Our Year In 1000 Words Or Less....by: Matt

We got married in Athens on June 30, 2007. Two days later we honeymooned in Punta Cana and watched a bunch of shameless, hairy Europeans prance nude around the beach. Oh, and I lost my sunglasses in the Atlantic ocean. We said goodbye to friends and family, packed up the dog and drove to California in the Malibu (appropriate). I lost my sunglasses somewhere in the 110 degree heat of the Mojave Desert. I think I dropped them in that small lake on the horizon. We got on a plane on August 1st (Jersey almost didn't make it) and moved into a "2 bedroom apartment" that turned out to be just 2 bedrooms in someones basement. Liars! As revenge, Jersey pooped all over their lawn! We got half our money back. I started my job and found out that another guy from Philly, who grew up 15 minutes from me, just started as well. He also just got married. I guess we weren't as unique as we thought. We moved into a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom beach bungalow. Newlyweds Chris and Linda Strom visited. We hung out at Sandy Beach, Makapu'u Point, Bellows, Waimanalo and I stepped on my sunglasses coming back in from the surf. We visited the North Shore and witnessed waves with 40 foot faces. Elizabeth got a job at Kokohead Elementary (what a great name). They called her Auntie before they new her name (strange). Ansley and Michael came to visit. We discussed politics at 3 AM and the cops came by to say hello. We surfed (poorly). We visited the Big Island, got an asthma attack from inhaled volcanic sulfer, and found out that not all Hooters girls are built alike. The Kidds came to visit and we ate Thanksgiving dinner on the beach. We got laughed at by local surfer dudes for trying to go out in the North Shore surf with pink boogey boards. Christmas was spent alone, except when Hawaii 5-0 came by to tell us they loved our Christmas music, but our neighbors had sensitive ears. My Mom came and we saw KC and the Sunshine Band on New Years Eve. He looked aweful, but sounded fantastic. My Dad and Karen came and Dad demonstrated how to fall off a hammock in 1 mintue, how to open a coconut with a large kitchen knife in 45 minutes, and how to fall asleep on the beach next to a corona bottle. I lost my sunglasses somewhere between the parking deck and the hospital. We went to the Pro Bowl (please see previous disturbing blog entry). We hit a low point, got homesick. Our front screen door fell off it's hinges, ants were taking over our bathroom. My friend from California, Mike Brady came to visit. We made a corona commercial and antagonized people in the cold Philly weather with texted beach photos. We then visited Philly and were overwhelmed by the growth of our nephews and the new edition of our niece. When we got back, Rick and Kathryn came to visit. We caught a 17 lb Mahi, saw Jack Johnson and hacked up the course at Turtle Bay. We came home to Georgia, threw Elizabeth a surprise party (welcome to your 30s), missed home even more. We met the new editions (Quinn Clarkson, Johnathan Csontos). I lost my sunglasses somewhere on the Atlanta Highway listening to Love Shack. TK, Greg, and Aletta came to visit. We found out first hand the lives of parents with one year olds. Greg actually fell asleep on the hard tile in our living room, head resting comfortably on the wood table. God Bless them. We went to Maui for our 1 year anniversary. It was luxurious. We stayed at the Westin, drank Mojitos, sang My Life with the top down, drove the road to Hana (3 ours there, 3 hours back, tooth ache the entire time), snorkled at Molokini Crater, and lost my friggin' sunglasses in the Pacific. (Elizabeths' fault). We replaced our screen door. I gave a Grand Rounds presentation at Straub. Elizabeth took a job tutoring two home schooled girls. Apparently their Dad, Phineaus, didn't realize that cheap tutors in the Phillipines are NOT A GOOD THING! We saw Mamma Mia (horrible) and The Dark Knight (awesome). I am growing a beard. We miss everyone and grow more homesick by the day. We have already been discussing our move back to the East Coast, but we still have some things to take care of here. And I will never buy a pair of sunglasses again.