I’ve been at FCE for a little over a month and a half now and things seem to be going well.  I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I can do.  I’ve also learned what interests me and what doesn’t LOL.  We will see what new opportunities arise through this…

Ben just started his job this past week.  The past month has been crazy doing the whole halfway living apart and packing and staying with my parents.  We are finally all moved into the apartment but not even close to being completely unpacked.  Of course it rained on the big moving day but having like all our burly guy friends help made it go a little better.  It is so wonderfully being within like 15 minutes of everyone we care about.  I have many plans for decorating and can’t wait to turn this place into a home.  2 cool things are that we bought a nice big 3d HD tv for the family room and Ben made a cool light for our headboard.  (*there is no overhead light in our bedroom.  the glow doesn’t emit much but it does help with not stubbing toes while turning on lamps.*)

I took off work a little early to fully prepare for the Symphony X concert.  I looked rockin’ and it was great to see Chip and Trevor again.  We went to Famous Dave’s to eat and then headed to Peabody’s.  The lineup for bands ended up being the highest quality of all the concerts I have gone to there.  First was Blackguard, which I talked about for the Epica concert.  They were still awesome and were great openers.  I love how their lead singer pumps people up for other bands and truly “hosts” the evening.  Next was an unknown group to us named Powerglove.  Trevor, Chip, and I were wary because we have heard some really bad bands there before.  The four guys walked out on stage in absolutely over the top costumes like WoW characters.  The drummer wore the band’s name banners on pikes sticking up from behind his back!  They had no vocalist so they focused on really good guitar melodies.  They played video game songs, movie themes, and cartoon themes.  We all loved them and Trevor and I promptly bought their album. Sadly it didn’t have some of the songs we heard live but still turned out great.  Ben really likes them too!  It was so great to finally share one of these concert experiences with him.  I’m glad he had a good time.

Finally my beloved Symphony X took the stage.  The sound balance was a little off at first but they got it worked out.  I really loved seeing them and singing along in the crowd.  When it was over people were shouting for them to do The Odyssey which is a 20 minute song.  I was like there is no way they would play that BUT THEY DID!  It was so fun!  I can’t wait for their new album to come out next month.  Also they are coming back in the fall and I am so totally going!

I’m currently trying to finish up some work at home tonight so I’m to sleepy to re-read this for grammar.    Busy weekend ahead full of doctor’s appointments, magic playing, CSE gatherings, and unpacking.

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School
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With Electronics, Signals and Systems, Operating Systems, and statistics, life has been full of homework and anger. It’s very hardware heavy and I am learning that I’m not interested it in. I am more of a software person. And of the software, I’m not so much a coder as I like to apply my knowledge of software and logic to other things. Don’t get me wrong, I still think coding is cool and I enjoy it. But I don’t want to be pegged a code monkey!

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Wedding (* http://www.weddingwire.com/piperandben *)
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My last post mentioned something about bridesmaid dresses. Well, apparently I wanted brown! Funny story, I now DO have the dresses and they are indeed a yummy chocolate brown. Emma and Sarah look stunning in them! Granted, I still need to get them shoes and figure out their hair.

I have a dress! Let’s just say that I look like a cloud! The dress is awesome and I just glow in it! I really can’t wait for Ben to see it! I hope everyone thinks I look as amazing as I feel in that dress!

I have my first cake tasting next week so I will let you know how that goes.

Flowers are a work in progress. Since there are going to be so few flowers, it is looking like we will just order a kit online and have a flower party the morning of the wedding. I have heard of a couple people doing this with great success. Plus, my dad’s secretary has been a florist before and said she would be happy to help. So, yay!

I need shoes and hair accessories. BUT my hair and make-up are taken care of.

The men-folk are completely taken care of. Ben will look so handsome (*dreamy stare*).

We have the reception site (*Dave and Buster’s, I know…it’s badass*) and the pastor.

It’s really coming together!

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Work
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I go back to work the day after Memorial Day! It is coming up fast. I’m trying to get more done on the wedding before I go because it will obviously be difficult to do some things when I am gone.

I am going into a new department which is actually something I’m interested in doing for my career. It is called software quality and basically I just make sure stuff does what it is supposed to do. Plus I write documents and I have discovered a real knack to make technical stuff understandable. Sadly, many people I was looking forward to working with have been laid off. Not only did I consider them friends, but i knew they had a lot of knowledge to offer me. I won’t be working with my favorite Supervisor Sue either. But at least we are in the same building! LOL! I can’t wait to see my Rockford best buds Alicia and Cheryl. I’ll feel like a girl again! My lunch buddy Mike and I will have much to discuss upon my return!

Plus my soon-to-be little sister Ali and I will have a blast! I love her to pieces!

Basically if you can’t tell I am super excited for summer. I know it will fly by and then when I come home it will be about time for a wedding!!!!!!!!!!

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Summary
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This year has been hard. With the above mentioned stressful school, wedding planning, AND having people I have been looking forward to work with, I had my first grandparent death. Then an aunt was diagnosed with cancer. There was arson at my school. My parents have been having trouble with our church. Some plans and goals I have had will be postponed (i.e. I don’t think I will be graduating when I thought I would be which would be delaying when I get a job). The only true bright spot is the wedding! I really am just getting through day by day to get to October 10th. Throughout all this stress, Ben has been SUCH and help and comfort to me. Plus we have been working on our faith together which has been a real bonding experience. I know that there will be more rough stuff ahead for the next couple of years but I know together and with God’s help we will be more than fine.

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THE END