Wedding is 2 weeks away!

Hey everyone....

I think its down to the wire for the wedding. We pretty much have a close head count - about 140 people. Less than we thought, mainly because a lot of faraway family and friends have decided not to come. We were thinking 150-175! Its too bad they can't make it, they will miss a heck of a partay!

I just bought some cool manly tools today. Some person was selling all their lawn stuff cuz they were moving, so I went to check it out. Came home with a gas edger, hedge trimmer, weedwacker, shovel, rake, hoe (not the lavender donkey kind), and a seed spreader, all 1-2 years old. All for $235! Sweet, the edger itself cost about $250... Now I can be a man and take care of my own lawn. All I need is a lawn mower and a blower, and I'm all set.

Otherwise, I'm just spending these days finishing details for the wedding and the house. Man, you never really know how much detail goes into a wedding until you actually dive in. What type of bags do we want to give guests when they arrive to the hotel? Do we want white linens or ivory? Should the boutineers be calla lilies or roses? There sure are a lot of decisions to make. But besides these little details, the wedding is pretty much set. We have a band, so I hope you all are coming ready to party and dance!

As far as the house, we've decided that there are some things that need early attention. Oh, we are supposed to close on our house April 28th! Which means we'll get the keys in our hand right then! However, there are a couple of repairs to be made, and we won't close until their made, so it might delay it. But anyways, we know that we want to paint some of the rooms, get a fridge and a washer/dryer, and work on the lawn. We'll have about 3 weeks for all this, while Nicole may have 1 or 2 to help me.

A couple more pictures:

Feeling kind of rusty on the medical school stuff. I haven't really had any medical responsibilities since the end of February, so my skills are getting rough. Its the last time I'm going to have a real vacation though. Once July 1 rolls around, no more playtime for me!

Residency will be a shock to the system for me. All residents work really hard their first year, and UNC is no exception. It averages out to about 80 hours / week. We have what we call q4 call. This means every 4th night, you have to stay up and work overnight. So lets say Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are normal work days, about 6am-5pm. However, on Wednesday, I have to continue working all night, often with maybe an hour of sleep, and then continue working a normal Thursday morning. Then at noon on Thursday, we go home (after about 30 hours of working). We sleep or catch up on things we need to do at home, and then come back Friday for another round of work. We get about 1 day off per week, thats it! I have to do this routine for 10 months out of 12. The other 2 months are more "normal months", such as 8am-5pm no weekend work.

Crazy! Its the rite of passage that all doctors go through, except that it was even harder 20 years ago. Now residency is considered much easier! Ha!

Other news -
- My dad's birthday is today! Happy birthday dad-dee! The big 5-7. He doesn't seem that old to me though...
- This is Nicole's last week of work before a month off to have our wedding and honeymoon!
- Amy, my little sister, has decided that she's going to University of Florida for college, for an engineering degree. I think mechanical or aerospace. Whoa!

Later,
Alan

Now that I have recovered...

I shall write about the fun and frolic that happened last weekend. Yes, yes, I had the time-honored tradition of the bachelor party. And Nicole had her bachelorette party.

We decided to do a whole weekend extravaganza, since we had a couples shower planned for that weekend. Rather than having everyone travel again for a bachelor/bachelorette party, we decided to do it all in one weekend.

The couples shower on Saturday was awesome, and we had a great time. Thanks to the bridesmaides for putting it on! We got all kinds of gifts in the form of kitchen and garden tools. Also, everyone shared their "fondest memories" of Nicole and I...it was touching, and somewhat embarrasing! I love how one of the guys shared the fact that I "wet my pants" freshman year. Who was it that shared that? Scanlon? But really, Nicole and I had a really great time, and we are so fortunate to have such good friends and family.

Friday night was the chill night of the weekend. Just to name the highlights:
- Andy and Ben made the food: hamburgers, bratwurst, hot dogs, beans, chocolate and key lime pie...yum!
- We played the guitar game on xbox (Bryan stunk)
- We played the karaoke game on PS2 (Bryan was great, and Jeff was booted off after 20 seconds of singing "My Ben Yin Love aka My Endless Love"). Alan loves Michelle Branch!
- We played poker til 3am

Saturday night was the par-tay night!! We had rooms reserved at the InterContinental, where we were supposed to return, but more on that later. I have to say, it was an awesome party night! Now this blog is to remain decent and censored, but lets just say we had a great time.
- Dinner at Dantana's...where Danny Kim kicks off the night by flirting with the hostess...the man has no shame, and I love it!
- Out to Lava Lounge...its about 10:30 pm, and its still a major sausage fest. Danny Kim again kicks it off at the bar by flirting with "Sienna". Now this girl Sienna is a hoochie! She's there by herself, wearing a white dress that barely covers her thighs. And later I find out she's an ER resident at Emory! We do a little dancing, and she moves on to the 40 and above crowd. Also, some EtOH was imbibed there. Then it was time to leave for the
- (I will be writing in subsitute words and pig latin here). Lavender donkey. I sit on the bouncer's throne and check ID's. We go in, and the place is crazy packed! I sit down in a chair by the bar, taking it all in, as the rest of the guys huddle together and come up with a plan for me. The rest .................................. is history! Stogies, melons, rumps, and cantilysay adclay irlsgay ancingday ontinuslycay llay erovay emay...quite the experience!
- However, after we left the lavender donkey we were all supposed to meet at R. Thomas with the girls to hang out, eat, and continue the night, but Iay asway ootay runkday danay omitedvay noay hetay ottedpay lantspay. It was the end of a really great night. Sorry about that.

I was actually pretty functional the next morning, though I just seemed to be tired for the next 2 days. But all the memories of having some of my best friends with me doing guy things, I'll never forget.

Find the absurd statement:

As I was looking up how to obtain our marriage license, I came across this information.
Your mission? Find the absolutely absurd fact about getting married in Georgia.

Applying for a Marriage License in Georgia
Marriage License Laws

Requirements may vary as each county in Georgia can have their own requirements based on the Judge in that area.

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Georgia. However, if not a resident, you must apply in the county where the marriage is to be performed.

Identification Requirement: Two valid forms of id such as drivers license, birth certificate, U. S. passport, Armed Forces ID card, or Resident Alien ID card. Applicants will also be asked to fill out a brief form.

Pre-marital Education: Cobb County offers a free Marital Workshop called FOCUS ON FOREVER. It is a skill-based non-religious workshop designed to address issues concerning communication and listening skills, anger management, and financial planning. Contact the Cobb County Superior Court for more information.

Previous Marriage: If divorced within six months, you will need to show a copy of your divorce decree.
Some counties, including Glynn County, require a final divorce decree no matter how long you have been divorced. You can obtain a copy of your final divorce decree from the Superior Court in the county in which you filed for divorce.

Waiting Period: There is no waiting period for getting married in Georgia.

Fees: It costs approximately $26.00+ to get married in Georgia. Some counties will only accept cash.

Other Tests: As of July 1, 2003, blood tests are no longer required in Georgia.

Common Law Marriages: Yes.

Proxy Marriages: No.

Under 18: If you are 16 or 17 years old, you may apply if accompanied by both parents who have given written consent. If the bride is pregnant, no parental consent is required if you submit a statement from a Georgia licensed physician certifying that the bride is pregnant. If underage applicants already have a child, they should present a certified copy of the birth certificate for the child at the time of application. If parental consent is not required, the court will notify parents or guardians that you have been issued a marriage license. There is an additional fee of $1.00 per letter.

Cousin Marriages: Yes.

Same Sex Marriages: No. In November, 2004, voters passed a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. More Information

Officiants: Licensed or ordained ministers, clergymen, or pastors of recognized religious societies, and justices of the peace.

Chinese wedding

Courtesy of Bryan. Thanks man, thanks a lot.

Chinese Newlyweds:
A Chinese couple gets married - and she's a virgin. Truth be told, he is not too experienced either. On the wedding night, she cowers under the sheets as her husband undresses. He climbs in next to her and tries to be reassuring "My darring" he says, "I know dis yo firss time and you berry frighten. I pomise you, I give you anyting you want, I do anyting - juss anyting you want.. Whatchou want?" he says, trying to sound experienced, which he hopes will impress his virgin bride. A thoughtful silence follows as he waits patiently (and eagerly) for her request. She eventually replies shyly and unsure, "I want to try somethin I have heard about. numbaa 69". More thoughtful silence, this time from him. Eventually, in a puzzled tone he queries... "You want... Chicken wiff Broccori?"

We are homeowners!

I'm sorry that I've taken a break from blogging, but I am back, and I'd like you to know that Nicole and I have a house!!

Well, actually, I should say we are under contract...but we're going to have a house! We just came back from househunting in North Carolina, and saw the two houses we liked the most. They're in the same neighborhood, and actually very similar houses. We put an offer down on the first one, but someone beat us to it. That house was on the market for less than 24 hours! Then we put an offer down on the second house...the house that was in the previous blog. The big, pretty, 2 story blue one. After some negotiating, we have agreed on terms, and now by the end of April it will be ours! Nicole and I can't believe it!

Here are some pictures:


House is on the end of a cul-de-sac, off to the side. Great street, lots of nice houses on the street. The neighborhood is a great neighborhood too, good variety.

This is the entrance/foyer. The stairs are at the entrance, and the wood floors go back into the kitchen.

This is the family room/living room on the 1st floor, just to the right of the foyer. Gas log fireplace.

This is the kitchen. Very big and lots of cabinets and countertop space. No fridge =(. Gas range for Nicole to cook! =)

This is the breakfast area, viewing from the kitchen. The door opens out onto the deck.

The deck. Nice and big.

The backyard lawn is probably one of the reasons the house didn't sell as fast. Its naaaaaaaaasty!

Upstairs, there are 3 bedrooms and then this bonus room. Its pretty big, could use it for whatever. Taking suggestions on what we should do with it!

Master bedroom with trey ceiling.

Master bathroom with jacuzzi tub (ahhhhhh)

Master bath with 2 sinks (very important to the survival of the marriage!)

We are extremely fortunate to be able to buy a house like this. If we were in Atlanta, this house inside the city would be only in our dreams. But in Durham, this price of this house is really reasonable!

We'll probably paint some of the rooms to warm it up, and do some lawn work, add blinds and some appliances...but otherwise its in great shape.

Nicole and I have realized how extremely fortunate we are in all aspects of our lives...our families who have been so supportive, our relationship, our friends, and our education. Both of our parents have worked so hard to carve out their place in the world, out of scratch, and we recognize how much we have gained from their hard work and success. We really do have a good life, and it wouldn't be without any of you, our friends and family.

Let me know what you think!

Alan

Jenny and Jeff got me a cool birthday present a few weeks ago. I thought it was just gimmicky at first, but dang these headphones are cool! They are wireless ipod headphones. They have ipod controls on the side. The receiver is this box that goes on the ipod. Then you can walk around and access your ipod remotely! Its the best for working out (no wires when you run or lift weights, keep ipod in pocket). We also have a gym in our condo, and I can just set the ipod down and just use the headphones anywhere in the room. I recommend it!

Look how much fun I'm having with these!

I'm famous

I got published! I did research between my 1st and 2nd years of medical school, and finally it has come to fruition!

Its a boring article, but I conducted the research and helped write it.

Here's a description:
http://puck.ingentaconnect.com/vl=4684740/cl=11/nw=1/rpsv/cgi-bin/linker?ini=rsm&reqidx=/cw/rsm/09564624/v17n2/s7/p99

Welcome to my overly-exciting life. If you really want to read it, I can e-mail you a copy.

from e-mail

I just learned I can submit blog entries through e-mail!  Cool!

Mortages and other adult stuff

I'm 26 years old, and I am about to become a husband. I am about to become a doctor. I am about to buy a house. I now have a pooch that makes me uncomfortable when I drive, and I have to unbutton my pants sometimes. I AM GETTING OLD!!! Jeff, how does it feel? (He's my big brother in law)

Well, now that I have learned that I am doing my internal medicine residency at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for at least the next 3 years, Nicole and I are looking into buying a house.

(Oh, Auntie Cecilia! So I am in Atlanta, Georgia, about 450 miles north of Tampa. But I will be moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which is another 380 miles north of Atlanta. It will be exciting, but also farther away from home =( But thanks for the e-mail =)!)

I guess one of the perks to becoming a doctor is the fact that banks are willing to give a rising doctor a house. No matter how much in debt you are, they are willing to lend you money to buy a house. It is cool, but then again I feel kinda bad. Usually, banks require a big down payment to approve you for a house (around 20%), as well as many other little hoops to jump through. But for rising docs, they don't require any down payment, and are willing to loan you something like $200,000! All you need to do is show you have a residency contract, and decent credit scores! Apparently, out of all the professionals, like lawyers, businessmen, etc, doctors have the lowest foreclosure rate and therefore are the most desirable loan customers. But for the working poor, they have to work for ever to even hope to have a house. Its a shame...but while its there, I guess I should take advantage of it...

Anyways, Nicole and I went househunting in NC this past weekend. We found our location - we want to be in southwest Durham, a city between Chapel Hill and Raleigh. Yes, Duke is in Durham too, and I've already started to hate Duke, ever since they "sort of" offered me an interview, but I can't afford to live in Chapel Hill.

We found a couple of houses we liked. Our favorite house by far, however, sat on a sloped lot in the lowest part of the neighborhood. If a flood ever happened, it would be our problem. Here's a picture of it:

(House in Woodcroft. Our favorite house but situated on the bottom of a street, and on a slope)

Two other houses we like a lot, but didn't love like the one above. Here they are:

(House on Audubon Park. Newer, bigger and more expensive, and overlooks other properties)

(House in Hope Valley Farms. Cute house, a little older, not as bright on inside)

Any votes on the houses?

The question is, should we wait for other houses to pop up, even though these might be taken? Or should we place an offer on a house we like but don't love? Guess it all depends on how fast these houses will go (I'd say within a month), and how likely a better one will come along (I just can't tell). These are certainly nice houses though, and we'd be happy with them.

Anyways, here's what else is going on in our lives (I end up making these little bullet points cuz I'm getting lazy and don't want to type complete sentences...)

- Nicole and I are taking dance lessons for our first dance!! We're doing the foxtrot...has everyone heard of this?
- I'm pole vaulting for the first time in about 2 years this week....doing a couple of practice sessions, and then will compete this Saturday!
- Nicole is going to Dallas this weekend for her bridal shower...
- If we decide we don't want to put an offer on any of these houses, we'll go back to NC in about 2 weeks to look again

I think thats it for now. Talk to you soon!

Alan

Ben Yin loves me

also, part of my inspiration and motivation for my blog comes from other people, who remind me to write in my blog because they haven't seen an entry in a few days and are wondering when I will write.

For example, Ben told me just tonight..."Hey why haven't you wrote in your blog lately? I read your blog every day and wait for your next one! I've been dying to see where you matched!"

Or when Jeff said..."You suck Alan, you never write in your blog."

Its moments like these that keep me writing!

=)