Weekend

So, its a better day and I can now write about my weekend.

SATURDAY

On Saturday, I drove down to New Brunswick, met Steve, and we drove together to Taylor's house for Navin's birthday party. I brought some yummy homemade pumpkin apple streusel muffins. When we got there, we headed (almost) straight for the bouncy thing, which Taylor somehow got a great affordable deal on. We spent most of the night in there, playing with Taylor's little brother Colin, who had us fighting him with our animal super powers. There were levels and a boss to defeat, an indication that perhaps he's had ten minutes too many on the video games.


Then Petals the Clown showed up. She is a friend of Taylor's family, and stopped by after work. We were all standing around talking about her job when Navin interrupted. "I just have one question." Petals asked what that was. "Can I have a sword?"


So Petals ran back to the car as fast as her floppy shoe could take her and in no time, Navin was happy.


So was Steve.


In fact, we all got some sort of a balloon toy before Petals had to go home. But no fear, the night is not complete without sparklers and a bonfire.


Of course, you can't have a party without a cookie cake either.

All in all, it was a great party. We did a little jujitsu in the bouncy thing which was fun and quite a different experience, since there's no way to keep your balance in that thing. Reflecting on the night, its great that in our early 20s, we can still have a great time at a party that would be heaven to an 8 year old. I have come to realize in the past few years that the best friends you can have are the ones that bring out your inner 8 year old. The ones that let you live life simply, the ones that can appreciate the tiny things in life, and the ones that help you truly enjoy living for the sake of living. If, at 23, I can have as much fun fighting the mutant lobsters as Colin is having, then I know I am friends with the right people.

SUNDAY

Steve and I went to a wedding in Mt Laurel NJ. Kevin and Heather are former Jujitsuka, and Kevin is a blackbelt. In our dojo, we have a tradition in which, at the wedding reception of a blackbelt, other black belts are allowed to throw the one getting married. Its usually at the discretion of the bride and groom, and how approving they think their friends and family would be of such a demonstration at a wedding. Kevin had the foresight to provide his own mat, which could possibly be a first in the history of the dojo, although I don't know; I haven't been around long enough. Kevin is also Jewish, so there were some traditional elements of a Jewish wedding, and Heather is from a Christian background, so there were traditional elements there as well. In all, it was both a traditional and non-traditional wedding. Traditional because there were so many traditions upheld, non-traditional because its kind of against conventional practice to mix multiple traditional backgrounds. But no one cared much and all enjoyed the wedding. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.


The most adorable flower girls and ring bearer ever.


Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Schnitzer


The Kennedy family. Scott, Stacy, and the twins.


Some good-looking wedding guests.


Congratulatory throws. My camera cannot handle both an indoor setting and a sport setting all at once.


Party favors. A much better idea than the usual bag of mints. (They are candles and the ribbons say "Kevin and Heather" with the date.)


Some guest... I dunno he kept doing cute things so I would take a picture of him. I don't know who he is.


The Jewish chair dance thingie.


Kevin and Heather, the day after.


I swear, this is not Roberto Benigni.