Currier Courtyard Watercolor

Man-Apron

BEFORE... (Original pic I found on google)

AFTER... (final man-apron design)

Ruby's for the heart

Some years ago, this boy showed up at my door step dressed quite dapper in a crisp blue shirt and asked for me. After some serious nagging and physical pushing, my roommate convinced me to entertain the boy who commenced to sweeping me off of my feet. In short, he tricked me to the Eliot common room where he made up fanciful lies of his beautiful family consisting of multiple mothers and countless siblings in some country named Kyrgyzstan. After which, the boy resorted to the old trick of showing a girl how to work a queue on a pool table. What can I say? It worked on me. Five hours of talking later, he attempted his first kiss after walking me back to my dorm. I turned my head just in time and refused.

4.8 years and seven countries later, the boy brought me back to the same pool table where it all began. What can I say? The trick worked on me again.

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 was a pretty sunny day. I woke up smiling not having a clue to why. The boy informed me that he absolutely cannot miss the Argentina vs Germany morning match and left me to join his father and brother at a local bar. "Okay," I said with a huge grin. He got suspicious. Where's the normal nagging? She must suspect something. After the game, we met up at Harvard T Stop to go sculling. He wanted to take a short cut through Eliot. "Okay" I said cluelessly. We passed the common room, and I pointed out how this is where our first "date" was. We should definitely go in for old time sake. Hmm... She definitely suspect something! He then pointed towards the pool table and casually suggested a game of pool. I agreed. He then complained he was thirsty and wanted me to get a soda from the vending machine. I said 7-eleven got it cheaper, we'll just grab one after the game, but he seemed so thirsty so I reluctantly agreed to get a soda before returning to the table. Of all the clues earlier that I could have picked up, I chose this moment to become suspicious. He just came out of a bar; how thirsty can he get? Hmm, we're conveniently in Eliot's common room. Hey, I remember how he was the one that showed me my first pool game. Barely having enough time to finish my thoughts, I reached in one of the cubbies to get the pool balls and...

Oh my God that's a ring box! There, he knelt and popped the question, and gave me my ruby ring. Afterwards, he led me to my old dorm room and attempted to kiss me again. This time I accepted.

His family soon joined to send us their congratulations before I was whisked away again into the subway. I reemerged at South station only to go on a 2 hour bus ride and then a 45 minute ferry ride arriving at Martha's Vineyard. We made it just in time for my lobster dinner and a bike ride along the beach to arrive at our gorgeous inn located in the middle of downtown Edgertown. The weekend that followed was amazing, and the rest is history folks!

Net result: Soychiatry just got its second wedding planning client!

Fugitive trails of fire trace daisies in the sky

(On the occasion of the engagement of two very good friends)

Fugitive trails of fire trace daisies in the sky
While brilliant pinks draw streaks hot and bright
And jubilant bubbles pop, climactic, to announce the light
Simmering joy and elation singe the air up high

Down below, you lovers say your deep-throated vows
With breaths steaming in passion burnt white
As you devote yourselves, touch, sound and sight
To life, to love, forever and right now

The fire of your rapture burns and melts the ore
That joins you together in your tender covenant
Not with shackles, but with wings that Cupid lent
To one each, so that together you can soar

Service Animal

He sleeps now. His breaths travel familiar currents through those glistening black nostrils, but they are too often interrupted by gasps and wheezes. Once in a while, his paws twitch dreamily, as if they were still carrying his bristling body through endless fields or rocky beaches. His tail wags at some imagined joy. His jaws munch on an imagined treat.

I remember when you were a puppy, and you never walked, but pranced all day long as if life were a parade. I remember how proud you were when I trained you to perform your duties. You took upon the tasks I couldn’t do myself. Where I was weak, you were strong, and you’ve been carrying me all these years. The love and devotion that were in your gaze from the very beginning – it was easy to trust you completely.

I stir and you wake to gaze at me with your inquiring eyes. No, I don’t need anything right now. You can rest. Peace be with you.

In your eyes, I see a more splendid image of myself than I dare seek from any other source. You are blind to the ways in which I am broken. You are indifferent to my excessive needs. To you, I am a whole person—without disability, without fault. Who knew that my indomitable illness would find its nemesis in your four fleet paws, two floppy ears, and one curly tail? Your unwavering love has been my constant guide from sickness to health. You are the magical elixir that gives life to a dead woman. Thank you for your service.