Weddings :: C + R Get Hitched!! :)

Well. This is an awefully overdue post... particularly since the photos have ALL been posted publically for... three weeks now? I've kinda been neglecting computer stuff in preparation of school (baking/cooking lots), enjoying the sun, and having a social life... Haha.

But alas, in June, one of my besties got married. It was a very exciting day for all involved.
I was lucky enough to hang out during the BBQ instead of shower...

And, being a biologist, you can't fault her for reading wrapping paper instead of unwrapping... We also learned that I can make a pretty good florist...

We moved on to the rehursal the next day... Where we made due with what we could... ie: fake table, narrow aisle... and a fake pipeist.

There is something wrong with an official telling you to "Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle" now...  Thanks LMFAO.

Day of the ceremony was crummy... Threatened rain - we were almost prepared to move inside... Thankfully, we didn't have to... Barely.

But, we got everything done outside - which was a good call in my honest opinion...

Instead of a 'cocktail hour' we did a tea party! Which was 100% what the bride and groom were all about... So much fun... and the cookies were SOOO good... I'm still dreaming about how yummy they were. Haha.

After the tea, and during the rain, we hid out and played games... and watched the bear on the hill (apparently there was 3 at one point, but I only ever saw one). If there was three, it was probably a good omen that it rained all day so we made a point of camping out in the lodge...

The rain lightned just as dinner started - although not stopping completely...

But it did finally stop... and we ventured out into the sunshine to get some fun photos of the bridal party... without wet shoulders and umbrellas.

Not gonna lie - I had the most fun with these...
We finished off the official part of the night with the speeches and cake!, seeing as we didn't have a working stereo system for anything else - but we made the best of it.

Following the gathering and mingling - when everyone left (bride and groom included), those spending the night in and around the lodge settled in for some games and music (yes, we got the stereo working)...

And we rounded out the festivities with breakfast (a large chunk of which was made by the groom.. that doesn't seem right), and bouquet toss before we ended with more mingling and packed everything up.

Congrats to C and R!! I <3 you, and hope the day was everything you wanted! :)

Life :: Alyssa's Grad

Well, it was one of those weekends when I felt REALLY old... my 'fake-little-sister' graduated highschool.

Here's the kid I knew from the time she was about 6... I've known her through her first pony, her first ambulance trip, her first boyfriend... her first car! Boy this kid has grown up a lot.
This is the girl that hated the taste of alcohol... And we started the day off doing Jello Shots...

I've known her, and her mother, for so long... they're like family to me. Her mother has seen me at my best, and worst, and still thinks great things of me - I couldn't be more greatful!
She has also seen me grow my photography talent from a few measly photos... so here it is. My first paid gig! :)

I spent the entire day with her - from Jello Shots and family photos, to commencement, from hair and make-up appointments, to the grand march... And loved every minute of her. Some people enjoyed the stress more than others... but we all came together to support the 'girl of the day'.

I enjoyed every moment of it, and was glad I could be there for my 'little sister'. It's one of those moments where no matter what you say, the act of being there is better than anything else. :)

I got to play with some fun photography equipment (a flash I like to think I know how to use, a new lens, etc)... And was greatful for the opportunity.

And I'd like to point out, they say grad will be one of the best days of your life - But those people have too much faith in a single day. Your life is what you make of it. Hold your head up and smile lots, and everything will fall into place.
Well kid... love you bunches! Cheers to class of 2012!!!

Life :: GISHWHES

Well... For an entire, oh, 9 days, my life (as well as that of over 6000 people worldwide) was consumed with a crazy list of scavenger hunt items... All for an attempt to win an all expenses paid trip to Rome, Italy, and dinner with, none other than, Misha Collins.
Anyone who follows Supernatural, or has ever heard of The Random Act will know him all too well...

This blog post is a collaborated effort by, and a tribute to, Team Number 76.
There was almost 650 teams, of 10 people each... enough to break a world record, hence the name of the scavenger hunt - the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen (GISHWHES). Teams consisted of members all around the world, although most of our team resided in North America. The scavenger hunt enabled a creative outlet, and really utilized peoples resources, contacts, and creativity... And often, judged just how good our friends were, based on how willing they were to do different things for us.
Although it was a crazy week, and I felt like I got nothing done that I should have (thank goodness I wasn't a student at the time)... It was something I will cherish, and I was glad I took part in it. Who else can say they have a gold plated toilet plunger.

I want to thank, first off, my team for this amazing experience, and secondly, our multiple friends, family, and resources/contacts that we pulled together in order to complete some of the most haneous items one has ever heard of... Without all of you, we wouldn't have been able to do half of what we did accomplish.

This, is just some of  the completed items, I myself have submitted... One day, I will try and post some of the other photos and videos my team has submitted... Because my selections were easy and not overly demanding after looking at the list...

14. A laptop made entirely of felt. Image must show the screen and keyboard. (21 points)

24. A world-renowned landmark recreated entirely of gummy bears. (31 points)

31. A “raft” party for 10 people including radios, coolers of beer, in the middle of the desert – everything must be on something inflatable. (22 points)

77. A chair that serves as both a chair and a shark killer with instructional manual next to it. (21 points)

81. A toilet plunger covered in real gold leaf. (33 points)

84. A crampon on a coupon on a tampon on a gamelan. (40 points)

91. Carve a scale model of the Uragh Stone Circle from potatoes. (17 points)

109. A drawing of the GISHWHES scavenger Hunt reflecting multiple nationalities, locations and items. (30 points)

119. A cat eating kale. (22 points)

124. A painting/drawing of Misha and the Queen of England as Tarzan and Jane posing in a red chair (she’s in his lap). (12 points)

126. If GISHWHES were a microbe what would it be? (20 points)

136. Action figures/superheroes set up to resemble “The Last Supper.” (18 points)

139. Take a sick balloon animal to the vet. (31 points)

148. Someone tapping out in Morse code: “This Hunt has destroyed my family.” (9 points)

151. Prove that redheads cannot wiggle their ears (0)

169. Submit a video of a television screen showing a local television news show that mentions GISHWHES and your team number. This must be an actual news show. (36 points)

 

And, let's remember... it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt - or the RCMP are called. Thank goodness it wasn't my team, but it was awefully close to home... Haha. For almost 250 points, a 5 foot tall, Flying Christmas Tree,lifted off with helum balloons was a challenge to get... or at least to maintain open airspace throughout the world as a result of rogue trees...

Needless to say... I will never work with gold leaf again... Potato Borscht was no better with a Uragh Stone Circle as potatoes... ONLY Bumblebee would portray a good Jesus... Thank goodness we have a standing Midday slot, and the lady before us was late... Yay for great friends... Gummy Bears are NOT structurally sound...
And I would not change a single thing... some of the most spontaneous, and outrageous things I have done in a LONG time... And some of the most fun...