Our Wedding Web Site

If you've received a paper invitation (or heard directly from us) then you know that we're getting married on May 7, 2011!  If you're looking for the web site, it can be found at either:

• http://wedding.marcu.se/
• http://nunta.marcu.se/

Love to all!
Amber & Florin

VT Remembrance Run (3.2 for 32)

32 White Balloons were released for the Moment of Silence prior to the "3.2 for 32" Run in Remembrance.

Immediately following the Moment of Silence and to "start" the "3.2 for 32" Run in Remembrance event, maroon and orange balloons were released.

As part of the "3.2 for 32" Run in Remembrance event we got to run through the Lane Stadium Tunnel. Touch the Hokie Stone for luck!

A Future without my Grandma, Grandpa, and Granddad.

My thanks go out to everyone on Facebook who have been so kind to express their condolences.

I'm not sure how it was for all of you when you lost your grandparents, but it is particularly tough for me since we all lived in the same town. Although my Grandma and my Granddad were the ones who have passed away this weekend, it feels like my first Grandpa just passed away as well.

As a kid, my Grandpa (Bud) drove "Hoppy Toad," a flat-bed small Nissan pickup with no suspension. He brought my sister and I Ho-Ho's, Ding-Dongs, or Crackerjacks. He accidentally ran over one of our ducks. He perpetuated the myth of the Easter Bunny by stamping giant bunny feet coated in baby powder all over the property. He ate his sourdough dipped in hot cocoa (something I do today). When I was a teenager, I worked alongside my Grandpa cleaning apartments and doing the bookkeeping. He'd listen to me prattle on about boys and school. At the end of every work day, Grandpa reminded me that it was the boys who were lucky to have me and not the other way around.

I saw Grandma nearly every day after school (since middle school). I even lived with her during parts of my senior high school and early college years after Grandpa (Bud) passed away. Those were bleak and scary times that eventually led back into lighter times. I ferried myself and my Grandma to and from doctors, ran errands for her, and as she regained her awareness of life and I recovered from being quite ill, we decided to re-enter the dating game--together. I was 20 and we were no longer grandparent and grandchild, but instead best friends. We shared dating stories, clucking happily over the good ones and commiserating over the bad ones. We laughed at how new love felt, and we cried over how frustrating it was to suffer lasting illnesses and their long-term consequences. Eventually, she met Merle who would become my Granddad. My grandmother's second husband was easily adopted by us and loved by all.

Visiting my grandparents was something more than a no-rules, cable-TV, cookies and cracker-jacks haven. They were second parents, excellent and respectable political foes, and original, interesting people. My Grandpa Bud was rough, yet refined. He had a healthy appetite for a good life that was hard-earned. He wore denim overalls during the day and a felt fedora and sport coat every night for dinner. My grandmother was an artist and well-versed in politics. My granddad Merle, was a funny and warm can-do kind of guy with a large, loving family. All three of them could dance circles around you. We didn't always agree on everything, and certainly there was family strife, but ultimately we were family and they were generous, supportive, and proud of us (grand)kids and our endeavors.

Although I had the chance last year to visit and to make my peace with her and his imminent decline (and I did), it still hits hard when you realize the place--the physical and emotional space--no longer exists. In my next trip to Chico, there is no house with the double-chocolate brownies still in the pan, picked at from the corners because "sneaking pieces doesn't count" as Grandma used to say. There isn't a giant room of fashionable, colorful clothing and shoes to try on and take home, anymore. There isn't eggs made with creamer, nor hot cocoa and sourdough slices like Grandpa Bud used to serve us kids. I can't ask Merle, "How are you doing?" anymore and expect to get his consistent belly laughing reply, "I'm okay, but I got over it!"

There's a storage unit waiting for me. Sure, there's some furniture and some memories in boxes full of frames of a previous life, but it's the new, unmade ones I already miss. There is a great sadness in knowing that my sister and I are the last of the youngest who knew them. With us lies the last memories, the vestiges of earthly recollection of them ... and a certain future without them in it that makes me sad to face.

I keep telling myself that wherever they are, they are all young and dancing. My first Grandpa is still winning Jitterbug contents and working hard in his paint-flecked denim overalls. Grandma is dressed to the nines, always a lady but flirting and dancing, turning would-be suitors away. Granddad is working iron rods into beautiful forms and in the evening he's giving the other Pinochle and Cribbage players a run for their money before sweeping my Grandma off her feet and dancing onto that golden, shimmering dance floor, heading farther off into the distance ...

Engagement ring

Per multiple requests, I'm posting a few pictures of the actual ring I got Amber. Hope you enjoy it as much as we (and especially Amber) do.

To the left you can see the Tacori ring with the two Sapphires on either side of the diamond. I thought having all diamonds would be really boring and unimaginative, so I opted for two classy blue stones to help make the center stone pop.

Here's a shot that better shows the two bands that are intertwined all the way around. I'm sure that's supposed to symbolize something, but I can't think of what it might be...

And here's the ring on my lovely lady's hand. I picked Tacori because it is a designer that emigrated to the US from Romania. He now has set up shop in California. I though it was a nice symbolic tie between my heritage and Amber's.

Another shot of the ring on Amber's hand. I've actually had this ring picked out for almost 9 months now. Due to the uncertain job situation, the house purchase and everything else that's been going on, I've had to hold off until now. I'm glad I did because the timing feels perfect.

And now for the mandatory glamor shot. Enjoy!

Engaged!

"Dr. Florin M. Marcu and Amber D. Evans are officially engaged!"

I'm so happy and excited. Words cannot explain the intense elation and ecstasy I feel regarding this latest development. While all other things in life have already been fantastically amazing (degrees, jobs, house, etc.) this surpasses them all. I always knew Florin and I would always be together and although marriage never did decide that kind of commitment for either of us, it's still a girlish delight to have been asked to be a lifelong soul mate of the one man I love. Plus, "the ring is real, real purty." :D

My love and heart always belongs to my "Flori" and always will. Thank you, baby, for making my dreams (in every way) come true. Life is so much better since you've entered my life and I know it will only just get better!

Love, Amber

Degrees Awarded!

Well, we've both cleared degrees this academic year!

I (finally) received my Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from Chico State:


and Florin was awarded his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech:


Yay! Success!

We've Arrived @ our New Home!

We're so excited! Today is the big day! We have the key in hand and we're on our way driving the Grand Am of Doom to our new home and life together.

Upon driving up, one can see the green steel mailbox and the numbers, 1318; it's miraculous to realize that it is OUR mailbox that we are staring at.

As you can see, I absolutely LOVE our new home. Even Florin can barely contain his excitement as he turns the key in the lock and the door to our new life together opens.

Closed on the house

Today Amber and I closed on the house. It was almost as anti-climactic as getting my Ph.D. There was no champagne, no fireworks, no cheering or hooting. We just got a lot poorer and we now have an empty house. Tomorrow the movers come and bring all our furniture. After that Amber and I will spend the rest of the week setting up our house.

That being said, we could not imagine being happier together. Things have gone very well for us and we are thrilled to start this new chapter together.

Everyone's cordially invited to visit at any time.

1st day of work

Wish me luck!

Even Calen doesn't want to see Daddy go!

Today is the day that Florin moves (up and out) of Blacksburg to the greater Peoria, IL area!


He's packed and ready to go, complete with a new briefcase and everything (Thanks, Nana!):


And even Calen didn't want to be left behind; I think he figured that if he curled up and was small enough, maybe we wouldn't notice him in the car before we drove off:

Surprise from my love

Today I woke up thinking this would be just another day: 

1. Wake up
2. Listen to NPR in bed
3. Shower
4. Continue packing
5. Meet with movers
6. Go to graduation
7. etc.

Amber was already awake and slightly giddy. I didn't know why, so we cuddled for a bit and just enjoyed eachothers company before the day's activities take us on different paths. Then it happened. The lady on the radio announced today's day sponsor. Here's the message she read:

"Today's day sponsor is Amber D. Evans who says to Dr. Florin Marcu: She's proud of him and his success. He's the love of her life and always will be." 

I was so moved I couldn't hold back the tears. I love my girl so much and I'm so happy she loves me back.

Oh, did I mention I'm graduating today?

H-1B application approved!

So today I found out that the H-1B visa application that Caterpillar submitted on my behalf has been approved. Hooray!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks full of great news. Let's hope the streak continues!

Bid accepted!!!

The bid was accepted! After a few counter bids back and forth, we finally were able to settle on a price that suited everyone. Closing date is June 30 so I am going to have to find some temporary housing from my start date of May 18, but that shouldn't be a big deal. 

I'd like to finish this post with an excited "HOLY CRAP, WE'LL BE HOME OWNERS SOON!"

Passed the defense today. Just don't call me Dr.

Big news today! I passed my final defense for my Ph. D. The picture shows me shaking hands with Stefan from Volvo after my defense.

Now we're off to Peoria to look at homes. We'll be back Tuesday so if you don't get a response from us this weekend it's because we're out of town and without internet.

Job offer!

So it's been a while since I last posted any updates. This is because lots has happened since our last adventure. The biggest piece of news is the job offer I received from Caterpillar. On Sunday, August 17 I went to Peoria, IL for an on-site interview with the Caterpillar Operator Environment & Interface group. I flew to Peoria and spent Sunday with Marilyn driving around and familiarizing myself with Peoria. That evening I had a dinner meeting with my host, Bob, who was very nice and friendly. We had a very interesting conversation and before we knew it we had been talking for 3 hours.

The interview itself was on Monday and it started at Cat headquarters in downtown Peoria. After breakfast and an introduction with a bunch of other recruits, Bob picked me up and we went for a tour of the Tech Center in Mossville. It was quite impressive and I got to see quite a bit in the two hours we spent walking around. After the tour, it was time to go pee in a cup for the drug test. That was uneventful and as I later found out, I was clean... After a brief lunch with my host and my would-be supervisor, the actual interviews commenced. I had three of them back-to-back. It was grueling and at the end I felt much like a rag feel after being wrung out. Luckily, after the third interview I was invited to test out a ride simulator designed to simulate the ride of a bulldozer in action. Dare I say it rocked my world? It was very eye-opening to see how harsh the ride is in these earth moving machines, and it was a good way to end the visit and to whet my appetite for the job and the opportunities Caterpillar is offering. All in all, I think the interview went well and everyone seemed relatively pleased with me and my credentials.

After the interview was over, Marilyn threw a "grill-n-chill" party with some of her friends. It was really nice but I was exhausted and not much fun. I apologize to Marilyn and all of her friends.

The next morning, I flew back to Blacksburg, thinking that it would be a few weeks before I would find out anything, I went about my business. Imagine my surprise when I received a job offer on Wednesday. This must be a new record. Regardless, it is a very good offer and I am seriously considering accepting. However, I will not do anything until Amber and I will get a chance to go visit Peoria together so she can see where our future may take us. I have 'til October 15 to make up my mind. I'll keep you posted.