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Monday, July 25, 2011


Sarah & Eric's Wedding

After 26 years of knowing, growing up with, and loving Sarah Halsey, I got to see her get married yesterday. What a beautiful day!

As you may know, I am on my summer whirlwind tour. I last blogged in Lynchburg, VA, and whew, am I glad that segment is over. Two weeks of intensives in that town about killed me, but thankfully I got to spend the last week in Wyoming with my mom’s family. We first stopped in Castle Rock, CO at my Aunt Andee’s house and had a lovely evening. The view from her porch is one of my all time favorites, and it was a real treat to be in some cooler temps. Next, we drove up to Cheyenne, WY for a visit at Aunt Gay’s house. I spent a couple weeks in Cheyenne every summer growing up, so it was fun to visit after a five-year absence. I have lots of wonderful memories of grandparents, cousins, and Frontier Days. Gay’s son, Scott, has two little ones and we spent some fun time with them at the pool! Scott and Christy are amazing parents, I have never seen such a polite three year old. I think her manners are better than most adults.

On Wednesday, we headed up to Wheatland, WY aka Wheaterville, population 3500. My cousin Sarah planned a beautiful backyard wedding for Saturday. So, we spent the rest of the week visiting, setting up, buying ice, and watering plants. The Halsey’s yard was gorgeous! We had a big party on Friday with live music and lots of catching up. The wedding was at 10 am the next morning. My brother Ben officiated the wedding. He is known to be a bit of a family clown and my cousin wanted the person marrying her to be someone she knew and loved. So, Ben, recently ordained at the American Fellowship Church, did the wedding. He’s available for the next year if you need his services for weddings, funerals, or even vow renewals. J He was perfect, except for one little slip. He said, “Sarah and Erica, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Everyone got a chuckle out of it and it was great! A lovely brunch complete with lots of Prosecco ensued and it was a blast! Sarah & Eric are a great couple and I see nothing but happiness in their future. It’s fun to celebrate a couple like them!

Headed back to Amarillo today and then Dallas next weekend before I head north. Looking forward to getting back to my beloved city. Going to have to change the name of my blog if I stay away too much longer!

Rev. Ben

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Virginia is for .... Intensives?

Yes, I am in Virginia. Not Virginia Beach mind you, but right smack dab in the middle of the state, in Lynchburg. The birthplace of Chapstick, J. Crew, and Liberty University where I have been studying the past few days. I am working on a master's degree in school counseling at Liberty, and must complete some intensive classes for my license. So, I am here taking two classes, each a week long.
I flew in last week to the booming airport, picked up my bags at baggage claim one, the one and only, called a taxi and headed to the Extended Stay America. Not the fanciest digs for sure, but it's close to campus and has been ok. There is this sketchy recycled air smell that I can't quite shake though.
The first week was pretty successful. I got a lot of classwork done and met some sweet people. Thats the thing about teaching classes, always nice gals to hang out with. I got to visit some of those food chains we don't have in NYC like Chick-Fil-A and Arbys, which was fun. I even found friends to take me to Target and the J. Crew outlet store. I have no car here so I feel a bit like a prisoner in the Extended Stay, but people are very kind to drive me around. I try to walk places too, but that just seems strange outside of New York.
As I enter week two, I would say I am more than ready to be done. The hours spent in the Extended Stay typing assignments, eating crappy food, and sleeping on non-feather pillows are starting to get to me. I was so happy to blog just so I didn't have to use APA format for a minute.
There are so many unique things about NY that you take for granted when you live there. Not being able to walk to amazing food, hop over to the Hudson for a run, or jump on a subway to get around has been difficult to say the least. Although there is a Golden Corral down the block, so why should I complain?
I leave next Saturday to fly to Denver for a week in Wyoming and my sweet cousin Sarah's wedding! Then back to Amarillo for a few days before a weekend in Dallas to finish up this summer odyssey. I will be back on August 2nd, one day before my year anniversary with NYC!
Although this hasn't been the most thrilling way to spend a piece of my summer, it's a good thing for me to remember how blessed I am to live in a city with such diversity, tolerance, opportunities, kind friends, and most importantly, great food at your fingertips! Stay tuned for more updates from the Commonwealth!

Souvenir?