Bees Life: Meerkat Edition

What Is It Like To Be A Bee?

It is amazing and very rewarding but also nerve racking and time consuming at the same time. 

When you blog on a public forum like this you really put yourself out there. No matter how many times I post on here, I still get a little nervous when a new posts goes up. After spending a couple hours pouring my heart and soul into a post, I worry what if no one likes my idea? What if my post is dull and no one reads or comments on it? But then someone will comment on how I have helped or inspired them and the rewarding part of being a blogger kicks in.

There is also a part of being a bee that is a bit weird for me too. I have seen us Bees referred to as "the cool kids on the other side of the lunch room". Holy crap, I'm cool?!?! Wait, when did this happen? *grin* I have never been in "that cool kid" group and guess what? I'm still not. Part of what rocks about being a bee is that we are all down to earth, fun lovin', everyday brides. I am just a girl who marches to the beat of her own drummer just like many of the other bees.

How I Fell In Love With Weddingbee

I stumbled onto Weddingbee not long after we got engaged. I was doing a Google search for wedding inspiration when the 'bee popped up. I think I spent the next five minutes trying to figure why all these people were calling themselves by names of edible objects. I quickly decided there was a whole bunch of crazy going on at that site and went back to my Google search.

A few months later a friend asked if I had tried Weddingbee. I typed in the address and thought "OMG it's those crazy food people again!!", except this time there was a peep toed shoe thrown in the mix. WTH?! My curiosity got the better of me so I started to click around. Once I figured out it was a bunch of different brides blogging about their weddings, I was addicted.

Why I Started Blogging

Mr. Meerkat is really the one who got me started blogging. He already had a blog of his own filled with all the techy stuff we love but he also wanted to have a blog dedicated to our wedding to share with our family around the country. At first he was the sole blogger on our wedding site. After a couple months I decided, who knows why, to write up a post about our engagement photographer and as you can probably guess I fell head over heels for it.

I had been blogging on our little wedding site for a while when the idea came to me to create my own blog. One where I could talk about not just our final decisions but the different ideas that got us there. I wanted to be able to share the whole planning journey with other people planning a wedding. And out of nowhere the thought hit me like a ton of bricks; I wanted to be a bee.

My Application Story

My blogging began in secret, I didn't even tell Mr. Meerkat.

After a few weeks of writing my little heart out, I decided to give Mr. Meerkat and his cousin, who is a writer, a peek at my new blog. They loved it and encouraged me to apply to Weddingbee but it wasn't until I saw Mrs. Penguin's post calling for application submissions that I finally got the guts to send in the applicaiton I had been tweeking for weeks.

I waited patiently that first week, still no word but I remained hopeful. I mean you can't ask for miracles over night right? As the second week went by and Miss Elephant was introduced I got worried. Did the hive really need two brides planning a travel themed wedding? By the time the third week started I had convinced myself that I had been rejected and calculated out how long it would be before I could apply again.

Then at the end of the third week, on a quiet Saturday morning, an email arrived in my inbox from Mrs. Penguin. Mr. Meerkat happen to see it pop up and being the sneak he is, stole a peak. (I really think he was as excited as I was to see if I been accepted.) When he saw that I had indeed been accepted as a new blogger he came into the other room with this huge grin on his face and said he has some good news. He teased for a couple minutes asking what it was worth to me. Of course having no idea the awesome news he had, I just laughed it off and gave him my impatient look. After about five minutes of teasing he 'fessed up and told me that I had been accepted. I did a full body jump into his arms, legs wrapped around his waist hug. The whole time screaming and yelling "OMG are you sure that's what it said?!?!".  After I verified that I was indeed accepted (as in rereading Penguins email about twenty times), we sat down together and both agreed that there was only one icon that was for us, the meerkat. (Not to mention it reminded us so much of our puppies)

My One And Only Tip

Pay it forward.  Blogging isn't just about showing your ideas. It's about inspiring others and helping them. When someone comments and says that I have inspired them to try something new, I know I have succeeded in paying it forward. So as your writing, think about what way your post can help someone. Whether it be through inspiration, tips or simply some moral support.

Then and Now - Meerkat Flashback

So you want a look into the Meerkat past? Cue up the Wayne's World flashback music please.

*doodle-ooh*
*doodle-ooh*
*doodle-ooh*

I am going low budget here. Just pretend. KThanks. :)

Growing up I was not your typical teenager. In high school my life revolved around two things; softball and friends. If I wasn't training with MOH Meerkat, we were out with our friends at the beach or having a bonfire in my back yard. I never went crazy partying or out every weekend. All those typical teenager activities bored me.

Some of our friends at prom.

As far as relationships went I did a little bit of random dating here and there but nothing serious. And acedemics... HA! I did my best to do as little as possible without failing. Mostly I just wanted to play softball. I had tunnel vision where softball was concerned. It was an obsession which of course MOH Meerkat helped fuel because she loved it just as much as I did.

MOH Meerkat (right) and I after a softball game senior year.

It wasn't until college that I realized that I was more than just an obsessed softball player. MOH Meerkat and I went to two different schools so I no longer had my softball training buddy. On top of that I randomly decided to start taking programming classes at my university's engineering college and it was love from the first line of code I wrote. Until that point I never knew I had any kind of smarts. I guess if I had actually tried to do homework in high school I might have figured it out quicker. So I quit playing softball competitively (I still play for fun) and went from jock to intellectual in a semester.

College also brought about more serious dating for me. What I found out quickly was guys in the engineering college were way more intriguing than high school guys. Most were smart, fun and had a awesome sense of humor which I quickly learned was what my taste in men ran towards. And then who should walk into my life but Mr. Meerkat. He was all the things I loved; tall, handsome, smart and with a wicked sense of humor. We became good friends while coaching a kids robotics team together and a few month after we met started dating.

Mr. Meerkat tickling me while Sister-In-Law Meerkat was trying to take our photo.

Of course long before high school I said I would never get married but Mr. Meerkat, well hes a nester and he had other plans. We laugh about it now but it wasn't even a year after we started dating when he told his mom that I was the girl he was going to marry. So it came as no surprise to anyone (well except me!) when Mr. Meerkat took me to Mackinac Island and proposed. Everyone was happy when we told them about the engagement and probably a little shocked too because of how adamant I was about not getting married.

As I look back at who I was then, I am happier than I have ever been. I always said that the whole 2.5 kids with a two car garage in the burbs wasn't my thing and it still isn't. But what I have learned is that 2 dog and 2 cats in a home we bought together with my very own foof chair to play video games in is exactly what I always wanted. *blissful sigh*

Secret Life of Bees: Meerkat Edition

Are you ready for it?!  The secret side of Miss Meerkat?  Here goes nothin'!

1. I am an adrenaline junkie!

If it goes fast, count me in. I think Sister Meerkat and I must have got it from Father Meerkat because Mama Meerkat likes to keep both her feet on the ground. During my junior year of college Sister Meerkat got me hooked on skydiving. I did it for a couple summers until it just got too expensive but OMG the adrenaline rush is awesome! This photo is of Sister Meerkat and I in our skydiving rigs going up for my first jump. Look how happy I was:

Photo by Father Meerkat

2. I coach a kids robotics team called the Blue Cheesy Flamingos.
For the past 8 years I have coached a robotics team for kids ages 9-14. Each year we compete in the international FIRST robotics competition. The kids build and program a 100% autonomous (no human controlling it) robot to complete 10 missions on a 4' x 8' competition field. Its a lot of fun and I get to be a big kid right along with them.

How did they come up with the name you ask? We actually were brain storming for a team mascot and one kid wanted a cheese hat, one wanted a blue monkey and one wanted a flamingo. As a compromise they decided to have a blue flamingo who wears a cheese hat.

Our team being goofy last year.

3. My sister and I are 17 years apart in age.
You're wondering right now if I was an oops baby aren't you? Well I wasn't. I was 100% planned. Sister Meerkat on the other hand wasn't. My parents had my sister in their teens and then waited 17 years to have me. While Sister Meerkat wasn't planned, she was one of the best things that ever happened to my parents. Not to mention growing up I had the cool older sister who took me shopping and to the movies and I got to grow up with my nephew and niece (who are 8 and 10 years younger than me). So when they were growing up I was the cool teenage aunt with a car.

4. There was a time my parents worried if I would even graduate high school.
No lie. I know what your thinking "How the hell did you become an application engineer then?". It wasn't so much a lack of brains as a lack of motivation. :-)  I would not complete homework, pass the tests with flying colors and average out a C or sometimes a little less. I did this right up until they threatened to toss me off the softball team midway through my junior year for not maintaining a B average. Surprise, surprise, that sure got my butt motivated. Ended up not only graduating but with senior honor points. I can still remember my dads face as I walked up during our award banquet to get my honors certificate. He kept motioning for me to sit down cause he thought I was lining up for the wrong award. The expression in his face when they announced my name was priceless!

And there you have it. The secret side of Miss Meerkat. Anyone else out there with a secret side your just dying to tell us about? :D

Honeymoon In My Hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Mr Meerkat and I LOVE living in Michigan (minus when we get huge snow storms) and to be able to share it with you... *squeel* Yea I am that excited.  I promise to try my best to keep each category to my top three choices otherwise this could get really long, really quick.

Things to see

1. Kalamazoo Air Zoo

The Air Zoo is #1 on my list of things to do in Kalamazoo. Basically it's a interactive museum that has AMAZING displays of transportation from the first hot air balloon to present day.  It has some old hot air balloons and bi-planes

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WWI and WWII planes

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And even some of the most modern and amazing planes/jets you will ever see

And while your there don't forget to give the flight simulators a test!

2. Wine Trails and Tours

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Michigan has some of these most amazing wineries in the country. You can visit the tasting rooms, take a long walk around the beautiful grounds or even hire a private tour to take you from winery to winery.  If you want to see what Michigan country side is really like the wine trails are the place to do it.

3. Lake Michigan Beaches

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Michigan is also renowned for some amazing beaches. If your looking for a nice relaxing day head on over to Silver Beach in Saint Joseph. (I grew up just 15 minutes from the beach so I have a warm, fuzzy spot for it.)  When your tired of laying in the sun walk on up to the bluff to browse some eclectic shops. Don't forget to stop and get some fudge and ice cream at Kilwin's. I promise you won't be disappointed.

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Where to eat

1. Sushiya & Sakura
For the sushi lover in you! *grin* Mr. Meerkat and I both have a affinity for sushi. Seriously we probably go out a few times a month for it. While my heart belong to Sakura, Sushiya is also an amazing place. They also have amazing hibachi if someone in your group doesn't like sushi. (I am looking at you Mama-In-Law Meerkat!)

2. Erbellis
TO DIE FOR PIZZA! Erbellis is a local favorite and every time Mr. Meerkat's family comes into town they request to eat here. Everything from the pizza to the calzones to the salads are amazing. For real, the best Italian food I have ever had.

3. Bangkok Flavor
If you like spicy food like Mr. Meerkat this is the place to eat (but don't worry they have mild versions too). The menu is pretty authentic as the family who owns it closes down for a month each fall to visit family in Thailand. You can order any of the food with your choice of spicyness: no spice, mild, medium, medium plus, bangkok hot. I always go for mild or no spice while Mr. Meerkat goes medium plus.

4. Smash Burger
Sometimes there is nothing like a greasy burger and fries. Smash Burger is actually a chain but they make one of the most amazing burgers I have ever had. Pick the make your own combination so you can add blue cheese and cherry BBQ (which you can only get at Michigan Smash Burgers). *drool*

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Where to stay

1. Henderson Castle

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This B&B would be my number one choice for where to stay in Kalamazoo. Even thought it was built in 1895 the grounds are amazing and all the amenities are very modern! Not to mention the people who run it make you feel special not just like a hotel guest. My favorite thing is that each room is decorated in a different theme from around the world which of course the traveler in me loves.

2. Radisson in Downtown Kalamazoo

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Right in downtown Kalamazoo and probably one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever seen. What I love most about this hotel is that you are right in walking distance of many restaurants and the Arcadia grounds where each weekend during the summer there is a festival of some type going on. You check out all the things to do in downtown Kalamazoo here.

Ok, ok I am going to stop here because if you let me I would go on and on about Kalamazoo. We really do love it here because we have the best of both the country side and city life. After reading this I know your dying to book your trip to Kalamazoo. So when you get that all set, let us know so we can all go to dinner! :D

Three things that make a diet bearable

For me a diet was an essential part of my wedding planning. It’s not about looking like an anorexic model it’s about feeling good about my body again. During the senior year of my bachelors degree I gained about 15 pounds. For most people that isn’t a lot but for me that is over a 10% weight gain. It has made me feel blah.

In order to lose these 15 pounds I am hauling around I have to reduce my calorie intake to about 1200 per day. At home Mr. Meerkat makes sure all our meals are lean and low cal but lunches with my coworkers…. Well that’s a different story. Can you say KFC, Taco Bell and Wendy’s??

So over the last couple weeks I have radically changed my eating habits. No more lunches out with the guys. No more amazing grease laden fast food. Instead I have changed everything I eat from the time I get up to the time I get home for dinner. There are three things that are making this diet work for me:

Fresh fruit (breakfast and snack)
Every week I purchase a honey dew melon, a container of strawberries and a couple pounds of grapes which I cut up and place into 3 cup plastic containers. I take one a day to work and eat half for breakfast and the other half for a mid-afternoon snack. The whole container is only about 150 calories.

Michellena lean gourmet frozen meal (lunch)
These frozen meals are delicious and talk about variety! I am in love with the Sante Fe Style beans and rice. Each meal is around 300 calories and I buy them for a little over $1 each. Yep you read that right, lunch for a dollar. Now what dieting bride on a budget doesn’t love a cheap, low calorie meal?

Hot tea (all day long)
I loved hot tea before I decided to change my diet. The difference now is I don’t use sugar in it. I calculated that 1/3 of my allotted calories per day was from the sugar in my tea. By ditching the sugar I now have a 0 calorie drink. And if by chance a case of the munchies strike I go get a cup of tea instead.


It’s only been a couple week so I don’t have any dramatic results to show you… YET! If I did my math right (which I always do) by the end of the fall I should have dropped an entire dress size. I promise many pictures of my progress.

Anyone else have any tips for great diet food?

Photo Credits:  Fresh Fruit --- Tea Cups --- Michelina's Lean Gourmet Meal

Meet Mr. and Miss Meerkat

Each person that blogs for WeddingBee writes under the name of an icon/moniker (e.g. Mr. & Miss Ribbon). In true WeddingBee fashion I decided that we too should go incognito and have a moniker. So without further ado meet Mr. & Miss Meerkat.

Photo by Sisiter-In-Law Meerkat

Mr. Meerkat and I are a couple fun loving geeks from Michigan who love to laugh. We enjoy anything having to do with movies, books, video games or technology and we hold a special place in our hearts for anything furry and four legged (like our two shih-tzus Wicket and Bravo). We also love to travel. We love it so much that it only took us about 12 hours after we got engaged to decide to have a destination wedding.

Why am I a Tech-Savvy Bride?
My whole life, including my career (I’m a software engineer), revolves around technology so it wasn’t that big of a stretch for me to plan my whole wedding the same way. While most brides carry a three ring binder of pictures from bridal magazines and a notebook, I carry my Motorola Droid phone. Yep that’s it. As you read my blog you will see all of my planning is almost 100% digital and almost 100% online (Mama-In-Law Meerkat has tech issues so we give her paper copies). Even my DIY projects are full of technology from custom Cricut software to photo and video editing programs.

Over the next few weeks I plan to take you through the ups and downs of my planning process and hopefully pass along the MANY things I've learned while trying to plan a wedding that is modern, cost effective and totally us.

Tales of a tech-savvy bride

Welcome to the first post on my journey to becoming a bee.

For all of you who are totally confused, let me explain. Being a bee means being a blogger for the famous weddingbee.com website. The site was started by a bride, Bee Kim, to document her own wedding planning processes. It became such a hit that each month they ask 2-3 amazing brides (5% of applicants) to become bees and blog about their wedding planning process.

So I decided to give my mother, who is an amazing writer, a run for her money and see if she passed any of those writing genes down to me. Over the next few weeks I am going to consolidate my blogging efforts into this site instead of spread across a couple different personal ones. By the end of this little adventure hopefully I will have an amazing set of posts to be proud of.

Stay tuned for some crazy adventures and tons of tech....