Tuesday morning we woke up bright and early and took the puppy to the park to run her around and hopefully make her tired. I think it worked. We got her a nausea shot and took her to the airport.
I hate the San Jose airport. The only redeeming thing in that place is they have free wifi. And you can buy cans of beer and take it to your gate to drink. But everyone who works there are ass holes. We were walking into the airport with the dog on the leash and they're like "you can't go in the airport with her out of the crate". Ugh. So we get her in the crate and grab one of those cart things to push her in. Then they're like "you can't use that cart!" I was like "are you crazy?" I mean seriously, you want me to drag in my dog in her crate and my luggage without a cart? Luckily my SO was there to help out so he's carrying the crate and I've got all the luggage. Then before we even get to the airport the guy is like "I need to see your passport" Are you fucking kidding me? It's probably because I was hella stressed out but I was all cursing and like "why is this damn airport so fucking hard to get into?"
We checked in the puppy, I went through security and immediately bought two beers to drink by my gate. After those two beers (and some magical Xanax) I was feeling much better.
In Miami the airline people were AWESOME. They saw me with the dog and showed me where I could leave the crate and cart ($5 for a cart rental in MIA by the way, wtf?) and walk around with my dog until it was time to check in. They even gave me directions on how to get to a dog park! They were so nice (especially after my experience in San Jose) I feel like I should write a letter.
I was a bit worried I wouldn't make it to NC because there had been tornado warnings, but we made it just fine. And the puppy was fine. Made me so happy!
In NC with Perlita safe and sound!
Wednesday we didn't do much. Had to go to the bank. I did go and buy myself an iphone! My first smart phone ever. Welcome to the present! I had to buy it unlocked and the price just about killed me- $450. I couldn't believe how expensive it was. But, I had permission from my SO to buy it so I did. I felt guilty later but then decided it was a combo birthday/dealing with visa shit present to myself. I love that phone! And that night my friend who got married, picked me up to try out some sarees. She got some henna done first, and I got some too! Of course then it was wet and I wasn't able to try on the outfits. Duh. So we had some dinner, and I headed home.
Thursday morning I was up bright and early to go marry my friend! She told me she had to be married "around exactly 9:31am"
She wrote up a very short script for me to read and it was nice. I had to practice everyone's name, I hope I got them right! We took tons of pictures (of which I have none, gotta write to see if she'll send me some) and had a southern Indian breakfast. I don't know what any of it was but it was damn good. Another girl that came said "it's been so long since I've had an Indian breakfast" I was like "me too!" Everyone laughed. ha ha.
(oh yeah, and all that hemming and hawing over what shoes to wear with the dress- they're Hindu! So I took off my shoes to go inside. I wasn't even wearing shoes. Duh. haha)That afternoon I picked up a family friend form the airport. We went and had some drinks and had maybe one of the strangest conversations I've ever had. I saw these guys inside the bar and they were hitting on me. I eventually told them I was married (because they asked if I had a boyfriend) and they were like "we respect the sanctity of marriage". Ookay. Later they come out and they're like "so are you still married?" Yes. Then one guy says "yeah when I was in prison..." And I said "is that your opening line to picking up girls??" He says "well I'm not trying to pick you up anymore." Riiight. So he's talking about being in prison and at one point says he was "half-raped" in prison. We're like half raped? He says "yeah, I was resisting at first, but then I realized it was pretty good and let it go" Then my friend (a gay guy) and I were trying to figure out which one of us they were actually trying to pick up! It was very strange.
On Friday I went for breakfast with the friend and walked some around the block with my puppy. Then that afternoon I was supposed to go early to get my saree on, but I decided I didn't feel like it. Instead my mom, her husband, the family friend and I all went to an awesome German bakery/restaurant. Not to be all hipster, but we used to go there when it was German people running the place and it was the size of a closet. Now they have this beautiful building and serve meals and everything. Still great pastries! We got a few cheese plates and prosecco, my most favorite things in the world!!!
After getting nice and liquored up we headed to my friend's religious ceremony. It got me so excited for her Indian wedding! We were singing these songs, they handed out lyrics for them. Luckily it was a repeat sort of thing so I could follow along somewhat. They had a FABULOUS dinner (we got to take a lot home!) and dancing and such. It was a lot of fun.
I have other pictures but for some reason only this one would load. That's the happy new couple! The lengha that my friend was wearing was BEAUTIFUL!
Oh here's another one. I look like shit in all these pictures because I had awful allergies that whole week.
Saturday morning I went to visit my dad. He made waffles for breakfast- YUM! After that I headed to Cheesecake Factory to hang out with a good friend from college who I hadn't seen in forever. I wanted to go to Cheesecake Factory because CR doesn't make good cheesecake and I really wanted some! Well that'll be the last time I ever go there, it was so damn expensive! We had two appetizers, 3 drinks, and two pieces of cheesecake and it was $75!!! I mean SHIT! I paid for most of it because my friend is graduating from vet school next week and I wanted to celebrate. (I also bought a piece of cheesecake for my gringo co-worker to bring to him because we were reminiscing on how much we miss cheesecake, and I left it in the fridge at my mom's house! Boo!)
Expensive ass drinks...
After that I got home and found out that my dog had escaped and nearly ran out into the busy street. I promise I've tried to train her, I've just never been able to! It's like she knows she's bad, but she doesn't care. So after that scare my mom decided to find her puppy training classes. She starts next week.
That Saturday night we went bar hopping! We went to the downtown area which is becoming really gentrified and cute. The third bar we went to is right next to the minor-league baseball field and right when we walked up someone hit a home run! We knew that because the mascot is the Bulls (anyone seen the movie Bull Durham? That's my hometown!) and when they hit a home run the bull's eyes light up red, it blows smoke and wags its tail.
While at this bar my friend who got married came real quick. She said she had to "give me something". She walks in with this giant box and I'm like wtf? It was sort of like an invitation or a request or I don't know what to be her bridesmaid in her wedding! It was the damn nicest and cutest thing ever! It had all these old pictures of us from high school. So damn cute I started crying. On it it said "Our lives have changed so much in this time. I can't wait to grow old together as married ladies" *tear* She gave me a dress and silly glasses and evidently I need to wear them and take a picture to say "yes! I'll be your bridesmaid" So I'm DEFINITELY going to the India wedding now
The last bar was Tyler's, a place with SO MANY BEERS. We love that place.
That night we got home and my mom and her husband got in this fight and her husband like stormed out. It was super awkward and made me feel awful. Now I understand why nasty divorces fuck up kids so much. (my parents had a very amicable divorce)
The flight home was uneventful. I bought some of those apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. My SO loves them. I love how the USA can make anything unhealthy- even apples. At home my SO had bought me some really pretty flowers and some delicious ice cream. He's the best!
I'm a little sad today coming home and not having my bouncy puppy to greet me, but it's okay. I figure she's better off there, plus we can now take advantage of our weekends and take beach trips and things without having to find a place for the dog. And it's only a few months!
(well visa shit is annoying again. I got a checklist for a certified marriage certificate, which is WHAT I SENT THEM! I think it doesn't "look" certified, but it is certified. So I sent in another one [good thing I ordered SIX of the goddamn things!] and informed my senator that they're fucking me again.. When I called the visa people to tell them I had already sent a certified copy the lady was like "did they email it to you?" Uh, no you fuckwad, I stood at the desk and said CERTIFIED COPIES PLEASE and that's what they gave me. On the front page it says "CERTIFIED COPY". What fucking morons. Serious. Fucking. Morons. So that put us back at least another two weeks with the visa shit. I was so fucking mad I couldn't sleep one night and was just crying with rage. So yeah, I deserve that goddam $400 iphone!)
Have a nice day!
I'm glad Perlita made it okay and is adjusting to life in Amurrica. Also, I've made the same mistake at Cheesecake Factory. Like you think it'll be cheap because it's a chain, and then they hit you with the bill and it's like
The registry office lady who married us pronounced Olek's last name correctly exactly ONCE and that was before the ceremony, when we taught her. She used different made-up variations throughout the ceremony. We survived and came out married anyway
So sorry to hear about the visa people being asses once again.
I can't wait to see you in your saree, they're so beautiful. India is such a wealth of color, you're gonna have an awesome trip. Just be careful you don't get the dreaded Delhi Belly, take some good tummy stuff with you.
As always, sorry about the douchecanoes at the visa place, they blow