Viva Mexico!

(The Classic Tourists)

Jason and I have just returned from our long-awaited honeymoon cruise to the Mexican Riviera. It's amazing to me that I waited months for a week long trip that flew by in the blink of an eye. And although a vast majority of our fellow "cruisers" were over the age of 60, we had a good first cruise experience. We made friends early on with another honeymooning couple and stuck together during our trips ashore and on the ship. Jason and I both fell in love with Puerto Vallarta and have seriously discussed spending an extended period of time there after I graduate. The people were very friendly, its a beautiful place, and I could improve my Spanish speaking abilities. We shall see what happens...

 

In some ways I actually enjoy the anticipation of vacation more than the vacation itself because I'm aware of the disappointment I'll experience when I come home. However, this time I had something else to look forward to when we came home. No, silly goose, it wasn't starting school the day after we got back, it's my trip to Philly over MLK weekend to visit my best friends Jeff and Laura. I booked my trip to Philly on a whim without even talking to them first because the tickets were so cheap I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Lucky for me Jeff and Laura didn't have any prior plans and were glad I acted so impulsively. It will be my first trek out there and I am so excited! I miss them both like crazy. We have some pretty outrageous expectations about how epic this weekend will be and I only hope I can live up to half of them! Time will tell. Until then....

Things to Celebrate...

In order to maintain some semblance of sanity, I feel it's important to reflect on the things that make me happy. Here is my list, in no particular order:

• Watching Inga sleep; she looks so peaceful and content.
• Cuddling with Jason for fifteen minutes every morning before getting up for the day.
• Skinny white mocha lattes.
• Fall colors and crisp weather.
• Sweaters.
• Live concerts. Outdoor, indoor, big, small- it doesn't matter, I love them all.
• Going out to dinner with good friends.
• Rainy days.
• Sleeping in.
• Discovering good, new music. (Check out my latest obsession, Blue Sky Black Death)
• Boating with my family.
• Camping. 
• Laying in the grass on a warm, sunny day. 

What makes you happy? 

Mr. J and Mrs. J

It's been made official, legally bound, and witnessed by many. Jason and I are now married! The whole three days leading up to and including our wedding day are a blur. The five-ish hours beginning with the ceremony and leading up to our departure felt like they really only lasted twenty minutes. 

I have never had the privilege of having everyone I am close to and love in the same room at the same time. It was so much fun and totally chaotic. I can't wait to get the pictures back... in about 16 weeks, according to my overpriced photographer. 

I can't begin to describe how wonderful it feels to be rid of the stress wedding planning brings. And I fully understand why most people go on a honeymoon directly following the wedding. We have to wait a couple of months before departing on our Mexican Riviera cruise. I'm sure we'll be grateful for it all the same. I can't wait to share the sun, sand, and margaritas with my Mr. J.

One week after the "I do's", I was laying on a hospital bed doped up on a "morphine cocktail" to help numb the pain of passing a kidney stone. I have never experienced this horrendous pain before and hope that this is the first and only experience I have to endure. No more soda for this girl! The least glamorous part about a kidney stone ordeal is having to filter your urine in the days following in an attempt to catch the little bugger. Talk about inconvenient! Who wants to carry a funnel shaped object around campus? Better yet, since they can be re-used a few times, where do I put it after said use!? If someone can come up with a reasonable suggestion, I'll consider it. 

Well, back to paper writing. I've procrastinated long enough and this thing isn't going to write itself. 

xoxox

Distracted student 

Mad About MAD MEN!

I love, love, love Mad Men! If you haven't seen this show, you must check it out. It's the best kept secret of TV. 

MM is about the lives of ad execs on Madison Avenue in the early 60s. The sexism, racism, and amazing style fulfills every notion those of us who weren't there to live it have. Not that sexism and racism are to be celebrated, of course. It's just amazing to watch how politically incorrect, by today's standards anyway, they behaved. 

The best part about MM is that it doesn't give you all the answers. It implies a lot and leaves you to fill in the details. I imagine everyone who watches this phenomenal show understand it in unique ways. 

I highly recommend picking up the first season before jumping into the second. Although, you can kind of pick up anywhere because the story lines don't totally rely on a consecutive order. 

Check it out on Sunday nights on AMC and get back to me!!!

Bad Blogger! Bad!

I feel terrible. I have neglected this blog for far too long. And not for lack of anything to say, mind you, but rather for lack of time or concentration. You know how after not seeing a friend for an extended period of time the mere thought of having to catch them up on all the current events is too daunting so you continue to avoid contact? Well that's how I felt. Rather than simply say, "I'm fine, thanks. How are you?" and leave it at that, I wanted to be able to spend some serious time explicating my life over the last five-ish months.

I don't have that time right now, actually. I am currently in the middle of furiously writing a paper for my gender communication class that is due tomorrow... it wasn't written in my planner, therefore it did not exist in my mind... until the day before it's due. Ugh. 

This does provide a pretty accurate picture of my life at this particular junction. I am a student, employee, director, wedding planner, family member, fiance, and friend all at the same time. There is not enough room in ten people's heads, let alone mine by itself, to accommodate all that needs to be processed mentally. However futile, I am trying.

Luckily, I see light at the end of this tunnel.

November 1st: I stop wedding planning and start enjoying my marriage. 

December 15th-ish: I am finished being a student, for the time being and can enjoy a few weeks off. This is also the time I will be taking my long awaited honeymoon.

May 5th-ish: My term as Director is done. 

I don't know if visualizing deadlines/endpoints/etc. is necessarily an optimistic way to look at things but it certainly helps me get through the day. I also have an incredible support system, when I let them, that is there for me in all of the roles I attempt to fulfill each day. 

Back to arguing for the legalization of same-sex marriage. I promise not to let so much time lapse before writing again. 

xoxox

Bad Blogger

President Obama

Although I'm a little skeptical as to the accuracy of the delegate count, I am hopeful that Barack has, in fact, secured the Democratic nomination. Besides, does anyone really think that Hillary is going to let it go that easily? I wouldn't put it past her to hack the computer system to include her name on the ballot. The woman is crazy.

Aside from Barack's policies and intentions, the man had me when he danced with Ellen DeGeneres on her show... twice! The man has moves and everyone knows that the success of a United States president depends soley on his ability to two-step. We will once again rise to the top and regain world dominance because our president can keep rythm.

And while we're on the topic of candidates.... John McCain scares me. I'm sure that after being a POW for some time he developed an uncanny inner strength. However, what's to say that he won't have a flash back to prison camp and attack a busboy with a butter knife at a state dinner? Crazier shit has happened, i.e. electing G.W. .... twice!

Pay it Forward Prize!

I recently won my blogger and real life friend Alas' Pay it Forward prize (by default because mine was the only real entry) and this is what I found in my mailbox yesterday! I am proud to say that I finally own a piece of Juicy Couture! Now I need suggestions for what to wear them with. I don't want to cover them with socks or pants but that leaves few options. Any ideas? Thanks again, Alas!

I fully intend to Pay it Forward as well. Alas had a Juicy themed contest and in the spirit of my eco passions I will have an Eco Pay it Forward contest! I'll let you know when it begins... I gotta get some readers first!