Perils of LDR

CD was suppose to fly in on past Friday - ETA ~11:50PM. Starting about 7PM, text messages started to flow, and FB updates made it painfully clear that Mid-West was already hit with a Tornado. O'Hare pretty much closes down when there is a bit of drizzle, so we both knew this was not looking good. After many delays after delays, his flight was canceled at about 1AM...

Add hours at the Airport customer service line + taxi line + being on hold on the reservation phone line...fortunately for me, he was able to find a flight to Dallas on Saturday - ETA ~2PM. Throw in another dash of delay, he was finally here at ~4PM on Saturday.

Thankfully, from that point on, it was a blissful day and a half!

We grabbed some chips and salsa (+ a few margaritas) at Primos; met up with his former colleague who showed us around a couple of neighborhood bars (Ginger Man & Londoner); brunch with my colleagues; watched 'Hangover' once again (it was just as funny the second time around!); and even got to squeeze in our very first wedding-related activity! We happened to walk by Paper Source, so we looked at some stationery and picked out two colors that are forerunners in becoming our wedding colors. :)

We hit a bit of speedbump when we checked out the restaurant Fish - no link to Fish because it was absolutely the worst Sushi restaurant we've ever been to. The atmosphere is better than fine - cool mix of black and red decor. But, the Sashimi was tasteless - obviously frozen and thawed multiple times. (I was actually really worried that we might get sick!) The appetizer, beef wrapped avocado, was too heavy (seemed like a novel idea, but the two just didn't harmonize in taste); the spicy yellowtail roll was bland; and tempura was too greasy. I was none too thrilled that our weekend had to end with that meal.

Nonetheless, we enjoyed the rest of the evening in each other's company. This morning, it was difficult dropping him off at the airport - I mean, it was really difficult: we had to leave my place at 5:15AM; I got us lost twice (well, made detours) at the airport; and ended up dropping him off at a wrong gate...and all this on his BIRTHDAY! (Happy Birthday, Honey!)

It's his birthday but all I know is that I was the one showered with gifts this weekend - his visit! Oh, and did I mention I miserably failed and couldn't find a gift for him in time? (Yes, I know. I seriously need to do better...)...

BTW, shout out to J&A - thank you for Pug-sitting!

Rendezvous @ ORD

On Tuesday, I flew out of BUF, made a stop at ORD, then came home to DFW. For some reason, I had completely forgotten my layover was at Chicago (thought it was in St. Louis or LaGuardia); and the layover was ~2 hrs giving us (or should have given us) plenty of time to meet up and have dinner. It was a pleasant surprise (?) and I was so ecstatic.

...

Then, the rain came to Chicago. We all know O'Hare when it drizzles, nevermind a storm. My incoming flight was suspended in the air and we circled for over 40 min! And as the luck will have it, my outbound flight was only delayed by 15 min. This gave us about 45 minutes to sit down together.

...

It felt "funny" having to meet my very own FI at an airport for a quick bite and having to be on my way again. You do this sort of a thing with friends or relatives who live afar and/or don't see often...this isn't the way to get in the "face time" with your own FIANCE! Well, unfortunately, that is the situation for us right now and we are learning to appreciate every minute we get to share - Time is a treasure.

Convocation

There are times when you just know that the eyes you are looking into are lovingly looking back at you. Tuesday was filled with such times. In my parents' eyes; in my brother's eyes; and in my FI's eyes...

Believe me when I say the convocation ceremony was not for me, but it was for my loved ones who watched over and supported me through all the years. It was such a fantastic day knowing that I was their pride and joy. I was especially happy to have CD standing by me, sharing this special moment that officially marked the end of a life's chapter, and to see the genuine adoration and pride in his eyes...

...I've worked and sacrificed for a long time to be Dr. Ko; but, now I cannot wait to become Mrs. Dauk! :)

Being apart...

It's been a week since I returned to Dallas. To say it's been frustrating and lonesome(?) would be an understatement. I feel that this is time when we should be cherishing every moment of excitement and actively looking and planning for the future (of course, including the wedding)...but we are hundreds of miles apart and I just can't find any motivation to go about my day.

CD's been very supportive and does his best to brighten my day. But when the moment fades, I'm back to being lethargic again. :(

I'll get over it soon. Perhaps it has to do with, in part, my dis-satisfaction of progress at work...(don't feel like elaborating on that part, at least not today)...

I share this because the down side also make up a KoDauk moment I want to cherish. Because one day, I'll look back on this post and say: "how silly! now you can't wait to have some time to yourself!"

...ooh, I can't wait for that day! ;)