A Crazy Weekend

This weekend was absolutely a whirlwind. On Thursday I got in the car with my dog and drove 300 miles to St. Louis to drop him off at my families for the weekend. I had a quick dinner with my mom and then ice cream, then got back in the car and drove to the airport to pick up Kate at 12:30 a.m. It was really great to see her, I had not seen her since around Christmas time. On Saturday I woke up and had a lot to do before driving to Cape Girardeuo, Missouri. After a 9 am hair cut I was off to pick up my tux and then to pick up an outfit for the rehearsal dinner. (HA HA any excuse to shop) Once I finished shopping I drove to get Kate and to head down. That evening we had the rehearsal at 5 then the dinner at 7. The reception for the dinner was very beautiful. A quaint little space in downtown Cape, they served crab cakes and stuffed mushrooms as Hors' Dourves, and the main course was either Beef Tenderloin or Chicken Marsala. I went with the Marsala however, looking back I wish I would have chosen the steak. It was terrific from what everyone was saying. Following the dinner we all went out to a bar in Cape to celebrate both the upcoming wedding and my birthday. 27, on the 27th. My golden birthday. To celebrate we were taking dollar jaeger bombs! I know, rediculous, right ?

Needless to say the night got a little goofy. We came back to the hotel around 1:30 am, I swear they made last call at like 12:50 am. As John was leaving the hotel he saw me going towards the drunks heaven also known as White Castle and he screamed at me to "Get some White Castle" and in my best Hick Missouri Accent I yelled back "I'M Gunnnnnnnaaaa...." and I most certainly did. After purchasing a rediculous amount of white castle (Smell What You Crave) and more beer we returned to the suites and partied. The wedding was not until 4 the next day so we had plenty of time. At least that was our justification.

I awoke the next day sitting in the same position I had been in the night before and in the same clothes. Apparently, White Castle and lots of alcohol is a recipe for passing out. After lounging around for a bit I got ready for the wedding and we shuttled over. I think we must have taken a million photos in the church leading up to the ceremony.

The ceremony was very brief, but it was perfect and very beautiful. Beth looked stunning in her ivory gown. We wore black vest with magenta ties. The bridesmaids all wore Magenta dresses. I have to say it was a bit surreal watching one of my best guy friends get married, but I am so happy for Ryan and Beth. They are the perfect compliment to one another.

Following the ceremony it was time for more pictures but not before cracking open a few and relaxing. It felt like we had been in that monkey suit forever. We shuttled over to the Country Club for the reception and they were brave enough to let us drive golf carts around for more pictures. Luckily we were not innebriated at this point or that could have gotten ugly.

The reception was also very picturesque. The room we were in overlooked the entire golf course and even though it was a bit overcast for most of the day the clouds lifted just in time. I have to say that the reception felt a bit like a high school reunion. I saw people I had not seen in years, but it was great to catch up and reminisce. We all shared stories from some of our crazier days....not that any of us are any more grown up than we used to be.

After the reception concluded we returned to the hotel for even more partying and celebrating.

The next day I picked up my dog and hustled it back to Chicago in an effort to make it to Chicago Pride. Due to an untimely accident in the parade I made it in time. I wandered down Broadway and up to Halsted. Then it started to rain. rain on Pride....apparently it is the first time in 20 years. But you know everyone took it in stride. C'mon gays and water? It just added to the overall atmosphere. I wandered around with Cole for a while and then we headed our seperate ways. I was exhausted from what essentially was a weekend long party along with 800 miles worth of driving. In the end it was all worth it though, and made for some great stories.

A little bit of life

It has been a little while since I have updated my blog and for that I am sorry. Everything is coming and going so quickly these days. With a wedding this weekend, the fourth of july next weekend, packing and moving my apartment to storage, and all the farewell celebrations, the trip to China is going to be here before I know it. From my conversations with a friend, who is already in China, I have begun to get a sense of the surroundings I will be immersed in. It is also driving my desire to actually get there, even higher. Three weeks and counting!!!!

As for wrapping things up in Chicago, I am enjoying the time that I have left. The Spot 2 softball team is currently 8-4 and in third place in the league standings.

I am definitly not looking forward to leaving the team behind when I say my goodbyes following the July 13th games. This is a great group of guys and gal ( Lori).

I am also beginning to realize that I have to say goodbye to my pup Gatsby for two months. He is 6 months old and still growing every day. He really has become a part of my family, and everyone just loves him. Gatsby is one of the sweetest dogs around, even if he does chew on my pillows and down comforter. But he always manages to put a smile on my face.

All of this being said, I am looking forward to my trip and to the people I will meet in my travels. It will be an eye opening experience, and a total culture shock.

Living Accomodations

Click here to see photos.

The accommodations look phenomenal, and the hotel is located very close to Tiananmen's Square, the Forbidden City and The Olympics Stadium. The hotel also has a 24 hour fitness room, steam room, and tv's above the bathtub. I personally love the two Bentleys in the picture above.
I have been keeping tabs on a friends blog, as he is already over there. It seems as though they have settled in nicely. All that is left for me to do is to obtain my visa, and then play the waiting game. I also found out that I maybe going to the opening and closing ceremonies.

Hotel Contact Information
JW Marriott Hotel Beijing
No. 83 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District
Beijing, Beijing 100025 China
Phone: 86 10 59086688

Planning and Preparing

I have begun this blog in order to keep you all updated on my whereabouts while I am out of the country. I will try and post frequently and to keep you all informed of my daily activities. The time leading up to the Beijing Olympics is quickly dwindling. It is still a bit surreal that I will be living in Beijing for two months.

Here is a checklist of things I have to do in order to get ready for this trip

-passport- check
-visa
-shots from the travel clinic
-find a subletter-check
-secure a home for Gatsby for the two months- check
-book my flight- check
-talk with sprint about my phone- check
-resignation letter and request for leave of absence submitted- check

As you can see, a lot of my planning is already finished, but still a lot to do in order to close up shop and tie up the loose ends. For now, I am just trying to enjoy what summer I have in Chicago. Afterall, if you live here you know how brutal our past winter was. So , I want to enjoy the fruits of my labor.