The Grass is Always Greener on Our Side

A quick trip to Costco with the sisters + babies

2012-01-11T14:53:00.000-10:00

1. Is never quick
2. Is never cheap
3. And will never fit in one cart

Haha! We did it again!

New Love Notes Blog

2011-12-30T14:53:00.001-10:00

So, we added a new blog for our love notes to each other. Its actually just a better method of letting the other person read about what's going on throughout the day without the faulty emails that seemed to have stopped working. Blogger allows me to email my posts and publishes them when i'm on the go. I can't even mention how many times i've sat around with my phone in my hand and wanted to tell Joaquin what i've been doing or how somethings reminded me of him but can't. This way I can snap a picture or send a note and have it go to the blog. It's a good way to document everything and look back on how far we're going along during this deployment.

It's going to be a long and lonely year... at least with this, we can make it go by just a little bit faster with updates!

Marital Rating Scale- Full Test

2011-02-17T01:09:00.002-10:00

How funny is it that I find a test from the 1930's that in my opinion is still quite accurate but at the same time insanely hilarious... red toe nails--> demerit!? come on!

When I found the article of a quick clipping for just the first page I instantly decided to search to find the full test. Apparently it's not easy to find since most postings are just the first page. I hope this helps everyone.

Babies R'nt Us

2011-02-05T02:06:00.003-10:00

Everyone is having babies but us. It seems like the trend and although I know now isn't the time I still can't help bit get a little jealous sometime. To make myself feel a little better, i'm posting up this comic that I came across that was hilarious! Enjoy :p

3 years

2009-07-11T20:40:00.001-10:00

So it's our 3 year anniversary on the 3rd. On our first anniversary i
got a plaque for us which was to be updated every year with the
location that we're at (since we're planning to spend more time in the
military). Its for our tracking of where we've been through the years
and also to remind us every time that we see it how much we love one
another. it's a funny thing because i dont think we've ever forgotten.
the first year was great; the second year was better; the third was
apart but 3 times stronger. I cant help but in a way give credit to
the deployment for making our relationship just that much better. it's
amazing that i still wake every morning and smile and the thought of
Joaquin. He's still the most beautiful person i know... marrying him
is still the best thing i've ever done.

Love of my life

2009-03-16T09:48:00.002-10:00

Once again it has been a long time since I have updated anything on the page. Not a lot changes, that is good and bad. It is bad because I am here and it is the same thing over and over. I dont have the energy to find new things so you go through the same routine over and over, I get up same time, see the same people as I walk to the showers, then to work then to lunch then to dinner then to the chu and then sleep. Things don't change, I love my wife more than anything, every day I love her in every way i can and I think of her every chance I get. The stories never get old, the this time and that time and how we met NEVER gets old. I smile when I tell it, they laugh when they hear myspace and then I show them pictures of us and they are stunned at how gorgreous she is. I tell them I have been blessed in life, but nothing compared to when I met her, nothing compared to when I first kissed her or loved her and then nothing compared to when she became my wife and honestly nothing compared to when I am away. Because I would rather be away and in love that not in love at all, or worse to never have found true love.

Patch Day

2009-01-11T04:35:00.001-10:00

Today was a special day soem of us in Iraq, one month from transfer of authority those of us without a combat patch recieved our first. This is the patch I always wanted when I was a Private and now I have it. Small win in the trade off of being away from the best wife in the world. Very small win.

the internet is good for something!

2008-12-01T20:42:00.002-10:00

well, google is especially good for us. we've been chatting on google VIDEO talk... it's a new thing that they have. it's great. he's so cute in his little room-CHU-actual size shown on the right. :p

he's such a cutie pie and i'm such a goober

Flu?

2008-11-23T12:21:00.002-10:00

Looks like it's flu season and after numerous declines of "anna, you should get your flu shot" i think i got it. since two days ago i've been feeling like poop: sweaty, cold, sore throat, body aches.

I should've listened... but then again, if i could go back in time, i probably still wouldn't get the shot. i have a terrible fear or needles

well, i'm going back to bed and resting up

A few Minutes to myself

2008-11-20T08:40:00.000-10:00

I just want to update everyone since I have a minute or two. Things
are fine, it is about a doldrums as you can get here. I lift, eat, go
to work get an hour to two hours to myself at night and then I go to
sleep and do it all over again.

As soon as I can I will contact more of you I just dont have time, we
are in transition phase and you cant ask the people here what to do
after they have left.

I miss Anna terribly, and I do everything possible to suppress the
sadness. I am a leader, and at times I show compassion but, I have to
be strong for the troops and it is hard to turn that on and off. The
pace here is so fast that I still have not unpacked all my crap.

To Anna I love you so much, and I did not need a deployment to help me
to know that. I always have and always will love you to death. I
would give anything to spoon with you on the couch, small beds are
lonely as well trust me. We will be together soon.

Hope everyone is well, if there is anything I can do please let me know.

New Mailing address

2008-11-20T05:48:00.001-10:00

Old one should still work if anyone sent anything already. I am
fine, it is raining and getting colder, working out a lot doing my
first weigh in is sunday.

CPT Joaquin DeQuintanaRoo
25th STB 25th ID G1
COB Speicher
APO AE 09393

Test from iphone

2008-11-19T01:34:00.000-10:00

Doodey do...

Sent from Anna's pointer finger

The land, of sand

2008-11-17T03:18:00.002-10:00

I am in Iraq and all is well, hope everyone is doing well. If anyone needs rocks or sand let me know I will send them some. If anyone wants to send a card or care package my address is as follows:

CPT Joaquin DeQuintanaRoo
25th STB, INS ATTN: G1
Unit 72111 COB Spiecher
APO AE 09393

More to follow
Love,
Master of the Sand

it's sad when you see the person you love over a computer screen

2008-11-17T01:31:00.005-10:00

i was on google talk with joaquin today and we tried out the video chat...

amazing... yes

creative...yes

depressing...more so than yes

as we tried to work the program for the first time we had issues. first it wasn't showing up that i had downloaded the tool. next when i tried calling to connect he didn't answer. last, we connected, well at least i saw joaquin through my computer but he could not see me.

while i visually watched the most handsome man in the world wave his hands around in the air to test the video, i typed "i see you" "i dont see you" he said.. and typed i watched him adorable yet dopey facial expressions on the screen. at one point we were so frustrated we both laid our faces on our hands at the same time. of course, i could see this and he couldnt. i paused and remembered how alike we were; i remember the perfectness. i watched him again and cried.

i knew at some point that i should close the window and re-try the program but i waited till i stopped crying and until my voice was "ready" to chat.

"i miss you so much" my voice cracked and i closed the window knowing that he didn't hear me and waited a minute. when i started the program again it worked and we began the casual chatting. nothing is worse than having the one you love see you so sad

... especially when their main purpose is to keep you happy.

Happy birthday Joaquin!

2008-07-27T09:47:00.001-10:00

Amazing, he's 33 and still playing videogames early morning.

She finally learns the Pup-Head

2008-07-25T21:36:00.000-10:00

After coersion Mochi finally uses the grass pad!

the Mochi Crunch & the Bear Bong

2008-07-01T21:58:00.006-10:00

Dont ask me why but i call bear, "bear bong" or "bear bear"

he's bizarre and makes the weirdest noises... noises that not even my Mochi cruch makes. It actually sounds like there's liquid in his lungs-which is bad-but the doctor said it isn't.

Anyway.. how cute is he with his little army "Ruff" Sack?

Mochi's big and all grown up now. I love her little face.... especially with Bears butt in it!

The other day it was really funny, she was running around after she pooped and had a dangly attached to one of my non-digestible hair. Anyway, at the time it wasn't as funny but when it happened she kept running around in circles and i kept calling to her and telling her to "stop" and when when she finally did, she did it gracefully on my foot. Poop and all.....

lemme tell you, it was not only gross but stinky!

Mochi DeQuintanaRoo, born July 19, 2007

2007-09-21T10:33:00.000-10:00

Cute cute cute as a button; not only her face but everything else too!
The first time i saw her i wanted her and for two nights i dreamt about her, over and over again. it's was annoying actually. You might wonder, why didn't i just get her the first time i saw her? Well, initially, i WAS going to get her the first night but things happend and here goes the great segway to a long night:

It two nights ago that i saw the first picture of Mochi. Right away i called Joaquin to tell him about the dog and forwarded the picture ASAP. He called back and told me, "do what you want. last time i choose the dog it was a big blunder. this time, you make the shots and you take the heat if the dog doesn't work out".

okay. i want it. i need to see it. i am getting it. whoo hoo!

Joaquin calls again at about the time he usually comes home and says that he's staying late and to see the dog myself. Driving by myself for an hour, no problem! First, lets cook dinner for the bread winner before i leave. By the time i'm done making his meal he gets home. We chat like we always to and by the time we're done it's about 7:30pm. I still assume i'm going by myself since he needs to be

at work at 7am; basically meaning that he needs to get up at 5:30-6ish. When i'm ready to leave Joaquin says that he'll come too. It's an hour away and he's the type of guy to suck it up if he can and be there for the important things. So we leave.

I'm gleaming with happiness and can't wait to see the pup. A half hour goes by, along with tons of road kill and bugs on the windshield and fields of agriculture pass our route. Joaquin starts to sigh constantly of annoyment and by this time i'm a little fraustrated and upset-i should've just gone by myself, mr killjoy, i thought to myself.

"where is it? how much longer? do you know where we are?" the redundancy isnt helping the matter.

Joaquins thinking: i need to be up early and we're in the boonies with no reception.

i'm thinking: hurry up and lets get to this place so joaquin can stop whining. once he see's the dog he'll fall in love. i know it! lets just get there, dammit

....puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy....

Finally we're there and we hear a beep. The flat tire light comes on. You're kidding me Joaquin says out loud and myself mentally.

The woman of the puppy comes out to greet us and joaquin tells me to talk to her while he checks the car out. Talk to her? for what? we surely have a flat, he's already annoyed, therefore, no puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy...

He still insists i go to talk to her and so i do. She shows me the mochi and her sister and dear god are they the sweetest things ever. i kept thinking: cruel cruel man to send me to see these dogs knowing well that we're going to have to replace the tires for the same amount as the dog.

well, 5 minutes into playing with them Joaquin calls and says, "we have 10 seconds, get outside, we need to go". I drop the dogs and leave.

The flat tire was from a nail that basically weaved itself in his tires. He can't get enough air into the tires so we try to get as far as we can on his flat worrying that his rims are going to be ruined or worse. Along the time of leaving the womans house to LeClaire, Iowa we check the tire again. The nail is gone. completely RIPPED off the tire. there is no air left in the tires. we even tried those tired sealants that is inserted in the air nozzle thing. Liquid went in and went pouring out. it was hell for me. i knew joaquin was pissed and it was techincally because of me.

anyway, we stop off at the LeClaire welcome center and call for BMW roadside assistance. they take over 2 hours to get there. I on the otherhand was picked up by our friend Mark, dropped off at our house to pick up my car and upon arrival realized i don't have my keys. I call the clubhouse management and wake them up afterhours for them to open the door for me and jammed my way back to LeClaire.

Poor joaquin still waits in his car while i arrive. when the tow guy comes he passes us and dissappears for 10 minutes...he went to the wrong place-idiot. of course, this is a bigger damper on Joaquin who's already cursing wednesdays. The tow driver get out of his car and i'm like, "yummy". not for myself, but for our friend natalie who's quite single and quite lovely.

i turn to joaquin and say, "he's cute. maybe you can be friends and we can hook him up with natalie". He finally smiles.

When we leave, joaquin leaves with the tow guy and i follow in my car. Apparently Joaquin and this guy had lots to talk about because when we arrive at Kimberly, BMW Joaquin gets out of the car and says, "that night was well worth it to meet that guy". I'm of course excited and think, Natalie and the tow guy...cool. well, not really, joaquin tells me he was in jail for 3 years and just got out. So much for picking out the good guys.

anyway, since the first time seeing Mochi, i didn't think we'd get her after more than double for his tire replacements. Restless nights of dreaming about her and daydreams led to my, "what are we going to do about the dog? can we get her?" He said yes, and bam, i'm driving out to the boonies, hitting up bugs, and avoiding roadkill to pick up my angel.

Tatt that Ass!

2007-09-01T18:30:00.000-10:00

So here's a picture of the tattoos we both just got done at Scorpions Den:
Matching Lions that says True Love and Anna & Joaquin (and vice versa)

The tattoo on my wrist is for my last name. Since my dad passed away, the day after xmas, i decided to get it done in rememberance of him and the last of the Tang on my side. I choose the color blue because it means serenity and peace, which is how i would like to think of my dad right now.

Truthfully I wouldn't have preferred a picture with my buttcrack in it but Joaquin seems to think otherwise.

The Lion's Roar

2007-09-01T18:14:00.000-10:00

Both Joaquin and I are Leo's (born July 27th, and I on August 3rd). Since the two of us had just gotten our tattoos done of two lions roaring and facing one another we thought we would do the same pose.

I felt that i needed to prep before the picture so i lubed my lips up with chapstick for the prevention of any uneventful lip ripping photograph. In 10 minutes my lips were ready for a fierce roar.

... now i know the picture doesn't look like i'm roaring-more of mildly retarded-but at least i tried with 100% effort. Joaquin looks like he's hissing but I think he wins the roaring contest.

bravo!

And Dracky was his name, Oh!

2007-09-01T09:58:00.000-10:00

A few says ago we discovered a little baby bat hanging on the corner of our next door neighbors place. Call me crazy but i thought it would be a great pet. I can't seem to think of any reason why we should've have caught it and kept it as "our bat" but now it's too late. We even named it Dracky, like Dracula.

After 3 days it was gone.

There's a new one on the second floor that came in Drackys place but not as cute. This new little guy is the same size: about the length of my index finger but really light brown. I don't see too much personality in this one... but who's playing favorites anyway. it's not like Dracky was ours in the first place....

Super Freak Super Freak

2007-09-01T09:48:00.000-10:00

he's super freaky!
those are my headbands if anyone was wondering.

Life as we know it

2007-08-30T10:35:00.000-10:00

All,
We have been enjoying eachothers company every day. Life together
is better than I could have imagined and even though it has it's ups
and downs it always ends up better the next day then any day prior. I
love Anna, I have never questioned that and it is fate that we met and
magical if nothing else. I hope everyone is as lucky as we have been
in finding eachother.

Joaquin

From Valentines Day 2006

2007-08-30T05:41:00.001-10:00

I found this when I was going through my photo albums on photobucket. I sent this to Joaquin when he was in Korea

in an email. He sent me flowers..

Memories and keepsakes are so nice to stumble upon. I'm so glad i'm one of "those people" who hangs on to things.

A. Leo Nash, Burning Man

2007-08-30T05:29:00.001-10:00

I recieved this in an email for the Daily Candy and found it very neat to know that there was an art exhibit on A Leo Nash.

His work is very cool and I thought that I'd post a couple of things for you guys to see.

Great Temple(#120) (2003) A. Leo Nash

Th'Fuck Machine (#049) (2004) A. Leo Nash

Nebulous Entity (#003) (1998) A. Leo Nash

Artists come together from around the globe to comment on society through the creation of art. Nash says, " There's an honesty and defiance that exists in the work that compels the viewer, in the way that love often strikes, leaving one involuntarily disorientated or some how changed... The din and static of mainstream society invades every corner of our lives and these artists are driven to comment on it in profound and humorous ways."

Wouldn't you agree this would be an intersting thing to see?

Check out more of his work at http://aleonash.ws/

Blogging is soo nifty

2007-08-28T19:14:00.001-10:00

so here i am trying to set up a site for the wedding planning. I set up 3 different categories in the wedding planning section labeled OUR WEDDING: Process and Planning, Rhyme and Reason, and the plain information that you'll need to know about the wedding.

Anyway, while i'm setting up the setting for each blog portion I learn that I can also post from my email without logging into blogger! How awesome is that? I can do all the posting from my gmail account.

hold on while I do my happy dance.

:::happy dance:::Yeah baby!

Tonight, We Feast

2007-02-11T06:17:00.000-10:00

These appetizers kick butt! They're stuffed mushrooms with roasted garlic from this must-have garlic roaster below

Joaquin's "eye-ball" Stew

I made Ka-bobs. The rice bowls are imported from china in korea.

Hang Out with your Wang Out

2007-02-11T06:10:00.000-10:00

Tushie!

Yes, We are what you would call cross dressers!

It's not a popularity contest

2007-01-30T16:29:00.000-10:00

Obviously it is that I'm bragging about it. Olive went to the vet today and everyone adored her! Nurses called other nurses over to look at "cute little Olive in her green jacket". I agree, she is pretty darn cute prancing around like a little tater-tot. I felt bad that everyone elses' dogs were neglected or were acknowledged simply due to mere presence.

.....but on the other hand, i feel REALLY good that Olive got all the attention. MUAH-AH-AH

CHANNEY AND CHANNEL

2007-01-25T08:05:00.000-10:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUNCHES!

i know i'm not there for your birthday but i'm always thinking of you

OLIVE

2007-01-25T07:32:00.000-10:00

A new addition to the family: Olive the boggle (boston terrier/beagle)

Olive is 4 lbs and cute as a button
She's Black/espresso-ish and white
She was born on Nov 14 2006 and purchased at PetMart
Olive is such a spaz.
Olive eliminates EVERYWHERE so keep your eyes on her at all times
Olive is daddys little girl

....Olive Olive Olive.... stop crying in the middle of the night or you're gonna get it!

...but it was on sale!

2007-01-18T09:18:00.000-10:00

So here's the story:

I LOVE SHOPPING!

we've gotten a place smack dab in the center of Davenport. we have a SUPER Target, we have a shopping mall down the street, we have restaraunts, GREAT MEXICAN FOOD, a car wash, A Super Walmart, a Bed Bath and BEYOND-yond-yond-yond-yond,and lots of other little shops!

OF COURSE I WANT TO SHOP! we're here [Iowa] with basicially a supply of just clothes and more clothes. we need to plenish the house with furniture, electronics, and other household goods. I'm sure you'd agree that shopping was a MUST on the itinerary. Not to worry, I found tons to buy and all at a great price.

that goes in the second bathroom

A picnic basket fit for food and wine

guest bathroom (partial corner)

Our bathroom

I'll post more pictures when all the furniture comes in :)

Kimzey, You cool "Cat".

2007-01-16T07:10:00.000-10:00

alright, so David Kimzey isnt a cat but he's a great guy. As we got into Iowa, Dave meets us right off the freeway in his "new" old beast machine that he'd just purchased off ebay-the same car he had as a kid back in the days when the television had weighed more than myself...fully dressed!

We stayed with Dave for a few days. He welcomed us with great hospitality, showed us around parts of Davenport and even talked us into getting a place two complexes away. We had no trouble settling in after being in a car for hours on end. It was very nice to finally have some R&R.

ROAD TRIP TO IOWA

2007-01-14T14:49:00.000-10:00

It took us 4 days to get to IOWA from WASHINGTON state. We drove across Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota-which by the way I absolutely hated the most! The car had been packed tight with lots of our belongings so Joaquin had basically driven in peripheral limits. Our butts were sore; our skin was dry; our lips were chapped. The road was a mess with the whole weather situation: cold fronts, storms and disaster areas. It wasn't nearly as bad as the news reports had implied it would be but it surely wasn't safe...especially not in Joaquins car, an M3 (rear wheel drive). All in all, we made it to Iowa safe and sound in snowly conditions and below freezing temperatures.

LAVISH in fun things and and great people

2006-12-02T12:53:00.000-10:00

These pictures are in December right before our moving to IOWA

the best of the best

Mikey!

we're playing for a hand and a foot... just kidding, we're playing Hand and Foot

Joaquin may be winning... can you tell?

we like to show off

Mmmm. delightful!

Cheers!

at Ryans Bar and Grill

group hug

Formaggio

..you promised and i'll hold you to it :)

2006-08-05T21:29:00.000-10:00

anna:
:( i don't want to do it if we don't work on it

Joaquin:
setting up the site?

anna:
yeah
scrapbook=all me
email=don't use
myspace (roo-tang) = we didn't work on...
i don't want to do it anymore

Joaquin:
we will this time I promise