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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Hello Mexico!!!

 Hola!  Como esta?  Well I am muy bien, although I'd be more bien if I were still in Mexico :)  Last week, Seth and I packed up and headed to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for our girlfriend Carly's wedding.  It was so much fun and we loved getting to see our Salt Lake friends, it's always a good time!  After getting in, we checked in to Hotel Casa Ticul (this cute little 20 bedroom hotel by the beach) and headed off to grab some food and meet our friends on the beach to kick off the vacay :)

Seth lounging at the hotel...I think he passed out from the heat!

Each day, the maid folded our towels into something different :)

 The first day, after breakfast (which three little Mexican ladies made for us every morning!), we headed over to Las Mamitas Beach Club where we literally laid on the beach ALL day!  Much needed R&R, especially considering the next day was spent from dawn til dusk on a tour of the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Coba.  It is cool to see so much of different cultures, both the ancient Mayans and the modern day Latinos.  We hiked around the pyramids and temples and learned about all of the symbolism (and kind of scarily accurate predictions!) the Mayans incorporated into their lives.  Contrast that with walking down Fifth Ave. where I was asked (in a Mexican accent): "Hey my friend, you want to buy cigars? (pause) Or something better!?"  And he wasn't the only guy offering up "party favors," you literally got bombarded at night with peddlers on the street...but I loved every second haha!

Las Mamitas Beach Club...pictures say 1,000 words!

The Mayan ruins at Tulum.

Seth and I on the beach at Tulum.

The largest Mayan Pyramid in Coba.  Ah-mazing!

Sunday was wedding day and it was wonderful!  Carly and Paul's wedding was at the Playcar Palace Resort and, as their guests for the day, it was all you can eat/drink ALL day...and it was so good (and much needed!)  The wedding was at 6:00, just in time for the perfect weather and sunlight to make the ceremony beautiful!  Carly looked amazing and the ceremony brought me to tears...twice!  After the vows were said and champagne toast was done, we ate some more and enjoyed a live mariachi band to kick off the party...which ended up moving to a club downtown where we danced until 3:00AM!

Paul kissing his bride, Carly <3

The mariachi band

Me, Seth, Jarrett, Dave, and Whitney after dancing.

Monday it was up and away and back to DC (although we did so in style, because I got us upgraded since the airline had problems with our seating assignments!).  I was a little sad to say goodbye, especially because I really do enjoy being able to use my Spanish with my Latino hermanos :)  At the airport, we ran into Kody and Ben (more SLC friends) and said one final goodbye...but it's officially less than 2 (yes, TWO) months til we're back in SLC for the big day!  So hang tight, enjoy your day, July's almost here, but now I'm off and away!

Monday, May 2, 2011

God Bless the U.S.A.

Well, I had thought this week was going to end with a BORING Blog Post, talking about how lame my week has been (studying, sleeping, eating, repeat...well, maybe a little more eating)...but boy was I surprised.  This evening, as I was finishing some Property Exam Prep., I got a News Alert that President Obama would be holding a Press Conference, but it didn't say what it was about.  Due to the abnormal nature of the Press Conference, I was pretty sure that it would be some big news...little did I know HOW big!  Ding dong, the witch is dead...Osama Bin Laden was killed by a U.S. air strike!  I first found out via Twitter (before any news sources actually reported it) and then, to my pleasant surprise, had it confirmed by the President.  It truly was a moment in time I can say I will honestly never forget!  This all started back with September 11th, 2001, and it is such a tribute to our country, our leaders, and our soldiers to have it end like this...and I truly can say I'm PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!!

Now, while I do have exams, History trumped tonight and, after the announcement, Seth, Honey, and I hopped in the car and headed down to the White House to be a part of it all...so I will let the pictures and videos tell the rest of the story, but until til the next time, God Bless you all and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

People starting to gather in downtown D.C.

People celebrating outside the White House.

So many people came together so quickly!