ST. LOUIE!

I am in St. Louis!
I hadn't seen Becca (my besty) for one and a half years and so Nich and I decided to make the trek out to St. Louis for Mardi Gras weekend. And let me just say, it is so good to be here.
Mike and Kelly are here too!
We braved Mardi Gras on Saturday. It was 20 degrees (at best) and windy and there were lots of drunk people trying to spill their beers all over me. We got a beer or two, a string of beads, and some Jambalaya before deciding that we weren't really the mardi gras type . So we went and ate Pizza and fried raviolis and just hung out at Becca and Darren's apartment.
Yesterday we went to Becca and Darren's church (Darren was in full gear, with his black shirt and white collar. it was great). We also tromped around the City Museum for a few hours....that place is INSANE. And by insane, I mean awesome. There are caves to explore, a 7 story slide (it was slightly terrifying) and hours of endless fun and things to climb on and jump off, etc. Nich was in heaven. Most of us came out with bruises and very sore muscles (I think we are too big or old for some of these activities?). I gashed my shin but it was worth it. I mean, its a 'museum' that lets you run around like a crazy person! Awesome! Then we went and saw the infamous Arch. As nich put it: "I take back everything I ever said about the Arch." It is massive and beautiful and glorious and I had no idea how cool it really was. The tours to the top of the arch were sold out, but I am secretly glad because they looked terrifying.

After all this activity, we were exhausted. So we came home and I made black bean chili and we watched the Oscars (Yay for Slumdog Millionaire!). Twas a good time for all.

And, today is our last day here. I believe we are going to the Zoo (its free!) and we are going to eat some St Louis BBQ tonight and then go to a Chocolate martini bar. I am so excited!

St. Louis has surprised me on a number of different levels. It really is a beautiful city and there a lot of fun things to do. The architecture is gorgeous, and the city is full of old buildings, and character, and parks, and arches (ok, just one arch.). I really like it here. And, of course, it has done my heart a lot of good to be with old friends. These are some of the best people I know! So here's to best friends, and fiancees, and good old Saint Louie.

THE BIG NEWS

So, unless you've been living under a rock or something in the last week, you've probably heard the big news.

Yep.

Its true.

I'M GETTING MARRIED! TO NICHOLAS EALY-ELDER!

He proposed on Tuesday evening, during the Sunset at Mount Tabor park, overlooking the city. Oh, and he proposed with a baby cupcake from our fave lil cupcakery. The ring was on top, in the frosting. Too cute for words. I was CONVINCED that he hadn't talked to my parents yet, and that he didn't have a ring yet, so I was most definitely surprised. I guess that is what I get for thinking I know everything?

So the wedding will be in late June, and that is about all I know at this point.

I posted a couple pics for y'all. Unfortunately, pics don't really capture the beauty of this ring (from 1910, Platinum band with engraving, one large circle diamond and two small french cut diamonds!), but you get the idea.

Hooray!
I. am. so. excited.
And if you haven't met Nich yet, you should. He's a good man. The best man I know, in fact.

So, its been awhile.
I haven't had much motivation to write, though I feel like I have a lot to write about.
The picture of Laura above is one of the few pics I got back from my first roll of film I took on my new Diana camera. Sadly, a lot of the photos didn't turn out (I'm new to lomography), but there are a few gems. I like this one a lot.

I got salmonella poisoning from celery and peanut butter. Or at least I think I did. I ate the stuff and then threw up for the next few days. So, make of that what you will.

And, here it is, the first day of February. A month into the new year. I didn't do a big new year's blog or anything, and I never posted my bests of 2008. But I don't really feel the need to. 2008 was a good year for my soul, and a bad year for music. There were a few good films (Slumdog Millionaire, Man on Wire, Happy Go Lucky, The Wrestler), so I guess there's that.

But, really, I suppose I didn't feel the need to share because things are good. I'm happy here. Penelope is currently fast asleep on my feet (she keeps me warm in the winter, its rather nice of her), and I will wander up to the Albina Press in a few moments to get a glorious espresso beverage from the man I love. Lost is back on (and is amaaaaaazing). Battlestar is back on (and is good, but nothing is ever as good as Lost. ever.). Nich and I even joined a shuffleboard league. Does that make us old people? Or awesome? Or maybe a little of both?

In any case, as far as I can tell, 2009 is going to trump 2008. And that's hard to do, considering 2008 was a pretty good year.
I am excited for the future. There are good things to come.