We're in Ohio for the holidays.
I'm nursing a small hangover and Nick is still in bed. I can hear his alarm going off on his cell phone, but he keeps hitting snooze. Poor kid, we were out late last night.
Let's back up a bit to explain.
We arrived via Cheapbus (aka SKYbus) on Friday, December 21 and headed straight up to Massillon where we spent a few days with my family. We enjoyed great presents, tasty food, and late holiday shopping until Christmas morning when we headed off to Russia to say with Nick's family for a few days. More great presents, more tasty food, and lots of family gatherings and sporting events greeted us in western Ohio. We arrived Christmas morning and stayed until yesterday, 12/28.
We headed to Cincinnati last night to see our friends who have expanded their families and friends we miss. It's difficult being back in some ways. On one hand, it's so wonderful to see everyone again and then it's so hard to realize how much you are missing by being away.
Everywhere Nick and I go, the proverbial question, "How's Boston?" comes up. It's a natural question - we just transitioned and it's a completely different way of living than the Midwest. But, we can't really say how it's going because it's complicated. Here's what we're both thinking when this question comes up, but we're both not going to say it because we're too long-winded:
What Pains Us
Separation from family and friends
Easy living in OHIO
Open roads in OHIO
Decent prices in OHIO
Kinder folks in OHIO
Life going on without us
What Challenges Us
How to start a family without family here
Boston's pace of life
Bo$ton is expensivo
Adjusting to a different schedule and making time for each other
What We Love About Beantown
Our location
Being young without children in a terrific city
Effortless inclusion in the most exciting events the city offers
Living in a 2 bedroom highrise apartment without rent
Ocean is close by
Culture
Diversity
Boston is the educational GEM of the world - no other city explodes with academia like this
While the last list has more items that the other two, it still doesn't compare to the warm comfort of being with our loved ones. It's been a wonderful visit home so far and Cincinnati hasn't changed a bit. We're reveling in the laughter of friends right now, but we're also excited to continue making a home on the east coast, however hard that might be.
But, it's getting easier.
So, last night we saw good friends and went to two gatherings. We were out till about 3am, didn't get home till about 3:30am and then Nick woke up at 7:30am to take his brother Keith to the airport. OUCH. I was snoring face down on the couch when they left and was too disoriented to even lock the freaking door.
And so Nick is on his third snooze of the morning and I should go try to punch him in the arm to wake him up because we're meeting friends for lunch downtown. He just wandered out and his eyes are so bloodshot, he looks like the devil. I laugh in his face. OUCH, that hurt my head. I hate hangovers.
2008 is going to be phenomenal.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Guess What Day These Pictures Are From
In Sequential Order:
(Nick is pacing) "AREN'T YOU PUMPED?"
(I'm playing with my camera) "INCREDIBLY PUMPED."
The following pictures are not posed. They're live action shots of Nick reacting in our living room.
Guess What Day These Pictures Are From
In Sequential Order:
FLYING OUT OF HIS CHAIR DURING A BEANIE WELLS MOMENT
Guess What Day These Pictures Are From
In Sequential Order:
TEXTING HIS OPINION TO EITHER KEITH OR JAY
Winter Arrives
While there are 12 days until Christmas, you wouldn't know it in our lives because school and work has consumed our lives. Nick had his last day of class today and instead of celebrating, he is a hermit trying to finish 3 25pg papers. That leaves me to find my own entertainment.My job's been keeping me pretty busy so I haven't had much time to be lonely this week. We fly out next Friday.
As we speak, we are getting plummeted by our first snow storm. The roads are killer and traffic is a nightmare. Luckily, I am three floors away from my job and Nick's commuting is done until next semester. While I can gripe for hours about the pains of my job, for days like today, it's wonderful to have a live-in position where I don't have to battle the roads.
Our apartment yields pretty park views as it blankets itself in white and our holiday decorations are out. So while we're too busy to shop, we're definitely surrounding ourselves in the Advent season.
We can't wait to come home for the holidays.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Santa's Little Helpers
While we were home for Thanksgiving, Suzi, one of my sisters-in-law, asked me to take Christmas portraits of my niece and nephews. Always ready to practice my photography skills, I agreed.
This one says it all.
Out of over 300 photos, only a handful came out clear. It was pretty stressful because the kids were hungry, tired, and hot, but I think Nick had a harder time dealing with it as he stood behind me trying to help. Regardless, they came out GREAT, but this one made me laugh the most. My favorite style of photography is photojournalism - pictures that catch the moment, unposed. This one says everything about how the shoot went.
(left to right) Zach is 2, Jesse is 1, Morgan is 9.
SO CUTE!
God's People, Just Not God's Poet
Nick and I pray a lot.
Each morning, we roll out of bed, stumble into the morning, and gather our life forces to tackle another Boston day of job, work, study, people....life. You know it, you do it, too.
Just before I head off to work (three flights of stairs to my office) and Nick meanders toward BC for class, we gather each other up, sit on the couch and pray.
We pray for strength to get through each day; in gratitude for our many blessings. We ask that God keeps our friends and family safe in all of their endeavors and throw in a few extra special intentions as well.
We slso take turns leading prayer. Once we sit, I extend a finger and poke Nick in the shoulder and say, "YOU. Go," signaling that it's his turn to lead. We both have days where we are more eloquent, when we know exactly what to say and the other is moved with grace and spirit.
However, yesterday, Nick's prayer took a different sort of a twist...
Thank you, Lord for this day. We ask that you continue to guide us in all that we do and that we are always aware of your love, your Spirit, and forgiveness. Lord, we thank you for all of our blessings, this day and everyday. It is a blessing to think about starting a family, while others are wondering where they are going to sleep tonight. It is a blessing to have options about what vocations we want, while others do not have enough to eat. It is a blessing to wonder about the course of our lives while others, uh,...others worry about getting killed by their neighbors. We thank you for everything. Amen.
Midway I ducked my face into Nick's armpit but my shoulders were already shaking.
N: What?
L: -unable to speak-
N: What?!
L: "....WHILE OTHERS WORRY ABOUT GETTING KILLED BY THEIR NEIGHBORS?"
I was laughing so hard I couldn't even breathe.
N: Why's that funny?
L: You think that many people in this world are worrying about getting gunned down by their next door neighbor?
N: Well, that shows how wide your perspective is - I was thinking about the people in Darfur!
L: I am not insensitive to global issues, I was just stuck in the US-based context of prayer. I was limiting myself to thinking about our own country. Yes, you are right. People in Darfur worry about their safety relative to that of their neighbors.
N: It's true!
L: I know. It's just semantics. "...worry about getting killed by the neighbors..." That's just some serious morning prayer.
Each morning, we roll out of bed, stumble into the morning, and gather our life forces to tackle another Boston day of job, work, study, people....life. You know it, you do it, too.
Just before I head off to work (three flights of stairs to my office) and Nick meanders toward BC for class, we gather each other up, sit on the couch and pray.
We pray for strength to get through each day; in gratitude for our many blessings. We ask that God keeps our friends and family safe in all of their endeavors and throw in a few extra special intentions as well.
We slso take turns leading prayer. Once we sit, I extend a finger and poke Nick in the shoulder and say, "YOU. Go," signaling that it's his turn to lead. We both have days where we are more eloquent, when we know exactly what to say and the other is moved with grace and spirit.
However, yesterday, Nick's prayer took a different sort of a twist...
Thank you, Lord for this day. We ask that you continue to guide us in all that we do and that we are always aware of your love, your Spirit, and forgiveness. Lord, we thank you for all of our blessings, this day and everyday. It is a blessing to think about starting a family, while others are wondering where they are going to sleep tonight. It is a blessing to have options about what vocations we want, while others do not have enough to eat. It is a blessing to wonder about the course of our lives while others, uh,...others worry about getting killed by their neighbors. We thank you for everything. Amen.
Midway I ducked my face into Nick's armpit but my shoulders were already shaking.
N: What?
L: -unable to speak-
N: What?!
L: "....WHILE OTHERS WORRY ABOUT GETTING KILLED BY THEIR NEIGHBORS?"
I was laughing so hard I couldn't even breathe.
N: Why's that funny?
L: You think that many people in this world are worrying about getting gunned down by their next door neighbor?
N: Well, that shows how wide your perspective is - I was thinking about the people in Darfur!
L: I am not insensitive to global issues, I was just stuck in the US-based context of prayer. I was limiting myself to thinking about our own country. Yes, you are right. People in Darfur worry about their safety relative to that of their neighbors.
N: It's true!
L: I know. It's just semantics. "...worry about getting killed by the neighbors..." That's just some serious morning prayer.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Catching Up
Oh, I'm so behind.
It's been awhile since the last post and everytime I remember that I need to write something, I chide myself, "Tomorrow! Tomorrow I will."
Of course tomorrow becomes tomorrow becomes tomorrow.
Today is tomorrow.
So, where did we leave off?
Oh yes, three weekends ago, my parents came in from Pennsylvania to visit and it was wonderful, of course. They loved our apartment. They loved Boston. They loved that my commute is 3 flights of stairs. They loved that Nick takes the train to school everyday. They loved that there is a park across the street. They loved everything.
Rog and Jan Borchers followed suit the weekend after my parents. Unfortunately, for Rob and Jan, Boston decided to show its nasty side. It was cold, rainy, and grey all day and that didn't afford much alternatives for entertainment. Buckeye fans don't lose heart that easily though. We poofed out the umbrellas and slugged it up to GAME ON, a bar that exclusively shows OSU games on Saturdays. We cheered the Bucks to beat the pants off Wisconsin and gleefully watched Wisconsin fans become more solemn in the bar.
I was on duty the weekend Rob and Jan were in town and unfortunately was called into work that night so I was unable to make it to dinner with them. Leaky windows from the rain, maintenance issues, and a student mugging incident will do that. Ugh.
And that concludes 5 consecutive wonderful weeks of family visitors.
This past weekend, Nick curled up to his beloved texts and powered through a 25 pg. paper while I hopped onto a bus and spent Veteran's weekend in New York City with some of my closest friends from childhood. It was refreshing to get away from my job and to visit with some old buds who know me well. Nick was couch-slapping and texting his sorrow over the Bucks loss to Illinois. My cell phone was in orange alert danger of being thrown against a wall when I received that text. BOOO. I hate losing.
One of my RAs who loves Michigan (poor infected soul), loves to razz on Nick about Saturday's game. Nick just shakes his head and tries to be friendly to my RAs but inside I know he wants to throw some Tressel vs. Carr statistic. I admire his benevolence. Me? I tell my pro-Michigan RAs to shove it and talk to me after Saturday.
We're leaving for Ohio on Tuesday evening. We'll be in Russia all day Wednesday and for Thanksgiving morning/early afternoon. After that, we'll head to Massillon to be with my family for Thursday evening and all day Friday. Departing out of Columbus at the crack of dawn on Saturday, we'll fly back to Boston for a wedding (one of my co-workers) Saturday night. The busy-ness never ends.
Nick and I decided that likely this will be the last Thanksgiving that we try to split between families because it's way too hectic and we don't get time with either family. Beginning next year, we'll switch off Thanksgiving and Easter between families, but continue to split Christmas holidays.
So, Factoras and Borchers families beware: come 2008 you'll either have us for the turkey or the resurrection.
See some of you next week!
It's been awhile since the last post and everytime I remember that I need to write something, I chide myself, "Tomorrow! Tomorrow I will."
Of course tomorrow becomes tomorrow becomes tomorrow.
Today is tomorrow.
So, where did we leave off?
Oh yes, three weekends ago, my parents came in from Pennsylvania to visit and it was wonderful, of course. They loved our apartment. They loved Boston. They loved that my commute is 3 flights of stairs. They loved that Nick takes the train to school everyday. They loved that there is a park across the street. They loved everything.
Rog and Jan Borchers followed suit the weekend after my parents. Unfortunately, for Rob and Jan, Boston decided to show its nasty side. It was cold, rainy, and grey all day and that didn't afford much alternatives for entertainment. Buckeye fans don't lose heart that easily though. We poofed out the umbrellas and slugged it up to GAME ON, a bar that exclusively shows OSU games on Saturdays. We cheered the Bucks to beat the pants off Wisconsin and gleefully watched Wisconsin fans become more solemn in the bar.
I was on duty the weekend Rob and Jan were in town and unfortunately was called into work that night so I was unable to make it to dinner with them. Leaky windows from the rain, maintenance issues, and a student mugging incident will do that. Ugh.
And that concludes 5 consecutive wonderful weeks of family visitors.
This past weekend, Nick curled up to his beloved texts and powered through a 25 pg. paper while I hopped onto a bus and spent Veteran's weekend in New York City with some of my closest friends from childhood. It was refreshing to get away from my job and to visit with some old buds who know me well. Nick was couch-slapping and texting his sorrow over the Bucks loss to Illinois. My cell phone was in orange alert danger of being thrown against a wall when I received that text. BOOO. I hate losing.
One of my RAs who loves Michigan (poor infected soul), loves to razz on Nick about Saturday's game. Nick just shakes his head and tries to be friendly to my RAs but inside I know he wants to throw some Tressel vs. Carr statistic. I admire his benevolence. Me? I tell my pro-Michigan RAs to shove it and talk to me after Saturday.
We're leaving for Ohio on Tuesday evening. We'll be in Russia all day Wednesday and for Thanksgiving morning/early afternoon. After that, we'll head to Massillon to be with my family for Thursday evening and all day Friday. Departing out of Columbus at the crack of dawn on Saturday, we'll fly back to Boston for a wedding (one of my co-workers) Saturday night. The busy-ness never ends.
Nick and I decided that likely this will be the last Thanksgiving that we try to split between families because it's way too hectic and we don't get time with either family. Beginning next year, we'll switch off Thanksgiving and Easter between families, but continue to split Christmas holidays.
So, Factoras and Borchers families beware: come 2008 you'll either have us for the turkey or the resurrection.
See some of you next week!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Got a Ten?
If you haven't heard, Skybus is a new airline that operates out of Columbus. The fares are dirt cheap - as low as $10 on some - and one of the destinations is Boston! (Well, it's actually New Portsmouth, New Hampshire which is 45 minutes away) So, get moving!
Forego a late night at the movies, skip the popcorn and soda and in exchange buy a flight to Boston.
Tickets are on sale.
Go.
Now.
Forego a late night at the movies, skip the popcorn and soda and in exchange buy a flight to Boston.
Tickets are on sale.
Go.
Now.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Family Visits Continue
Sometimes life seems like a series of hellos and goodbyes.
That's a quote from one of my favorite priests who I grew up with in Ohio. And before you think I'm about to write a Hallmark sentiment to make up for the fact that Nick forgot that Saturday was Sweetest Day, I'm just marveling how quickly this weekend passed because of the goodness of family visiting.
Nick's mom, brother (Keith) and, Kelly were here for three great days and the time slipped by us too quickly. We bar-hopped like wild college animals and we walked the city like true Bostonians. With Game 6 of the ALSC at Fenway; the Regatta/Head of the Charles (an enormous national rowing tournament that filled the Charles River all weekend); and the infamous Family Weekend scheduled for several colleges in a city that boasts 250,000 students in the greater Boston area - the city, needless to say, was busting at the seams.
Keith and Nick opted for an early Christmas gift to head to Fenway for Game 6 and watched the Sox stomp 12 runs out of the Indians. Benedict Nick rooted for the Sox and I, remaining true to my roots, cheered for Cleveland from bars in Harvard Square. It was a sport-filled weekend with a lot of celebration and catching up.
One of the things that is always fun about visitors is the opportunity to see the city from fresh eyes. The following is a collection of shots I have taken for the past few visits.
On deck for next weekend: my folks will be visiting!
This shot of Fenway was taken during a tour of the park last weekend.
To give you an idea of the busy-ness of the city, three weeks ago Nick and I woke up to the sound of a loud microphone voice booming, "GOOD MORNING BOSTON!" I glanced out the window to see 7,000 plus women registering for the Tufts Healthcare for Women 10K. (picture is taken from our living room window)
Just another morning in Beantown.
An autumn sunset on Beacon Street.
That's a quote from one of my favorite priests who I grew up with in Ohio. And before you think I'm about to write a Hallmark sentiment to make up for the fact that Nick forgot that Saturday was Sweetest Day, I'm just marveling how quickly this weekend passed because of the goodness of family visiting.
Nick's mom, brother (Keith) and, Kelly were here for three great days and the time slipped by us too quickly. We bar-hopped like wild college animals and we walked the city like true Bostonians. With Game 6 of the ALSC at Fenway; the Regatta/Head of the Charles (an enormous national rowing tournament that filled the Charles River all weekend); and the infamous Family Weekend scheduled for several colleges in a city that boasts 250,000 students in the greater Boston area - the city, needless to say, was busting at the seams.
Keith and Nick opted for an early Christmas gift to head to Fenway for Game 6 and watched the Sox stomp 12 runs out of the Indians. Benedict Nick rooted for the Sox and I, remaining true to my roots, cheered for Cleveland from bars in Harvard Square. It was a sport-filled weekend with a lot of celebration and catching up.
One of the things that is always fun about visitors is the opportunity to see the city from fresh eyes. The following is a collection of shots I have taken for the past few visits.
On deck for next weekend: my folks will be visiting!
This shot of Fenway was taken during a tour of the park last weekend.
To give you an idea of the busy-ness of the city, three weeks ago Nick and I woke up to the sound of a loud microphone voice booming, "GOOD MORNING BOSTON!" I glanced out the window to see 7,000 plus women registering for the Tufts Healthcare for Women 10K. (picture is taken from our living room window)Just another morning in Beantown.
An autumn sunset on Beacon Street.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Two RDs for the Price of One
Visitors galore!
Boots, Don, and Barb Cordonnier just passed through Boston last weekend and we're gearing up for another fresh batch of family tomorrow night. Kay, Kelly, and Keith Borchers are flying in tomorrow and Nick is heading up to the airport to pick them up so I don't miss one moment of Grey's Anatomy.
Sometimes I forget that we live, as Don would say, DOWNTOWN. "Not just near downtown, but DOWNTOWN," is how Don describes it. Unfortunately, our guests got a little too much a taste of city life when we watched the aftermath of a pedestrian get hit by a car right in front of our apartment complex. The drama doesn't stop.
In addition to visitors, Nick and I are gearing up for our first autumn together in the city. The sheets are flannel, the jackets are out, and Nick's Adidas pants are a near daily occurence. Living in a high rise residence hall continues to be full of surprises. About three weeks ago, a student accidentally burned a plate full of Tostino pizza rolls that sent the alarms off at 12:30am. As the RD (Resident Director) on duty, I helped evacuate the building and tried to keep traffic under control, I kept glancing at Nick to make sure he knew where to go.
Why was I worried? That worry proved unnecessary when I spotted him directing students across the street and cautioning them not to jaywalk. Sometimes, I swear, he wants my job. When it was time to go back in the building, I started wondering how 550 students were going to get back into the halls without their IDS, which is necessary for entrance. It took some time, but I managed to get a system going and it seemed to be going well. Then I felt a finger poking me in the shoulder. It's Nick.
"Leese, there's a kid trying to sneak in by using someone else's ID. I stopped him and confiscated his card." He held the card to my face and nodded emphatically several times in a quite official manner.
"Oh. Ok. Thanks. I'll take care of it. You, uh, you know, don't need to be confiscating cards or guarding the entrance. I have staff to take care of it."
"I know, but I wanted to! Crap like that pisses me off! I told him to stand over there," Nick points to a section of the lobby where a dismal student anxiously shifted his weight from side to side.
Though Nick is entirely happy to be studying his theology and ethics, I think it's important to note that anytime my job requires my authoritative fist and Nick is around, he is more than happy to jump in and bust any student on any policy violation. We were resident assistants together in college, so I guess that still hasn't died down in him just yet.
Boots, Don, and Barb Cordonnier just passed through Boston last weekend and we're gearing up for another fresh batch of family tomorrow night. Kay, Kelly, and Keith Borchers are flying in tomorrow and Nick is heading up to the airport to pick them up so I don't miss one moment of Grey's Anatomy.
Sometimes I forget that we live, as Don would say, DOWNTOWN. "Not just near downtown, but DOWNTOWN," is how Don describes it. Unfortunately, our guests got a little too much a taste of city life when we watched the aftermath of a pedestrian get hit by a car right in front of our apartment complex. The drama doesn't stop.
In addition to visitors, Nick and I are gearing up for our first autumn together in the city. The sheets are flannel, the jackets are out, and Nick's Adidas pants are a near daily occurence. Living in a high rise residence hall continues to be full of surprises. About three weeks ago, a student accidentally burned a plate full of Tostino pizza rolls that sent the alarms off at 12:30am. As the RD (Resident Director) on duty, I helped evacuate the building and tried to keep traffic under control, I kept glancing at Nick to make sure he knew where to go.
Why was I worried? That worry proved unnecessary when I spotted him directing students across the street and cautioning them not to jaywalk. Sometimes, I swear, he wants my job. When it was time to go back in the building, I started wondering how 550 students were going to get back into the halls without their IDS, which is necessary for entrance. It took some time, but I managed to get a system going and it seemed to be going well. Then I felt a finger poking me in the shoulder. It's Nick.
"Leese, there's a kid trying to sneak in by using someone else's ID. I stopped him and confiscated his card." He held the card to my face and nodded emphatically several times in a quite official manner.
"Oh. Ok. Thanks. I'll take care of it. You, uh, you know, don't need to be confiscating cards or guarding the entrance. I have staff to take care of it."
"I know, but I wanted to! Crap like that pisses me off! I told him to stand over there," Nick points to a section of the lobby where a dismal student anxiously shifted his weight from side to side.
Though Nick is entirely happy to be studying his theology and ethics, I think it's important to note that anytime my job requires my authoritative fist and Nick is around, he is more than happy to jump in and bust any student on any policy violation. We were resident assistants together in college, so I guess that still hasn't died down in him just yet.
Monday, October 1, 2007
How the Hyphen Happened
The hyphen.
It stands for a lot. For Nick and I, the hyphen means long sighs from the receptionist at the dentist office who tries to spell my name and the poor pizza guy trying to pronounce it.
When I decided to hyphenate my name, it came after much thinking and long, long discussions with Nick.
I'll never forget the months preceding the decision to hyphenate my name. Thanks to my rocking memory, this is a pretty darn accurate account of one of the many conversations that took place in the summer of 2004.
We just got done eating at Sunset Bar and Grill. We're talking about the possibility of what are names should be if we get married. At this point, we are not even engaged. We're just in the car, I'm driving (probably too fast.)
L: Mhm. What do you think of taking my last name?
N: Nick Factora? I don't think so. That's just...you know, that's just not me.
L: Weeeellll, I feel the same way about Lisa Borchers as you do about Nick Factora.
N: Yeah. I can see that.
L: Well, we could always mix the letters of both of our last names.
N: Like a whole new name?
L: Yeah! We could create a whole new family name, based from a mixing of our old ones.
N: (the infamous skeptical tilting of the head) I don't know.
L: Why not?
N: I don't know, it just sounds odd to me.
L: Let's brainstorm.
-silence-
L: I actually already have one in mind. I just wanted to make it sound like a new idea.
N: I am not surprised.
L: Are you ready?
N: I can't wait.
L: What do you think of 'Ratcho?'
N: (explosion) 'RATCHO?'
L: See, we both have an 'r' in there. There's an 'a' in 'Factora.' There's also a 't' in-
N: I can clearly see where the letters are coming from. That's not really the problem.
L: You don't like it.
N: Are you trying to say you'd rather be known - for the rest of your life - as 'Lisa Ratcho' than 'Lisa Borchers?'
-contemplation-
N: Think of how horrible that would be: 'Lisa and Nick RATCHO.'
L: Yeah, you're right. That's pretty bad.
And thus was born the idea of hyphenating my name and Nick staying with Borchers.
My maternal grandfather is from Spain and in Spanish tradition, the maiden name of the mother becomes your middle name. I always loved the idea of your name being a story. My first names are from my grandmothers, my middle is from my mother and my last is from my father and, now, also my spouse. It certainly is a long name, (and we're not even including Confirmation names either!), let's not be ridiculous, but at least I never have to worry about someone having the same identity.
In addition, while I do acknowledge the annoying (yet fortunately infrequent) burden a hyphen may carry, Nick and I both agree whole-heartedly that 'Ana Lisa Fernandez Factora-Borchers' sounds a helluvalot better than 'Lisa Ratcho.'
It stands for a lot. For Nick and I, the hyphen means long sighs from the receptionist at the dentist office who tries to spell my name and the poor pizza guy trying to pronounce it.
When I decided to hyphenate my name, it came after much thinking and long, long discussions with Nick.
I'll never forget the months preceding the decision to hyphenate my name. Thanks to my rocking memory, this is a pretty darn accurate account of one of the many conversations that took place in the summer of 2004.
We just got done eating at Sunset Bar and Grill. We're talking about the possibility of what are names should be if we get married. At this point, we are not even engaged. We're just in the car, I'm driving (probably too fast.)
L: Mhm. What do you think of taking my last name?
N: Nick Factora? I don't think so. That's just...you know, that's just not me.
L: Weeeellll, I feel the same way about Lisa Borchers as you do about Nick Factora.
N: Yeah. I can see that.
L: Well, we could always mix the letters of both of our last names.
N: Like a whole new name?
L: Yeah! We could create a whole new family name, based from a mixing of our old ones.
N: (the infamous skeptical tilting of the head) I don't know.
L: Why not?
N: I don't know, it just sounds odd to me.
L: Let's brainstorm.
-silence-
L: I actually already have one in mind. I just wanted to make it sound like a new idea.
N: I am not surprised.
L: Are you ready?
N: I can't wait.
L: What do you think of 'Ratcho?'
N: (explosion) 'RATCHO?'
L: See, we both have an 'r' in there. There's an 'a' in 'Factora.' There's also a 't' in-
N: I can clearly see where the letters are coming from. That's not really the problem.
L: You don't like it.
N: Are you trying to say you'd rather be known - for the rest of your life - as 'Lisa Ratcho' than 'Lisa Borchers?'
-contemplation-
N: Think of how horrible that would be: 'Lisa and Nick RATCHO.'
L: Yeah, you're right. That's pretty bad.
And thus was born the idea of hyphenating my name and Nick staying with Borchers.
My maternal grandfather is from Spain and in Spanish tradition, the maiden name of the mother becomes your middle name. I always loved the idea of your name being a story. My first names are from my grandmothers, my middle is from my mother and my last is from my father and, now, also my spouse. It certainly is a long name, (and we're not even including Confirmation names either!), let's not be ridiculous, but at least I never have to worry about someone having the same identity.
In addition, while I do acknowledge the annoying (yet fortunately infrequent) burden a hyphen may carry, Nick and I both agree whole-heartedly that 'Ana Lisa Fernandez Factora-Borchers' sounds a helluvalot better than 'Lisa Ratcho.'
Monday, September 24, 2007
"SOLE" Mates
If and when Nick and I have children, we know this much is true:
S/he will have some seriously messed up feet and ankles.
Nick came home last week and his right ankle was so swollen it looked like he had accidentally swallowed a baseball and it was lodged in his ankle. A doctor and a physical therapist visit later, Nick has been given a series of exercises and stretches to strengthen it. Better to strengthen it now, the doctor explained, than to wait until you're older and there's nothing he can do about it.
Mhm. That medical advice sounds familiar. OH YES, I remember now - I told him that exact same thing about 287 times over the past 2 years. "Fix it now, it'll be harder later on."
He's mobile and it doesn't hurt much, but his ankle's still pretty huge.
In the fourth grade, I had to wear orthopedic shoes to correct two extra bones in my feet. I have absurdly flat feet and the extra bones, located on the inside of my feet, can't take much pressure and so I wore huge corrective brown shoes for my entire fourth grade year. Everyone called me, "Grandma" and I cried off and on for a year. Finally, the humiliation was too much and I put my Grandma shoes away, sabotaging my future of having any sort of a life with normal feet. If I had known then that my future husband would have severe ankle problems and by not fixing my own feet problems I would be jeopardizing our children's future, I may have tried to stick it out with my orthopedic footware.
Despite our failing feet, things continue to go splendidly here in Boston. This past weekend, we had visitors. An old college roommate, Cara Hansen, was passing through and we met up for drinks. Nick's aunt and uncle, Andy and Linda Meyer, were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary here in Boston and we had a great evening in Harvard Square and stopping for a drink at Cheers.
Familiar faces are always welcome! Book soon and frequently.
S/he will have some seriously messed up feet and ankles.
Nick came home last week and his right ankle was so swollen it looked like he had accidentally swallowed a baseball and it was lodged in his ankle. A doctor and a physical therapist visit later, Nick has been given a series of exercises and stretches to strengthen it. Better to strengthen it now, the doctor explained, than to wait until you're older and there's nothing he can do about it.
Mhm. That medical advice sounds familiar. OH YES, I remember now - I told him that exact same thing about 287 times over the past 2 years. "Fix it now, it'll be harder later on."
He's mobile and it doesn't hurt much, but his ankle's still pretty huge.
In the fourth grade, I had to wear orthopedic shoes to correct two extra bones in my feet. I have absurdly flat feet and the extra bones, located on the inside of my feet, can't take much pressure and so I wore huge corrective brown shoes for my entire fourth grade year. Everyone called me, "Grandma" and I cried off and on for a year. Finally, the humiliation was too much and I put my Grandma shoes away, sabotaging my future of having any sort of a life with normal feet. If I had known then that my future husband would have severe ankle problems and by not fixing my own feet problems I would be jeopardizing our children's future, I may have tried to stick it out with my orthopedic footware.
Despite our failing feet, things continue to go splendidly here in Boston. This past weekend, we had visitors. An old college roommate, Cara Hansen, was passing through and we met up for drinks. Nick's aunt and uncle, Andy and Linda Meyer, were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary here in Boston and we had a great evening in Harvard Square and stopping for a drink at Cheers.
Familiar faces are always welcome! Book soon and frequently.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Seriously Football
If you know the Borchers side at all, meaning, if you know Nick at all, you know that autumn means two reliefs come into our lives: cooler weather and Ohio State Football.
There are football fans and then there are Football Fans.
Nick is a FOOTBALL FAN.
As he is now 2 weeks into theologizing, if that's a word, his mind for the next five years, I sometimes worry that he'll begin to take life too seriously. Seriously, talking about Augustine and the ethical facets of Rwandan genocide are definitely not the most light of topics.
So we watch Tiger and boo Phil, laugh at 0-2 Michigan, and wag our index finger at Belichek. I like to think that sports, sometimes, provides a nice break from the seriousness of our lives. I also think he likes to pretend he doesn't take sports as seriously as he did before, but when I hear:
[couch slap] "GOSH DANGIT BENGALS, why don't you at least try to block once in while?"
I begin to wonder,
is he getting proper respite?
So, I worry about the level of fun in our lives and try to make sure we have appropriate levels of sarcasm and pop culture to balance us out. I had him sit in front of our new baby - the laptop we just purchased (which we LOVE) - that has all sorts of fancy gadgets. We started experimenting with the distortion tools and we couldn't stop laughing.
Now, if Michigan goes to 0-3 against the Irish today, you'll hear our guffawing from Boston.
There are football fans and then there are Football Fans.
Nick is a FOOTBALL FAN.
As he is now 2 weeks into theologizing, if that's a word, his mind for the next five years, I sometimes worry that he'll begin to take life too seriously. Seriously, talking about Augustine and the ethical facets of Rwandan genocide are definitely not the most light of topics.
So we watch Tiger and boo Phil, laugh at 0-2 Michigan, and wag our index finger at Belichek. I like to think that sports, sometimes, provides a nice break from the seriousness of our lives. I also think he likes to pretend he doesn't take sports as seriously as he did before, but when I hear:
[couch slap] "GOSH DANGIT BENGALS, why don't you at least try to block once in while?"
I begin to wonder,
is he getting proper respite?
So, I worry about the level of fun in our lives and try to make sure we have appropriate levels of sarcasm and pop culture to balance us out. I had him sit in front of our new baby - the laptop we just purchased (which we LOVE) - that has all sorts of fancy gadgets. We started experimenting with the distortion tools and we couldn't stop laughing.
Now, if Michigan goes to 0-3 against the Irish today, you'll hear our guffawing from Boston.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Anyone Can Comment
Hola Amigos,
We just got word from a few folks that have let us know that you've tried to comment, but you've been unable because you don't have a gmail account.
I changed the settings so that anyone, regardless of email account, can comment.
So, comment away!
Give us love.
We just got word from a few folks that have let us know that you've tried to comment, but you've been unable because you don't have a gmail account.
I changed the settings so that anyone, regardless of email account, can comment.
So, comment away!
Give us love.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Goodbye to Summer
It's only official in our books: Summer is Over.
Wedding season is over, thus our travels calm down a bit. And as Nick said today, "Classes have started, today I had to wear a sweatshirt, and football is on. There. It's Fall."
Agreed.
I stayed put last weekend while Nick partied it up in Akron for Allio and Christina's wedding. Pelvic thrust dance moves by Goatee was probably the highlight of Nick's storytelling when he came home.
This past weekend, it was my turn to head home to Massillon to see a childhood friend marry in our hometown church. A gradeschool and highschool reunion unfolded. That was interesting. "Hi, I haven't seen you since 1994, how's your life been going since then?"
As nice as it was to get away, it does feel good to be back with schedules just beginning to solidify into routines. We've been quite the movie goers lately. On Copley Square last week, there were free outdoor film showings and we parked our blankets and watched Raising Arizona and Napolean Dynamite on two separate nights. We even managed to go see Halloween that just opened in the theaters, as well. Even though I was curled in a fetal position and covering my eyes for over half of it, we both gave it two very big thumbs up.
And so summer is drawing to a close and, honestly, that is just fine with us. This picture was taken in the daawwwggg days of summer. We were biking around Santa Monica beach in Los Angeles and we took a break. Santa Monica pier has a ferris wheel and all kinds of crazy stuff right on its pier. As Nick read his latest 78lb. novel and I picked up my camera, we lazed around for a few hours.
Adios a el verano.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Adjusting to Beantown
Nick and I have moved around a lot.In 2004, I moved from Boston to Cincy and lived in Clifton and he lived in Norwood. When we got married, we suffered a double case of selective amnesia and thought that COLERAIN would be a good idea for residency. When we came to our senses that we would rather live in cardboard boxes on U. of Michigan's campus than Colerain, we moved again. This time, we took our time in our research and chose Forest Park. Three time's a charm.
Now, we're back in Boston and this is our new home. The glass windows start on level 3 and we live on 5 off to the far right. That's us. A highrise. It's nice. We have a beautiful view of the Boston Common, right across the street.
Specifically, we're in the theater district. That means big excitement from me and an occassional, "That could be cool," from Nick.
If you squint and look hard at the first picture you can see two
vertical flags, one yellow and one purple, that designate it as property of Emerson College, where I work. I am in charge of the lower half of the building and work with several other folks in running this urban campus. Emerson is a specialized school, meaning they concentrate mostly on communication and art: theater, journalism, digital media, photography, and performance. (I get to take amazing art courses for free at some of the best schools in the city. Sweeeeeet!) Adjusting to the city can be a big much. You must get used to a lot of things living in downtown Boston. So, when you come visit, be ready for a couple of things:
1. An insane amount of noisy tourists. Duck Tours, with their absurdly decorated car/boats (see picture 3) are pretty popular, but try living on a street when they pass about 8-12 times a day and you hear the riders scream, "QUACK QUACK QUACK." Yeah, you get the idea. A.n.n.o.y.i.n.g.
2. The movie references. The statehouse (see pic 4) is right across the street and we have a gleaming view of it and everytime I see it, I think of the end of The Departed. And everyone talks about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck like they are social justice heroes. Good Will Hunting is referenced at least once a week. It's life. We're growing accustomed to it.
Overall though, things have been very intense
and hectic. While I work insane hours and Nick is getting our apartment, banks, mail, and such in order, we've tried to maintain positive attitudes. Nick starts his program on Tuesday and I am continuing to work on establishing my writing career. So, our lives are just unfolding and getting more and more interesting everday.Tune in for more later, but leave us a message first!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
In the Beginning...
there was just us,
two cars,
and one big borrowed tank from Grandpa/Paul Cordonnier.
Somehow, though, we managed to make it all the way to Boston and unload after one of the most tiring trips of our lives.
After a fragmented loading and unloading and reloading process in Ohio (delivering unwanted furniture to Jay and Keith), we stopped in Lewisburg where my parents reside and spent the night. The next morning, we made it to Boston - through traffic, rain, and some serious illegal parking. Then Nick turned right back around to return the truck to Paul.
What a trooper I have for a husband.
But, we're here!
two cars,
and one big borrowed tank from Grandpa/Paul Cordonnier.
Somehow, though, we managed to make it all the way to Boston and unload after one of the most tiring trips of our lives.
After a fragmented loading and unloading and reloading process in Ohio (delivering unwanted furniture to Jay and Keith), we stopped in Lewisburg where my parents reside and spent the night. The next morning, we made it to Boston - through traffic, rain, and some serious illegal parking. Then Nick turned right back around to return the truck to Paul.
What a trooper I have for a husband.
But, we're here!
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