Noise overload...

I tend to not watch much TV, in fact, over the years most of the TV I watch is because Jamie cannot live without TV... I will admit, it is easy to get sucked into all the noise, I mean when there are shows like Jersey Shore (note: Jamie does NOT like Jersey Shore (so he says:))and Biggest Loser how does one NOT watch TV... Anyways, the point here is that the other night I decided to try all on my own to watch TV, just for the hell of it. Well after 2 hours of realizing there was no noise I looked up from my book/magazine/macbook and this is what I was watching:





















You probably can't tell from the picture but the TV is actually on, it's just on a channel we do not even get...

... and that's how important TV is to me.


(PS: That's my friend Steve's TV... We have been staying at his place while we get our new place together... Thanks Steve!)

Is a Boo Boo??

So, after being poisoned by my fiance's mother I have managed to lose about 15 lbs total and I am actually keeping the weight off!! I am finally back to where I was when I met my fiance 3 years ago and tricked him into thinking I was actually going to stay that skinny...

Anyways, feeling confident, I decided to go with my dearest best friend to put my body through 90 minutes of hot yoga with her, during my visit to DC.

Side note: The issue with me and yoga is this: I think I am doing yoga wrong, I mean, I HAVE to be doing something wrong, there is a freaking cult following for this stuff!! It's no joke... See, I've gone to yoga many times and everyone looks so tranquil and peaceful and all sorts of involved with their inner self, where as I am trying desperately not to fart or to fall over, I forget to breathe and then I spend most of the time trying to figure out "do I really have to pee or do I just think I have to pee??"

Anyways, I figured I owed it to myself to give 90 minutes of 100 degree stretching to my body, mind and soul. So here goes...

This sums up my workout (all happening in my "peaceful mind" mind you)

1 min in- "Holy crap is it hot in here, I am sweating already! Boy, I hope I dont drown the man next to me"
2 mins in- "Damn, I should have brought a sweatband for my arms, legs AND head, that man next to me really has it figured out"
5 mins in- "OMG IS IT HOT IN HERE, I wonder if I am going to throw up on myself? If I do I am going to have to aim for the guy next to me because Allison would kill me if I threw up on her... I think I have to pee"
8 mins in- "How on earth can people hold the downward dog position THIS LONG, I think this is actually bad for me... BREATHE Rai BREATHE"
15 mins in- "Yep, I gotta pee, God why did I drink all that coffee earlier"
20 mins in- "Is everyone else thinking about their grocery list right now or just me?"
25 mins in- "I am literally sweating my contacts out of my eyes, how are other people doing this? did I put on deodorant? Oh dear, I really hope I put on deodorant, I wonder if I can sneak a whiff and make sure... Whew good, I put on deodorant"
35 mins in- "I bet there is no way I can sneak out to the bathroom to pee, yep, nope no can do... How is that guy next to me keeping up with all this?!"
40 mins in- "God I love childs pose! But I think it makes me feel like I have to pee even more"
48 mins in- "I am going to just keep pretending I need water so I can take a break without looking like I am taking a break"
55 mins in- "I am going to puke all over myself"
56 mins in- "What color should I dye my hair this summer? Maybe I will just let it be natural for the wedding"
57 mins in- "Holy SHIT, thats right, I am getting married!"
60 mins in- "Maybe I will make everyone at my wedding do hot yoga, that way they know what kind of hell I went through to fit into my dress"
67 mins in- "I bet they could use this as torture in some countries"
70 mins in- "OMG!!!! I think I am literally dying"
75 mins in- "Am I really the only one that has no feeling in their hands and feet? How on earth do these people do this??"
80 mins in- "I. Have. To. Pee!!!"
85 mins in- "I am never coming back here again!"
88 mins in- "Oh good, I think we are wrapping up!"
89 mins in- "Have I mentioned that I am SO not coming back here!"
90 mins in- "FINALLY, some actual relaxing... This floor feels AMAZING!"

and naturally, as I am leaving I say:

"Ok where do I sign up?"

I just don't get it. Do I love it or do I hate it?

Free your mind...

... and the rest will follow

That's my new motto, today.

I realize as much as I hate to run, when I do take the time to give my legs the old high school track try, I feel so damn good afterwards... Mainly because it gives me the time to free my mind (I think). Wait, crap, isn't that contradicting?

Ugh, this is also why I am bad at yoga and meditation.

My mind perplexes me.

East Bound Chapter 3 PA Volume I

Sorry this post is delayed, planning a wedding and a huge move out east was a nutty idea on my part. Things have been hectic! But enough excuses, more on the move!

As of right now everything that we did not fit into our SUV is in storage. What that means over all (to me) is (and the most important thing) that I have been wearing the same outfits over and over again. Which actually (surprisingly) is a blessing in a way because I have fewer decisions to make when dressing to go somewhere. That’s the positive; the negative is that all of my pictures may look like they were taken in the same night, but in reality it’s been over a period of a month... I don’t think you care about my clothing, but it’s my blog and I care... But I am not selfish so I will stop writing about my attire. You’re welcome.

Anyways, the truth of it all: We arrived to PA welcomed by the cold and rain and for the last 25 days it has been just that, cold and rain… Kinda really makes you want to slit your wrists, I am surprised that Pennsylvania doesn’t take the cake over Seattle for highest suicide rate. In addition to the cold and rain we have warped back to the early 1990’s (minus the grunge music and good hip hop). I am pretty sure that 100% of the “People of Walmart” photos are taken in Fayette County PA. Except these people aren’t just at Walmart, they are EVERYWHERE! I hope I am not offending anyone, but seriously people, this place is like the Twilight Zone just not as cool. Good news is, we aren’t here for long... My dear (amazing) mother is allowing us to crash at her place while we look for houses in Pittsburgh (nothing says "adult" like being back home when you are almost 30!). House hunting is tough though, considering people in PA do not use the freaking internet! Online house shopping is basically non-existent. Ugh, I sound like a spoiled California girl. Don’t worry, I will mature out of that soon (I hope or I will probably get my ass kicked out here).

Funnier, less whiny posts to come, promise ☺



Diversity:

East Bound Chapter 2 CLT/VA Volume I

Charlotte:
I have said this a million times and my family and friends are utterly sick of hearing it, but I just want to live here already! I love this place, I love my family here and my friends here. Just all around great people, oh and not to mention- WARMTH!

Tall Boys!

















VA:
It’s always a pleasure visiting my FIL’s (Future In Laws for those of you not planning a wedding or not already married… I am learning the lingo!) We got to see an awesome thunderstorm and just relax with the Vigliotta’s ☺ I will say though, my favorite part of the trip was when Jamie’s mom poisoned me (she didn’t actually poison me (I don’t think) but I did get poisoned some how) Anyway, nothing like spending 12 hours in the bathroom with your insides coming out onto your outsides. Yes, I did say this was my favorite part because even though I felt like I was literally dying (I wanted to call an ambulance, but honestly didn’t think I could handle being in a vehicle without my stomach falling on the floor) (I wonder what type of hydraulic set up an ambulance comes equipped with… hmmm…)) Anyways, it was my favorite part because the 10lbs that I couldn’t lose to save my life just came off like magic! So, forget diets and exercise people, just eat pork!


Or don't eat pork :/

N'awlins Baby!

San Antonio Fun!

Herro, may I order some chicken and brocorri?

I can only hope you get a kick out of this... I know we did!





Menu at the Chinese restaurant by Hollywood Video :)

the bonus

So far New Orleans has delivered just about everything we expected and more... waaaaay more.

We have had fantastic food, stiff sugar-filled and colorful drinks, made some quick friends and listened to some rad live music! What we weren't expecting and what we would like to call "the bonus" of our already exciting night went a little something like this:

Got a taxi ride back to the hotel from the French Quarter (normal).
Pulled up to the hotel (normal).
Naked guy comes running at us (eh, could be normal, it is New Orleans).
Naked guy demands us to give him our clothes (I realize things are getting less normal).
Taxi guy checks in his car, no extra clothes.
Naked guy demands me to give him my shawl (he actually used the term shawl).
Uh, no.
Hotel management tries to give him a hotel towel.
Naked guy refuses towel.
Naked guy tweaks.
Naked guy screams.
Jamie goes to get naked guy a towel from our room (our only clean towel).
I stay and take pictures (totally normal).
Naked guy refuses our clean towel stating "No man, I ain't taking that towel it has electrodes in it!" (definitely not normal)
Jamie tries to level with naked guy "No man, see these arches (pointing to the awning of the hotel) these arches cancel out all the electrodes, so this towel is clean dude" (now I am starting to wonder if Jamie is normal).
Naked guy doesn't buy it.
Hotel guy calls cops.
Hotel notifies us that they have ran out of clean towels.
I make a sad face.
Jamie asks naked guy how he got naked.
No answer (bummer).
I decide it's time for me to go back to the room.
As I am walking to the room a half naked chick with only panties on comes running down the hallway holding a hurricane in her hand screaming "GET IN YOUR ROOM! A BLACK GUY IS ROBBIN' PEOPLE!"
So I get in my room.
I triple lock the door thinking only one thing...

"Damn it's impressive that this chick is being robbed and still managing to hold onto her drink."



The bonus:



Note above the penis is this mans crack pipe... Which explains a lot actually.

East Bound: Chapter 1 Volume I

So after a grueling week of packing, cleaning, scraping, packing, cleaning, scraping, packing and saying our goodbyes, we are finally well on our way out east!

Personally, I think if any couple can survive a big move like this, they can survive just about anything (we are hoping for a Zombie Apocalypse next, we are surprisingly more prepared for that).

Here are a few highlights of the trip so far:

1) Having the pleasure of driving through the desert and noticing that it looks the same whether you are 20 minutes into it or 12 hours into it. It felt like running on a treadmill, but we are driving, not running and the treadmill is really big and has dirt and a mountain painted on the wall... and well, that about sums up the scenery so far.
2) Trying to find Cowbell in the car, you never know where her sneaky butt is hiding. We tried to “walk” her on a leash but she immediately rolled around in the dirt/mud/ash/motor oil/and other random desert stuff; she is no longer fluffy white, Cowbell is now flat poop brown.
3) Jamie broke his toe and I have 2 black eyes, possibly unrelated.
4) We wanted to take "lots of pictures” on the journey, but I am never able to get the camera fast enough to take the cool pictures of things we pass (cool is relative at this point), plus my “traveling outfit” is not the most flattering thing I own. As a matter of fact, I ran into Walmart real quick to grab a few things and I am pretty sure I may end up in the next “People of Walmart” chain email you get, look for me!
5) Passing 2 city signs back to back, one reading "Truth or Consequences Elephant Butte" and the next "Rock Hound City of Rocks". I don't even have a comment for those, except that I am sad I wasn't quick enough to take pictures and too lazy to turn around.
6) Paying for an extra night in a hotel just to sleep in...


Goodnight ya'll <3









Note: Truly my favorite thing about road trips is attempting to fix lunches in the car (note to self: everything, EVERYTHING explodes after traveling- I have been covered in mustard, mayo, ketchup and hot sauce... to start) Anyways, it reminds me of road trips with my grandparents when I was younger, where my mamaw would so gracefully fix us a Spam and Mustard sandwiches during our long journeys to Florida... I never recall her being covered in condiments... But oh well, I'm learning :)

tonight I shed a tear for you

Well... Well... Well... It's getting close to "that time" (the time where we go from our home, to another home, that's new to us and that is not the home we are in now), we are almost all packed up and ready to head out and day by day we are getting more anxious for our departure... we are so excited to start our new journey and yet so sad to say good bye to the place that has brought us together and has made us so many great friends and wonderful memories...

For me, moving has always been a big part of my younger 20something days, so when it has come time to pack up and move forward it has come easily to me, for a long time I took pride into being able to fit just about everything that I own in the trunk of a car. But this time is a bit different for me, my time in California has become me. Since graduating college and chasing me, this place has easily felt like my second home, and actually my first adult home (I actually have furniture and a plant that's half alive). The sun has a way with wrapping its arms around you and the people here have become a part of my heart. There is just something about having the beach beside you that is so fulfilling and knowing the sun will shine tomorrow brings an ease to your mind.

This time I think about everyone I will miss, not only all of my close friends that I have started spending family holidays with instead of my family (these people that have actually become my family)(with, of course, the exception of my fabulous sister that has brought the familiarity of home out to the west with me <3)... But I think of all the people that have become a part of my life here in small ways, some people I do not see often but think of often, some people that do not even know the impact they have had on my life here... both small and large. I think about every single one of you and how my weeks and days will just never be the same without you.

I am excited for this journey, I am ecstatic to be close to my family again and to reunite with my old friends. I can not wait to plan my wedding and to marry the most incredible person I know. I know laughter and warmth will fill my heart and this will be one of the most exciting points in my life...

But tonight, tonight I shed a tear for you.

... for I will miss you more than you will ever know.

Us...

(taken from our wedding website)

"The last place you'd find most people is where they are. Most of us spend our lives thinking about what's next, who I'm going to meet, who I'm going to be when I get married, skinny, rich, famous. You know, life is what happens while we're busy making other plans.

But life doesn't happen in the future - or the past. It happens right here, right now. That's why it's important to start each day wherever you are.

Today, shake yourself free of any expectation of arriving. Encourage yourself to be fully in the moment-to enjoy your transformations and to seek out new obstacles. Sink your teeth into the endless dessert that life is serving up every moment of the day."

About the Bride and Groom:

Lorraine Choon-Choon Koay
The Bride
Born and raised in the urban town of Fairmont, West Virginia Rai played basketball, dabbled in some soccer, ran track and bit a girl on the arm in the 3rd grade. For the most part, Rai has a clean driving record and enjoys a good thunderstorm.
Favorite Quote: "I like things that make sense."

Jamie John Vigliotta
The Groom
Born in New York and raised in Virginia, growing up Jamie was quite annoying, had a deep love for playing basketball and enjoyed jumping off rooftops with his friends.
Favorite quote: "I'm the type of person that doesn't have to have a favorite quote."


How we met

You know in the movies when a boy and a girl run towards one another in slow motion, feet digging in the sand with beautiful ocean waves and a romantic soundtrack in the background? Well it was exactly like that, except we ran in regular motion and the soundtrack was noise coming from a kid’s birthday party and it was actually all a little awkward. But that's how it all started, on June 24, 2008 on the beach in beautiful sunny San Diego. Unfortunately the day Jamie and Rai met ended abruptly with Rai in the hospital running a 103 degree fever, struggling to remember out of the three friends she met that day, "which one was Jamie again?". Shortly after getting out of the hospital Rai (still slightly sick) went to watch Jamie and his friends play in a kickball game, thats when the crushes developed and all hell was about to break loose. They decided that before they would even consider dating they had to have at least one thousand things in common, a goal they all too quickly reached. One by one things got checked off the list and before they had time to control it, feelings were caught and love was in the air. In the years to follow Jamie and Rai shared great times with friends, incredible moments with each other, a few tears, some fears, many successes, laughter in abundance and most importantly, they found a best friend in one another. A bond that took them both by surprise, a bond that lead them on the unimaginable journey of two great hearts, one snobby cat, a crazy dog and a ring...