Posts Tagged ‘Billy and Gwen’

Billy and I are like night and day — sometimes. I’m really out there and adventurous. I’ll do just about anything once. I talk too much and I wear my heart on my sleeve. Billy’s reserved. He’s private at times and not boastful, and likes to do his own thing. I like creative stuff like dance shows and plays — and he’s a horseshoe tournament champion and loves his Yankees and Giants. When we decided to do something together — he wasn’t into my mud runs, rock climbing, etc. — we picked tai chi. We had the special shoes and all.

What is tai chi? My definition = a slow, peaceful karate-dance.

Tai Chi promotes the circulation of chi — or life energy — within the body, encouraging wellness and vitality. Basically, you do a series of flowing movements and your body is in constant motion. The exercise is not strenuous — your feet are always planted, and your move your torso and arms in graceful, deliberate, and sequenced movements. They say tai chi can: reduce anxiety and depression; improve balance, flexibility and muscle strength; improve sleep quality; lower blood pressure; relieve chronic pain; increase energy, endurance and agility; and improve overall feelings of well-being.

It was a pretty cool experience. I’m not going to lie though — it was challenging! I’m very high energy, so I have a hard time being quiet and just calming my mind, moving slowly and measuring my breaths. Some of the moves were difficult to follow, but I think that’s with any new type of exercise until you get used to it. At the end of six weeks, I still didn’t think I was any good though. (Billy wasn’t any better! )

I really liked calm and gentle energy in the room …

If you’re looking to try a class, just do a quick search online. You might find that your local karate studio, gym or wellness center offers a tai chi program. You may even find a tai chi studio — TRY IT!

Photo by Diana bella computer is in hospital’s.

If you don’t know Daniel Tosh, you’re missing out on life. Daniel Tosh is by far, the funniest person I know. Seriously, I KNOW him. Well, maybe I just watch his show — Tosh.O — follow him on Twitter and am a fan on Facebook. But if he wasn’t famous, we’d totally be friends.

So this is his deal. He’s got his show on Comedy Central. Right now, the second season is over. But you can watch him on Comcast On Demand (assuming you’re a Comcast customer). You can also stalk him out on DanielTosh.com, follow his blog and get show updates on the Comedy Central website.

He’s hilariously random. On Tosh.O — kinda like Talk Soup, but not really at all — he shows all these random video clips and cracks jokes. I’m trying to think of a good one to explain, but I don’t want you to think I’m a mean or racist person. That’s exactly it though. He’s pretty offensive. But the good thing is that he offends everyone equally, so it’s all ok. In fact, I like his Asian jokes. (I’m Filipino so I can say that.) Here’s an example — he had all these clips of Asians Doing Christopher Walken Impressions.

Recently, he had this whole thing on Surprise Trust Falls.

That’s all I got about Daniel. You gotta see it for yourself.

Daniel, if you’re reading this … and you just might be (because you have nothing better to do) … if you want to be in my wedding, you totally can. You can dance down the aisle in the church, and you can carve the roasted pigs at the reception. Actually, there are two more groomsmen than bridesmaids, so there is definitely a place for your somewhere. LMK!

Photo from DanielTosh.com.

Ten fun, cheap and easy things to do together …

1. Cook together. Choose kid-friendly recipes and work together to create an appetizer, entrée and dessert that your whole family can enjoy. You may want to try cooking a special family recipe or your child’s favorite meal.
2. Create a family tree. Map out your family tree on a piece of paper, then work together to replicate it on a large piece of poster board. If you can — add photos, draw pictures and include the birth place of each relative.
3. Be the next “American Idol.” Have each family member dress up and take turns singing their favorite song. Be sure to award prizes for each performance. 
4. Decorate food. Bake cupcakes together. When they cool, decorate them with different types of icing and assorted jimmies.
5. Camp out. Depending on the weather, have an indoor or outdoor camping adventure. Bring sleeping bags and make sure to use flashlights in the dark.
6. Give back to the community. As a family, think of ways you can give back to the community. For example, create a gift box — using an old shoe box — to send to our troops. Or, make a list of the perfect “holiday” meal — then write letters and emails to friends and family asking them to help gather these items for a less fortunate family. 
7. “Hunt” for prizes indoors. Write clues on scraps of paper and lead each family member to an exciting prize — such as a new board game you can play together. You can even have each person “find” items — such as a DVD, popcorn, candy and soda — for a family movie night.
8. Have an indoor picnic. Enjoy a meal on the floor of your family room. Lay out a blanket and serve picnic items such as sandwiches, salads, chips and juice. If space allows, play a modified version of horseshoes or beanbags — by tossing coins onto sofa cushions placed on the ground.  
9. Play with pictures. Go through old photo albums together and tell stories about each picture. Tell your kids a little bit about yourself when you were younger — or their age — and be sure to tell them what they were like as a baby and toddler. If you can, take more photos that night.
10. Have a dance party. Have everyone choose their favorite songs and be sure to include some that are slow and sentimental.  Take turns “fast” and “slow” dancing together. You could even incorporate “instruments” such as pots and pans to bang on — or a box of pasta to shake — and have an indoor concert.

This article was published in South Jersey Mom Magazine. Photo by jek in the box.

Here are some ideas for showing your honey, your significant other or BFFs that you love them!

Cook in and stay in. Cook something new and decorate your dinner plates with fresh fruit slices. Serve fruit kabobs for dessert. Drizzle sauces — like gravies or chocolate sauce — in swirly designs.

Get crafty. Get a matted frame from Target, Walmart or any craft store. Insert a picture and write nice things on the matte. For example, places you’ve gone together, favorite memories or private jokes.

Make a gift basket that’s useful. I love when Billy wears Axe Dark Temptation Body Spray. I like when he shaves his face too. A toiletry “basket” with all of his favorite (and my favorite) stuff would be perfect!

Go somewhere. My favorite places are Grounds for Sculpture and the Mutter Museum — admission is really cheap! Oh yeah, the grease trucks at Rutgers University are yummy and fun too!

Act like kids together. Build an indoor fort and hang out underneath the covers.

Keep it simple. Order a pizza and watch your favorite movie and your honey’s favorite movie.

Get nostalgic. Gather all your old pictures, movie and concert tickets, matchbooks, etc. to make a memory box. You can also buy a shadow box at the craft store and add your memorabilia there.

Create a rainy-day fund. Give your honey a piggy bank and make plans for how you’ll spend the bank together when it’s full.

Laugh together. Try to get your hands on some old home movies. Yup, Billy has seen video of me at my 5th bday party, my First Communion and me in the Philippines wearing umbros and a Bartman tee-shirt.

Take a couple’s class together. Cooking? Yoga? Pottery? Do your research. There’s a lot out there! Even if it’s not something you would normally want to do — but your partner would — suck it up and do it!

Photo by weenee.

Since I’m 30 now … here’s a list of 30 things what I’m thankful for:
1. My fiancée, Sweet William! He loves me for my craziness, randomness, dreams and goals.
2. Gabby and Sofia — my beautiful and fun nieces.
3. My brother, Mike, and his wife, Kim. They give so much to the community …
4. Hardworking parents. They’ve given me so much!
5. Front-row friends.
6. Cousins by the truck-load.
7. Loving and supportive “in-laws.” They are so generous!
8. My SUV. I can drive in the snow!
9. A set of new, sharp knives. I love cutting stuff now.
10. Inspirational books.
11. People that challenge me.
12. My Fit Friends, my workout partners and students.
13. Writing mentors — Holly and Greta, who really helped develop me and encourage me as a writer.
14. My Twitter friends.
15. People who give me blog love.
16. My favorite aunts — Auntie Evelyn, Auntie Alice and Aunt Diane.
17. Danielle — my maid of honor/BFF.
18. My education. No one can take that away.
19. My job at Amerikick. I’ve been teaching there for almost nine years.
20. Private jokes that make me laugh, even when I’m by myself.
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I do love Super Bowl Sunday — and it’s not because of football — I have great party memories. Going to my friend’s parent’s house and eating all their food … “canoeing” on the frozen late behind my brother’s house … every year is a good time. My favorite was a few years ago when the Giants won.

Billy and I had been dating for three weeks or so — and it was a whirlwind romance. On the first date he asked me to go to the Cat Power concert. (I was like … um, ok buddy, maybe I’ll spend my birthday DAY with you — and I did! HA!) But after that first date — Thai food, my choice, of course — we hung out a lot and did fun stuff like wander around Wegman’s, go to Chinatown for dim sum and Reading Terminal Market. We talked, texted, went out to eat … all those good things … then he told me he was going to bring me to his parent’s house for Super Bowl Sunday. AND he told me he’s a Giants fan. Little did I know what I was getting myself into!

There we were, February 3, 2008. We walked around the back of his parent’s house. His dad was out there. He introduced himself and said — I’m Bill Meise — I had the stupidest look on my face because I thought … is he messing with me? That’s Billy’s name!

We went inside and there were all kinds of people there. Billy’s mom, sister and her friend, Uncle Gary, Cousin Karen, her husband and their kids, her husband’s father … Cousin David and his son … Timmy and Timmy’s girlfriend. It was kinda funny. Looking back, I wish I wore that eye-patch and hook like I said I was going to …

Anyway, we ate and ate — Billy’s mom did it up big — and people yelled, screamed and acted crazy. I’m not sure if Billy was “testing” me out that night, but I passed! He told me later that he knew he had fallen in love with me that night. I guess I did too … especially when the Giants scored, I went to hug him … and Cousin David beat me to it. Those two were lifting eat other up and carrying on (while I stood there waiting — like chopped liver!)

Oh Super Bowl … food, friends, family … and love! (And some football.)

Photo by tabgiblehope.

Over the weekend, Billy and I went to the annual “Meise Family Christmas.” Yup! It was January 30. A little late for a tree, Santa, stockings, all that — but that’s what makes it awesome. I love family traditions, and I love that I’m marrying into a family as crazy, fun and big as mine!

So this is what the Meise family looks like … Billy’s dad is one of nine, so Billy has 25+ first cousins. Add in significant others and kids, it’s kinda overwhelming. I don’t feel bad though, because my dad is one of eight and I have no idea how many first cousins I have. I think it’s harder for Billy around my family sometimes since everyone’s speaking another language, and there’s a lot of funky food. Sometimes he has no idea what he’s eating.

Anyway, I really love that we come from big families. And, I love that Billy values family as much as I do. It’s things like this that makes me love him more and more.

1. Send an unexpected package to the office. Get creative with cookies, healthy snacks, funky office supplies, etc!

2. Leave a trail of notes. When I did this, I used scrap paper, and each piece said something different. I can’t remember what I wrote, but it was something like — Know why I love you? Cuz you’re sweet … and handsome … and you put up with me! Remember when we …

3. Email the link to a sweet song. I loved when Billy sent me Say Hey! By Michael Franti and Spearhead.

4. Learn to cook their favorite meal. Now I know how to make shrimp parm! I spent some time in the kitchen with Billy’s mom.

5. Do little things to make their life easier. Leave the house first? If it’s snowing, clean their car off too!

Photo by Stefanvds.

I have no idea where this came from, I found it online. Really, really, really hoping that I don’t get locked up for posting this without proper acknowledgements!

Front-row friends – The first people you call to share good news and bad news. They tell you how it is with the best of intentions. You cry hardest and laugh uncontrollably together. They’re clapping when you succeed and gasp when you fall … and stay strong when you are weak. They’re in your front-row because they’ve earned a spot there.

I don’t know what I’d do without my friends. They are so good to me — and they love me for all my crazy ideas … and support everything I’m passionate about. I wear an outfit held together by scotch tape — literally, my pants were hemmed and my belt was help together with scotch tape — and they tell me I look great! I tell them I love twitter and how Comedy Central retweeted me — and they say — NO WAY!!!

Anyway, this blog post is an ode to the people who are in my “front row.” You know, those people that are there cheering you on to every new adventure.

Danielle

Danielle, aka “bff” and maid of honor

How we met: Freshman year in high school, we were on the same bus. Our parent’s live about two minutes from each other. One time, early in our freshman year, Danielle gave me a “piece of chocolate” — it really was a laxative. I ended up running from the track to the bathroom in gym class. Keep your “enemies” closer, right?

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