Back, Jack

Hello lovlies! Missed me?

In a fabulous way, there's less of me to miss, because I got a rockin' haircut this week:


It's adorable, I know. It's also fun to mess with, and the students will love it. I think having a little style, even when dressing like a professional adult at work, enables the kids to have greater comfort in discussing what's important to them, especially in advisory. My first mentor teacher said that while we are both wonderful teachers, she's more the "nurturing mother" type and I'm more the "cool" type and that middle school is for me. Huzzah. I would stop tooting my horn, but...

...I also made time to change (well, add to) my name and am now licensed in the State of Washington! They gave me a temporary permit and I think I look pretty chipper in my picture despite the seriously long day of events that preceded this snapshot:

Additionally, I was at Last Thursday (the last Last Thursday for the "Clown House") and saw this sign...

...I think I'll follow the advice. Just because summer weather is coming to a close (thank god) doesn't mean I can't keep baring my legs in a tasteful, swishy way. Yay for feminine clothes!

So it's been a whirlwind four weeks, and with the school year about to start and 80 students awaiting my wise council, I don't think I'm slowing down just yet.

Regardless, I need to catch people up on the wedding ruckus for my own sanity as much as their's, so here goes...

Quick (mostly material) notes:

• I bought a Canon PowerShot SD750 to replace my 5-year-old 350 which I passed on to my sister. This camera rocks. All the pictures I am posting links to I (or someone close to me) took with my new toy.
  
• I also purchased a brand new Honda CRV, which is powerfully cute and technically rocking. I can talk to it, it talks to me (truly!), I have Nav, a back-up camera, leather, heated seats, you name it. I spoiled myself (and Sam allowed it), and it was time.*
• Someone asked, so I'll share that my favorite wedding present is the Wii from my sisters.
  
• I start teaching the day after Labor Day, but this is the week we spend prepping our classrooms, so I will still be crazy busy for a bit longer. Sorry to everyone I haven't been able to catch up with. If you love me, it will get better soon, promise. If you are selfish, oh well.

Okay. Now, to facilitate this update, I will be including links to pictures and some videos (you'll see them interspersed) that support my activities. I'll also organize so you (read: I) can keep track of what happened when and all that. I'm not going to crop/alter/edit the photos as I don't have time and I'm sure you'll get over it!

Before the Wedding
I loved having my family and friends in town. I had my sisters for over a week, Evan and my parents for a week, Trina, Courtney, Rebecca and Jane for a healthy portion of the weekend. It was beyond wonderful to have all of these people I love in one place, visiting little old me. I can't tell you how much my side hurt from laughing so hard! We had an awesome time visiting, checking out the sites, and generally just enjoying togetherness - I love you guys! I can definitely say it was pretty hard to say goodbye to all of them, missing them is the hardest thing about living here.
Cynthia (one of my best friends up here) threw me the most awesome bachelorette party! I cannot be more thankful for the most awesome girls night out! She kicked it off with gathering everyone at the house for food and beverages (many of which were of the adult-type). I received lots of fun and interesting gifts, and then we had a pinata. I will give you a heads up, the pinata was of a suggestive shape, and I used my baseball bat, called a "Ball Buster" (check the photos, not kidding) to have the winning crack at it. The contents were the perfect girls' night favors and it was hysterical! I opened some naughty presents (thank you lovlies) and then we piled into the Hummer limo and hit the town! Though we behaved ourselves, never-the-less what happens on girls' night stays with those who were there, so the rest of you can enjoy the couple of vague pictures I included. Those of you who attended, never fear, the rest is safe with me!

Go here for the pictures.

Family Night
Sam's parents most kindly hosted a huge barbecue the night before for those in town on both sides of the family. It was great to meet those in Sam's family who I'd only heard names of previously, especially his grandfather who made the trip out from SLC. The weather behaved perfectly and I actually had a little time to sit down to talk with people, but alas, never enough. I know my family enjoyed meeting everyone, and I have a picture of Sam's mom and my mom chatting in the garden which we particularly cherish. It was a very fun get-together, so there are quite a few pictures from in and outside of the house full of people!

Go here for these pictures.

Wedding & Reception
The wedding was sweet and simple, just what I had hoped for-if I look at all uncomfortable it's because I was literally taped into my dress (so as not to tempt fate) and that kind of stuff drives me bonkers. I'm all about pretty clothing, but I was fighting the dress because I have a no pantyhose (none! not ever, for any reason!) principle and any clothing I have to fuss with is too much trouble for this free thinking gal. I also skinned my thumb using the tape (don't ask) and Cynthia and Chris are my total heroes for getting me bandaids on their way to the ceremony. (I would have delayed the ceremony until they got their anyway, but how much cooler arriving with neon first aid!) Regardless of my wardrobe issues, my agenda was to smile for Sam and I think I pulled that one off.
Anyway, our officiant is a wonderful, genuine person and I'm so glad Sam asked him to represent. Nate, you were perfect! I also dug Ross' guitar playing, especially when he jumped right into "Minor Swing" after the kiss. Awesome.
I couldn't take the looks into the audience that I wanted to (because I knew some people weren't going to make it to the reception, and like everything else, I wanted time to see them) because I had to pay attention, for obvious reasons. I did, however, catch sight of Casey in his giant straw hat and rocking red shirt. So cool!
Due to our state of semi-starvation (which I predicted) post ceremony, Sam and I hurried through the obligatory formal family pictures in the rose gardens so we could get to the reception! Thanks to everyone who was patient so we could get those out of the way!
With Mariah, Steph and Evan following in my (old) car, Sam and I took our newlywed ride to the Marshall House on Ft. Vancouver for the reception. We made sure Sam's mom was ready at the front steps before we entered so she could bless our marriage with a Polish ceremony. She presented us with bread and salt to promote our health and wealth as a couple, and I know Sam and I were both touched by the presentation.**
We made a beeline for the food (delicious Tommy O's catering!) and the socializing began. We opted out on lots of the "traditional" reception activities, but tossed the garter, a bouquet, and formally cut the cake. While I loved the cake (we had two flavors, couldn't help it), I also had a chocolate fountain with marshmallows, graham crackers, and strawberries as a present for Sam (but really for me). Lucky us, we have some of the leftover chocolate in the fridge, just itching to be melted!
In true form of the whole experience, I didn't have enough time with anyone. Hopefully I will see you all soon, I know my life will smooth out in another week or two and I will be more than eager to socialize again!
The pictures include lots of neat people I am blessed to know. There are some pictures of when Mariah and Steph went to decorate Sam's car and the ink exploded on them. Good sports! Thanks to all of you that made the artwork (Sam still hasn't washed it off yet, we dig it) especially Steph's cute cow and Gina's adorable elephant! I've put names with all of the pictures where it made sense, feel free to ask for explanations!
As the wedding ended in the afternoon and my family and friends didn't leave town until the next day, Sam and I went out for drinks with them at the Hilton. There are a few experimental shots with color, I plan to keep experimenting with that mode, I dig the results!

Go here for these pictures.

Hawaii
Our gift from my parents was a week in Hawaii, somewhere I hadn't been before this trip (visiting new places is one of my life 'things' if you didn't know). Hawaii was gorgeous and extremely relaxing after all of the activity madness. I can't tell you how many pictures I took of the scenery and various amazing vegetation! Lots of things I couldn't take pictures of without risking dropping my camera in the ocean (swimming, snorkling, etc.) so the pictures are semi-limited to what was safe to snap. While I liked Oahu, Sam and I agreed that in a couple of years we want to go back but to a less commercialized island. On this trip it was great as we could jump on tours and walk to loads of restaurants, but so could the other thousands of people on holiday. Regardless, it was beautiful, and we truly enjoyed ourselves!

Go here for these pictures.

Boston
We returned home for a day (two for me), then headed out to Boston! Sam had to be there during the week so we turned it into an (immediate) second honeymoon. While Sam was at his seminar, I put miles on the rental car exploring Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Per the aforementioned hobby of mine, I totally geeked out over seeing all of these new states!*** Sam and I also took a drive up into Maine (and had lobster in the other Portland!) and explored some of Massachusetts.
In Boston, we met up with Rebecca, her then boyfriend and a host of her friends. Sam's coworkers Mike and Erik were a long for much of the fun as well, creating a nice motley crew for Boston-type fun. We walked along the Freedom Train, catching sites like Trinity Church and the home of Paul Revere. We ventured into 'Little Italy' for some killer, and I mean killer, italian culinary delights. After eating, we continued our walk to the Black Rose, purportedly the 8th most Irish bar in the states (I don't remember where that info came from, but I believe it). At the Black Rose, despite the drama with Rebecca's (now ex-) boyfriend, we had a great time! We also met new friends and checked out Tufts (Rebecca's a dentistry student), Harvard (fairly accidentally, but damn does Herrell's have good milkshakes), and many other sights and sounds. I think we would have dug the city more had it not been oppressively hot and humid, but what can you do?
I did learn that the Red Sox have supposedly surpassed the Yankees as being most popular with fans at both home and away games. Jamie will not be happy to hear that.

Go here for these pictures.


...so after more than three weeks of non-stop action, Sam and I are home-sweet-home and starting to allow ourselves to relax again. I am looking forward to my 4-day weekend, so long as I can get everything prepped for school in time!

Here's to hoping all of you are well, as I know Sam and I have never been happier. Cheers!
*For those readers who don't know, there's a story behind my last new car. I bought, and totally paid for, a tricked-out Tiburon. One day, on my way to work, a tan boat of a car failed to yield to my full-on green light and instead opted to make a left turn through the intersection as I was cruising through. I plowed into the side of their car (much heavier than mine) and spun 270 degrees before landing in the middle of the intersection. Zillions of phone calls and one lawsuit later, I won some money, but completely totaled my lovely car and more tragically now have a crooked spine, shoulder issues galore, and two chiropractors two whom I owe my health and well-being. This isn't me throwing a pity party, it's really just me explaining why I feel more than just in buying a new car again. I didn't screw up the first one.
**It's so nice to have a wonderful mother-in-law and father-in-law. Sam's family as a whole is a great group!
***I've now been to 38 states! Loving it!