On weddings.

I bought a wedding gown yesterday. I don't have a caterer, an officiant, a photographer, linens, invitations or musicians; but I've got a dress. And twelve vases with which to make centerpieces.

Perhaps some women have a better knack for this than I do.

I have to admit, though - it's kinda fun. :)

I'm really happy with the gown I chose - it's lovely, without being too "much." (There are some seriously over the top dresses out there.) I got a kick out of trying them on, but the giant poufs really didn't feel like me.
With each gown I put on, the bridal consultant would ask me, "Can you see yourself getting married in this dress?" Each time I thought, "sure, why not?" I used to mentally pick out wedding colors or bridesmaid gowns (after having been a bridesmaid four times, I'm good at that part), but I guess I never thought much about what I'd wear. I've given more thought to being married than getting married, which is probably a good thing. Either way, I've got a dress now, so hopefully there will be no nightmares about being starkers on stage on my wedding day.

The bridal consultant talked me into trying on a veil, and when she tucked it into my hair I was thrown into one of those intensely vivid memories - you know, the kind where you feel exactly like you did way back when. As a little girl, I used to tuck a long curtain sheer into my pink plastic headband and turn it into a beautiful veil. Standing there in the boutique, I could smell that dusty old curtain. I could see my lavender toy chest and my fat black and white cat sprawled in the windowsill above it. I don't plan to wear a veil on my wedding day, but I'm glad I had that moment. I've been going into bridal shops and doing the wedding thing, and often I felt a little out of place. I'm twenty-eight years old, and admittedly, perhaps just a smidge cynical.
But at that moment, standing there in a silly veil, I was a hopeful little girl.

And I'm getting married in nine months.

randomandi.

Tonight there are lots of Halloween parties. Sadly, I'm not going to any. I didn't realize until today that this weekend would be the weekend for going out in costume, because I've been super busy lately and I just completely spaced it. It's a bummer, because I love Halloween... I suppose I still could have gone out, but after working eleven hours today the thought of putting on anything besides my jammies was just too much.

Sometimes, when I'm feeling particularly indulgent, I'll sprinkle my pasta liberally with parmesan cheese, eat the cheesy top layer of noodles, coat the next level with more cheese, and eat that too. I continue the process clear down to the bottom of my bowl. Mmm.

I have two tests next week. Ick.

The Jane Austen Book Club. Becoming Jane. They think they've got us all figured out... and yeah, they probably do. Although personally, I'm inclined to wait for video, as neither has gotten great reviews. I'm rereading Sense and Sensibility right now, and once we get a break from school, I think we're going to do a girls' night and watch all six hours of Pride and Prejudice. Sigh.

Go Sox!

I cannot believe that this is the last week of October. I'm still confused about where September went, and now it's practically November. Holy hell.

My bangs are really long. I'd cut them myself, but then my hairdresser would yell at me. I'll have to remember to make an appointment for next week.

I don't know if I'll do a bouquet toss at my wedding. I only have a handful of unmarried girlfriends coming, and I always found the tradition highly embarrassing as a singleton.

Okay, time for more homework. If I can force another forty-five minutes of concentration out of myself tonight, tomorrow's cram session will be that much easier.

Excitement, etc.

Much of this week I've had a giddy excitement bouncing around inside my tummy. No particular reason, other than life is good.

I got to see a good friend the other night. She was in town due to very sad circumstances, but it was wonderful to see her nonetheless.

My friend Nicole offered the other day to help me with wedding stuff. She's uber creative, funky and unique - I bet she'll have some amazing ideas. I'm also glad to have more help, as most of my bridesmaids and all of my family live so far away.

Speaking of nuptial ceremonies... gentle readers, I apologize in advance for writing what I'm quite sure will be more than you ever cared to read about the planning of weddings. Thus far, I've been able to keep my mind on my studies. But now, as the semester is more than half gone and the wedding is drawing rapidly nearer, I will have to shift gears somewhat and manage both. (A difficult task, because wedding stuff is so much more fun than paper writing.) But seeing as the wedding is less than ten months away, I'd better get a move on. And, if something is on my mind, it usually finds it's way onto my blog.

Bedtime post.

Hi there. I tried to go to bed, but my mind wasn't quite ready for sleeping. Perhaps a little writing will do the trick.

We're in the middle of the third week of school. It's busy. I've had two weeks of inpatient pediatric clinicals, and they've gone well so far. Best thing about peds rotation = one day a week. Worst thing about peds rotation = twelve hour shifts. I'm seriously not a five AM kind of gal. I have a coffee pot, and on rare occasions I actually use it. Tuesday mornings at 5:00 are definitely some of those occasions.

Our first Montana Student Nurses' Association meeting was this week. We had pretty good turnout, and I think we'll have fun this year. I'm always impressed by my fellow students - our Community Health Director suggested some events and things we could do to volunteer our time, and sent around a sign up sheet for anyone interested. Everyone signed up. Nursing students are insanely busy, yet they all still want to volunteer their time and energy. Amazing people.

Luis's guitar recital is this Friday at the University of Montana. If you're interested in coming, contact me for additional information. It'll be good, you should go.

I'm off work this weekend, and I'm thrilled. It's been a busy couple of weeks, and I am ready for a break. I have a few homework assignments due Sunday, but other than that I'm planning to relax. I want to get to the Farmers' Market Saturday morning - there's only a few left for the year! I'm also running in the River City Roots Festival 4 mile run on Sunday. My friend Kate was looking for someone to run the race with her, and it sounded like fun. Hopefully I'll be able to check out some of the festival too.

I have an appointment at a bridal shop to try on wedding gowns later this week. Luis's brother Emilio found what he was sure would be the perfect dress, but I think I'm going to keep looking. :) I went dress shopping once this summer, and mostly I felt awkward being laced into twenty pounds of satin, beads and poof. (I also forgot to wear my engagement ring when I went to the boutique. That might have had something to do with it.) Anyhow, I think now that we've got a date and a location, dress hunting will be more fun.
Makes me wish my mom wasn't so far away.

Okay, I think I'm sufficiently tired now. G'night...