XXV

Think back to when you were 7 or 8 years old and had a birthday coming up. Did you count down the days until that magical day like I did? My birthday is in May, but you could ask me in January “How many days until your birthday?” and I would probably, without a second of hesitation, respond “132 days!” I’m not joking. I counted days until my birthday like I counted days until Santa came. It was my day.

Oh how things change.

I used to think my parents were crazy because they didn’t go hog wild on their birthdays. My sister and I would get them cards and presents and maybe go to dinner. And I kept thinking “Why aren’t they more excited?”. It just didn’t make sense. …I get it now... As I’ve gotten older, birthdays are just less important to share with the world. I’m perfectly happy with a “happy birthday” kiss from Kevin in the morning, spending time with my family, and going out to dinner. Granted, all day in the back of my mind I can imagine a little Princess Chandra wearing a tiara and holding a wand saying “This is my day – it’s my birthday!” But I don’t feel the need to proclaim it anymore.

Except this year.

I turned 25 on May 7th. I half-way expected myself to panic as if I were turning 50, but it’s good so far. After all, I can now legally rent a car AND rent a condo in Destin for Spring Break. *yeah, too bad I no longer have Spring Breaks.
…But I digress… Cheryl and I both turned 25 within a week of each other. So we decided that “the world surviving 25 years of Cheryl and Chandra madness” merited a party. And Cheryl and Saul just bought their first house – which is totally cute and homey and has a POOL – so of course they are dying to show everyone their new crib! So we are having our birthday party at their new house.

It’s going to be phenomenal – see you there.

Catching up...

So I realized that is has been over a MONTH since I last posted anything. And I feel like so much has happened. So put your reading hat on (all 2 of you who probably read my blog..), because here I go.

1. A month ago I was packing my bags to go to Malaysia, dreading the flight, the food, and the jetlag. Well the flight was long, the airplane food was edible, and the jetlag disappeared as soon as I saw my hubby's face on the other side of the customs door at the Kuala Lumpur airport. The trip was a-ma-zing. Not only was spending a few days with Kevin the most incredible feeling, but Kuala Lumpur was a really really cool place to visit. It's this huge business hub of a city - there's skyscrapers, monorails, and people everywhere. Our hotel was right in the middle of it all - with a strip of cute little cafes and bars right across the street. We did the two things that I really wanted to do - the Batu Caves (google them - they're awesome) and Chinatown. The caves were gorgeous. We had to climb 272 steps to get into them, and once you're in you feel like you're in this little corner of Heaven. They were spectacular. And to boot, there were wild MONKEYS! EVERYWHERE! Sa-weet. And Chinatown by far surpassed every expectation that I had. My top picks that I brought home were Coach, D&G, and Dior. I also brought home some sweet negotiating skills that I had to muster up to get all of my bags. LOVED IT! And of course, spending time with Kevin was what I ultimately went for. We were inseperable. Having been apart for so long, it almost felt like we were getting to know each other all over again. I can't even say how wonderful it felt to just hold his hand again. I could go on and on about spending time with him, but I wouldn't put you through that (and Cheryl, I wouldn't put you through that again.. haha). Here are a few pictures...

The Caves

Getting our Malaysian drink on..

2. Cheryl and I went to the rodeo! A friend of hers is on the HLSR committee, and we were like VIP all night. And what made it that much better was that Clay Walker was on stage that night. Hearing him sing "She Likes it in the Morning" totally made my night/week/month/everything. If you've never heard that song, find it and listen to it. So sweet. And it was Cheryl's first rodeo experience, so we definitely did it up big. And by "Chandra and Cheryl doing it up big" that means: (a) actually going OUT, (b) getting dressed up in something other than tshirts and flip flops, and (c) a constant flow of libations (ps libations is my new favorite word). Cute cowboys, beer readily available, and live music = a good time in my book.

3. My sister's baby Bradly is growing every single day. She's 3 months old now, and she's gorgeous! Since I'm in a picture-posting mood, here she is in her Easter dress last Sunday! 4. The biggest thing going on with me now is that Kevin comes home in 2 days. TWO DAYS! After two months of being gone. I can't even imagine how weird it's going to be for him to get back. Weird in a good way, of course. I mean he's been living in an apartment with 3 other guys, he hasn't eaten true American food (they have American chain restaurants over there, but they are not even close to tasting the same), he hasn't driven, he hasn't seen his dogs, hasn't hung out with his friends, and he hasn't seen his family. I'm so ready to get him back home. I've cleaned our house top-to-bottom (for about the 16th time since he's been gone - it's one of my coping mechanisms), and I went to the grocery store today to stock up on some of his favorite things. I'd say I did okay with keeping my emotions in check, too. I've only had a few major breakdowns, and I managed to keep them private. Except for one, which unfortunately happened after many libations while Saul and Cheryl were over. Sorry, guys. I'm really sorry. Think of it as a bonding experience ;) A few positive personal things have happened while Kevin's been away though. I've realized that I can take care of a HOUSE - bills, lawn mowing, changing light bulbs - all by myself. And I've realized that me and Kevin are capable of being seperate for 2 months on opposite ends of the world (not like we really had a choice, and not that I'd ever volunteer to do it ever again). And I've lost 13 pounds! Go me! I'm definitely not there yet, but I'm feeling much better (and healthier) than I was feeling 2 months ago at the start of my bikini-body-boot-camp.

So that's what's going on with me. Not everything, but I'm tired of typing and lord knows you're tired of reading about my life. Hopefully it won't take another month for me to post something else. We'll see!

Let the rain fall down...

Kevin's been gone a little over a week now. I must say that I think I've handled it relatively well... for an overemotional female. I have only had 2 emotional breakdowns where I thought the world was falling down around me because he just wasn't here. And that's pretty good in my book. I was expecting 1 or 2 breakdowns a day. Yes, I love my hubby and I feel like a crazy person when he's not here. Last weekend was hard. Really hard. I pretty much became a hermit. Kevin had been gone for not even 3 days, and it hit me. Hard. I didn't leave the house. I cleaned, I mowed the lawn, and I weeded (weeded?! Is that a word?) my flowerbed. And a few martinis Saturday night helped me through. I survived. Last night was another tough night. Because it was Valentine's Day, you ask? Not at all. We don't celebrate that day - I slipped a card into his suitcase and he sent me flowers. We've never done any big she-bangs for that day. It's just silly. So it was a normal day for us. I don't know what it was. I just missed him. But I cried, got it out of my system, and got on with it. There will be more of those days, I'm sure. But I do my best to wake up happy each morning as if it were any other day.

With Kevin gone, I'm realizing more than ever that Abbi and Bax (our kiddos) are extremely protective of me. Yes, believe it or not, these hyperactive self-involved dogs go through some sort of change while he's gone. It's so weird. Even with Kevin here, I'm the "dog lady". I love dogs. With all of my heart. If I see any dog (stray or friend's dog), I'm in love. And 100% attached. Cheryl calls me the dog whisperer part deaux. But back to my babies. With Kevin gone, I'm realizing that they are forever by my side. And there are two of them, which can make for pretty crowded couch/bed quarters at times. Bax becomes my lap dog. No matter what I'm doing - eating, drinking, or just sitting - he's in my lap. And won't get up. Abbi becomes the watchout. She sits in the hallway or in the middle of the living room rotating positions, watching each door. It's so strange, but so comforting at the same time. If you don't have a dog, you probably don't understand. But it's like they know Kevin's gone and they have to look out for me. And it's nice.

*just a side note... I won week one of the weight loss challege. Chandra - 1; parents - 0. $50 in my pocket. SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

Here's some pics of our kids, for the 3 people on this planet that have never met them.

Abbi - if she's not smiling (seriously, she shows teeth and all), she's cocking her head at you like this.

Baxter - he's usually off in his own world, but he's a hunk of love.

Bikini Body, Here I Come!... Maybe

It's coming up on that time of year. All girls know it, and 99% of girls dread it. Bikini season. I used to LOVE bikini season.... when I was a size 6. Laying out by the pool, going to the beach - LOVED it! I have always been self concious of my body, but never so self concious that I wasn't terrified to slip on a bathing suit.

Until about 3 years ago.

What the hell happened?! Beer, pasta, and falling into the trap of knowing Kevin loves me no matter what I look like. That's what happened. ugh.

But this year, I'm kicking it into high gear. My ass is in the initial phases of pure hell. All for the sake of getting in shape and getting healthy. But for now, my sole motivation are those little bikinis that have been so wonderfully hidden away in their own drawer for the past year. Those little monsters that have brought me so much angst, depression, and shame for the past 3 years.

So I challenged my parents to a weight loss challenge. My parents have been working out together for the past few months trying to get themselves in better shape. And it's been working for them! So I knew they were my best competition. Every week, we're pooling $25 per person (that's a $75 pot per week for you non-mathletes). The one who loses the biggest percentage of weight loss (can you tell I watch Biggest Loser?) get's the pool of money for the week. We started last Friday, so our first official weigh-in is this Friday morning. I have been sticking 100% to my Nutrisystem (I'm a complete advocate for this program, by the way) and working out every day. My eliptical machine is back in motion and my abs are killing me from the crunches. I'm doing this, and I'm doing it the right way.

Like a maniac though, I weigh myself every other time I walk by my scale (which I NEVER used to do out of sheer terror of what it would show). All weekend through yesterday... nothing. No change. I felt so defeated. But today after I got home from work, I stepped on with my eyes closed. I didn't want to look for fear of seeing that same God awful number. But, oh holy hell!! I dropped 3 pounds. Out of nowhere! Now 3 pounds... eh, not a huge feat. But it's progress ;)

I would love nothing more than to be 15 lbs lighter for my trip to see Kevin. That's my short-term goal. It's 90 degrees out there, and I have no doubt I will be in a bathing suit at some point or another. And it would thrill me to show him that I've been working my ass off to be a hot wife for him. And for me, too!

We'll see. Think skinny, small(er) ass thoughts for me. I'll need them ;)

Fun times

We booked our hotel for Malaysia last night! So everything’s set! I had this hotel that I was in love with all lined up – I had the vacation package picked out, my massage all but booked, and pictures in my mind of me and Kevin laying out by the pool. It was an awesome hotel. So yesterday Kevin calls to finalize all of the reservations and give them our credit card information. Bad news. They’re renovating the entire hotel. It’s still open, but they are graciously notifying guests that there have been numerous complaints of noise – in other words, “You might want to stay somewhere else”. Very very cool of a hotel to do. So we booked at another equally amazing hotel and all is right with the world again. Except tomorrow Kevin leaves. *tear*

Last weekend was great. Kevin wanted to spend time with the gang (i.e. – Cheryl and Saul) before he left. So Saturday night we went to BW3’s and then went to our house for another installment of Crane/Keene/Wittmann game night – girls vs. boys, of course. Squabble led to drunk Dance Dance Revolution which I totally need to post pictures of. Stories don’t do our dDDR sessions justice. We even got Mr. Kevin Crane in on the action, although he doesn’t quite share the enthusiasm that Cheryl, Saul, and I have for it.
Sunday morning we went to the Houston Auto Show and got a first-hand look at our future car – the new Chevy Camaro. Seeing this car – Bumblebee from Transformers – in person was amazing. I’m not a Transformers fanatic and couldn’t have cared less about what cars they used in the movie, but seeing the Camaro up close made me catch my breath a little. I fell completely in love with it – it’s going to look beautimus in our driveway next year. Moving on… after the Auto Show we went over to Cheryl and Saul’s apt for the Superbowl. Cheryl’s parents were there, which is always fun times. Too bad we didn’t make Jello shots – next time, Mrs. KJ, next time. And Keith came over to hang out, too. Saul played chef and cooked up some fantastic football food, and we watched the game. None of us particularly cared who won (once the Packers were out, me and Kevin were pretty much destroyed), and yet we all were yelling and pointing at the tv by the time the game was over. While it hurts me a little to support an alumni of the Ole Miss football team (Go Gold!), I must give props to Eli Manning. Sweet game, dude.

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Well, it’s official. I’m going to Malaysia for a week - I just booked my airline ticket (which was a feat in itself. Without sounding like a complete bigot, I officially cannot understand people with Korean accents and they cannot understand me with my southern accent. I was turned away by not one but TWO Korean Air phone reservation agents. Fan-f'in-tastic. *vent*). Anway - Kevin will be over there for about 2 months for an engineering school, and I just can’t be away from him for 2 months. I can barely stand it when he visits his parents for a week. So I’m packing a bag (or 3) and taking my non-Malaysian-speaking, doesn’t-fly-well-with-others self 10,000 miles across the Pacific to Malaysia. I’m going right in the middle of his 7 week trip, which is perfect timing because that week is his birthday. And I’m pumped. And totally nervous at the same time. This is the first international trip that I’ve (a) had to plan completely on my own and (b) had to endure the flights ALONE. For as much as I fly, I am a HORRIBLE flier. I get antsy after about an hour, I fantasize about how great it would be if I were sitting in first class, and I always get stuck sitting next to one of three kinds of people:
(1) the talker. I do not know you. I do not want to know what you do for a living (unless it somehow benefits me), and I do not want to hear about your life for the next 20 hours as we share this excruciatingly long flight together. Unless you are a cute little old person. Or unless you are famous (in which case you would be in first class or in your own plane). Otherwise a polite “excuse me” every few hours as we have to climb over each other to get to the restroom will suffice for our in-flight conversation.
(2) The head-bobbing-sleeper/snorer/drooler. To me, sleepers are the perfect neighbors to have on a flight. However, I am a head-bobbing-sleeper on planes, and having two next each other is a safety hazard as we may eventually collide. And, well, snoring and drooling are pretty self-explanatory.
(3) The stinker. For some reason, stinkers generally manage to sit in very close proximities of me on planes (and yes, I’ve checked a few times just to make sure it’s not really me). It’s just not right. Or fair.

I have another in-flight concern. I have had the luxury of flying first class on a couple of occasions and have been exposed to the wonderfulness that is first class airplane food. It looks like food, smells like food, consists of more than a cold sandwich with chips, and you get your own salt and pepper shakers (with REAL silverware!). However, the majority of my flying experiences have been in coach. And call me a food snob, but I cannot eat the food they hand out 95% of the time. Just the smell of it makes my stomach turn a little. Especially when everyone opens their mayo packets to put it on the above-mentioned sandwiches. *random fact: If you know me, you know how much I absolutely cannot stand the smell of mayo.* In summation, I generally cannot handle airplane food. Therefore I plan on raiding a vending machine before I board the plane. 20 hours living on chips and peanut butter crackers… nutritious and delicious.

So as sad as I am that Kevin leaves me next week for TWO MONTHS, knowing that I will be seeing him a few weeks after he leaves (and getting a vacation at the same time!) makes it a little less unbearable.

The Cranes take on Malaysia… this should be entertaining.

Tag!

Here's how you play: Once you've been 'tagged', you have to write a blog of 10 weird/random/ habits/goals/facts about yourself. At the end choose 10 people to be tagged , listing their names and WHY you chose them. Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you, since you can't tag me back - let me know when you've posted your blog so I can see your answers.


Here's the fire that was lit under my ass to start a blog. Cheryl tagged me to come up with 10 interesting/random facts/habits/whatever about myself. Read and learn, friends. Chances are, you probably already know most of them. :)


1. I am quite possibly one of the most sarcastic people walking this planet.

2. I am totally in love with my dogs. They can do no wrong. Well, that’s an exaggeration. They will jump all over you, lick you in the mouth, and possibly pee on you when you walk through the door. And they have no concept that I just spent $30 on new toys in PetSmart – their mission in life is to destroy that $30 worth of toys as soon as I take them out of the PetSmart bag. Regardless, they are my children, and I will lay you out before you have a chance to hurt them.

3. My sister and I have a relationship that only my sister and I can understand. We can look at each other and just blink a certain way and know what the other one is thinking. I consider myself very lucky to have that.

4. I love Target. I go there regularly to see if they have gotten new shoe shipments. As much as I walk around in heels, I cannot justify spending 50 or 60 bucks on every pair of heels that I own just to scuff them up and wear the heel tips down. I have a few expensive pairs of heels, but I can find shoes at Target that are just as cute for about 1/3 the price.

5. I have an elliptical machine in my study that has not been used since before my wedding – 9 months ago. I swear I’m going to dust it off this month. Or next month.

6. I am OCD about unplugging things and turning things off. I’ve been halfway to work many times and turned around because I thought I left my coffee maker on, my curling iron plugged in, or the back door unlocked. And 98% of the time, I turned the coffee maker off, unplugged my curling iron, and locked the door when I left the first time. But I feel like I HAVE to check.

7. I love those days where you can open all the house windows, crank up the radio, fire up the grill, sit back with a beer and have a patio/pool party day. Those are the best.

8. I do not feel the need to go out all the time. It doesn’t phase me a bit to not have a story that begins with “Last night, at (insert bar name), I was so drunk…”. I am just as happy to hang out at home and drink with Kevin and whoever wants to come over. I’m not a homebody, I just don’t need to be in a bar to say I had a good time – not that there’s anything wrong with you if you do.

9. I am obsessed with time. I map time out based on how long it takes to do things. For instance, I know how many minutes it takes for me to brush my teeth, do my hair and makeup, get dressed, and get my coffee ready for work. So I can sleep until the absolute last minute possible. And if I really need that one.more.snooze., I pull my hair up for the day to make up the time difference. I’m crazy, I know.

10. I am a Dance Dance Revolution machine. However, only in my living room either alone or with Cheryl and Saul. With the game set on extra-extra-beginner level. I could never EVER do it in an arcade. Those 10 year olds would put me to shame. But I bet those 10 year olds don’t have jazz hands like I do.

So that's it. 10 things about me. Chances are, you still think I'm just as crazy as you thought I was before you read them ;)

Now to tag people:
Kaci - consider it something to do when Bradly's napping

Az - because a crazy Mexican definitely has 10 interesting things to say about herself

Sabrina - because you definitely have some wild stories to tell

Vero - because I'm not sure that you'd do it, but consider this a challenge

Kevin - I know you won't do it, but I'm hoping me saying you won't do it will make you do it

Matt W - Because you like talking about yourself. And we like listening :)

Heather - Because you have a totally different perspective on life, now having a 8 month old boy

*Well, that's only 7 people. Oh well. Tag away!