America: Part 2

I got to spend the last few weeks in the US and my entire trip was AMAZING! I started the trip in New York where I got to catch up with a ton of friends. Almost all of my old roommates from sophomore year (except for Jess who's in Berlin saving the environment). We had brunch and

then I got to spend the entire day hearing how successful they all are. We all lived on the same floor freshman year then lived in a tiny 6 person apartment our sophomore year. Now we're all in different areas (art, politics, business, law, environment) but have stayed friends so it was great to hear about everyone's life (except Jess who was dearly missed but will hopefully be there when we all get together again in the fall).

During the rest of the time I was in New York I got to see so many people and eat so much delicious food. I think I was most excited for soup (possibly because it was rainy) but everything I ate was great!

Right before the weekend I flew to Phoenix to meet my parents and start weddingpalooza! Straight from the airport we went to In-and-Out (my family might not have a lot of traditions so we stick to the ones we have)! Then I tried on my bridesmaid's dress and got it measured for alterations. Next we checked into the hotel then went to COSTCOOOOOOOO which was AMAZING. I had brought back several cloth bags and my parents packed them full of treats for the guests from their side of the wedding. My parents friends the Herrans came and then my Grandma and my cousin - it was the first time seeing them in about 2 years. Noah and Tara came for dinner and then Alan landed.

Friday was rehearsal dinner prep and more family and friends arrived. It was so amazing that so many people came to celebrate Noah and Tara's wedding. At the rehearsal that night I got to meet the rest of Tara's bridesmaids and Noah's groomsmen as well as his dad's side of the family. The rehearsal dinner was really fun and I think everyone had a great time.

Saturday wedding frenzy started around 10am. I hung out with the other bridesmaids while one of them did all of our hair and makeup (which was really nice of her because otherwise I would have had straight hair with barely any makeup). We started taking pictures before the wedding and then the wedding started around 6pm. It was at the resort on the first tee which was a really pretty golf green with water around it. The ceremony was very pretty even though everyone's heal's were ruining the grass (sorry!). After the ceremony there was a cocktail hour in a really beautiful outdoor area. The reception kicked off with all of the bridal party being introduced and Noah and Tara's big entrance. I'm not going to run down the reception one by one because that would take forever but I'll sum it up by saying I had a ton of fun with my family and friends. I this we all had a blast dancing and my mom and Noah looked great dancing to "One Shining Moment" during the mother of the groom dance.

Sunday morning Alan and I flew back to New York VERY early and I spent the rest of the day in New York hanging out with a few other people (and eating ice cream). Monday for lunch I got to hang out with some of the younger girls in the sorority and it was so great catching up with them. Afterwards I had a few people over to Alan's apartment and we made dinner and ate on the roof

until it got too cold. Once it was cold we went downstairs just in time to watch the Lifetime Original Movie about William and Kate (so good) to get everyone pumped for the Royal Wedding! Tuesday I grabbed lunch with another friend before she went off to class and I went off to the airport. At the airport I bought a ton of magazines and ate Wendy's before getting on my plane. Luckily the plane was almost empty and I got an entire row and sleep. I landed and went met up with some friends to deliver the bagels and cream cheese I had brought from Trader Joe's.

That day I was reunited with my Peace Corps Girl Posse and I got to catch up on their trip to Cape Verde. We made velveeta and bacon mac and cheese which was delicious! The next day I headed back to site and I've been hanging around since. Because it's almost Easter people are just around not really doing much and they have the next few days off. My posse and I are planning our next trip - this time to The Gambia. It's a country inside of Senegal and we're only going for 3 days mostly to say we've gone.