A Birthday Fit for a Diva

Maureen came bouncing toward me with her long dark hair flopping on her shoulders.  We were wearing matching purple sheep jammies with Big Sis and Lil Sis embroidery.  The smile across her face was a welcomed surprise to me during an otherwise gloomy semester.  It was September 2000 and I had a bad attitude.  After a sun kissed summer at home, I was back at Chi Omega.  The apartment at the sorority was cram packed with eight girls, my classes were grueling, and I was homesick.   

My Lil Sis changed all that with one big hug in our matching PJs.  Maureen and I spent the next semester engaged in hours of conversation and analysis.  With Mary Poppins playing in the background, we blared the gangsta rap and glorified our diva idol, Britney Spears. 

Our most serious conversations about religion or finances were punctuated with bouts of laughter about musicals and bi-ads.  More often than not, I would drift asleep mid-conversation around 5:00am, just in time to get up again for our 9:00am classes. 

Later in the day, Maureen and I reunited again at dinner before riding together on the scooter to the library.  A detour for 2:00am Burger Hut with our matching diva costumes: flip flops, Chi Omega sweatshirts, and Northface fleases.  Maureen’s diva personality had melted away my homesickness.  To quote the senior couch, Maureen transformed Chi Omega from a house to my home.   

  

On Saturday, Maureen’s daughter celebrated her first Birthday.  Taking after her beautiful parents, Maeve is a gorgeous baby.  Her dark hair is just beginning to frame her cherub face and striking blue eyes.  Of course, Maeve also inherited her mother’s nocturnal sleep patterns and vocal opinions.  Yes, our sweet Baby Maeve is also a diva.

With Maeve’s flare for the dramatic, it should come as no surprise that her first Birthday Party was filled with excitement.  On our way the party, the snow began to fall in inches around Kirkland.  By time we reached Monroe, the streets were covered. 

Pulling into Maureen and Vitaliy’s cul-de-sac, our giddiness over the snow had turned to genuine worry.  And our worries were founded.  Only five minutes prior to our arrival, another party guest’s car had skidded down the driveway and crashed into Maureen and Vitaliy’s garage.  This 1st Birthday party is starting off with a bang!

Inside, Maureen prepared an amazing party.  She paid special attention to detail with pink and green owl cookies, poke-a-dot accents, and tissue flower bouquets.  Hoot Hoot!  The food was delicious too: beef and veggie kabobs, egg rolls, fruit salad, cupcakes, and cereal tray for the kiddos.  And oh the kiddos!  Our friends certainly make adorable children: Dylan, Maddie, Brody, Coleman, Camryn, Brooklyn, Jameson, Emmett, and Ben.  Pictures of Maeve on the big screen reminded us of how quickly they grow.       

When it was time for the cake, Baby Maeve expressly declared her distaste for the song, “Happy Birthday to You” with giant sobs.  Through the commotion, Maureen simply smiled down on Maeve.  All the worries of the day vanished.  For a moment, sweet Baby Maeve melted away the snowstorm outside, just as Maureen has warmed my homesickness so many times over the years. 

Divas come in all shapes, sizes, and age ranges.  But, Maureen, Maeve, and I are three divas that own it!  Happy Birthday, Maeve!    

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

I blame Mr. Schelbert (my 11^th grade US history teacher).  Moreover, I blame the books I have read and hours of the History Channel I have watched.  Not once, did they ever mention the role of vampires in the Civil War.  Of course Abraham Lincoln hated vampires.  Vampires killed his mother, first love, best friend, and two sons.  Vampires thrived in those days by hiding behind the slave trade.  President Lincoln was the man to abolish both.    

I just finished reading Seth Grahame-Smith’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.  In the past, I have befriended novels about the supernatural.  I celebrate Stephanie Meyers’s vampires, Suzanne Collins’s apocalypse, and JK Rowing’s wizards.  But, Vampire Hunter failed to satiate my thirst for literary blood. 

The gist of the novel is that Abe learns his mother was killed by a vampire as payment for his father’s debt.  Oh boy, does that make Honest Abe angry!  Abe dedicates his life to ridding the world of vampires.  His personal vendetta proves successful as he is trained to kill vampires from one of their own.  Ya know who else was a vampire?  John Wilkes Booth.  Obvi.    

My problems with this book were not so much regarding the plot.  My problem with this book was primarily my own confusion.  I struggled to define what was real and what was fiction.  Ok, it’s clear that the vampire element was fiction.  But, the novel also refers to historical cities, battles, political figures, news headlines, journals, and documents.    

My problem with this book was perhaps more of a problem with myself.  I was unable to set aside my love of history long enough to appreciate a work of fiction.  Now that I’ve identified the problem, I’m back to reading memoirs and biographies. 

However, this book does make me wonder what other historical figures may have been vampires.  Edgar Allen Poe?  Lizzie Borden?  Maybe even Mr. Schelbert?!      

La Luna de Miel

Happy 2012 to friends of Under the Old Walnut Tree!  The last month fits into paradoxical categories of busy, productive, and relaxing.  December certainly promises variety: racing to Bellevue Square for last minute gifts, paper-cut fingers from hours of wrapping, and napping on the couch after a giant Christmas dinner.  For a moment, let’s leave December behind.  Goodbye ice scrapers.  So long runny noses.  Adios polar bear slippers.  Hello Mexico!

Three days after the Wedding of the Century, Brett and I boarded a plane for our Honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico. 

After careful consideration, we selected Excellence Resort’s Playa Mujeres as a compromise between utter relaxation and historical intrigue.  Playa Mujeres offered pristine beaches, all-inclusive services, and easy access to Mayan ruins.  Thanks to Jeff, Sarah, and the Whelans for the recommendation!
  http://www.excellence-resorts.com/caribbean-and-mexico-destinations/excellence-playa-mujeres

Our itinerary required a layover in Dallas for approximately 8 hours.  We were initially frustrated that the layover required us to stay in an airport hotel for a few hours before boarding a second plane to Cancun.  In actuality, the layover was worry-free and comfortable.  As newlyweds, the location was inconsequential.  We were just thrilled to be husband and wife!

When we arrived on Mexican soil, we were inundated with the Spanish language.  Amor!  Hearing the Spanish all around me, I was energized and giddy.  In hindsight, one of my favorite aspects of the trip was speaking Spanish, Spanish, and more Spanish.  Brett’s genius shined as he effortlessly recalled Spanish vocabulary and participated in my lengthy conversations with new Mexican friends.  Sharing the Spanish language with the Love of My Life gives me overwhelming joy. 

Our Excellence Resort was positioned on the opposite side of the bay from Cancun’s hotel district, behind a series of gates and security guards. 

The taxi pulled up to the front door, where our concierge greeted us with champagne and congratulations.  “Bienvenidos, Mr. and Mrs. Rafuse ”!  Like music to my ears. 

Excellence Resorts redefined my understanding of “All-Inclusive”.  My mental dictionary now defines all-inclusive as “never having to think about individual needs, desires, wants, wishes, or requirements”.

Food:  The resort offered eight restaurants with all-inclusive menus:  French, Mexican, Indian, Asian, Italian, lobster, tapas, and grill.  Every day at noon, the beach became a ninth restaurant with its taco buffet.  Our hotel room became the tenth restaurant with 24-hour comprehensive room service.  The quality of the food was also noteworthy.  Interesting cuisine, rich proteins, and fresh vegetables.  I highly recommend the beef Carpaccio or tom ka soup.  Yes, I ate raw beef in Mexico.  Daredevil!      

Drinks:  Save water, drink something with a cocktail umbrella.  If you imagine it, they will make it.  We enjoyed ordering exotic drinks and traditional favorites.  Brett’s line was, “Surprise me.”  And the bartenders prepared a different treat with fruits, alcohols, and mixers.  If Brett was slow to finish a drink, the bartender returned with something new to try.  Even bottled water, juices, and sodas were abundant.  Unfortunately, the wine didn’t meet our snobby standards.  Red wine was available, but the variety was limited and one dimensional.  Who needs wine when there are Bahama Mamas!?

Fully stocked bar in our hotel room.

The mini-bar magically refilled each day. 

    

Entertainment:  Every night, a special event was scheduled in the common areas.  In comparison to the variety show and ice skating performance on our cruise in 2009, the entertainment was merely average.  I personally enjoy sultry lounge singers, but there was room for improvement within the Excellence entertainment department.  Our favorite event was the Michael Jackson impersonator.  Mr. & Mrs. Rafuse saw the show as an invitation to sing along to our favorite tunes.  We’ll take opportunity to karaoke!     

Service:  Incredible service.  Above and beyond.  Each day Brett and I made the difficult decision of whether to have room service for breakfast or to eat at one of the restaurants.  Following our gluttonous meal, we proceeded to the private pool. 

The pool outside our room.

Although there was a swim-up pool connected to our room, we preferred the private pool for its generous staff.  The pool attendant reserved lounge chairs and umbrellas for us each morning.  The bartender rushed over with interesting blended drinks and fresh fruit.  

One of our favorite examples of excellent customer service was the private dinner on the balcony during a lightning storm.  The waiter catered to our every need, while granting space for our privacy and romance.  There was plenty of electricity all around!    

As the days past, we got to know our favorite staff.  Adan even invited us to attend his niece’s Quinceañera.  Now, that’s customer service.      

History:  Remember how Brett and I compromised by selecting a Honeymoon that afforded the opportunity to visit Mayan ruins, read a countless plaques, and soak up the history?  Oops.  We opted out of the excursions.  We forgot about the ruins.  We didn’t learn a damn thing about history.  We never left the resort.    

Nature.

In truth, the swimming pool was greater than any historical site.  I have always loved the water, but inaccessibility has generally robbed me of that passion.  The water enables me to move otherwise sedentary legs, to walk across the pool floor, and to feel the delight of muscle strength.  The only thing that made my pool experience more amazing was sharing it with my husband.  Floating around the pool in Brett’s arms is euphoric.  Quite simply, together with the Love of My life, I experienced pure happiness.

Summarily, our Honeymoon in Cancun was excellent.  However, our Honeymoon in Issaquah is the true paradise.  December might bring the chill, but there is plenty of warmth in our paradise Under the Old Walnut Tree.  Feliz ano nuevo, todos!