Dating T2, Part 2

On April 4, 1998, I met Teresa.  "T2" was her nickname.  We began to date and eventually we were married.  The following are excerpts from a diary I kept of our time together.  This is part two.  Enjoy!

***

7/3/98 – Up early and to Teresa’s…she made us a delicious breakfast of French toast and hash browns…to Lake Artemesia for a romantic walk…had lunch at Wendy’s, then took Frosty’s to her grandparents…my first time meeting them…Then to Mom & Dad’s for a cookout with them and Angie & David…Went to see X-FILES at the movies with Ang & David…

7/4/98 – Met Teresa at Montrose and we got lunch at the Woodside Deli…Later, we went to Joanne & Kevin’s for a big cookout…then all of us to Rockville to see the Independence Day fireworks…

7/5/98 – Teresa picked me up and we went to a picnic at Montrose for the singles group…one of her friends told her about a guy in the group that she planned to set Teresa up with…Fortunately, Teresa told her she would have to pass, since she and I were dating, and things were going very well between us…Then we drove over to Brookside Gardens and walked around…very nice day…

7/7/98 – Met Teresa after her class at UMD…we walked around campus, then got Ledo’s pizza for dinner…

7/9/98 – Teresa came to my office to have lunch with me…She met a few of my co-workers…

7/10/98 – Dinner and a movie (video – LEAP OF FAITH) at her place…

7/11/98 – Picked up Teresa at her place early and we drove north to Elk Neck State Park to meet her Aunt Jody and friends…Spent the day at the beach, water skiing, and went on a long ride in Jody’s boat to Chesapeake City for lunch…Then we drove home…Big, fun day!

7/12/98 – Met Teresa and her parents after church at TGI Friday’s…Then Teresa followed me back to my place…we just hung out most of the day…watched a video, THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER…she left around 6:00…

7/14/98 – Dinner at Teresa’s (3 Brother’s carryout), then Teresa had choir practice…

7/16/98 – Met Teresa at Montrose and brought her back to my place…She made us a picnic dinner, so we went to a little park on Goshen Dr. and ate…very nice time!  Hiked a bit, then I took her back to Montrose and we said goodnight…

7/18/98 – Picked up Teresa at her place and we drove to Annapolis…had lunch at Griffin’s, and ice cream at Storm Brothers…saw a movie, then met Mom & Dad in Crofton for mini-golf, followed by dinner at Dough Roller…Big day!  I took her home, we chatted with Kristen & Elizabeth, then said goodnight and I headed home…

7/19/98 – Teresa stopped by after church…she suffered through the first migraine she’s had since we met…We just rested…she showed me her Israel pictures…

7/21/98 – Dinner date…

7/22/98 – Met Teresa at Montrose for the mid-week service, then we went to Woodside Deli for a late light dinner…

7/24/98 – Teresa met me at our place, then Kristy came over, and they, Dan, & I headed to Uniontown, PA, for the weekend…Ate dinner at the Park ‘N’ Dine in Hancock, and stopped at the cross in Jumonville, overlooking the valley and Uniontown…To Aunt Nancy & Uncle Jack’s, first time meeting for everyone…We all played Mexican Train until late…

7/25/98 – Dan, Kristy, Teresa and I toured Uniontown and Hopwood, then shopped at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Gabe’s…Packed up and headed for Pittsburgh…Went to Three River’s Stadium to see the Pirates beat the Braves, 4-1, then to Aunt Karen & Uncle Dick’s…Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jack met us there, too…

7/26/98 – Sat around and talked all morning, then all to Mt. Washington for lunch at the Grandview Saloon, overlooking the city of Pittsburgh…then we all drove home…

7/28/98 – Teresa came over and we ordered an Armand’s pizza…She watched as I worked on my baseball league stats…

7/29/98 – Both of us going on vacation – to separate destinations!  She’s headed to Minnesota with “the Girls”, and I’m heading to Chicago for a drive down Route 66 to St. Louis…We gave each other care packages and said a long goodbye…

8/4/98 – Teresa, in Minneapolis, and I, in St. Louis, talked to each other by phone…She, Kristen and Elizabeth are flying home today…I ended up driving 800 miles and arrived home late in the evening, so that we could see each other the next day…

8/5/98 – Drove to Teresa’s and we welcomed each other home…Realized just how much we missed each other…To Denny’s for lunch and we talked about our trips…Spent the whole day together…Then we had dinner with Dan & Kristy at Ruby Tuesday’s before saying goodnight…

8/6/98 – Teresa and I went to the movies and saw the intense and emotionally draining SAVING PRIVATE RYAN…To Mom & Dad’s and visited with Aunt Sandi, Aunt Karen, and cousins Mark, Mandy, and JJ…All to dinner at Dough Roller, then I took Teresa home…Had to say goodbye again as I was headed to Watkins Glen, NY, for a NASCAR race with friends Darrell and Charles…

8/10/98 – Teresa welcomed me home with hugs, kisses, and an Armand’s pizza, which we shared with Dan & Kristy…

8/12/98 – Met Teresa at Montrose and we had dinner at Bennigan’s, then we went to church…

8/14/98 – Picked up Teresa and we went to Greenbelt Metro…rode downtown to the Holocaust Museum…very sobering…Walked around the Mall, then dinner at Planet Hollywood before heading home…

8/15/98 – Teresa, Kristen, and I went to DC FEST at Nissan Pavilion for a big concert…met with Joanne and Kevin…Saw Point of Grace, Jar of Clay, The Newsboys, and Stephan Curtis Chapman…Home very late…

8/19/98 – Met Teresa at Montrose and we had dinner at Boston Market…to church…afterword, Dan, Kristy, Teresa and I went to Ruby Tuesday’s for dessert…

8/20/98 – I met Teresa after work at Mt. Hebron High School…Met a few of the teachers there…Teresa and I went school supply shopping, had dinner at Red River Saloon, then said goodnight…

8/21/98 – Made a pizza dinner for Teresa and Kristen at their apartment…Then I went to Mom & Dad’s for the night…

8/22/98 – Teresa met me at Mom & Dad’s, then she and I drove to Ocean City…Met up with Aunt Jody, and we cruised out on the bay on her boat…Had a crabcake lunch at the Captain’s Galley, then met Teresa’s parents, Uncle Jerry and Aunt Janice, Josh, and her grandparents at a condo in Ocean City…Out for a pizza dinner with Teresa’s parents, then she and I played mini-golf (she beat me!) and got ice cream at Dumser’s…

8/23/98 – Everyone up and we all chatted for a while…Found out about Teresa’s nickname, “T2” (Teresa’s cousin, Josh, had trouble saying “Teresa” when he was very young…he would say, “Tere-too”, and that was shortened to T2)…Teresa and I to the boardwalk, then had lunch at the Atlantic Stand…Back to the condo and I met Uncle Fred…Big Yahtzee tournament…Then Teresa and I said our goodbye’s and headed for home…

8/26/98 – Met Teresa and Kristen at Montrose…To Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Kristen’s birthday, along with Elizabeth, and Kristen’s friends Mary Ann, Julie, and Julie’s niece…Then back to Montrose for the mid-week service…

8/28/98 – Teresa met me at our place and we spent the evening at the Montgomery County Fair…

8/29/98 – Met Teresa at Montrose for the Wild West Roundup…then we went to her apartment to change and go to visit friends Cherice and Omari…

8/30/98 – Round up Sunday at Montrose, continued from yesterday…met Teresa there after church let out…Lots of good food…

9/1/98 – Decided to surprise Teresa with dinner and flowers at her apartment…and I definitely surprised her!…She wasn’t expecting me and I gave her the flowers when she opened the door…I told her I had dinner in the car, too…I ran back towards the car and tripped on the steps, severely twisting my ankle…Teresa helped me back in to the couch and got some ice…She kept insisting I go to the doctor, but I refused…She prepared the dinner I brought for us and Kristen, then I drove home (difficult to do with a 5-speed)…It turned out to be a pretty bad sprain…

9/2/98 – Met Teresa at Montrose for the mid-week service…Still limping badly…Had dinner at Bennigan’s with Teresa, Kristen, and a couple from church…

9/4/98 – Picked up Teresa at her apartment and we drove to Uniontown, PA (with a stop for dinner at the Park ‘N’ Dine)…To Aunt Sandi’s and Teresa met a few more members of the family, including Uncle Paul, and Uncle Jim & Aunt Nancy…Mindi & Corey were there, too…

9/5/98 – Big Freed Family reunion…Teresa’s first opportunity to meet a lot of the family…

9/6/98 – Teresa and I got up early and hit the road…South through the mountains of West Virginia, into Virginia and over to Alta Vista for the Big Shirlen Family Reunion..Eric’s turn to meet many people he’d never met before, along with her parents, grandparents, Aunt Jody, Aunt Janice, and Uncle Jerry…Big time!

9/7/98 – Good time in Alta Vista, with stops at Concrete World, Lane’s, and Rose’s…Everyone caravanned to Appomattox for a bit of history, then a delicious buffet at the Wood Grill in Charlottesville before heading home…

9/9/98 – Teresa met me at my place, and we went to dinner at Bullfeather’s…Then to the mid-week service at Montrose…

9/10/98 – Teresa and I to dinner with Mom & Dad at Bob Evan’s…

9/11/98 – Teresa, Kristen and I to Red, Hot & Blue for dinner, then Teresa and I to the movies…The movie broke, so we got Orange Juliuses at the Mall and went back to her apartment to watch a video instead…

9/12/98 – Took roses to Teresa and she made a delicious sweet & sour chicken dinner…

9/16/98 – Woodside Deli for dinner and mid-week service at Montrose…

9/17/98 – Teresa had jury duty today…

9/18/98 – Teresa and I had dinner at Tia’s…Saw my high school English teacher, Mr. C, there, with his wife…I introduced Teresa to him…Then she and I went to the movies…

9/19/98 – Teresa and I went to the Catoctin Zoo in Thurmont…Had dinner at the Cozy, then worked it off hiking to Cunningham Falls…Back to my place and we watched a video…

9/22/98 – Teresa and I to Jun & Jen’s for a little get-together…Allen, Joanne, Elaine & Dean were there, too.  Good time…Watched Jun & Jen’s wedding video (I was in Watkins Glen when they got married)…

9/23/98 – To Fuddrucker’s for dinner, then to Montrose to hear the African Children’s Choir…

9/24/98 – Dinner and TV…

9/25/98 – Teresa & I had dinner with Darrell & Cynthia (Charles & Nancy babysat Sam & Caitlin) at Olive Garden, followed by a Jackie Chan movie, RUSH HOUR…

9/26/98 – Teresa, Kristen and I hung out at the apartment pretty much all day…

9/27/98 – Met Teresa at Montrose for church…She was in a skit with Dan…Teresa and I to lunch with her parents at Ledo’s, then over to their place to watch TV and hang out for the afternoon…I took Teresa back to Montrose so she could get her car, and she said, for the first time, “I love you”…

9/29/98 – Kristen made Teresa and I a meatloaf dinner…

9/30/98 – Teresa & I went to Chili’s for lunch, then spent the afternoon at her apartment…Then we went to Montrose for the mid-week service…

Grace Community

It felt so good to be back at our church, Grace Community, last night.  We've been away too much over the past several weeks, and have missed the...well, the community!  Mark Norman, the lead pastor, delivered a great message on Romans 5, and he and Mitchel Lee continue to lead us with wonderful messages every week.

My wife and I began attending Grace in the Summer of 2003.  We had been looking for a church nearer to our home, having tired of the politics of and long drive to Montrose Baptist in Rockville.  Teresa knew about Grace due to her having taught the pastor's kids at Mt. Hebron High School, where she had taught freshman English and public speaking.  Grace was still meeting in a warehouse area off of Rumsey Road in Columbia.  Knowing by reputation how great the kids program was at Grace, and with Teresa expecting and due to have our daughter in the Fall, we felt like we had found our new church home.

Tragedy struck us the following Spring when Teresa died suddenly after a surprise heart attack at the young age of 31.  Our daughter, Melody, was only 5 months old.  Our new church family at Grace surrounded us with love and helped us pull through a very rough time in my life.  Mark Norman provided wise words of counseling and I am particularly thankful for everything he did for me.

Grace eventually moved into a brand new facility in Fulton, just off of US 29 and Rt. 216, and the church continues to grow.  There are so many activities and groups and interests to be found there, and the children's program is wonderful.  My daughter, now 9 years old, loves both the church school and the awesome Summer camp, Grace Adventures Day Camp.  In fact, the camp has really brought her out of her shell, and I can't thank the young women enough who work at the camp for being such great role models and for taking her under their wings.

There is a very active Men's Ministry at Grace, and I'm thankful to be involved with so many great teachers and role models.

I had spent a number of years leading the drama ministry at several churches I've attended in the past, and felt fortunate to continue with that ministry at Grace.  It isn't nearly as active now as it used to be, however.  I also spent over 10 years in youth ministry, so I can see where I may find myself involved in that ministry at Grace, as well, when Melody reaches that age.

Grace is very large, with so many wonderful people leading so many ministries.  If you're looking for a church to be involved with, I highly recommend you give it a try.  Check out Grace's website (below) and come for a visit.  God is doing great things with the Body of Grace, and I'd love to see you join us.

http://www.gcchoco.org

Christmas In April

I started some of my Spring cleaning and came across a stash of Christmas gifts I hadn't put away yet.  While I'm enjoying these gifts immensely, I think I can recommend them as great gifts for next year, if you're the sort of person who shops early.  Among the many items were the following:

For the Steelers fans in your life, I can recommend the Troy Polamalu t-shirts, which I believe are only available at his website.  The T is a very soft material, but it's a nice design, with Troy's distinctive hair flowing behind his silhouette.  My father, brother, and I all received one this year.

Another item is one I didn't expect to like:  My Maryland Terrapins Snuggie.  Yeah, it's the stupid looking blanket with arm holes.  It actually does its job very well, though, and doesn't look nearly as dumb when worn like a robe.

These hats may look horrible, but they're actually quite warm.  If you need something to keep your head and ears warm when you're out in a blizzard, give these a shot.  I recommend the Steelers one over the goofy looking Nationals model.

Tuxedo t-shirts may seem a little passe, but they still look good when worn in a group.  I've been wearing mine regularly, always under another shirt.

My daughter decided to buy these great hats for all of the guys in the family.  They were a big hit, and come highly recommended!

It's never too early to start Christmas shopping, so shop early and buy often!  Glad to help!

Falling In Love....Right After This Commercial Break

I fell in love.  Again.  She's wonderful.  And beautiful.  They always are.  All of them.

This time it's Lauren Schneider.  She's really wonderful.  And really beautiful.  She's a counselor for a therapy group on the TV show GO ON, a character wonderfully and beautifully acted by Laura Benanti.

Photo from Zap2It.com

This isn't the first time I've fallen in love with a TV character.  Thinking back, all the way back, to my childhood, I think my first crush on TV was Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert) from LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE.  And her sister on the show, Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson).  I liked them both.  I liked Mary first, when they were younger, but liked Laura when they were older.  I soon moved on to a few of the sisters on EIGHT IS ENOUGH.  They were a bit older than I was, but love is love.

 

If I had been allowed to watch CHARLIE'S ANGELS, I'm sure I would have been in love with Kris Munroe (Cheryl Ladd).  I did watch THE DUKES OF HAZARD, though, and discovered a new love, Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach). Wow!  I also discovered cars, though, and the General Lee was awesome!

 

As I grew into my teens, there were more and more young ladies on TV who I fell in love with.  There was Lynn Tanner (Andrea Elson) on ALF.  There were the twins on DOUBLE TROUBLE, Kate and Allison Foster (Jean and Liz Sagal).  I liked the more serious and responsible Allie better than the fun and flighty Kate, though I found out later that they actually had the opposite personalities in real life.  Because they were dancers on the show, every episode featured them working out and dancing in their spandex outfits.

 

Later, there were the friends on FRIENDS.  I loved both Monica and Rachel at different times.  There was Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt) on MAD ABOUT YOU.  Helen Chappel (Crystal Bernard) on WINGS.  Kelly Kapowski (Tiffany-Amber Theissen) on SAVED BY THE BELL was another favorite.  I didn't watch it much, but Scully (Gillian Anderson) on X-FILES was pretty cool.  And, more recently, I fell in love with Ms. Carol Vessey (Julie Bowen), the high school English teacher on the underrated ED, and object of Tom Cavanagh's (Ed) affections.

    

It's so easy to fall in love with TV characters, at least on shows written prior to the past decade, generally speaking.  They are all pretty perfect, by design.  Why would you want to watch a show about characters you didn't like?  Television is a little bit different these days, though.  Characters are full of flaws, mostly to make them more human (my guess), but also to be laughed at, for entertainment value.  GO ON's Lauren Schneider has her flaws, but she is still very likable and gorgeous.  Too bad she isn't real....but, then, everyone would think I was nuts, falling in love with a television character....

Photo from http://www2.broadwayworld.com/

This isn't unhealthy, right?  I mean, it's not like I'm obsessed or anything.  I know Lauren isn't real.  And Laura Benanti is totally not even my type.

Psst!  Lauren, if you're out there, just leave a few comments down below.  Or send me a tweet.  Or befriend me on FB.  Anything!  I promise, I'm not crazy.

Heart Scare

I went to visit my heart doctor today.  I wish it was just a social call.  No, it was a follow-up appointment to my recent stress test, the second one I've had in the past two years.  I've been battling high blood pressure during that time.  HBP is not something you want to play around with.  I was sitting in the doctor's office and I looked around the packed waiting room.  Everyone appeared to be significantly older than me.  I thought to myself, "Wow, he must cater to an older crowd."  Then it hit me.  Heart issues tend to affect folks who ARE older.  I was the one out of place.  But before allowing that to stress me out, I considered the fact that there are many people my age who may not even know they have a heart problem or HBP, and I was content with the thought that at least I was getting mine treated.  And I began to reflect on how I got to this place....

About two years ago (my third year in my upper management position), I was sitting in a meeting at work.  I was not happy in my job.  It was very stressful.  I had a demanding boss, 45 employees, and a huge amount of responsibility.  I had allowed myself to get out of shape.  I wasn't exercising.  I simply just didn't have time.  As a single parent, my life revolved around work during the day, and my daughter when I came home.  I didn't have time to take care of myself.  So I was sitting in a meeting with a bunch of colleagues, several of which were on the video conference connected in Oklahoma City, when I was hit with about the worst headache I've ever had.  It hurt so much, I couldn't pay attention to the discussion anymore, and my eyes were watering to the point that I couldn't focus on anyone in the room.  It was an afternoon meeting, and as soon as it ended, I was able to leave for the day.  I was able to drive home, but I had to lay down after arriving home.  Unfortunately, the headache didn't subside, and I took some Tylenol.  My parents had come by to take my daughter, Melody, to their house, since there was no school the next day.  I told them my predicament with the headache.  I was convinced it was related to allergies.  The pollen had been particularly bad recently, and I figured there must be a connection.  My mother urged me to make an appointment with my doctor as soon as possible.  Then they left.

I called my doctor, Dr. Kurylas, and the receptionist got me an early morning appointment.  I had made it through the night and got some fairly sound sleep, and made arrangements to be off from work.  The headache was still there, though, and it was hurting.  When I arrived at the doctor's office, the nurse took my blood pressure, which is routine.  I don't recall what the reading was, but it was extremely high.  In fact, it was so high, the nurse took it again to make sure it was accurate.  When my doctor came in, he didn't even want to hear about my headache.  He knew what was causing it.  HBP.  I could see the controlled panic in his eyes.  I like my doctor, and have discovered over the years that he is more apt to take action rather than sit back and react.  He immediately sent me to a heart specialist nearby, a Dr. Dakak.  In addition, he gave me a prescription for nitroglycerin.  He was really worried about me.

I drove ten minutes down the road to the heart specialist's office.  Dr. Dakak took me in immediately.  My headache had reached the point where I felt like my head was going to burst, and I was sick to my stomach. I was sweating profusely.  I laid back on the table and closed my eyes.  Dr. Dakak had started asking me a bunch of questions, but I couldn't focus on them.  He actually exited the room to find some nurses to help.  All of a sudden, I felt like I was going to pass out and throw up at the same time.  I jumped up and vomited into the trash can, just as the nurses rushed into the room.  They helped me back to the table and I laid down again.  I felt better, and the headache began to subside.  My shirt was soaked with sweat.  One of the nurses told me later that I was as pale as a ghost.  They wanted to call a relative to come and get me and take me to the hospital.  I gave them Dad's number.  One of the nurses called him and said he was on his way.

I was told to just relax.  I was okay.  I hadn't had a heart attack or heart episode of any kind, but they didn't want to take any chances and were sending me to the hospital to get a heart sonogram, just to check and make sure I had no blockages or anything.  Dad arrived and they explained to him what had happened.  I was exhausted and apparently looked like it.  I left my car there and Dad took me to the hospital.  It was about ten minutes away.  They were expecting me.

The procedure lasted about 30 minutes and, fortunately, there were no blockages.  Everything looked normal.  My BP was still high, but seemed to be under control.  I was able to go back, get my car, and head for home.  But not before making appointments for my first ever stress test and a bunch of other tests.  I was in new territory.  But I wasn't alone.  I had a couple of very good doctors treating me; my family was supporting me; and the Good Lord above had been guiding me throughout this experience, putting the doctors in the right place at the right time to treat me and help me.  Oh, how great is HE!

Since that day, I have been taking several medications for HBP, and I had my second stress test a few weeks ago.  My EKG still show an abnormality of some kind, but I had passed the stress test (he told me I was in good shape, not great, and my heart was strong, lungs were good, and there were no blockages anywhere.  Blood circulation was good in my arms and legs.  All of this was very encouraging.  My BP was in the normal range, thanks to the meds I was taking.  I was good for another six months, at least.  Dr. Dakak actually commented that I looked good and relaxed.  I told him I was, that I had just come back from vacation, one that included a LOT of walking around Manhattan.  He emphasized that I needed to keep exercising, and he stressed how important it was to be stress-free.  He told me that studies have shown that stress really is one of the significant causes of HBP.

Dr. Dakak and I chatted a bit after the formalities.  He asked about my vacation plans, and I told him we were going to Chicago this summer, then to several amusement parks, including Cedar Point, on the way back.  I told him how much my daughter and I loved roller coasters, and I wanted to continue to ride them.  However, I was concerned about the warnings regarding individuals with heart conditions being able to ride roller coasters.  He then gave me the best news all day:  he gave me his blessing to ride them as much as I wanted!

Dating T2, Part 1

On April 4, 1998, I met Teresa.  "T2" was her nickname.  (Her young cousin, Josh, couldn't say Teresa.  It came out as "Teretoo".  The name stuck and was shortened to "T2".)  We began to date and eventually we were married.  The following are excerpts from a diary I kept of our time together.  This is part one.  I'll post a few more parts in the days to come.  Enjoy!

***

4/4/98 – Met “Theresa”…Easter play at Montrose.

4/6/98 – Dan & I discuss Teresa; I agree to let him get her number for me.

4/7/98 – Dan says Teresa would like to get together with me.

4/12/98 – Dan gives me Teresa’s phone number.

4/22/98 – Called Teresa…not home, so left a message.

4/26/98 – Called Teresa again…not home, so left a message…she called me back 20 minutes later…nice conversation…“I like her!”

4/27/98 – Called Teresa again…talked for one and a half hours!  …very nice conversation.

5/2/98 – First date - I went to her apartment in Laurel…she looked very nice…we talked a bit, then to Olive Garden for dinner…raining, so we walked together under an umbrella…she liked that I put my hand in the small of her back…upset stomach, to bathroom, gone a while…Teresa briefly thought I had left her…everything’s fine…back to her apartment…we talked for several more hours…I left at 11 pm…wonderful time...nice chemistry.

5/4/98 – Exchanged our first (of many) emails…talked on phone that evening.

5/6/98 – More emails…

5/8/98 – Called Teresa and we talked some more…“She’s a real sweetheart!”

5/9/98 – 2^nd Date – I picked her up and we went to TGI Friday’s for lunch…went to Laurel Mall to window shop…to movies to see TITANIC (I later found out Teresa had seen it several times already)…back to her apartment…talked until 11 pm…First kiss…one hour drive home.

5/11/98 – Called Teresa…Kristen answered, gave me Teresa’s cell phone number; I called her and we chatted while she drove home; then she called me back and we talked for another hour!

5/14/98 – Called Teresa…another great conversation; she’s saying all of the right things…”I’m getting neat vibes!”

5/15/98 – 3^rd date (unofficial) – called Teresa…nice conversation, planning to get together tomorrow…I planned to do laundry tonight…Teresa has no plans tonight…”I’ll see you tomorrow”, says Eric…Dan tells me there is no rule that says you can only date once a week…I call Teresa back…Of COURSE she would like to get together tonight…I drive to her apartment…she greets me at the door, says her room mate, Kristen, had to go to the hospital, stomach pains, says she’s sorry, she has to cancel our date…despite her protests, I go with her to the hospital…Elizabeth there, too…while we waited for tests to be run to find out what’s wrong, Teresa and I talk…we’re there until 3 am!  Kristen has an ovarian cyst, but she is okay…Teresa later (MUCH later, after we are engaged) tells me she has a vision of me wearing her wedding band while we were waiting.

5/16/98 – 4^th Date - Met Teresa at Montrose Baptist Church…out to dinner at a very good Italian place on Rockville Pike…to White Flint Mall to window shop…back to Montrose…met Teresa’s Mom, Lynda…then we watch the school play, FAMILY OUTINGS, by Paul McCusker, my cousin…good play, well performed…said goodnight and headed home…Teresa later tells me a lively conversation ensued between her and her parents…Jim, her Dad, says, “I believe we have a winner!”

5/18/98 – Another one and a half hour phone conversation…

5/20/98 – Another one and a half hour phone conversation (remember, it’s long distance to phone between Laurel and Montgomery Village…but there’s no price tag on love…)

5/22/98 – 5/25/98 - Teresa in Detroit for the National Speech Competition with several of her Mt. Hebron students…

5/23/98 – Eric buys a new sports car…a 1999 Eagle Talon...

5/25/98 – Teresa home…she wants to see my car, so I drive to her place and we go for a ride…got ice cream at Tastee Freeze in Laurel…she says she likes my car…

5/28/98 – Teresa’s 26^th Birthday…I picked her up and we went to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory…we ate outside…after eating, we just sat and talked…a seagull flying overhead “unloaded” on our table…glad we were finished eating…we walked around and enjoyed a very romantic evening together…I took her home and said goodnight.

5/29/98 through 5/31/98 – Eric in Uniontown, PA, visiting with family.

5/31/98 – Talked to Teresa…”She’s so cheery…what a positive person!”

6/3/98 – Met Teresa at Boston Market for dinner…to the Wed. night service at Montrose Baptist Church…Dan introduced me to Pastor Ray Hope…and Kristy…

6/5/98 – “Cross-country”-ed to Teresa’s (rush hour traffic is very bad between Mont. Village and Laurel, necessitating back roads)…to movies and saw THE TRUMAN SHOW…talked and looked at pictures back at her place…left very late…

6/6/98 – Eric’s 29^th birthday…Teresa treated me to pizza at The Ledo Restaurant in Langley Park…then Teresa gave me a personal tour of the University of Maryland campus (she was a tour guide there in college; we both went to UMD)…much fun!

6/12/98 – Wedding rehearsal for Teresa’s friends, Joanne & Kevin, at Montrose…dinner at Chili’s with Jun & Jen, Tammy, and Elaine…Teresa & I to James III to help set up reception room for Joanne…Dropped Teresa off at Montrose and said goodnight…

6/13/98 – Joanne & Kevin’s wedding…nice service and reception…hurricane-type weather hit during the reception…Teresa and I to her parent’s house…they’re out of town…we got a pizza and watched a video, JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO…good, romantic movie (sort of) to end a romantic day…then I headed home…

6/15/98 – Met Teresa in Rockville for dinner at TGI Fridays…

6/17/98 – I played street hockey with a group of co-workers…decided to stop at Montrose to surprise Teresa…I remembered that she had choir practice, so I left a note on her car’s windshield and headed home…She called me later and we chatted for a bit…I realized tonight just how much I really love her…We formed the “Mutual Admiration Society”…we’re the only members…

6/19/98 – Teresa and I out for a Chinese dinner and to the movies…

6/20/98 – Teresa and I to New Market, MD, for a surprise 30^th birthday party for my friend and co-worker, Gary…Then to my parent’s place and Teresa met Mom & Dad for the first time…I think everyone liked each other, though Sam the Cat bit Teresa’s foot…Then we went to the Bowie Baysox game and I met Teresa’s Dad for the first time…Fireworks after the game…

6/23/98 – I met Teresa at Montrose, then I drove her to my place (she’s out of school for the summer)…out to eat at Mozerella’s…raining hard as I drove her back to Montrose and her car…we just sat in my car and talked until the rain let up and she could drive home safely…

6/25/98 – Met Teresa and Kristen at Montrose (Montrose Baptist became our “meeting each other halfway” spot)…to the National Zoo…DaVinci’s Notebook, friends of Teresa’s, performed…then to Armand’s for dinner…back to Montrose…Kristen went home, and Teresa and I talked for a bit…then we “raced” each other to the BW Parkway, where she headed home to Laurel and I went to Mom & Dad’s in Bowie…

6/26/98 – Teresa and to lunch at Macaroni Grill, then to Mt. Hebron High School, where Teresa works, and she gave me a tour…then to the movies at Snowden Square – first time in a theater with stadium seats!

6/27/98 – Teresa came over…cousin Erin here, too, waiting for Dan…Teresa and I took Erin with us to Frederick and went to Wonder Books, a used book store…then to Shoney’s for dinner…

6/29/98 – I decided to surprise Teresa at UMD, since she had a class that day, but it let out early and she had already left…I headed home…Called Teresa when I got home and she felt so bad that we had missed each other, as if it was her fault…

6/30/98 – Teresa made me dinner for the first time…we had her specialty, Ziti…afterward, I followed her over to Montrose for her ensemble rehearsal (Jun, Joanne, Tammy, and Elaine)…good time, hated to say goodbye…I found out about the nickname Joanne and Teresa came up with when they talk about me:  E-man…

Double-Decker Disappointment

While in New York, my daughter and I took a tour of the city on the Gray Line double-decker bus tour.  I bought tickets in advance, since the website highly recommended it, and I thought I would get the best deal by getting a 72 hour pass which would allow us to get on and off the bus wherever we wanted all three days we were in the city.  The bus would also take us to all of the sites we wanted to see.

When we arrived in New York, though, we were not able to get to the bus terminal near Times Square to get our tickets because of traffic, so we lost a day.  The following day, we walked across town to the Gray Line terminal and found out we would have to wait in the same line as all those who didn't purchase advance tickets.  It took us over 30 minutes just to pick up our tickets.

With tickets in hand, we went to the starting point for the downtown tour.  Unfortunately, the map did not show exactly where this was, and we ended up in line for the uptown tour.  The downtown tour line had already boarded another bus that was about to depart.  We ran for it and were the last to board, getting the last two seats available in the upper deck.  It took about 20 minutes for the bus to get out of Times Square because of traffic.

The tour from that point was kind of nice, and we saw many of the sites we wanted to see.  When we arrived in Chinatown, we hopped off to get some lunch.  We had a terrific lunch at Shanghai Heping Restaurant on Mott St.  We then headed to the 9/11 memorial to find the bus stop.  This ended up being extremely difficult since the stops are not marked, and the map was of no help (and I'm a cartographer by trade....I know how to read a map, make a map, design a map... this map was not very good).

After a good bit of wandering around near Battery Park, we found the bus stop there only because there was a double-decker bus parked there.  With that knowledge, we decided to board the Staten Island Ferry to get our best view of the Statue of Liberty (the island was still closed to the public due to Hurricane Sandy damage).  After a round trip ride, we again boarded the bus.  We were informed that this was the last bus back to Times Square.  In the meantime, while our bus was parked and we waited to leave, two more double-decker buses drove by.

We really wanted to see the night-tour of the city on the double-decker bus, so we hopped off the bus we were riding at Rockefeller Center and walked back to Times Square.  It was just starting to get dark.  We found the night-tour bus and boarded.  Unfortunately, we were seated in the section under the plexiglass roof which, while keeping us warm, was scratched up so badly that you could not see through it very well, let alone take pictures through it.  It lasted almost two hours with no stops.

We hoped things would be better the next day, our last in New York City.  We checked out of our hotel and walked over to the United Nations.  After getting some pictures, we waited at the bus stop indicated on the map.  It turned out that this stop was elsewhere, not where the map specified.  After getting to the correct location, we watched not one, but two double-decker buses blow right by us without stopping.  We continued to wait, but after another 30 minutes, we decided to walk.  We were in need of a pit stop, so we used the Waldorf Astoria Hotel as our rest stop.  Then we went to Rockefeller Center again to catch the bus there.  We waited for over an hour and no buses showed up.  We were running late on time, and decided that we would just have to walk to our last destination before heading out of town.

My conclusion is that, while the Gray Line tours sound good, they are really not as good a deal as you might think.  There are better ways of seeing this wonderful city, and I would look for them as alternatives to Gray Line.  Sometimes you're better off touring the city on your terms.

Lastly, I just want to add that New York City really is an awesome place to visit.  Sure, the people can be rude, no one is going to hold your hand, and the subway system is a mess to decipher, but the city has this charm about it that can't be compared to any other city I've been to.  I've always been a bit intimidated by the idea of spending any time in NYC, but I was totally wrong not to visit sooner.  It's better than Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and even DC, my own hometown (but not better than San Francisco -- that place is awesome!).  We're already looking forward to our next trip.

My Traveling Companion

We arrived at home late last night after a week on the road.  Today was a day of rest and reflection, as well as thankfulness that God protected us during our trip and kept us healthy, safe, and happy.  My little co-pilot, daughter, and buddy for the trip was a terrific travel companion.  She is so easy going and enjoys many of the same things as me.  We really had a great time!

She handed me a note she typed up this afternoon, which I'll share here:

Dear Daddy,

I love you with all my heart!!  Thank you for the wonderful Spring Break trip you planned for us!  It has been such a delight to travel with you!!  I will always be there when you need me most!!

Your lovable daughter,
Melody

Sitting in a NYC park:

The top of the Empire State Building:

Crossing Lake Champlain on the ferry from Vermont to New York:

Eating New York City pizza:

Eating in Chinatown:

Enjoying a double-decker bus tour of NYC:

Last Night In NYC

Top of the Rock -- Rockefeller Center -- our last night in New York City. Spring Break is almost over.

Counting States

I love counting the number of states I've traveled to. I'm up to 41. I still need to add Idaho, North Dakota, Iowa, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the two most distant, Alaska and Hawaii.

What's even more fun is helping my daughter and road trip companion increase her own state count. Our current New England trip has gotten her count up to 27, and she's very excited about that. Maine was #26 and Vermont #27. We're going to have to plan a big Out West trip soon. I've always wanted to drive to Hawaii!

Boston's Just Ducky

Spent the day in Boston....cold, overcast, snow-flurried Boston. We made the best of it, though, and took a Duck Tour. Our driver, former rapper M.C. History, really knew his, ummm... history, and kept us all entertained. Highly recommended, and much better than the Gray Line New York City double-decker bus tour (I'll save that story for a later post).

Random Spring Break Notes

I was really intimidated before arriving in New York City, but after spending a few days there, I'm disappointed we didn't stay longer. There is SO much to do!

That said, it is crowded, expensive, and I still can't figure out the subway system.

I don't know why the mayor is so concerned about obesity. From what I saw, most people seem pretty fit. In fact, I was amazed by how many women wear tights as pants (with boots. Always with boots.), and they all looked to be in good shape. I'm hoping fashions change before my daughter starts wanting to wear that look!

Newport, RI, is the typical beautiful seaside New England town. We only passed through, but it's definitely worth coming back to.

When I look at Plymouth Rock, it's hard for me to imagine how they could know that's the actual rock the Pilgrims landed on. There are a lot of other rocks nearby.

Boston drivers are some of the worst drivers I've ever seen. Add in a thunderstorm and my vehicle agitating them with my Pittsburgh Steelers magnets all over the tailgate, and things can potentially get even worse!

Just discovered many of the sites we plan to see in New Hampshire are still closed for the season! Very disappointing. I think we might go back to NYC.

Easter

Christ is risen!

NYC

What a cool city!

Maundy Thursday

These verses always leave me with a heavy heart, even knowing how it ends, especially given that Jesus prays to the Father to take the burden from him, if it is His will.  And then his disciples desert him.

Matthew 26

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane

³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.