In the Blink of an Eye.

Yesterday I was looking like this:

Feeling great, about to head to the gym to get my run on and showing Blake how cute his Christmas present was on me.

Then at about 4am this morning, I was looking like this:

Waiting for my results in the ER because I had horribly unbearable pelvic and back pain at 1 o'clock this morning. 

Let me set the scene. 

I wake up with terrible cramping in my let pelvic region and the lower left side of my back (which was very unusual). I crawl out of bed completely doubled over in pain, pop a few ibuprofen, and lay in the shower for about 20 minutes with no relief. I eventually make it back to my bed and have to call my roommate on the phone because of the pain. Its about 1:30 at this point and she comes into my room with a heating pad and some bread. I feel totally nauseous and cannot get the pain to subside at all. I finally call a good family friend who is a nurse and tell her my symptoms. We ruled out appendicitis because it was the wrong side but the possibilities included kidney stones and an ovarian cyst rupture. She gave me the go ahead to take some Vicodin to ease the pain but about 5 seconds after I swallowed it I had to crawl to the garbage can and started vomiting. So badly in fact that it eventually turned to blood and at that point I told Grammy to get dressed because I had to go to the hospital. 

After a little bit of a delay waiting for our neighbor to come with us in case anything happened that Grammy couldn't handle, we finally made it to the ER with no waiting time. The nurse took my vitals while I writhed in pain and I was set up in my own little area. I rated my pain a 9 out of 10 and the whole time I was thinking about an old Brian Regan sketch about being put on morphine. 

Pretty funny now but I was in no condition to positively recollect. I was struggling until the nurse left and I was waiting for the doctor. 

By that point I had changed my previous praying that the pain would go away to accepting the fact that God would not give me anything I couldn't handle and almost instantly the pain subsided. It was pretty miraculous.

Then the nurse came back with the medication and the doctor decided to perform a pelvic examination because of my symptoms and was leaning toward the ovarian cyst rupture as the cause. He also wanted to get an ultrasound. Now all of this is happening at 4am and I have never experienced any of this. Every time I went to the ER in the past it was because of some lame gymnastics injury, nothing totally critical.

So I get wheeled to another room where I am informed that I have to get a catheter inserted for the ultrasound because your bladder needs to be full but not with water incase you have to get surgery... just another bonus to the night. And let me tell you, not a pleasant experience. Then I get the ultrasound which doesn't just stop with over the stomach view. That would be too easy. 

So after I am completely vulnerable and been rung out to dry I go back to wait for the results. It seems as though I did have a cyst rupture and I am prescribed pain medication and told to schedule an appointment with the OB/GYN so they can figure everything out this week. 

I am finally able to be discharged at 8 o'clock only to be surprised with a $250 co-pay... I can't think of a better way to end 2011, can you? I am very grateful and blessed that is was nothing more serious and everything looks healthy and normal on the inside. Needless to say, I did not go to work today, the insurance world just had to do with out. 

My good friend Amy came over to console me with blueberry pancakes. She is a tech at the same hospital but in the ICU unit. I texted her hoping she was working and could come see me but she came to my house instead :)

I am feeling much better but pretty weak, I'll keep my faithful readers posted... haha get it?

Boom. Posted.  

Transitions.

Recently, as in last night, I have decided that 2012 will be the year Lauren becomes a woman.

I know, I know, how could I become even more classy and sophisticated than I already am, right? Well I think there are a few areas I could improve on.

The first is wardrobe. I hate to say it but I think it is time for my Soffe shorts and wife beaters to bite the dust. Although they provided me with a wonderful look freshmen year of college... I think it is finally time to retire my old favorite ensemble.

The second is budgeting. Within the last few months I have decided that I need to develop some sort of a budget to keep me on the good savings end for the future. Also I want to be well and establish when I move on to my next chapter in life.

Which brings me to number three. My boyfriend Blake moved to Indianapolis a few weeks ago for a new and exciting job. I am very proud and happy for him but this leads to even further distance for our relationship and now the decision on my part for possibly moving out there.

Number four on the countdown to womanhood is health and fitness. I do not believe in diets but portion control and exercise... and I don't like either. Being an ex-gymnast and fairly hyperactive I have not had any problems with weight (obviously my nutrition sucks with the 'no vegetable' ordeal) but now I need to make sure I keep a healthy metabolism. Back to the gym I go.

Five would consist of not being so lazy all the time. I need to cook dinners and make cards and organize underneath my bed and clean the house... wait scratch that last one... and complete projects. There are so many things I skip over because it is easier to flop down on the couch and watch Big Bang Theory reruns. (Which, by the way, is the most hilarious of shows)

So I guess these are my New Year's Resolutions. Type to grow up and grow out... of town! I think I can do it.

Boom. Posted.

Tis the Season.

My parents recently visited for the Thanksgiving holiday and after the festivities died down it was time to bust out the Christmas decor. Needless to say we waste little time and since its usually just the roommate and me, I did not put up a fight in their wanting to help.

Christmas is always a special time of year but not for things like traditions, the house I grew up in, or waking up to a snowy yard. Actually I don't have any of those things. But the random traditions my family thinks we are starting. Like the Christmas we spent all day watching "A Christmas Story" and decided it would be way better to go to a Chinese restaurant in Sketchville, Utah then to slave around making some sort of real meal. Turned out to be a little to sketchy so we went to the next best thing... the 24 hour Mexican joint, Betos. Delicioso et Feliz Navidad.

Or the Christmas my family moved from South Carolina to Arizona and we were not only unwrapping gifts... but our whole house. And my dad went crazy and bought himself a dozen Apple Products... and a Bowflex bench. Then the light in the pool went out and Dad and Nelly joined the Polar Bear Club to fix it. Also Coco wore this:

But going even further back, there was the year Santa brought Nelly and me two adorable hamsters. But somehow Santa didn't realize Mistletoe and Spot were of different genders and later that spring Santa surprised us with another gift... 10 hamster babies. It was awesome.

Oh and one time we were driving from South Carolina to Texas and were only two hours out when our old Winstar Van broke down and we waited for hours to ride back with "Bucky" the Tow Truck Driver. Then we had to shove everything in our old Ford Contour and then make the trek back out there. Not as much leg room.

The best Christmas as a kid was in Virginia when two sets of grandparents bought us the new Nintendo64 and we got a big trampoline for the backyard. Not to mention the acquiring of the Princes Diana Beanie Baby Bear, which was the best on the market at the time. We had it all back then.

The plan this year is for my dad's parents to fly in so it will be the three grandparents and their first and favorite grandchild. So I was hoping this was going to be a great Christmas.

Well my grandparents, Oma & PopPop, showed up Tuesday afternoon so I met them and the roommate for lunch and then they toured around my office for a bit before I had to get back to work. But before their arrival my uncle had wished me a "Very 'Gerry' Christmas". "Gerry?" I replied. And he explained "Geriatric." Oh the foreshadowing was uncanny.

We had a great time during their visit but it was a littler rough Skypeing my family in Alaska and cousin in New Jersey and who is talking of who and 'what did he say' and 'I can't see anything' and... it was rough. Then we ended up having Christmas on the 24th because my grandparents fly standby since my grandfather used to work for the airlines and he was worried there were not going to make it home for their many doctor's appointements. So he scheduled them to leave at 7:30am on Christmas morning. Yay.

After they left and we got home and I went back to bed at 6am, it was like total turn around. I turned into pathetic Lauren without her family and was bawling my eyes out uncontrollably watching my parents and brother open their presents in Alaska. Pitiful.

I did nothing all day but watch T.V. I skyped a little with Blake and we exchanged our presents. Then I mustered up enough gusto to go to the gym to try out my new Nike+ thingy and then I stayed up until midnight watching The Hangover II. Merry Christmas to Me.

Okay, enough with the pity party. Today was much better. The roommate and I ran a few errands before going to see Breaking Dawn this evening. Two of the errands included going to two different Einstein's Bagels to get 39 free bagels. That's right, FO FREE! One of my friends has them cater for her work all the time and she gave them to me. Clearly she knows me and my love for Einstein's so well.

The movie was the best they've made. I like this book the best so I am now anxious for part II. It took me this long to see the one today because I really do not like to two major actors. Oh well.

I hope you and yours and a very Merry Christmas or a Happy Hanukah or a happy time realizing you didn't have a Gerry Christmas :) Just kidding roomie!

Boom. Posted.

The Ups & the Downs.

Last month the long, everlasting reign of my LG Lotus phone, otherwise known as 'the scrone', ended. It was a great Homecoming evening when, and without warning, the scrone fell through a 3 story staircase and did not survive to tell the tale.

I am still in the process of getting my old contacts back (those were lost in the great fall of 2011 as well). But its not so bad because my new iPHONE 4S has pulled my contacts from my Mac through the iCloud. Holy Moly it is so nice. Although, having the iPhone is almost equivalent to babysitting, I am in constant fear of dropping, losing, scratching or breaking it. But the paranoia is completely worth it. New phone pretty much equals new life. 

This new life has brought about many things. I am constantly connected with everything and everyone. It gets obnoxious at times but I understand the joy in posting to Facebook that I am thoroughly enjoying a single serve apple pie and ice cream. I feel as though people need to know that, they want to know that. It is important to know that Lauren is alone and is providing herself with an individual apple pie. 

Another great feature is Siri. Siri is a little device that is essentially the idea of calling up AskJeeves for whatever you want. Sometimes I be like "Yo Siri, what's the forecast, dawg" and she be all "I'm really sorry about this Lauren, but I cannot help you right now" and I be like "Siri, you trippin'"

No seriously, she can be helpful when she is connected to the network. Don't believe any of those stories you hear about her telling jokes and stuff... at least she won't for me. She could care less what I have to say to her.

She doesn't love me.

I have also been enjoying the many variety of apps on my new phone. Words with Friends is my most consistent one. I finally figured out that I need to try and use the double word and other point boosting columns, sheesh. Although this game is pretty ridiculous because I make up a word and it earns me 30 points but this won't fly:



Pull-ease.

Another thing that has happening recently, and very much unfortunately: 

I backed into something and dented my poor little Tribby. Nothing makes you more sick to your stomach then damaging your car. Ugh. Luckily my parents came in for the Thanksgiving holiday and my dad and I had some bonding time over replacing the taillight and removing the bumper. All is well now. 

There you go, update has been completely loaded.

Boom. Posted. 

Even More Surprises.

After Blake's surprise for my birthday, I knew I had to get him back. So did his father! He emailed me after he saw the video and proposed to buy me a ticket to to 'get Blake back'. How could I resist?

The Oregon vs. Arizona football game was coming up and all of the Blake's brothers would be together along with his mother, it was the perfect setup. Ryan and I flew out late Thursday night, and let me tell you, Ryan and I have been racking up the air miles together. He is a way better travel buddy then Nelson. Nelson won't let anything touch him and he always makes me sit in the middle. Even when it is a 12am flight out of Alaska and the other person next to me may or may not be pregnant and is the size of Humpty Dumpty.

So Blake had to work on Friday morning and I was nervous the whole week leading up to the surprise. I was afraid that we weren't gong to be able to get his reaction on tape, which was one of the most important aspects of the trip. I was even having nightmares that the surprise would fail or he would say things like "why are you even here..?" It was terrible.

After trying to come up with the best way to surprise him, we were hustling trying to beat him home. He lives in a new place now so I had to quickly run into his house with his mother who pseudo introduces me to his new roommates while I run to hideout in his room. Ryan, the cameraman, was with me and right before Blake busted down the door Ryan was fooling around, so he almost missed the big moment!

But it worked perfectly:

Of course, he had a way better reaction than my stupid one, but in all fairness he did scare me.


It was a great weekend. We got to spend a lot of time with his family
and went to the game.







His dad's younger brother and his family live near Portland so we spent most of the weekend with them. His grandparents are also OSU alum and they were there for the game.

We got to see his youngest brother rush Blake's fraternity. That was quite the event. They call it 'Jump' and the new pledges run out from the Union and literrally jump into the arms of their new fraternity.
Its a nice tradition. Also this Blue guy was running around all night. And you could see his tobacco can through his jumpsuit. He was just keeping things classy all around.

I don't know if I will be going up to Oregon again while Blake is in  school so it was kind of a bittersweet weekend. The town is beautiful (minus the constant drizzle) and the campus is amazing.

It was a perfect weekend and I have Blake's father to thank.

Boom. Posted.

Playing Grown Up.

I feel like a grown up these days...

I am finally at a point in my life where I can sleep with the closet door completely open and not stare at it for hours waiting for eyes to appear. I consider that quite an accomplishment considering how terrified I am of just life in general.

I have been establishing a professional wardrobe. I only very rarely leave my house looking like a slob. Just rarely.

I am not completely grown up though because if I can iron out a few wrinkles with my hair straightener than I still do. I feel as though I will never become a full adult until I can iron solely with an... iron.

I also have a credit card now. My first one. With.... a $500 a month spending limit, woo! I'm trying to build up some credit, you know, for the future, when I no longer live with my awesome roommate and have to pay bills... in five years.

I am becoming more and more involved at work (not completely, hence the time to write this post). I am close to obtaining a license to... sell, so that is pretty grown up, eh? And I am wearing professional clothes on a daily basis, boom... fashionista.

I recently discovered (well was informed by a friend who washed my car down at the clubhouse) that I had a nail in my front tire. Instead of freaking out completely, I figured out where to take it only to find that Discount Tires will patch and plug your tire... fo free! Also do a courtesy rotation, even if you didn't buy your tires from them. Life savers. While they were fixing everything up, I walked to a pizza place next door I had been wanting to try and ate lunch... by myself! I never like to do things by myself. And the pizza was delicious.

I have friends who are getting engaged and married and planing pregnancies.

I am starting to learn my way a little better around the city. Not completely though because I almost ended up in Mexcio when I was trying to go to my nail lady (whom I have been too over a dozen times). And I still have to turn the radio off the minute I realize I am lost. Concentration time. I need a GPS.

I am at job that is prominent in the community and am trusted to go to charity events with the university. Although, I did challenge one of the basketball players to a pull-up contest. I got to 6.... he got to like 36.

But I still can't eat vegetables.

Boom. Posted.

Wildlife Woes.

I forgot to mention on my previous post Bugging Out , about a situation I experienced back in college while running errands with my good friend, Cassie. There we were driving along with the windows rolled down, enjoying the crisp Arizonan air, when all of the sudden something flew into the car. Cassie began looking around frantically to identify the new intruder and finally she found the culprit:

But let me tell you something, that thing did not look as majestic and carefree as this picture portrays. It was the most horrible locust we had ever seen and about the size of a smallish rodent. As soon as we both discovered what the thing that had entered our car so invasively was, Cassie shot to the back seat while I was left to pull over.

After I parked, we both jumped out of the car instantaneously. Ever since it had first looked us square in the eyes when it flew in, we had lost its location thus we began furiously (but from a safe distance I might add) searching for it. Once located we were even more helpless because we couldn't remove it. Finally, the wretched thing flew out and we continued on our merry way but we were slightly scarred. 

Once we arrived home, I immediately got on the internet to classify this creature. I think I typed in something to the effect of "Grasshopper, huge, horrid", and the African Locust popped up. Terrifying. 

I am remembering this story all too clearly recently because I was in the backyard doing some pool work and noticing that something has once again defecated in my spotless grotto. And this is humanish size feces people. I don't know what could have made its way in there after I sprayed Raid like a mad woman in there hoping it would back off the spiders and their webs. Apparently some small human is squatting into our grotto in the middle of the night. Either that or a bobcat.... I go with the former. 

Anyway, I am brushing away when I notice this out of the corner of my eye. Not only is it the African Locust, it is two of them hoping to create more horrid locusts. But do not fret, I put a stop to that real quick with a little but of salty pool water. Killed the mood instantly.

There was no way I was just going to stand by and let this creepy things continue the reproductive circle of life. No freaking way.

Also, on my way home from work last night (I worked the fish fry again for the first time in months), there was a javelina hanging out on my driveway. Javelinas as beastly looking boars. This one even had a little circle of cactus stuck to its leg. I had to honk my horn so it would run away and I could safely open my garage door without fear it would park next to me. Luckily it ran away.

Then I noticed a coyote chasing a quail around on the side of the road leading to my neighborhood. That thing looked famished. And there was a tarantula on the sidewalk in my development the other night.

So don't worry, I'll tell you what you can deduce from all of this: I am sick of the wildlife that surounds me. Conveniently winter is fast approaching. Hibernation and hunting season. Get rid of 'em.

Boom. Posted. 

A Wonderful Wedding in Charming Charleston

Megan & Jared Davison

September 10, 2011

Charleston, South Carolina

I had the amazing experience of flying to Charleston this past weekend to be a bridesmaid for my dear friend Megan. She lives out in Philadelphia so not only was it wonderful for her to wed but it was just as great to see her in person. 

Holden Beach, 2001

Megan and I met when my family first moved to South Carolina when I was about to start 6th grade. I knew that our neighbors had a girl my age so I moseyed on over to introduce myself and ask if she wanted to go on a bike ride. And yes, I did still have a hot pink Huffy.

She agreed and our friendship has continued to blossom ever since. Our families are close as well and needless to say, I knew this experience was going to be emotional.

And it was.

Luckily I got the worst of my pathetic and pitiful sobbing out at the rehearsal because I was truly afraid of not being able to contain myself. It was just too weird to know that my Megan was getting married. Of course I couldn't be happier for her and Jared, but it was still strange coming to terms with it all. 

The trip was busy and filled with luncheons and rehearsals and Citadel boys and shrimp & grits. It was a very southern weeding weekend. And I loved every minute. 

Usually I am not very fond of the south. I think the people are very nice but I prefer my west coast status.  I thoroughly enjoyed zipping around Charleston and seeing the colleges in the area. These included College of Charleston and the Citadel. Megan's little sister attends CofC (Like Megan did) and her dorm is right next to an EINSTEINS BAGEL! ... but she has never been. WHAT? Also it accepts her meal plan... Let's just say if that were me, I would be cramming my face full of 'garlic toasted with plain shmear' every freaking day! She crazy.

Jared graduated from the Citadel and the Citadel Chapel was where the two had their ceremony. It was beautiful and needed no decoration. Also during the rehearsal I tried to convince the Priest that he should begin the ceremony with "Mawwiage, Mawwiage is what bwings us hewe togethew today" Like on the Princess Bride:

Hahaha, I think he was actually considering it.

The rehearsal dinner was out at a restaurant on the water. It was the perfect place for dinner, which was Low Country Boil. I am sure many of you have never had Low Country Boil and what it literally consists of is shrimp, boiled red potatoes, half corns on the cob, and sausage slices. That's it. I am used to it from our stays at the beach but it is not necessarily my favorite meal. So after I had my fill of potatoes and sausage (and I did eat 2 shrimp, Mom!) I was left to hang out with the flower girl and ring bearer.

The cutest little things I ever did see. Eventually there was a break dance contest between the three of them. I'll let you decide who the winner was:

All the moves in all the right places.

The ceremony the next day was just beautiful. We had a very relaxing day since the wedding was not until 6pm. The reception was at this old Charleston house, the Wickliffe House, it was the most stunning venue imaginable. 

They had a the tent setup outside with the band and a dance floor. Abar outside and a bar inside. Food stations to include shrimp and grits. I have completely forgotten that grits even existed before my trip but those were the best grits I have ever had. Megan's mother told me it was the cream that made it so delicious.

After they announced the wedding party onto the dance floor, Megan and Jared had their first dance to Free by the Zac Brown Band. And then Megan danced with her father to Steven Curtis Chapman's Cinderella. 

That would have been the time where I lost all of my bearings completely. I was bawling my eyes out. It was so touching. And then Megan's mother went out an joined them. Perfection.

The rest out the night was just nonstop excitement. Since I did not know many of the guests, I was hanging out with majority of the groomsmen all night and playing wingman for Megan's younger sister and cousin with the Citadel cadets. I told them I was a good wing man because I go in so completely obnoxious that the guys will have to choose to hang out with them in order to get away from me.... I think it worked.

Also by the end of the night, I convinced one of the cadets to let me try on his coat and hat, brilliant idea.

Needless to say it was a fun filled night. The happy couple drove off in an old black cab into the night. And they are still married to this day! (One week later)

Congratulations Megan and Jared, best wishes!

Boom. Posted.

What Happens in Vegas... goes on this blog.

I have done a bit of traveling lately and the weekend during Blake's visit, we were going up to Vegas for his little brother's 21st birthday. Vegas is not usually a place that I am very fond of. I do not like crowded places, loud music for a long period of time, paying too much for anything, or inhaling large amounts of second hand smoke. Too bad that is pretty much the life blood that keeps good ole Vegas' devil heart pumpin'.

Regardless I was excited to celebrate Ryan's birthday and experience Vegas with Blake. The first night we ran across the strip to Surrender at Encore for a Lil Jon & Skrillex concert. The venue was around the pool and the place was packed. Naturally filled with too many people and blasting loud music but I was handling it okay. That was until the 5 hours of being in my 5 inch heels started to kick in, and then it was quittin' time. Lil Jon came on first and announced that he had been drinking all day and had no idea what he was going to play for us. The whole time he was up there there was a guy in like a Lil Jon mascot face and I know at the end of the show they put the real Lil Jon in there so he could make a clean getaway. I just know that's how they did it.

After the concert all I could say the whole trip was "My... Name.. Is... SKRILLEX" (Click on the link to hear the song) Just could not stop.

Then the next night we were supposed to either be hooked up at the Marquee in the Cosmopolitan or just wingin' it. We ended up stumbling upon the Chateaux at Paris where Akon was playing. That place was beyond crowded but we showed up just in time for Akon to start walking through the crowd to leave and guess who got a picture with him. ME.

Okay, okay. I know you can't really tell its him, but I would never lie about meeting Akon. Also I was talking to him for all of 3.5 seconds and I told him he looked great (apparently that is what I tell celebrities because I also said that to Craig Robinson when I met him earlier in the night)  And he and Akon both said "You too, baby." Both of them!

I case you don't anything about my favorite show, Craig Robinson plays Darryl Philbin on The Office. I was so mad I did not ask him if he becomes Regional Manager or not. I bet he would have told me. Probably.

We went to Bond at the Cosmo later that night and that little bar was pretty cool. Anything and everything at that hotel is cool. We also checked out Shadow Bar at Caesar's Palace, now that place is crazy.

I also got a picture with Nicole whoever, the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. She wasn't as impressive.

Well I guess she was really unimpressive because I must have deleted the picture I actually got with her. Or its on Blake's phone. Either way, unimpressive.



We went on the New York, New York roller coaster this trip which I was not able to do one of the times I was in Vegas before for a gymnastics meet. Nor was I allowed to go on any of the rides at Circus Circus, and this was how I felt about that:

Not. Happy.

We stayed at Bally's which was a prime location and the view out of our window was the Eiffel Tower from the Paris Hotel. One the second night after   Chateaux we were headed back to our room when I noticed one of the doors in the hallway propped open with music and voices coming from it. So me and my bold self decided to knock and then proceed to open the door to see what all the scuttlebutt was about. Turns out these guys had this party going on in their humungous suite (with full up bar) right down the hall from us and I quickly made friends. They invited us in and the party continued where we met some girls from Malibu. The next day at the pool, these girls recognized me (the notary, however, was not necessarily mutual) and they were our new tagalongs for the rest of the trip. Well Ryan made some fast friends.

The girls supposedly set up a reservation for us to eat at Tao but when we get to the Venetian and then to Tao it turned out the reservation was just NEAR Tao. Just near it. At this Cheesecake Factory type place called the Grand Luxe. The food was good but we had our group of five, these five girls, and then these random Asian guys that the girls had met earlier. Our server brings one check for the 15 of us and we are just about to start divvying everything up when one of the Asian guys plucks the check off the table and sticks his credit card in. $400 tab at least. Ballin'.

Later that night we met up with one of Blake's friends who lives in Vegas who knows all the bartenders and bouncers around so we get free drinks all night at V Bar. The Tropicana was the next stop (I'm thinking 'oh great, really?') so we hop in a cab and the girl says we are going to have to take the freeway. Well these guys are telling her 'no way' and tell her she has to make a u-turn or they won't pay her a dime. Meanwhile I am scared out of my mind in the back seat as the girl flips the u-turn on two wheels practically and radios for the police to meet them at the Tropicana. Perfect.

She drives like a maniac the whole way there, I am trying to tell the guys to shut up but they live there so what do I know, and the guys keep going on and on about her ripping them off, and I want to die.

We finally skid into the drop off at the hotel with no cops waiting for us so I sprint to get inside and away from all the nonsense while one of the guys from my group (who isn't totally rude/crazy out of his mind) tries to pay her with a good tip because he felt so bad but she wouldn't take any of it. Nightmare.

But the Tropicana was so nice. They had done some serious remodeling and the club there would have been awesome had there been more that 20 people there. The club had windows out to the pool that had also been remodeled and had teepees for cabanas. Teepees! But we ha more free drinks and I was sick of people anyway so I was good to go. Also we closed down the place so Blake got the DJ to place Tipsy for me. It just felt like a good one to end the night on.

Then everyone left one by one the next morning and Ryan and I were so Vegased out that we headed to the airport 3 hours early. We were hurtin'. Also I saw Ice T and Coco at the airport. I should be a celebrity blogger like Perez Hilton at this point.

Boom. VEGASED.

Full of Surprises.

This past year has been a complete 180 from where I thought I might be at this point. Everything has changed for the better in every way, I have completed my Master's, I have a full time job that fell into my lap, I have the opportunity to save up my money before leaving my wonderful roommate to live on my own, I am continuing to live near my friends, and best of all I have dated my boyfriend Blake for almost an entire year now.

From this:

To this:

A whole year of going back and forth from Oregon to Arizona to Colorado and soon to Vegas. A lot of traveling to keep up this long distance relationship but it has been one of the most exciting years of my short little life. A lot of surprises that I never saw coming. 

Blake and I have actually known each other since the summer of July 2004. Our families were both new to Utah and we were expected to be neighbors. I met him out at the pool and thought he was the cutest guy I'd ever seen. We became really close friends and had feelings for each other that we couldn't place. Or at least I couldn't and wasn't necessarily ready for. I didn't want to lose his friendship if something went wrong and things usually went wrong with my relationships ( if you could even call them that). 

Here is when he came to my highschool Christmas Formal:

Eventually my family moved to Arizona and I began college. We tried to keep in touch but it was hard, especially when we had our own lives going on. After I graduated and my parents moved to Alaska, I was staying up there for the summer and Blake and I reconnected. We would Skype all the time and I started to realize that I wanted to be more than just his 'best friend'. We had decided that when he and his father were going to be in Arizona for a fraternity conference, that they should come down for the night so we could see each other. 

That night changed our friendship into something more when Blake told me he wanted to be with me and had wanted to for a long time. When I told him that I felt the same way there was a new issue to deal with, the distance. We decide to be in a hypothetical relationship because it would be too hard to maintain anything across the country. But when he came down for a week in August, things were finally made official on the 30th. The reality of the situation was starting to set in but became increasingly worse through this past year through trying to see each other as much as possible.

As hard as the distance is, though, I believe it will only makes us better in the end. I lost some of my independency in college and the distance was helping me to learn to stand on my own two feet, even when I have someone to carry me sometimes. It has been a crazy year but I don't think I could have done it with anyone else. 

That's pretty much the story of how we met and why we are together now (maybe plus or minus a few details...). BUT its pretty close :)

The distance is obviously hard day-to-day but even more so when special occasions such as birthdays and holidays are missed. This year my birthday was on a Tuesday this ast month and since I had already started working full time and Blake was in summer school, I knew having him come visit just wasn't going to work out. This summer has been the longest time we were going to go without seeing each other, a whole 3 months.

Well my birthday comes and goes and I never got so much as a card from Blake, so of course I'm thinking "whadaheck"? Well he insists that there is a package in the mail that should have been there by now so he is sorry it didn't make it in time. Okay, I can wait for it. He also said that since our weeks were so busy we should set up a time to have a Skype date for a couple hours where we have enough to time to maybe eat dinner together (oh yeah, this is what our lives in long distance have come to) and maybe watch a movie. So that was decided to happen after I got home for work on Friday.

The work day was long and miserable and when I walk in the door I am hustling around because I don't want him to be waiting around for me. When I walk past the kitchen, the roommate yells "Your package is here!" So I am excited but still trying to hurry. I walk out of my room and into the living room to see Coco going nuts and she scratches my leg, this is what happened next:

Biggest surprise of my life. I had no idea, none whatsoever. Also I sound like the biggest whiner when I am yelling at the poor dog who is only freaking out because of the strange man in her house.

Isn't my boyfriend just the best in the whole world? The funniest thing was that even though Blake was standing right in front of me, I was still feeling like I needed to rush to get onto the computer for our date!

Total shock. Best weekend ever.

Boom. Posted.