Week 1

My first week on the east coast

I have learned so much this week. For example: in New York you cannot make a right turn on red unless it is posted, New Yorkers are not meaner than Californians they are just way more honest than Californians, Costco in New York is a bad idea, and the buildings that you rent apartments in control the heat and it only comes on when the temperature gets low enough (but the temperature is always low enough for me to want it on).

So, Monday night my plane got in late and Juan and I just came back to our empty apartment and went to sleep. I was pleasantly surprised that our apartment is a really nice size. The bathroom is a little tight fit, but the rooms are open and spacious (of course that could be because we have no furnitureJ). There are hardwood floors and high ceilings. I love it here. Partly because it’s my apartment with Juan and partly because of the potential I see in this place. I just have to remind Juan that I am really good at interior decorating and space planning. He wants a say in everything and that make life a little difficult at times.

On Tuesday we headed to Pennsylvania to take Juan’s brother, Rio, and cousin, Josh, to a 76ers game. The game was fun but more than that I had fun getting to know the boys and becoming a real part of the family. The rest of our 3 day trip was spent buying the essentials for our apartment. And $600 later we came home to Brooklyn Thursday night. On the way home, Juan and I had the most wonderfully unexpected conversation ever—but more on that later.

Friday and Saturday were spent cleaning and prepping the apartment. Nothing is really done yet and so much more is needed, but it is getting there. Sunday we spent the day at Juan’s Aunt Michelle’s home in Stanton Island. This house was unbelievable. It extended from one street to the other, 4 stories, a children’s playground in the backyard, a two car garage in the far back with a parking area for 3 cars next to the front door, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a children’s playroom, and a workout room. Juan’s aunt apparently doesn’t cook, so Easter dinner was catered. We had Italian food which was wonderful, but I have to admit I was craving some Pernil and Arroz con Gandules. Juan’s cousins are awesome. They are polite and cute and spoiled to death, but I loved them.

So, back to Thursday night. On the way home, Juan and I started talking about life and stuff and he started talking about marriage. He started telling me that the reason he wanted me to join him out here was to start our lives together and a part of that would be making me his wife. He said that as the time got closer to me moving and the more he called me his fiancé to the real estate agent and the building owner the more he realized he wanted that to be real. Then he asked if I wanted to marry him. I said of course I do. He then said that he was thinking we should get married on our anniversary, April 20. I was taken aback by this suggestion and asked him if he was crazy or if this was a cruel April Fool’s joke. He laughed and said no, but he had put some serious thought into it and this was what he wanted. He then said I should call my mom and talk to her about it. I told him I could not talk to my parents before he talked to my parents if he was serious because they are such traditionalist and they would want him to call them and ask them first. He just laughed again and told me to call my mom because he talked to her on Monday while I was on the plane. I knew he was serious then and I just started to cry.

Juan then turned to me and asked me to be his wife. I was still a little shaken by this sudden turn of events and replied, “If you really mean it, ask me again in the morning and I will say yes.” On Friday afternoon, Juan came into the bathroom while I was combing my hair and asked me again. I said yes.

We don’t have a ring yet, but we just got an apartment and no furniture, so I’m not upset at all. We will see what happens though. And no, we are not going to get married on April 20. We are going to wait a little bit because even if we have the smallest exchange of vows ever, I want a dress and my parents to be present. I promise to keep everyone up to date on the plans and details.