New seasons bring new last names

It's hard to believe that the last time I posted anything, we were just entering summer's long days. Now, as I write again at 9:30, with the sun long since set (at 7:30!), I marvel at all that's taken place since postage rose to $0.42.

The biggest thing that's come to pass is that I've gotten married! This may come as a surprise, as my previous posts centered around June of next year as our wedding date, with this spring and summer being my "practice" run in hopes of alleviating costs and finding creative ways to plan for our big day. To those who are wondering about this "shotgun" wedding, no there are no wee surprises that rushed us into wedded bliss (I am a lady, thank you very much). Actually, this wedding was planned almost from the moment we were engaged, but I wasn't sure if I would address it in this blog. Turns out, there are things I want to share that can only be done in the context of my newly married state.

For clarification, yes, the June wedding is still on, and I'll have plenty to say about the continued plans for that in the weeks to come! As we are in the process of blending two cultures, we went the Nicaraguan route with the ceremonies. Turns out that outside of our American bubble, it's actually quite common in other cultures for couples to have a civil ceremony prior to the church one, which is not always recognized by the government. So, lucky me, I get two weddings (and yes, two dresses!) and a new lilting latina last name a little earlier in the game!

And let me just tell ya, this new last name thing is confusing! So far, I've been operating about half-and-half with my old one, signing for all my purchases just as if nothing gigantic and life-altering has happened. According to my credit card, it hasn't! And I can't do anything about my work records or my bank accounts or my drivers license or anything else truly official until my Social Security Card has been changed. So, until I find a free moment in my schedule that coincides with the Social Security Office's open hours, I go merrily on my way, verbally notifying people of my new status.

This often requires spelling my name out since my previously more-or-less phonetic name has been usurped by a very pretty sounding but confusing one (unless you're versed in Spanish pronunciation). In one conversation, while talking to Darla in the ATT Customer Service department, I did my best to find creative words for each letter. So, instead of using "apple", I tried out "antelope", which worked very well and mentally transported me to an African savannah, which I didn't mind, being the travel-lover that I am!

Darla, responding with great jocularity, told me a tale about a time that she'd been encouraged to use "llama" for "l", which we realized works perfectly with the double "l" sequence found in my new name! From now on, I'll always think of Darla and the $35ish dollars she saved me on my ATT bill as she mentally transported me down to the Andes, where the llamas roam.

As for my signature, which I thought I'd figured out in advance, I've developed a sudden uncertainty about how scrawly I actually want it to be. My previous signature disintegrated at my last job, which involved countless signings day in and day out. Since then, I've been eager to get my new name so that I can go back to a signature with actual letters (albeit illegible in my handwriting) instead of the line that typically follows my initials.

But now, I'm beginning to realize that my current job actually requires me to sign at least the same amount of paperwork, if not more, and I'd become very dependent on the letterless version that speeds the process up ever so slightly. I think I might have to develop a couple of variations of my signature in order to cater to its different functions. First, though, I have to decide exactly how I want to write the letter "Q", which is now prominently featured in my name.

I had no idea how rarely I wrote it or how little I cared about the appearance of this letter. But now, the way I write my "Q" affects the entire message that is conveyed by my signature! Am I classy, with a slightly curled tail? Is the round part of the letter open and upright, giving an appearance of a solid, detail-oriented person? Or is it slanted and not-quite-closed, showing a rushed and and incomplete side of my personality? For now, I'm going with an abstract style, the tail stretching wind-swept under my first name. We'll see how it changes over time.

There are, of course, other more important aspects of married life that I could ponder, but I'll save those for future posts. Suffice it to say that in our near-month of wedded bliss, Carlos and I have been very happy. Upon moving in, he immediately learned how to brew coffee despite his lack of interest in actually drinking it. As he gets up before me, this allows me to wake up in my gradual, multiple-snooze pattern while he showers and makes breakfast. When I hear that coffee grinder, I know it's time to stretch my way out to the kitchen and greet my love before he heads off to work. It's these simple, ultra-domestic moments that make me feel like a wife.

Speaking of domesticity, the laundry beckons. I'd ignore it, but that would mean sacrificing my bed to a pile of intimates and socks, which, in my new wifely state, would just not do! In the past, I'd have just swept the clothes off to the basket at the side of my bed and picked my outfits out of the pile for the next two weeks. We'll see how long this state of willing domesticity lasts - hopefully "till death do us part" and beyond!

Until the next post, I remain your faithful Milwaukee bride . . .

Jessica Q. or Q. or Q. or Q.