sonya ina

Ben is home. We're closing on our house today at 3PM. I'm excited. I'm nervous. Wow.

Hae-jin came with to my wedding hair trial this morning. My hair turned out lovely, and I'm super stoked to redo the do (haha) on September 8th! It's very different, and I love it.

Afterward, Hae-jin and I hung out for a bit. We went out to lunch, attempted to shop, and had lots of great conversation. Always a lovely time with that pretty lady!

Then, I went home, washed my hair out, and headed over to Nannie's house to hang out/bake with Michal Beth. We made oatmeal raisin cookies, and (homemade) brownies. Both came out super yummy! We also watched The Sound of Music. I've seen that movie so many times, and love it like it's my first viewing every time.

Ben will be home tomorrow around 5PM. Yay! Miss him.

My friends Chris and Kim got married today. I couldn't make it to NJ for the wedding, but congrats lovebirds!

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Ben and the guys almost didn't make their connecting flight to Japan this afternoon. After being delayed in Norfolk for nearly 2 hours, they literally had to run through Chicago O'Hare to make it. Sheeesh! What a waste that would've been! I wish I were on the plane right now with them. Grrrrrr. However, Ben and I realized last night, that due to the time difference (13 hours ahead), Ben has 1 less day in Japan than originally thought. Boo! Oh well.

Ben should arrive in Japan at 3:30AM my time, and 4:30PM Japan time. I won't be able to talk to him until Sunday afternoon, when his plane lands in Chicago, so I hope all goes well!

I'm glad tomorrow is Friday. I'm looking forward to my hair trial on Saturday morning. Hae-jin is most likely coming with me. I know she'll be honest to me about how it looks, and that's what I need!

For whatever reason, I've been thinking about September 11, 2001 a lot today. Then, oddly enough, I went to google news and found this article, about President Bush tying Al Qaeda to the September 11th disaster. Apparently, some information leading to this tie was declassified recently, although what information it was remains unknown. Experts are skeptical, of course.

It's an interesting article.

1 year ago today, I was working in NYC, somewhat enjoying my hipster music industry career, eating Thai almost every day for lunch, working what seemed like 12 hour days, and in pains with my long distance relationship with Benjamin. Wow, how things have changed.

It's all good!

I'm a little disappointed. Ben and I were supposed to get a free washer and dryer with the house we are buying, but I just called the other agent to find out the details, and it turns out we're not. Therefore, we have to buy one, which means more money. Gah! Hence, I'm a little irritated because the listing agent lead us on to believe one thing, and did another. Lame! I found a few nice/reasonably priced used ones on craigslist though, because I don't think it would be in our best interest to pay full price for new ones. We'll see. If not, we're going to a laundromat or Ben's parents house.

Yesterday was kind of an off day. Both Ben and I were rather stressed out about everything that comes along with getting married and buying a house. The stress is still there, but we're trying to be more optimistic. I admit, I'm guilty of being a pessimist at times, but I'm trying hard to change that.

On a brighter note, I got a raise. Yiippeee!

Ben leaves for Japan Thursday morning, and he'll be back Sunday evening. Monday, we close on the house. Pretty crazy. Lots going on.

Yesterday, Ben and I started making our wedding favors. We have about 50 more to do out of 150, so we're more than half way done. Thank goodness. One less thing to worry about. They look great!

After we finished making the majority of the favors, Ben and I went to a party. It was for a friend of mine that is getting married at the end of next month. The party was at a gigantic house, with its own boat slip, in Bay Colony. The house was really nice, but decorated horribly. Super gaudy. It was a good time. Lots of rich people. Haha!

I've decided I really dislike "southern" food. It tastes like poo, and is just plain bad for you.

Yesterday, Ben and I had our final wedding meeting with Pastor Steve. It was great! We picked out our readings for the ceremony and went over some other final details. We had a very in depth discussion about God's role in marriage, and how when a couple gets married with the Lord in their hearts, a new life is born, a life the couple must cherish and nurture.

51 days!

Ben working yesterday

I'm going to be a homeowner in less than 2 weeks. Kind of scary, haha.

This weekend was absolutely amazing! Thank you so much to everyone who attended my Bridal Shower. And a VERY special thanks to my Mom, Lydia, Irene, and Michelle for making it happen! You know me all too well!

I went for my first wedding dress fitting, and my dress fit almost perfectly! The length needs to be altered minutely, and the bustle needs to be added. Other than that, it's pretty much perfect.

Here are some pictures from the weekend!


My Mom, me, and my sister Lydia


3 out of my 5 bridesmaids!


The amazing food


All the lovely ladies that attended


Hahahaha!

At the airport, waiting for my delayed flight to depart.

Ben and I were on our way to the mall last night and my car wouldn't start. At first we couldn't figure out what was wrong with it, then we realized it was the battery. We jump started it, and drove to the auto parts store, where we tested the battery. Sure enough, it was dead. The guy at the store was nice enough to install a new one for me, even though he didn't have to. (He also took $15 off the battery, sweet deal!) By law, if the fuse box is above the battery they aren't allowed to change it, but he wanted to give it a go. After about 20 minutes of fumbling around in my tiny VW Beetle engine, and praying the rain would hold off, Ben and the auto parts guy took the old one out and put the new one in, yay! All is well. ::phew::

In other news, one of my coworkers breeds tibetan mastiff's (beautiful beautiful dogs) and she assists her vet in deliveries every now and again. So, last night she got a call that an english bulldog was in labor, and since they have to be delivered cesarean section they needed as many hands as they could get. Basically, what happens is a lot of times the bulldog puppies that are delivered last don't make it because their oxygen supply gets cut off.

Anyway, they delivered 11 puppies! All alive! 11, sheesh! Usually they only have about 4 or 5. Sounds like some sort of record to me.

I can't wait for Ben and I to get our own dog!

Benjamin and I


Dave, his wife, and Lexia


Ben!

Oh man, this weekend was great!

Saturday, Ben and I went out to breakfast with some of his old friends from his homeschooling High School years. Afterward, we took care of some wedding errands. Paid for the flowers in full, and figured out the alcohol situation. Then, that night I went over to the guys house and played Apples to Apples (Ben had to work)! Always fun.

Sunday was a blast. Ben's boss, Dave, invited us out on his boat with his wife and friends. I have never been on a "private" boat before, so it was a new experience for me. We went out to Cape Henry and literally saw about 100 dolphin. It was so surreal. Everywhere we turned there they were. I swam with them when I was in Hawaii years ago, but that was a controlled environment. So, seeing so many out in the wild was amazing. The only bad thing was, I got sea sick out on the ocean (ugh), thinking about it right now I am getting a little woozy, haha. So, we had to go into the bay where the water was a lot less choppy. Ben and I rode their Sea-Doo. Insanely fun. We got up to about 45 mph. I'm so sore today.

After the boat and Sea-Doo ride, we all went back to Dave and his wife's house and swam in their pool for a bit. Then, they treated us to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, yum yum. Overall, one of the best times I've had in a long time! It was Ben and my 4th of July, just a few days late.

I'll post some pictures later.

Me and my soon to be niece Savannah!

I used to work on 23rd Street in NYC. I'd take the A train, so I'd walk past the Chelsea Hotel every day. I've always wondered about it, knowing its eclectic history. It most famous for being the place where Sid Vicious (bass player of the Sex Pistols) apparently killed his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. As I walked by, I'd see people out on the balconies and wonder who they were, and why they were in town.

Today, I found out that it has been sold to a chain of hotels, and will be getting a major renovation. Good and bad. I hope they keep its charm.

Read more here.

I've been struggling lately :[

I often wonder what my life will be like 5-10 years from now.

Will I regret moving away from NJ? I miss my family/friends terribly.
Will Ben and I still live in VA? If not, where?
Will Ben and I have kids? Will we even be able to have kids?
Will I be working? And will I like my job? I need health insurance.
Will Ben and I be in serious debt? Or will we be comfortable or wealthy?
Will I be content?

What does the future hold? I'll find out eventually.

I saw License to Wed last night. It was cute, and funny. However, if you're not on the path to marriage, or recently married, then you probably won't like it. I thought it was hilarious, because Ben and I are pretty much going through exactly what Sadie and Ben (how ironic) are going through in the movie. Hopefully, minus the whole almost not getting married thing. Plus, I love Mandy Moore and John Krasinski. They actually make a really cute couple.

Other than that my 4th of July was pretty good. Charity and Chris had a pool party at the house, so I pretty much swam on and off all day, all the while reapplying SPF 50 like a mad woman.

I honestly cannot wait until next Thursday. If my flight is cancelled again I'm seriously going to throw a fit.

You will find this at the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

Ben and I already got a few response cards back for our wedding, yay!

Totally awesome. I've loved Silverchair since I was 12. Their musical progression over the years is second to none.

I got their new album, "Young Modern", last night. I haven't gotten a chance to listen to it in depth, but just scratching the surface, I love it.

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend. On Friday, Ben took me out for Indian food (yum yum!), then we went to see Ratatouille. Oh man, it was such a cute movie!

Saturday, Hae-jin and I went shopping. Then, she treated me to dinner at Baker's Crust. Afterward, we had an urge to play some mini golf, so we went to the ocean front, where we played a quick game (I won! And I got 2 hole in 1's!), then we rented a 2 person bicycle, and rode up and down the boardwalk. Good good times!

Sunday, Ben and I just relaxed most of the day. Then, we met up with a bunch of friends at Cogan's for $5 pizza night!

Apparently, the new Silverchair album "Young Modern" leaked. It was released overseas a few months prior to its release here (July 24th), so that's the obvious reason. In any case, I must get it.