Graduation Weekend & My First Paddy's Experience

Friday

Friday night Chris and I went to dinner at Felix's with a group of people from his EMS classes. It was a really nice dinner, too! I had seared Ahi Tuna that was PHENOMENAL! Oh my god, I could eat it for every meal every day. Plus I was super excited that I got a few extra minutes with Chris.

Saturday

GRADUATION DAY! Chris has known that it was coming for months. He chose not to send out invites, or announcements. He called and told his family on Thursday. Needless to say, there was not much planning that went into Graduation on Chris' part. When we went to get dressed Saturday, Chris realized that he did not have any pants to wear. We hauled ass to Belk and found him a really nice pair of pants and a nice yellow tie. I also go the CUTEST mustard colored dress!

Once we were dressed, Chris dropped me off with Mimi so we could meet up with Mike for some lunch before the commencement ceremony.

Being a smart girl, I packed a few things to keep me busy during graduation, like Scrabble on my iPod. This seemed like a perfect idea.... until I MISSED CHRIS GETTING HIS DIPLOMA. I kept listening for 'Myron King', because I knew he was listed right before Chris. Good plan, except that Myron didnt walk.... so all of a sudden I hear "Christopher Lee Newman" and I was like SHIT SHIT SHIT!!! And I grabbed the camera, but by the time I got it turned on he had already gotten his diploma and was walking across stage. I am a terrible girlfriend fiancee.But I am SO proud of him.

After the ceremony was over, Mimi, Mike, Fred, Gayle and I met up with Chris for some pictures.

After a hundred pictures, we headed to Paddys to meet up with Brandi & Danno. Most of you know that I have this vendetta against Paddy O'Tooles. Im pretty sure at one point in my life I decided I would never step foot in that place. I know way too many skanky girls that hang out up there. But I decided, WHATEVER, it's Chris's graduation, its early, and I was ready for a drink.

Paddy's

My experience at Paddys deserves a section of its own. Danno made me a really really strong Madress, but it was delicious. I practically inhaled it. One drink in and I had a gooood buzz. 2 drinks in I decided that I had to have a "cat picture" with Danno. Im not really sure why, but I was adamant that there would be a cat picture... Please enjoy...

We were "throwing our paws up, baby".
I also met new friends. Like Jeanette. She is really cool. After my 3rd drink, I decided I was going to do a cartwheel. And CHRIS was like "Yeah, do a cartwheel!" Thankfully, my new friend Jeanette was looking out for me. She did not let me do a cartwheel.

Then there was Ross... Ross had a whale on his shirt. After 3 drinks, I thought it was hilarious. So I took a "fish picture" with his whale shirt....Ross was quite the trooper.

Shortly after the fish picture, it became more and more apparent that I was shitfaced and probably needed food. Chris and I went to Mama Goldbergs, drank a ton of water, and went home. But I think, overall, my Paddys experience was a decent one.

Sunday

Im not really sure how, but somehow we got recruited to help build a shed at Fred's house at 9 AM Sunday morning. When I got down there, I realized that this was no longer a "shed" it was more like a barn...

This bad boy is 2 stories high. Claude has built it with basically no help from the ground up... with no plans. They are just 'winging it" Oh Jesus.

We left Fred's around 1, and went back home. The rest of the day we spent grocery shopping and getting ready for Chris' soccer game. I love that Chris has a hobby that he can participate in, but going to a soccer game that starts at 7, and doesn't end till after 9 just doesn't excite me. So i stayed home and did laundry. (Not that laundry is more exciting that Chris' soccer games, but hey, it had to be done)

Nothing else interesting happened this weekend, except one conversation I had with Chris... and you probably wont think it's as funny as I did, but Im going to leave you with it anyway.

Me: Gayle wants to know what you want for graduation. I told her I wanted to get you a nice frame for your diploma, and she said that if i didnt want to do that, that they would.

Chris: Dad probably doesnt know that frames are about $250.00

Me: Yeah, I mean, but why would he want to do that when he could buy a frame at Hobby Lobby for like $5?

Chris: You know, that would be his logic. He would be like "Son, I got you a frame for your diploma. It didnt quite fit, but I trimmed it up for you..."

AHAHAHA. I died laughing. Have a good week everybody.

Proud

FINALS ARE OVER!!! Yay summer break!!

I am THRILLED to tell everybody that I have a 4.0(!!!!!!!!!!) this semester! I know this is not a big deal to all of my smart friends, but this is the first time in college that I've come out with a 4.0 GPA. I've been close before, but never quite made it. And it wasnt because I took easy classes either. I worked my ass off this semester and it paid off. Imagine that. Maybe my parents were right all along :)

I am also so proud of Chris. I mean, Im always proud of him, but Im especially proud this week. After a decade and some change in school, he is graduating!! (Chris also had a 4.0 this semester, but this happens like every semester for Chris... Damn smarty pants!)
I dont know how he keeps up with work and school the way he does, but I love him for it. I am so lucky to have such a hard working, driven, fiance!
To celebrate his graduation, his EMS instructors have planned a dinner tonight at Felix's. Im excited about meeting some of his class mates, and seeing his instructors again. Chris has one instructor, Gary Varner, that I love dearly. He always makes me smile. So dinner tonight should be a lot of fun! (And if its not, Oh well, Im going to have a glass of wine anyway!)

This week has had some other high points as well...
On Tuesday I went to dinner with Vicky. This is the second time in the past few weeks that I've been able to meet up with her. Its really nice rekindling our friendship. We sat and talked for over 2 hours. It was almost like we never drifted apart. I hope that we can continue working towards rebuilding the friendship we used to have.
& Last night was the night that SUZANNE MOVED BACK TO MOBILE!! Ah I love Suzy SO much and I have missed the shit out of her this last semester. Im glad shes home, and home to stay! I didnt get to see her, because she is spending the weekend with her mom and boyfriend at the beach, but I am practically counting the hours until I can see her Monday... or Tuesday.

As far as wedding stuff goes...
Chris and I looked at the Mobile Museum of Art yesterday. I really had my heart set on MMA. I love it, it's so beautiful! It has everything I want there! (No church, no gym, no tacky carpet) BUT with all of the 'hidden costs' (read: Alcohol, & Security costs) we have to really sit down and decide if that is what we want. As of now, I want it. I LOVE it, but I am now open to any suggestions. & By "Any" I mean anywhere indoors that is not a church, or a gym and that does not have ugly carpet.
I know we will figure everything out. We have plenty of time... But thinking like that is so logical. IM EXCITED AND READY TO PLAN!!!! As soon as we get through the engagement party, Im going to turn into a planning diva. Yall get ready!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

End of the Semester

This week is the last week of school! I have two exams this week, but then I will be done for the summer! Well, at least until July. I cant wait for it to be the weekend already. CHRIS IS GRADUATING SATURDAY!! I am so proud of him. He has worked really hard to do well in school and work an insane amount of hours.

As far as last week went, it was mostly work.study.study.study.work.study.work. But we did get to have a really nice dinner with Alisa, Justin, Eddie & Karleen at Felix's. Lindsay was the one that put the dinner together, but unfortunately her car broke down on the way. :( We had so much to celebrate- Alisa's birthday, passing boards, and job offer. Chris' graduation. & Our engagement. We had a really great time. It seems like it has been such a long time since we've hung out with our friends. (I guess that's what final exams and final papers will do to you).

Saturday morning I went with Mom to another Bodies by Cindy boot camp. Good lord. It was so hard. I kept telling myself that it will be worth it in the end! I am still sore today. Very Very Very sore. On the bright side, I guess that's a sign that I got a good work out!
The rest of Saturday was mostly spent writing papers, but I did take a break to have lunch with Lindsay and take her to pick up her car.

Sunday, Mothers Day, I went to my parents house for lunch. Mom cooked. If any of you know my mother, you know that she isnt very good in the kitchen... Lunch was good, but... when I got home, I was SO sick. I called her and asked her if anybody else was sick. She said no, so I told her to check the salad dressing. I made a salad, but only ate like 3 bites because it tasted weird. Well, apparently, the dressing had expired in April... of 2010. YUCK. She said next year we will just go out to eat; that sounds perfect to me.

On a happier note, I have lost 7.6 lbs! & I am still motivated. Im going to sign up for boot camp starting next Monday. I cant wait to start!

As far as wedding stuff goes- we havent made much progress on anything this week. We have both been too busy with school stuff. But I do think that I like Navy Blue & Mustard Yellow our wedding colors, but we will see.
Also, we are going to try to go look at the Mobile Museum of Art on Thursday as a possibility for our reception.
Oh & one more thing. I am looking at possibly hiring a photographer for our engagement party for like an hour to get some candid pictures of us and our friends & family. (& maybe a few posed ones too?) If anybody knows of a good, reasonably prices photographer, please let me know!!