"This Magic Moment"

 

It was a very windy afternoon at La Jolla Cove. The previous day was Patrick's birthday and since I had worked 2 jobs back-to-back it had made it all but impossible for me to celebrate his special day until the day after - August 6.

I had decided to take him to dinner in La Jolla at Roppongi - but first we wanted to take a walk and take pictures - the norm for us. Nature and pictures.

I love a good sunset, any sunset actually. Even on this strangely windy afternoon. Kicking off my heels for some flipflops and a jacket we walked along the coastline eventually stopping at the overlook shelter by the seals. I've always loved that spot - the waves seem to crash even more there. I've been there so many times and always loved it - anytime of day, anytime of year.

Now even moreso...

Patrick set up my Canon camera to selftimer on my tripod so we can take some pics together in the humid wind. After we took a few with my hair all over the place and laughing impromptly, he then hugged me and with my arms still wrapped around his neck I felt him fish in his pocket - - I felt the tears well up as I realized what he was doing - - "You know I love you very much, baby" - he started - - I couldn't lift my head but kept my face buried the whole time in his neck. "And I am very happy, will you marry me, Elsa?" I still couldn't lift my face up but nodded 'yes' into his neck. He laughed and asked me, "is that a 'yes'?" I could only nod my head into his shoulder.

I knew better to stand in his way this time.

He knew me. And knew exactly how to do it. He knew what ring to get me - - dainty, clean and perfect on my tiny child hands. He knew how much more it'd mean to me to propose out in Nature, at my favorite time of day.. and by the sea that he loves so much himself.

Alas ring on hand.

Trip to Ireland in a few days.

The only question remaining is shall I bother using a hyphen on my last name with his?

God is Great!

click on slideshow below!

Engagement - August 6, 2009

Someone get that girl a Hankey!!

If you read my blog last week stating that I somewhat successfully was able to transfer some video from my parents' video camera to my computer - after I thought I had lost it all - you will understand that I will be (except for any technical difficulties) posting some videos onto Youtube and here.

They are mostly of family, and I certainly wouldn't expect any one of you readers to spare a couple minutes watching them. That said, this blog serves, more than anything- as a journal of my life - which includes family, travel, my cat, friends, deep thoughts, poetry and YES: Patrick.

Call me a martyr but I am posting the video of last Easter which was when we announced our engagement to some of my family -only about half were there. I admit, that I cried upon viewing it the first time but they were mostly tears of happiness at seeing such a joyous occasion.

Too bad, for whatever reason, uploading it onto youtube lost the good quality the original has. This video is much more grainy but that might be just as well since you can't really see the tears streaming down my face the entire time on the video he he he :P

Of course, my huge family has a great sense of humour so I want to point out things I thought were noteworthy to watch out for.

Firstly, my oldest brother Gabriel is filming - he didn't know what was going on - so you hear him first asking out loud, "What? What is going on?" as we await my father's announcement. Another thing that I love is seeing my autistic nephew, Ryan, jumping around and pounding on the piano excitedly when he hears the family cheer for us. He most likely was unable to wrap his head around why we were cheering - but the fact that he was happy and cheering along with all the rest makes me think that deep down inside that beautiful boy knows exactly what is going on - he just doesn't vocalize it like we do... :)

Next you see Gabe congratulate Patrick and welcome him into the family with a hearty handshake and even heartier, "I wish you, 'good luck', Patrick...goooood LUCK" - gotta see it to hear the emphasized comic timing.

Then you see my oldest sister, Cecilia and Gabe looking at my Irish Claddah ring that Patrick brought me from Ireland and you hear Ceci comment to me and then pan to the camera, "It doesn't look 'masculine' one bit.." - hilarious!!

But the best part was hearing my dear mamma ask for everyone to pray for us (deaammn, ya'll didn't pray hard enough - shoot!!) and 'how she wished that Ciara - their new granddaughter-to-be was there with us all that day'. My family knows that it takes a lot to be involved with a someone who has a child from a previous relationship. Especially if you have a heart and concern similar to mine in regards to children. I remain utterly grateful for my family and extended family's ease in acceptance and love for Ciara and Patrick right from the beginning. I know we are loud, gregarious and very spiritual and that sometimes overwhelmed my shy, quiet Irishman - but he was extremely blessed to be in our family and I suspect he knows knows it quite well.

And of course, it wouldn't be a Latino family without right after the short, but important announcement and cheering, the host and other sister, Sylvia, jumps up and commands, "Okay, now we can eat!" as if to say, "Okay, let's get to the REAL announcement that: dinner is served!!"

As I mentioned in the blog written about it at the time (click here), there are sometimes downsides to being the youngest - mine was just another engagement announcement in a huge family - which probably was just as well as you can see how self-conscious Patrick was during the whole thing - he doesn't like being the center of attention - sigh :)

My Favorite Easter Moment

  Here is a picture of me crying happy tears and my Irishman grinning like I've never seen him before (isn't he just purty? - sigh) whilst my mom and dad give us their blessing...

Ironically, as the day-after Araiza family get-together emails and pictures began today, my mother mentioned her favorite moment at easter was the singing together and the good food.

I wrote back and I qoute, "umm: the real best part about Easter was my dad announcing to the family Patrick and Elsa's ENGAGEMENT!!! helllooooo!! (See how it stinks to be the baby of a huge family?? By now the novelty has worn off). Well, I ain't no spring chicken but at least I am not going to be a crazy old maid with cats any longer.....!!!"

Enough said!

Feliz Easter!!

 It was a lovely and very warm San Diego Easter Sunday in Kensington at my sister Sylvia's house.
 



After over a week of being very sick it was lovely to get out and see the familia and...oh eat a lot.
 
 
Much fun was hiding the 500 or so candy-filled Easter eggs..!!?? I just don't get it - there are only 7 kids nowadays in our huge family - and we had THAT many eggs to hide??? Holy cow! It was a lot of fun and as usual I did some tricky hiding places (including laying down and putting them on my eyeballs). The kids have got to be on sugar over-load by now...



But the best part was having my dad announce after the prayer that Patrick and I are engaged. I give my Dad so little to brag about, unfortunately, in my life - it meant a lot to me for him to say it to the Family. It was short, sincere and - bam! made me cry tears of happiness into Patrick's shoulder. For I am happy, ya'll - I am HAPPY!!

Alleluyah...!!!

 After 2 decades of not even wanting to ever marry (or feeling I deserved to marry or anyone deserved me he he he) E has grown up a bit, been around the block a couple times and made some decisions about Life.

With not much fanfare she has talked it out with her Irishman and emerged this weekend wearing that traditional Irish promise ring, The Claddah Ring, on that left hand. At nearly 36, and a couple proposals later, all I can say is that in my humble but vocal opinion - marriage is not based on romance, sex, a diamond ring, or a pretty house together, but rather the commitment to be together and see each other at our best and worst and through it all be willing to take each other's hand and still keep walking forward. I know P has already seen me at my ugliest and my worst, thank God there won't be any surprises in THAT department he he he.

Jokes aside, my wise mother, a marriage counselor, once told me, "Marriage is a decision made, Elsa." I am so truly blessed and happy to announce that my Patrick and I came to that exact conclusion together. God is Great!