06|09|2009
more graphic details of our vegas vacation.
{UPDATE: You will be so happy to know that the camera & black backpack was, indeed, in the lost & found! Apparently, the cab driver turned it in! (God bless you, you darling woman, you!) When I found out, I burst into fits of laughter & tears, told the receptionist that I loved her, called my mom, my sister, Jonathan & started yelling “YAY!” outside of my apartment window. God willing, we’ll be getting it tomorrow evening! I requested overnight delivery so I can get our pictures ASAP. So expect another post documenting the outfits & the beautiful scenery very, very soon! Thank you to EVERYONE for your prayers & encouraging words. I know for a fact that because of you, our camera will be back in our hands again!!! See? There ARE good people in Las Vegas, the city of sin!}
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My trip to Las Vegas this past weekend was probably the most scariest, most adventurous, most fulfilling & heartwarming experience I have ever been apart of, aside from getting married. I laughed, I cried, I drank a few sips of alcohol (white wine leaves little to be desired!), I made out with my husband while everyone watched, I “fist-bumped” strangers, & I didn’t sleep a wink.
Our trip included (but was not limited to):
- Traffic, & lots of aggressive drivers (& pedestrians) anxious to get in on all the [slutty, sinful] action Las Vegas offers.
- SKANKS. Herds of them, flocks of them, & they all looked the same. Every time I turned around, I was thinking, “Okay… is that a shirt or a dress?” or, “Oh, I know she is not walking around without any pants on!” or, “Oh my god, that girl’s breasts were thisclose from coming out to say hello!” Did I mention that most of these women were drunk & falling over?
- Weird propositions. As we walked down the strip on the Friday night, a man called out to us, “Party at the [didn't catch the name] club! We’ve got mud wrestling midgets!” Only in Vegas. I also heard that someone from our group was propositioned for sex by an elderly woman! Only in Vegas.
- Those terrible call-girl cards, whose naked body parts are covered by the smallest of stars. Sitting in Nicole’s room, we all picked the best (or worst) card of the bunch. At 1:00 am Sunday morning, I called the number on the winning (or losing) card to see what they would say (I was curious!):
Receptionist: Adult Entertainment, how can I help you?
Me: Yes, I’m calling to ask about the services you offer.
Receptionist: [nasty tone] This is an adult entertainment service, ma’am.
Me: Yes, I know that! But what kind of services do you offer?
Receptionist: [nasty tone] This is an adult entertainment service, ma’am.
Me: Okay… well can I get Tina & Stacy on this card I’m holding? I want them both, & I want them now.
Receptionist: Where are you staying?
Me: Oh, I’m staying at the Bellagio. [that was a lie.]
Receptionist: What is your room number?
Me: Uh… room number 728.
Receptionist: You’re missing some numbers there.
Me: Oh, silly me. I’m sorry… I’m so wasted right now! It’s room number 7284.
[CLICK! That mean woman hung up on me! But at least I tried.]
- A stranger screaming, yelling, & shouting “WOOOOOOO!” every other minute. & of course, we all joined in, not knowing just what we were “WOOOO!”-ing about.
- Bachelorette parties in the thousands.
- My first taxi ride. I had never been in one — never needed to — but on the first night, we had no way of getting back to the hotel, so a taxi was hailed. Yes… I hailed a taxi! The cab driver was awesome; he played a rock station while he drove us back to our hotel, had funky hair & piercings. I told him on my way out, saying “Thank you for not being crazy.”
- Spending WAY too much on necessity items. For example, bottled water was $6. However, alcohol started at $4.
Oh, & I am so incredibly sick of the sight of Barry Manilow’s botox-ed face.
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I think each of us went to this blogger meet-up in Vegas for different reasons. Some went on a whim, some went to have a jolly good time (correction: MOST!), some went to seek an adventure, & some went to try something new. I, personally, went to reawaken my true self; the one that has been hiding for years beneath the lies of introvertedness, timidness, shyness, & “not good enough.” (& truly, they were terrible lies.) I went to prove to myself that I am still this enjoyable girl to be around. The one that can make others laugh out loud. The one that isn’t quite the life of the party, but is an intrigue to others. The one girl that wears her heart on her sleeve, & her soul on her tongue. I am completely shocked that I surpassed my own expectations & judgments of myself.
Every single person I came across this weekend was so incredibly charming & sweet. & every one of them were absolutely gorgeous, physically & spiritually. They were understanding in a way that should have needed time to develop after few years of friendship, but for some reason… it was all so natural. They all felt like dear friends — no, family — that I hadn’t seen in years, & we had so much to talk about, so much to ask each other. There was never an awkward silence or a discouraging moment. Everyone was just oozing love, happiness, & all around sincerity. It felt like coming home, really.
On the last night before everyone left, we were all sitting around in Nicole, Doni, Rachel, & Elizabeth’s hotel room, chatting incessantly about anything & everything. That moment could have honestly lasted forever: the laughing, the crying (we were so terribly sad to be going) & the adventures. I wish it would have. I could have kept getting closer to these beautiful souls… If only my body could have kept up. & when we stood up to leave, I was embraced with the tightest of hugs; hugs that seemed to say, “Don’t go; don’t let this night be over!”; hugs that suggested that this ended up being more than just a first meet-up. It was a reunion.
From all of the love & companionship that was experienced over this weekend, I am just glowing. From the top of my head, to the tips of fingers & toes. It’s as if an energetic light is stirring inside of my veins. I feel so loved & so accepted. I feel like I have true friends, & this is a feeling that hasn’t been felt in many, many years. Most importantly, Jonathan was able to see a side of me — a daring, outgoing, social-butterfly side of me — that he probably had never seen before. It brought us closer together & made me realize just how much of a wonderful husband I have, & how compatible we are. He is so lovable & kind; I am so happy he came with me. We weren’t the “boring, married couple” I imagined people would think of us to be, thank goodness.
My entire perspective on life & who I am has changed. Because the realization is this: We are all connected. We were all so grateful to be alive & were so accepting of everyone else’s unique personalities. While we were all so completely different in our own ways — some were boisterous, some were slightly reserved — those differences never managed to keep us from enjoying each others’ company. We were seemingly strangers… until we met, & now we’re one big family.
Now, we’re all the same.
& if you need proof of this “same-ness,” just read a few of the recaps for yourself; do they not sound alike?
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 12:58 pm:
I’m still buzzing too. It was just what I needed right now, at this odd junction in my life. Now what I need next is a trip to SoCal! Thank you for recapping so your memories eloquently–I’ll get there in the next few days. I’m still coming down from the LSAT, but I am anxious to move on!
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 12:59 pm:
Wow this post almost brought tears to my eyes. It sounds like you had such an amazing time, and I truly wish that I could experience something so moving and life changing. It’s all so touching.
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 1:01 pm:
I am soooo happy you found your camera!
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 1:15 pm:
happiness! yay for the camera and yay for a SUCCESSFUL and fun weekend. that sounds so perfect! i had a very pivotal trip to vegas almost a year ago as well. it’s amazing how inspiring our female friends can be. xo
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pm:
Beautifully put, miss. I think I went for very similar reasons as you and I got very similar things out of the time. I’m so glad you broke out of your shell! =)
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pm:
Ev’Yan! OMG. CRYFEST. I honestly didn’t want to let you two out of that room on sunday night! I would have done anything to keep it going just a bit longer.
I’m so happy that I got to spend as much time as I did with you and Jonathan, you are both such beautiful, wonderful, amazing people… most certainly not a boring married couple. To watch you two together was a beautiful thing, we should all be so lucky to have what you guys do.
We’re all changed from what we experienced this weekend. We’re not just random people that are only words on the internet. We’re friends and family.
I am so, so, so very happy that the cab driver was an amazing person and had your bag at the lost and found. It seriously restores my faith in humanity like you would not even know. I can’t wait to see all of the beautiful pictures that you guys had taken. :)
MISS YOU.
E=MC VAGINA. the end.
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 1:42 pm:
Hallelujah! I was so on edge when you relayed the story of losing your camera. I have a Nikon D40X and that’s practically my child. I’m so happy you’re getting it back. Can’t wait to see the pics!
-riv-
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 1:53 pm:
It is SO awesome that you found your camera!!! I think that’s just so wonderful!
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pm:
ooh! so absolutely fantastic that you were able to track down your camera and backpack!
vegas sounds like it was absolutely delightful! so glad you, and everyone, had an amazing time!
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pm:
I’m so glad you got your backpack back! I knew it, LOL! Glad you had a good time other than that incident.
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 3:10 pm:
Oh! I’ve been seeing Vegas posts everywhere, and I’m so jealous! It sounds like you had an absolutely amazing time, and I’ve spotted you on other blogs too (like the fabulous Miss Kyla Roma :) and I’m SO jealous! I’m glad it so brilliant :)
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 3:38 pm:
I was so thrilled when you called the number on the escort card. It was so unexpected and fun and hilarious. Honestly, before that night, I never would have predicted that you would do that. It’s pretty wild. Thanks for showing us all sides of your fabulous personality.
On a more personal note, I just really wanted to tell you how much it meant to me to meet you and Jonathan. I haven’t been exposed to very many happy couples who, when you meet them, you just KNOW they’re supposed to be together in my life. But meeting you and Jonathan and Katelin and Matt – two couples who are so fun and so in love and so right for each other – reminded me that, hey, it really DOES happen that way sometimes. Sometimes people really do get the fairy tale. Congratulations and thanks!
I’ll be seeing you soon…
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 3:43 pm:
OMG! There’s still good in people! I am so excited you got your backpack (incl. camera!) back!
And I am jealous of the wonderful, wonderful time that you had (but in a good way jealous ;)).
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 4:07 pm:
I’m so glad you got your camera back! Vegas really does have good people apparently! :)
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 4:19 pm:
[...] I can do justice to the weekend on my own, I do hope to add my voice to the chorus of wonderful bloggers saying that this weekend was something special. Sure, it looks cool enough on paper: 25 people from [...]
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 4:40 pm:
I frequently lose my hope and faith in the human race with all the not so great things that constantly seem to happen to me, but it’s good to hear that there are still good people out there – especially in the city of sin, haha. Glad you found your stuff.
They way you experienced LV seems pretty much like what I’d expect it to be..haha.
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 4:45 pm:
The next time I want to go, even if I’m just a fly on the wall. It’s good to know that you take after your mommy when it comes to doing things spontaneously. I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures and you definitely have to identify everyone.
PS–I’m so relieved that you found your camera.
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 5:13 pm:
I heard about the call to the adult entertainment hotline. That was HILARIOUS. Glad you got your camera back too!
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 5:21 pm:
yay for finding your camera! so glad to hear you had a great time and bonding experience with your new friends, and more importantly, with your hubby. can’t wait for the visuals! ;)
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 8:11 pm:
I could go on and on about how perfect this post is, but I don’t think I even have the words. Let’s just say that I completely and utterly agree, in every way.
I think that all of us discovered something about ourselves, and left with that feeling of lightness, love and joy.
Also? Dare I say everyone fell in love with you and Jonathan this weekend? Like, everyone? It’s true. You guys are incredible.
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 8:16 pm:
yayyy! I’m glad you found it! *sheds tear for you*
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 9:11 pm:
oh that is really really great! thank God the cab driver is nice to return it.
Not our luck though, my brother lost our video camera last year on the airport and the baggage person never bothered to return it. All our videos are lost too of course from our recent vacation. I cant be angry with my brother though, as he’s blaming himself for the loss.
But yey! am so glad for you. Have fun!
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 10:28 pm:
when i get to the last couple of lines i get really upset.
i just love the way you write.
http://www.fashion-intervention.blogspot.com
on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 11:01 pm:
so glad the camera was found!
ah vegas. crazy stories never end. i was once in a cab and the driver mentioned someone had committed suicide just a few hours ago and that we had to take another route to our destination. we never see that stuff on tv though huh.
on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 5:30 am:
I’m so glad you got it back! That would have been heart breaking!
on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 5:35 am:
sounds like you had a simply amazing time! very happy that your camera and other belongs will be returned to you safely.
on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 5:40 am:
It sounds like it was such a beautiful trip that changed all of you in a fantastic way.
I’m so glad you’ll be getting your camera back!
on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 10:53 am:
I’m so happy you located the camera but I’ll miss seeing your photos in “Amateur Porn” magazine. Yeah, I have a subscription. Also, this? “Oh, I know she is not walking around without any pants on!” — I regularly think that about some bloggers!
on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 5:20 pm:
seriously i am so happy you guys found your camera, so exciting. and so glad you guys made it out, it was great hanging out with you and yay! we have to hang out again since we are neighbors and all :)
on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 7:12 pm:
Wow, it sounds like you had a crazy experience. The last time I was in Vegas I’m pretty sure I was only 8, so what can I really enjoy of Sin City at that age? Heh heh, the shirt/dresses and herds of prostitutes sound.. interesting?
on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 7:34 pm:
The entire weekend was so spectacular. I said it then and I’ll say it again, you’re so insanely gorgeous- inside and out.
on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 at 3:11 am:
OMG I can’t believe you called the adult services number! HAHAHAH! You’re insane.
This was such a surprisingly beautiful post and it’s fantastic that you all had a good time, and that you especially got what you wanted out of it. Kudos!!!
on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 at 1:37 pm:
Amazing that you are getting your camera back :)
on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 at 6:32 pm:
So happy to hear your camera was found! I can’t imagine how stressful that must have been.
on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 2:10 am:
Eee. Have I not commented on this post already? I keep reading all the wonderful Vegas posts and imagining what I’m going to say and then thinking that I’ve already commented on all of them!
Sounds like you had SUCH an awesome time in Vegas. And I SO happy for you! And also, oh so jealous! I had such a fun time with you, Kerri and Katelin in L.A. back in February — I would have loved to see you girlies again and all the rest of the rockin blogger girlies. There must be a next time! Because I wanna go! And you must go again next year!
I can’t believe you called one of the crazy nasty cards! Soooo funny. Oh man, I HATE HATE HATE those cards. I hate how they shove the cards in your face — even if you’re walking hand in hand with your guy – while wearing wedding rings. Ugh I hate those cards!
Congrats on getting your camera back! That’s so amazing! YAY!!!
on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 1:19 pm:
I’m still catching up on my reader from the past week and just now read this. Amazing, my love. Absolutely beautiful. I think we all experienced that same connected feeling, even if we experienced it differently and for different reason. Bloggers are an amazing group of people and I feel so truly blessed to have spent this time with people like you. As we’ve said before, I barely knew you existed and now I can’t imagine my life without you. You and Jonathan are anything but boring – the pictures taken of you throughout the weekend are stunning proof of your love for each other.
Oh, and this part? “Spending WAY too much on necessity items. For example, bottled water was $6. However, alcohol started at $4.” I never noticed that, but you’re RIGHT! Booze is cheaper than water in Vegas! :)
on Sunday, June 21st, 2009 at 8:51 am:
It really was like a reunion, and I’m so thankful we were all able to make it happen. And I am eagerly awaiting next year’s trip! I know it will be amazing!