Finally Back

Here's the story, or rather, stories...of my life within these past few weeks. It's a story told with pictures, since you all know how much I love me my photos.

It all started off in lovely Utah. My home that will always be. I miss the skyline, the mountains and the 'wide open spaces'. Nothin' brings me back like the sweet words of the Dixie Chicks...


After the extra long jaunt home through DC and Chicago, George and I finally made it back. It wasn't that long until our social calendar filled up with dinners upon dinners with families and friends. One in particular stands out as the most merry of the bunch. Michael Gunnuscio and friends, or rather family, put on a great show! Mike's dad, who is the head honcho when it comes to Italian cooking, gave George's and my parent's a real treat of chicken marsala that Monday night. I don't really know what I was expecting when coming to the Gunnuscio household, but what I got was something unforgettable. A big family dinner with banter and tales of drunken boat sailings...things that kids intended on parents not to hear...and sightings of love through random hugging of restaurant employees. I can't tell you how much fun I had. (and how much that wine was making me flush, even if we weren't talking of "do you want to go somewhere and talk?" talk.) Nonetheless, I thank the Irish-Italian peas in a pod of a family for the truly wonderful night. (And to Amy for reminiscing of our equally unforgettable SOUL circus!)

Next on the agenda was George's 'Big Wednesday'. Basically a pub crawl where a pub crawl might seem absolutely impossible without putting your wallet on fire. Salt Lake City. The theme was 'Hawaiian Luau' and it was sure to impress as Sasha, George's tall frenchie friend, came waltzing through the door garbed up as a PALM TREE! The only thing UN-great about that nut-holding tree, was his palm leaves brushing in my face every five seconds. No wonder I can't remember how many drinks I had that night!

Even PRB and his roomie showed up!






So finally, here we come to the awaited prize. The Mt. Man Rendezvous. Let's just set the scene with the arrival of George and I, and the words of my grandpa, "Don't you get too comfortable over there, your tent is over there..." As he points to the shower tent.

"Here" I say, as I hand my grandpa a bag full of beer.

"Hmmm...ok, ok, this is looking good. You got any money to go along with this??" He gloats.

And the festivities began!

George started with a look that was considered 'good enough for now..' But as soon as he added fringe on the vest, he was kickin' some heels!

I got to show off my own guns with this extra-long muzzle. (If that's what you call it??) Apparently, I have the 'woman hips' to hold guns like these. Or so the toothless mt. man said to me in the shop...

We came across a handful of toothless men, by the way. Each offering libations. Ok, only one offered us libations, only after we stumbled upon his fart-making-tent! But I am not bragging when I say, we made him elated with our smiles. Rich.


Magic shows, kites, cannons, cannonballs...haha, and storms, all hailed the 2008 year of the rendezvous. I think when it was all said and done, we both had rosy burnt flesh and cold hail-battered bruises...but all worth it in the end. Plus, I even acquired a megatoothed tent! Thanks Grandma!

After we got back to the safety of the valley, the only thing on the agenda was Brewvies and rest. Oh and fabulous haircuts, that we desperately needed.

Lovely before shots:


*Note the full scruffiness...

Now, let's see a nice after picture, shall we?





*Note how clean cut we are...


Now, let's see how our plane ride back to Boston went.....



*Now note the highlighted area of the picture...

FU MAN CHU! Boy 'der was I a lucky little lady to be ridin' with such a slice a homepie!

(Don't worry everyone, it got progressively funnier/worse with columns too. Haha, sorry I just had to show you all what you're getting into when you hang around this muscle man.)

Well we got home alright, and I couldn't believe how pungent the smell of the ocean was when we walked out of the airport. Man I love that smell. It's funny how you get used to things over the months. I need to go down to the harbor more often.

(Doesn't George look like a regular 'ol tourist?! Hee hee!)

Boston has been nice ever since we've been back. Weather-wise anyway. Sunny and summer-like. Quite a difference from when we left, which felt like monsoons every other day. Sheesh! But both coming home to new apartments, and myself to new roommates, we've had our share of stressors. Funny story though, so George, Mike and Aaron were supposedly getting new couches and felt kind enough to give my new abode a new look with their old ones...however, as soon as they were about to pick up their new couches, the dude told them that his wife changed her mind and was not going to be selling anymore. What a bummer! Haha, now I'm sitting on their couches while they're sitting on crates! Well maybe not crates...but that would be funny.

Last weekend, we all went up to New Hampshire to participate in a high school fundraising 5K. Guess what? We ALL won medals! Friggin' schweet! Mike, Ben and George swept their division winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. And I, my friends, won 3rd in my division. Ok, so there were only 3 women in my division...but still! My only 2 goals were to not stop running and to make it in at least 30 min. Done and Done. I'm pretty proud. The only question I have about this organization though is, who gives away 30 pounds of chocolate as a raffle at a race?!


Apparently New Hampshire. :)

Anyway, my life is hectic. But I absolutely love it. Thank you to all of my friends and family who came to see me and spend time with me while I was home. You don't know how much it means to me, especially being so far away for the better part of the year. I had a blast and will be looking forward to the next time I can get paid to dress up in 1840's garb and hang out with palm trees.

My room still needs dusting. Paint needs to be on the walls asap and I have class readings to do. Life is going, and that's all I can say. I just have to keep in the now and not worry about if my car registration will get done in the future. It will. (Promise Dad, I promise!)

Hope you enjoyed the tales. Obviously this is the "long-shortened version" but alas, I'm only so adept. I love you all, keep writing to me. And if you want to send me more pics of the rendezvous, (grandparents...!) I wouldn't be opposed to it!

Cute Bunns!