The Big Move.

Hello from New Jersey!

I finally have a moment to breathe (and type) since I get here, so I figured, let's update people on what's been happening.

So one big thing, I moved away from home! As the day drew nearer, it got more bittersweet for me. I noticed the things I took for granted, my family (like how Mom totally babies all her children with cleaning, laundry, cooking etc etc, not to mention the stupidness of my daily existence with my brothers), my friends (and how awesome they are), and just the city itself. Yes, I was born in Winnipeg (Peg city STAND UP! - haha, I know I'm the farthest thing from ghetto there is), but I was raised in Vancouver. I'm a BC/Vancouver girl at heart, and forever I will be a Vancouver girl at heart. This may be my new home, but I'll never forget where I'm from.

The last few days in Vancouver were crazy! Fiankee + brother in law showed up, the engagement party with the most love I've seen in a while, the craziest night with my girls, and finally the funnest day with my family in Victoria (I LOVE SCOOTERING!! WAH!). As the seconds counted down to my departure, the more I felt blessed and lucky to have such great people around me (in spirit and physically).

Departure day. I had such a great (and unexpected) send off, it just got so difficult to leave. I love everybody to called/texted/showed up, I definitely felt the love.

And now I'm here in New Jersey, adjusting, being homesick, wedding planning and tackling the monster, also known as New York - which brings me to a funny/scary story that I will tell at a later time. Ever since I arrived here, it's been non-stop wedding planning. Definitely stressful, but it'll be worth it in the end. (But seriously, do I really look like a person that cares about which SHADE of white the flowers will be? Seriously?)

Which brings me to my last point before I get off this thing and try to pass out (adjusting to East Coast time has been so difficult! I know it's only 3 hours, but it really does make a difference). The huge difference from being long distance to seeing Ryan every day totally makes my day and life. I may see him every day, but I still get excited (and anxious) to see him when he gets home from work. If that doesn't tell me how awesome married life will be, I don't know what else to tell you.

And cue barfing.

Make it count.

Yesterday was my last Sports Fest for church. As I stood there and took it all in, it finally hit me that I was leaving. I obviously cried, and I obviously got other people to cry too. What can I say, I'm a crying machine nowadays.

I have 2 more weeks at home, let's make it count.

In other news, 10 more days until I get to see Ryan. It's been a very long 2.5 months since I've last seen him. I may just knock him over with enthusiasm when I see him at the airport. Should I apologize in advance? Naaahh.

Progress.

8 more weeks to go! Here's just a quick update on what's happening...

1. 3/5 bridesmaids/maid of honour dresses are complete, ordered and sized! 3/5 shoes are complete too!
2. Honeymoon completely booked. HAWAI HERE WE COME! My dream honeymoon really is happening! :p
3. Invitations = ORDERED! To be mailed out/handed out in the next two weeks. No RSVP, NO SEAT.
4. Two weeks notice resignation letter written! TWO MORE WEEKS SUCKAS.
5. 4 weeks til the big move! 2 weeks until my yard sale! Hoping for money and items gone!
6. Meetings with florists are booked, my first week in NJ is going to be BUSY.

And my mosssst favourite:
7. As of today, 18 lbs lost! I still have more to go, but for 3 weeks, that's pretty good! Feeling good, looking good.. all thanks to Ryan's encouragement. Not to mention my own motivation to look rocking in the wedding dress and of course hawaii bikini times!

To be honest, I always try dieting and it only lasts a week, exercising as well, but this time, Ryan keeps pushing me to do what makes me feel good, and sure I may die everyday (the Insanity workout is NO JOKE), but it makes me feel really good about myself. Even when Ryan says that he loves me the way I am, I still want to be better. For me, for us. Please don't barf, I'm running on 3 hours of sleep, gushy moments will happen. :p

Bucket List

Since I only have about a month left until I leave, I want to be able to do all of the following before I do so.
I need to enjoy Vancouver while I can. =(

1. Watch a show at Bard on the Beach.
2. PNE/Playland
3. Canoe/kayak at Burnaby Lake
4. Granville Island
5. Grouse Grind
6. Bike ride around Stanley Park
7. Victoria
8. Beach volleyball on any of the beaches
9. Ambleside Park
10. Fireworks

I'm sure there's more, and I'll keep adding/crossing off things here.

Let's get to it!

5 weeks.

5 more weeks til I get outta here. I'm freakin' excited.

The next few weeks are going to be awesome. Thanksgiving, Anni GEM, Edmonton, Engagement Party, last minute hang outs with friends, and Victoria with the fam. Also, not to mention that I FINALLY get to see Ryan in a month. UGH, the wait is killing me.

Let's get on with it!


PS. Many thanks to Alexis, Annie & Missy. Your advice is greatly appreciated! :)

Fashionista.

First of all, special thanks to Annie! Those blogs are awesome. I love you already, and I haven't met you yet. :p

Secondly, I want to talk about this big move to NJ. This is totally unrelated to the wedding and kind of not related to moving, but one of the coolest things about moving over there is that I get to be fashionable! Woo! Sometimes it's hard to find good cheap items here in Vancouver. A lot of the local stuff is super expensive, and everything else is overly priced/taxed. A lot of my close friends usually cross the border to grab steals and cute items (and not to mention the cute stores that only USA has). Crossing the border I will have to do no longer! Target, uniqlo, top shop and whatever else, HERE I COME.
As estatic as I am, I doubt Ryan would be happy with me spending all of his money. Though, what's his is mine, right? Just kidding.

Speaking of which, does anyone have online suggestions to cute but CHEAP clothing websites? ... and also thanks again to Annie for Gilt Groupe!! (More and more reasons to love you girl!)

Interior Decorating.

So I have been looking at websites for a while, and I'm just wondering if any of you know of house decorating blogs? Ryan showed me the awesomeness of RSS feeds and google reader. (Yes I know, I'm so waaaay behind on times)

So another phase of wedding planning? HONEYMOON PLANNING. How friggen awesome is Hawaii? I'm so excited to just lay down on the beach, relax in hammocks and ride around in vespas in and around the island. I can't wait to go back home all burnt toast. Woo.