love and marriage...

well, for four years now the United States government has recognized Nick and I as "married." For us, this means that we file our taxes together. We had a joint checking account in Baltimore. (when I say "in Baltimore" I mean before marriage, as we moved back to Binghamton 2 months before our wedding) For about a year we had married people benefits but right now we have domestic partner benefits. sometimes i feel like a real ass because i'm married. why is it that i get to be married and some people can't? we were discussing this at Mr. C's birthday last night: the "rite" of marriage vs. the government union. the fact that corky is an XY and i'm an XX allows us to get married but according to our government there will be no more and no less than one Y chromosome present to consummate a marriage. this makes no sense to me. it makes me angry to think about. it's so unfair.

our real "marriage" was the day we officially started moving in together (it took a few trips). it was a less than romantic evening during which i lost my shit a little bit and laid on the couch and cried. i don't do well with change. there was no flowers or giant white dresses. there was a lot of junk and baggage. i worry about people sometimes, people that have this fantastical idea about what marriage is. its not about a day or a year or our first our first our first. its about figuring out how not to be mad when the cute person you love makes you crazy because he keeps the water running while brushing his teeth. its about understanding that when you aren't going to be home on time you have to make that phone call because there is someone wondering where you are. its about knowing when to say, i can't this is my time now. its about learning boundaries. i'm not saying its a constant struggle, but its a learning experience, a journey. ...and ever evolving way of defining who you are in relation to a person who is also ever changing next to you.

*steps off soap box*

we spent our anniversary in ithaca. we went to the farmers market and bought home-made cookies, then wandered around ithacafest. There were these "pocket pets" which I guess they are trying to get to be the new rage. You've got to check out this site and look at them: http://www.loveablepocketpets.com/ i think they are like exotic flying rodents. it was quite interesting. not my bag, although, i'm pretty sure that Bug would get a kick out of hunting one. we ended our day at taughannock falls state park where i'm pretty sure kevin kinsella was performing at a private wedding reception, or at least it sounded a hellofalot like him. so that was nice. i think it was a sound check but it was beautiful sounding. we sat by the lake and skipped stones and chilled and then hiked up the falls.





highlights included: tadpoles, a watersnake, and a daisy. We saw some weird dogs, too. and people. i like weird people in nature, it makes me happy. all different shapes and sizes...it reminds me how special and unique we all are.

Weddings and Departures.

It's been a busy busy month. I'm halfway done with student teaching. I'm also allowed to announce where I am going to work, which I will do at a later date. Pat and Kristina are married...

It was a beautiful day with beautiful friends abounding...



it was perfectly Pat and Kristina.

Karli left yesterday for the land of Indiana. I guess it's really flat there. My heart is sad. It's not like I don't have friends who I love and adore here, its just that I don't have Karli. I'm going to miss her. a lot.

here's a nice shot of the night before she left defining exactly why I will miss her so much...

I'm bad...to the bone.

I'm actually really bad at keeping this up but I feel like I should get better. Maybe I will now that everyone is leaving me. Yes, Karli, that means you.

I walked for my graduation on May 22nd. It felt pretty incredible when I got to turn my tassle. Alas, I am not done with school however. I have one last field work class to take. I'm in a toddler's room for the summer, or until July 3rd. I am at the B.C. Center again and LOOOOVING it.

Soon I will be done. We will see what the future brings us. There are lots of transitions going on... many changes. I look forward to putting this all behind me and moving on to the future.

Pat and Kristina got married yesterday. It was a gorgeous backyard wedding with delicious food, wine and music with some of the greatest friends on Earth.