2013: A Year of Great Moments & Boring Months

Over the course of this last year I've often reflected that 2012 was the strangest year of my life.  Time has had it's effect and dulled the strangeness but it remains a year of unpredictable moments.  2013 has proven to be quite the opposite.

Most people reading this blog know that about 45 minutes into 2013 I asked Amanda to marry me.  

When that happened I knew I'd be heading to Saudi Arabia, so after the initial major life change things started to fold out quite predictably.  

We decided on places we wanted to visit during R&Rs and have mostly stuck to the plan, seeing New York, London, Scotland, & Italy.  We've yet to see Ireland, and we left off some key places in Italy in favor of having more time in the places we did stay.  We definitely intend to go back and spend a few more weeks there... eh... we might spend a few months in Italy at one point.

Ireland got cut out of 'Ryan & Amanda's Crazy Celtic Adventure' because it was just getting too crazy. (I think the first draft of our itinerary had 38 hours driving plus 6 hours on a ferry.

Amanda and I started in a routine of 2 skype days a week, which quickly turned into 2 skype days and 2 scheduled phone calls a week, which has now turned into 2 skype days, minimum 3 phone calls a week.

Life here is very predictable.  I work about 80 hours a week and the rest is filled up with Amanda, working out, eating, & sleeping.  Maybe some reading or video games here and there.  It's not fun and the project can be frustrating but it is getting Amanda and I off to a great start in our marital finances.

So, with the year now behind us I'll offer:

My top 10 moments of 2013...

10.  Drew & Nick giggling like girls when Amanda and I walked up to them in New York.  They were just so happy for me.

9. Beautiful Scotland

8. Tea at Edinburgh Castle

7.  Craft Beer Festival & Avett Brothers on R&R

6. Wicked in London!!!

5. This cheesecake.

4.  Staying in a castle.

3.  Getting to know Saluda's Sweet Tea Pork Chop - really the only reason for Columbia to be.

2. Something I've been looking forward to my whole life, going to the top of the Empire State Building

1. She said yes.

Life Update... or Lack of a Life... Update

Haven't blogged since Italy.... it's been a function of work being busy, life outside of work being dull, and not a whole lot changing.

I was on R&R in late November and early December, and the R&R was busy.  Wedding planning, dance lessons, catching up on 6 months of mail, Thanksgiving and early Christmas all rolled up together.

We met with Amanda's childhood pastor and he didn't refuse to wed us! 

My room-mate was in the process of moving out and is now gone, so Amanda has started "softening" my condo.

I ate some incredible food while home.  Melting Pot, Saluda's, Saskatoon, and Schianos all stood out.  Plus we got to try the rehearsal dinner cakes and bring some home.  Member's of the wedding are in for a treat... hint hint... Patrick Goodman.

This next go around for me is much shorter at only 6 weeks between R&Rs.  We are headed to Jamaica in mid January to get some all inclusive resort practice prior to the honeymoon.  81 degrees, swim up bars, 15 restaurants... we can't wait.

Amanda continued exposing me to Downton Abbey and I introduced her to Sherlock.  The British TV theme fit well with my Christmas present to her... a tea set!

In other news... wedding invitations ought to go out soon... and since we have no wedding website... or shame... we are registered at Bed Bath & Beyond, Amazon, & Macys.

I'm coming up on a year at site and believe I'm well past the half way point... still thousands of reasons to be here though... 5 honeymoon payments, 9 car payments... I expect by late Summer 2014 I'll be wrapping up things here, hopefully on my way to Greenville for a rotation through the office and a chance to you know... live with my wife.