YAY!!!! I am so excited that Jesse got DeAnna's final rose last night!!!! Laura and I have been waiting all season for the finale and it did NOT disappoint! This was honestly my FAVORITE Bachelor/Bachelorette season EVER! I usually don't get into reality TV this much (okay, maybe sometimes I do) but this time--I was so into it.

It was so weird. At the beginning of the episode, I was still up in the air and wasn't sure who she was going to pick and at that point, I was okay with either guy. But somehow throughout the two hour finale, I kept rooting more and more for Jesse and wanting to stick up for him. Especially at the family date when both guys met DeAnna's family. It seemed like the family was leaning on Jason's (the other bachelor) side. But DeAnna would stick up for Jesse and say how nervous he was. Even so, the next day when both Jesse and Jason came to the house to be with her extended family, Jesse came out of his shell more and also asked for DeAnna's Dad's permission to ask her to marry him. And of course her Dad was happy about that and they bonded.

Then DeAnna met both guys for one more date in the Bahamas. The more I watched the two of them together and how perfect of a match they were--I started realizing how much I wanted Jesse to win! Jason is nice and cute and all--but it just didn't seem to fit for DeAnna.
So throughout the whole episode, they made it seem like Jason was the obvious choice, so by the end, I'm thinking along the "reality tv" lines and realizing that they are just trying to fake us out! And then, right when the first guy was going to get out of the limo, I just knew it would be jason and that she was going to choose JESSE! AND SHE DID!
And it was perfect! Here is a clip of Jesse's proposal and DeAnna's acceptance!

What was even more perfect was the next show called "After the Rose"
DeAnna was confronted by Jason about why she didn't chose him. It was sad--but Jason had plenty of ladies woohooing for him that I'm sure he won't be too lonely.
And then--Jesse came out and after the months apart since the show ended, Jesse and DeAnna were finally back together. And I tell ya, I've never seen two people so in love and so right for each other. They could not stop staring at each other, telling the other that they love them and they definitely couldn't stop kissing and hugging. It was adorable.
And honestly, during that show--you could finally see DeAnna and how much she loved him and she was finally able to actually show it. And boy did she ever.
They also announced that they are getting married on May 9, 2009. And Chris Harrison handed them an all expense paid trip to Greece for their honeymoon! Super cute.

Overall--it was one of the best reality TV show moments I've ever watched--and as sappy as it sounds, I honestly believe that they are going to stay together and be happy forever! They are both so real and honest, and always have been. And I really think they are genuine about their feelings and will be happy forever!!!

CONGRATULATIONS DEANNA & JESSE!!!!!!

It's All An Illusion...

I am currently listening to Madonna's 2nd most recent release---Confessions on a Dance Floor. It is by far my favorite Madonna in the recent years. Super fun disco-y type music. I definitely jam out at work as much as I possibly can.

Considering that this is only a three day work week for me--I'm doing pretty well. I actually cleaned up my desk area today at work, which is a pretty big accomplishment for my day. lol
It is only a 3 day work week because Monday I had to take off because we drove back from Kansas city for Larry and Renee's Wedding Weekend 'o Fun!
And it certainly was.

We left MN on Friday afternoon around 2:30pm. Rian and I, along with our good friend Colin (who was also in the wedding) started our roadtrip. I was the spoiled girl who sat in the backseat the whole time while the boys switched off driving. It was nice! hehe I enjoyed sleeping, reading, sudoku and of course I brought my portable DVD player and enjoyed episodes of Sex and the City and Bones.
We arrived on Friday night around 9pm and decided to check into the hotel and then went to grab some food. We ate at Fred P. Otts Hamburger Business--pretty funny.
Then we went back to the hotel to see the bride and groom and others in the hospitality suite that they had rented out the whole weekend for people to hang out in. We stayed up pretty late, just chatting and having fun. I went to bed around 2:30 and Rian didn't come to the room until after 4am.
On Saturday, Rian had to get ready and go for their groomsmen outing which was bowling. I on the otherhand was lucky enough to have a friend in Kansas City that I hadn't seen in a while--Janell along with her baby boy, Ryker--who is 7 months old and I still hadn't met him!
So--Janell and Ryker picked me up at my hotel and we headed off for lunch. It was so nice to catch up and also to hang out with Ryker--who is getting so big but it soooo cute. Here is a picture of me and Ryker at lunch!
After lunch, I got ready for the rehearsal dinner and met up with some new friends to give me a ride - since Rian was at the actual rehearsal and went right to the dinner. And you guessed it--we had good ol Kansas City BBQ for dinner. YUM! It was from Jack Stack BBQ--very, very good but VERY filling. Because of course you have to try a little of everything. This is Rian and I at the rehearsal dinner.
Then of course, Larry's family got up and embarrassed the hell out of him with stories and pictures. We all felt embarrassed for him. lol
After dinner, we walked down the street to a bar called - Tom Fooleries. But we actually were all so tired from the long days that we didn't stay for too late.
Sunday morning, Rian had to get up pretty early to head over to the Synagogue. And yes, it was a Jewish Wedding--therefore it was on Sunday. It was also my very first Jewish Wedding as well as even being in a Synagogue-so I was very excited. Later in the afternoon, I decided to treat myself to getting my hair done since Rian was gone all day and I didnt' have anything to do! So I did---and honestly, I didn't really like what she did, but fortunately I was able to fanagle it enough to make it look cute. And after getting dressed and everything--I hitched a ride again with my new friends to the ceremony.
Now, if you've never been to a Jewish Wedding--I'd love to fill you in on some of the traditions. It is very beautiful and very rich in old traditions. Very refreshing after all of the same old Catholic weddings I've been to.
A couple of the cool different rituals they did include:
Chuppah - Wedding Ceremony Under the Canopy (The Bride and the Groom are under a canopy--but it is open on all four sides to always welcome family and friends) Here is Larry and Renee's Canopy -
The Seven Circles (The Bride circles the groom seven times)
Ketubah - Marriage Contract (This is a separate ceremony before the actual ceremony where the bride and groom sign the Ketubah--and in Jewish tradition, as soon as they do they are actually married)
There is so much more I could talk about but those are a couple of the neat things I learned at the wedding.
All in all, it was a beautiful ceremony, led by an amazing set-up and beautiful reception. Along with a live band--the whole room was up dancing from beginning to end. It was a blast! Rian was even up dancing the whole night with me! hehe Everything went really well and it was one of the most fun weddings both Rian and I have ever been to! Here are some pics from the fantastic weekend.....
Rian and Colin walking down the aisle...
Here is Rian and I with the lovely Bride and Groom