love <3

Elizabeth Bennett and Beowulf

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 05:08:00 +0000

So if all goes well and the adoption papers go through, Bella and I will be proud parents come Tuesday.

eh? Come again, you say?

I'll give you a hint: it starts with a "k," ends in an "s" and has "itten" in the middle.

Bella and I decided that we wanted to get a (singular, one, uno, less than two...) cat together, so we went to PETCO ("where the pets go") on Sunday to check out the kittens brought in by Kitten Rescue, which is a non profit in the LA area that helps to find homes for cats/kittens that need them. We got there just as the cat lady was finishing setting up the kittens she brought in. We found a really cute one that we both really liked, but it was a long hair and Bella didn't want a long hair cat because it'd be harder to keep everything else clean. So we kept looking and the whole time the cat lady was pressuring us to get two so they can keep eachother company. We were suckers and fell for it. Oh well.

So these are the kittens we chose:
This one is the girl and Bella decided to name her Elizabeth Bennett or Lizzy for short.

This one is the boy and I decided to name him Beowulf, or Wolfie for short.

So a note on the names. We were racking our brains trying to think of names because we didn't really want to keep the names the cat lady gave them (Tiffany and Bailey, respectively). I didn't want a typical person name, but instead something cool. We were in the car when I was struck with inspiration: Beowulf. I really like the book/poem and Beowulf is a great fearsome warrior. What better name for a male cat? Bella kinda liked it too and then came up with the idea that I name the boy and she the girl. Bella really likes Pride and Predjudice, so she chose the name of the main character: Elizabeth Bennett.

[co-posted on blog.skizzot.com]

i ache for you

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 09:14:00 +0000

Co-Posted on scott's blog.

it just clicked. i felt so at ease when we left our hotel in sydney for the very first time. we were on our way to see the opera house and harbour bridge. the weather was absolutely beautiful. but there was something else about being there. it's as if the city was glad that i was there; glad that bella and i were there together. it felt so perfect. in fact, the whole time we were there felt perfect.

bella had been to sydney before, so she was taking me along the dramatic route for my first glimpse of the opera house. on our right side was a cliff that went straight up and was getting taller as we walked. on the opposite side of the street was a row of tall buildings. my view of the harbor was narrow. all of a sudden the cliff ends and as you look past it to the right you're thrust into the presence of one of the most amazing structures ever.

(Please excuse the person and light pole in the way.)

Spaceship? Giant sales? Is it even possible? Magnificent!

Swivel your head the other direction and you're greeted with something even larger:

It's profound in its own way. Makes you just want to hang your shirt over it and put it back in the closet, huh? Seriously tho, its definitely something else.

the very next day was my birthday (24th, to be exact). bella had some surprise planned. i had a suspicion of what it it might be before i got there. i ended up being right, too. two of her friends at school accidentally let it slip and i caught it both times. the first time i let it slide because i didn't want to spoil the surprise. but the 2nd time was waaay too obvious and i always have a hard time keeping a straight face. i just couldn't help the huge smile that appeared on my face.

the surprise was the Bridge Climb. the sydney harbour bridge (i spell harboUr with a U because that's how they spell it in Australia and that's its name. it may be in a harbor, but it's called the Sydney Harbour Bridge.) you get dressed up in special jump suits that help you blend into the bridge (don't' wanna run people's photos of it). you strap on special belts that hold your radio (guide commentary as you walk) and keep you physically attached to the bridge (via steel cable). It's an amazing experience. I think it's one of those things you have to experience to understand.

(If you look right above Bella's head, you can see the cliff I was talking about earlier)

She's amazing. Not 'cuz she gets me cool things for my birthday, but because she knows exactly what to get me. And she makes me laugh, too:

it's an amazing feeling to fall in love with another person. if anything could be more amazing than that, then it would have to be falling deeper in love with the same person. it's like falling in love for the first time, only better. i love you, bella. thank you for an amazing week.

__________________________________________________

this is my favorite artsy picture of the trip:

Scott's Back from Down Under

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 06:07:00 +0000

Co-Posting on scott's blog.

As most of you know, I've returned from Down Under. I had a fantastic time and I'd say that Sydney is my new favorite city in the world. Granted, I haven't been to many of the "great cities," but my opinion still stands. {:o)

I've finally gotten through uploading and commenting on all of my pictures. You can find them here:

There are 295 in that set, so be warned. I understand how boring that can be at times, so I created another set with the best of those (not that any of the others are bad...hehe...I'm really not that full of myself). The 'trimmed' set has 108 and can be found here:

And you'll actually be able to see both of those pics in both sets.

Enjoy!

[EDIT]
I intend to post about trip highlights soon...

G'Day, Mate!

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 08:38:00 +0000

Bella and I are having a great time in Australia! Proof:

Bella surprised me on my Birthday with the "Harbour Bridge Climb!" We hiked to the very top of this bridge. It was SUPER AWESOME! Bella = the coolest. {:o)

Bye for now.

Aus-trall-ee-ah

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 07:18:00 +0000

Bella went and took a plane to Australia...

I think we'll talk pretty often...

but I still miss her so very much. I dream about her, and I think she dreams about me too...

In the end, though, we'll be okay because we have our...

...for eachother.

i miss my bella girl.

bella's first camping trip

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 00:24:00 +0000

bella never went camping as a kid. i, on the other hand, went many times growing up. i love camping with my family and friends - enjoying the beauty of nature, living on the "minimums," being away from the light and noise of the city, and just enjoying eachothers company in front of a fire. {:o)

bella was excited and nervous at the same time. she's not afraid of getting a little dirty, but her boss scared her with stories of mountain lions. i assured her that there wouldn't be any, and that i would protect her.

we bought a tent together:

so i guess you could say this is our first house. {:o)

we did see some 'wild animals':

i tried to get bella to sing the "banana slug song" with me, but she didn't know it. i'll practice with her so she's ready next time.

so bella's reaction to camping? she had a really good time, and "it was easier than i thought it would be." admittedly, when my friends and i go camping, we go in style. no electronics or fancy tents, but lots of food. good food too. we cook up a storm. jambalaya. bbq chicken. garlic bread. s'mores. easy stuff, but good and hardy. and we break out the board games. which are totally awesome. who ever invented board games are super cool.

now bella wants to go backpacking. that's something i want to do, but never have. {:o)

good times. {:o)

Secret Post #1: the ring

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Sun, 29 May 2005 05:48:00 +0000

so, look at this:

it's an engagement ring! (duh...) i picked it up about a month ago in the jewelry district of downtown LA. what does it mean? i'm going to propose to bella! (duh...) {:o)

i guess answers to some questions that might be out there:

yes, we've talked about it, and i know she would say yes.

she knows it's coming, but not when (hopefully). i know she suspects it'll happen at ryla (and rightly so) since that's where we met, but the good thing about that is that ryla is 6 days long and i don't think there's and obvious point for it to happen during the week. i'll elaborate on this further soon.

she knows ive bought a ring. i sorta had to tell her o/w she would've been mad at me. i think i'll elaborate on this further as well in another post. i hope i remember. {:o)

we wouldn't get married for a while just yet. no sooner than 4 years. more accurately 5 years.

_______________________________

this is the first of a series of "undercover posts." i'm going to blog in real time about certain things in regards to proposing to bella yet save them as drafts so no one can see them and bella doesn't know about them. then after i propose and she says yes (i suppose i should put an "if she says yes," but i kno she will...), i will publish all the posts for everyone (including her to see). hopefully it'll work out nicely. and hopefully i'll blog often enough.

popping the question

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Sun, 26 Jun 2005 20:23:00 +0000

June 24 2005 at 8:27 am

crazy adrian with crazy scott stories

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Sat, 09 Jul 2005 07:03:00 +0000

my buddy adrian sends me an email and this is what he says...

hey scotto... i was thinking... during your wedding (wow!)... you better alot me one spot to make a speech during the reception... since everyone that knows you will be there... i figured i'll just unleash the "my computer's on fire" story all at once... maybe i should bring
hand puppets and act it out... whaddya say?

and in a separate email...

as for the hand puppets... i'm gonna have to search for a puppet that can match my handsome physique... and for scott i'll get a fraggle-rock muppet... hahahaha... j/k... (yeah scott... you might
want to think twice before u invite me and trev to your wedding..)

the pics are on my website

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 22:00:00 +0000

ok, i finally was able to put the pics up on my website: click here!

my side of the story...

Bella — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 06:20:00 +0000

Many of you have asked for me to post something. I'm not sure what to say, since Scott has said most of it. Then, everyone said to post my side of the story and my reactions. While I'm sure the big eyes and hands covering my mouth say a lot...I suppose I can add something to it all.

Let me start by saying...yes, I knew it was coming. But I didn't know when or how Scott would pop the question. Yes, I suspected it might be at RYLA, only because if I were him, that's where I would do it too. However, when it got to the last day, I'd pretty much given up on him doing it there, and my mind was quite occupied with other things, such as whether my campers were doing ok, how much we had to clean, did I do a good job leading during the week, etc.

I didn't think anything of the fact that Ngoc put me in the middle for the song. Clue #1. I didn't even think anything of the fact that Vince had come back that morning, had a camera, and was NOT wearing his staff shirt. Clue #2. I didn't even get suspicious when the boys started singing "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You", Scott and my song (if we had to pick one). Clue #3.
It wasn't until the song was done, and Scott stepped out that I really knew what was going on. THAT is when I started freaking out. I couldn't breathe. I was shaking. I even started crying.
I was thinking to myself..."OH MY GOSH...He's going to do it now! Calm down...look around...remember this moment...remember it...AAAHHH...HE'S ACTUALLY DOING IT...calm down...you have to burn this into your memory...I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!"

What Scott said was super sweet. I'm not sure if many people heard, because he didn't say it super loud...he said it to me. :) In fact, I don't think I'll share exactly what it was. All I'll say is that I could tell it was from the heart. THen, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I couldn't even say yes, because I was still shaking and couldn't breathe. I just had to weakly nod and hope he'd see it. He did. After hugging for a long time, then getting hugged by everyone else (complete with chants of "RYLA wedding") I was finally able to come up for air. The room was spinning. I took a moment to look at the ring. Until then, I hadn't even seen it. :) It was incredible. Scott picked it out all by himself...well done!!!! The rest of breakfast was a bit of a haze. I was still shaking for at least another hour. It was incredible!

I feel so lucky to have found someone like Scott. Not only that I found him, but that he found me too. Even though we're waiting quite a while before getting married, I know that it'll be totally worth the wait. He makes me feel beautiful, loved, and most of all happy. Happier than in my wildest dreams!!!!!!!

btw...this is my first time ever blogging!!!! How fitting that Scott should be my first. ;)

the video!

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 23:38:00 +0000

the video.

[EDIT]

ok, i fixed the link. it should work now.

proposal pictures

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 05:04:00 +0000

here are the pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/skizzot/sets/511762/

this location is only temporary - it was just the fastest way to put them up.

Secret Post #3: The Proposal

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 20:12:00 +0000

So I’m writing this in Chicago O’Hare International Airport. I’m waiting for a flight back to San Jose so I can drive up to RYLA and begin the week which will hopefully end in me being engaged. I came up with how I wanted to propose to her a looooong time ago.

Every year at RYLA, at breakfast on one of the last days of camp all the female counselors ask all the male counselors to come up front. They serenade us with a medley of songs. After they finish I’m going to get all the male counselors to help me serenade a song in return – “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off you
You’d be like heaven to touch
I want to hold you so much

At long last love has arrived
And I thank god I’m a live
You’re just too good to be t r ue
Can’t take my eyes off you

Pardon the way that I stare
There’s nothing else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words left to speak

But if you feel like if eel
Please let me know that it’s real
You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off you

(interlude)

I love you baby
And if it’s quite all right
I need you baby

To warm the lonely night
I love you baby
Trust in me when I say

Oh pretty baby
Don’t bring me down
i pray oh pretty baby

Now that I’ve found each day
Let me love you baby
Let me loooooove you….

After the songs ends I’ll run up to the front and pop the question in front of everyone.

But Scott, what if the girls don’t do the medley? I have friends on the inside. They’ll make sure it happens. {:o)

Secret Post #2: Asking the Parents

soupman@gmail.com (Scott Campbell) — Mon, 30 May 2005 21:05:00 +0000

You can’t simply approach a man like Mr. Shirin and ask to marry his daughter, especially when he isn’t expecting it. He hates to be surprised, and this would definitely be quite a surprise.

Bella had been “prepping” her parents, namely her dad, with happy thoughts of me. The purpose of this was to hint/imply that I was a big part of her life and could maybe someday become a son-in-law. The idea is that he’ll know more about me and think that I’m a good thing for her.

Bella’s mom, sister and her came to the conclusion that I shouldn’t ask her parents if I could marry her, but tell them I’m going to propose. That way they (he) won’t get the opportunity to say no. “But Scott, aren’t you supoosed to ask them?” Yes, but not now. I will later when Mr. Shirin knows and likes me more and therefore will be more likely to say yes. Women are so clever…

I had a good opportunity to show Mr. Shirin that I’m the good guy I think I am. {:o) His 60th birthday party was a week before I wanted to ask him and Bella’s mom. It was a huge deal, with people flying in from all over the country and world. The whole thing was in Russian and there were skits the whole evening. I didn’t understand much of it, but Bella helped to translate when she could. I also offered to bring my camera and take pictures. Mr. Shirin liked that I had offered. And the evening went off without a hitch. Apparently lots of people were saying how “nice” and “respectable” I was. And Mr. Shirin was very appreciative of the help I had given setting up, cleaning up afterwards, and of course taking pictures. So score major points for Scott. Woot woot! I don’t think it could’ve gone better. {:o)

My plan was to ask Bella’s parents on Memorial day in the afternoon/morning because Bella was working that day and wouldn’t be there.

I called Bella’s house. Her Dad answers. I asked to come by on Monday and drop off the pictures from his Birthday. “Sure, come by in the evening.” Um, could I come by in the afternoon perhaps? There’s something I’d like to speak to you and Bella’s mom about. “Uh, sure.” Ok, he knows for sure what’s up. When you ask a father that question and you’re dating his daughter, there’s only one way to take that. Good. He won’t be surprised.

(Bella told me about the following later on…)

He approached her and asked what I would want to talk to him. He said that it better not be about marriage. Dammit. The general gist of the conversation was that he didn’t object to me (which meant a lot sine I wasn’t Jewish), but he didn’t want her to be dependent on me. That’s logical. His biggest thing was that he wanted her to be self supportive and that means two things: a diploma and a job. And from his point of view, getting engaged means getting married in 3 months. Bella explained to him that her and I have talked about it and we wouldn’t get married anytime soon. It’d be in terms of years, not months. That made him fell better. So I guess that’s the green light for me, eh?

That didn’t help me out too much. I was still hella nervous about talking to them. I wrote out what I was going to say and memorized it. I read it over and over and over. I knew they weren’t going to say no, but it was still a big deal for me. Bella gave me some tips – tell him what he wants to hear – basically reiterating that we’re not going to jump into this and won’t get married for a few years.

When I got to their house, Bella’s parents had been doing some gardening in the back. I gave them the photos and they looked for them for a few minutes. And then I went into it… Bella’s mom told Bella that my hands were shaking. I guess they could’ve been. Like I said – hella nervous.

And in the end, they agreed that it was ok for me to propose to Bella. He wanted me to understand his “diploma and job” requirement, and I said it makes sense and I was ok with it. I showed them the ring (which they liked) and told them how I was going to do it.

{:o)

Phew! Almost there…