Thursday, May 31, 2012

Two Years!

Hey there super fans!  Can you believe we've been married for two years already?  I know, it's flown by!  We didn't do a whole lot on the day of our anniversary.  We both worked, then went to a nice dinner.  However, we plan to stay for several nights in a nice bed and breakfast in North Carolina in July, then a few nights in Virginia atMom & Dad Long's, followed by a nice resort escape in some location yet-to-be determined.  Maybe the Virgin Islands?  Maybe we'll see. . .

Anyway, to celebrate our milestone, I thought I would post a few pictures from the occasion:

Look at these two crazy guys.  Which one seems more nervous?




The Little Chapel in the Woods was perfect for our wedding.  Quite lovely.




And, speaking of quite lovely, here is the blushing bride!  Or should I say the burping bride?  No, probably the first one.  Any way, she's looking hot!



Ah, the dancing.  Let me tell you, getting hitched is nerve-wracking enough to begin with.  Okay, now throw in some choreographed dance routines and tell me how you feel.  Terrified?  Yes.  A wee bit. 



Ol' Andy Pants here caught the garter.  Some time later he got himself married off.  Could be a coincidence.  But that was indeed a magical garter.




And let us not forget the star of the show!  The Nintendo cake was delicious and edutaining!





Here we see the bride - um - doing . . . like, I don't know.  Some kind of Donkey Kong dance or something?  Anyway, she's having fun.




I had a tough time deciding which pictures to include in the blog.  There are so many to choose from, and a lot of highlights that some of you haven't seen and that others may have forgotten.  I guess I'll have to update next year with different photos. 

Two years later and we are still every bit as in love as we were that day.  We are planning big things for year three!  Well, not really big things.  Fun stuff, though.  Not kids.  Kids now?  Are you crazy?  We've got things to do! 

Your friends,
The Two-Year Longs

Thursday, May 17, 2012

College is hard!

Here's UTA's impressive new Engineering Research Building.

Hello all!  Steven Long here.  For those few parties interested to know, UT Arlington posted my final grades from the Spring semester today.

Now, to really grasp the significance here, one must understand the full situation.  You see, I am attending UTA thanks to a combination of federal grant money, loans and a scholarship.  All three of these items are dependant upon my maintaining a GPA greater than 2.0.  Unfortunately I was met with disaster last Fall and managed to fail both classes I took.  The reasons for this are many, and I will spare you the gory details, but the main point is that I thought re-taking a course would replace the previous failing grade.  At UTA this is not the case.  I only have a thin window of time in which I can appeal to have a grade dropped from my GPA.  Are you following this?  So my GPA is abysmal.  Furthermore, I am stuck with the confounded grade until the next Fall semester starts.

Long explanation abbreviated, I need to bring my GPA up to par in order to continue receiving my scholarship and grant.  Also I need a certain GPA to register for classes next semester or I am on "academic probation."  In other words, they think I need to chill out and get my junk together.  But when series of calculus classes are involved, taking a break is a bad idea. 

At any rate, My grades are as follows:

ClassDescriptionUnitsGradingGradeGrade Points
INTRO TO ENGR
1.00
Graded
B
3.000
WORLD LIT
3.00
Graded
A
12.000
CALCULUS I
4.00
Graded
C
8.000
Let me translate: 
World Literature:  Great!
Engineering:  Good enough!
Calculus:  Eh. . . 

I think it is important to note here that Cal I has about a 30% pass rate.  Therefore a C in calculus is exceptional and I am happy with it.  However, I needed a B in order to bring my GPA up.  So what shall I do?  Now I must submit a formal appeal to the powers that be and the long paper trail continues.  Sigh.

Alright, enough of this!  We do other stuff too, you know.


Here Jennifer is modeling a lovely hat from the Scottish festival we attended.  Looking good!


And this is Jennifer showing her sensitive side.  Aaaw!  Yes, she is still working at the animal clinic and yes she still loves aminals!  And this birdie loves her back.


And as for me?  Well, I am still frollicking and running.  I am running in another wacky obstacle race on June 16.  I am working hard and feeling swell and Ellie is my personal trainer.  Thanks Ellie!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

So you're probably thinking: "Don't these guys have anything better to do than post pictures of their animals?  Why don't they get a life?"

Excellent question!  And one to which I have no answer.  But you know, it's different when they're yours.

 Anyway, so here's a great action shot of Ellie licking her nose in the wildflowers.  Turns out there is a protected expanse of native Texas grassland behind our neighborhood.  There are walking trails and a playground and all kinds of fun stuff.


Would you believe these pictures were taken about one mile from our house?  Just a few minutes from downtown!  Wonders never cease here in Fort Worth.

Photos, of course, are courtesy of Jennifer Long.  Nice work!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Jennifer snapped this adorable candid picture of our Kitty-Girl, Ashtray.  Ashtray?  Yes.  Steven named her.  Suits her, don't you think?  We also took Ellie for a romp through the wildflowers, but those photos aren't ready yet.  We also also attended the Scottish festival in Arlington at UTA, but not too many photos were taken.  They had a lot of free beer though.  Steven thought free beer would be a good way to forget about his calculus final.  Instead, he ended up missing work the following day.  Bad idea, Steven.  Bad idea.