Hidden Restaurant Adventures

But really. It's actually hidden.

My roomie had heard a thing or two about this steakhouse restaurant that is literally hidden away. There is no sign outside and you have to have a password to get through the door for you reservation. Hilarious.
So of course, we needed to give it a go. And we also needed to drag along another good friend to enjoy it with us. We made our reservations online and they called the day of to give us the password and directions.

It. Was. Awesome.

We went on one of the nights that they have live Jazz music, and that certainly added to the merriment. Completely had the exclusive, "speakeasy" vibe that we were promised.
Even though it was a pretty pricey excursion, we were so glad we did it. Seriously worth it for a fun night and something different from the usual!

Another Wedding Post

86 days left, but who's counting?

Yeah, you're right. I am.

And it's time to work hard on those lovely little details that seem to be never-ending.

We just picked out tuxes and Daniel's wedding band, I made and ordered a photo guestbook online, the invitations should be in my hands by the end of next week, flowers are picked out, and I've finally settled on a wedding favor idea. I have to say I'm feeling pretty good (and pretty accomplished) with those things finished up, but that didn't shorten the list of things left to do. However, I'm pretty excited about working on the projects that I've got next. Putting together the favors with a few of my favorite people will certainly be a treat (of course it's one of the DIY projecte I've picked out) and figuring out a few things for upcoming bridal showers will also be loads of fun as well.

We've had a few wedding planning tiffs thus far, but otherwise things are going very smoothly. Which from some of what I've heard from my already married friends, it's a miracle that more things haven't gone wrong so far... Thank the Lord for that!

Hopefully, with the next post I'll have more to say that's less of me thinking aloud/organizing my own thoughts and isn't revolving around September 2. :)

The last week of May

During the last full week of May I went on a Cruise with my family and a few others to the Caribbean! It was the first cruise ever for my family and I while those who came with us were old pros.

We stopped at Coco Cay, St. Thomas, and St. Marteen. Crazy beautiful places. I kind of have a thing for the ocean.

our ship

It was a nice get away, but I was very ready to be back in Albuquerque by the end of the week. Cruises are lovely and I really did have a great time, but I've officially decided that I absolutely do not enjoy hot humidity. It's different if you're right next to the ocean gettin' that lovely sea breeze, but venture inland much more and I become a very sweaty girl after walking about 50 feet. I knew you wanted to know that.

It really was a great trip. Really fun family time and quality time with that guy I'm going to marry in 91 days... WHOA! (that's right, so prepare yourself for a few wedding posts in the coming weeks)

Speaking of marriage, my brother proposed to his girlfriend while we were in St. Thomas as Magen's Bay! He had us write out "Brooke, will you marry me?" in the sand, and then he walked her down the beach to where it was written and kneeled down to pop the question :) it was so sweet and she was seriously surprised. So it's looking like there will be more than one wedding for the Mahon family this year; they are planning on December! Here's a few picture of the proposal:

So I have these two friends...

Abby and Sarah.

I've known them for less than a year, but it feels like FOREVER. The good kind of forever.

Yeah, they're those kind of friends.

We met last June before spending 6 of the most hilarious, challenging, and valuable weeks I've ever had. Where are they now, you ask? Well, headed right back to Namibia for another 6 weeks, but this time on their own... I wish so badly that I could be in two places at once, doing the things I need/want to being doing at home and being back in Namibia with my sweet friends and the sweet people that were so welcoming while we were there.

Remember when I talked about Katima here and here? Well, that's where they will be until the beginning of July. They'll be staying at the Cheshire home while Abby works with the children there and in another orphanage nearby and Sarah does research for her thesis on HIV/AIDS in connection to high infant death rates and maternal care. They are going to do amazing things and I can't wait to hear/read about it (Check out Sarah's Blog and Abby's Blog). As of right now, they should be on their way to their Katima home, so pray for continued safety as they travel and that they would get there when expected.

Graduation

I'm officially graduated from UNM with my bachelor's degree in Public Relations. Seriously a miracle that I made it through in 4 years. There ceremony was short and my parents took me and my almost family-in-law out to dinner to celebrate.

While I will quickly admit that I have been eagerly looking forward to the end of school since my freshman year, now that it's over I can say it definitely came faster than I thought it would. That's right, I'm in the middle of one of those "where is my life going/time is flying" moments right now. I can honestly say that I feel like I'm not old enough to graduating college and gettting married, but at the same time looking back four years before seems like a whole other lifetime. Like I was a whole other person (which is probably true in some sense). Yep, I'm just a walking, emotional contradiction right now. Praying that direction for the career portion of my life would come obviously and quickly through the rest of this year. There are just too many options/ideas floating around in this head of mine now that studying and papers are finished. I couldn't wait for a break from school and now that it's here I don't know what to do with myself. Irony.

a nothing post

This has been my album of choice as of late.

I can't say I love every track (although most have struck my fancy), but I don't hate any of them... a huge feat, I must admit. It's an acoustic-y medley of songs that are excellent choices for a rainy day or if you're hoping for a rainy day. And I always am.

Grand Finale

My last day of classes before graduating was yesterday. I will be officially graduated one week from today.

Seriously, doesn't feel real. I'm so so glad that it is.

The last 4 days had me studying for a few tests and writing more than a few papers... However, I can't feel too sorry for myself. Procrastination lays all the blame on me.

It is done now though, and in a couple weeks my family and I will be cruisin' down to the carribbean for a week to celebrate said graduation and my mom's completion of chemo (officially in remission, by the by). Woooo whoooo!

Save the Dates!

They are in!

And just as quick as they got here, they will be gone again. Hopefully by Saturday, as they really should have gone out two or three weeks ago... Oops! They were so easy to design and with all the coupons the site offers, not too expensive either! I found them here, thanks to the help of a friend!

Everything is coming together pretty easily and quickly, with only flowers and invitations left to nail down... well, the big things anyway.

127 days to go!