Now MRS. Hannah Jackson... and now 31 years old!

It is November 14, 2011.  If anyone had told me a few years ago, or even a year ago how amazing this past weekend would have been... I would have never believed them. From SC to Korea to HI; all in one year... and now, I am a MRS. Eric is a wonderful man, and I am so proud to be his wife. I can't wait to see what all God has planned for us, as we begin our journey together.

 Saturday was the wedding (clearly more pics. and a video to follow, soon!) - and I was reminded of how blessed we are. I am taking a moment to rest and just be THANKFUL for good friends and my new husband.

   Now, as I sit here at a new home alone, Korea seems so far away. South Carolina and Indiana seem so far away; but many people in these places are still near and dear in my heart. I am now married to my best friend, the man better than anything I could ever imagine... followed by a mini honeymoon... followed by my birthday today in Hawaii... then hearing about a 17-12 Gamecock victory over Florida... oh yes, God is good. Also, I have been blessed with amazing friends and I am so thankful for it all! What are YOU thankful for today?

 

Only FIVE MORE DAYS... very busy, very excited!

Happy Halloween!

  Something a little more fun...

Pumpkin carving with my Pumpkin!

  Sunday, Eric and I carved pumpkins. He claims to have not done this for 20+ years; but he certainly did a nice job, so I don't know. Maybe he HAS been practicing on the side?
  Here I am carving. Sam (the dog) was helping, well, maybe "supervising". He didn't really understand what we were doing. Clearly, he was thrilled.

   Hannah, carving. At least I knew Eric was taking this picture.

  Eric did the more traditional jack-o-lantern style.  Oooh, scary! Nicely done.

  This year is special. It was our first of many holidays "together"... and we will be married in 3 weeks! So, I opted for something a little different. Eric was watching me, concerned that the big part would just punch through, but I had a plan.... It's a heart. It says "H + E 11 12 11" - our wedding date. Plus a smiley face.

   Oooh, scary. That's more my "Pirate face," but it works with these, as well. Aaaarrrrrr, Matey!

  Hmmm. Where are the pictures of Eric? I was busy carving... and he was busy taking pictures. Ha.

  We carved pumpkins. I roasted the pumpkin seeds. I also used part of the pumpkin guts for Eric's birthday dinner later that night... any ideas what was on the menu?

What will YOU be for Halloween?

   Though I am usually some variation of a Pirate (Arrr, Matey!) , I decided to take a break from the roll as “Hellfire Hannah” this year… because this is a special year, indeed.  Earlier, I had asked Eric about his plans for Halloween. I wondered if he would want to do something “as a couple”. Well, he will actually be going into the field for one week, starting October 31^st. He did have plans to attend a costumed birthday party this past weekend, but at the time of our discussion, he did not yet know that I would in fact be here on the island with him. So, in the interest of keeping the surprise a secret, I told him we would have to have “our first Halloween together” next year… knowing full well that it would be THIS year. Tee he he.

  So I got here last Tuesday, took a few days to rest and adjust to the time difference… then asked again about ideas for our costumes.  Eric was thinking he would just be a “cereal killer” or something (mini boxes of ceral, with plastic knives all around them) or something – he doesn’t particularly like to get all dressed up for Halloween. We needed a good idea, something fun and not too expensive… and I wanted something we would do “together”.  Suggestions online were like Popeye and Olive Oil (I can do her voice, but am not quite thin enough to pull that off; though my Eric does have some massive arm muscles!) or even Fred and Wilma Flinstone – this also was not quite a fit for us. I thought about a tree or a giant for Eric, but didn’t like anything for me there.

    Knowing that Eric doesn’t like to dress up much, I thought about using things we already have… like Hawaiian clothing. We could be “tourists”, just put on a big camera and a funny hat… and then, like magic, it just kind of all came together. The more I thought about it, a big grin spread across my face . It was simple and genius, all at once. Fun and not too expensive… now, to just sell Eric on the idea…

    As I told Eric, he seemed hesitant because of the way I set it all up in the discussion. This way, it would seem much worse at the beginning, and he might be willing to do it… and he totally was willing. He went for it!  Saturday, while out and about… we got some poster board and quickly put together the main accessory. While we were out,  Eric also decided that I “needed” a flower for my hair, just to be more convincing. We considered using a real one… but I’m not fond of having to make sure all the little ants are off of something before I put it in my hair, so we went with a fake one. Eric was concerned that I wouldn’t have another key part to the outfit, but I did! Right in my suitcase, straight from Korea. Ha. I also still had the lei from when Theresa picked me up at the airport. (Thank you.)… so it was all coming together nicely.

   Here we are, first arriving to the party… can you figure out what we are?

Want some help?

  Hint #1: No, we are not dominos. It might have been more helpful if we each had all six sides on us, like if we cut out boxes to put our arms through… but you can get the idea with just two sides on each of us, right?

  Hint #2: You do not need to add the numbers. Which numbers are not as significant… just know that there are six sides, numbers 1-6. I took the 3 and 4, which are opposite… and Eric took the 1 and 6, which are always opposite. (and Eric is #1 in my heart!)

  Hint #3: Once you figure out that these are dice; think about it. There are two of us. What do you call that? (not a set, not a couple, but a ________ )

  Hint #4:  Okay, so now you know that part, but don’t forget – we are also decked out in Hawaiian gear. Eric has on a luau shirt with shorts and sandals. I have on a Hawaiian-print (yes, really from Korea) dress with a lei, sandals, and a flower behind my ear… so, this is not just Hawaiian-style, but also called _______.

             So you put it all together… a pair of dice, plus something from the tropics…

                   Say it together, in order, … tropical pair-a-dice,

                     Now faster… and we are a Tropical Paradise!

   Part of the fun was watching people try to figure out our costumes, but most people seemed to like it. One bright girl, dressed as a Unicorn, quickly picked up on the “paradise” part.  Many people thought we were dominos, and, as I looked back at the pictures, I can see why. Ha. Oops. We just didn’t want to do the full boxes around us for the dice. After we got ready to go, I went back and slipped a tank under this dress – it was just a bit too low for public. Turns out, even in a sun dress with a tank, we were still two of the most-clothed people at the party. I like to be covered for Halloween, and other days mostly. Ha.

   Even Eric had fun with this one. It was a creative way to remember our “first” of many Halloweens together. It was also easily removed for travel in the car and whatnot.

   Halloween has never been that big in my household. I do love the candy part, but we just always made it more fun and harvest-y with pumpkins and games together, not so much ghouls and blood and guts and such. I love that Eric and I are starting out the holidays in a fun, intriguing way... and I love that we are together in October this year.

   How will you celebrate Halloween this year? Be sure to celebrate with good friends and family; it's always sweeter that way!

  Oh, and actual Halloween is less than a week away... what are you going to be this year?

Sneak Peak...

What were YOU doing last Saturday? Here's a little glimpse at some of my adventure... more to follow as soon as possible!  This is a very busy week!

Indeed, he got me!

Here's how it happened...
     I was expecting my boyfriend, Eric, to fly in from Hawaii for a week-long visit.  He was to get to me here in Gwangju on Sunday, September 4th, late at night.  This was not ideal scheduling, but we were excited to see each other after many loooong months apart.  I was trying frantically to get things done "ahead" at work, so that I could spend as much time as possible with my Eric.
  Friday (September 2nd), we had a Girl's Night planned with two of my best girl friends.  After work, we would go to dinner and chat a bit; then see what the night would bring us... perhaps some sangria and chocolate cake? (Little did I know then that, later this night, I would get something so much better!) 
  After the girl's night, my friend, Anna, was supposed to come over to watch girl-ish movies and help me clean my house! (Eric was coming two days later.)  We also had many plans for Saturday... so she would just stay at my house and we could go from there.
  Andrea (the other friend) came over to go "shopping" in my closet... but then changed back into her own outfit.  (This perhaps should have been a clue.)  I half wanted to stay in my work clothes (it's such a comfortable dress) - but the girl's talked me into changing into a newer little dress.  We even decked me out with some different jewelry; but they stopped me at wearing the BIG purple "candy" ring.  (Again, perhaps this should have been a clue?) 
   So off we went to dinner.  It was good food (one of our favorite Italian places here in Korea) with even better fellowship.  It was so good to talk to the girls, as we are all super busy.  One is married and one has a a boyfriend, which is fantastic, but also means limited time just to talk girl talk. Of course, the girls kept texting... and I was like, "It's GIRL'S NIGHT.  Turn off your phones, ladies!"  They were dying laughing that I was getting irked... They even suggested that the boys come out later and meet us for a bit.  Ugh. Um, GIRL'S night...

Girl's Night Begins

  After dinner, we were going for chocolate cake.  I made the girls detour to look at something in a shop I liked.  Then we detoured to Mini Stop so I could load my bus card. They kept texting, especially Anna, and I was like, "Talk to Ben LATER."  Ha ha.  Then I had them detour somewhere else - but we eventually got our cake.  We decided to take it to go and headed to a roof-top bar (Mix) to lounge about a bit.  This is sort-of like just going to a friend's house and sitting on the back patio.  Someone (who shall remain nameless) had a bottle of wine in her purse... so we got little dixie cups and took our cake to the rooftop.
   We talked some more and played one of my most favorite new games, it's using the camera on Anna's camera on the "distortion" setting.  It's really fun!
  When our cake was almost gone, as I was playing with the camera phone, Anna looked up.  She casually said, "Oh Hannah, looks like the boys are here."  I slowly turned to say a polite, "Hi Ben.  Hi Karl."  However, I saw ERIC walking towards me!!!!!!!!

 Hannah, greeting Eric

   WARNING: For my mother and others who are like mothers to me (you know who you are) --  Yes, my dress is short in this; I DID have little black shorts on under it.  Also, there is some kissing and whatnot... we were getting engaged!

  I was in utter shock!  I jumped up, nearly knocking over the table and my chair.  I ran to hug him.  I almost jumped up, all critical-moment-in-a-movie style, wrapping my legs around him, but stopped myself because thought it might hurt him.  (He is a very strong man, but I am a bit heavy).  This is good that I stopped, as my shirt was a bit high.  (Hey, I thought it was just girl's night when I got dressed.)
  I just kept hugging (and kissssing) Eric.  I was def. surprised to see him here, two days early.  All the others seemed to melt away.  I sort-of introduced my friends, which was super silly because of course he knew the boys, they had just picked him up from the bus station.  I kept hugging Eric, and didn't want to let go.  The girls were like, "Hey, Hannah, the boy is tired.  Why don't you let him sit down." Their attempts to help Eric were to no avail. I heard them, but I kept hugging him.  I was way too excited to just sit down!

 Hannah kept hugging Eric.  Note that look of sheer happiness. This is one of my fav. pics. from the night - and he hadn't even asked me anything yet!  I was just super excited to see him!!!

  A few minutes later, I did agree to sit down and let Eric rest a bit, but only as long as I could still sit right by him and hold his hand.  I sat down, but he moved the chair...
  When I saw Eric kneeling down (notice him on one knee - still taller than the rest of us sitting in normal patio chairs; ha!) - and I slowly started to process what was happening, I didn't really believe it.  I was just in shock that he was even really there!  I knew that he might be proposing while here (we have talked about marriage and whatnot) - but I figured he would make me wait all week or something, just to mess with me.
  So he kneels down.  Our eyes meet and I say, "YES!"  He was like, "Hannah, my love, let me ask you."  Ha ha.  He proceeded... and I was expecting it to be a plastic ring or something (it most def. wasn't) and him to say, "Hannah. (pause) Are you surprised that I am here?" -- but he didn't.
  Once Eric opened the ring box, I was having trouble focusing on what he was saying.  (Hey, it was just so pretty and shiny... sparkly things sometimes distract me!)  So this is especially nice to have a video.
  The video is below.  Only after my response was clarified for the others did I notice that both Andrea and Anna had their cameras out.  They were recording and snapping pictures so that my mother could later share in this moment.  It's funny and wonderful and exciting.  Enjoy.

 Two of Eric's "accomplices" - Andrea and Karl

The other two "accomplices" for Eric - Ben and Anna.

 

[THANK YOU to all for their help and photography skills in this adventure, 

and their continued support as they share in our joy.]

  My Eric is incredible!  He was trying so hard to SURPRISE me.  About a year ago, I mentioned in a conversation that I love surprises, but that I can be difficult to surprise.  He was then on a mission.  Since the proposal itself wasn't hugely unexpected, he decided to mess with the timing a bit.  I really was surprised, and ecstatic!  I am honored to be Eric's fiance. I will be Eric's wife!  Praise the Lord!

 Group Shot -- and Eric is still kissing Hannah.  Tee he he.

    At one point, he commented about his success with surprising me.  He said, "So you were actually surprised?  I got you!"

The happy couple - ENGAGED Hannah and Eric. 

(He doesn't look tired from traveling at all - he is so very handsome.)

   This is the FULL video.  Anna was trying to capture my reaction and the proposal.  Notice how long it takes them to get me to sit down.  Eric's knees were shaking a bit.  I thought he was tired from traveling, but actually he was just getting a little nervous and I wouldn't sit down.  I didn't want to sit down.  I wanted to hug my Eric!

    Yes, he did get me; and I am so thankful and happy!