October 31, 2003
Happy Halloween and all that
Happy Halloween! Actualy I forgot it was Halloween, but my friends website reminded me that today was actually the day. Marlene and I did not do any fancy pumpkins on the website. We did take the time to head down to the courthouse and have our civil wedding ceremony. In attendance were my Aunt and Uncle who came down from Winston Salem NC, Debbie, Dan, Parker, and oh yes Marlene and myself. The ceremony lasted about 5 minutes and now Marlene and I are legally married. We will be celebrating September 14th as our anniversiary so no combo Halloween/Anniversary cards in October. We do have some pictures that have been added to the Wedding ceremony pictures page.
October 30, 2003
RSS Feed.
Our weblog is now available to new aggregators using and XML RSS feed. The URL is here It is also on the front page.
October 28, 2003
Halloween Wedding
Another wedding?
As most of our friends and family know, all of whom regret ever asking, this visa thing I came down to the US on is complicated. We had what looked and felt like a wedding in Vancouver except it was not legally binding as my visa is actually a fiancee visa requiring that we marry in the US.
Last week we picked up our marriage licence at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg county registry and this Friday we are getting married in the courthouse. I think the proceding will take all of 10 minutes -- we will show up and wait for the first available appointment between 2 and 4pm. Sean's aunt and uncle, Jenny and Luther Vann have graciously agreed to come down from Winston-Salem and our friends Dan and Debbie Hemmingsen are also going to be able to be there.
My sister Tilly thought I was kidding when I told her we were getting married on Halloween, but we've been trying to organize this for about a month with both Sean's schedule and that of our mandatory witnesses, and waiting another week just seemed sillier than worrying about the date. No, we are not wearing costumes, and yes we are going to celebrate September 14th as our wedding anniversary.
Speaking of costumes last weekend as part of my birthday present from Sean we went to the Renaissance Festival in Concord, NC. You should check out the pictures and Sean's write-up. It was a lot of fun. Sean is still trying to convince me to go in costume next year.
Well that's our news, hope all is well with you and yours. We love to see comments on our guestbook.
October 23, 2003
Birthday
A poem written by my brother Carlos E. Sperling in honour of my birthday:
I checked my calendar and what do you know?
Tomorrow's the day to inspect our toes.
There's something else I think I'm forgetting,
Something I'm sure I would end up regretting.
Something about the 24th of October,
Something about... Oh! Now I remember!
It's a day to evoke my imagination --
Send a poem in honor* of your celebration.
I wanted it witty, smart, and funny.
I didn't want anyone's eyes getting runny.
But, this line right here almost made me insane-(Uh),
I needed a rhyme for "Happy Birthday Marlene"
*Since you moved to Charlotte, there's no "u" in honor -- Appropriate since now there's no "you " here to honour!
Clarifications 1. the rhyme on the last line works with the german pronunciation of my name which is mar-lay-nuh and 2. the Canadian spelling of honor is honour
Carlos and Anne
October 12, 2003
Update on Status
Well we are starting to add a few "after the wedding pictures" to the website, including a few pictures of some of the lovely gifts we've received from friends and family. We want to thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Canadians are celebrating Thanksgiving this Monday while our American counterparts celebrate Columbus Day. I really don't know why Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving earlier than Americans, perhaps because there is very little of the harvest left at the end of November in most parts of our northern climate. I have decided to roast a chicken and make mashed potatoes and stuffing, even if just for Sean and I. You know, any excuse to get out my Gourmet magazines...
My personal effects are arriving from Toronto this Weds. I am sure Sean will be taking pictures of the stacks and stacks of boxes. I am so excited about seeing my red velvet loveseat sofa as well as some of my other most treasured possessions. Where we will put all of our combined stuff is another question.
In other news I have now received a Social Security number, and we can now go about getting a marriage license here in the US, a drivers' licence (and yes lessons!), a bank account etc. etc. I guess then I will then start to feel like more of an actual resident. Hope all is well with you and your loved ones, Marlene