Down to the Wire

There's only a few days left until we leave for two whole weeks and journey to the other end of the world! Okay, it's just the other side of the U.S. but it'll feel like the world by the time we're done. I feel ready but not ready at the same time. I'm having some issues with my wedding dress (i.e. I decided I don't like it at all after it was hemmed) so I feel like I'm on Project Runway scrambling to finalize exactly what I'm going to look like come wedding day.  I'm sure it'll all come together by Friday morning and if not oh well. As Demi Lovato sings, I really don't care! I'll just be happy marrying Roy in whatever dress I have on (which I hope is the one that's being delivered today).

The last week has been a whirlwind with shopping for last minute items ($$ like water) and also getting sick and being useless for two days. Roy has been busy fixing up rental unit #9. We did manage to get in some activities like a City Islanders soccer game and a boat party for Angela's 16th birthday.

City Islanders Game on 7/23 vs. Oklahoma City. My first semi-pro soccer match. It was more fun than I'd thought it'd be.

Final Score 3-3 (tie). We were up 2-0 and then OK had 2 quick goals back to back to tie it.  After another OK goal we were trailing for awhile but came back with a goal not long before time ran out.

Angela's 16th Birthday Boat Party. She was only 11 when she first came to the U.S. *tears* The cousins' visa got renewed for another five years so in a blink of an eye she'll be turning 21. OMG.

Angela and I.  We have a Stage 5 Creeper on board.

This week we have some farewell dinners and I'm trying to get as much skating in as possible before I become mostly sedentary for the next two weeks. I guess it won't be any different than being in the office. I contemplated taking my skates with me but I'm sure Roy would not love driving around and searching for skating rinks for me to skate in. I'll have to treadmill it or swim as much as I can when we're at the hotels. Has anyone tried the chewing the food and spitting it out diet? Yeah that's not gonna work.

I set up a USTREAM channel so that we can broadcast some highlights of the trip and the wedding ceremony to the folks back home. I don't know if providing this type of access will be a stroke of genius or one of life's great regrets.  Stay tuned.

Hooligans in Hershey

Bruno Mars and his Moonshine Jungle Tour came through Hershey this past Saturday. I got tickets as soon as they went on sale back in February right after his Super Bowl performance. I haven't been to a concert like this in awhile and he didn't disappoint. 

Earlier in the day we had rolling thunderstorms come through the area as you can see from Bruno himself! But by the time eight o'clock rolled around it was nice and dry.

Rolled up eight deep in Adam's minivan 'cuz we're so fancy but you already know.  All photos courtesy of Daeho who took this pic.

30,000 fans at Hersheypark Stadium. I attended my first concert here to see LIVE I don't know how long ago. Remember them?  Lightning crashes...

Thank goodness for Emily! She and I were on our feet and dancing the whole night.  We should have been front and center! We weren't going to leave until the microphone dropped.

Waiting for Bruno. 

Bruno and his band killed it! He is so talented. He mixed in some old school jams and had some major jam sessions. My favorite song was "If I Knew."

I hope to see him again someday. I think he'll be sticking around for quite awhile.

Behold the Crack Tots

Awhile back I made an appointment at BHLDN (pronounced "beholden") to find a wedding dress. The closest BHLDN to me is in DC (which is inside the Anthropologie on M Street). I was under the gun so I HAD to find one there and fortunately I did. I love it! Right now it's getting hemmed and altered a bit. I can't wait to see the finished product which should be done by the 21st. Here's a recap of our trip. Of course a trip to the DC area means a get together with the besties, too. 

Kathy and Irene came with me to BHLDN while the guys hit up Sequoia. We were given some bubbly after we were done shopping. I love their dresses and accessories. Very affordable and most items ship within 7-10 days if not already in stock. I walked out with the dress and a sash.

Back to Iron Age for AYCE Korean BBQ for lunchy.

After a break at the hotel to freshen up, we found ourselves on The Roof in Bethesda. Cool place with strong drinks. Irene and Daeho are getting married in February. It's going to be epic.

Sliders and garlic fries. Yum. Roy won't touch the sliders because of the Cole slaw. More for meee!

Me and the Man.

Next stop, Rock Bottom Brewery.

I liked the last one but forgot what it was called..

Third and final stop of the evening - Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge. They have a late night Happy Hour starting at 10 pm. These are their crack tots - bacon wrapped tater tots baked in brown sugar. Ohhh yeeaaa...  

And half price oysters to top it off. 

 PA is my home but I so love Maryland, my Maryland. Where is your home away from home?