sonya ina

Yeah so, happy birthday to me. It honestly doesn't feel like my birthday at all. Ben's family and I celebrated last Sunday. So today, well it just feels like any other day. And I suppose it is. I miss my family. I wish I were with them in NJ today.

I also wish I had the day off from work. Luckily, I'm leaving a few hours early to spend some time with Ben. I have off on the 4th of July, but Ben will be out of town from the 3rd-5th for some concert up in CT. Bummer. Well, good for him, and work, but bummer otherwise.

I have a bad feeling about my bridal shower in NJ. I guess it's not a huge deal, but I don't think a lot of my friends are going to show up. Only 1 person has RSVP'd so far, and tomorrow's the deadline. Weird. I don't know, maybe I've burnt bridges or something. Eh, we're all busy people, with lives of our own, including myself.

Maybe my mood reflects the fact that I barely slept last night.

Our wedding invitations have been sent out! Ben and I finished putting stamps on them last night. Then we dropped them off at the post office. I'm so glad that's all over with. Michelle put so much hard work into the invitations, and now everyone can admire them, yay!

So hey, if you get one, RSVP and all that jazz.

We still have mucho wedding stuff to do. Ben is taking care of the ABC license. Currently its status is pending, so hopefully we get the certificate in the next week or so. We still have to order the beer, wine and champagne for the reception. We are looking to take care of that in the next few weeks or so.

I get to see my family 2 weeks from today! I'm really looking forward to it. It's well needed. Let's hope my flight isn't cancelled again.

Oh yeah, my 24th Birthday is tomorrow. Ben and I are going out to dinner. Fun!

I got a new cell phone number. Ben and I decided to get a family plan, so I had to give up my 973 number. Boo hoo. Makes me a little sad.

I don't think anyone reads this, which is fine. However, if you do, and you want it, just ask.

Fun weekend!

My 24th Birthday is next Friday, but Ben decided to give me my Birthday gift a little early! I LOVE IT!



It has some amazing features that I still have to explore. I've only scratched the surface, and so far, it's totally awesome!

We're having a water balloon fight/party (haha) over at Ben's cousins house tomorrow. So, he figured I'd want to take some pictures. Plus, we're having my Birthday dinner Sunday afternoon, because Ben's parents won't be home for my actual Birthday. So, I'll be using my awesome new camera mucho this weekend!

I need to go buy a case for it after work today. I don't want to scratch my new baby.

I don't think I've ever felt so busy, stressed out, and excited in my entire life.

We had the home inspection this morning. It went really well. There are only a few minor problems with the townhouse, and we're asking the sellers to fix a few, and we'll do the rest ourselves. It shouldn't be too bad at all! I just wish our bathrooms were bigger, haha. Oh well.

I can't wait to start decorating!

I just signed all of the mortgage paperwork for the townhouse, wow. Interest rates are up and still going up. I wish we could have locked in a few months ago, poo. Oh well, it's still all very exciting! And a lot of money.

I'll admit it, I was borderline spoiled as a child. I was showered with all the latest toys, electronics, lavish vacations, and other odds and ends. My parents paid my bills, bought me a new car, and paid for my college education. Nonetheless, I was never a spoiled brat. I'm beyond thankful for all the things my parents have given me. They are amazing people, and above all, amazing parents. I hope to, one day, be able to give Ben and my children what my parents were able to give me, while maintaining the integrity I was able to maintain.

In some ways, I still feel like the child I was years ago, but on the other hand, I've changed so much. I feel as though I've been on an arduous journey. I guess we all are. However, through the years, I've come to understand what it's like, and what it's going to be like, relying on myself for money. Now that Ben and I will be homeowners shortly, I feel as though there is this cloud hoovering over our heads, and it's either just about to crack and let in the sun, or cower ominously seeping giant beads of rain.

I'm scared. I won't deny it. A lot of money is going into this soon to be townhouse of ours. A lot of hard earned money. Money that I earned. It's not my parents money, it's mine. Wow, how things change.

Nevertheless, I'm glad it's all happening. I've never wanted to rent, I've always wanted to own. Now my dream is going to come true, and I get to share it with the love of my life.

They accepted our offer on the (town)house! It shall be ours on July 30th if the home and termite inspections go well! Woohooo!

Ben and I looked at a few more townhouses this morning. We really like 2 of them. The first is cheaper, smaller, and in fantastic condition. The second is more expensive (by approximately 15-20K), bigger, and in so so condition. Both are in good areas, and will potentially have good resale values once we decide to buy something else.

As of right now, I am leaning toward the idea of getting the smaller/cheaper one so our mortgage payments will be less each month. As far as I know, Ben is feeling the same way. However, I am also tempted to buy the bigger/more expensive one because it has a really nice/big backyard, and I like the layout more. The only bad thing about it is, it's a for sale by owner, so it's a buying will be a bit more complicated.

I'm really hoping to put in an offer for either townhouse in the coming weeks. We'll see what happens!

Chocolate cake for lunch!

I finally solved one of these! Wooohoooo!

The company I work for had a special breakfast at the Founders Inn this morning. It was quite yummy, quite! I still feel uncomfortably stuffed. We also celebrated the Birthday's of all the June babies, and since my birthday is June 29th, I made a special request... chocolate cake! It was fantastic!

Lately, wedding planning has been coming along swimmingly! My dress is in, I got my garter and the guest book in the mail, and I made a hair trial and wedding day hair appointment yesterday. Plus, Ben is going to pick up my wedding ring today or tomorrow (I already got his). We still have quite a bit to plan, but it's nice knowing that things are finally coming together.

One you finally find the one person that compliments you so well, and vice versa, it's a wonderful wonderful thing. I'm so lucky to have Benjamin.

Saturday, I plan on going to the florist to order the remaining number of centerpieces for the reception. Flowers are expensive. Argh!

Michelle, who has been so kind to design and print our wedding invitations, is coming down here on the 15th for the weekend, so we can get the wedding invites put together and sent out! I'm so excited to see her, and to have no more worries about the invites going out. I wish to be rid of them! They're going to look absolutely amazing, she did a brilliant job!

The pool is finally open and (mostly) swimmable. Hopefully the weather is nice in the coming days, so I can take advantage of that!

This is what happens when we get bored on a Sunday.

Freddie Mercury had a useful 4 octave range. Incredible.

I've come to the conclusion that Queen was quite possibly THE best band of all time. I don't think I should ever have to defend that statement.

The very end.

Baking. I enjoy baking a lot, especially when low fat recipes turn out super yummy! Michal and I made dark chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and low fat banana bread. The banana bread is absolutely amazing = ridiculously moist!

I can't wait to get a new camera.

Right now, life is pretty darn crazy. Yup yup.

My awesome frequent flyer mile trip was cancelled. I'm completely and utterly bummed. First Continental cancelled my orginial flight, then they cancelled the flight they rescheduled me for. I officially despise Continental Airlines. Now I won't be able to see my family for another month and a half.

This week has officially been one of the worst, if not THE WORST, weeks of my entire life.

On the up side, Alex, Mrs. Parker, Mr. Parker, and I went for sushi this evening, and it was yum yum! They gave us a free spider and dessert roll!

Benjamin and I are going out for Thai tomorrow for lunch, before he has to head to work. I'm certainly looking forward to that.

I seriously can't wait until Ben and my honeymoon. Not only for the obvious reasons, but also because I really need an extended vacation, and I know Ben does too. Come June 16th, he will have worked 18 days straight. Good grief! And he said June is a slow month for the lighting company, yeah right!

Hey, at least once we're married, I'll actually get to see him when he works these ridiculously long days on end... in bed. Ha!