Can we all pause for a minute and reflect on our choices in life?
Great.
Here's the thing: we all make choices and subsequently live with those choices. Does anyone else live with them? Sometimes. I'm not talking drinking and driving or texting and driving or stealing or anything like that. I'm talking personal choices. Like what we want to be when we grow up or dating or having children.
Whose business is any of these things but our own?
I am at a place in my life where my friends are married: whether getting married or having been married. Kids are in the picture: at least three of my friends had children this year or announced they are expecting. These people have steady jobs, homes, lives.
That is GREAT for them. They are happy, I'm over the moon for them.
But if ONE MORE PERSON in my life asks me when I'm going to get married, or how my mom feels about not having grand children yet, I might just scream at them. Honestly.
DO NOT FORCE ME INTO YOUR COOKIE CUTTER EXISTENCE.
If I have ever given anyone the implication that I am living my life for anyone other than myself, I apologize. That was the wrong message.
Your life stops when you have a kid; you can never live for anyone but that kid ever again and I am not ready to make that sacrifice. Hell, I probably would never be ready for that. I can't even get a puppy because that means no more travelling.
I have no desire to be married at this point in my life. I am distrusting of marrige because the popular opinion today seems to be that marriage is disposable. I, on the other hand, do not view divorce as an option in my life. But even then, I cannot account for the other person. What if one day he wakes up and simply doesn't want to be married any more?
If I had met someone I thought I could spend the rest of my life with, I would probably be married now. Obviously that hasn't happened.
I don't expect everyone to agree with me necessarily, especially when I am so involved in a church environment - that's what people do. Mate and procreate. All I want is for you to maybe stop and think for a second.
...
And stop expecting people to do things your way because it may not be the right way for whomever you are submitting to your ideology.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
Second Star to the Right
One day I will stop missing Macau.
Today is not that day.
It pops up in the most random of times: like when I pack a salad for lunch and I think about how much I miss my China tupperware with the rubber ring and the clips on the sides that made it airtight.
Or when I make hummus and it doesn't taste the same without those awesome Portugese chickpeas with the seasoning by Compal.
Or how much I freaking miss Philippine mangoes. That one may NEVER go away. I will miss those forever, I think. America can genetically modify their fruits all they want, but they will never be as good as those damn mangoes.
I went to a Thai restaurant the other day - the green papaya salad was spicy, but more towards ripe papaya salad. I think they missed the memo about "green" and that made me miss Tuk Tuk and their lettuce wraps, pad Thai, and those delicious coconut blended drinks. So. Delicious. It made me laugh though, over the distinction between American Chinese and China Chinese. That must extend to all other foods as well. What I wouldn't give for some Catfish sushi (our favorite in Macau)...
I keep thinking my reentry process is done and then a moment reminds me it was my home.
I miss Clara Chameleon. I wear my necklace from Courtney and Marley all the time and miss them millions.
Part of my problem, I'm sure, is that I'm still living with Mom and Morgan. I LOVE living at home - for the obvious reasons. Free rent, food, my bed is comfy cozy, my dogs and cats are here, there is a laundry facility (at least I do my own laundry, right?). I miss having my own space: room for things. My books on a bookshelf, my paintings on a wall, my comforter on my bed. I need to make this move permanent, or I will continue to mourn what I miss about Macoma.
In that vein, I am talking with a friend about moving to the city in January. She's really cool - Kelli and I have been friends since college and reconnected over the summer. She's going to LSU Nursing and with working more and more over there, not to mention I have always wanted to live in NOLA, it makes sense.
Another reason I'm having a hard time is the adjustment period that comes with any new job. I have been relearning American equipment, which can be tough, and the whole nature of this new job is entirely different from theater/circus. Being in a state of constant production is much more temporary than I am used to. At the circus, during production, we were working toward something that was going to stay up a while. Event production is almost opposite. It's a little like the two week stock I did in summer stock, but even MORE temporary. While I love that every day is new, it can be overwhelming. And finding where I fit in in this new company is a challenge, as well.
I was asked today by one of my bosses what I want to be when I grow up. Does anyone ever really know the answer to that question? Or is it just me?
That being said, (asked..) I was truthful: I have a difficult time thinking that far in advance. But I am happy where I am and I cannot picture myself doing anything else. Still. It all comes back to that lecture Jim gave me all the time in college: If you can picture yourself doing anything else, do it. Because this business will eat you alive otherwise. {I may be paraphrasing there}
But until I can work out whatever is going on up here (motions around head), remember "Second star to the right, and straight on til morning." Think on it - That Peter Pan. He was on to something.
Today is not that day.
It pops up in the most random of times: like when I pack a salad for lunch and I think about how much I miss my China tupperware with the rubber ring and the clips on the sides that made it airtight.
Or when I make hummus and it doesn't taste the same without those awesome Portugese chickpeas with the seasoning by Compal.
Or how much I freaking miss Philippine mangoes. That one may NEVER go away. I will miss those forever, I think. America can genetically modify their fruits all they want, but they will never be as good as those damn mangoes.
I went to a Thai restaurant the other day - the green papaya salad was spicy, but more towards ripe papaya salad. I think they missed the memo about "green" and that made me miss Tuk Tuk and their lettuce wraps, pad Thai, and those delicious coconut blended drinks. So. Delicious. It made me laugh though, over the distinction between American Chinese and China Chinese. That must extend to all other foods as well. What I wouldn't give for some Catfish sushi (our favorite in Macau)...
I keep thinking my reentry process is done and then a moment reminds me it was my home.
I miss Clara Chameleon. I wear my necklace from Courtney and Marley all the time and miss them millions.
Part of my problem, I'm sure, is that I'm still living with Mom and Morgan. I LOVE living at home - for the obvious reasons. Free rent, food, my bed is comfy cozy, my dogs and cats are here, there is a laundry facility (at least I do my own laundry, right?). I miss having my own space: room for things. My books on a bookshelf, my paintings on a wall, my comforter on my bed. I need to make this move permanent, or I will continue to mourn what I miss about Macoma.
In that vein, I am talking with a friend about moving to the city in January. She's really cool - Kelli and I have been friends since college and reconnected over the summer. She's going to LSU Nursing and with working more and more over there, not to mention I have always wanted to live in NOLA, it makes sense.
Another reason I'm having a hard time is the adjustment period that comes with any new job. I have been relearning American equipment, which can be tough, and the whole nature of this new job is entirely different from theater/circus. Being in a state of constant production is much more temporary than I am used to. At the circus, during production, we were working toward something that was going to stay up a while. Event production is almost opposite. It's a little like the two week stock I did in summer stock, but even MORE temporary. While I love that every day is new, it can be overwhelming. And finding where I fit in in this new company is a challenge, as well.
I was asked today by one of my bosses what I want to be when I grow up. Does anyone ever really know the answer to that question? Or is it just me?
That being said, (asked..) I was truthful: I have a difficult time thinking that far in advance. But I am happy where I am and I cannot picture myself doing anything else. Still. It all comes back to that lecture Jim gave me all the time in college: If you can picture yourself doing anything else, do it. Because this business will eat you alive otherwise. {I may be paraphrasing there}
But until I can work out whatever is going on up here (motions around head), remember "Second star to the right, and straight on til morning." Think on it - That Peter Pan. He was on to something.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
My Oh My, Where Has The Time Gone??
I stopped writing, to be honest, because I was bored with my own life. Recent events have changed that about myself.
I got a job! My new job is awesome, I loves it (most of it). Like any job, it has ups and downs, but I am using my degree and working in my chosen field AND... The best part... I get to travel!
In fact, we're on our way to Canada this weekend for a themed 5k. I'm certainly not running, but my new company is producing it, so it will definitely be interesting. My stress level is at Macau-level highs. Remember how Asia turned me into a terrible flier? Yeah. Me too. And it promises to be down right cold in Canada at night and I plan to pack accordingly. I am so not ready for the fall weather that cropped up in Louisiana recently! I sit in my bed typing this in a fleece, longsleeve shirt, slipper boots, and cut offs.
I've been working a lot and though the job is part time, it can be more than 40 hours a week if we have enough going on, so I stay busy. I also have another part time job on Sunday mornings. Regular money rolling in is quite a foreign concept to me, who has not really pulled a decent pay check since December. I covered my monthly expenses for the first time since moving home in September and am most pleased to report that I have finally put a tourniquet on the endless hemmorhage of money! Maybe I can slowly rebuild that nice little nest egg I came home with. Thanks to Macau's never ceasing ability to give (what, I'm not sure...), my money is temporarily trapped there. Our bank lowered their daily tranfer allowance and naturally paperwork is required to "validate" any bank accounts outside of BNU. Even if that other bank account has been attached to my BNU account for over three years.
Really, Macau? And with no notice? It surprises me more that I'm still surprised by things like this.
Oh I bought a car! That was a super big girl purchase! It's the brightest blue I could find and I love it!
That's enough news for now. Dinner time!
I got a job! My new job is awesome, I loves it (most of it). Like any job, it has ups and downs, but I am using my degree and working in my chosen field AND... The best part... I get to travel!
In fact, we're on our way to Canada this weekend for a themed 5k. I'm certainly not running, but my new company is producing it, so it will definitely be interesting. My stress level is at Macau-level highs. Remember how Asia turned me into a terrible flier? Yeah. Me too. And it promises to be down right cold in Canada at night and I plan to pack accordingly. I am so not ready for the fall weather that cropped up in Louisiana recently! I sit in my bed typing this in a fleece, longsleeve shirt, slipper boots, and cut offs.
I've been working a lot and though the job is part time, it can be more than 40 hours a week if we have enough going on, so I stay busy. I also have another part time job on Sunday mornings. Regular money rolling in is quite a foreign concept to me, who has not really pulled a decent pay check since December. I covered my monthly expenses for the first time since moving home in September and am most pleased to report that I have finally put a tourniquet on the endless hemmorhage of money! Maybe I can slowly rebuild that nice little nest egg I came home with. Thanks to Macau's never ceasing ability to give (what, I'm not sure...), my money is temporarily trapped there. Our bank lowered their daily tranfer allowance and naturally paperwork is required to "validate" any bank accounts outside of BNU. Even if that other bank account has been attached to my BNU account for over three years.
Really, Macau? And with no notice? It surprises me more that I'm still surprised by things like this.
Oh I bought a car! That was a super big girl purchase! It's the brightest blue I could find and I love it!
That's enough news for now. Dinner time!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Pinterest is the Devil
The weather has warmed up quite nicely here in South Louisiana and let me just tell you something: I love it! I am making preparations (after getting a go ahead from the parentals of course) to put in a teeny tiny vegetable garden on the side of our driveway. It's a project we all know I've wanted to do for a long time and I am finally going to do it.
This being the modern age and all, I turn to the internet for help getting started. I'm not sure what to grow and where to grow it. I know I need compost (which we have) and I need seeds. That's about it. I have a selection of herbs growing in pots, but I know they'll take over if I plant them in the bed. The remnants of my last gardening adventure are turning up all over the bed in forms of verbena and bee balm run wild. They are feet from where I planted them 3 years ago. Seriously.
Thinking "Oh, plenty of ideas can be found on Pinterest", I take myself to their gardening section to peruse some ideas while I eat breakfast and drink my coffee. What a terrible idea.
All it did was make me feel inadequate and naive for ever thinking I could undertake this sort of project. People are talking about raised beds they whipped up from scratch with things "lying around the house", beautiful mosaic stepping stones, and more types of hanging planter apparati than I could have ever imagined! Their "small garden plots" are HUGE and neat and beautifully designed. And here I was thinking I could get ideas.
The birdbaths made out of sinks are sparkling white with clean water and shiny mirrors hanging over them not a weed in sight. Nothing has taken over the garden and it all looks completely unnatural.
So obviously, after getting progressively more depressed, I've decided I will not be attempting any of these feats and go about things in my own way. I'm going to plant what I want to plant and do it my way. Some things will take off and some will undoubtedly die a slow, miserable death, BUT. I will learn as I go. It's something that people don't really do any more. In our culture, you're a failure if you don't have all the answers right off the bat. Well, screw that. I don't and I'm going to have more fun learning that way.
Wish me luck! I'm going to buy a book from the bookstore on gardening. Because I need way less options than the internet provides.
This being the modern age and all, I turn to the internet for help getting started. I'm not sure what to grow and where to grow it. I know I need compost (which we have) and I need seeds. That's about it. I have a selection of herbs growing in pots, but I know they'll take over if I plant them in the bed. The remnants of my last gardening adventure are turning up all over the bed in forms of verbena and bee balm run wild. They are feet from where I planted them 3 years ago. Seriously.
Thinking "Oh, plenty of ideas can be found on Pinterest", I take myself to their gardening section to peruse some ideas while I eat breakfast and drink my coffee. What a terrible idea.
All it did was make me feel inadequate and naive for ever thinking I could undertake this sort of project. People are talking about raised beds they whipped up from scratch with things "lying around the house", beautiful mosaic stepping stones, and more types of hanging planter apparati than I could have ever imagined! Their "small garden plots" are HUGE and neat and beautifully designed. And here I was thinking I could get ideas.
The birdbaths made out of sinks are sparkling white with clean water and shiny mirrors hanging over them not a weed in sight. Nothing has taken over the garden and it all looks completely unnatural.
So obviously, after getting progressively more depressed, I've decided I will not be attempting any of these feats and go about things in my own way. I'm going to plant what I want to plant and do it my way. Some things will take off and some will undoubtedly die a slow, miserable death, BUT. I will learn as I go. It's something that people don't really do any more. In our culture, you're a failure if you don't have all the answers right off the bat. Well, screw that. I don't and I'm going to have more fun learning that way.
Wish me luck! I'm going to buy a book from the bookstore on gardening. Because I need way less options than the internet provides.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Inactivity: Thing of the Past
I feel like I finally regained control of my life.
Maybe.
I at least started being proactive instead of waiting for a lightening bolt of clarity to strike me, sitting on my couch for ever.
EIGHT, yeah eight!, applications were sent yesterday. Not really holding my breath for any of them, but I can say I did it and that was the important thing. They're floating out there in the internet email ether and though I may never know if they reached their final destination it feels good to do something again.
I will never be able to fully retire though. I know that now. People like me are not good at being left to their own devices. We need a purpose, a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It's much too easy to sit in bed until 11 every day, waiting for something that may never come.
So if you live overseas and are contemplating coming home, let me put this to you: get a job first. Have something, anything to come back to. Don't set it aside and wait until the perfect thing comes along, because you probably won't recognize it when it does. Rarely do we get something perfect. We have to make it perfect for ourselves. That's the most important thing to remember, I feel like I think about this alot: everything is what we make it. So don't make it suck. Make it more awesome. (To paraphrase my new favorite youtube: Kid President. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and watch it. That kid is amazing!!!)
Kid President's Pep Talk
Maybe.
I at least started being proactive instead of waiting for a lightening bolt of clarity to strike me, sitting on my couch for ever.
EIGHT, yeah eight!, applications were sent yesterday. Not really holding my breath for any of them, but I can say I did it and that was the important thing. They're floating out there in the internet email ether and though I may never know if they reached their final destination it feels good to do something again.
I will never be able to fully retire though. I know that now. People like me are not good at being left to their own devices. We need a purpose, a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It's much too easy to sit in bed until 11 every day, waiting for something that may never come.
So if you live overseas and are contemplating coming home, let me put this to you: get a job first. Have something, anything to come back to. Don't set it aside and wait until the perfect thing comes along, because you probably won't recognize it when it does. Rarely do we get something perfect. We have to make it perfect for ourselves. That's the most important thing to remember, I feel like I think about this alot: everything is what we make it. So don't make it suck. Make it more awesome. (To paraphrase my new favorite youtube: Kid President. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and watch it. That kid is amazing!!!)
Kid President's Pep Talk
Monday, January 28, 2013
Speak Up
Honesty is the best policy, so let's be honest: I am not adjusting well. Now that the wedding is over and out of the way, I feel like I'm paralyzed by the weight of what I have done and the traumatizing cycle of self-inflicted inaction.
Not very clear? I will elaborate.
I quit my job. I have no health insurance. I left my friends and home for the last 2.5 years behind. I live with my mom and little sister again, making me a boomerang child. I have a small pile of money in the bank that is evanescing, seemingly with every heartbeat. I don't have a car and every where in Southeast Louisiana requires one to get to. I have no job prospects. I have no clue what I want to do. Again. This is familiar territory, I have to be honest.
Still no clue how people decide what they want to be when they grow up. I want to hide in my bed and watch my favorite movies for hours on end, eating pints of ice cream and drinking beer after beer after beer.
For those of you who are not familiar with it, let me quote a description of Stage 3 reverse culture shock from a link sent to me by Erin, who has thankfully moved on to Stage 4 of her reassimilation process. To quote the studentsabroad.com handbook on reverse culture shock:
"You may experience feelings of frustration, anger, alienation, loneliness, disorientation, and helplessness and not understand exactly why. You might quickly become irritated or critical of others and of U.S. culture. Depression, feeling like a stranger at home, and the longing to go back abroad are also not uncommon reactions. You may also feel less independent than you were in the country of your choice."
It's like they KNOW! I am all of these things! It doesn't say anything about wanting to eat and drink my feelings, but I think they knew that too. Or maybe that's just my coping mechanism.
Don't get me wrong. I struggled mightily when I moved to China. It was H-A-R-D. Like hard for a very long time. Maybe a year. But once I settled my mind to living there, it was great.
Ok, see, I knew writing this would help. I just heard my own advice in that paragraph. "Settled my mind to living there." Obviously this would intimate that running away again would not make things better. Just different.
Step by step. One decision a day. One email at a time. I will make this work.
If Justin were here, he would read this and play me some wonderful Whitney Houston song that is just perfect for the situation. Probably "Step by Step" in fact. I miss that, but just knowing what my friends would say helps.
Baby steps are all we can do. And tomorrow is a Brand. New. Day. I can get on board with that.
Not very clear? I will elaborate.
I quit my job. I have no health insurance. I left my friends and home for the last 2.5 years behind. I live with my mom and little sister again, making me a boomerang child. I have a small pile of money in the bank that is evanescing, seemingly with every heartbeat. I don't have a car and every where in Southeast Louisiana requires one to get to. I have no job prospects. I have no clue what I want to do. Again. This is familiar territory, I have to be honest.
Still no clue how people decide what they want to be when they grow up. I want to hide in my bed and watch my favorite movies for hours on end, eating pints of ice cream and drinking beer after beer after beer.
For those of you who are not familiar with it, let me quote a description of Stage 3 reverse culture shock from a link sent to me by Erin, who has thankfully moved on to Stage 4 of her reassimilation process. To quote the studentsabroad.com handbook on reverse culture shock:
"You may experience feelings of frustration, anger, alienation, loneliness, disorientation, and helplessness and not understand exactly why. You might quickly become irritated or critical of others and of U.S. culture. Depression, feeling like a stranger at home, and the longing to go back abroad are also not uncommon reactions. You may also feel less independent than you were in the country of your choice."
It's like they KNOW! I am all of these things! It doesn't say anything about wanting to eat and drink my feelings, but I think they knew that too. Or maybe that's just my coping mechanism.
Don't get me wrong. I struggled mightily when I moved to China. It was H-A-R-D. Like hard for a very long time. Maybe a year. But once I settled my mind to living there, it was great.
Ok, see, I knew writing this would help. I just heard my own advice in that paragraph. "Settled my mind to living there." Obviously this would intimate that running away again would not make things better. Just different.
Step by step. One decision a day. One email at a time. I will make this work.
If Justin were here, he would read this and play me some wonderful Whitney Houston song that is just perfect for the situation. Probably "Step by Step" in fact. I miss that, but just knowing what my friends would say helps.
Baby steps are all we can do. And tomorrow is a Brand. New. Day. I can get on board with that.
Friday, January 25, 2013
That. Just. Happened.
So my brother got married this weekend just past. Please refer to title of post.
It started out pretty rocky. Morgan - sister - and Ashley - Jimminy Cricket (my conscience/BFF) - piled in the car across the lake, parked, got through security and to our gate with time to spare. But don't worry, it wouldn't be a trip without some adventure so let's start throwing some in here:
Ashley: Alex, is our flight delayed?
Me (Alex): No, why?
Ashley: My mom just got a call from US Air saying our flight wasn't leaving till 3pm. (It is now roughly 130 and our flight is scheduled to leave around 220pm)
Me: Hmmmm. Well, I guess we'll find out. I'm refusing to stress about it.
And stress I did not. That was huge for me, we should all admit. I did get a little nervous when our pilots began to discuss how flights in and out of Atlanta were screwed due to some massive winter storm that somehow escaped all of our knowledge while we were wedding planning. Fascinating.
Long story short: LOTS of turbulence flying above that massive winter storm to Charlotte and a delay flying out due to weather - lots of rain - but we all made it in one piece, with all our luggage AND all our dresses/ wedding finery. Winning!
We got in late though so Thursday was over except for dinner and a celebratory Corona - my celebrating landing safely twice in one day. There were some moments in the air where I freely admit I was wondering whether the wedding would go on if we died in flight. Have I mentioned 2 years in Asia made me a terrible flier?
Friday was wedding-tastic! A bit of a lie-in, lunch with the beautiful bride (my sister in law now - eek!) Then an attempt to find a cardigan for the evening - how I made it to Lexington without a single cardigan I will NEVER know. I own at least 20. My purple one made it, but it didn't match anything in my trousseau for the weekend. Lame. Finding nothing, we booked it back to the hotel to prepare for the rehearsal dinner. All I'll say is hair washing and stockings take way longer than my average prep time.
At the rehearsal, I cried. She cried. He cried. My mom cried. Her mom cried. Pretty sure we all cried at some point. Then dinner - which was wonderful! I love fried chicken. Can I just say that? Also, thanks Mom for putting me in the corner table. Seriously, if you're planning a wedding and your sister/friends are anything like me/our's it doesn't matter if we're near the head table or not. We'd probably rather not be. So much fun! I learned much about this band - One Direction - from my 10 year old cousin who loves ... Liam best. He's from Ireland. And Harry has a pair of doves tattooed on his chest which one of the four grown twenty-something boys at the table knew. Scary, right? I know.
Sometimes living in China was a godsend. Never thought I'd say it, but give me Canto pop over One Direction trivia any day.
Saturday morning dawned bright and early. I overslept and at 720 had to wash my hair - curly hair sucks when it comes to next day styling - and rush out into the frozen tundra to get ready with Michelle - the bride. All went well until I went on an errand for the maid/matron of honor: deliver the wedding band. To Quentin. I accomplished my mission, took one look at my brother and burst into tears. Which the photographer thought was great. Super. Thanks for that buddy. Because while you're taking pictures of me crying on my baby brother's shoulder, all I can think is my mom saying "You're not a pretty crier. None of us are." She did say that. Fact. I couldn't make this stuff up, it totally writes itself. So can't wait for those pictures to come out.
Anywho. They cried saying their vows, I almost started sobbing in the middle of the ceremony, clutching my hankie and my bouquet trying to discreetly not smudge my mascara OR eyeliner. Neither of which are waterproof because I do love a challenge. Barely made it to the reception in one piece. But the eyeliner and mascara: FLAWLESS. NO CLUE how that happened. The reception was awesome: hot chocolate bar: winning! Hung out with some awesome people and ended the night with a dance party featuring Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and naturally Ke$ha.
The after party, though, ya'll made the entire trip. Most fun I have had since I moved back from Macau, that is for sure. Also the most fun I will have in a long time I feel certain. Swimming in the pool, then Mexican, then hanging out in the "Business Center" of an under renovation hotel until 330am. Why? Because we got business. So Ashley, Morgan, Jen, Joe, Emily, Matt, Seth, Eric, Caleb, Michael, Wade: Thanks. Let's do that again, but maybe not in Wilmore. Maybe somewhere nearer the gulf coast.
Thanks for braving the elements: the snow, the rain, the wind, the cold, the 14+ hour drive, the knee surgeries, taking time off work/school, the money. I love everyone who made it to that weekend come hell or high water. Ya'll are the awesomest friends/family ever. I do promise, though, never to get married in a northern state in the middle of winter. None of that snow business for me!
It started out pretty rocky. Morgan - sister - and Ashley - Jimminy Cricket (my conscience/BFF) - piled in the car across the lake, parked, got through security and to our gate with time to spare. But don't worry, it wouldn't be a trip without some adventure so let's start throwing some in here:
Ashley: Alex, is our flight delayed?
Me (Alex): No, why?
Ashley: My mom just got a call from US Air saying our flight wasn't leaving till 3pm. (It is now roughly 130 and our flight is scheduled to leave around 220pm)
Me: Hmmmm. Well, I guess we'll find out. I'm refusing to stress about it.
And stress I did not. That was huge for me, we should all admit. I did get a little nervous when our pilots began to discuss how flights in and out of Atlanta were screwed due to some massive winter storm that somehow escaped all of our knowledge while we were wedding planning. Fascinating.
Long story short: LOTS of turbulence flying above that massive winter storm to Charlotte and a delay flying out due to weather - lots of rain - but we all made it in one piece, with all our luggage AND all our dresses/ wedding finery. Winning!
We got in late though so Thursday was over except for dinner and a celebratory Corona - my celebrating landing safely twice in one day. There were some moments in the air where I freely admit I was wondering whether the wedding would go on if we died in flight. Have I mentioned 2 years in Asia made me a terrible flier?
Friday was wedding-tastic! A bit of a lie-in, lunch with the beautiful bride (my sister in law now - eek!) Then an attempt to find a cardigan for the evening - how I made it to Lexington without a single cardigan I will NEVER know. I own at least 20. My purple one made it, but it didn't match anything in my trousseau for the weekend. Lame. Finding nothing, we booked it back to the hotel to prepare for the rehearsal dinner. All I'll say is hair washing and stockings take way longer than my average prep time.
At the rehearsal, I cried. She cried. He cried. My mom cried. Her mom cried. Pretty sure we all cried at some point. Then dinner - which was wonderful! I love fried chicken. Can I just say that? Also, thanks Mom for putting me in the corner table. Seriously, if you're planning a wedding and your sister/friends are anything like me/our's it doesn't matter if we're near the head table or not. We'd probably rather not be. So much fun! I learned much about this band - One Direction - from my 10 year old cousin who loves ... Liam best. He's from Ireland. And Harry has a pair of doves tattooed on his chest which one of the four grown twenty-something boys at the table knew. Scary, right? I know.
Sometimes living in China was a godsend. Never thought I'd say it, but give me Canto pop over One Direction trivia any day.
Saturday morning dawned bright and early. I overslept and at 720 had to wash my hair - curly hair sucks when it comes to next day styling - and rush out into the frozen tundra to get ready with Michelle - the bride. All went well until I went on an errand for the maid/matron of honor: deliver the wedding band. To Quentin. I accomplished my mission, took one look at my brother and burst into tears. Which the photographer thought was great. Super. Thanks for that buddy. Because while you're taking pictures of me crying on my baby brother's shoulder, all I can think is my mom saying "You're not a pretty crier. None of us are." She did say that. Fact. I couldn't make this stuff up, it totally writes itself. So can't wait for those pictures to come out.
Anywho. They cried saying their vows, I almost started sobbing in the middle of the ceremony, clutching my hankie and my bouquet trying to discreetly not smudge my mascara OR eyeliner. Neither of which are waterproof because I do love a challenge. Barely made it to the reception in one piece. But the eyeliner and mascara: FLAWLESS. NO CLUE how that happened. The reception was awesome: hot chocolate bar: winning! Hung out with some awesome people and ended the night with a dance party featuring Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and naturally Ke$ha.
The after party, though, ya'll made the entire trip. Most fun I have had since I moved back from Macau, that is for sure. Also the most fun I will have in a long time I feel certain. Swimming in the pool, then Mexican, then hanging out in the "Business Center" of an under renovation hotel until 330am. Why? Because we got business. So Ashley, Morgan, Jen, Joe, Emily, Matt, Seth, Eric, Caleb, Michael, Wade: Thanks. Let's do that again, but maybe not in Wilmore. Maybe somewhere nearer the gulf coast.
Thanks for braving the elements: the snow, the rain, the wind, the cold, the 14+ hour drive, the knee surgeries, taking time off work/school, the money. I love everyone who made it to that weekend come hell or high water. Ya'll are the awesomest friends/family ever. I do promise, though, never to get married in a northern state in the middle of winter. None of that snow business for me!
Sometimes you just have the right group of people together at the right time and magic ensues.
The Jameson certainly didn't hurt, though, I can tell you that straight up. At least not in my case!
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