Hello Friends!

Nothin' much to say, really. Had the test last night - it was essay, so who knows how it will turn out, but I feel pretty good about it.

Did pilates again today - I started having a muscle spasm in my neck in the first 10 mins or so - my back is in super bad shape. Guess I need to make a massage appt. I'm starting to think I should go to a doctor ...it doesn't seem like other people have this much trouble with their backs.

Ummm...what else? Oh, yeah, I have to pack tonight. Am gonna try to go for a run before leaving tomorrow. We'll see.

And that's about it. If I'm super bored in the hotel tomorrow night, I guess you might hear from me again - otherwise, Bobby's reception is great and I've probably had a few too many beers!

one more thing...even though I think it will post this below the first post for today

Has anyone noticed how the conservative machine makes up things to upset the American people when they want to take attention off their inability to lead the nation? Am I the only one who sees this? I mean, c'mon people! You were blinded during the presidential election by talk of gay marriage. Gay marriage. In the grand scheme of things - with men dying everyday, corruption in big business at its worst, global warming a real threat, and the government spying on normal everyday people - who cares? Really.

Anyway, people - have you noticed that when the approval ratings started dropping the conservative machine started making a big deal out of immigration? This was not coincidence - it was a carefully planned event - they must have this sitting on the back burner for awhile waiting to use it at the most opportune time. Immigration has been a problem for years, but suddenly - just when attention needs to be taken away from low ratings due to an impossible war - this is *the* most important item in the country? It is? Really? Because I thought that the government spying on my phone calls was important - more important than whether or not the guys at my favorite Mexican restaurant (love their hearts, they're such good guys) are illegal. If you ask me, the fact that we're suddenly finding out that this administration thinks it's above the law - that they have the right to prosecute journalists for breaking stories - that they are spying on me and my fellow Americans - and no one is doing anything about it (including the Justice dept) is the most important topic in this country right now. Even more important than the war.

The naive say, "It doesn't matter - I'm not doing anything wrong - let them get my phone records." But the naive don't understand that it's just the first step towards the end of democracy. I believe the KGB listened in on phone calls, didn't they? If we allow these freedoms to be taken away, the next evil leader will come along and take another, and then another...until we have none left. Our system of checks and balances doesn't seem to be working right now, so yes - I have little faith for what's in store for the country.

Sorry this is not very eloquent - I'm just in a rush....this has been on my mind for awhile and I'm just now thinking to say anything about it on here.

Am I the only person in America upset about this?

Weddings! Weddings! Weddings all around!

I've got wedding on the brain - partly bec I've been to three and a reception in the past 7 or so weeks and am going to another this weekend.

Bobby's getting married! And to a great girl!

(Bobby is my brother for anyone who doesn't know.)

Anyway, I've mentioned before that I will be cutting it close - my flight arrives at 3:36 and the wedding is 45 mins away at 5:30. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get stuck in the air, circling Dallas. I think I'm gonna have to take a cab to Garland bec I don't want to make Mom and Dad late for the wedding. They definitely need to be there on time even if I'm not.

I will be on a tee-iny plane which is interesting. It's so small that I picked a seat on the right side of the plane because there's only one seat on the right side of the plane and I'd really rather not have to sit by anyone. Tiny.

So, for the MBA, I'm pretty sure I only have 2 tests left, one of which is tomorrow. So, I left work a bit early to come home and study....and it's now 7 PM and I've yet to study. I think I actually left work a bit early bec I truly needed some Stacey time at home by myself. I turned off my cell phone, there has been no tv, I took a nap, I didn't go work out, and I just lounged. I tried on my dress and it is amazing - I love it so much. *insert tangent* I'm not sure why I keep thinking that maybe I want a different one - this one really suits me and my personality. I saw a girl on theknot the other day that wore the same dress for her wedding...that was kind of cool. With as many choices as there are out there to see someone random wearing my dress is sort of neat. *Back to flow of thought* I've been listening to a bit of music trying to decide what to have played pre-ceremony and while I walk down the aisle - I think I've decided on a recessional. I petted the cat and I looked through a Pottery Barn catalogue. Just quiet stacey stuff. All afternoon. It's been nice.

I'm wondering how long it's going to take me to walk down the aisle. I have a few pieces in mind now (real pieces - not the police or the pretenders or some such) but I'm not sure how long it will take.

I have decided that my favorite piece of music - going back to that guy and Every Little Thing She Does is Magic from a few weeks ago - is the slow part from Jupiter of Holst's The Planets. Some music really strikes me and that is a piece that always does. What is great about that piece - and I do believe that Jupiter is the bringer of Jollity - is that I always imagine a huge party going on. And when it gets to the slow part, I always think that everyone is getting tired at that point or there's a serious conversation going on between two people amongst all of this gaeity or the host is giving a sentimental, thankful speech - I seem to make up some new scenario everytime I listen to it...but then the party picks up again. Anyway, I always tear up during the slow part - it is so amazing. If you've not heard it, I highly recommend it. Probably the most famous piece from The Planets, though, is Mars - but I'm not too keen on Mars. He's the bringer of war, I think, and it's a very war like piece. The Planets is sort of the basis for most modern movie music, and you can definitely hear it in Mars - everytime I hear the music from The Gladiator I think "Oh...it's Mars...shoot...no it's not...it's The Gladiator music...fooled again!"

I have to start deciding on the little picky details of the wedding now. This is way harder than picking the big stuff, I think. Or maybe it's just difficult bec I want a few non traditional things - like the fact that we have no attendants. Now I'm starting to think that if there are no attendants, there will be no ushers and thus everyone trying to get into chairs will be chaotic. Also, since there will only be two chairs on each side all of the way down, what if someone is single? Who will they sit with? And with Mom telling me that so many more people are coming, can we even still do it on the balcony like we want? Or will the people in the back get upset bec they are so far away? K says to have the late arrivers just stand in the back - if the number gets too bad, I may just do that. (Ben suggested we just have the late arrivers stay down on the lawn and watch from there even though they won't be able to hear.) Also, since there are no attendants and I'm walking down the aisle by myself, and since I hadn't planned on having the parents walk out in front of me or any of that nonsense, how do I reserve seats for them? How long do I have music playing before the wedding? How do I word the RSVP's? What do I put on the program? What do I do about table linens? What do I do about centerpieces? I actually have some ideas about most of this stuff, I just haven't 100% decided on anything.

Anyway, there are many, many questions still left unanswered. Ben would say that I'm stressing out - but he doesn't know me very well apparenatly bec I'm not - working out all of these little details is a game for me - a fun way to spend my time thinking. (I spend enough time thinking about serious things like how a turbine works or how to calculate modified NPV.) For the first time in a long time, I'm really interested in this thing - and I want to start working out all of these details right now...it'll be fun. Hehe...but I'm just putting off studying.

And on that note, I guess I'll go...go study that is...

Started my Kashi paper - will be good when I get that over and done with. Also have a midterm - yep, already ... summer terms go very fast - on Thursday. Must study for that at some point.

Had a great run last night.

Took some clothes back to AT loft the other day and ended up buying 20 bucks more than what I returned. But I have a great skirt on today because of it. :-)

I have been so hungry today - don't know why. On class days I bring an extra banana for a snack before class but I ate that at 3 and now I'm really hungry again. What sucks is that it seems this teacher (most marketing teachers do this) think only of food items as examples - so on class nights, I spend a couple of hours listening to a lecture about food. Lovely! Just the way to make my tummy growl a little louder.

Wanted to make it to a weight training class today during lunch, but I decided to work on the paper instead. I guess I'll work on the paper some on the flight this weekend, so maybe next week I can work out during lunch.

I have a mani & pedi scheduled for Friday evening. Thank goodness! I'm in serious need. Was also thinking about scheduling a facial sometime - but I've never had one and my skin is so super sensitive that I'm actually a bit afraid of doing it. But K says she had one and it was great, so maybe I should schedule a few before the wedding.

I think today was the first day that we didn't have rain in weeks.

Maybe I'll do pilates at home tonight. My back is in such pain right now....it will do me some good...

Oh, took a break from Midnight and started reading chick lit Jemima J - it was going pretty well until something really weird/disturbing happened at the climax. I think there are ways to be creative without being disturbing. I still like Jane Green as the best chick lit writer out there, though.

From K & B's reception last night...

...which was beautiful - held in the new part of the art museum. We were a bit late as we had been to Knoxville to Jeff & Jessica's wedding. It was nice to see so much happiness everywhere yesterday!

So, here's Jess & Terry, me & Jess and me & Ben last night. Wish I had taken more pics of the art musuem...

It's a sad day....

I just discovered that Conviction will not be renewed - what did they expect? They aired it only on Friday nights. Anyway, I'm sad....I really liked it - maybe I'll buy the dvd if they put one out.

Did a Pilates class today at Livewell and that was awesome. I'm really glad I did it - I almost chickened out bec I didn't think Kara would be in it and I was a bit nervous going over there by myself. Turns out Patty - Jess's boss - wanted someone to walk with and she came over to ask me - she ended up going to the class with me and boy am I ever glad - I really might have chickened out. I've done pilates at home to a dvd, but it was really nice hearing the trainer give out instructions - it helped my form tons. Anyway, I've a long way to go! My arms are super weak. For the most part I could do it, but there were a few things that I had a hard time with - especially at the end! It kicked my butt, but boy did my back ever feel wonderful for the rest of the day. Stick - is that one of them? Oh, my! That is difficult - especially 45 minutes into the routine. Isn't child's pose the best stretch ever? Oh, and Kara and Michelle and Dee were in the class, so that was awesome, too. They're all great girls. And Dee was kick butt at Pilates - I was super impressed.

I'm thinking about doing some strength training classes during lunch too. Our Livewell is the best - what a wonderful benefit. I've not ever done anything at Livewell during lunch - it takes me too long to shower - but I didn't sweat too much with this....so I'll be back next Friday.

Have I mentioned the fact that I'm eating Kashi these days? I've replaced my Raisin Bran and Life with the Kashi for the soluble fiber benefits to fight this horrid cholesterol. Anyway, after a lecture on brand packaging the other night, I came home to a bowl of cereal for dinner and realized that Kashi is the perfect brand to do my project on for this class. The heart is emotive, the colors are fresh and "healthy" and there's tons of relevant information on the box. Anyway, here's hoping that I can find lots of information on Kashi, the brand.

Tomorrow is a wedding and a reception - get to wear a cute but kind of formal dress which is fun. Hopefully I'll get in a run before the festivities.

Am thinking about changing the pic on the website. We'll see.

No new updates on the wedding, but K and I did discuss a shower this week. We might do it at Mia Cucina - the cooking store. I'm not sure if we'll be able to or not for several reasons so we'll see. Looks like it will be quite small.

Pat Robertson is an idiot. Complete and total lunatic idiot.

We're probably going to Aruba for the honeymoon. Working out details now.

So don't rent The Family Stone because it is horrible. Absolutely horrible. SJP really let me down.

So I'm watching "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" and it's really sad. I don't know what it is about weddings that brings out the "ugly gene" in everyone involved but somehow it happens.

I'll be in Dallas for Bobby's wedding next weekend. I'm actually pretty excited about that. I wish that Ben could have gone with me but flying to Dallas wasn't in the cards for both of us right now.

Always thinking of gazillions of things to blog about but can't think of any of them right now...

So it's been a whirlwind week...

I'm having terrible allergy problems this year...my nose just doesn't want to stop dripping.

Work was pretty wild this week - I thought my head was going to explode with the introduction of so much information. I'm really enjoying it, though...I'm trying so hard to get up to speed, but I think it's going to take awhile.

I have not been working out regularly still. Things have been a bit weird with school starting and sickness and work being pretty wild. I guess I'm really just making excuses - I could make time to work out if I really tried.

Started the new class this week - it's a seminar in marketing elective on brand management. Don't think it's going to be too tough which is nice for the summer semester. We have to write a paper on a brand and I can only think of boring ones. For some reason I keep thinking of UPS's "brown" campaign - I guess I'm interested in studying it bec "brown" just doesn't have good associations for me and I'd like to know if it's working out for them. I can say, though, that while it does not have good associations, I do think of UPS before I think of FedEx.

We got out on the boat for the first time this season yesterday. What a beautiful day for our first trip out. I can't wait until it's warm enough to wakeboard again. There were a couple of diehards doing it yesterday.

There is always so much to do, isn't there? Today is clean the house day, I guess. It's in dire need.

Watching formula one racing while I write this - it's so fun to watch. Hopefully we'll get to go to a European race someday.

I think it's time to declutter....so maybe there will be a big trip to Goodwill today. When I was on my own, I had a hard enough time as it was making room for my stuff. Combining mine with Ben's is starting to get a bit crazy. So, I think it's time to shed some extraneous material.

No new updates on the wedding.

Wrote this on last Sunday's drive home but just now have time to post it....

What a good weekend!

We officially have two more friends that are married. K&B said their vows yesterday evening at 6PM on the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. It turned out to be a wonderful evening for the wedding – there was a bit of drama earlier in the day as K had to decide where to have the chairs set up knowing that there was a 60% chance of rain. But the rain held off and K got her beach wedding! Yea!

I must say that this wedding ran like a well oiled machine. K thought of everything – she put so much time and effort into the planning of this thing, and she and B took care of their guests. This is how great she took care of us – on her wedding day she cooked a brunch for all of the women. Can you believe that? And she did it without rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off (like I would have been). So, I must take note of the way K had everything under control….I was so impressed.

It was a slow start for us – we were going to try to leave on Thursday so that we could wake up in the beach house on Friday and help if need be. But my sickness did not cooperate (along with hair and nail plans) and we decided to leave on Friday instead. Unfortunately, I woke up feeling more miserable than I had been and we decided to hit the dr before we headed out. Ben was actually saying that he didn’t think we should go at all bec I looked so horrible, but I was determined to go no matter how bad I felt. We finally got out of Chatty at about 12:45 and Ben got us down to Seaside in 6 hours – this is no small feat. We arrived to a rehearsal dinner cooked by K’s dad – from here on out known as “daddy”. Daddy has cooked for us before. He is from Iran and he cooks the most wonderful non greasy foods in the world. His specialty (at least in my opinion) is this rice dish – I’m not sure what seasons the rice, but on the bottom of the pot he puts potatoes which come out so crispy like my mom’s fried potatoes, only no grease so they are not greasy. Oh my gosh – they are the yummiest potatoes in the world! I love them. Anyway, on Fri eve he also made some sort of chicken dish with apricots and raisins in it and I’m not even sure what else. He made his famous spicy shrimp for an appetizer and baklava for dessert. All I can say is that it was delicious as usual and we were so grateful to him for putting on such a huge production –he’s the father of the bride! He deserved to have everything cooked for him! But like father like daughter, I guess since the next day K was cooking for us…

K&B had rented 5 beach houses. We stayed in one of the two large ones that were right next to each other and intended for friends of the bride and groom. We were right on the beach, and also had a pool, and this is where Friday night dinner was served. So everyone stayed around afterwards and thankfully I had slept for most of the drive that day bec we stayed up late playing a wonderful little role playing game called Werewolf. One of B’s friends introduced us to it and we had a blast. I think the general sentiment at first was “A role playing game…uh…I don’t really want to do that.” But in the end it was quite fun and I have a feeling Werewolf will make its way back to Chattanooga.

Finally, we slept! And on Sat. morning, we women went over to K & B’s beachhouse for the brunch. They were located away from us, right across from the pavilion where the wedding was to take place. This house was super cute. It had covered decks surrounding it – and we even brunched out on one of them. K thought of everything! Down to the mimosas and the super cute tableware. No detail was overlooked.

The boys were on their own back at the rest of the beach houses and were supposed to be having ribs during our brunch. But boys just don’t seem to have it together as well as girls – K in particular – and didn’t get to eat until 3 or so. I bet K could have organized our brunch and their lunch and had them both pulled off before 3! J

So, then we hung out by the pool with David and a very cute & pregnant Stephanie until it was time for the wedding. The morning’s rain worries were forgotten as we watched K&B marry in front of the ocean. They were so happy. We then moved to a room in one of the buildings somewhere in the town for dinner. K&B danced to “I Love You Just the Way You Are” which was super sweet.

Anyway, a synopsis of my favorite moments of the weekend:
By the pool, Stephanie asking B if he was worried that K would bail on him and him replying that “Yeah, it has crossed my mind…I mean, she’s lost all this weight for the wedding - she’s so hot! And look at me…” hehe.

Brye’s dad starting his speech before dinner with, “Becky will cry and then I will too,” before proceeding to croak out the rest of speech through tearful pauses. It was very sweet.

Avi – B’s cousin - telling B’s dad that they – that is to say Avi and B’s dad – had done it – they had done a wonderful job in raising B. Hehe.

Avi and Tyler’s wonderful air rock band – Avi on drums and Tyler on guitar – and then switching instruments mid song.

As Werewolf trying to keep a low profile and then emcee B saying, “I need for the werewolf to open her eyes.” Thanks, B! They lynched me immediately after!

Ben’s video-ing everyone on the dance floor. I can’t wait to watch the footage.

K and Hayley and Big Al telling college day stories during the brunch – yuck! What a nasty room they must have had.

I know it’s old school now, but BA putting “Hey Ya” on and EVERYONE dancin’. Avi’s got some good moves.

Pregnant and cute Stephanie in her adorable light green maternity dress yelling at David, “You dumba$$!” when he backed into the pole on the way to the wedding.

David continuing to bring up the topic afterwards even though the rest of us were trying to avoid it.

K&B singing the lyrics to “Just the way you are” to one another.

Everyone double fistin’ whatever it was they were drinking bec the bartender was a bit psycho about gettin’ us hammered.

Seeing BA and another girl in the same bright green Anthropologie floor length dress. That was a bit strange – I mean, who would think that two people out of 30 would show up in the same dress – and from Anthropologie at that – to K’s wedding? But they both handled it so gracefully.

Daddy telling me about the wonderful 35 years he had with K’s mom. I hope I have love like that for the rest of my life.

Forcing Ben to throw his red wine on the roof of the white tent below us bec I told him he was a girl if he didn’t.

Kiki and Stephanie talking about breast feeding during dinner and David’s face turning redder and redder.

B’s tshirt that he wore before the wedding – orange of course! – with “Would you marry a man who” on the back of it. A few of those that I remember: feeling comfortable enough to tell a priest that the wedding was f***ing beautiful”, carrying around a pitcher of his own vomit, & and peeing on his passed out friend. I’m sure those were some really good times. At the bottom it said, “K would.”

David diving into the pool, walking to the shallow end and Ben ratting him out. Hehe. We all knew what you were doing, Dave.

And finally…
The look on B’s face when K joined him at the altar. What a great smile that was. That was pure love.

Thanks guys for allowing us to be a part of such a wonderful event in your lives. We’ve always known what a wonderful host and hostess you guys are, but you really blew yourselves away this time. It was amazing to see two people that love each other as much as you guys do getting married. We love you both.

Short but sweet vacation...Ben and I in Seaside yesterday evening

Beautiful Bride!

Still sick...yuck!

The final was pretty tough, but I still managed an A. Hooray for me! I was a little worried those first ten minutes, though, which is really strange for me - but I was also on Benadryl and having a hard time concentrating.

Only two more to go!

So, I guess I sorta did some wedding stuff today. Got my hair done and J did my hair in loose wavy curls. It looks cool and Ben liked it. I may have her do something similar for the wedding.

Also, I talked to the baker again. Must make deposit soon for that. That's something I've been holding off on these days - making deposits. After April's crisis, I just don't want to spend anymore money on the wedding.

Although, I must say that things seem to be better, so that's good.

What else? Oh, yeah, Ben and I were sitting on the deck and Roger, the neighbor, came over and talked with us for a bit. It was nice - it started raining pretty heavily but we were under the umbrella of the patio furniture - I really adore when I can enjoy a rainstorm. Anyway, Roger and his sons have a dj business, so we talked with him about doing that for us for the wedding. He gave us a price which was awesome. So, yeah...think we'll get him to do that.

Oh - bad news - I found out a girl that I went to college with died suddenly this week. I knew her fairly well but we didn't keep in touch or anything. I feel so bad for her family - she had a 4 month old son. Her husband must be devastated right now. It had me thinking about mortality a bit - and about how inconsequential most things are. I hope I can one day - and boy will I ever try my hardest from now on - live by "Don't sweat the small stuff."

How eloquent am I? Hehe.

Oh, my gosh...I watched The Chronicles of Narnia last night and it was fabulous. What a wonderfully amazing movie it was! I cannot believe that I never was able to get past the first 20 pages as a child.

I've only just begun Midnight, and am already adding tons of books to the "want to read" list. I think I'll add the Narnia series to it, as well. I guess when I finish school I can get to all of these. Until then, I'll continue slowly trudging through. That sounds negative, but I do enjoy reading - it's just a time management issue.

Maybe if I weren't wasting time blogging.....