June 1-28: Emily takes a summer math class
I enjoy math, actually a lot (I swear it is genetic) but this class really pushed me to my limits. The “stuff” was easy enough, but there was SO much “stuff.” How can I put this in words? Let’s say someone just handed you a $3000 dollar bottle of wine that you never in your dreams imagined you would ever have the pleasure of even looking at. They uncork the beast, hand it to you delicately, and then yell, “chug, chug, chug!!” at you, forcing your to gulp it down until the wine is completely gone – most of it spilled down the front of your shirt, dripping from your chin, and on the ground. That’s about how I feel. I just finished my FINAL exam in the class, thank God. Having a big project due every Monday and two exams less than a week apart makes for a very frantic Emily. But, I survived. I even had to study for one exam without electricity (storm blew over a light pole in our backyard and we were out for 10 hours). I proudly put my engineering skills to work, and much to the dismay of my firefighter bro-in-law, lit a few a lot of candles.
June 17-19: Emily goes to Iowa for wedding
It was in Iowa City and I had a blast. I love my family. I got to see 4 of the 6 kids I love so dearly, two of them were at a celebration of their grandparents’ anniversary so they weren’t able to come to the wedding.
Maddie, Henry, Nick, and Jack (aka Little Man) |
My granny and gramps won the “who-has-been-married-the-longest-dance-off”! Together for 61 years! They are such amazing people, and I am so blessed to have them in my life! |
My two best friends (sistas) and myself at the reception. |
Mi familia (the original five) |
Maddie dancing with the bride. |
My cousin was the most bee-utiful bride. During the wedding, I couldn’t help but notice how composed she was, making her all the more stunning of a bride. The ceremony was incredible – I love weddings and so naturally, I may have cried a time or two. What? Don’t pretty things make you cry? The reception – was phenomenal. My family certainly knows how to throw a good party – there was lots of catching up and dancing! I have another cousin getting married in September, and I simply can’t wait to do it all over again for them!! My visit home was sweet but much too short. Before I knew it, I was boarding the plane back to the dirty south. *sigh* Some days, I think moving back to Iowa would be an easy decision to make.
June 25-26: Emily and Alex go to the beach (!!!)
You really think I was going to let him enjoy the white sand, Gulf of Mexico and sunshine alone?! Heck, no. I left for Florida as soon as class was over on Friday. I got there just in time to join the Pilot-Who-Survived-the-Water for dinner at our new favorite place in P-cola, McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery. It gets a little wild there at night, I think, because it is kind of stinky in there, but the food is SO worth it. They brew their own beer there, so sometimes we enjoy one to wash down the good food.
The Pilot-Who-Survived-the-Water at McGuires. |
That evening after dinner we went for a lovely walk along the beach. In fact, you could almost call it romantic. He actually put his arm around me while we were walking! (I think he likes me.)
I couldn’t decide what I wanted so I went with the jalap, ham, and eggy sammich and a cherry pastry. |
Then it was time for some of this…
And time by the AWESOME pool at the hotel. Complete with a lazy river. I took this picture from our 10th floor hotel room. We were basically enjoying the beach celebrity style this weekend.
Check out how perfectly the curtains frame this view. I think I could live here for the rest of my life.
We dined for dinner at PegLeg Pete’s, another amazing place on P-cola Beach. I had broiled oysters and the Pilot-Who-Survived-the-Water had chicken parm. Recall that seafood is not on the tried, tested and approved list of Pilot food.