About: pnlop22
- Website
- http://pnlop22.googlepages.com
- Bio
- Laura Marte Araujo-Bilbao is beginning her career in freelance writing and she specializes in culture, careers, eco-friendly ideas, entertainment, pets, travel, women, family & social relationships issues. She also writes fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She has published a poem and a short story online. She has a degree in Business Administration from her home country and she is working towards a second Bachelor's in Creative Writing. She is originally from the Dominican Republic and her native language is Spanish. Laura lives in Lubbock, Texas with her husband, who is the main inspiration and fuel for her blog and the many stories she writes.
Archive by Author
Dreams, Kicks, and Anniversaries…
Posted on 17. Jan, 2009 by pnlop22.
This week we had our second wedding anniversary.
It was supposed to be a “Cotton” Anniversary (which is also a symbol of prosperity). Here are some of the symbols related to this year’s anniversary:
Color: Red (shouldn’t it be the 1st anniversary color??)
Modern Gift Ideas: China
“By the time a couple celebrates their second anniversary, they are more cozy with one another, making cotton the appropriate anniversary gift for this wedding anniversary celebration, ” states the website http://marriage.about.com/cs/anniversaries/a/wedannivideas.htm.
Now, let’s get back to reality.
Cotton is good, but… as an anniversary gift? I don’t think cotton has that much significance in our relationship.
None of us like jazz. Argenis doesn’t even know what the Cotton Club was and if I explained it to him it would go in and out of his head like a breeze.
All the good movies of 2008 already came and left. We might try “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, but I’m not sure if a 3 hour movie that is not Star Wars, The Lord of The Rings, or Spider Man would be the best option to celebrate.
My husband doesn’t like concerts, sports (other than video games), or theater in general. Don’t even mention dancing to him. He does enjoy a good cold piña colada and some Dominican rum, but that’s about it. In addition, I can’t drink any alcohol, be in a smoking environment, or bump around dancing as I used to a few months ago, so that is out of the question. Being a date that we’re supposed to enjoy together, I wouldn’t want to force him to be in a place just to please me. (I’ll leave that for our birthdays next month).
We didn’t have a wedding, so we don’t have a wedding video. We went into the Court Room one cold January morning and it was all done in seven minutes. Since we were new in town, we didn’t have any witnesses, friends, or relatives. We do have a couple of blurry pictures that we had to shoot ourselves. All we have is the original marriage license itself, the newspaper announcement, and the first envelope addressed to “Mr. and Mrs. Laura and Argenis Bilbao” received a few days later. I keep these things as silent mementos of that unforgettable day when I dared to take the biggest risk of my entire life: marrying a guy I had only met in person less than three months before…
…after 6 months of chatting online.
And I don’t regret any of what I have lived with him.
Although, to us, the second wedding anniversary means that the worst is over.
That’s right, marriage is not easy, folks. Especially for me, because I never even lived by myself before, and for him, who never lived with a girl before (and a very different one than himself!).
We have been filling up an empty house by ourselves, with burned dishes (and almost burned kitchens!), weird neighbors (in both good and bad ways), colds, snow, discussions over who is messier, who never listens to the other, why we need to recycle, why we can’t throw away that dish that has been sitting in the refrigerator for two weeks now, whose turn is to fill up the gas tank, and how can a guy prepare a full meal without using a single knife or plate while a girl makes the same meal and the result is a kitchen that came out of Picasso’s mind.
But we have also filled it with plenty of love-making, praise over meatballs and resort-like breakfasts, showers together, pizza-and-a-movie nights after long days, lengthy talks about daily happenings and miss-happenings, bare- walking around the house, car rescues in the cold or in a dark parking lot in the middle of the night, back-rubbing and healing kisses for homesickness, praise over stupid little achievements (like the computer piece #5 that finally didn’t blew up or the drapes that took me three days to finish…)
Recently, the excitement over the ultrasound of a performing baby that is part of us and us staring at my belly being kicked from the inside by our very own son.
The house is now a home and it will soon contain a whole family.
We will enjoy these few months of “just the two of us” until little Ezequiel comes, and then it will be adaptation again.
I still don’t know what we’ll do to celebrate our anniversary, but whatever happens, I will enjoy it!
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How to Steal and Return a Banned Outfit
Posted on 08. Jan, 2009 by pnlop22.
It’s Saturday night. There is a big party at the Recreation Center. You have nothing to wear. Sure, there is the same old navy polka-dot knee high dress that brings up the color of your eyes, but you have already worn that five times. There is no time or money to buy anything new. If you could only have that pink flowing dress your sister bought last week, you would be the queen of the night. The only problem is that every time you use something that belongs to your sister you break it, stain it, or lose it. She will not let you borrow anything anymore. The following steps and tips will help you get your hands on any banned piece of clothing and return it undetected.
First, make sure your sister will not attend the same event you are planning on going to with her belongings. Then make sure she is not at home at the moment you attempt to extract anything from her bedroom. Many times sisters suspect you are trying to make a move, and they wait a few seconds to storm back into their bedrooms to catch you on the crime scene.
If the bedroom is locked, use an old credit card or a small party knife to break into the room. Bobby pins don’t work unless you’re a professional. Also, have a small heavy object like a shoe or a book close by. Insert the party knife or the credit card with a sharp movement between the strike plate attached to the door frame and the handle’s deadlatch. Shuffle your tool slightly until you manage to open the door. The objective should be pushing the deadlatch movable part back inside the door itself. This way you will remove any obstacles that hold the door shut. Take your time. Once you get more practice, it becomes easier. When you manage to open the door, use your small heavy object to keep the door from shutting itself back.
Once you are inside the bedroom, localize your forbidden piece. If your sister knows you want it, she will probably hide or disguise it from you. Search everywhere carefully, but put everything back in its place to avoid suspicion. Taking a picture of the room with your cell phone or digital camera before you start searching will help you to put everything back perfectly. Be careful with traps your sister may have put around to know if someone goes through her belongings. A very popular trap is placing one or more glasses of water on strategic places that make them easy to stumble with and spill. Look and have replacements handy for transparent scotch-tape or hair placed on closets, cupboards, and drawers you might need to look into.
When you find what you are looking for, take another picture of the way the piece of clothing was hanging or was folded to help cover your tracks later. For best results, put another piece of clothe similar in color and shape to the one that you remove. This will not save you in case you get caught, but at least it will buy you some time if you need it to return the piece. Close and lock the door again, and keep your breaking-in tools available.
Remember to always have an alibi and an accomplice. Parents usually cover you up in exchange of being part of a family conspiracy in which they can feel important. Younger siblings are not such a good choice, as they can easily be bribed or coerced to confess and incriminate you. It is best to tell your parents the truth and have them help you, but if this is not possible, show them another outfit similar to what you will actually be wearing, then change and leave with an overcoat. This way they will be stating a fact without lying, if questioned.
Once you have what you are looking for in your hands, start to get ready immediately. Plan to use accessories or an emergency jacket to cover up or disguise whatever you are wearing, in case there is someone at the event that knows your sister and can tell her what you were wearing. Don’t boast about your outfit and never say where you got it. It is best to keep a low profile.
At the event, be careful not to damage the outfit, especially if you are going to eat or play outdoors. Always carry a quick stain remover and some paper napkins for minor stains. Use a dry deodorant, and preferably put it on after you are wearing the piece to avoid white stains. Do not use perfume or any product that can leave any detectable scent. Some thread and a needle will also help in case you lose a button.
Be sure to return home before your sister does. Be alert for any odors that might give you away. Fabreze is usually good to cover any body, smoke, or food odors you might have caught on your night out. If you have to, and if you have enough time, stop at a dry cleaner and wash and press the piece. Then wear it again for a few minutes so it will not look so perfectly clean.
Break into the room again, and put everything back with the use of the pictures you already took. Then pretend nothing happened, and act normal. If you get questioned, deny everything. Use your alibi and your accomplice.
Never reveal the details of your escapade to anyone. It may get to your sister’s ears eventually, and even if she does not retaliate, she may take strongest measures to avoid you from taking anything banned from her room. You know your strategies worked if you never get questioned by your sister or notice any difference whenever you have to repeat the process. With time, it will get easier to steal anything from her over and over. It will mean your skills are growing stronger.
Have fun tonight!
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It’s a Boy! – 4th Month
Posted on 16. Dec, 2008 by pnlop22.
Yes, and according to the latest tests, a very healthy one.
Argenis and I went to the last ultrasound together and held hands while watching the big flat screen with our little baby jumping up and down inside of me. He even wiggled his hands and feet. [...]
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Write! – 2nd and 3rd Month Blues…
Posted on 24. Nov, 2008 by pnlop22.
I have been so sick and depressed I barely have had time to keep up with school, work, doctor’s appointments, and home care.
This weekend my husband saw me for the sixth or seventh time sleeping from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. on a Friday, when he woke me up to hand me some food and talk. He might not be a dancer or a very social person, but he does like to talk.
“I was researching something for you” he said.
I thought he was looking for baby or pregnancy stuff.
“It’s about an ISBN”, he explained while he rubbed my almost non existing belly, “you can get one on your own with a little investment and you can get published without actually going to an editor”.
“Really?” , I tried to sound excited, while coping with the grogginess of the Zofran and the messed up feeling of my stomach. “Why were you looking for that, honey?”
“Because I see you sleeping all the time and it’s been a while since the last time you wrote anything and I don’t want you to give up on your dream of becoming a writer…”
…
Then the hormone tide rose.
“%$#^%&^%*^(&(*! &(*&&! K^%&*! ”
I’m kidding. I could never yell at him like that.
But I was upset, because it made me think he thinks I’m a lazy woman who sleeps and eats ice cream whenever she can!
Well, I have things to tell you, mister, I work from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, I am taking two college classes and Acing them, I am going through my second and third months, I have no family here, and I have to take care of the house!
(Not that I am a Stepford wife; yesterday I bought Chinese food enough for 3 days so I won’t have to cook for a while).
Maybe when you get to feel what is like to be pregnant, working, and studying at the same time you will tell me if you want to get home with a sunshine smile and actually produce and create something new!!
Nah, I didn’t actually say it like that.
But one look of my disgruntled face was enough to tell him that and more. He decided to shush and hold me quietly.
Five minutes and half a cup of ice cream later my mind started to think more clearly. What was he trying to tell me? That he wanted me to have success. What did I reply to that? I rather not remember. What kind of a wife I’m I? Are all pregnant women transfigurations of their dark sides? Here I am being rubbed by a loving guy whose only desire is seeing me happy and I bring all the bad stuff inside of me to him in a moment when he’s just trying to make me feel loved.
Ladies, I know- first hand- that it’s not easy. I’ve seen it happen with friends and relatives. If you are pregnant, don’t let your hormones hurt anyone who doesn’t really deserve it. If you have to say something unfriendly, have a snack, lie down for five minutes and think it over.
If after that little filter you still think you were really offended, then go ahead and let it roll!
Till next time!
P.d. Here’s the first ultrasound at 8 weeks. Today I’m getting the second one. Enjoy!
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OMG! I’m Pregnant! – 1st Month September 2008
Posted on 10. Oct, 2008 by pnlop22.
To keep up with the “Newly-wed Diary” part, I will tell you that my husband is still assimilating the idea that he will get a present for next Father’s Day. He rubs my belly every once in a while, absentmindedly, tries to be funny, saying things like “I can’t believe I inseminated you”, or “hey, isn’t your period due yet?”. On the other hand, he is focused more than ever on finishing school as fast as he can. With a little bit of luck he will be finished by the time of our baby 2nd birthday. I love him so much, and I am so happy that I will produce new life with him.
I called everyone I could think of to tell them about my pregnancy. Everybody wants to come to Texas to see me! I keep joking and saying that if they come they’ll get the chance to make a wish and rub my belly!
I looked online and my baby is now a bunch of cells that are reproducing really fast and implantating on my uterus walls. To do that the cells need to suck all the energy and nutrients they can from me. To help with the process and to avoid passing out, I have to take these nasty prenatal vitamins loaded with iron, B vitamins, and as much folic acid as possible. I decided to grind the pills and swallow them mixed with a tablespoon of honey to ease the taste. They do help, as I don’t feel as tired or nauseated as I should. When I laugh too hard, or sneeze, or cough, I feel something small being pulled below my belly. My breasts are definitely bigger and tender. And hellooo nausea!
Some advice I have received to fight the Morning Sickness:
1 – Eat crackers ALL THE TIME to avoid having an empty stomach. It appears that the causes of nausea are related to the same hormones that are loosening my uterus to hold the baby. Those hormones are so concentrated that they are also loosening the connecting passage of my stomach-intestines-esophagus. The result is more acid than usual.
2 – Sleep well and take the vitamins. The strongest my immunological system is, the better it will be ready to fight nausea.
3 – Drink ginger in any preparation (tea, soda, etc.). Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea.
4 – Eat in small amounts several times a day instead of having three or two big meals.
Do you know any other remedies? Do share them with me!
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OMG! I’m Pregnant! : D
Posted on 25. Sep, 2008 by pnlop22.
photo credit: chimothy27
YES!
This is not just an article about pregnant women.
This is a blog entry about my newfound pregnancy.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Baby! Baby! Baby!
I found out two days ago and after hours of shock, finding the best way of popping it to my husband, and telling it at work and to my friends and family, I get to write it here.
I guess this blog is not just “Diary of a Newly-wed” anymore, but something more like “Diary of a Newly-wed-Newly-pregnant woman”!
I swear I did not have a plan for this; it is completely unnexpected. And yet, I have never felt happier with what is happening right now to me with the man I love. We are both producing new life and we are going to be the best mommy and daddy. I suppose I was just living the life away as best as I could and this only exponientialy magnifies the level of happiness I feel. We’re going to have a baby. My baby. And I’m gonna love him or her with all my heart.
I feel bunnies and rainbows and butterflies and birds and little elves and candy and flowers all over inside and around me.
Watch Out Mommies Magazine, You have another Mommy on her way!
Yay!
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I survived my first month of classes (Fall 2008)
Posted on 22. Sep, 2008 by pnlop22.
I apologize that it has taken me so long to write. I came back from New York and got caught up on a frenzy of home cleaning and cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, back-to-work duties, missed husband cuddles, family up-to-dates…I could go on and on, but I finally managed today to steal some time to let you know how things are. [...]
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