I’m engaged and I have one good eye!
So… I graduated! I defended in June, moved back in July, and got a job in August. My job is good except for the commute. But I really do like everything else about it. The people, the type of work, the opportunities to lead projects and guide them in the direction I want, the way we are valued, the sense of team and camaraderie, the nonstressful work atmosphere, the goofiness, and… the benefits!
I am so fortunate to have a job like this and one with great benefits. The first thing I wanted to do upon hearing about the benefits is to get LASIK! Well, I did and it was quite an experience. They first do the tests to measure your eye ball stuffS – prescription, corneal thickness, maps too. Then you go into a room with those psychologist lounge chairs and take half a Xanax and wait. Well, when I was there, there was another girl lying down and her boyfriend sitting with her consoling her. Then a doctor comes in and says “we can use a different laser, one that’s not as much pressure.” I was all excited and ready to go and then I hear this. I think to myself, “Am I supposed to be scared? Why is this girl freaking out? What’s going on?” It was such a weird feeling sitting there. Well, 10 more minutes go by and then the girl says “okay, I’m more relaxed” and then gets up and goes into the operating room. WEIRD. Anyway, Sean arrived and sat down with me while I waited for my turn. We ate Ritz peanut butter crackers together and he poured us some cups of water from the pitcher 10 feet away that I didn’t even know existed because I couldn’t see that far! Here’s a picture of me waiting:
Well, it was my turn to go, and first the doctor put fiducial marks on my eyeballs with some sort of marker. Then I laid down on the operating table but first waved Hi to my mom, dad, and Sean who I could see through the viewing windows. They first covered my left eye so I wouldn’t have trouble focusing on the light. Then they taped my eyelashes down and stuck this clamp thing in my eyeball to keep my eyes from shutting. None of it hurt and perhaps felt a little funny, but I was just excited to get it done so didn’t think about it. They put many drops in my eye before and after this, too. Afterward that they put some circle thing over my eye and I could feel a little pressure. This part felt a little funny. I forgot what the doctor said was going on at this point, but it felt quite odd and he said to just focus on the green light. I think they were using one laser to cut the flap at this point. Afterwards, they opened the flap, and that’s when things were weird. I couldn’t see anything! It was all grey and it was a little nerve-wracking not being able to see, even though your eye was open. Then they did the cutting with the next laser for 45 seconds. There was a slight burning or smoke smell, but I was aware of this ahead of time. After the 45 seconds, the flap was closed and I could see again! Then they used this brush thing to make sure the flap was back in place. It felt kinda nice actually. hehe. After it was done I said, “is that it?” and the doctor laughed and said “do you want there to be more?” Then I sat up and right away they took a picture of me and the doctor with a thumbs up. I walked out and I could see! It was a little cloudy and they told me to keep my eye closed as much as possible. They then got my super cool shades, put them on me, and also gave me the second half of the Xanax. Then I was sent home. And that’s all she wrote… =P
Well, actually that’s not all there is to the story. Sean drove me home and my parents said they were going to go out to use some Groupon (I thought, oh ok, yeah, whatevs). I was already groggy by the end of the car ride home, so the first thing I told Sean was, “I’m gonna go put on some comfy pants.” Sean followed me upstairs and there was Serenity (our baby bear)! Sean had asked if she could sleep over at his house before, and I was very very reluctant because there are 3 dogs at his house and 2 of them love love love to chew things up. They chewed one of his uncle’s Pooh bears! I knew that if Sean left his bedroom door open, they could jump up on the bed and snatch her up and rip her head off. This was absolutely horrifying to me. But Sean some time last week assured me that it would be okay and that he would be very careful and always remember to close his door or take her with him in the car. So I finally conceded and he got to take her home for 2-3 days. When I got upstairs to my room, there she was, sitting on my bed! I was so happy to see her again. But she also had a backpack with her and I thought, “oh cool! what is this? A Happy Lasik gift?” The backpack had her name on it and was made out of cute heart fabric (which Sean said someone on Etsy specially made for him!). I opened the backpack, and there were a ton of animals! One by one I took a bear TY beanie baby, then a bunny, then a bear, and 2 bunnies, and 2 bears, and more and more! I thought, “wow, this is so cool. I love bunnies and bears and stuffed animals.” Then I got to the bottom and took out a pouch. And then it struck me, “omgosh omgosh!” this was not just a Happy eye lasering gift. I opened the pouch, and there was a ring! Sean got down on one knee and asked “Stephanie, will you marry me?” And then I hugged him and said “Lemme think about it….umm Yes!”
He tricked me! I had no idea and before this I didn’t think he’d be able to surprise me ever. We are always together and we are always hanging out, so for him to ask my parent’s permission would mean he’d have to send me away to do something and I’d automatically know something was up. But last week I was sent to Michigan for work on very short notice, so Sean took advantage of the opportunity and went to my parent’s house then to talk to them. They grilled him extensively, of course. hehe. But he passed the test, so my parents knew about it and kept it a secret from me for a whole week! I didn’t think my mom would be able to do it, I thought for sure she’d be the one to drop hints and give something away, but nope. Everyone kept their mouths shut. Sean was so sneaky!
However, there was one time when he almost got caught. About 2 weeks ago I was on my computer and signed on to Amazon. I looked at my cart and there were 15 items – all beanie babies – bears and bunnies. I thought, “What the heck is this? I didn’t put all these in there.” Then I asked Sean, but he was napping so he just kinda grunted and went back to sleep. I didn’t think much of it but thought it was strange. I knew Sean was the one who put those in my shopping cart, but I didn’t connect any dots. I just thought he was a very strange person for looking at all of those. Little did I know I almost spoiled the surprise! I guess I didn’t think Sean would be proposing for awhile because my cousin and him had agreed to go look at rings together, but I didn’t think they had gone yet. Also, I didn’t think he had talked with my parents yet either. So in my mind I thought, “well, we have this going on this weekend, and then Thanksgiving, and then I’m gone for work, then Sean’s gone, and then we go to Buffalo. So if he is going to propose in 2011, it will be within these 2 specific weeks [in December].” Boy, was I wrong. (Btw, if he didn’t propose by the end of the year, I was gonna give him a firm talking to. hehehehehe). Anyway, Sean is the best and the proposal was perfect and very personalized. (I don’t know who else would love to get a toddler’s backpack full of bunny and bear beanie babies as a proposal…actually I can think of one but I won’t say as to not embarrass them too. hehe)
After the proposal, I fell right asleep (Xanax fully kicked in). I took a nap and when I woke up, Sean wanted to get dinner. He went to Honda-ya (yum-ee!) and ordered take out. We had sashimi, tempura udon, and a poke bowl. Then we had some tea that we recently ordered online. All my favorite things – Serenity, sushi, tea, and Sean! It was a perfect night. Then I took a full Xanax and konked out with my goggles on until the morning.
The next morning Sean said his aunt wanted us over for breakfast, my parents included. I thought it’d be a typical Saturday morning breakfast at the house, with Sean flipping the pancakes, his aunt cooking the bacon, his uncle scrambling the eggs, etc. When we showed up, though, there were so many cars in front of the house! We walked in and more relatives were there and friends and Buddy and the table was set and there were these two GIANT goblets that said Bride and Groom. Sean’s aunt made some fancy shmancy quiche and french toast with pecan thing along with pastries and a wonderful fruit bowl. All of them had known before too and all kept it a secret! I was so amazed and felt so loved on. =) We got some very nice bottles of champagne, a ring holder, and this really cool cheese platter thing with a rock slate. So nice and special and completely unexpected.
Now I am sitting here on a Sunday night cringing because I didn’t finish writing this white paper that is due tomorrow at noon. Ugh. Back to reality. The government doesn’t take engagements as an excuse for late submissions, unfortunately. So off I go…the future Mrs. O’Keeffe. hehehehehe.
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