We had a great time, it was so nice to get away and spend the whole day together since I’ve been so busy with work and getting settled into my new life here in Raleigh.

I had forgotten how HUGE the zoo is! It took us 4 hours to go from one end to the other and we still didn’t have time to see everything.

This polar bear was so cute, he looked so sleepy. He kept nodding off watching all the people through the glass.

Tom the buffalo whisperer.

This bear was so funny, he was chilling out near a cave, then decided he was hot and sauntered over to the pond and just plopped down in there. He stayed in this spot for a while cooling off.

Seeing the gorillas was pretty exciting, there were a couple females sitting on a rock near us and then all of a sudden the big male ran over and confronted them for some reason. At first it looked like he was going to run right into glass separating us and their habitat. He was MASSIVE.

The elephants were pretty cute too.

We had a great day, and took some great pictures. Tom’s are really great, hopefully he’ll post some on his blog soon.

]]> http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/05/24/trip-to-the-zoo/feed/ 0 http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/05/07/10-years-and-counting/ http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/05/07/10-years-and-counting/#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 08:27:44 +0000 Nicole http://www.nicolecarina.com/?p=512

On May 5, 2000 Tom and I went on our first date.  We had been friends for a while but weren’t really official till then. It was my college graduation and Tom came with my family to eat afterward the ceremony, then we went to see Gladiator in the movie theater.

We figured this past Wednesday was our unofficial 10 year anniversary so we decided to celebrate.  I had the day off work so we decided to relax and check out a few thrift stores.  We went to dinner at Red Lobster but almost didn’t make it, we’re so used to eating dinner late due to our work schedules that we forgot they stop serving dinner at 10pm and got there a just in time.

So here we are, 10 years later, back together and living in Raleigh. Without writing a book, there are a million reasons that I’m grateful for our relationship and how we’ve grown together and changed each other’s lives for the better since we met. I’m so glad we got to share this time together.

I love this wine, for several reasons; when Tom would come visit me in Wilmington we would get dinner, then go somewhere else for drinks or dessert.  If we wanted drinks we’d go to the sofa bar in downtown since they were close and had great martinis. One of the times we went Tom treated me to a glass of this wine, a vintage port. I loved it so much he bought me (a very expensive) bottle of it for Christmas 2008.  I drank a little bit here and there since then, but had just enough for Tom and I to toast with it to celebrate my moving to Raleigh and us getting back together again.

Also: My new job – being excited about my potential there, having DVR to record LOST for me since I work nights, being able to watch LOST after working all night, finding a good home for Lucky and Tama, homemade grilled (organic, free range) chicken sandwiches,  not letting frustrating situations discourage me like they used to, learning to drive around Raleigh without getting lost, watching Heroes on Netflix, and last but not least Tom – for a million reasons, but right now for knowing me so well and being so good for me.

In less than a week I’m quitting my job at Verizon Wireless and moving to Raleigh.

Tom and I started dating a couple months ago and have been dating long distance, but we knew it was just a matter time before one of us moved to be with the other.  With Tom’s business being in Raleigh it made more sense for me to move than for him to. I also love Raleigh, more than I thought I would, so the decision wasn’t that hard. So now I’ve found a new job in Raleigh that starts mid-April and my last day at Verizon will be March 31.

It may seem strange to pick up and move to be with someone you’ve only dated a short while but Tom and I have a 10 year history… We dated for 4 years then broke up, he moved to Raleigh and I moved to Wilmington. Even though we were with other people over the years we never stopped caring about each other, and remained friends. Earlier this year we were both single at the same time and realized that we wanted to be together again.  Tom and I know each other better than anyone else and we’re each other’s best friend, it just doesn’t get much better than that.  =)

Tom and I shortly after we started dating, around 2000

And a couple months ago

The greatest blessing in my life right now is being with Tom again. We’ve had a crazy journey but both feel that everything we’ve gone through has prepared us to have a future together.  I never thought we’d get back together, but here we are, happy and in love again.  The funny thing is, no one else seemed to be surprised, our family and friends have been really supportive and happy for us.

There are times in your life when the universe comes together and things just seem to magically fall into place… This is one of those times. I couldn’t be happier with the way things are happening.  I know that this is just part of the journey and there will be bumps in the road ahead, but I’m confident that Tom and I can handle anything together.

Just went to the Raleigh flea market with Tom and his parents, we try to go whenever they come to visit us. I always seem to buy something right when we get there, this time it was a plate. I saw it and recognized the Portuguese national emblem, the same that’s on the flag. I just had to get it.

Tom and I got dressed up and went out for a date night last night at Tony’s Oyster Bar. We looked so good I made him take a picture of us, lol.  We used the self timer on my camera so I figure it counts as a self portrait.

Tonight I was going through my pictures and saw a few I’d taken with friends over the years, so I thought I’d include them in my SPT post.

Kelly and I about 3 years ago

Jackie and I the day she took me ice skating

At Charlie Brown’s with Dave

Tom and I beside Lake Johnson

This past summer, at the mall with Jackie after a bunch of us went to the imax theater

Downtown Raleigh with Tom, Brandy, and Jay last year

At Lake Wheeler with Tom

Tom found this book for me while we were in Barnes and Noble’s the other day, and said he’s read other books by the same author and thought I might like this one, I’m about a third of the way through and it’s pretty good so far.

Also: birds singing in the morning, girl time with Jackie, being lazy, pho, noodles, sitting by a fireplace, day trips, cupcakes, Chapel Hill, Franklin Street, interesting or funny fridge magnets, recording memories through photographs, remembering to wear boots when its a rainy day, looking forward to a week off of work, having good conversations, feeling the pieces of your life fall into place, feeling peace where you thought you never would be able to, and being optimistic about the future again.

Took a drive around Lake Wheeler today after lunch, I’ve been by Yate’s Mill before but today we went by the other side of the lake.

The sun was just starting to set, the afternoon light on the lake was really pretty.

Sometimes all you need is a fast car, and a setting sun

Enakei artwork. I love the pictures by this artist, I think they’re just so pretty and girly.

Blogging with Wordpress – this was probably the best thing I’ve ever done concerning my blog. It’s sooo much easier to use than blogger, vox, or anything else. I wish I’d done it ages ago.

Discovering Raleigh – I’ve always loved visiting the mall and museums but now I’m learning about all the interesting little places that make Raleigh unique. Places that I would frequent all the time if I lived up here.

Battered and Fried Mushrooms with Tom’s Wing Sauce – my new favorite vegetable. Probably not too healthy but they’re delicious!

Letting go of my seriousness and acting like a kid, root beer floats, my cat greeting me at the door, new beginnings, Samurai Matte chai tea from Teavana, awesome deals at the thrift store, old Eddie Murphy stand up shows, and making a photo album for the first time in a long time.

]]> http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/09/things-i-love-tuesday-292010/feed/ 0 http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/07/superbowl-party/ http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/07/superbowl-party/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:46:37 +0000 Nicole http://www.nicolecarina.com/?p=158

I was in Raleigh for the Superbowl this year so Tom invited a few friends over so we could all watch the game on his new flat screen HD TV.  Bernie, Jay, and Corrado came by.

Tom made his famous wings and for the first time, made battered and fried mushrooms. They were so good! I didn’t even get to take a picture of them I ate them up so fast, ha ha. Bernie and I don’t eat meat so I was so glad that he came up with an alternative for me to dip into his homemade wing sauce.

For dessert I decided to make some Superbowl Sugar Cookies. I’ve got cookie cutters shaped like footballs, helmets, and trophies so brought them along with my favorite apron, Hello Kitty of course. I think they turned out pretty cute, even though my icing/decorating skills are severely lacking, lol.

If I make a cookie it’s probably going to have a heart, smiley face, star or something, ha ha!

Piddles had a great time, he thought everyone had come just to visit him.  After he got done barking at Jay (who kept forgetting his name and calling him Skittles, Pickles, and Puddles) he got petted by everyone and was in heaven.

It was great to have Bernie stop by, we’ve been friends since 1st grade and I’m so glad she’s living in Raleigh now so I can see her when I come up to visit.

I had such a great time, I love entertaining even if it’s just a few friends, food, and beer.  I can’t wait to have another excuse to get together and do it again.

]]> http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/07/superbowl-party/feed/ 0