Another Week Passed!

Log on at Living to Tell the Story and share your own Friday's Fave. Five!

1. Lakeview Christian School Daycare ♥♥♥
Last Friday, I told you that I was just hired by Cracker Barrel.  I got another job this week!  On Wednesday morning, I turned in my application at a local daycare and on Wednesday evening, they called me and asked me to start Thursday morning! WOW!  It's been a little confusing/stressful trying to finish my two weeks notice at the cemetery, and start at the daycare, and arrange training at Cracker Barrel, while meanwhile being a church janitor. HA. BUT, I feel blessed to have three GOOD jobs.  I really really really loved the daycare yesterday. 19 2-year-olds on my first day was a little overwhelming, but I enjoyed the cuddling, the head-rubbing and back-patting during naptime, and the one-last-hug goodbyes.

2. Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) by Chris Rice ♥♥♥


Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die, o raise your head, for love is passing by. Come to Jesus! Come to Jesus and live!
Now your burden's lifted and carried far away; and precious blood has washed away the stain, so... sing to Jesus! Sing to Jesus and live!
And like a newborn baby, don't be afraid to crawl; and remember when you walk, sometimes we fall... so fall on Jesus! Fall on Jesus and live!
Sometimes the way is lonely and steep and filled with pain; so if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then... cry to Jesus. Cry to Jesus and live!
O, and when the love spills over and music fills the night; and when you can't contain your joy inside, then... dance for Jesus. Dance for Jesus and live!
And with your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye. Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side... and fly to Jesus! Fly to Jesus and live!

3. I Shot a Gun ♥♥♥

On Wednesday night, my college/young adult destination unknown group had a time of "personal and gun safety" and a local police officer came to advice the new college freshman on personal safety.  Marion isn't quite like Noblesville or Gary or Indianapolis, Indiana; but it isn't quite like Mayberry either.  So it was a good idea! After the talk, we went into outside to shoot real guns. I was nervous... pretty nervous, but I thought, "Go big or go home!"  So I shot the shotgun! TWICE!  *Crossing "shoot a gun" off my bucketlist! :)

4. Bangs... ♥♥♥

I got these yesterday. I haven't had a drastic hair change (if you can consider going from 'no bangs' to 'bangs') since I was probably 17, but I decided it was TIME.  I also really needed a trim - hoping it will speed up some hair growth (which is almost a foreign idea to me, despite how quickly my twin sister's hair grows!) before my wedding in only 64 (SIXTY-FOUR!) days.

5. Girls' Night ♥♥♥

I'm really looking forward to a much-needed, very fun girls' night tonight.  More tissue paper pomanders, more scones, more laughs, more memories, and who knows what else!  My fiancé could be arriving in America one month from today and I'm wanting to spend much time with my girls AND get most of the wedding things pulled together before he comes!

Love love love, Jewel

A Magical Place

Last night, my mom and I sat down to plan my honeymoon.  It was an EXPERIENCE!  My parents have a timeshare (that we have been trying to sell for months and months and months!) and Mom and I spent hours on the RCI website last night looking at the few still available resorts in Florida - North, East, South, West, and the Panhandle.  Many had pictures that left much to be desired, others had beautiful pictures of gorgeous rooms, views, and property, but reviews included statements such as:

• "I couldn't turn on the kitchen light because the switch was behind the refrigerator."
• "If I were you, I wouldn't walk barefoot on the carpet..."
• "When we arrived, we found cigarettes in the ashtray, dirty glasses, and dirty linens." 
• "We couldn't sit around the pigeons on the balcony or through the pigeon poop on the already dirty window."
• "When you're sitting on the toilet, the sink stabs you in the side."
• "If you are looking for something nice, run in the other direction!"

YUCK!  My living standards are not extremely high, but I am not wanting to spend the first few days of my happily-ever-after in anything like what is reviewed above.  So it took some searching.  My only expectations were:

Finding a honeymoon spot where we can visit:

Disney World

and spend our days here:

The Beach

We finally found one that I expect won't be too cramped or gross.  I'm looking forward to having coffee and conversations on our own personal ocean-view balcony (hopefully not on the 1st floor,) taking early morning and late night walks on the beach, playing Scrabble on our little table, and exploring Daytona as husband and wife.

When my sister and I were maybe four-years-old, our parents took us to Magic Kingdom and it rained some before the day ended with a horrible storm.  I haven't been back since, and I have never been to (or heard much about) Epcot.  For those who have been to either or both, which would you recommend for two twenty-something newlyweds??  I'm leaning towards one, but I really want to know what others say, so thanks for advising!!

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom: Enchanting entertainment, classic attractions, beloved Disney Characters and spectacular parades and fireworks in a place where fairytale dreams can come true.

OR

Epcot

Epcot: Attractions and entertainment dedicated to technological innovation and the culture and cuisine of 11 nations.

Love love love,
Jewel

Oh My Stars and Garters

Zounds, zoinks, and zippity doo, today is August 1st! AUGUST FIRST! No puedo creerlo (I cannot believe it!) My wedding is in 88 days. EIGHTY-EIGHT DAYS!  I am in disbelief that the time has flown by so quickly.  Disbelief.  I am overwhelmed that I have few days to finish everything.  Overwhelmed.

I need shoes...
and jewelry.
My bridesmaids need shoes...

and jewelry.
I have no gifts for the bridal party.
I haven't registered.
I have no idea what to register for.
I need to make the invitations.
I need to plan the honeymoon.
We both need rings.
I don't have a menu.
I have no idea where everyone will stay, OR how they will get from and to the airport.
What is a rehearsal dinner?
I need flowers.
I need decorations.
I need to confirm my cake design.
I need to find someone to videotape the wedding.
I need to ask my pianist to be my pianist.
The groomsmen need ties.
Who knows what else I am forgetting??!

Oh, and as of September 5th, I will unemployed! :)  While that means more time to pull everything together, it also means no money to pay for it! Woo hoo!!

Love love love,
the future  Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol

Happy Wedding Planning

Up until now, wedding planning has just been  *stressful*and *overwhelming* [read Confessions of Wedding Planning HERE;] however, just recently, weeks and weeks into the process, I'm starting to actually ENJOY this once-in-a-lifetime experience called 'wedding planning.'  A number of factors could have flipped the switch from fearful to fanciful.

#1) I've made PROGRESS! [Progress is a beautiful thing!] I have met with my photographer and contacted my cake person. I officially reserved the ceremony and reception site, and chose the officiant. My gown and a number of bridesmaids dresses are hanging in my closet.  The 'save-the-dates' arrived on Saturday and a guest list has been drafted. ETC!

#2) I'm feeling very optimistic about Titus' visa being approved SOON.  All our documents have been approved stateside and Titus has a very short to-do list before he can officially schedule the big event - his interview at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh. I cannot cannot cannot wait to see my future-groom!

#3) Thanks to my sweet friend Andrea, I have a new addiction to a website called Pinterest and I am flooded with wedding inspiration.  I have even created my own board of inspiration for wedding ideas - everything from flowers to centerpieces to cakes to photography to food to guestbooks and more!


Brooch Boquet - I'm in love with this idea!*Wish me luck* finding cheap and gorgeous bronze brooches!


In the midst of discussion with my cake baker/designer now...


20 stores later and still looking for THE perfect bridesmaid shoe...


My small branch collection is growing, but is FAR from sufficient!


So anxious to see the flowergirl dresses and ringbearer barong that my friends are bringing home from Cambodia!

Love love love,
the future Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol

I said "Yes!" to the dress!!

At 1:00 on Saturday, twin sis Jessie and I met Loren at McConn coffee shop, then we got in a borrowed mini van (THANK YOU Henrys!! It was so wonderful to be able to ride together and only buy gas for 1 van instead of 2 cars!!!)  We picked up Janna and Jessa, then my mom, then drove an hour to sister Joni's house in the Indy-area.

Unfortunately, my fifth bridesmaid, Stephanie, was unable to join us this weekend, and I missed her very much.  Loren is graduating with me in 3 weeks and moving to LA.  Jessie is going to the Philippines for 7 weeks, and will only be home a short time before moving to NY - so I was lucky to get 4/5 together before those girls go separate ways.

We looked around at two dress stores before my appointment at David's Bridal.  I had fully prepared myself to allow Jessie, Joni, Janna, Loren, and Stephanie to choose any dress they like in the same color and material; HOWEVER, and I am blessed with wonderful bridesmaids that all liked the same dress! Actually, the dress we chose was everyone's second favorite, but they knew it was my favorite and insisted that it's my wedding and my choice.  I'm totally not used to this!!


Jessie, Joni, myself, and JessaLoren, Mom, and Janna The girls convinced me to look at bridal gowns since we were already there and the store would be open a while longer.  We made an appointment for 40 minutes later, and walked across the parking lot to Panera Bread, where we ate dinner outside (beautiful day!) and chatted.

After dinner, we walked back and I picked out 4 or 5 dresses.  The first dress that I tried on was my dream dress from the David's magazine; however, I didn't feel so dreamy wearing it.  It was one size too large and it looked better on the model than on me. I wanted to give up. I was sure that it would take hours and I was already a little tired, but I agreed to try on another. I liked the second dress better, but didn't love it. I liked the third dress better, but it still wasn't right. We agreed that it was too big, so Jessie went to find it in a smaller size. She brought back a similar dress in a smaller size and it was aboslutely, wonderfully perfect (and she takes pride in picking it out.)

I knew it was the dress that I simply must wear to walk down the aisle and meet my groom. I can't wait for him to see me wearing it (but not a day before the wedding!)  When I decided that it was the perfect dress, I had not yet looked at the price tag. When the attendant was putting my information into the computer and writing the bill, I still had neglected to look at the price tag.  Realizing this, I started holding my breath. After plane tickets and visa expenses, my wedding budget is small.  Praise the Lord, the dress was more than 50% reduced AND well below my budget!!! I feel like I bride now... I'm just missing the groom!


Afterwards, we walked across the parking lot again to Coldstone Creamery and celebrated with ice cream. It was an incredible day.  I am grateful for the time spent with Mom, my sisters, my bridesmaids, and my friends.  Love them!  Thank you Jesus for overwhelming me with blessings and your loving-goodness!

Love love love,

Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol to be

Words of Advice

In response to my "Confessions of wedding planning" post, my dear second cousin Maria shared these awesome words of advice. [I translated this in my own words, but it's Maria's message.]

The wedding is only a few hours; the marriage last significantly longer. Take a break from colors and little wedding details, and spend time reading genuinely good books about healthy relationships and marriage. Spend time planning the marriage, not just the wedding. Also, enjoy your remaining time of being single and having no responsibility of being wife or mother.

When we get engaged we think of nothing but the wedding, when we get pregnant we think of nothing but the birth, when we're in school we think of nothing but the graduation. In truth, life isn't all about the significant points, the majority of our LIFE is the process of getting to those points. If life consists mostly of the process, I need to not forget to enjoy the inbetween times.

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."


We're getting married!!!

Does anyone have any suggestions for genuinely good books about healthy relationships and marriage?

Thank you, Maria.

Love love love, Jewel
the future Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol

Spring Break: Family Style

So maybe my Spring Break wasn't as exciting as others - I didn't see the beach, or go to an amusement park, I wore my coat all week, I experienced major stress, and I did homework almost everyday (but not enough) - but it was a good week.

I ate out a lot - something my dad considers "a special occasion," but something I consider a drudgery mundane, as I believe my family eats out too often to be considered special. HOWEVER, this afternoon I did enjoy a wonderfully pleasant meal out with with Jessie (twin sis) and two special girl friends. Lunch at Aunt Sue's Tea Room with Andrea & Suzanne was a special occasion for a few reasons, because it is a rare occasion, because it is a celebration of our friendship, and because within a few weeks, Jessie will be gone for a number of months, and a few months after that, I will be moved-away indefinitely.

Every night since returning from New York on Wednesday, Mom, Dad, Jessie and I have gathered at the table for "family game night." After two or three games of Jessie and I winning Nertz, Mom and Dad beat us at Euchre. However, last night we did something as a family that we haven't done since Jessie and I were probably in elementary school: we went bowling! It was so much fun! Before bowling, we went to Grandmom's and had pizza, and after bowling we rented Inception from Redbox, and watched it in the comfort of our own home. What a crazy movie! I don't watch the Emmys, the Grammys, or anything of that nature, but I'm certain Inception has won lots of awards. If it wasn't 11pm when the movie ended, I could have watched it again! (And I think I will later today!)

I also made huge progress in the wedding-planning process. I chose one more bridesmaid, designed our homemade invitations, and spent a few hours editing our website (which I will launch upon confirmation of the entire wedding party.) Below is a small taste-test of our invitations:

Think "copper embellishment." I was so excited when I found a rubber stamp of dragon flies; can you imagine why? Because there were so many gorgeous blue dragonflies flying around Titus and I when he proposed on the rock beneath the waterfall!

I am looking forward to tomorrow because I love Sundays and sharing the day with my church family [and this Sunday celebrating Grandmom's 82nd birthday;] however, I wish Spring Break didn't have to leave. It's my last Spring Break EVER!

Love love love, Jewel

Confessions of wedding planning...

I thought planning a wedding would be fun; however, thus far it has only turned out to be stressful and overwhelming.

Any advice for someone who is 12 time zones from their fiancé? Seriously. I could use it.

I have even threatened to elope, but truth be told, I would never consider it. Sharing the special day with family and friends is very important to me. I have even threatened to let my sister and wonderful friends plan everything, but of course, I cannot do that either... it's my wedding and I'm only getting married once.

Thank you to my wonderful mom and sister, who patiently waited while I contemplated every single color of paper at Hobby Lobby this afternoon. I finally chose a green, a purple, and an ivory, and I plan on starting to design my homemade invitations while I am still on Spring Break. :) Hopefully, my to-do list will be one point shorter before Monday morning.

The Bridal March

I am usually pretty traditional when it comes to things, but I have chosen to replace a few wedding traditions - such as: The Bridal March - with more faith-oriented ones. Great is Thy Faithfulness has always been one of my favorite hymns, and I am thinking about using it for the processional, recessional, or both.



My friends have told me that I should stop asking other people for opinions regarding my wedding because it is MY WEDDING and what they think/like shouldn't affect my decisions; however, I am so inclined to do this! On that note, feel free to comment if you like this idea, but please don't comment and tell me that you don't like it. :) Thank you!

Love love love, Jewel
the future Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol

Catching up on life...

7 ½ weeks. In seven-and-a-half weeks, my four-year college experience will be over forever. Not just for the summer, but forever. After I graduate April 30, 2011, never again will I live on this campus with my 3,200 IWU classmates. [A profound realization; I know.] Some of these friends I will never ever see again and eventually I will lose contact with professors who have invested so much in me over the four-year experience.
After I graduate, I’m going to return home and live with my parents for awhile. Then I’m going to get married, live with my husband, and create my own home. Then I’m going to move to Cambodia, far away from so many people that I love and care about very much, and...

So what does that mean? That means I'm making a BUCKET LIST - a list of all the things that I dream of doing before I graduate. Do I dare write "Sleep on the lawn" on my list? I haven't decided, but whatever I do decide, it will be exciting. Making a bucket list is one of my "to-do's" for Spring Break!

In honor of Spring approaching, I have taken up a new habit - running.

RUNNING!

Miracle of miracles, today I ran two miles.

TWO MILES!

I couldn't believe it; I certainly surprised myself! I have been faithfully doing Zumba three times a week since August or September, and occasionally going to the gym, but I don't think I have actually run in two or three years. I may be a little premature to commit to running a 5k this summer, but the best means of accountability to making a public profession. So here it is: I'm going to run a 5k in May 2011.

In regards to "Wedding Wednesday," I drafted a QUIZ this evening. If you attend my wedding reception, you will have the rare and exciting opportunity to be TESTED on how well you know Titus and I. Of course I won't be giving away any answers today. [Because I am sure you are all the type to copy the answers and keep the paper in your "important papers drawer," then bring the answers to the wedding and CHEAT your way to winning a Cambodian souvenir.] However, you might want to know the following:

1) Titus' real name (here)

2) How Titus and I met (here)

3) How Titus proposed (here)

4) Everything else.

Countdown:

Our tentative wedding date is officially 233 days away - that is thirty-three weeks and two days!! Still plenty of time to choose my cake, dress, colors, bridesmaids, menu, and everything else. Right?! If the wedding were tomorrow, I wouldn't care about any of those things!

Anyways.. look forward to Friday! I'm going to re-join the network of "Friday's Fave Five!"

Wedding Wednesdays: Cakes

It's offical. I am now dedicating Wednesday as "Wedding Day." If I do not dedicate one day to weddings, then everyday will become "wedding Day" and I will quickly fall behind in classes, work, sleep, and relationships as I spend hours and hours on Google and flipping through magazines. Now before you starting leaving rude comments like, "Girl, don't you know it's Thursday?!" Yes, I realize that today is Thursday and not Wednesday, but I didn't quite finish my blog yesterday because.. well.. I was busy looking at cakes. :)))

Planning the wedding has been a lot of fun, but it's been overwhelming. I'm assuming that's a normal feeling, RIGHT?!

I am planning an American wedding with an Asian feel, but I'm having difficulty sorting through all the Chinese ideas to find anything remotely Cambodian in America. I cannot [and would not] tell you which cake I have chosen because I have not chosen [and I do not know how I ever will,] but these are a few that I have saved for consideration:

My idea for the 1st cake is to replace the dragon on the bottom layer with lotus flowers. [I do not know the meaning, but Christians in Cambodia disapprove of the dragon.] On the second layer, to replace the chinese characters with Khmer characters spelling "Romdenh" [new-last-name-to-be] or something else. On the top layer, to paint Angkor Wat or a typical stilt house, rather than a Buddhist temple [for obvious reasons.]
I think the second cake would be really awesome with Cambodian fruits [instead of peaches and pears,] such as: purple mangosteens, green and red rambutans, and slices of pineapple.



The Chinese cake, the ivory and burgendy cake with gold embellishments, the yellow cake with sunflowers, and the white cake with multicolored flowers are my favorites. So, I suppose I have at least narrowed it down, but I can't say I'm close to making a decision. The PRICE will certainly aid in making my decision because my budget is pretty small; however, I'm still looking for a cake-maker.

Does anyone have an affordable cake-maker recommendation?
Does anyone have an awesome mango cake recipe?