What I've Learned From Being Married

I have been married for over half a year now, and since then not much has changed during that time. Like I said in my past post, it still feels the same like it was before we got married. Now there are those times where work will get the best of us(like it does for most people), but we are always there for each other. Now I know there are some people who about to get married or who have already been married for a while, so I want to give y'all some advice that I've learned over the last few months.

DON'T EXPECT MUCH

Now before you say anything, hear me out on this. When you get married, you think that everything has to change and will need to do big things. While some of that might be true, don't think that you have to do this to have a successful marriage. Sometimes being simple will make the marriage even more enjoyable. You don't always have to go out every evening. I know for me, staying at home with the wifey and cooking dinner is always better than going to a restaurant. Now with that being said, this will go into the next advice.

DON'T THINK LESS

You want to make your marriage as simple and easy as possible, but that does not mean to be boring. Don't be complacent. Just because you usually do things a certain way or go to the same places all the time does not mean you cannot change things up. If y'all usually stay in for dinner, then one night just go out for a dinner date. Maybe go to a nice lounge or a jazz club and enjoy a night out in the city. It doesn't always have to be a big date, but try to make things different than the norm.

ENJOY THE LITTLE MOMENTS

Every couple has a few couple of little things they like about each other. Do not lose that!! When things get rough, you can always count on your spouse to bring a smile to your face. Example for me is when Whitney and I will randomly think of a Family Guy reference. Another is when we cook dinner together because it allow us to talk and just catch up on the day. There are little things that you like to do with each other, so enjoy them with your partner.

LEAN ON YOUR SPOUSE

This one is very important. Like I said before, life can be rough at times. When you have a hard day a work, your spouse is always there when you get home to help make things better. In your vows, you say that you are there for your partner through the good and bad times and vice versa. You might feel like you have no one to talk about sometime, but you do. That person is your husband or wife. I bet you that they are more than willing to listen to you(even if they have nothing to put into the conversation).

Marriage is not an easy thing. There will be many bumps in the road, but things always turn out for the better. It just take a step by step process to make your marriage an awesome one. Now remember, I am not an expert on marriage. I do know that these things have worked for me. I hope that some of this will help you out as well in your future or current marriage.

Can I Be Honest?

 So as you can tell, I haven't written a post in a while. Yea, I know. I'm sorry. Things happen. Life happens. There have been plenty of times that I want to write about certain things(which I probably will later), but you just feel like people might not want to hear about it. Sometimes, as a writer, you want to share your feeling about stuff, but you don't want to step on people's toes. Even right now, it's hard for me to say what's on my mind because you don't want to always sound like you are venting out too much.

Lately, I have gotten some comments on my blog about how people like how I am honest on here. I always want to be sure I let y'all know who I am and what I am thinking, but do it in a respectful way. I always think about what people might feel about what I say before I write, and lately that has caused me to not write as much.

As anyone else felt like this before? Have you ever had things you want to get off your chest but didn't do it because you didn't want to step on people's toes or come off the wrong way? I'm probably thinking too much on stuff. Who knows. I just wanted to come on here and let y'all know whats been going on with me and my mind. I hope to write back again soon, but the next time have more good things to talk about. Hope y'all have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

I Do Care

You may always hear that life is short, and you shouldn't waste a moment of it. People who say that are right. You never know what might come up the next day. You may never know when you last day is.

I bring this subject up because I have noticed that some of my friends have lost their family members. Earlier this morning a friend from high school had his grandfather pass away earlier this morning. Just last week, two of my from friends' moms passed away. This is days after Mother's Day. This really let's you know that just because you see them yesterday does not mean you will see them tomorrow.

I know we live in a world where everyone is busy and has hardly enough time for themselves(I have been one of them), but we aren't too busy to let someone know we care about them. Time is precious and limited. I know this from experience.

I had a cousin I hung out all the time when we were kids. I could remember the times we stay at each other's house and play video games or just watch wrestling together. As we grew up, we did our own things. He played football, and I was in the band. We always saw each other at special family events but never hung out like we used to. We always try to hang out, but our schedules wouldn't work out. Then a few years ago, I found out that someone shot and killed him. That moment felt so unreal. I never thought he would leave this world that soon, but he did.

I am not trying to have a sob moment. What I am trying to get out is that life is too short to not let people know how much you care about. No matter if it's a friend, family, coworker, or whoever it is let them know that you care. If you haven't seen them in a while, take some time out and go out for a drink or lunch. Spend quality time together and catch up on lost time.

I wish I could bring my cousin back, so we can hang out more. I sadly cannot do that. There is one thing I can do though. I can spend as much time as I can with the people I care and love with now while they are still around. I hope you will do that same and make every moment count.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Earlier in the week, Whitney and I decided to head down to Regions Field and watch the Birmingham Barons play. The last time we went to a game was for an event Whitney had for her job. Not saying that last time we couldn't have fun, but when you are there for business it can be difficult at times.

Before we went to the game, we met up with our friend Marable over at Good People for a quick brew. If you haven't been there since the new changes for the taproom, you need to change that. I will always have a special place in my heart for Good People(especially since they were craft brewery I ever had in my life).

We didn't stay long over there because we had to make sure we headed over to the game. Luckily they were doing a doubleheader, so we didn't miss too much. It was also $.50 hot dog night. Now we didn't go crazy this time(especially since I got the hot dog burps), but we did get to enjoy some quality times with our friends and see our hometown boys win the first game.

I love sitting over here.

Now once the second game started, I had to enjoy one more brew(since beer sales would end at the top of the 5th inning). Now I tried to take a picture of my beer, but some random ginger came around and got in it. LoL

Jess getting in the pic.

Whitney and I didn't stay for the whole second game, but we did decide to head to J Clyde for some dessert. We got the Irish Cream Bread Pudding. That stuff was so good. You should get it the next time when you go to J Clyde. I also decided to pair it with a Brother Joseph from Straight to Ale.

I would have to say that baseball, $.50 hot dogs, good beers, and awesome friends will make a baseball game awesome to go to. Hope everyone can have a chance to go to a Barons game this season.

Five Points to Five Points South

If you live in the Birmingham area, you should know about Five Point South. It's one of my favorite places to go in the city. No matter if you are looking for a place to eat, drink, shop, or just have fun, it all can happen in that one little place. Now it can be hard to figure out a place to go if you never been there before. Well that's why I am gonna give you my Five Points(aka favorite places) to go when you in the Five Point South area.

The J Clyde

Let's start off with a place that everyone knows about. J Clyde has been a staple to city for over the last five years. Being known for one the best bars in the state and in America(in multiple magazines), J Clyde is place where you can come in for great food and beer. You won't find any Bud or Coors at the Cobb Lane establishment, but you do have a huge choice of craft beers available to help you in find something new for your beer list. Great people, food, and beers are all the reasons why you should stop by J Clyde.


Blue Monkey Lounge

Located right next door to J Clyde is another popular bar. Blue Monkey Lounge is a great place to go after a long day at work. This place is very intimate and can be a great place to bring a date. There are also different rooms to where if you have a bigger party, you can have the around as well. Make sure to be there on Tuesday for Tini Tuesdays. They have a list of about 10-12 different martinis for $5. You can't beat that price anyway. If you are into cigar, they have a nice selection for you as well. No matter if you are inside or outside on the nice patio, Blue Monkey is an awesome place to go.


Ranelli's

Now you probably have seen this place before but never thought it was open. The exterior might look like it run down, but the inside of Ranelli's is still going strong. For over 40 years, Ranelli's has being making some awesome Italian food. From the different selection of subs to lasagna to spaghetti, you can not go wrong with anything they have there. If you want a beer to help wash down the food, they have that for you too. If you ever need a place to go for lunch, Ranelli's is the spot for you.


T-Bones Authentic Philly Style Cheesesteaks and Hoagies

T-Bones is not a new place in Southside area, but the location is though. Formerly located in Highlands near Western, T-Bones sit in the old Camp Taco location right next World of Beer. Once you step in you can smell all the goodness that is a Philly Cheesesteak. Now this is the place I had my very first cheesesteak in my life. Yea, I know I am late, but I am glad I came here for it. The flavors are there in the sandwich, and their fries are pretty awesome as well. The earliest they close is at 10p, so you have no excuse not to try them out.

Insomnia Cookies

This last place is still a fairly new place in the area, but it has gotten some crazy attention since it has been around. Insomnia Cookies is a place where you can get some really delicious cookies. When I say delicious, I mean warm and taste like they came right out of the oven good. One thing about them is that they deliver. Yes, that's right. You can have these cookies delivered to your home. Not only that but they do not close until 3AM. If you are out partying late or just need a place for a late night sweet tooth fixer, then Insomnia Cookies is the place to stop by.

I know there are plenty more place I could talk about, but I figured that five place would be plenty. Hope you can stop by some of these places and give them some love. While we are at it, what is your favorite place to go when over in Five Point South?

Love Some Podcast

For years people always talked listening to podcast. You would hear commercials about a new podcast episode coming up in the next few days. I was not one of those people who would listen to them. I really didn't think I would find anything interesting or waste my time listening to them. Then a couple of months ago, I decided to give it a shot. Now I am loving them. Today I want to tell you about my top five podcast I usually listen to on a regular.

Another Round with Heben and Tracy

This fairly new Buzzfeed podcast show is hosted by two of their writers, Heben(pronounced like Heaven) and Tracy. In their shows they focus on subjects about race, pop culture, and things going on in their every day life. Oh yeah, there will be lots and lots of drinking going on(hence the name "Another Round"). They usually will have special guest on their shows, tell a few jokes, and even talks about squirrels. Wanna know why they would talk about squirrels? You gotta listen to the podcast to find out.

Beer Geeks Radio Hour

What do you have when you get four guys on a radio show that about beer for an hour? You get the Beer Geeks Radio Hour. It's a radio show based out of Pennsylvania where they have about four to five beers from one particular brewery. Some of the breweries are well known, and others you may night have heard of. At the end of the show though you will get a better respect for that brewery and how they come up with their brews.

Birmingham Life

Just like Another Round, Birmingham Life is a fairly new podcast show. It's brought to you by the people of Discover Birmingham. The host of the show, Antwon and Matt, talk about Birmingham and everything around. Things from events, shows, concerts, and even in their every day lives.

TED Radio Hour

If you listen to NPR, you probably already know about this show. If not, you should start. This show, hosted by Guy Raz, talk about a different subject each week and get different speeches from TED Talk forums from across the world. I know that since I have been listening, I have learned alot about things I never thought I would be interested in. If you ever want to learn something, give this podcast a try.

StoryCorps

Have you ever wanted to interview someone special in your life? See how what they think about something, or ask them how their life was? Well that is pretty much what StoryCorp is about. This podcast brings interviews done by people, like you or me, and they get interview someone really important to them. No matter if it's a family member, friend, or someone they might have changed they life, we get to learn that we all have some similarities to one another.

I hope that maybe one or all of these podcast become a new favorite of yours. What are some podcast you like to listen to? Please share and spread the word.

From Across the Pond

Since I started blogging I have met soo many different people. Most of them are from Birmingham. The I will usually get to meet a person from across the pond in London. Today you get to meet one of those people as well. Her name is Angela, and her blog's name is The Awkward Blog. She is pretty cool and laid back lady(if I do say so myself). Today, you will get know her from a quick little interview I did with her. So ladies and gents, here is Angela.

1. For the people who don't know you, tell them about your blog?

Well, firstly- HI! I'm Angela, a London based blogger and freelance writer person, and I write the Awkward Blog. I write about anything and everything, so I consider it to be a 'lifestyle' blog for the sake of having a box to tick- there's a lot about food, fun things to do or see in London, and personal essays. 

2. So you are from across the pond. What is one thing you want the people of America to know about your love of London?

You know that scene from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Paul Rudd's character exclaims "You sound like you're from LANDAN!" Cracks me up everytime! London is my home and like any city it's fast paced, eclectic and so diverse; apparently every language in the world is spoken in London. I love it all; there's always somewhere and some place new to explore. My blog is a London journal of sorts; it's everything I encounter in this maddening city. Also, fish and chips isn't a thing here. Go to the seaside for that. 

3. You will be a newlywed soon. Congrats on your upcoming wedding. Are you ready for the big day?

Thanks! No and also, yes! Wedding planning, that's a little bubble of 'fun' no one tells you about! I can't wait for the big day, but the lead up and organisation has been so stressful. I have learnt that a wedding is not your day, but everyone else's day! My fiance and I have been together for 12 years, so for us it's not a huge deal in the commitment sense, we just want everyone to have fun at the end of the day. 

4. I've notice that you have done a lot of post on going out to different restaurants. What is your favorite food to eat, and what kind of adult drink do you tend to go for?

Vodka. Hands down my favourite beverage after hours. I usually have it with Coke or lemonade. Wine and gin are nice from time to time, but they give me headaches really quickly so only in moderation. In Summer, my favourite drink - and it's a British thing, I think- is Pimms. It's a gin based liqueur and you mix it with lemonade, sliced oranges, strawberries and cucumbers and it's the most refreshing drink ever. 

Food wise- I've been to many a fancy restaurant but I'm probably happiest when it's kept simple. I grew up in Asia so street food is like a home comfort to me; buying fruit from a cart and munching it on the beach, or grabbing a bunch of sticky chicken satay skewers on the way home. The best pho I ever had was in Thailand from a street cart, by the side of a road. I'm so happy that the street food scene in London has blown up! My favourite thing at the moment are steamed bao buns. Those little pillowy pockets of deliciousness are a weak spot. 

5. You are not just a blogger, but you are a freelance writer. Is there any difference between the two or do they have any similarities?

I feel like there is a difference. On the blog, I can say what I like and be as chatty and off topic as I like. But when it's a post or a job, you have to take into consideration that company's tone of voice and keep within their brand. It's just like minding your P's and Q's in front of relatives versus blowing a raspberry at your sibling.

6. Last one. If you have a chance to come to the states, what state would you like to visit and why?

We're actually looking into having our honeymoon stateside! I've always wanted to visit Hawaii and Robin has always wanted to go to San Francisco, so there's a possibility of a west coast road trip of some sort later this year. Id love to see the giant Redwoods in Yosemite too. But I'd also love to explore the South; a friend of mine lives in New Orleans, and I'd like to check out Nashville too. We made it to New York a couple of years ago, but never got further than Brooklyn. In an ideal world, I'd love to have a few weeks just exploring America- every State seems to have it's own identity that I want to see and get to know better.

Thanks to Angela for taking time out of her day to do this. You should go over to her blog, The Awkward Blog, and learn more about her. You can follow her on Instagram @theawkwardblog and on Twitter @theawkwardblog. Make sure you tell her that Ralph sent ya!!