I saw this on someone's blog and thought I would share. Everyone could use a bit more patience, right? I need more patience when I am annoyed. I would never win a $100 from MTV's Boiling Point. That's too bad.

A Bit of Patience / John Celes

A bit of patience works out miracles;
A bit of patience puts off arguments;
A bit of patience problems well tackles;
A bit of patience preserves monuments.

A bit of patience can avoid hatred;
A bit of patience cools one’s anger off;
A bit of patience marks well good kindred;
A bit of patience makes many to laugh.

A bit of patience keeps good friends at peace;
A bit of patience can avoid big wars;
A bit of patience can jealousy cease;
A bit of patience can avoid big scars.

A bit of patience gives good advantage;
A bit of patience is good heritage.

Sorry I've been so MIA lately. Things have been pretty hectic the past few weeks. We're off to Maui tomorrow and will be back on Saturday. We plan on moving on Sunday. Whew..

I'm at Jason's sister's house. Jason fell asleep and we are all waiting for him to wake up so we could leave. It's kind of annoying me right now because we have so much stuff to do at home. I hope he wakes up soon or I will have to wake him up. And, he won't be a happy camper.

I am sooo estatic. School is over and I don't have to go back. Midday, I was thinking of calling it a day, going to get a few drinks with my colleagues, and coming back on Monday to finish up clearing my room for the new teacher, but then, I really asked myself, "Cristina, do you really want to come back on Monday? Finish up today!" I trudged along until I was mentally, physically exhausted and nearly had a nervous breakdown. I called Jason but he was also drained from running around getting signatures to close up and clear up and end his residency, and really was in no mood to put up with me. So I called the next man in my life- Richard. He came to my school in 15 minutes to help me. I love having a brother and I am so glad he didn't go far away to college.

Anyways, I am done with packing up my classroom. Shit, I left so much stuff that I bought with my own money for the new teacher. She might come in and complain that the room isn't perfectly orderly but I hope she realizes that the classroom that I got when I first started teaching was so, so much worse.

Yesterday, was a good first "summer-break day." Claudia and I dropped David and Jason at Mountain View Golf Course and they played with Richard, cousin Matthew, Aunt Jennie, and Uncle David. Later, we had BBQ at my aunt's in her backyard overlooking Los Angeles. It was nice.

Today, we have two Father's Day festivities to go to. Lunch for my dad and dinner for Jason's. Both are BBQ's. I might be a little sick of BBQ by dinner.

This morning I woke up and I had a thought. (I know, "Woah..a thought!) One thing that I miss about college is staying up the whole night and sleeping at dawn. It could be for whatever reason- cramming for the midterm you have to take that day, coming back from a wild rave, or just staying up to talk to a good friend; Whatever the reason, it's so backwards and I love it. I miss it. It's one of those things that probably cannot be planned now with everyone working and with all our adult responsibilities (or could it?). I hope I have one of these long, long nights this summer. Maybe in September when I am in NY? Hmm... That would be awesome.

Dude, I hope Weiker doesn't mind but I had to share this adorable picture with the masses.


Bet you didn't know that Thumper likes to study!

So, my last day of school is over. Thank God. Like I mentioned in my morning post, I was not emotional at all about it. The previous two years, I felt more bonded with my students and it moved me to see them leave me, but this year, I was an emotionless teacher bidding them farewell.

Only one student seemed genuinely sad to say good bye. It was so cute. I saw Michelle, a cute hapa girl, crying as she was walking out the door. She was holding an empty envelope and for some reason my initial thought was that she had lost the card that was inside so I asked her, "Michelle, why are you crying? Did you lose your card?" And she responded with, in the cutest voice imaginable, "No, Ms. Park, I'm crying cause I'm going to miss you" as tears rolled down her cheeks. It was just so cute.

Anyways, tomorrow I'm going in to clean up my room and then I'm out of there. I love my job, but I couldn't be happier. My thoughts are on Maui.

Last day with the kids today. Surprisingly, I am not emotional at all about it. I am currently drained of all energy and want this day over with.

I am so exhausted. You know when you have so much to do that you wish you could just crawl up into a little hole? That is how I feel. Yesterday, I slept for about 12 hours, subconsciously trying to escape from the reality of it all, only to wake up to all of it this morning.

I think posting some fun pictures might help my spirits.


Here is a picture of Rich at Big 5. We were looking for some ski gear and he tried to scare me. Nice.


Here is a picture of Jen studying. She has some wierd study methods, but she swears that this helps her memorize her material.


Here is Chef Cristina trying to make a cake. I know you like the hat!


Me trying to eat Sujan.


Rich trying to eat Thumper. I know we're wierd.

That's all folks!!
One more day. Wish me luck!
Love,
Cristina

Four more days....I think I can. I think I can. I hope I can. Shit, I better.

Here are some pictures of Thumper. Thanks Weiker!


She is sooo cute!


And look how Weiker and Jen torture her!


So sad...


Oh my...


Help!!

Now that I know how to post pictures, I will try to post more. Here are some pictures from my bridal shower! This is fun!


Me and my beautiful bridesmaids!


I love gifts!


Susan making rehearsal bouquet.


Favors made by Jenn.


Get your food!


Who's taking a picture of who?


Ooh, this is cute! Thanks Heidi!


Laughing with Nelsy. I miss you Nelsy!

I have the biggest tension headache right now. I wish I could call in for a sub but my class is going on a field trip to the California Science Center today. Damn. I think I will try to get a massage sometime soon. (Anyone down to make a trip to Burke and Williams with me? Jen? Susan?) That's the only thing that seems to help these kinds of headaches for me. Wierd huh?

Yesterday we went to look at Tahoes and all we came back with are In n Out burgers. What was I saying about self control?

This Friday, I am getting all my wisdom teeth pulled for no other reason than, "I don't like them!" My dentist told me that I really don't need to take them out, that I am "very advanced in my evolution" so they all came out perfectly straight and should not cause any problems in a long time. Anyways, I am thinking of cancelling my appointment because I've just learned that I have a retirement party on Saturday and a birthday party on Sunday that should involve great food and I want to eat! Plus, I'm getting scared. But if I'm going to take them out eventually, I rather take them out now when, because of my age, I don't have as many responsibilites and my body will heal quicker. Maybe I should just wait. Well, we'll see.

Have a great day! I am counting down, but this countdown seems to be lagging. It's going soooo slow.

I'm going to try to post some pictures of the wedding as I get them from other people. In no particular order.


Flowers.


The matron of honor, best man, flower girl, and ring boy.


Pour the champagne!


Husband and wife.


Now you may kiss the bride.


Vinh and the Wu sisters.


Dancing with my father.


Me and Jason.


Church.

I'll try to post more later! :)

I am tired, like, all the time. I was so tired yesterday but I stayed up to watch WB Superstar. I am surprised that more people are not into that show. It's so funny! Well, actually, it's not as funny as it was before, when there were more horrible singers to laugh at, but there are still four terrible singers left to laugh at!

Jason is at Costco right now and I feel so left out! How could he go to there without me?!

Jason and I are looking for a new car. We decided that it would be the best idea if we just had one car in Oregon. Jason says it's to save money on insurance. Plus, we only have one parking space at the apartment we're looking at. Whatever. I think Jason just wants me to be his little cab driver and drop him off and pick him up everwhere. I'm going to be like, "Where to, Mr. Daisy?" So we're both thinking of getting rid of both our cars and getting one. And guess which one were thinking of? The Tahoe! When Jason first brought it up, I had no idea what he was talking about? What the hell is a Tahoe! And he took me to take a look, and at first, I was like, "You think I could drive this huge, humongous car?" I got shivers just imagining myself parallel parking that thing! Can you believe it seats up to nine passengers!! I didn't know they made cars that big! It's like a big ol' bus hidden inside a SUV or something! The salesman asked us how many children we have and we said none. I told Jason that it is ridiculous for us to get this car. I mean, we don't have kids, I can't drive a big o' tanker, and it's a gas guzzler. BUT...I've been thinking about it lately, and I think I like it now. I can envision us keeping it for like years and years and loading our seven kids in it to go on a camping trip. I bet that would never happen but it's fun just to imagine what that would be like. Anyways, so I'll let you know what happens.

Today, I had a professional development day and all elementary teachers got subs to cover their classrooms and we went off to do yoga and dance and other boring stuff. When I got back to my classroom at the end of the day, I was shocked to see my class in disarray, with paper airplanes on the floor, and library a mess. I read the note that the sub left me and it said how most of my class was terrible and named all the kids that did this and that. I gotta say that if you can't control my class, you don't belong in a classroom. I hope she finds another profession soon. I mean, I understand that kids will be kids and there will always be a handful that might be mischievious and misbehave, but if you can't control most of the class, there is something wrong with you.

I have eight more days of school left. I don't know who is more excited..me or the kids. I bet it's me. I'm exhausted and I need a break from everything. Please pray that I survive all the packing and moving. I will sigh in relief when we am in Oregon and we have settled in.

Just talked to a few girlfriends tonight and, of course, conversation turned to men and love, and we all concluded that love is so strange. It is all these things at different times: wonder, confusion, heart wrenching pain or complete and total happiness. Have you ever felt like the luckiest person to be with someone? Have you felt your heart hurt for another person? Have you ever felt light headed after speaking to someone in utter amazement of how perfect he/she is? I have. And it is the most amazing feeling in the world.

I've been eating and sleeping like crazy since the wedding. It's one or the other all the time. I'm really disgusted at myself because I don't want to be one of those wives who let themselves go, but it looks like that is where I am headed. Gross.

I totally believe that I am not one to eat much. That is, if I lived in a little space bubble, like bubble boy. I am not that into food, it doesn't give me much contentment, and I used to be fine eating one big meal a day. In high school, I would eat a piece of fruit for dinner and that was all I needed. I wasn't starving myself or anything; That's all my body was hungry for. That is when, living with the most overprotective dad, I barely went out.

Now, with all the freedoms of being an adult and being able to go out whenever I want, I feel my belly and thighs growing. See, every gathering or meeting involves sitting down to share a meal. And I hate to be one of those girls who pick at their food like a bird so I eat and eat and eat, looking more like a hog, though I am not even hungry. Plus, the food is set before me and it wouldn't make sense not to eat it.

Well, I know...whine, whine, whine. Must. Have. Some. Self. Control. Must stare at the food and Be. A. Bird. Pick. Pick. Pick.

Some of Cristina's Wedding Tips. (Now that I am a pro! Yeah right.)

#1 Don't EVER get too chummy with a vendor. Be strictly business from the very beginning- you HAVE to play the part of the no nonsense client if you want to get what you want. If you act too friendly, trust me, it will be harder to demand what you want later. For example, wouldn't it be much harder to tell your new "friend" that her flowers are plain fugly, that his music selection sucks, that there are still wrinkles on you beautiful dress that they will have to do something about. Be nice after the wedding with a big fat tip (if they are deserving) and of course, a thank you note goes without saying, but I say during the whole process up to the day of the wedding, don't be the nice, everything-is-fine-with-me bride. They will read "sucker" all over your face and run with it.

#2 For each of your last meetings with all the vital vendors of the ceremony and reception, take a parent with you. I took my mom to all my final meetings and for some reason, I felt that I was taken more seriously. I even prepped her on things I wanted her to say in front of them. "That dress will fit better on the day of the wedding, right?" and "Gosh, she spent so much money on flowers. Let me see all that she's getting for it." I think it might have been an awakening for the vendors to see a a parent behind the contracts and it might have scared them to do a better job and give better service.

#3 Not really a wedding tip, but girls, you have to try the clear gel next time you get a manicure. It looks like clear nail polish but will not chip. It costs on average $5 more but it worth having your manicure last longer!

#4 When planning a wedding, don't put anything off. Do a little bit along the way, each day. For about four months, there wasn't a day that I didn't do something for the wedding, even if it was a short phone call. Just get things out of the way when you can. You know there is a long list of things you have to do, so it just makes sense to cross as many things off your list as soon as you can. Don't let it linger or you'll have too much to do towards the end.

Can't wait to help y'all with it when it happens!

I used to say that not much would change after getting married. But I was wrong. Jenny told me that she felt more "settled" after her wedding and I have to say that I agree. I don't know what it is, but the unspoken things feel a little different. Even our parents' faces seem to have changed when they look at us.

So much planning into one day. And I know that the guest couldn't imagine how much time when into seating arrangements and name frames and choosing the menu and visiting vendors after vendors. And then, in one night, it's all over.

Last week, I wrote that people told me to cherish these times and I think I whined and just thought "whatever" in my mind. I just wanted the day to come and be over with.

But, in just a couple of days since the wedding, I am able to look back and I do actually cherish each second. From the hectic moments at the hair salon with my closest and dearest friends to saying my vows to the man that I love to dancing with my father.

It just hit me that these are once in a lifetime moments, and though surreal, like one long crazy dream, I loved every moment.

Here is a picture of me, Jenn, Jen, and Susan on my wedding day! This Saturday, I became Mrs. Jason Kim!