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| Living the So Cal life |
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| PCH |
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| Ata and I at the end of Senior year of High School |
I was lucky enough to get to take a break between farm "sessions" and travel back to the West Coast to get to see one of my dearest friends get married. Atanasia and I have known each other for many years, and I was lucky enough to be part of her Bridal Party when she married the love of her live, Grey. Their wedding was held in Long Beach and the rest of the bridal party was made up of many of my other childhood friends. It was so fun to be able to spend some time with these people. As much as we all have become different people and experienced different things, we always laugh and have a great time together. Some things just never change.
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| Ata and I at High School graduation |
I have been fortunate enough to have been in a couple of weddings, so this was not my "first time at the rodeo". And it was a rodeo! Between some of the Bridal part and the Groomsmen, it was chaotic, in the best of ways. I have known many of these people since I was 9 years old, and many of them have not changed much since then.
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| Dinner Rehearsal |
We started off with the dinner rehearsal, which was beautiful on top of the Reef restaurant in Long Beach. Everyone looked beautiful and had a great time. It was also the first time it set in that one of my dearest friends was getting married. I guess this is what its like to grow up.
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| What I wore |
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| Selfie |
The next night (traditionally) is the wedding, which was the case in this situation as well. The wedding was held at the Reef and reception in their ballroom. Everything went off without a hitch. The Best Man's speech by Blake was the funniest thing I had ever heard and the fathers speech brought us all to tears. My friends and I danced the night away, sang karaoke, took silly pictures, and still walked out of the venue like classy ladies. It was a night to remember.
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| Wedding Prep |
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| Kiss! |
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| Ata and Grey cutting the cake |
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| Andrew and I having too much fun... |
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| with the... |
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| Photo Booth! |
Along with a fabulous wedding to attend, I got to spend some great time with my family. I got to go out to my favorite restaurants and see some great people. One thing on my list was eating some fantastic sushi with my mom, which I did AND found out that my favorite sushi joint now has a whole vegan menu! Praise Allah!
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| our camp ground |
As tradition goes, my family also took our (almost) annual river rafting trip to the American River. It is something we all really enjoy doing and try to fit into our summer each year. However, with my Peace Corps service and my sister moving up to Portland, it has been increasingly difficult to fit it in each year, however, we did it this year and it was as great as I remember it. The company we go through (River Runners) sets up tents for you AND feeds you! So its pretty lush camping, but they are great guides and bring you on some great class 3 rapids. Next year I really hope we venture out to some class 4 stuff, but we will see.
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| Driving to Grandma's house with the Hollywood sign in the distance |
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| Jagger and I |
I also got the treat to be home on my fathers AND grandmothers birthday, which meant a lot of family getting together to celebrate both. Normally I get to see some family, but this time was special because I was able to see my youngest cousin, Jagger, (technically my cousin's son) whom I only have seen a handful of times in his 5 years of life. He was such a great kid and I loved seeing him. I also love going up to my grandmothers home because she has lived there since 1955 and its smack dab in the middle of the Hollywood Hills. It still holds all the Hollywood charm that makes Hollywood romantic. There are always new things to explore in her home and little trinkets that are little keys into the past. I love it there.
The rest of the time spent at home was with wonderful people doing wonderful things! Going to the beach, out to my favorite pubs and even to a Baby Shower was on the long list of things to be done while I was home. And like a champion, I completed them all!
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| My lovely friend Alex |
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| Caitlin, Caitlin and I (now thats confusing) |
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| Taking in the rays in Huntington Beach! |
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| Ladies night at the pub! |
But all good things come to an end, and before I knew it, it was time to come back to the old farm! Spending time with family and friends is always good medicine for the soul. It also reminds me of the love that awaits me each time I come home. I am always greeted so warmly by those who I've known for years! We always act as if now time has passed at all and I am so grateful for them all. It will be no time until I am home once again!
