Wow, I have been MIA!

So sorry that I have not posted in so long!  Life has gotten really busy!  My new job is teaching me so much, but taking up so much time .  I am finding it hard to balance other aspect of my life with school!

One thing I did decide to try to do is train for a 15k in Chicago that is coming up.  It is the Hot Chocolate 15k... and it's going to kill me.  I'm not going to lie, it has been GREAT motivation to get myself on a treadmill/outside/somewhere to work out, but I seriously think I might have to be escorted off the course via ambulance.  The longest I have run (in the 1 week that I have trained) is 4 miles, and somehow I ended up with a sore bicep.  Yes.  A sore bicep from running.  Don't ask me how.

I decided to sign up for this on... you guessed it... an impulse.  HOWEVER... I got the Tortoise to sign up with me on impulse too!  Ha ha!  Now, I don't want to mislead you into thinking that because I am called the Hare on this blog that I am by any means expecting to move faster in this race than the Tortoise... or than anyone for that matter.  The Tortoise is a natural athlete, so he's for sure going to kick my butt.

Whatever..worst case scenario... I get in a little bit better shape than I am now... and I only have to spend 2 nights in the hosptial following this race.
I'll keep you updated =).

Funny

I thought this representation of the Tortoise and I's relationship was pretty funny.

At our wedding ceremony, we did a sand ceremony
instead of a unity candle.  We were supposed to pour sand together to represent our two lives coming together.  Here is a picture of the sand ceremony set  before:   

Here is the sand ceremony set after the wedding:

I was blue, the Tortoise was brown.  Notice a few things:

1)  I spilled mine all over the table because I was dumping it in too fast

2) I overtook the entire center vase because I couldn't slow down

3) There is no brown sand on the table and the Tortoise very carefully and meticulously poured his portion in... then ran out of room after I hurried through and took all the room.

PERFECT depection of our personalities.

The Tortoise is really sweet to put up with me. =)

New Job Update

I recently started professional development for my new teaching job at a charter school on the west side of the city.  So far, I am TOTALLY loving it.  That is actually a serious understatement.  I am loving everyone that I work with, I am loving the methods they are training us to use, and I am loving being able to successfully put into practice some strategies that I learned in college.  To make a long story short, I learned about "Reader's and Writer's Workshops" while I was in college.  These are unconventional teaching methods that have proven to be very successful at improving reading levels and comprehension.  Galapagos (where I work) uses these methods and I am so excited to be a part of it.

I really feel like this new job was a great fit for me, and it is making me a better teacher every day.  I am sure I will have my share of challenges, but the support that the staff has offered is unbelievable.  The professional development opportunities that have been offered and will continue to be offered are meaningful and helpful.  I feel like I have grown so much in the past 3 weeks, and I am so excited to see what will happen once I really get into the year.

I truly miss my past school, and I definitely get sad when I think about my students or see other teachers posting on facebook about what they are all up to together.  They were an amazing staff as well and I was truly blessed to be part of their staff last year.  Still, I feel like I am in the right place at the right time for Roger and I, and also just for me as a professional.  I am growing so much, and I love that my beliefs about education fall so closely in line with the school that I am currently a part of.

I am loving Chicago life!

Honeymoon

Our trip to Jamaica was SO amazing in SO many ways!  We truly had a blast and can't wait to go back soon (perhaps for an anniversary trip).  If anyone is looking for a fun vacation to go on, I would HIGHLY recommend Jamaica!

We spent most of our time enjoying the beach and relaxing at the swim up bar, but we had one great day where we went on an excursion.  Brady, Kelly, and Kevin gave us money as a wedding gift specifically to be used on an excursion.  So, we went to Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios and had a day of fun!  We rode a lift through the rain forest to the top of the mountain where we saw AMAZING views.  After reaching the top of the mountain, we rode a Jamaican bob sled ride (think the movie "Cool Runnings"), then went ziplining through the rain forest.  Holy moly, it was awesome.

We lucked out, because the other excursion that we thought about doing was "Dunn's River Falls" which is pretty much just climbing this HUGE waterfall.  Luckily, it was right next door to Mystic Mountain and they work together!  So, we only had to pay $6 more to be able to go to Dunn's River Falls too!  That experience was AWESOME!

We ate dinner at the resort every night in one of their many fine restaurants!  Our favorites were the Oleander Room, Tokyo Joe's, and the Stewfish Grill.  It was truly an awesome time and I would recommend Sandals Montego Bay to anyone!

So much to update on... later...

Hello all!
I'm so sorry I've been so bad about blogging. The problem is, I have TOO much going on to blog about! In the last two weeks, I've gotten married, moved to Chicago, and started a new job! Nuts! For now, I am just going to attach some of my favorite wedding pictures.... I will be back with a MUCH longer update very soon!

Happy

I am sitting alone in my house about 15 minutes before I need to leave for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  I am taking a few minutes to have a glass of wine, slow down, and just relax for a minute.  I had a beautiful shower this morning given by my Aunts who are wonderful. All of the family is in town and accounted for.  I have seen my flowers.  My suitcase for Jamaica is packed.  All of the ceremony stuff is at my grandparents house.  We are ready.

I did not expect to have a minute to sit down and write, but I think it's a good time to reflect while I'm waiting to go.  The rest of my family is busily working to get things ready for the rehearsal (I know, I'm a brat for not being there), but I felt like I had been running around so much that I just needed a little calm down time.  I really don't want to forget things and miss things because I am so busy.

I can't wait to see Roger tonight.  I can't wait to relax with my friends later.  I can't wait for tomorrow.

So, I am excited.  I am ready.  I'm very lucky.  I am happy. 

To be continued.

How fun...

I can't believe we are only 10 days away from the big one.  These last 7 months (and 7 years that we've been dating) have totally flown by.  My parents and I went over to my grandparents' house last night (where the wedding will be held) to go over final details and make sure we had everything hammered out.  We definitely do, and as we were going over it, I relived every decision we made to get here.  It's funny how it all just kind of came together into this big, awesome event.  At the time, I didn't think it would matter that much what kind of wedding arch we picked out, or even what color the bridesmaids' dresses were.  Which really, if we would have made different decisions it wouldn't have mattered.  I just think it's cool how everything is coming together and I can start to picture how it is going to look.  Not only that, but I will be able to see how it all looks in 10 short days!

Another funny mind game that getting married plays on your mind is that there is WAY too much excitement to even focus on things that should be crazy exciting.  For example, our honeymoon.  We are going to Jamaica.  Out of the country.  For 7 days.  Together.  I seriously haven't even THOUGHT about starting to pack, and I haven't been able to focus on this awesome vacation we are taking!  Who has too much excitement in their life that going to Jamaica is put on the excitment backburner?  A crazy lucky person, that's who!

Can't wait to post pictures of the big day on here, and can't wait to let you all know about our fun Jamaica trip.  Keep your fingers crossed for good weather on the 31st! 

Vegas!

I was lucky enough to get to take a trip with some of my best friends to Las Vegas a few weeks ago. It, of course, was an amazing time with amazing friends! We laughed a lot, ate a lot, drank a lot, swam a lot, and just had A LOT of fun! It felt good to be with my friends and laugh until my stomach hurt. We definitely made a lot of very fun memories! Here are some of my favorite pictures from the vacation!

A New Business Venture...

I am very excited to announce that I have decided to become a BeautiControl Independent Consultant!  I have recently gotten very obsessed with their products, and after careful consideration, decided it wouldn't be too bad to get a discount on the stuff I love, and maybe make an extra buck here or there!

Now, I have to give a little plug.  I would love to gain some experience and have a Spa Party for you and your friends.  I know, I know, you don't want to get roped into buying anything.  I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND.  You're hearing from the girl that used to miss parties like this on purpose even though I thought they would be fun because I didn't want to feel guilty for not buying anything.  Right now, I am just looking for experience... and of course fun!  This is a great opportunity to get your friends together, try out some fun products, and eat, drink if you like, and be merry!  Please let me know if this is is something you would at all be interested in, and I would be happy to make it as low key as you would like!  I will pass out catalogs, but that will be the END of my buying pressure!  I PROMISE! I'm not a salesman, just really like sharing the products with people.  My business motto is, "If the products are right for the people, they will sell themselves!"  And it's true... that's what happened with me!

You can click on the BeautiControl link at the beginning of the post to check out the products, prices, and to see what BeautiControl is all about.  Then, let me know if you're up for a fun, relaxing, NO PRESSURE night with friends!

I'm back! A Mish Mosh of an Update!

I'm so sorry I've been MIA!  I feel like I have tons going on right now, and my blog has DEFINITELY been feeling it.  So, I have a lot to update you on!

1) Wedding Stuff:

Roger and I have picked our reception menu, which includes two of my favorites.... Mini Corn Dogs for an appetizer and fettuchini alfredo for one of our main dishes.  We also have some other great snacks for before hand, and chicken and ham options for the main course.

I now have Roger's wedding band in my possesion, along with all of the bridesmaids' gifts.  I'm very excited about all of them, and also very worried that I will lose something!  Jen Skalka Ream hand made the bridesmaid jewelry for me, and it is BEAUTIFUL.  If you are interested in having her make you something, I would be happy to get in contact with her for you.  She can copy just about any designer piece you find for a much lower price, or, she is VERY creative and can come up with something great for you.  I could not be happier with the jewelry!

We have been receiving such fun wedding gifts, all that I'm really excited about.  Funnily, the first things that were gone from our registry were all alchoal/wine related gifts!  I don't know if I should take that as a bad sign.... but I am very happy with all of it!

We have our apartment, and Roger is moved in (kind of) and living on an air mattress!  We are moving furniture this weekend, and I will have to document the move for my blog readers!  I am so excited to get all the furniture in and to start making it our own.  It really is a great place!

I have finalized my contract with Michaelangelos, our florist/wedding decor specialists.  I have to say, I 100% recommend them for anyone getting married in my area.  They are so efficient, and create amazing things with a not quite amazing budget!

2) Fun Events in Chicago:

Roger and I have had a couple really fun nights in Chicago recently.  The first night that the apartment was officially in our possesion, we camped out!  We had only an air mattress and a tv, no air conditioning (in 95 degree weather), and a couple bottles of champagne!  Niether of us really slept because of the heat, but we enjoyed our champagne, and knowing that we were in our first offical place together!

Also, we spent another great night in the park across from Lakeshore drive.  We cooked steak, had wine and cheese and crackers, and just talked about how excited we are that we will be able to have nights like that much more frequently.  Such a great time!

Bachelorette Party!:

I actually had 2 bachelorette parties, since I have 2 bridesmaids that are under 21.  I spent one amazing spa night with all of my bridesmaids, and one night in Chicago going out on the town with everyone that could come!  Here are some pictures from both nights:

A HUGE Thank you goes out to my amazing sisters and MOHs for planning such a fun night in Chicago, and to Ashlie for letting us do the spa bachelorette party at Serenity Springs!

Updates soon to come:

Vegas trip pictures

A new business venture for me!

Apartment!

Keep your fingers crossed that all goes through, but I believe the Tortoise and I found an apartment!  Here's a link to the website.  It's AWESOME! 

LINK

 I love everything about it, but some of my favorite features include a giant walk in closet and a fitness center included in the rent!  Also, all utilities are taken care of in the rent, so we only have to worry about paying one bill a month for the apartment.  Again I say, AWESOME!

We've got our cake... and we're gonna eat it too!

Click HERE to visit our fabulous cake lady's website!

The First "What were you thinking?"

So in a previous post, I wrote that I had been adding some choice items to the registry here and there.  I guess I wasn't thinking in "couple" mode, because I added some very loud, pretty girly luggage to the registry.  I guess I was just thinking that it was for me (whoops, I didn't realize we had to share luggage, although now I see it makes sense).  After the Tortoise saw it, I definitely got a "what were you thinking?" kind of look.  After calling multiple people to ask whether luggage had to be something we shared, and being told over and over that, yes, in fact this is a couple item, we changed the luggage to something a little less loud, more neutral, but still good.  Remember when you see the old luggage that I was going for the "there's no way we'll miss that at baggage claim" look.

What was I thinking?

Bridal Shower #1

WOW! What a weekend.  I had my first bridal shower on Saturday, followed by my "Under 21" Bachelorette Party that night.  It was really a great, great weekend.  I have two bridesmaids, my cousin, Darby, and Roger's sister, Kayte, who are not 21.  We decided that it really wasn't fair to leave them out of bachelorette festivities, so we had an amazing spa night at Serenity Springs.  It was wonderful.  Kayte did have to be in Pennsylvania though, so we missed her!  Serenity is a great place to relax, and I highly recommend it!  Click here to check out their website.

Here are a couple of pictures from the shower.  It was put on by Ashlie and her Mom, and my WONDERFUL bridesmaids did so much work for it.  I am really a lucky lady to have so many great friends who were willing to pitch in and/or travel from far away to be part of the day.  It was awesome!

We have pictures of my ribbon bouquet for the rehearsal, pictures with my best friends, opening presents, and a really cute idea that Ashlie had for us to write something on a piece of paper, and not show each other until the picture was taken!  How fun! (I have to let you know that my Mom does, indeed, know how to spell the word "wonderful."  It is a quote from the movie "Father of the Bride."  For those of you that are familiar with the movie it is how Franc would say it! )

B

Not to mention, after all my partying down, I had a really fun bridal brunch to go to in the morning on Sunday for my cousin, Kristen.  She's getting married a week before me!  What a fun summer!  After that, we had my grandma's birthday party.  It was an AWESOME weekend, full of lots of fun, family, friends, and REALLY bad food (healthwise, not tastewise...)

(Oh, and incase you were wondering, yes... that is the bridesmaid's dress I ordered for myself.  NERD ALERT!  But can't you see why?  It's SO cute!)

Sorry, Sorry, Sorry!

I cannot believe it's already been this long since my last blog post.  I know you have all probably just been chomping at the bit waiting for an update on our lives.  Ha, yeah right.

Still, it is definitely time to update this sucker!  We have had a lot going on, and some really fun and exciting things.

This past weekend, we picked out our wedding bands. This was a big thing on the list that still needed to be checked off. 

Here is a picture of Roger's.  It's a Tungsten band, which is pretty cool.  They are really tough metal and cannot be scratched or tarnished.  

Here is a picture of something similar to my ring.  It's not the exact one, but you get the idea!

We also have appointments to meet with Bethany, who is making the cake, and our florist to see the finalized centerpieces.  We are definitely hitting the homestretch.

Invitations are pretty much done and ready to be sent out, except for a couple of addresses that we are still trying to hunt down.

Here is something my wonderful blog readers can help with.  I need some ideas for thank you gifts for people that are important to the wedding.  I've got the bridal party done, but I need ideas for people hosting showers/bachelorette parties, or doing other special little wedding related things for me.  Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Weekend Fun

I spent a wonderful weekend in the city celebrating one of my wonderful friends from college.  She has been through a rough time, so we all decided to make a big weekend to celebrate how awesome she is!  It really was great! It was amazing that 14 girls that have moved to all different parts of the country were able to get together for this weekend, and it was LONG overdue.  I missed these ladies so much.   We were all in a sorority, Delta Gamma, together at IU.  It was absolutely a huge part of all of our lives, and it has been an adjustment to go from basically living on top of each other for 3 years to only seeing each other every few months (if we can pull that together!).

A major highlight of the weekend was that I met Giuliana and Bill Rancic in Chicago on Saturday while shopping downtown.  We actually had a little conversation, and it was awesome!  They were very sweet and seemed genuinely happy that we came up to tell them that we were fans.  Bill even told me that I would LOVE living in Lakeview next year!  Here's a little picture of them for those of you who aren't sure who I'm talking about.

And the real highlight of the weekend was the the Tortoise and I got to eat a wonderful lunch outside in the beautiful 90 degree weather today!  We at at Redmond's in Lakeview.  It was great to enjoy the first real summer day with my soon to be husband.  69 days and counting!