Introducing Miss Dottie

For my wedding present, SJY got me the best present in the entire world (note to self: remember to order SJY's wedding present). Anyway, Her name is Miss Dottie and she's the cutest puppy I've ever seen in my life! I realize everyone says that about their dogs, but I don't think anyone who looks at her picture could argue with that statement.
She was with the breeder in North Carolina until about a month ago, when we got her. She's a Yorkie-poo, so not only is she really smart, she is hypo-allergenic- which is a total bonus because dog hair all over everything makes me crazy. We got her when she was four months old, so we had to finish potty training her...which was a bit tricky since we live in an apartment in downtown Seattle and the only patch of grass in a four block radius is next door at the Shell station. Dottie has completely owned that patch of grass.
So, here's a picture of the lovely Miss Dottie so you all can drool and be jealous. It's bound to happen.

green thumb

I grew a plant. seriously. While this may not be a big deal in most people's lives, I have not been able to grow anything remotely aesthetically pleasing since the mullet I sported in the 2nd grade. Ask any of my former roommates, and they'll tell you that I often buy little potted flowers with the best of intentions...and shortly after, death ensues. without fail. At first I under-watered the flowers and dried 'em all out. Then, in attempts to keep my flowers adequately watered, I ended up over-watering them and killing them that way. I assumed the more water the better...but flowers don't really work that way. I guess it's only humans that need 8 cups/day. oops...
Anyway, around Christmas time I was feelin' the botanical urge yet again, and decided to give my black thumb another chance. I bought an all-inclusive, fool-proof, bulb plant. The package came with a bulb, rocks, and a clear pot. All I had to do was put the bulb in the pot, cover it up with rocks, add water, and wait for a miracle. And ladies and gentlemen, a miracle is what I got.
So, In honor of my green thumb, I'm posting a picture of the flower/success story. In all honestly, I have no idea what the flower is called, I'm just happy it's not dead. That's a start.

wedding slide show

So, our photographer is still working on editing our wedding pictures, but he did put together a short slide show of some of the pictures. You can view the slide show at www.kevinmilz.com/kouns Enjoy!

My heart will go on

So, this past week marked the ending of an era, and I feel foolish that I let it slip by without proper acknowledgment. But better late than never. After 5 long years, Celine Dion took her bows in Las Vegas as her show A New Day ended its run at The Colosseum at Caesar's Palace.
Now some may find this incredibly odd (with the exception of my friend, Julia), but I have a surprising appreciation for Celine Dion. Yes, she's got some quirk in her, she's married to a geriatric, and has absolutely no idea how to dress herself properly for the red carpet, but the woman's got pipes. There's just no arguing that.
Anyway, somewhere along the line I promised myself that I'd make it to Vegas to see her show, but apparently I lost track of time, so I never made it. However, rumor has it that she's coming to Seattle next year, and I can guarantee that I'm taking myself (and dragging SJY) down to the Key Arena so I can weep in person as she sings It's All Comin' Back to me Now at the top of her lungs (and you KNOW she will).
So, peace out, Celine. See ya next year.

Crumbs

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Hope Is The Thing With Feathers by Emily Dickinson.

I've read through this poem quite a bit lately. I agree with Dickinson that hope is penetrating and insistent; we feel its presence even when we cannot find words to express it. Yet I find that I struggle with the last two lines of the poem. Dickinson seems to imply that hope simply "is" without asking anything of or from us in return. I disagree. Vehemently. I think that hope asks much of us. In fact, maintaining a posture of anticipation, of longing, of the not-yet often requires all that I am.

One of our administrators uses honey bees to illustrate this notion. I'll attempt to paraphrase- While the majority of the honey bees in a hive are maintaining the food supply or are droning about, roughly 5-10% of the honey bees are scout bees that forge ahead to explore new food sources and potential hive locations. When the food supply runs low or another queen takes over, the bees have a greater chance at survival because these scouts have already laid plans to relocate. The entire future of the hive depends on their dedication. However, the job of a scout bee is very dangerous as they are exposed to the elements of nature; many die as they search. Scout bees live in a way that continually hopes for something different and new. While their labor allows the hive to survive and bear fruit, the work of these brave bees is dangerous and asks much of them.

All that to say, I think hope asks more of us than we like to think. It's not merely a tune we hear in the background of our lives. It is, rather, the thing deep down inside all of us that begs us to live in the midst of longing, anticipation, and desire for something new. While hope is the thing that sustains life, it requires that we not only give crumbs, but that we give of ourselves. And that is asking a lot.

the beautiful left coast

I was just looking through through some random pictures and found this one of a Seattle sunset. We have some of the most beautiful that I've seen, so I thought I'd share it with you.
Enjoy

Gettin' Hitched

So, about a month ago I got hitched. SJY and I got married in Nashville, and I have to say the wedding was absolutely beautiful! People keep telling us the evening was like something out of a movie...and I have to say that I agree. The ceremony was outside by candlelight. The bridesmaids (pictured to the left) carried lanterns and there were teeny tiny candles hanging from all the trees. It was beautiful.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good everything looked, as most of my planning was done from across the country. I'll post a picture of SJY and I together in our wedding attire as soon as I get my hands on one.
SJY and I are back to the grind of school and work. We're busy busy, so we're looking forward to Thanksgiving, when we both have the day off. I'm gonna make my famous mashed potatoes and my ultra famous sweet tea. These Seattlites haven't lived until they've had my sweet tea. It's got enough sugar to grow a nasty mouth fungus, if you're not careful. Luckly, I am.
That's all for now. Hope you all are having a wonderful season of thanks-giving and are taking time to rest and be with the ones you love.

TLK-Y