Tuesday, June 16, 2009

whew...life!



o hai! I feel kinda embarrassed about the state of my blog. Or more correctly, about the non-state of it. Sure, I was in Taiwan for almost two weeks and then in LA and then home and going to weddings, catching up on homework and office work, and planning my own wedding (that is coming up in 3 months, omg!) and and and....

Anyways, long story short, I've been a wee bit busy. And the longer I put off updating my blog, the more guilty I feel and the more guilty I feel the more I put off updating. What a viscous cycle. lol.

So here's the updates:

The Taiwan trip went well. Not only in terms of getting some good contacts and making professional visits that should be beneficial in the long term for my work but also because I was with a friend and colleague and hosted at her family's home with warmth and hospitality. Highlights included hitting the night markets and shopping, going to the most AMAZING sushi restaurant where it was all you can eat for only $12 USD (unbelievable!), a backstage visit with a traditional Chinese opera and watching a rehearsal, and seeing the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101.

My 12 hour flight back to LA went as quickly as can be expected. Once I finally got through customs (that airport is SUCH a hole) I checked into my uber-trendy funky hotel and had a busy three days trying to overcome jetlag, attend a huge professional conference, network with colleagues, and hang out with old Peace Corps friends. Oh and I got to see the dumpy little place they call Hollywood.

The flight home arrived somewhere around midnight. It was great to see DF after our long time apart. And the next morning it was up and off to my cousin's wedding. It went well if a little more casual than I see my wedding being. Still, it fit her and her husband and everyone had a nice time. Since then it has been hardcore homework, work and wedding planning. I've put off things long enough, so now DF and I are hitting it hard. We went shopping for crafty stuff and made our own invitations. Now we're working on tracking down a sheep or goat to roast for the reception (it's an african thing, don't ask), pricing chairs and tables, checking out pawn shops for wedding bands...lots of stuff. I'm starting to realize what a big undertaking a wedding is, even a do-it-yourself cheap-ass one. But we'll make it work. :)

And finally, in READING related news, I just got the new JR Ward book from my library (after waiting for about a month). I'm scarfing it down and am just getting to the part where everything seems to be going down. Initial impressions are that it's better than the last one, i still hate lessers (and skip their parts), love Rhage (and miss Mary), enjoy seeing more of Wrath and Beth, wish the central romance was more central, and enjoy being back in the BDB world. Oh and I'm digging Xhex and JM as a couple, but I never had any hangups with her in the first place. And now, I think I may go finish the book.

To anyone who made it all the way through this self-indulgent post (and who bothered to check my sad little blog), I thank you and salute you. :)

8 comments:

KT Grant said...

Sounds like you had a great time! OMG you will be a Mrs. soon!!
And I have much love for Rehv.
Are you going to be around in DC the week of RWA from 7/15-7/19? Would love to see you.

Wendy said...

I was getting ready to yell at you for being in L.A. and not contacting any of the So. Cal. bloggers - and then I saw your schedule while you were here. 3 days, jet lag, and a professional conference. You're forgiven :-)

Hear ya on the wedding planning. My Lil' Sis planned her own wedding and it was TINY! As in, about 15 guests tiny - and by the end of it she was half crazed LOL. But she's extremely Type A anal retentive, so that might have had something to do with it....

Gina said...

hey congrats on the Mrs. thingie....how wonderful....and your blog is always interesting even if you do take a little vacation from them.

azteclady said...

I was getting worried--but then, I have that whole "mothering worry wart" thing going, so that's not a surprise...

I'm glad you are back, if über busy. Try to fit in some sleep in the schedule as the wedding approaches.


(((sula)))

Stacy~ said...

I miss it when my fave bloggers are gone for so long, but hey, you've got a life. And you'll be busy for awhile longer with your upcoming wedding. Hope all goes smoothly here on out. Get some rest in there, too, 'k?

Kati said...

Yay! Welcome home! So glad you had a good time in Taiwan! Woohoo!

Are you gonna post what your wedding invitation is going to look like? I'm intrigued!

sula said...

mwah to all of you lovely commenters. :)

kb, I quite liked Rhev, but was disappointed at how little screen time he got overall. As for DC...I might be able to swing a short visit. Will depend on work and wedding planning busyness. If only I could find a conference to attend....

wendy, I wish I had been in LA long enough to visit the SoCal group. But you should know that in my short time there, I did take the opportunity to visit the downtown LA public library. Gorgeous building!

Gina, thanks for the kind words. I hope that you are doing alright. I've been following your blog and really marvel at your strength through all that life's been throwing your way.

hey az, thanks for worrying...that's sweet. :) Have you read any awesome books lately that I should try to get my hands on? I'm so out of the loop.

stacy! I need to get my arse over to your blog. apparently, I got an award or something. ;) Hopefully for blog "most likely to not be updated". lol.

kati, I plan to post some pics. the invites are quite simple but I like them. We took some candid shots while we were in the middle of the project. I'm happily surprised at how hands-on my fiance has been with this stuff.

sybil said...

hey! I came by to see if you were a Mrs yet ;). Looks like everything is going grand. So excited for you.

Overall I was disappointed in Rhev's book but it is better than the last (which was better than the last) if the pattern holds Xhex and JM book will have less screen time with them and more time spent setting up whatever book comes next - very kenyon like. But I have hope, I need to knock that off, if I stop expecting so much and I would prolly be happy with whatev little we get but that is sad.

And I was annoy by what a baby Wrath, didn't fit with where we left at the end of Dark Lover. Bah

And really we do need more Mary!