Dear Uncle Punch,

You've left us unexpectedly. It's been hard for everyone down here. Those of use that knew you are trying to cope - trying to understand- trying to deal. Those that did not know you have lost too. They weren't the lucky ones. They didn't get to see how positive you were, how helpful, how accepting. I was lucky enough to know you. I didn't have the pleasure for long, but through the few encounters we've had in the past year (thanks to Veronica) I came to consider you a great friend. You were one of the few people that you automatically respect once meeting. You defined the words genuine, fun, and caring. The world truly has lost one of it's best habitants.

I know that this happened for a reason. You were needed somewhere else.

You just recently became reunited with the daughter you loved and bragged about and now you are back with your son who I didn't have the chance to meet. Those of us down here on earth are trusting God that he took you from us for a bigger purpose. For that reason, we all have to be strong and be thankful for the memories you left us with.

Thank you for being family to my roommate Veronica, for making me feel at ease whenever I tagged along, for making this last Fiesta Bowl so much fun, and for inviting me to experience my first crawfish boil (personal instructions and all).

You are truly one of the nicest people I've ever had the honor of meeting. Thank you...and when we all meet again, we'll have a toast of Glenlivet in your honor.

Love,

Rachel Libben

Jordan Hackney...I mean Whitlach

Bridesmaid & Bride

My dear friend Jordan is married. (I just had to pause, phew, that was crazy to even type). March 19, 2010 she changed her name and became a wife. It's still weird for me to accept, but I have to because I was there for the beautiful ceremony. In fact, I was lucky enough to be asked to stand up with her. The whole wedding weekend was busy, but luckily it was full of lots of yummy food and great company. Oh yeah, and a lot of tears.

My roommate Veronica and I were looking foward to helping our friend say I Do. What we didn't know was that we'd fall in love with her family. From the minute we shook hands or hugged, we were hooked. Her mother and father we so loving and caring. Her aunt and uncle always checked to see if we needed a drink (hey, our kind of people). Her cousins were a hoot and her brother and sister were so supportive and fun. So thank you Julia, Chuck, Catha, Kim, Mark, Jack, Cameron, and Will. If you are every looking to adopt a redhead daughter, I'm available. No really, my parents wont mind sharing me.

The venue was spectacular, the food delish, the dance floor was slammin' and the emotions were running high. Tears were shed by all. I knew I would tear up when I saw Jordan come down the aisle, but I didn't expect to tear up again when I saw her brother crying and giving her a huge hug or her cousin clutching her with tears, her dad giving a speech, the first dance, do I even need to go on? Seriously, waterworks. The emotions were so strong

because of everyone's love for the bride and groom. I'm so happy for Jordan to have found such a great man in Chris. She is very lucky to have so many loving people in her life. And as a bonus, they are not only loving but extremely fun.

For a Mother of the Bride's perspective check out Jordan's mother's blog. It's a great read!

Also, make sure you check out the photographer, Caroline Fontenot. Not only is she a killer photographer, but she's also a blast to have around. Check out her work here.

Here are just a few of the candid photos Veronica captured of the big event.

with the Bride (Jordan) and Maid of Honor (Cameron) @ the Bridal Luncheon thrown by the sweet Aunt Catha. FYI Arcadia Farms is delicious. Please go.

My Poker Face Friends - Mark (cousin), Will (brother) and Brittany (Bridesmaid)

Working our Couture model poses aka dislocated shoulder and broken arm pose - Veronica, Myself, and Cameron

Sending off the Happy Couple with sparklers!

A Great Day to Be a Redhead

I've mentioned before my love for St. Patrick's Day. So I don't really need to go into my love of GREEN, wearing green, seeing everyone in green, and how the beer is even green. Also, that everyone treats redheads pretty nice (even though I'm not Irish). This year was especially nice because Heather joined us in celebrating. Chris, Veronica, Heather and I had fun at Mulligans and the Paddies. I might have lost my voice slightly due to allergies but hey sometimes you have to pay a price to celebrate accordingly.

How many more days until March 17th 2011?

How are things?

Oh hi there, just checking in. Yeah, I know it's been awhile since I've kept in contact much. I've been busy you see...and well just plain lazy. But absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? I'm pretty tired right now and have another busy few days ahead of me, but when we chat again, please remind me that I need to post about a few things. For instance how it was one of my favorite holidays and also the fact that one of my best friends got married. Just minor things ya know.

Just another day at the office

Not everyone gets to see their co-workers in national publications. I however, do. This is one of Ballet Arizona's principal dancers, Natalia Magnicaballi and a review on her performance with the Suzanne Farrell Company. She's kind of a big deal. She's also stunningly beautiful and very sweet.

http://www.dancemagazine.com/reviews/March-2010/The-Suzanne-Farrell-Ballet

Emo = Emotional

As V-day (you know, that mushy holiday that only a few special people get to participate in) approaches this weekend, I've been making more observations on people and how they relate to each other. Since I have the pleasure of working at a romantic date spot for the big tacky/un-matching holiday (I mean honestly, pink and red just do NOT go together!) I've been talking to a lot of men and women as they plan their big date. It's cute, I have to admit, but sometimes it just makes me want to barf. Maybe that's just the bitter defensive part in me coming out. But I've realized that I have walls up like to protect myself.

I have to protect myself more than the typical 20-something girl having fun because I can get real emotional. Not usually drama emotional like in a soap opera or something, but more like I can feel my emotions physically. While I was discussing with my friend/roommate about the topic she described it as your insides hurting (when it's a negative emotion) and that's the best I can describe it as. We watched Dear John at the theater tonight and I honestly had a steady stream of tears down my cheeks the entire dang movie. The romance part got me, the war part got me, the father son part killed me...basically, I'm just a bleeding heart. It's kind of ridiculous actually. I almost feel like it's not totally normal. Movies, books, songs, plays, ballets, stories, letters, memories....doesn't matter. I can feel it.

It's not always a depressing negative thing of course. It can happen in the opposite extreme. When I'm happy, or have happy movies, songs, etc I'm really happy. I guess it's just like when someone is extra athletic or has unusually flexible muscles... my emotions are just really flexible. I guess I just have to make sure and be smart about my emotions. Be careful how I let myself use them and probably should do a warm up or cool down haha.

I guess that kind of makes me a little bit emo? I do really enjoy the eyeliner after all.....

Battle of the States round 2

Night Life

Back home didn't have much to offer in terms of "night life" other than dive bars.

PHX has plenty of options. You will even have celebrity sightings like I did last Saturday night.

I saw this guy

and this guy

If you just left it at that it would be PHX 1, Pville 0. But you have to factor in the other patrons of these places...such as this guy

(PHX has waaaaaayyyyy to many of them.)

And a ton of these....

(classy)

So those dive bars are sounding a heck of a lot better.

I'm just gonna call this one a tie.