Home Again and an Open Note to My VA Friends

Wow, a lot has happened within the past couple of months that lead up to this point.  If you couldn’t guess by my title, I have moved back to NY.  Yes, I’m living back with my parents, but it is necessary at the moment.  What made me do it?  I miss NY, I miss home, I miss family/friends, I miss the life I have when in this environment.  Oh yeah and I wanted to give the job search a go here because I believe it will be easier than the time I’ve already wasted.  This move has been a long time coming and I officially made it happen.  So, for those in NY who are wondering, yes I am definitely home.  It was exhausting to move all within 2 days.  You try traveling back and forth between NY and VA within 48 hours and tell me you have energy!  Thanks to my dad, cousin Courtney, and Uncle Jim for all the help.    Now, to continue my failing job search.  Hopefully it will turn around and start to look more positive.  All help/suggestions are welcome!

Now something I’ve been meaning to do since before I left VA.

To my VA friends (and I mean those few that I consider friend),

Thank you.  Thank you for being a friend in a place where I was completely clueless.  For keeping my boredom at a minimum.  For making me smile and/or laugh.  For listening when I needed to talk.  For not being judgmental.  For allowing me to be all these things to you as well.  Of course there is much more to the list, but it would take a whole lot of space to write.  When I first moved to VA, about 3 years ago, I did not expect to meet anyone worthy of decent friendships.  My goal was to complete my Master’s program and get the hell back to NY or wherever a possible career/life took me.  But, that is not in my nature.  I am pretty social and making friends just happens with wherever I place myself.    I did not leave VA in order to dump our friendship, but to better myself and alleviate some emotional pain I have been feeling.  When I announced this, none of you were selfish and showed complete support of my decision.  You have no idea how appreciative I am of that and I wish I could show you, but actions cannot do so.   I do promise to visit when possible.  Yes, that includes Body Jam launches until I can establish a Les Mills class up in NY 😀  I also hope that if you are ever to visit NY, you will take time to say hi and possibly get together.  Again, thank you for everything a friendship could ask for and here’s to future run-ins!  Miss you guys!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

This past Sunday I participated in the Locks of Love event at the Paul Mitchell School in Tyson’s Corner, McLean, VA.  The event was sponsored by the local radio station 97.1 Wash FM; specifically hosted by Maureen McLain.  I was extremely excited to know that such an event existed due to my failed attempts at finding a salon that honors Locks of Love.  After a few minutes of thinking, I signed up and impatiently waited on a response.  A few days later, I received an email from Maureen McLain stating that they received my sign-up and will send out more information as the date got closer.  A few days after that, I received a voicemail from another worker at the radio station stating that I should go over the rules for Locks of Love and make certain I fall within what is needed.  All I thought was yeah I know, I re-read them a million times.  My hair is longer than 10 inches in a low ponytail, there is no bleach, and I most certainly do not have dreadlocks.  A few days after that, I received another email from Maureen letting me know that my appointment time was at 12:45am.  Wait, what?!  Yeah, I thought I was reading things wrong when I saw it too.  So, I promptly emailed her back to confirm my time and was reassured that it was just a typo and meant to be 12:45pm.  Don’t get me wrong, I would have gone at midnight if that were the case, but it was not.  With the knowledge of the appointment time and the day getting closer, I became more anxious.  I was not going to back down and did not want to change my mind.  I just found it extremely nerve wracking that I was about to cut off all the hair I’ve been growing for about 7 years.  Yeah, you saw that right.  I had it cut short in 2003 and have only kept up with a few trims here and there.  What if they cut it too short or give me a weird style and I hate it?  That kept running through my head.  It was easy to dismiss that when the thought of a child in need of a wig would obtain all the awesomeness that is my hair.  😀

The day of the event finally arrived and I had to work up until 45 minutes before my appointment time.  Talk about cutting it close (ha ha ha).  After my shift ended, I got to Tyson’s Corner mall as fast as I could.  On the drive I swore I was going to hurl and I definitely felt signs of anxiety.  I pull in to the first parking garage I see and it is jam packed with barely anyone moving.  I swore it was Christmas time at Roosevelt Field.  I immediately left that garage, found the next one and remembered my parking strategy for when I am at previously stated mall: go to the upper levels!!!  I made it to the second level and ahhhhh parking spots, who would’ve thought! 😀   After parking, I booked in to the mall, made my way to the first floor and in to the Paul Mitchell School.  I had to sign a waiver about stuff I didn’t read and provided my name.  I spent my time waiting actually talking to Maureen McLain and another worker that was with her.  They took my before picture for the website and for my own personal use.

She was an awesome person and interacted with practically everyone that walked through the door.  When my name was called, I was seated at the first chair amongst many in about 6-8 rows.  Remember, this is a school full of awesome students that will one day be styling your hair.  My stylist’s name was Christine and she was real sweet, but definitely wanted to concentrate on what she was doing.  The first thing she said was how it wasn’t going to be fair because I’d still have good length after the 10 inches is removed.  That’s when I decided to do a little more.  We chose 11 inches!!  A whole extra inch!  She wrapped it in a low ponytail and pulled out a ruler (no joke), measured the 11 inches and then just cut it off.  I was expecting her to say “are you ready?” or “here we go” or “are you sure?” …or something.  Nope!  Just snip snip off with the ponytail.  I swore my head felt lighter afterwards.

There it is….all 11 inches of it!  She then washed my hair in a completely separate room for washing.  She used some awesome Lavender Mint Paul Mitchell stuff I so wish I could afford.  Back to the chair.  Now she got real quiet and focused on getting my ends correctly and then fixing up my bangs.  No, she didn’t ask what I wanted for a style.  Kind of disappointed at that, but I’m not complaining because it was free!  She added in more awesome Paul Mitchell styling product and then blow dried my new hair.  On the way out, Maureen McLain took my after picture and I took one with her and the other worker as well. 

I felt uber confident walking around after that.  I really liked the way my hair was cut.  For the rest of the night, I kept playing with it because I was not used to it being as short as it now is.  Taking a shower the next day was weird too because I did not have to utilize as much shampoo/conditioner as I previously have been doing.  Plus, the shorter hair felt odd under water because it did not automatically cling to my back.  In closing thoughts, I had fun attending this event and donating to an awesome charity.  I hope to do this again in the future when my hair grows back.  I suggest to anyone wanting to donate to Locks of Love to do so, it’s awesome and so worth it!!  Wouldn’t it be funny if I saw a child walking down the street one day and all I could think is ….hmmm..I know that hair ;-D

Here’s the link for the event photo gallery on the Wash FM website:  http://www.washfm.com/cc-common/gallery/display.html?album_id=260247 Check out all the awesome people that donated that day, including the host Maureen McLain.  I’m pics 54-55.  Enjoy!!

Where did it go?

If you are reading this, you are wondering “where did what go?”  Now that I have you thinking, I will go ahead and tell you.  Yep, I am not dragging it out to make you read all the way to the end to find out what I am talking about.  So to answer, I want to know where did Halloween go?  Yes, I know time goes by fast and it was only a week ago.  No, I was not sleeping and did not miss it going by.   The context I am going for is the excitement of dressing up, running around to obtain candy, meeting friends to hang out, etc.  Unfortunately, I had to work for 6 hours and that is the only place I was able to have fun dressing up…………and it still was far from fun.  I did not see any children trick or treating and nobody wanted to hang out after my shift.  It wasn’t very hard to find some events still going on even though it was a Sunday night, but everyone skipped out anyway.  I really wanted to go out and have a few drinks with someone that might enjoy the holiday as much as I do.  But the repeat failure I had on responses really disappointed me.  It got to me so much that I couldn’t help but think how much I hate living here in VA.  If I was home (NY), I know of people that definitely would have dressed up with me and gone out for some fun even if limited by the fact that it was Sunday.  Very frustrating.  Otherwise, I somewhat enjoyed the few hours I had in my costume at work, although nobody had a clue I was dressed up or who I was supposed to be.  Here’s a few pics, can you tell?

Yes!! Good job, I’m Lara Croft from the video game not the movie.  My coworker was Indiana Jones.  The idea was he would be the character that spawned the idea of the Lara Croft series.  No?  Ok, well I just told you so you have to believe me.  I hope next year’s Halloween makes up for this year.  It’s my favorite holiday and I don’t like feeling disappointed during one of the highlights of my year.  Will you join me next time?

On a side note and in expansion to a previous post of mine:

I took a poll/wrote a post a few weeks ago about attending an event for Locks of Love hosted by the local radio station 97.1 Wash FM.  Only 7 people voted (lame) and it leaned in favor of me donating my hair.  Prior to the that, I had it in my head that I would definitely go for it and get the cut.  I put my name in, then made my blog post/poll.  Well, now it’s official!!  I received my email confirming my appointment for 12:45pm at the Paul Mitchell School in Tyson’s Corner to donate my hair to Locks of Love.  Say bye bye to the hair!  Don’t worry, it grows back 😀

Launch Week Recap

This past week was launch week at all the local gyms/clubs for the Les Mills programs.  I am currently certified in Body Jam only, so my post will reflect the Jam launches I co-instructed.  Although it was not during this week, the first launch I participated in was at the Skyline Sport & Health on Oct 9th.  Here, I launched with Mindy and Elizabeth.  Might I add how privileged I felt to be teaching alongside these two ladies.  I used to be a participant in their classes, they have been extremely supportive in getting me through my Body Jam journey, and I see them as amazing mentors.  Mindy started us off, I took on the Contemporary Rock block, Elizabeth rocked the French Electro Awesomeness block, and I came in for the groove down.  We had a little under 30 participants; all were energetic and seemed to have fun.  The only mishap was that the microphone did not like to sit on our heads.  Regardless, I had a blast during this launch and we looked good!  Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures from any of the launches this quarter.  😦

My next launch was last Monday with Red in her Gold’s Gym Annandale class.  Yet another instructor I felt privileged teaching next to due to her awesomeness and continuous support.  Prior to any launches, we all ordered Jam shirts that coincided with some lyrics from track 4.  The front says “Natural Born Jammer” (should be hustler as in the lyrics but changed for the purpose of launch) and the back says “Certified Freak” (direct quote).  We were able to wear them for this launch and they looked amazing!!!  We had about 26 participants and they enjoyed themselves just as much as we did.  I took first half and Red took second.  A few small spots where we flubbed a few steps, but it went unnoticeable and we rocked it out.  After class ended, Red surprised everyone with her announcement of “baby Red.”  Yep, she’s having a baby!  😀  So excited for her and her husband, congrats to the two of them!!

An hour and half after launching with Red, I headed to the Arlington YMCA to launch in my own class.  I know it is crazy to do 2 launches back to back, but it was lined up and I was there!  Unfortunately, I was feeling the exhaustion from the earlier launch and it slightly affected my energy levels.  I also had to launch by myself; no fun energy bouncing off of another instructor to help out in any way.  I had a couple more flubs during this class than at the previous launch and it made me start to feel a bit awkward.  Not good.  I finished it out, but I felt I was dragging.  The 11 participants did not seem to notice or be affected by my lack of energy.  I made a note that I would need to make sure my energy level and cuing was up to par for next week’s class.

The next launch for me was on Thursday night with Laura at Gold’s Gym Baileys Crossroads.  Typically Mindy would be with us for that class (it’s usually hers), but she had rehearsal dinner for her brother’s wedding.  Mindy, you were missed!  We decided to wear the Jam tshirts made for the launch and again they looked great!  I taught first half and added on the Recovery track.  Laura took us through second half and Groove Down.  We had 10 participants that remembered to put their dancing shoes on that night.  Seems like they had fun and the energy level was high.  Again, minor flubs but nothing to stress over.

Every one of the launches I participated in was tons of fun and I can’t wait to do it again.  Along those terms, the day after the Thursday launch we did, I received an email from the Les Mills people stating that they are sending out the new DVDs the first week of November.  It’s going so fast!

In completely different and sad news, a good friend and former co-worker of mine had passed last week.  I will write a short note in his memory.  He was riding his motorcycle home Friday night and was struck by a drunk driver.  He was a great person and one of the few who consistently encouraged me to not give up on my path.  He would help me out as much he could to find out if any openings were available in decent jobs.  He would send me texts/BBMs to check up on me.  I never really got to say how much I appreciated it, but I believe he knew.  I will miss the back breaking hugs, conversations, and great smile that he provided.  I truly believe he was taken before his time.  Dear Gerald, you will always remain in my heart/thoughts.  Thank you for all you gave to me and everyone around you.  

Curiosity Kills…..Right?

The person that lives 2 doors over never seems to be around.  I have never seen him/her/it in the three years I’ve lived here.  But there is always a delivery or note on/by the door.  I always have this random urge to want to know what is being sent to this apartment or what is written on the notes.  Why?  Because they sit there for days or a full week(s?) before they go away.  I always wonder if this person ever gets the packages or notes…..or do they get taken away because nobody checks them.  Tell me you wouldn’t think or want to do the same thing.  I believe it’s because this person is so elusive that it makes it more interesting to know what his/her/it’s life is all about.  I do know that if I ever did give in to that silly temptation to look at the note/delivery, then that person will walk in/out of the door at that exact time.  Just my luck.

How About That Mess Called My Hair?

Recently, my hair has been causing me slight stress.  Don’t get me wrong, I love (!!!!) having long hair and will probably keep it that way when I’m an old lady.  But, I haven’t been able to prevent it from obtaining extreme knots.  I’m not talking about the small ones that you can undo by running your finger through it slowly.  You know, the huge tangles that cause major pain and take a long time to brush/comb out.  Yes, I know what detangler is.  Yes, I’ve used it ….probably more than I should.  I definitely need to buy more, but detangler cannot be the answer, only a solution.  I have many theories to why my hair has been ridiculous lately, none of which cannot be easily changed to fix the problem.

Here my hair looks normal right??!! But this is what I go through every day!! Boooo

Here are a few reasons I have tossed around:

1:  My brush sucks.  I bought one of those half boar hair bristle, half plastic pokie things kind of brush (it’s this brush only with the boar hair bristle in between the plastic).  All the little ends on the plastic pokies have popped off already, therefore they don’t work.  Also, I’m unsure if the thickness of my hair prevents the boar hair bristles from correct brushing.

2:  The headbands I wear move the hair underneath it causing it to intertwine.  I usually wear yoga-type headbands because I love how soft they are and the way they look.  Every time I fix it or take it out, the hairs that are underneath are in complete chaos.

3:  I never and I stress NEVER get my hair cut consistently.  Wait, I take that back, its been a very very very long time since I’ve been able to keep up with steady appointments.  Lately, I’ve been doing a cut once a year.  This grosses me out because of the way the ends of my hair looks by mid-year.  If only I could afford a $50 haircut every 3 months!  

4:  Certain necklaces I wear tangle in the hairs that cover it.  So, not only do they get stuck in the necklace but they feel it necessary to link up with each other as well.

5:  I don’t always blow dry.  I know I’ve done this forever; there were times when I’d do it for a full summer.  But lately, the no blow dry leaves my hair longing for heat and therefore wanting to hold each other to get warm.

As an odd side note, this hair chaos seems to only occur here in the DC Metro area (mainly VA because it’s the part where I reside).  Whenever I go home to NY for a visit, it NEVER happens.  I must say that my hair loves being in NY and becomes very cooperative with everything I want it to do.  This has occurred in IN as well when I lived/visit there.  I cannot make this a theory because I haven’t tried other states.

So, I keep the 5 theories and ask anyone to chime in with any possible theories I might have not considered.  Maybe someone that knows more about hair can push me in the right direction.  Today, however, I discovered that the local radio station 97.1 Wash FM is hosting a big Locks of Love event the first weekend of November.  One of the radio deejays decided to donate and they made it a huge event where anyone can sign up and donate hair as well.  Sooooooooo the thought popped in to my head that maybe I should do this.  Free haircut…sweet!!  Losing all my long hair….not so sweet.  They require at least 10 inches to be cut.  This means that my hair will be right under my chin in length.  It’s been 7 years since I’ve had short(er) hair.  It always grows back, right?!  I need some opinions, so please voice some!!!  I will also post a poll to make it more visual.

Been a Long Time Comin

Yes, yes, I know.  5 months blew by and I have deprived myself of writing.  Bad me.   Well, I’m back and have no intentions of losing myself again….other than the fact that I’m completely lost right now!  Please don’t expect much in the sense of updates because it’s been nothing new, literally.  Only 1 thing has changed ever so slightly.  For people that have followed my Body Jam journey, I am officially certified to teach Body Jam world wide 😀

Speaking of Body Jam, launches are coming up.  The first one is this Saturday at Skyline Sport & Health.  We are making this a Les Mills Super Saturday Launch!!!  The next few are the week of Oct 18th at all the local Gold’s Gyms and YMCA’s.  So, if you are in the area come out and rock the Les Mills programs with us!  You don’t have to be a member at any gym/club to enjoy the launch!!  As for this release (Body Jam 54), I must say I am in love with tracks 1-4 (see bottom of paragraph for tracklist).  As for the rest, I’m not so sure.  Maybe it’s because I have been feeling like a bum lately and I just can’t get into the choreography and some of the music.  It took me forever to stop watching the DVD on my couch and actually get up and practice the steps!!  Any other instructors feel the same/different about 54??  Thankful for the Wed. night practices with my awesome co-instructors.  These mini-rehearsals really help gear us up on the choreography, music, and fitness magic! 😀

Body Jam 54 Tracklist :

1. Jump (Jump Smokers Remix) – Flo Rida (Feat. Nelly Furtado)
2. Make My Heart – Toni Braxton
3. Cantina – Starkillers
4. Natural Born Hustler feat. Pitbull – Crookers
5. Bombtrack – GhostHunter
6. Objection (Tango) – Shakira
7. Whole Lotta Love – Amber Luck
8. Girlfriend (Pied Piper Remix) – B2K
9. Everybody’s Free (2009 Rework) – Global Deejays feat. Rozalla
10. Cooler Couleur feat. Yelle – Crookers
11. I Will Be Here – DJ Lotus
12. Put It In A Love Song – Alicia Keys featuring Beyoncé Knowles

I finally attended a Body Pump class and loved it!!  What can I say, I don’t think I’d have a hard time enjoying a program from Les Mills.  Definitely felt the good soreness the day after.  Totally worth it!!!  Am looking forward to the new releases from the other programs as well.  Will give my views on them after Launch craziness!!  I hope to see people front and center and ready to move!

Stumped

I know I haven’t written in so long and I’m always telling myself to do so, but it’s been pretty damn hard to lately.  Everything that crosses my thoughts lately is very negative and I am not looking for any sympathy/empathy from anyone.  Plus, I don’t want it to come across as whiny.  Lately, I’ve been lacking in motivation for practically everything in my life.  I haven’t worked out (other than Body Jam or Body Combat…..and a couple of times at Mi Ki Do) and it bugs me.  I miss it and I can’t put myself to do anything.  I’ve forgotten about a lot of things that I was supposed to be attending or doing…….and I NEVER forget those sort of things.  It’s humiliating each time this happens.  I was even 3 hours late to my part-time job one day.  And I’ve been trying so hard not to ruin the only job I have.  I keep putting off writing my personal statement for a Doctorate program, my job searches seem pointless, and well, I could go on but won’t because it defeats my earlier statement.  Until my brain collects itself again, I will continue to write with updates and whenever motivation kicks my ass into gear.

For those following my Body Jam journey:  I have completed my video, but will be re-taping this upcoming week.  I made minor mistakes during the first attempt that I feel can use cleaning up before sending one for evaluation.  I have saved enough for my assessment and once I pick the best video, will definitely be shipping it out.  Even though I have not sent my video in yet, I have acquired two definite classes.  I am teaching Monday nights at the Arlington YMCA and Saturday afternoons at Gold’s Gym.  I am definitely excited to start those up and I hope that it helps me get out of this little fog.

From Good to Lost in Less Than Five Days

I was extremely lucky this past weekend because my sister and niece stayed for a visit.  We were all set to have a lazy time just hanging out thanks to rainy forecasts.  Well, not just rainy, but thunderstorm-y.  Thanks to the lack of consistency of the weather with what is predicted, we were able to do more than just sit around.  On Saturday, it drizzled a bit, which squashed our plans of taking the niece to the zoo.  My bright idea was to take her to the event at the store where I worked.  The event was coloring pre-decorated flower pots and obtaining a seed to grow.  We take her to the area to start her project and she lasts two swipes of the colored pencil she picked up.  What was I thinking when I thought she’d be able to enjoy the project located in the middle of a toy store?  She’s four!  All she was interested in were the toys surrounding her and which one she could possibly add to her collection.  I took the project (which my sister and I decided to do later in the day) and walked around the store; ending up with the simplest items requested from my niece.  After lunch (Subway), we went back to my apartment and played games/colored all day/night.  Sunday it took us a long time to figure out what to do because we did not want to risk the supposed thunderstorm.  As for indoor activities, the Northern VA area lacks anything suitable for a children.  Movies?  Forget it, there is nothing currently playing that could keep a 4 year old interested.  The closest bowling alley?  30-45 minutes away.  After watching the weather fail to do what it was claiming, we decided to risk the zoo.  Packing a few jackets, food, and an umbrella into a backpack started our fun outing.  Oddly enough, the weather ended up as sunny and 80 degrees.  I was so confused.  The zoo was amazing.  Every exhibit had an animated animal, which was cause for great pictures and a happy niece.  The bird exhibit even had us up close and personal with a couple of peacocks.  One was extremely loud, but it was a new experience for the three of us.

After the zoo, we ate dinner and played more games until the night was spent.  After the sister and niece headed back to NY on Monday morning, I couldn’t help but wish we were closer than 5 hours distance.  It was fun and I cannot wait until I see them again.

Back to the grind on Tuesday, everything seems typical at the store.  Toward the end of the shift, the property manager comes to visit looking for the rent check (as promised by the owner).  Clueless to the supposed meeting, I explain the owner was not in or shown up to drop anything off.  She was hesitant, but decided to give us fair warning that her company was planning an eviction in 24 hours if there was no word from the owner.  Yes, we were used to the monthly eviction notices and court subpoenas (sad I know).  But with the property manager telling us in person, it was obvious nothing was going to change their minds this time.  Thus, providing concern and some anxiety amongst my coworkers and I.  Definitely was not looking forward to work the next day.  Along comes Wednesday.  Nothing like having a disturbing feeling in  the pit of your stomach as you watch the clock creep toward the given time slot.  It does not help when the property manager and  maintenance crew were lingering around the outside of the store like vultures.  The time slot is passed by a few minutes.  They are waiting on the sheriff’s department officers as planned for the official eviction.  Once the two officers show, it’s game time.  They ask us to clear the store  of customers, gather any personal belongings, and hand over the keys.  As we are doing so, in comes at least 6-8 guys of the “clean up” crew.  As it goes, we do run in to the owner.  He is outside the gate attempting to argue and push money on the property manager.  She wants nothing to do with him.  He is flustered and has no idea what step to take.  What do we get?  Surely not even an apology, just an”I’ll call you tomorrow.”  That’s  not very reliable to me coming from someone that never answers his phone.  You are definitely not someone I want or am willing to wait around for, not after you pulled this stunt with us twice  within a year.  Holy hell I don’t have a steady job yet again.  Thank God I had a great weekend to reminisce about outside  the madness.  Now what?

Book Review – Something Blue

Recently, I finished reading the book Something Blue by Emily Giffin.  This is her follow up book from Something Borrowed.  Instead of continuing with Rachel’s story, we get to follow Darcy.  Giffin did a great job in making me, as a reader, despise Darcy’s character.  Therefore, I was hoping not to be angry while reading this book.  Unfortunately, I had slight animosity in the beginning with thoughts like “she would say that.”  As the story progress, those thoughts changed.  If one did not read this book, what I say after this will be your spoiler alert.

The whole first half of Something Blue, there is nothing but “what is wrong with this girl” running through my mind when it comes to Darcy.  More so for her attitude and how oblivious she is to the world around her.  That feeling made the story somewhat predictable.  Who would continue to read about someone that selfish and egotistic?  Giffin had to keep readers interested, so something to change.  That something…or should I say someone is obviously Darcy.  It was just a matter of when and how this change occurs.

I found it intriguing how Darcy decided to pick up her life and move to England.  We just read about Rachel taking a visit to friend Ethan in the last book, Something Borrowed.  Although, Darcy had an undermining plot to move to England, not a simple visit.  After her first few weeks, she starts to realize how this “visit” is a way for her to start over.  Being surrounded by people that have no idea what she is typically like, Darcy notices how they do not take any of her crap.  She is so used to being spoiled and sought after, that this change knocks her off her feet (not literally).  It’s nice to see her character also notice a shift in emotions.  It felt like she had an ah-hah moment, like SURPRISE that’s what sadness really feels like.  The babies bring a huge emphasis on the change of emotion and I don’t believe it was all supposed to be hormonal.  Toward the end, I found myself rooting for her and Ethan to become an official couple.  This coming off the growth they have throughout the entire story.  When it happens, it felt like that typical movie scene when two people realize the connection that is there and BOOM they make out.  Of course this leads to a future wedding and slow reconciliation with everyone (mainly Rachel and Dex) that Darcy has left behind in the states.  Who doesn’t love a happy ending, especially when made slightly realistic (not everyone was perfectly back to happy relationships).  I am looking forward to my next read by Emily Giffin.