I was previously married and had a 4 month old baby boy when my husband died of a sudden heart attack. I met Marguerite when Michael was almost 4 years old, and I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have found love again. Marguerite had not had a serious love affair before me, although she had been out as a lesbian for several years. We were introduced by a mutual friend--someone I had known for many years and someone Marguerite met while she was delivering the mail! It was love at first sight and we have been together ever since. I am now 63 and Marguerite is 55. Marguerite is the first-born daughter of Chinese immigrants and she has now quit the post office and is a pharmacist. My background is Southern US and Caucasian, and I have been in CA since high school. I am a pediatric nurse practitioner. We both lived in Berkeley for many years before we met and still live in our home in north Berkeley. When our son Michael was 9, Marguerite adopted him and we have been his official parents since then, although he considered her his other mom before that.

We never thought of ourselves as the marrying kind. We hadn't been involved in pushing for same-sex marriage in the past, but during the marriages in 2004, we both realized it might be for us. We had just decided to make a date at City Hall when the decision to annul those marriages came and we put the marriage idea behind us. I told our son it would never happen in my life-time. The day of the Supreme Court decision, I just didn't even want to know about it, because I knew the decision would be against us. I learned of the decision via e-mail while at work, and I immediately texted Marguerite and asked her to marry me. She responded yes! We both could not believe how happy we were, and how suddenly we became the marrying kind! I felt legitimized and normal--it was and is a great feeling. Our son said, "Now maybe I could someday get married," and we found out he had decided that he couldn't get married until we could get married.

We looked for rings and finally decided--similar but not identical bands. I wanted a new dress, and found a beautiful dark blue dress that I love. Our friends and family are so happy for us and have been really great and we are looking forward to both the ceremony and the party.

We decided on SF City Hall for two reasons--it is totally beautiful and it is totally historic. If it weren't for Gavin, we wouldn't be getting married at all. We have friends who stood in line for 12 and 13 hours in 2004 to get married at City Hall, and the people at City Hall were just wonderful, kind, generous and we want to honor them and the City of San Francisco by getting married there ourselves. And we love the City--we always feel we can go anywhere and be welcomed as a couple.

Thank you so much for your offer. Pictures can be so special--ours will be snapshots taken by friends and hopefully by someone at City Hall so we can get one of our whole party. It's hard for me to express just why I think what you are doing is so great, but it has to do with that feeling of being normal and legitimate. And the positive regard from people like yourself is like being bathed in sweet warm sunlight, after having been in a dark cave for awhile. You are very kind to make this offer and I know all of us, whether selected or not, truly appreciate you.

As Martha and Marguerite walked down the stairs after their ceremony, the next couple waiting to get married with their wedding party, started clapping and congratulating them. And that is how it felt the whole day. It was so fun to watch all the other couples who were there standing in line and waiting excitedly with their partners. It felt so good to be even a small part of such an important part of human right history.

If you cannot read Bangla.

You need the Avro Keyboard.

Get it from here>>> Avro Keyboard

E-books

Sutonuka   Kalagul   Buthpurnimay  Oshomshahosi  Love-poems

Shoponayr-shopno  Kobita-by-me-kobiabdul  chikonmia