A Little Somethin Somethin

At Alli and Sean's wedding they had some of the most beautiful programs I have ever seen. While the programs were inspiration worthy, there was a poem in the back that Alli told me was read at her grandparents wedding and I believe her parents. I just wanted to share with you all because I think it is beatiful and a wonderful sentiment of love:

I love you,

not only for what

you have made of yourself,

but for what

you are making of me

I love you

for the part of me

that you bring out;

I love you

for putting your hand

into my heaped-up heart

and passing over

all the foolish, weak things

that you can't help

dimly seeing there,

and for drawing out

into the light

all the beautiful belongings

that no one else had looke

quite far enough to find.

Excerpt from poem by Roy Croft "Love"

Such beautiful words. And I know that Alli and Sean truly embody these words in their relationship.

You can read the entire poem here.

Climbin' the Corporate Ladder

This is an epic post! No seriously...epic!!

Yesterday my boss came in to talk with me and she was like "well I also have some good news" (this was after a downer conversation about one of our projects) "Starting sept. 1st you are full-time" (I almost squealed with delight at this point)" with the title of HR Coordinator and a salary of blahblahblah". REALLY!! ME? A PROMOTION!!!!

So I am the new. Full-time. Salaried. EXEMPT. Human Resources Coordinator!!

Honestly I am so beyond relieved and happy this day finally rolled around! YAY!

I still have yet to really celebrate but maybe someone will have a drink with me sometime this weekend to celebrate my gainful employment, as Ben would say.

Mozambique

No not the country...the frozen custard flavor.

We have been frequenting this frozen custard shop in Del Ray for a few months now. I had heard about it on Yelp, but a co-workers rave review confirmed we must give it a try. I am officially addicted. On their website they post a calendar of the flavor of the day. They only have three custards each day: Vanilla, Chocolate and the specialty. They also make some really tasty unique sorbets (Lemon Lavender anyone?) Tonight was Mozambique as the special custard. I have been waiting to try this one for awhile. It is vanilla custard with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves mixed in. It was a little taste of heaven.

In Sun Valley a few years back I had Toni's (a local ice cream favorite) Cinnamon ice cream and fell in love. While I still love Toni's, the Dairy Godmother has created a treat that I am sure will join my dreams of dancing green enchiladas and mango mojitos. So good!

Unfortunately the special flavors are only for two days, but I think I will be returning month after month to get my fix of this little delight!

(Oh and just maybe, Obama will stop by again and get his girls some custard!)

DC United VS. Real Madrid

A couple days/weeks? (I am not sure) Alex wound up with three tickets at the club level for the DC United vs. Real Madrid soccer game. It was beyond hot, but the game was awesome and I am glad I got to see such an amazing team play!

Voyage to Seattle: Alli and Sean's Wedding

Last week I headed out to Seattle to celebrate the wedding of one of my closets girlfriends and her amazing other-half, Sean. I stayed with Monica in her darling little house and got to spend some great quality time with all my Seattle friends. By the end of my trip my heart ached to leave them all again since it was such a great trip and I had such a great time seeing them all!!

I arrived on Wednesday evening and Monica picked me up and we adventured to Costco for some groceries and to eat some awesome costco food. After getting a little turned around on I-5 we headed to the bride-to-bes house to see her and also try on my bridesmaid dress that I had never seen!!! I was scared out of my mind the dress wouldn't fit or i was going to look like a beached whale. But Alli picked such beautiful dresses that there was no one someone couldn't look beautiful in it! The dress fit like a glove and it was very exciting to see the Navy and "Apple" green colors together at last!! After that we headed back to Monica's and Sara came over to enjoy some cheese and a bottle of wine.

The next morning I was pampered by Alli as the bridesmaids and some special friends of Alli's/her Mom's were treated to Manicures and pedicures. ( A very exciting development in my life: I actually had fingernails since I stopped biting them!!) I then got to spend the afternoon with Alli and we watched Bridewars (How appropriate) and just relaxed with her darling cousins!

That evening was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at the University Presbyterian church and Seattle golf club. I am such a sap, I cried pretty much at every toast/story of Alli and Sean at dinner.

The happy Couple

Almost Married!

The fake marriage!

Lovely Bridesmaids

Friday was the bridesmaid/special friends luncheon at Alli's house which I got to go to with Stephanie who came in from FL! It was so beautifully decorated and she gave the bridesmaids and friends beautiful gifts! That night Carly, and Sarah, Stephanie, Monica and I went to the mall for some last minute wedding details and then had dinner at the macaroni grill. Monica, Stephanie and I made a quick stop at Mallory's going away bash (she is moving to NC so I will get to visit her!) and then headed home to do a test run of hair and makeup and also creatively figure out how to stretch my shoes for the next day.

Stephanie and I at the Lunch

Interesting method to stretch painful heels. Rubbing alcohol, hair dryer, kitchen spoons, and glasses.

Saturday was the big day. We were up bright and early, prepping from head to toe. Pictures started at 10am and I bawled like a baby when Alli put on her stunning wedding dress. This dress is beyond words and pictures don't even do it justice. Alli looked stunning and radiant! I will never forget the look on Sean's face when he got to turn around and see Alli walking towards him for the first time.

The Dress:

Cake and Mr and Mrs. Kelly

The ceremony was beautiful. I was shaking so hard I am surprised I didn't fall over, but I also couldn't stop beaming because I was so happy for Alli and Sean. The reception was at the Seattle golf club and was a vision of understated elegance and beauty! Alli and her mom could not have planned a more beautiful event!!! A large group of girls from school where there and I had a great time!! The night concluded with taking some limos to a bar and having some beers before collapsing into bed that night.

Yes, that is my bridesmaid bouquet at the bar in a beer pitcher

Sunday morning I got to see the happy couple before they took off for Tahiti on their honeymoon at the post-wedding brunch. Seeing them together and seeing a wedding band on Sean's hand gave me chills and I am so excited for their life together!

Later that day Sara and I checked out the ADPi house since there was some major remodeling done over this summer and I can say I am so amazed at how the house looks! The Alpha Theta girls are very very lucky!!

New study room in the basement

The rest of the afternoon was spend hanging out at Greenlake. I got to see Kendal for a little bit too before she headed back to CA. For the evening Monica and I relaxed at Saras house and then headed home.

The ladies sitting on a bench at greenlakeBeautiful Greenlake and some of my favorite people!

Monday morning I got to go to lunch with Erika on her birthday and spent some time wandering Uville. I made a fabulous dress purchase! Sara picked me up and we headed downtown to visit Pike Place and indulge in some flower and yummy pastries. To conclude my trip Sara, Carly, Monica and I headed to Madison Park to eat at one of my all-time-favorite Seattle restaurants, Cactus!

They have the most amazing Green Enchiladas and Mango Mojitos.

The next morning I was devastated to leave Seattle but managed to get on the plane.

Thanks to all my friends who made my trip so wonderful. AND...

CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. AND MRS. SEAN KELLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (FINALLY!)

Bad Bad Me

I know I know. So long for that "I am going to be a better blogger" initiative. Well I have a few minutes sitting here in the SLC airport waiting for my flight to SEATTLE!!! The beautiful Miss. Allison is getting hitched this weekend and I am flying in to play the part of bridesmaid. (I am trying really hard not to jump up and down in the airport right now).

I am going to get to spend almost 6 days is beautiful Seattle with all my wonderful friends and also be part of Alli and Sean's start of their new life.

Hopefully I will have the time and energy to blog about my adventure when I get back!

A New Type of Post

What is this? Things I actually like about DC/VA/TWC (The Wrong Coast)!??! Maybe I am getting ahead of myself, but here are a few things I have actually come to enjoy.

• Old Town

This breaks down into a few items: My new coffee shop (not in old town per say, but I still like it). The Riverfront park to read a book and sun bathe. PaperSource (scrapbooking/craft heaven). Yummy Italian Place. And King Street in General.

• The Dairy Godmother. This is the mother of all custard places. They have rotating flavors and a killer list of changing sorbets as well. It is a great treat and the line that is always going out the door proves its deliciousness.
• Mount Vernon. Toursity, yes. Beautiful, yes. Need to take advantage of my year pass I bought...yes.
• Cupcakes.
• Fireflies.

Alright I think that was enough for one night. Don't want to get too carried away and give this place too much credit! (Don't worry people my Seattle list is still much longer!)

I went to the Methodist church again today (two weeks in a row..woot!) and while I do enjoy going and it feels comfortable, I do think the "church" shopping will continue. I have aspirations to attend the 8:45am service at the Presbyterian church.....but that is real early on a Sunday for me. But from reading about the church it might be a better fit. We will see.

10 Days till SEATTLE!!!! Alli you are almost a mrs.!!!