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Jewel in Cambodia Scarves for Cambodia Journals for the Journey

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Life WITH a fiancé

After getting engaged December 26th, Titus and I spent only two weeks together before being separated again for almost TEN long months.  We exchanged many emails and facebook messages, spent hours on chat and Skype, and even texted some.... but nothing compares to experiencing life together, hand-in-hand, side-by-side... sweet togetherness.  My bff Loren asked me, "How is it being with your man?"  SO. MANY. EMOTIONS.  It's beautiful.  It's fun.  It's weird.  It's hard.  It's dreamy.  It's different.  It's interesting.  It's exciting.

The end of today will mark the end of his first week in America.  He landed in Indianapolis at midnight on Saturday, we arrived home around 2am, and a few hours, went to church.  Church -- the people, the music, the pews, the noise, the offering, the clothes, the building, the parking lot -- so different for him!  He was a little overwhelmed [understandably!] after being greeted by family, friends, and pastors that have heard so much about him.  We had lunch with Mom, Dad, and Grandmom, followed by him opening a cellphone for his belated birthday.

Since then, we have been to Wal-Mart twice.  On our second trip, we met "Uncle" Jolly - one of my profs who is conducting our wedding.  From an aisle or two away, Uncle Jolly recognized Titus (he didn't see me!) and called "Titus?!!"  It was a really special SURPRISE, especially since we were just talking about him on our way to Wal-Mart.

It's been really hard to leave him at home while I go to work.  On Monday night, my parents brought Titus to Cracker Barrel while I was waitressing.  Tuesday night, Mom made spaghetti, while I was waitressing again at Cracker Barrel.  Wednesday, we went to my aunt's house and met aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and siblings for the first time.  That was a special memory, and I really can't wait for him to meet Mom's small side of the family!!

On Monday, my friend Renee took amazing engagement pictures of us in downtown Marion.  That was so much fun, and I was surprised to see some previews already online when we got home that afternoon.  Monday was a productive day - we bought Titus' suit for the wedding and his wedding ring.  We ate at Sunrise Asian Grill, which was really good!  On Thursday, we went on our first date to Steak 'N Shake, and then bought pumpkins to carve before meeting the sweet lady who is making our wedding cake.

Now we are in New York spending a day with my twin sister (and best friend.)  Titus' best man also lives only a few minutes away, so we are going to meet them for dinner after visiting the Asian market for Cambodian groceries.


The first week has been so memorable already, and I can't wait for the next few days, weeks, months, and years with Romdenh Chamnol, my sweet husband-to-be!

Love love love,
Jewel

Saturday, October 08, 2011

Pre- Fiancé Coming to America

I can't remember when I wrote my last blog entry, but I know that it has been a long time.  So much has happened and I wish that I would have had time to write about it.

Some of the very best friends a girl could have threw me a bridal shower at my church last Sunday and it was so special.  I was so touched as each woman and girl around the circle shared how they know me - many for more than 16, 17, or 18 years!  I have gone on trips with many of them, shared a bed with some, worked in the nursery or the kitchen with others... special memories.  Life has changed a lot (I think 'change' is one of the first words that I would attribute to life both present and near future) and I hope and pray that I will be able to keep some of those memories forever.

Other significant events in recent days could include finding our first apartment (after our plans to live in a friend's basement changed,) continuing to work 50-55 hours a week between 3 jobs, Grandmom finally moving home again after three months in the hospital and nursing home, etc.

Titus is on a plane RIGHT NOW somewhere between Seoul, South Korea and Atlanta, Georgia.  We were able to talk a little bit last night during his 12-hour layover in Seoul (thanks to free computers with free wifi!)  He seemed to be doing okay except for the language barrier. He couldn't believe a sandwich and coffee cost him $10. (At some restaurants in Cambodia, 3 or 4 people can eat for $10!)  After a 13.5-hour flight, Titus will land in Atlanta, Georgia.  I sent him a few dollars in quarters, so hopefully he will find a payphone and call me after he goes through customs.

I am so excited for all the special people in my life to finally get to meet him - parents, siblings, grandmom, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends who are like family, pastors... While I know that going to church tomorrow will be very OVERWHELMING for him, I hope that it will be a special memory for him too.

I'm off now to clean the church, to shower, and to spend my last few hours at home before Titus arrives! I have dreamed of this for months and it's all finally happening... the next chapter of My Fairy Tale Love Life starts in less than EIGHT hours!

Love love love,
Jewel

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Hello, October!


Pumpkin Fluff Dip

  • 1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (adjust this to how "pumpkiny" you want it)

In a large bowl, mix together instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping. Chill in the refrigerator until serving. Serve with ginger snaps, Nilla wafers, cinnamon graham crackers, or apples.

[I apologize for not giving credit to where credit is due, but I can't remember where I found this tasty goodness!]

Love love love,
Jewel