It has been decided that I will eventually change my last name. Yes, WOO! The greatest name in the universe, one that often doubles as an expression of “Yipeeee!” It is derived from the Greek name Wootemelagos, which means “awesome.”

No, I am not so thrilled about this, but one morning, several months before Matt and I were engaged, we had the conversation. I think I casually said, “I’m gonna be Michelle Woo forever” and then Matt pretty much declared that his future wife would be taking his name. I never realized how important this was to him and then I started considering his views and then suddenly, we were negotiating my name.

“Well, I wouldn’t change my name at work.”

“Oh definitely. You should keep Michelle Woo for all professional purposes.”

“Well then pretty much, I would just change my name on my license. And I guess we can sign our Christmas cards using your name.”

“And you’d change your name on Facebook.”

“NO, THERE IS NO WAY I AM CHANGING MY NAME ON FACEBOOK! Or Twitter. And I am definitely not getting rid of MichelleWoo.com.”

“OK, that’s fine.”

It was the weirdest conversation ever.

I was cranky for a while. I mean, it’s my name. It’s me. I had to endure years of playground taunting: “Here comes the train! Chugga-chugga WOO WOO!” “Hey, are you Arsenio Hall? WOO! WOO! WOO! WOO!” It sucked. But I overcame it and learned to love my last name. Now I have to start all over with a new one? So not fair.

So for better or worse, I am “officially” changing my name. To be honest, I don’t think I’ll really notice the difference. I mean, I get Facebook, Twitter and my blog — what else is there? And I guess when we have babies, it’ll be nice to all have one name and not confuse the teachers and stuff. And a teeny part of me is even excited to change it. Mr. and Mrs [Same last name] is kinda fun. “Hi, we’re the [Same last name]s!” Cute.

Gawd, I’m so accommodating. Best wife ever.

WOO!

Edited to add: Many people who know Matt and I have said, “Well, you can always hyphenate your last name,” but then they’ll think of what our names would sound like together and they’ll burst into maniacal laughter. Yeah, it doesn’t work, unfortunately.

Oh God, is that title too harsh? I’m so sorry.

Hi, I’m Michelle and I’m an apologiholic.

I was just realizing that today. Every email I’ve sent begins with “I’m sorry.”

I’m sorry for getting back to you so late.
I’m sorry, but I’ve changed my mind.
I’m sorry for the confusion.
I’m sorry for all the emails!

Do I really screw up so much that I must ask for forgiveness for every little thing? I don’t know but it’s truly exhausting.

I need to stop feeling guilty about my imperfections and things that are often beyond my control. I need to have confidence in the fact that I’m doing the best that I can.

Some alternatives to the awful S word:

Thanks for your patience.
I’ve come up with a new plan.
Let me clear the confusion.
Hello again!

This is my New Day’s Resolution. Stop with apologies. I’ve got nothing to be sorry about.

When it comes to my forthcoming marriage, what I am most looking forward to, and also most nervous about, is, well, living together. In this day, I suppose it’s rather odd for a couple that has been together for this long (let’s see, we reunited in 2003, so that makes it … forever) to have never cohabitated. But we just never felt the need to take that plunge. (Um, you think I’d give up my rent-free room in my parents’ spacious abode to share a teeny apartment with a boy who hates floral comforters? Heck nah.) So it’s gonna be an adjustment. And to be honest, I have no idea how it’s gonna pan out.

First, here’s what I’m excited about:

— Getting to see Matt all the time.

— Nesting. I don’t really know what that means, but I think it includes decorating?

— Becoming domesticated. Can’t wait to finally wear all the cute aprons people have bought me over the years (gag gifts, mostly) and learn to cook!

— Hosting dinner parties (uh, assuming that whole “learn to cook” thing works out).

And here’s what I’m slightly freaked out about:

— Having to see Matt all. the. time. OK, this is gonna be weird. Even though we’ve been together for so long, because we live apart, I still feel like our days together are like dates. There’s a goodbye kiss at the end. Keyword: End. At the end is when I begin my ‘me’ time. I can do my freelance work, blog, dawdle on the internet, straighten up my room or just veg—all in peaceful solitude. Once we live together, THERE IS NO END. Once, he was like, when we get married, we’ll have to shower together to save water. (Ladies, it’s a trick!) And I was like, but I do my best thinking in the shower! I need to be alone! And he was like, sorry, you’ll have to talk to Mother Earth. Dude. We’re totally gonna be up in each other’s grill. When do I get my ‘me’ time?

— Decorating.

— Becoming domesticated. A recent conversation:

Me: When we get married, I’m gonna cook for you!

Matt: Why do you hate me?

— Bills and such. Le sigh.

In the end, everything will work out because we love each other. Right? RIGHT? Married people, stop laughing at me! No really, we are slowly but surely discussing our current living habits and what we might need to adjust in order to cohabitate sanely.

What’s most exciting about the move is that every day, I’ll get to fall asleep and wake up next to my husband (weirdweirdweirdweird!!!!).

That I can get used to.

This weekend was wonderful. Saw some of my favorite people. Laughed a lot. Picnicked outside. (Can you believe it? Just a day after Storm Watch 2010. California is silly.) Ate too much. Drank just enough.

Also, I really love my boyfriend/future husband. (I’ve decided “fiancé” is just not for me. I giggle-gag a little every time I say it.) Despite his predictions, I think we’re gonna have a very good life together.

That is all. This post has no point but maybe that’s the point. (I’m so deep.) Happy Monday.

via Le Love

I am very, very excited (and have been so, so anxious) to show you our Save The Date video! It was fun to make (right, Matt?) and it’s so very us.

Director, producer, screenplay co-writer, co-star: Matt
Screenplay co-writer, co-star: Me

Seven more months.

You know you picked an awesome wedding planner when she asks you how you envision your big day and you’re like, uhhhhhh, HAPPY! FUN! POM POMS!

And then she comes up with this:

Thanks Paige, I don’t even need a wedding anymore. I can just stare at this glorious inspiration board all day.

More wedding stuff to share soon! Yipee skipee.

I recently bought the “Wicked” soundtrack and have listened to this song about 72 million times. It makes me think of a few people who have entered and left my life.

I really like this behind-the-scenes clip.

“For Good”

It’s been a looooong week (and it’s not over yet! lamepants!) but just wanted to check in and answer one of your questions.

Andhari asks: Who do you think are the top 5 hottest celebrities ever?

Well, I don’t know about ever, but here are a few guys I think are pretty dreamy. You’re totally gonna judge me.

I love me some Kobe. I think he has the perfect head. That sounds weird, I know.

My celeb-crush on actor Daniel Henney is a bit inappropriate since I interviewed him for work. But-but-but swoooon.

Oh, I can’t resist that British cockiness. I even wrote him a poem.

That’s all I’ve got for now. Wanna help me choose another two celeb lovahs? Who’s on your list?

A conversation I had with my friend Jenny, a real-life bartender, about serving beer and soda at our wedding.

Me: Should bartenders pour bottles into glasses or is it okay to just hand people the bottles?

Jenny: Just give people the bottles. You weren’t under the impression your friends were classy people were you?

Me: We want semi-classy!

Jenny: With the right set up, even grabbing drinks from a cooler can be classy. It could be really cute if you had huge tins filled with ice, flowers and bottles of beverages.

Me: Yeah, maybe. But there is a thin line between charming and ghetto.

Jenny: Charming is just ghetto dressed up to go out.

Me: Hahaha, there is a blog post in here somewhere I’m sure.