Alphabet of Good Memories

Here are 26 memories from Tina, organized alphabetically.

• Anne of Greene Gables. That's Anne with an "e" (because "Ann" looks positively dreadful), but you can call me "Cordelia". When I was a kid my mother and I loved the PBS movie series based on the Anne of Green Gables books. If you watch all the movies, beginning to end, you would spend at least nine hours. It was the perfect snow day activity. I secretly believe I am a kindred spirit with Anne Shirley and to this day I still have a crush on Gilbert Blythe.
• Brooklyn, NY. In the summer of 2003 I flew to New York to visit my friend who lives in Brooklyn. While there I ate a hot dog at Coney Island, "chicken" in Chinatown, and Russian perogies in Brighton Beach; walked the Brooklyn Bridge, rode the subway, met Rupert G from Hello Deli, walked along the Ed Sullivan theatre and met a cab driver who may or may not have had connections to the mob.
• Columbia, MO. I lived in Columbia while pursuing my master's degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia (better known as MU or Mizzou). I fell in love with CoMo and found myself in the process. Favorite memories include: Devil's Icebox, 63 Diner, The Candy Factory, Jesse Hall, WRC/ADAPT, and lifelong friends.
• December 30, 2006. My wedding day. Joe and I got married at the Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, MO -- the first wedding ever at that venue. We were even featured in the local newspaper. More importantly we had a blast that day, surrounded by friends and family, ending with "I do" to my best friend in the whole world.
• Engagement. The night Joe proposed to me, he had the help of several people -- all of whom lied to some degree or another throughout that day and night. In the end, I wound up in the gymnasium at NCA where a candlelit dinner was waiting next to Joe on one knee holding a beautiful ring.
• Fair Grove Heritage Reunion. My family has always been very involved in the annual craft festival in my hometown. Each year my brother is the announcer and my mom is the "boss" of the information booth. There is a unique smell and a sound that is attached to the memories of the FG Reunion. You know exactly what I'm talking about if you have ever been there.
• Guacamole. My last week of work in the eye clinic at the University of Minnesota, I was treated to several going away meals and events. One of the most memorable was when Esther made chicken enchiladas for us all, along with her famous guacamole. She's the one who taught me that if you leave the avacado seed in your guacamole, it won't turn brown.
• Happy Green. My favorite color. The color I painted the kitchen when I bought my first house.
• Ice Storm 2007. Okay, this one borders on a terrible memory. Joe and I had been home from our honeymoon for one week when the ice storm hit. We were out on a date and while driving home we noticed that streets were dark and getting increasingly darker the closer we got to our house. When we opened the door and flicked the lightswitch, nothing happened. Nothing continued to happen for seven days as we lived with a collection of friends and family members like transients or hobos, until a good friend generously loaned us their generator and we newlyweds were able to return to our home. Our power was restored on Day 14 of the ice storm.
• Joe. All of my most favorite memories involve Joe, of course.
• Kodak. I love taking pictures. While I appreciate my digital camera and it's convenience, I love the purity of my good old fashioned Kodak camera. There are things you can do with a 35 mm that your digital camera can only do with the help of editing software.
• Lighter fluid. When I lived in my first apartment I hosted a gathering of some singles from church. Some of the guys who came brought their BBQ grill and set it up on my small balcony. The ladies were inside chatting and all had their backs turned to the patio door except me. The scene I witnessed was unforgettable as the men used a tad too much lighter fluid and almost blew up the apartment (or at least fried off all their eyebrow hairs) when they tossed in a lit match. I don't know when I have laughed as hard as I did that day.
• Malibu Barbie. My car (a Chevy Malibu) has taken me a lot of great places since I bought her in 2001.
• New Covenant Academy. I worked there for six years and came away with some amazing memories and lifelong friends. Drama Lovelies, retreats, tenting, Texas Sheet Cake ("Tina Day"), caramel-covered onions, laughter, and tears.
• O-Snap! I have many a fond memory of playful, sarcastic banter between my brother and I and, while he is the most verbally talented person I have ever met, I like to think I've gotten a few really great digs in over the years.
• Persimmons. My grandmother was the queen of "old wives' tales". Each year she predicted the winter weather by cutting open the seed of a persimmon. The seed interiors sometimes had a spoon shaped mark others were knife shaped. I don't remember which mark meant we were in for a bad winter, though. My grandma was amazingly accurate with her predictions.
• Quiznos. I had some great lunch dates with my good friend, Nancy, to Quiznos. Before me, Nancy had never tasted a Honey Bacon Club. I'd like to think that I changed her life.
• Rudy. My favorite movie. Enough said.
• Seattle, WA. Joe and I went to Seattle on our honeymoon and we fell in love with the city. Pike's Place Market, the original Starbucks, Port Townsend, Whidby Island, Camano Island, Space Needle, and 5-Spot.
• Tina. I found out today that my name is street slang for crystal meth, a term most often used by gay men. This one isn't necessarily a good memory. Just something I will never forget.
• Ugg boots. Joe and I lived in Minneapolis, MN for the better part of 2009 and while we hated the never-ending cold weather, we did fall in love with the city. The Land of 10,000 lakes provided endless opportunities for scenic drives and there were numerous adorable neighborhoods with unique shops and restaurants. Our favorite spots included Izzy's, Bad Waitress, Mickey's, and Raising Cane.
• Visits from friends. I love playing tour guide. When my girlfriends made a road trip to visit me in Minneapolis I had a great time showing them around. It was just as fun when my parents flew to the twin cities to visit me later that summer. I made an itinerary of activities I knew my parents would love. They still talk about that trip. Those visits are a great memory for me, too.
• Whack-a-Mole. When I was a kid I remember those rare opportunities we had to go to Chuck-e-Cheese (although the giant costumed rat freaked me out). I always thought it was a blast to play those arcade games like Whack-a-Mole, even though I had absolutely terrible hand-eye coordination. No moles were ever harmed on my watch.
• X-Ray. When I was 3 years old I was in a car accident with my mom. I had a hairline skull fracture and a long laceration on my head requiring a ton of stitches. I don't remember much other than my grandpa staying with me in the emergency room. He made silly faces at me to distract me from what the doctors were doing. That is my favorite memory of Grandpa.
• Yoo-ka-noo-ba (Eukanuba). As in the dog show. Something my dog, Truman, will never have a chance to win. Let's face it, he's a...dare I say it...."mutt". I know it isn't politically correct to use the word "mutt" anymore. It's considered offensive to dogs, apparently. Truman is a "mixed breed" or "terrier mix". He has provided many laughs and a lot of great memories.
• Zou. As in Mizzou. I have some amazing memories of walking around the campus at the University of MO-Columbia, feeling very much like Mary Tyler Moore in that scene where she tosses her hat into the air. I love that campus and I always will. I don't care if Mizzou can't seem to buy a spot in the top 10 ranking for any sport. I will always root for "my" team. "Hooray, Hoorah, Mizzou, MIZZOU!"