So I depart on my much anticipated Costa Rican adventure in 5 days and I'm nervous. I've been gearing up for this trip for more than 6 months and for some reason, I feel moderatley stressed about it. It could be a combination of my other irrational stressing these days but I feel strangely worried. I'm trying to ignore it and focus in on my excitment.
On Tuesday, I went and bought a hiking backpack and some hiking boots. I've never done anything like this before but dammit, I'm going to look the part ;) Maybe backpacking will become a new hobby of mine. For the cost of the accessories, it should.
I'm mostly nervous about the fact that I'm going on this trip with a group of total strangers. The first time I meet them will be in the airport a few hours before departure. I'm sure they'll be great but the thought of meeting 15 people i'll be spending the next week and half of my life with intimidates me a bit.
Really, despite all my nervous tension, I know this is going to be the trip of a lifetime. I complain about the cost and all the things I have to buy that I may never use again but in the end, I really don't care. What good is money if you don't spend it? And this is certainly a worthwhile investment.
I'll get my stuff together over the weekend, chill out and see Dave Chappelle on Monday and gear up for this serious adventure on Tuesday. Screw my nervousness. It's going to be great. I know it.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Monday, August 14, 2006
In the afterglow of reflection
It was perfect. I wouldn't have changed a thing. April and Jake's wedding was just... wonderful. April looked stunning. I could barely hold back tears when I looked at her. She was so calm and collected. So happy. It was beautiful.
The ceremony was short and sweet. Alicia and Joel's rendition of "Baby I love your way" was unforgetable. It was a perfect day. Warm and pleasant. Everyone looked fabulous. I barely recognized myself in the pictures I saw yesterday.
Despite being a nervous wreck, moreso even than the bride herself, I pulled it together enough to walk down the aisle smiling ear-to-ear rather than with that look of nervous panic that I envisioned on the drive to the church. I didn't cough. But I cried. I thought I'd be a rock, April's voice of reason but there was so much emotion I couldn't help it. It's funny how things that are so happy bring people to tears. It's strange to smile and cry at the same time.
The reception was also unforgetable. I couldn't have imagined it any other way. The speeches were amusing, heartfelt and honest and I even managed to get through mine without sobbing uncontrollably.
Everyone was so happy.
The food was fantastic and the band was great. It was so nice to see so many different generations of couples out on the dance floor having a great time together. It was a great party.
I'm having trouble concentrating at work today. I keep staring off into the distance of my computer screen with a silly grin on my face remembering the whole weekend.
I couldn't be happier for April and Jake. You two are really some kind of wonderful :)
The ceremony was short and sweet. Alicia and Joel's rendition of "Baby I love your way" was unforgetable. It was a perfect day. Warm and pleasant. Everyone looked fabulous. I barely recognized myself in the pictures I saw yesterday.
Despite being a nervous wreck, moreso even than the bride herself, I pulled it together enough to walk down the aisle smiling ear-to-ear rather than with that look of nervous panic that I envisioned on the drive to the church. I didn't cough. But I cried. I thought I'd be a rock, April's voice of reason but there was so much emotion I couldn't help it. It's funny how things that are so happy bring people to tears. It's strange to smile and cry at the same time.
The reception was also unforgetable. I couldn't have imagined it any other way. The speeches were amusing, heartfelt and honest and I even managed to get through mine without sobbing uncontrollably.
Everyone was so happy.
The food was fantastic and the band was great. It was so nice to see so many different generations of couples out on the dance floor having a great time together. It was a great party.
I'm having trouble concentrating at work today. I keep staring off into the distance of my computer screen with a silly grin on my face remembering the whole weekend.
I couldn't be happier for April and Jake. You two are really some kind of wonderful :)
Friday, August 11, 2006
On the anniversary of the Green Day concert...
Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the Green Day concert that April and Tina and I went to last year. I loved that concert. Definitley the highlight of last summer. But what is more noteworthy about tomorrow is that it is the day that my dear friend April gets married! MARRIED!! I joked at the concert that Green Day was their one-year pre-anniversary to which Jake curtly informed me was not a "real thing." Nevertheless, tomorrow is the big day and I can hardly beleive it. This is a big day for me too. My first friend to get married and my first time as a bridesmaid. I actually feel a little nervous about it.
I have this stupid cold still and I'm worried i'll cough through their ceremony. I'm worried i'll be sniffing and sneezing while they're trying to say their vows and everyone will remember me as that girl that ruined the serenity of the nuptials. I'm worried I won't feel well enough to enjoy myself and that the drugs i'm taking to mask the pain of this wretched sinus cold will make me loopy and dilirious.
I'm worried about my speech. I'm worried its too sappy and too short and that it doesn't do justice to how awesome April and Jake are.
I'm worried about the bruises and random cuts on my legs and if they'll show up in the wedding photos and I'll look like some moronic clutz or abused woman. I'm worried that my tan lines from too many days at the beach are going to look silly with my strapless dress.
I'm worried that I'll cry like an emotional basketcase at this wedding and make a big jerk of myself. I'm worried my gift isn't good enough.
If I'm this worried, I can hardly imagine how April must feel.
But I'll do the best I can despite my overall trivial concerns. I'm really looking forward to this wedding. It's been a big build up and I can't wait to see it all come together.
Congratulations April and Jake! "I always knew there was a hint of forever about you two!"
I have this stupid cold still and I'm worried i'll cough through their ceremony. I'm worried i'll be sniffing and sneezing while they're trying to say their vows and everyone will remember me as that girl that ruined the serenity of the nuptials. I'm worried I won't feel well enough to enjoy myself and that the drugs i'm taking to mask the pain of this wretched sinus cold will make me loopy and dilirious.
I'm worried about my speech. I'm worried its too sappy and too short and that it doesn't do justice to how awesome April and Jake are.
I'm worried about the bruises and random cuts on my legs and if they'll show up in the wedding photos and I'll look like some moronic clutz or abused woman. I'm worried that my tan lines from too many days at the beach are going to look silly with my strapless dress.
I'm worried that I'll cry like an emotional basketcase at this wedding and make a big jerk of myself. I'm worried my gift isn't good enough.
If I'm this worried, I can hardly imagine how April must feel.
But I'll do the best I can despite my overall trivial concerns. I'm really looking forward to this wedding. It's been a big build up and I can't wait to see it all come together.
Congratulations April and Jake! "I always knew there was a hint of forever about you two!"
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
If you think you're hot, go to Miami
Miami is fantastic. Great beaches, great places to eat, hot cars, hot people and bars that literally stay open all night. But if there's one place on earth that can make you feel like a poor, lowly nobody, Miami is it.
The amount of money in that city is insane. Millions is like pocket change. The cars are nicer than anything I could ever imagine owning, the houses are too good to even beleive and if you ever think you're an attractive person, Miami is a nice place to go for a wake-up call. I've never felt like such an unattractive nobody in my whole life walking around on Ocean Drive on a Friday night. The people are absolutley stunning and dressed to impress. Tourists stick out like a sore thumb. Any attempt to blend in was entirely futile.
That being said, I certainly had a nice time pretending. Graham and I creeped around in Loews, an absolutley gorgeous hotel on Miami Beach and lurked around in the conference rooms at the Ritz Carleton. His friend Kishore gave us a driving tour of the city and we got to see some multi-million dollar homes belonging to the rich and famous. His absolute nonchalance at his friend's $8-million dollar home is mind boggling. Any of his friends would likely scoff in disgust at the welfare-esque style housing I call my apartment.
We also got to see the ocean-front mansion of the late Gianni Versace which looked rather vampire-like and creepy at night. Our big plan to hang around outside and wait for our invitation to party with some supermodels certainly never came to fruition.
Overall though, an absolutley fantastic place to visit. It's a great place for a reality check for anyone experiencing a temporary bout of arrogance.
I'd go back in a second, even if I could never hope to blend in with the impressive crowds that live there.
The amount of money in that city is insane. Millions is like pocket change. The cars are nicer than anything I could ever imagine owning, the houses are too good to even beleive and if you ever think you're an attractive person, Miami is a nice place to go for a wake-up call. I've never felt like such an unattractive nobody in my whole life walking around on Ocean Drive on a Friday night. The people are absolutley stunning and dressed to impress. Tourists stick out like a sore thumb. Any attempt to blend in was entirely futile.
That being said, I certainly had a nice time pretending. Graham and I creeped around in Loews, an absolutley gorgeous hotel on Miami Beach and lurked around in the conference rooms at the Ritz Carleton. His friend Kishore gave us a driving tour of the city and we got to see some multi-million dollar homes belonging to the rich and famous. His absolute nonchalance at his friend's $8-million dollar home is mind boggling. Any of his friends would likely scoff in disgust at the welfare-esque style housing I call my apartment.
We also got to see the ocean-front mansion of the late Gianni Versace which looked rather vampire-like and creepy at night. Our big plan to hang around outside and wait for our invitation to party with some supermodels certainly never came to fruition.
Overall though, an absolutley fantastic place to visit. It's a great place for a reality check for anyone experiencing a temporary bout of arrogance.
I'd go back in a second, even if I could never hope to blend in with the impressive crowds that live there.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
It's so hot I have a cold
Does that make any sense? I was quite convinced yesterday that my allergy-like symptoms were the fault of an overused air conditioning system at work and the super contrast between the sauna-like outdoors and the sweater-worthy temperatures in the office. But no, it's just as I feared: I have a cold.
Its been months since I've had so much as a sniffle and now, days before a long anticipated trip to Miami, I have that annoying runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, muscle aching common cold.
But I won't let it get me down. I'll will it out of my body with a good attitude and only kind, healthy activities. I'll eat apples and get lots of sleep. I'll drink water not coffee and read a book instead of going to the bar.
Ugh. Colds. There's always a glimmer of hope though because if you can't beat 'em, drug 'em :)
Its been months since I've had so much as a sniffle and now, days before a long anticipated trip to Miami, I have that annoying runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, muscle aching common cold.
But I won't let it get me down. I'll will it out of my body with a good attitude and only kind, healthy activities. I'll eat apples and get lots of sleep. I'll drink water not coffee and read a book instead of going to the bar.
Ugh. Colds. There's always a glimmer of hope though because if you can't beat 'em, drug 'em :)
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