A Lovely Time Had By All

Thank you Jen, Lydia, James, and Rex for a lovely lovely engagement party.  It was so wonderful and special.  William & I were really touched that people came out to celebrate.  

Thank you to everyone who came. We have some spectacularly brilliant friends.  

Here are a few photos of the celebration.  More here. 

Anicent Chinese Secrets

Happy Chinese New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Ox.

Let's just see what the Chinese have to say about Will and I and our impeding union.... According to US Bridal Guide:

The Year of the Rooster (Will)

The Rooster is a flamboyant personality, feisty and obstinate. He is quite the extrovert who loves to strut his stuff and is proud of who he is. Outwardly confident, the Rooster is also a trustworthy, hardworking individual. He’ll tell it like it is with no qualms or reservations.

THE EARTH ROOSTER 1909 AND 1969

This Rooster is overtly organized. He is a little reserved and quite careful in his decision-making. These Roosters are hard workers as well, and can handle several tasks at once. They are detail-oriented who are quite efficient and self-sufficient. They take on responsibility without a cause and are motivated only in wanting to be successful. Sometimes they can be abrasive with colleagues if work is not up to their standards. This can cause resentment, so the Earth Rooster must be careful in his approach of his point of view, being sure to be honest and still kin

MARRIAGE

Roosters are not extremely easy to live with. However, if you can get past their bossy, obstinate, my way or no way exterior, you find a wonderfully romantic, caring individual hidden beneath. Their hearts are made of solid gold and they genuinely care abut their family and friends as mush as they care about themselves (believe it or not!). They are not suited for a sensitive partner, again, their candor and wit can be humiliating at times. Roosters can be highly critical of their partners, often expecting too much of them.

THE ROOSTER LOVE PARTNER

Roosters need a stable companion, one who can take everything he dishes out. He needs someone who will stand up to him and his mincing words and out him in place when need be. Roosters also need partners who will deflate them when they are a bit too high on themselves and who can take their constant boasting.

The Year of the Tiger (Me)

The Tiger is said to be lucky vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the Tiger is his incredible bravery, evidenced in his willingness to engage in battle or his undying courage. Maybe he’s so brave because he is so lucky. But the Chinese say a Tiger having a Tiger in the house is the very best protection against the evils of fire, burglary.

THE WOOD TIGER 1914 AND 1974

The Wood Tiger is more adaptable to working with others and therefore does not demonstrate the typical "take charge" attitude of other Tigers. The Wood element adds stability, giving him warmth of character that draws people in and makes the Tiger a popular person. They are not selfish creatures and will give their time, attention or possessions to anyone in need. These Tigers bring a solid practicality to any problem. They can control their urges to completely take over, letting others do the work. They must be aware of their slightly volatile tempers and short attention spans, and not let those characteristics get the best of them or cause them or their loved ones undue pain.

MARRIAGE

Once a Tiger has committed himself to you, he can tend to want to dominate or lead you. This is a natural nurturing mechanism and must be kept under close watch to avoid complete control. For the negative effects a Tiger can have on his partner, there are a zillion positive things he will bring to the relationship. Trust, passion, politeness and spontaneity are only a few characteristics of the Tiger mate.

Partners in Love:

Rooster*Tiger

Both are strong-willed which can make for some difficult roads ahead.

Tiger*Rooster

Little communication causes big issues.

We are possibly doomed....cuz all of this stuff is true, right?

Engagement Gifts

Can you tell which set of parents gave us which engagement gift?

Sylvia suggested that the axe go over our bed, with the sharp bit hanging downward, over Will's side of the bed! teeheehee

The In-Laws

My parents surprised everyone by coming to DC on Christmas Eve to meet the In-Laws. It was a lovely visit, albeit brief. We had a nice dinner, a lovely walk, and lots of laughs.

I think that future meetings will be fantastically fun.

The Sheep In Question

Many have heard the story of how Will proposed to me. "Well, we have this joke.... involving Will's spare change, my dusting, and a sheep...."

The sheep in question is actually a plant holder and I throw Will's spare change in it when he leaves it lying around, usually hidden, for me to find when I dust the living room. Underneath several months of change, was the ring box. Will had been dropping hints for ages about "emptying the sheep" and finally, after about two weeks, I got the hint.

Now the sheep is (almost) empty. I wonder what I will find when it get full again....

An Official Announcement