A Rose by Any Other Name...

Do you know how many accounts and logins and cards have your name on it? I'm sure starting to realize. So far the hardest thing about getting married has been the process of changing my name. After going to the courthouse to get the license and paying for that, we had the minister and witnesses sign, mailed it in etc. I at least expected them to mail us back the certificate. But no after doing some research you actually have to go back to the courthouse to pick it up. Of course their only open during business hours M-F. Great. So after Cristian picks up a copy I gather all my forms and documents and go to social security. I wait an hour to be called and in 30 seconds they tell me I need the original document not a copy. Waste of time. Now I have to return tomorrow, wait again and then hopefully receive my new card in 7-10 days. We'll see. And this is just the beginning.

I've changed my email at work but they won't change my name without a new license. The DMV insists you go in person for a name change too, shocker. Then I have to go to the bank, tell all the utilities, credit card companies, insurance, rewards programs, stores even friends and Facebook and voicemails. What a pain. But I will say all in all at least when it's done I'll be an official Daraban.

Inspiration

I love when you go to a great restaurant and get so enthusiastic about the food you want to try new recipes and use your hidden gadgets that have specific tasks like zesting a lemon. Even better is when you are invited to a friend's house and with no expectation are taken off guard by a culinary delight. Tonight was one of those nights.

My hard working coworker and I were recently talking about his daughter's new math class and how she seemed to need a little help. I happened to mention I used to be an Algebra tutor and the next day I was asked to help. This little girl happened to be my adorable flower girl, also known as the star of the wedding. I was in.

As I get out of my car my student is running toward me with glee. We embrace and she shows me some new things around the house; her Halloween costume, a computer game and the loft she plans to build in the backyard. All the while my coworker and his wife are preparing something with a magical savory aroma. I welcomed to the kitchen with a glass of wine while they finish the last minute preparations. I notice my colleague ventures outdoors briefly. I look through the sliding glass doors and see he's picking fresh herbs from their garden. My mouth is watering.

We adjourn to the living room to dine (the dining chairs were getting a makeover) and they turn on Project Runway, a personal favorite. A delightful little plate of perfect portions is placed in front of me. There is a medium cooked marinated tri tip steak (yum) and a tomato and mozzarella salad drizzled with balsamic. Fantastic. Filling but light, scrumptious but not competing.

The night goes on and my pupil and I begin the math. Sometimes I'm amazed how quickly they move in school compared to my seemingly ages before time in elementary school. I start to recall the techniques and confusing instructions. We go over her work and I help her teach herself the correct methods. We probably only figures out about three revelations but it was enough for me. The first time she said my way was much easier I was honored. I love helping others and hope to help mold her future. Can't wait for next week's dinner too!

I arrive home coughing and staring at lighting in 95 degree heat. I truly want to lay in bed and fall asleep but my wifely duty of making food for my husband when he comes home started nagging at me. I look in our barren fridge and cupboards (there's been lots of OT between us) and decide to make quesadillas. It seems rather boring so I find some corn in the freezer and throw that in the pan. Then I see home grown tomatoes from the neighbors and chop those up with garlic. Finally I see the pièce de résistance, shrimp. I quickly clean them and add them to my makeshift corn salsa and pile the mixture onto the melted jack and cheddar cheese.

But I don't stop there, I decide it needs a sauce since we don't have any sour cream which we both love. A little mayo, cocktail sauce, hot sauce, lemon, chives, salt and pepper and I have it. It's a spicy aoli perfect for the Mexican style dish. Let's just hope he likes it. :)

Sad News

When you think every little problem leading up to a wedding has occurred think again. I had people invite themselves (and/or their children), in-laws alter the list after action was already taken, money run out, minister not confirmed until 6 days before and much more. At my wits end 12 days before the wedding I received a phone call that changed everything. My brother called me to inform me he had taken my maternal grandma (only grandparent actively in my life) to the doctors. After reviewing some x-rays taken when she was diagnosed with pneumonia they found her lungs were overwhelmed with cancer. In fact it was already stage 4 and chemo wasn't even an option.

My heart sank, my throat tightened and I cried. After letting out my emotion with my brother I called my Mama, the name we'd fondly given her as children. She was hysterical claiming she wouldn't be coming to my wedding and that she was suing the doctor etc. I tried to be calm as I am always the rock of the family. This time was hard. After a few days and more doctors visits Mama finally confirmed she would make the quick 45 minute flight to join me in LA for my big day.

I was relieved and ecstatic, the wedding would be complete. I have so few family members so I knew I'd need her that day. As she helped us arrange flowers, six of us in the hotel room, she mentioned to me that this was one of her best days in her life. Again I teared up but this time for a good reason. I know she'll fight but it's hard to be far away. Mama, en szeretlek.

Homey Home

The nights you're alone it's hard to get up the stamina for making a full meal but sometimes you still want a tasty bite that doesn't take too much effort. I will say it's been SO much fun using my new kitchen appliances, pans, Pyrex and ideas. As my new husband has been working nights I have been tasked to make something in time for my dinner as well as having a plate ready when he gets home. It's a classic issue of the ability of the food to be delicious hours after they're fresh. The last few nights I've cooked included and spaghetti turkey meatballs from scratch with a little ricotta and grilled sandwiches with pasta salad adorned with bamboo shoots and water chestnuts.

This particular night I had to scavenge for ingredients and came up with fish tacos. I used snapper that I seasoned with salt and pepper that I seared with a bit of olive oil. I made a custom version of tartar sauce made up of lime juice, mayo, cocktail sauce, dill, red pepper flakes and pickles. I topped off the tacos with some cabbage for crunch. Simple but yummy!

It's nights like these I wish I could share a glass of wine with a girlfriend, like Karen :), and wait for my husband to come home. Homesickness still affects me, even more at six years than ever before. KIT Bay Area.

The Perfect Gift

The day of my rehearsal dinner was hectic. Cristian was running errands, the girls and I were getting nails done, organizing and picking up last minute items for the wedding. I barely made it to the rehearsal site but luckily my friend Nina had done my hair and makeup so I was ready to go. The rehearsal was a laugh. We spent 90% of the time waiting then lining up and 10% actually rehearsing. After speeding through the order of the ceremony we took a look around the reception site. There were boxes, flowers, rental furniture and more waiting to be put into place. It was truly exciting.

We then arrived back at the hotel where we had arranged for an outdoor dinner for our 40 guests. The night started off with sangria being passed around (even though it wasn't the plan it still worked out). Then we had a baby tango, goat cheese and pita crisp salad with champagne vinaigrette. There was flank steak, chicken breast with mashed potatoes and gnocchi for the vegetarians. Before the dessert my adorable mother made a speech thanking everyone for coming and even for Julia making vegetarian lasagna for the wedding. Cristian and I followed again acknowledging all the help we'd gotten and the sacrifices all had made to help out and be there for us.

Cristian and I then exchanged our gifts. As I went to grab mine from my Dad's hotel room I returned to ambulances and paramedics. I was terrified. One of my close friends had gotten light headed and nearly passes out. Thank goodness he was fine.

I then present my gift to my fiance, a shadowbox with a signed poster and CD from the band who's song we chose as our wedding song. I also matted the lyrics of the song and placed them next to the signed paraphernalia. Cristian was excited. He then gave me my gift. The note read, "the perfect shoe, for the perfect bride, on the perfect day." LOVE HIM! I opened the Barney's New York wrapping and read the words "Manolo Blahnik". I squealed with delight. As I opened the box there they were, the shoes I had adored for over 10 years, the silver d'orsay pump with rhinestone buckle. Cristian got on one knee and placed the shoe on my foot as though I were Cinderella. I sure felt like her.

I'm a Wife!

Our wedding was beautiful. The scenic outdoor gazebo, overlooking Puddingstone Lake below. I still love that name, Puddingstone. It's like something my best friend would come up with. :) All the ladies (and two flower girls) got ready in my single hotel room about a mile from the wedding site. We sipped mimosas, had Starbucks and McDonald's egg mcmuffins while laughing and anxiously counting down the hours. My good friend Geanina made every effort to doll us up with makeup and hairdos fit for celebrities. As we migrated to Puddingstone it hit me that I was in my final hour as a Rhinehart.

My Mom helped me slip my beautiful Oleg Cassini mermaid gown over my head, while my fantastic bridesmaids placed my rhinestone encrusted bracelet and earrings on me. I was a bride. I nervously awaited to walk down the aisle  but arm in arm with my mother and father, I was in site of the 150 guests standing to see me. The pink hydrangeas and cream rose petals welcomed me with every step I took, closer to my fiance. As I finally glanced at him I saw him wipe a tear and hoped I wouldn't face the same fate. Alas, the water arose in my eyes. But before the full cry could commence the wind caught my veil and blew it into one of the hydrangeas. My Dad fumbles to assist but I was stuck. It was a brief minute but I was able to laugh.

Arriving at the gazebo I kissed my mother and father one last time as their single daughter and was greeted by my future husband. The ceremony was horribly fast. We exchanged vows in Hungarian, English and then our own personal words which made both of us emotional. We giggled as we held each others' hands waiting for the single to put the prospective rings on their fingers that never came. Finally our good friends, Kati and Jimmy, read a poem in both of our native languages. And then we were one. Minister Istvan Kasco pronounced us husband and wife and we kissed. We floated down the aisle about to be whisked away for pictures. A year and a half of planning and finally Cristian Daraban was my husband. I've never had a happier moment.