And now for the good stuff

So now that we are officially in Portland, I suppose it's time to start using this thing for its originally intended purpose. Rather than attempt to recap what has passed in recent months, I'm just going to start fresh. So be on the lookout! I'm hoping to post about once a week.

You should also check out Mike's blog, draculacrossing.tumblr.com . It's great.

Why, it's right here, of course! Check out the draft of the wedding map I just made using Google Maps and Paint.net

Wedding Whoas

Don't fret, I don't think I've started a horrendous theme of punny titles. I can't make any promises, but for now it is not a plan.

I feel like updating my sole follower (who I'm pretty sure is my mother) on my wedding plans (even though she is intimately aware of these details).

What I currently have:

The ceremony site.

Mercersburg Academy Chapel. This was pretty much a given, practically decided since before I even met Mike. Luckily for our future marriage, Mike is on board with the chapel ("cathedral" is a better word, really).

The reception site.

Mercersburg American Legion. This is somewhat tentative... we're on their calendar but not 100% committed. Our guest list might get a little too large for the space. It's a good setting and cleans up nicely, comfortable and not too stuffy.

An officiant.

I say "an" instead of "the" because he doesn't want us to commit until he's met with Mike and me, but I think we'll end up going with him. He can offer a nice blend of ceremony, storytelling, and I think can generally give us a happy and momentous wedding.

Little details

Wedding colors (clover green, white, daisy yellow accents), honeymoon intentions (Manuel Antonio beach in Costa Rica), Save the Date cards and more

Maybes: Photographer, Wedding Gown

Found very promising candidates for each of the above, just sleeping on them for... a week or so.

Left to do

Oh so much. Biggies include finding a DJ, florist, and bridesmaids dresses. More small details than I care to think about right now.

I suppose that satisfies my inexplicable need to update my nonexistant audience on wedding details. Huzzah?

¿401 qué?

Well, there it is. My first day of full-time, salaried, grown-up work is complete. I don't really have a lot to say about it. It was a tiring day, beginning at 6:15am... a schedule I suppose I'll get used to. 

The most memorable moment of the day was going to Human Resources to discuss health insurance plans and 401K options for the first time in my life. That was pretty much when it hit me that I'm entering a whole new phase of my life. Also, for some reason I had completely forgotten about 401K's. I was doing fine with the HR director's explanations of the different insurance programs, but once she started talking about investment opportunities my eyes started to glaze over. If that seems a tad ironic, I should remind you that I didn't study investing as part of my Economics education. Not really my interest area.

In other news, I've been assigned to Chicago as a secondary region (my primary regions being Pittsburgh and South Central PA), meaning I theoretically get to fly to Chicago for parties and phone-a-thons that I organize.

The thought of getting up tomorrow and doing it all over again seems a little bizarre. I'm already looking forward to the weekend.