the honeymoon's over

Random thoughts and experiences during our first week of marriage...

They really should have a Hoarders episode for newlyweds.  How am I supposed to fit all of this stuff??  Our apartment looks like a hurricane blew through it.  Who knew that this man would have would have more clothes and more junk than I do?  Last night we were going through a few bags and found his old portable CD player.  Honestly?
I finally unpacked the kitchen and had it all organized, until I got home the other day to see six packages containing wedding presents.  And when I say packages, I don't mean itty bitty packages.  I mean boxes.  So we now have even more boxes and even more things.  I know, first world problems.  I'm ridiculous.  But really, we have been overwhelmed with everyone's generosity, we feel very blessed.

Round 3 of boxes.

Speaking of boxes, I'm still trying to decide if I prefer FedEx, who just leaves your package outside your apartment door where everyone can see it, or if I prefer UPS.  UPS simply leaves five packages at your neighbor's apartment.  No big deal, everyone is best friends with their neighbor right?  Wrong.  Now my neighbors know I'm either a newlywed or an online shopaholic who just keeps receiving presents in the mail.

Always carry around $9 in cash.  When Matt came home the other night he couldn't find any more guest parking so he decided to park in the parking lot where my siblings always park when they stay here during weekends.  Their cars are always fine, why shouldn't his be?  At 6:30 the next morning I decided to check and see if his car was there.  Surprise, no red car.  I still don't understand how a tow truck can even fit into our tiny downtown parking lot, much less get a car out of it.  After finding out where his car was taken, Matt met the nice Russian man who informed him it would cost him a whopping $239 to get his car back, and it had to be exact change.  Who carries around $9?  Matt handed him $240, and the Russian said, "I'm not used to tips, but thank you."  Wow.

we run L.A.

If you know me at all, you probably know I am a fully indoctrinated USC Trojan, and I am only slightly obsessed with USC football.  I could talk your ear off about sanctions and the ridiculousness of the NCAA, but I understand most people who read my blog aren't very interested in that, and that kind of information is better suited for other blogs.
This last week my alma mater played our crosstown rivals, ucla.  I laughed through most of it because it was so amazing, as you can see from the score.  It's a little embarrassing to even call them our rivals, and even more embarrassing for them to call themselves a football team.  Matt Barkley was a saint, per usual, and I loved completely demoralizing the team that will go on to play Oregon in the "Pac-12" championship game.  As a little FYI, neither team ever had a lead against us this year.
Watching the comedy reminded me of an experience I had at the USC vs. ucla game my senior year in college, and I decided it had to be shared and documented.
To preface, I have to admit that USC student fans can sometimes be very brutal, especially among each other.  My worst experiences always occurred with one of my friends, Shiloh.  The worst ever occurred at this game.
My friend Dani and I found seats right behind Shiloh and a few of our other friends from church.  Shiloh has his own opinions about the USC football team and who should be starting and who shouldn't be starting.  Pretty often, his opinions differ from that of the head coach and the majority of the student body.  When Shiloh yelled out for the back-up quarterback to play, he got quite a few angry comments from the intoxicated boys right behind Dani and me.  Dani and I stood there awkwardly waiting for the moment to pass, and Shiloh just ignored them.

But it didn't pass.

They continued trying to get Shiloh's attention and making snide comments.  When they realized Shiloh and I knew each other, they decided to start annoying me by pulling on my hair and blowing in my ear.

Are you serious?  Are we in elementary school here?

As they kept talking smack about how "hard" they were and how they could fight anyone, Shiloh turned around right in time to see one of them pull on my hair.  Totally calm, he said, "Excuse me, Parks."  He stepped up into my row, and without hesitation punched one of the boys in the face.  The boys who had been talking hard all night just sat around staring at Shiloh, while our other friends quickly got Shiloh out of the stadium before security came.  Dani and I decided it would probably be a good idea to leave as well.
USC went on to win the game of course, scoring a touchdown in the last minute because the bRuins disrespected and decided to call a timeout when there was no way they were going to win the game.
Shiloh actually broke his hand, and I had to convince his wife, one of my good friends, that he did it in order to defend my honor.

In other news, I got married last week.  If everyone isn't totally sick of my wedding, I'll try to post recaps and pictures.  For now, here's a favorite...