Wedding!

One day in kindergarten, maybe a week or so after school had started, a new girl was added to my class. At recess, she was all alone. She was the 'new girl' and everyone already had their friends chosen. I said to myself, I'm going to go play with her. Belinda and I have been friends ever since.

Belinda got married May 22 in Houston. I was honored to be one of her bride's maids. I was excited for a good six months before the event. I flew from Raleigh to Houston the Thursday before. My friend Herbert was willing to come down from College Station and be my 'plus one' for the weekend. Friday, he was a good sport as I dragged him all over Houston on errands. We did have a picnic at the Water Wall by the Galleria.

We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the church. Hopefully I'll be able to snag some photos from Belinda from the photographer. The ceremony took place at St. Anne Catholic Church. It was a beautiful place and a beautiful ceremony. I even got to walk down the aisle! When the doors opened and Belinda came out in her dress, I almost cried. I'm so excited she's married and I got to be a part of it.

As part time schlepper, Herbert got to hold my stuff while I drove. He snapped this of himself with my bouquet.

At the reception, the wedding party was introduced. I like this picture because I'm catching some air. Belinda and Dave Senneway in their first dance as a married couple; aren't they beautiful?!?!

Shu, me, Aimee (Belinda's sister and maid of honor), Jenny, and Nancy. A portion of the old high school crowd.

Belinda the beautiful bride. I know I've said this already, but words truly can't express how happy I am for her, so maybe if I say it enough, you'll catch just a small glimpse of how wonderful the weekend was.

On the drive home from the reception, we passed the new playground at the park by the Bellaire Rec Center. As a Recreation Resource Management major, I had to test it out, dress or not. It was grand. I did change into more comfortable shoes though.

Herbert getting in on the action.

I flew back to Raleigh Sunday afternoon and then drove 250 miles to Buxton. I got in after 3am and had to work nine hours later that day, but it was worth it. It was a wonderful weekend. I can't believe it was a month ago.

Traveling Duck

Some visitors yesterday morning came to climb the lighthouse. They were traveling with a floppy rubber ducky and taking pictures of the duck with those they came in contact with and the places they were visiting. I've seen other people do the same with moose, pink flamingos, etc.

I was privileged enough to be asked to take my picture with Ducky. I was working the base of the lighthouse at the time. I gave my email address to the lady and this is what I found in my inbox this morning.

Visit #1

I had my first visitor since moving to the Outer Banks. Over Memorial Day weekend, there is a mass congregating of LDS singles from all up and down the east coast at Duck Beach. Reports say there were close to 1000 people at church Sunday. While Duck is a good ways north of me, my friend Ruth, from Texas A&M days, made the drive down to spend a few days with me. It was grand to have her visit.

Here we are at the top of the lighthouse. This is were I work, everyday. Pretty cool, huh? It was a strange experience to climb to the balcony in shorts and flip-flops as opposed to my uniform. The wind-blown look is the official stamp of authenticity. It's always windy up there.

The view from the top looking southeast towards the point.

Every Monday I conduct a program called Fish with a Ranger. We provide everything but the bait. It was a beautiful morning.

Ruth caught the only fish that morning, a puffer fish. It was also the first fish caught of the summer season for the Fish with a Ranger program.

We had dinner Monday night at a fabulous place called Dinky's. Ruth got the swordfish and I got a pasta with shrimp, scallops, and crab. Delicious. We spent Monday night hunting ghost crabs on the beach.

It was wonderful having a visitor. I believe everyone needs a little Outer Banks in their life!

It sure feels like...

I got a call last Friday night from an old friend from Montana now working in New Jersey. We had a nice catch-up before I finally said I had to go to bed because the next day was my Monday.

Have you ever had days that didn't feel like the day they really were? Like a Tuesday felt like a Monday? Or a Thursday cheated you by feeling like a Friday? I'm sure the phrase, "It feels like [enter day of week here]" has been said at least once.

Well, it happens to me everyday now. You see, my weekend is Thursday/Friday. I work nine hour days so every other week I have Wednesday off as well. So, while the majority of the working world is staying up late Friday night and making their weekend to-do lists, it's my Sunday night and Saturday morning dawns bright and early as my Monday. My Friday night shifts between Tuesday night and Wednesday night.

Writing this post, I realize it's Friday. Really, a calendar would call today Friday. That means, looking at my watch and realizing it's after midnight and technically Saturday, it's really my Monday and I should go to bed.

The picture below has nothing to do with this post but it's late, I'm a bit loopy, I'm working six hours tomorrow in the "hot, humid, tube of death", and I think all posts should have at least one picture to make things interesting.