T means Test

So today we had our test over Auto Policy, well the first test of two. It went well, we all passed, but I'm not sure exactly how well I did. Hopefully I didn't just shave by or anything. I think that I did okay, though. Bryan would say that I need to be confident and just know that I did well! We did the test first thing this morning, had a few more sessions on how insurance is priced, and then we did the most fun thing we've done so far...PRACTICE NEW POLICY PHONE CALLS! You have no idea how exciting it is to have something that is interactive and not just studying policy or learning computer applications. Our trainers said that we all did well, it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be. I really liked feeling that I was accomplishing something and that I am continually learning more and more about what my job is all about. The more I learn about the job and the more I feel that it's a good fit for me and that I'll really enjoy it. Even though we're learning lots it's not that exciting to blog about. Insurance isn't exactly thrilling, but it's better than doing case studies or arguing the finer points of the US Constitution so I like it better than my polisci classes, haha that's a good thing! I don't have to sit and argue about how long "promptly" is, I just have to know that they have to report the claim to us promptly. It's great.
My roommates are still great, Lauren and I are extremely similar. We're starting to talk like each other, which is only slightly annoying. Haha, just kidding. But we have a lot of fun together. Jackie, my literal roommate is great! She's super encouraging and so kind. This weekend we went out and explored Providence, it was so fun! We went out to a local bar on Friday and then for my birthday we went to a Chinese place and to a different bar that had live music and pool. Both nights were really fun, the people in my training class are really great. Getting to know everyone has certainly been interesting, but it's pretty cool that we're all so different but can have so much fun together! I love meeting new people, so this is great. (I know, I am definitely over using the word "great" the next post I'll do my best to vary my adjectives)

Well anyway that's about all I have right now, nothing to exciting but I did have a great birthday. My new friends made sure I wasn't too lonely. I love and miss you all!!

The First Four Days

I'm here in Providence! The job has begun!
I arrived here on Sunday around 1:30 and met my roommate, Lauren. She's great and hilarious. Soon Jackie came and she's really laid back and easy to get along with, too. Jackie and I are sharing the back bedroom, we have two twin beds and an attached bath. Lauren got a room to herself and she also has her own bathroom. The apartment is nice (and expensive! thankfully I don't have to pay for it) and since we don't have to pay for heat we keep it nice and toasty. As with any rental, there are a few little hitches. For instance, we have a very small hot water heater that does not have a thermostat on it. We can get through one hot shower and one lukewarm shower. Then we have to wait about a half hour until the hot water heater fills again. Also, our living room is drafty, but it's not like I haven't lived in cold drafty houses before (remember the Patterson house? BRR!). Lauren, Jackie, and I get along well. We're still getting used to living together and our work schedule, but I think we'll all get along throughout the training. We'll make it through 7 weeks!
Work is going well. We're learning all about auto policy right now. I'm much more knowledgeable than I was just four days ago. If you had a question about what was covered under our Part A liability, I could answer that. Sometimes the classes are repetitive, but for the most part it just helps engrave it in my brain. Our trainers are a good blend of professional, kind, encouraging, and hilarious. We laugh a lot together which I love. There are only three other girls in my training class, Lauren, Amber, and Hannah. (Jackie is in the adjuster class and so we don't' see her during the work day) It's pretty great, having a small class. I really like it. I'm glad that there aren't many of us, I don't feel bad asking a question every step of the way.
We haven't done any exploring around Providence, yet. But I'm hoping that a few people will go out with me on Saturday for my 23rd Birthday. I think I can convince a few people to go out with me. There's a great area called Federal Hill that is supposed to have amazing Italian food, so maybe we'll go there. I'll write an update when we go out and explore!
Anyway, keep praying and thinking about me! I miss everyone, but I"m loving making new friends and learning my job! Woohoo! The Ocean State is Great!

Almost gone

So there are only about 4 days left before I make my move to RI. I was visiting with Abbie last night and we were saying how quickly time passes. After all, weren't we just preparing for a wedding and having bachelorette parties and bridal showers? And now all of a sudden it's time for me to pack up and move out east. I flutter between being extremely excited and very very sad. After all, I'm honored and proud that I got a good job that truly wants me to succeed, but leaving the comfort of Cincinnati will be very difficult. Leaving Bryan has become more real and more unbearable as I've been dwelling on it. I didn't think that it would be this difficult after only being married three months, but I think it will be one of the hardest things I have done thus far. Of course, once I get there I'll be so busy learning the insurance biz I doubt I will have much time for missing anyone. But I know that when it's time for bed and I have to fall asleep all alone, I will really really miss being in my little apartment in Cincinnati. I have to celebrate my 23rd birthday with strangers, which will be fine. I plan on using it as an excuse to make everyone go out and celebrate with me. But it is still sad that I can't be with my husband or my friends on my actual birthday. I think leaving is going to be more emotional than I originally anticipated. I always knew it would be hard to leave Bryan and my family, but I didn't really think about leaving all my friends. The weirdest and hardest thing is that it's not like college when you know everyone will be home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and probably part of summer break. I really have no idea when I will be back in Cincinnati again, hopefully sooner rather than later. And hopefully we'll move to a cool city where everyone will want to visit. But who knows? I think there are just many more questions than answers at this point in time. Thankfully, the Lord is sustaining me and providing me with peace and calmness while I pack and sort and get everything organized for my move. I hope to make the best of the little time I have left here and see lots of friends and spend time with Bryan and my family.

It's weird thinking about making new friends and sharing my life with people that I don't know at all right now. Thankfully, my training class consists of just three other people and it's all women. I'm really looking forward to making some new friends in my new colleagues and just getting to know different people from around the country. But, being really horrible at correspondence , I'm worried about how my friendships will fair. Hopefully people will be forgiving and realize that I'm awful when it comes to simply calling or writing e-mails. Not having a computer will make it pretty difficult as well. Hopefully I can make some blog updates from the company computers or find a local library. Or maybe we can just save enough money to get a laptop for me. Anyway, I'm rambling now, so I'll end with this: I'm excited for life's next adventure and I cannot wait to start to figure out what it means. And hopefully the excitement of what's coming next will get me through missing Bryan, friends, and family so I can truly enjoy the experience at hand.

Not Guaranteed

The recent loss of my cousin John made me realize that we are not guaranteed anything while living here on Earth. We are not guaranteed an easy life or a long life and we don't know when our time here is up. Sometimes it comes suddenly without warning, sometimes it comes after a long battle with illness, and sometimes it comes at the end of a long full life. There is no way to know what your life situation will be or how you're going to die, but I think that is irrelevant. We have no idea what the future holds or what's going to happen in an hour, but I do know how I can live my life out and that is to be sold out for Christ. I can get all caught up in worrying about the future and how I'm going to deal with tragedies in the coming years, but instead of sitting around worrying, I could simply put my trust in Christ to get me through whatever comes my way and live out my life the way he wants me to. For me, it's easy to worry about the future and basically let it cripple me into sitting on the couch and crying all day long. But, obviously, this is not the life the Lord would have for me. He wants me to trust in him and live out my life to the full. If I am constantly worrying about what might happen and who it might happen to, then I am not fully trusting in the Lord and allowing him to be the Lord of my life. I do my best to trust in the Lord and give my worries and doubts over to him. I think this is the only way to deal with the concerns of this world, no matter what they may be. John's death was sudden and unexpected, and unfair. No child should have to lose their father at age 5 and no wife should have to lose her husband after only ten years. But, unfortunately, we live in a fallen world and many things that should not happen, do happen. The only way to deal with these losses and tragedies is to turn to Christ for comfort and peace. Of course, I am much more removed from the situation than John's wife and kids. If Bryan died today, would I be able to say the same things? Would I be able to turn to Christ? Or would I turn away from him because of anger and distress? I think that I would only turn to Christ because he has been the only constant through out my life and I know the healing power that he holds. It probably would not be easy, though. Who knows how I would react in a tragic situation, but right now I can safely say that I place my trust in the Lord and I believe that he is the only one who can see us through our day to day lives and awful tragedies. I'm sure that people who have been through more than I have would say that it is more easily said than done, but I can only say the way that I deal with situations and I give them to Christ.

A few things that every Bride should know

Well... it's all over now. Just a few more thank you notes to write, but marriage has begun and the wedding is over. I loved planning my wedding! But there are a few things that other brides should know! First, the Knot.com is not good at counting! If you are using the knot's guest list, beware! The website does not always get the number attending correct, also do not take the total guest count at face value. The counter said that we were waiting to receive back 89 RSVPs when we were only missing 30! Obviously I was seriously worried when we already had about 150 people attending and there were 89 invitations still floating out in space, but then it was only another 50 people that were missing! Blessed be! But you can imagine how upset I was at theknot.com! How could they deceive me like that? Anyway, we figured it out and got all the RSVPs in...That is another story. There will always be people that do not RSVP, it is your responsibility to call them before the day that your numbers are due to the caterer. I would suggest telling them that you need to know NOW! because your numbers are due tomorrow (when really they aren't due until next week). That way your guest will call back knowing that it is urgent. As long as people know that there is time, they don't call you, it's really annoying. Next, take a few days off of work before the wedding. I took off Friday, but I wish I would have asked for Thursday, too. There is so much to do and you do not want to feel rushed or that you have to cut things out of your day. I did a lot of stuff, I had to go to the florist, the hotel, the grocery and bank, not to mention the primping I wanted to do for the rehearsal dinner and then decorating the church. Basically, it would have been nice to space all that out over two days. So if possible take an extra day off of work. Next, if you are getting a facial get it TWO WEEKS before the wedding. Facials are great, I feel like mine really did make my skin look radiant on the big day! But, there is some healing that needs to happen afterwords, so DO NOT get one right before the wedding! I did get a massage on Thursday before the wedding, that was nice. Well I think that is all my wedding advice for now, I'm sure I'll think of more later.

In other news, I found out that I will be traveling to Providence RI on January 24th and coming back to Cincinnati on March 12th. So that is exciting. I go back and forth between being excited and being nervous. I know that this is where the Lord wants me, so I am taking confidence in that. I am trusting that he will provide for me while I'm away from my hubby and again when we move to our new city (which, lets be honest, I wouldn't mind moving back to Cincinnati!). It is really fun to think about visiting friends, Boston, NY, being in a new city on the coast, and having Bryan come visit. Not to mention starting my job and learning about insurance. Although that may not sound exciting to some, I will be so happy to be in a learning environment again! And once I start my job I can start looking at masters programs :) I love school, I do miss it. I'm such a nerd...

To Continue...

So I left off after the whirlwind of the ceremony. Oh man, I was so happy! It was amazing being introduced as Mrs. Pietch. We came back to dismiss everyone from the church. Hugging all our family was definitely the most emotional, I cried a lot. All very happy tears of course! It was so great to see all our friends and family. They were all so excited for us! It was incredible! A few friends made me tear up, too. I remember that my train was stepped on by kids running around, haha. But I just was so impressed with how many people love us! It was fantastic. After the ceremony and we dismissed everyone, we got to run through a tunnel of bubbles, haha! I made Bryan run because I thought it would be fun to run in my big huge dress, so we did! The ceremony went really quickly and there was a ton of time before the reception, which was great because we finished pictures in plenty of time to get to the reception right on time! It was funny to get there when our guests were showing up, I guess we made an error on the directions so some people got lost. So sorry about that....I feel really badly that people couldn't find it. Oh well, most people were there! When we got to the reception it was time to bustle my dress and get ready to be announced! It was so fun to go out as he said "Mr. and Mrs. Bryan and Amy Pietch!" YAY! We went right into toasts, which were lovely. I know Bryan really liked his speach from Jeremy and I loved my speach from Kirsten, she is such a good friend!! Then I said a quick thank you (which was fun, I was really glad that I was able to speak at my wedding) and then Bryan prayed for our meal. We got to sit at a table w/Jeremy and his family, Kirsten and Eric, and Abbie and Kyle. It was really fun to be with everyone! I was glad that we did not do a traditional head table, we did two round tables instead. I really enjoyed it. I thought that it made it much more enjoyable to eat dinner and be able to talk with everyone. The food was awesome and there was a chocolate fountain which was delicious! Once I finished dinner I talked to my friends and family, lots of people came up to our table and said congrats and complimented our ceremony and reception. Bryan made a beautiful slide show of us growing up and then pictures of us together when we were dating and engaged. Everyone really loved it, especially our parents I think. Before I knew it, it was time for my first dance with Bryan. We talked the whole dance, mostly about how weird it was to be married for real. Also, we said how it didn't feel any different yet. I asked "When do you think it will feel different than when we were engaged?" I don't think it felt much different until we were at our resort on the honeymoon, but anyway. It was a great dance, I liked having some time alone with Bryan because the whole day really involves so many people.Then I danced with my dad, we did a traditional waltz, it was really fun! I think people were impressed, I know my dad was very happy to be able to dance with me. He later said it was one of the highlights of his life, what a great dad! The rest of the reception was filled with dancing and laughing, having fun with Bryan and family and friends. I loved it! I thought it was the most amazing reception ever. Of course, I am biased. Bryan really enjoyed it too. It was so fun to have so many friends and family with us, dancing and eating and having tons of fun! We all know that I love to dance, but by the end of the night my feet were definitely hurting. Six o'clock rolled around and I was ready to get out of my heavy dress and hurting shoes. Bryan and I just went back to our apartment for the night, we decided that would be a lot easier and more comfortable than spending the night in the hotel. It worked out really well, I was exhausted. I don't think I could have handled going to a hotel, I wanted somewhere that felt like home. And our apartment did feel like home because Bryan was there. Awww how mushy gushy, but it's true! The wedding was AMAZING I couldn't have asked for anything more! It was perfect and incredible and everything I ever imagined. It's weird that it's over and that I go to sleep every night in our apartment, and I come home to Bryan after work. Marriage is definitely an adjustment, a very good one, but it's weird too. It's been hard moving out of my parents house for good and knowing that my new home is wherever Bryan lives. It's also weird because in just a few months I will be moving to Rhode Island which makes the real world feel really close. Ugh I'm so grown up and it's crazy! So anyway, the rest of my posts will probably revolve around new married life and how I'm learning and making mistakes. Hopefully they're funny and we all laugh.

In other news, I was hit on today while paying for gasoline for my car. He said "how you doin'?" not to be prejudice, but he was black and said it exactly the way you are imagining him saying it. So I said "Good thanks, yourself?" He said, "Good, can I call you sometime?" and I said, "Nah, sorry. I'm married." Him, "Oh oh sorry" and he quickly fled the store. The Clerk at the register appologized for his friends behavior and said "so is it true?" and I was able to say "Yes, no more dating for me. and also it makes for a really good excuse when being hit on" Ah, nothing like being hit on when you're greasy and gross and sleepy. It makes me smile that I still have my good looks even though I am an old married lady :)

The New Mrs. Pietch is HERE!

HELLO BLOG NATION! I am now blogging from my apartment where I live with my husband, we have been married a whole week! Haha, we just got back from the honeymoon this afternoon and we're settling into our little one bedroom blissfully ignoring that work begins again on Monday. The wedding, reception, and honeymoon were AMAZING! But let me begin one week before the big day. Buckle up kids! This is going to be a long ride...

T minus 7 days until the Wedding...

I feel that I did an excellent job of planning and preparing for the wedding from day one, but I learned that no matter how many schedules you type up or how many meetings you have, you WILL be stressed the week before your wedding. Suddenly there are about one hundred decisions and tasks that you have not completed, not all of the RSVPs are in, and you keep thinking of little projects that you need to finish. By Tuesday of the pre-wedding week, I still had not talked with the Pastor about our ceremony, which is a pretty important part if you ask me. That day was awful, I felt like nothing was going to come together. But, as soon as I realized that every bride is stressed before the wedding, I felt much better and realized that no one would know if I finished the wreaths for the doors of the church (I didn't by the way) and that I would simply have to do everything that I could and when time ran out I would just have to enjoy my day. This is a good attitude to have, I believe - of course I am biased since it became my attitude. But truly, just being relaxed and continually doing something was a big help for me. I also took a lot of benadryl at night so that I would sleep well. I do not condone drug use normally, but before the wedding I will allow it. After Tuesday my week was just fine, lots of fun actually! I got to spend a lot of time with my mom and sister and all my bridesmaids were great in calling and helping whenever they could. So I was much more settled when the rehearsal dinner rolled around.

October 16th, Rehearsal Dinner

So the Friday before the wedding I drove around all day doing wedding stuff. Nothing stressful, just stopping to see the flowers and picking up mascara and little errands like that. My day passed quickly and then it was time to rehearse for the wedding! I couldn't believe how quickly time was going. Of course, I had only talked on the phone to Pastor Butch so we really hadn't discussed too much about the ceremony. Unfortunately, I feel that my personality clashes a bit with his and so I was probably not as nice to him as I should have been. Not only that, but I hadn't talked with his wife, the wedding coordinator at the church, so she had no idea what was going on. Mostly, I ran the rehearsal myself, which is fine. I realized that my wedding was the one time I could be bossy and bitchy and no one would say anything about it. Believe me, the sass was out that night! We all got through rehearsal fine, I'm pretty sure we all knew what to do. I think the best part was when my bridesmaids showed up and we all squealed and got excited haha! So girly, I know. Dinner was delicious, it occurred at Cladagh (I have no idea how to spell it) Irish Pub. The food was great, time with our family and friends was better. Sally, Bryan's mom, delivered a short but very heartfelt speech that had me in tears. After dinner we exchanged gifts with our attendants. Bryan got the TV he wanted, he was SO so excited about it. And I got luggage! WOOHOO! it was great, we actually were able to use it on the honeymoon. The bridesmaids got their jewelry and pashminas, which I think they all enjoyed. The jewelry was handmade by Rebecca Loomis and she did an excellent job! And then, too soon, it was time to go home and go to bed so that I could look beautiful on my big day!

WEDDING DAY!

I woke up and was immediately excited! I couldn't believe it was the big day! The day I had been planning and thinking about for over 10 months was finally here! I started my day at 6am, my cousins Max and Isabel came over for breakfast at 7 and they made me laugh and giggle and helped me just be happy, not nervous or anxious! The day went by so quickly! Suddenly all my bridesmaids were at the house getting ready, putting make up on and doing their hair. Then it was time to put on my dress! Suddenly I looked like a real bride! Then pictures were being taken and the next thing I knew I was in the car on the way to the church. My good friend Kyria rode with my dad and I and it was so great to talk with her. She was so kind in helping take pictures. I feel like she had some really great ideas and was more creative than I could have been! So we show up at the church, Mark comes down to meet us. He was great in being my time keeper and making sure everyone was where they should be. At that point I started to get a little nervous. The butterflies were fluttering in my stomach, but again things moved quickly! Myself, mom, dad, and the bridesmaids were walking toward the sanctuary, lining up, getting ready to walk down the aisle. Bryan's mom came to give me a hug, she was crying which made me cry of course! All my bridesmaids hugged me and wished me luck before heading down the aisle themselves. Then it was just my dad and I in the back, we were both shaking and taking deep breaths to try and stay calm. As soon as I turned the corner and saw everyone in the church I was floored. I was just hit by how many people love and care for Bryan and I. Then I saw my husband, waiting for me at the end of the aisle. I don't think you can accurately describe how full and wonderful you feel at that moment, but even though there were so many other people and music and pictures, I could only think about how excited I was to get to Bryan and become his wife. Bryan took a mental picture when he saw me in the back of the church (the office fans will appreciate that) and suddenly we were both on the alter saying our vows and becoming man and wife. Apparently I value diversity because I replaced "adversity" with diversity in our vows, oops! Something always goes wrong, but it was funny and it lightened the mood of me crying through the vows. I remember exchanging rings, and I remember saying the vows, and praying with Bryan after we lit the unity candle; I hope I never forget those details of the wedding ceremony. I remember being the happiest I've ever been and so very thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such a wonderful man. I'm not lucky, but I am greatly provided for.

Well I think this is a long enough entry for now, more about the reception and honeymoon to follow!!

Much love from the Freshest Pietch!