We saw all the hotels, the lobby's, the art. We enjoyed the people, the tourists and the crazy street performers/wacks. I might or might not have screamed "EDWARDDD!" at an octave only dogs could hear, when I saw the Edward Cullen look alike working the crowd on the street. I see Garrett giving me this weird look and I look to the left, and there is Edward look-a-like's face resting on my shoulder waiting for me. Ew, he was totally gonna suck my blood right?! Who am I, Bella? Just click the picture and run.
Anyways, we got to introduce Billy and Caitlin to The Cheesecake Factory, and enjoy the company of the weirdest/most hilarious LA Asian waitress I've ever met. No words. We went into Tiffany & Co. and I tried to persuade the salesman (to first remove the stick from his bottom) to let me try on the $500,000+ 5 carat diamond ring. This goal could only be achieved by taking out insurance and going to private showing upstairs. New goal: marry rich, become famous, or figure out a bribe to wear that ring. It's not like I WANT it. I just wanna see it sparkle on my polished finger. A girl can dream right? If we were in Provo, that sucker would be sparkling in the marriage sunlight real quick.
We were able to see all the naked statues of women bearing their chests proudly. Dear Vegas, at least dress them in a scarf. Leave SOMETHING to the imagination. We modeled in front of window displays. People took pictures. Pretty sure they thought it was Top Model for random mormon young adults. We worked it. The best part of our show: There was no crazy Tyra Banks making the boys say hello to her jello and repeated 1,000 times what our prize would be. We probably watched the water show at the Bellagio 10 times. The last show was by far the best. I think I saw the boys shed a tear.
The 6 of us hung out and slept at Daphne's current Bachelorette Pad on the outskirts of Vegas. Those were probably the most fun times, when we all just sat around and talked and laughed. We seem to have created our own dialect, using phrases, intonations, abbreviations, words like "shi", "fu" and "aaaaayuiahhh", and making kissing noises when we're happy or saying "cheers" to anything and everything. Who needs English when you have friends who can interpret intonation and mere looks on your face. CMT countdown was watched, Garrett sang songs from "The Singing Bee" at the top of his lungs while we made Sunday dinner, Billy and Sam introduced me and Caitlin to The Count of Monte Crisco, which I thought was only a sandwich at Disneyland. The highlight was probably when Garrett and I layed on the couch all night watching the Jersey Shore marathon, not remembering a time before this show was on the air. Snookie, The Situation, Vinny, JWOWW, etc...THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You have made my year. Note: You know you've found your best friend when you are perfectly content watching Jersey Shore all night. Garrett, you're the best friend I could have, no doubt.
Finding church on Sunday was interesting. We crammed into my car, leaving Cait having to sit on Billy's lap, and my car driving on roads made of rocks. First chapel: empty. Second chapel: church, but a family ward. Bring it onnnn. Well we missed sacrament, but the talks were amazing. Even more amazing was the little boy in front of us putting on a show. He would throw his hands in the air and all I could think was "We are the worldddd!" Garrett and I couldn't stop laughing. Poor Sam was asleep next to me. Daph prepared the roast, while I helped Garrett make the salad: aka watched him cut up the veggies, put the leftovers in paper towels and teach daph and I how to successfully keep veggies fresh longer. Thanks Garrett! My future husband is very pleased. (I cut/ate the avocados. That is MY territory!) We all sat around the table having Sunday dinner, laughing hysterically, enjoyed each other's company immensely, and cheered everything we could clink our glass to...including leftovers.
We went back to the strip, showed it A GREAT time, and had the best fried oreo sundaes you could imagine. I googled the closest hospital just incase I went into heart attack mode from the FRIED COOKIE. Always be prepared. I'm putting that map in my 72 hour kit, thank you very much. We went back and watched movies and hung out and all fell asleep all over the house. Garrett and I stayed up nick naming everything in the living room "nookie" until we feel asleep. The next day we all reluctantly packed our stuff and headed over to this hole in the wall Italian restaurant that was amazing. The five U-turns were so worth it. I ordered my last diet coke and sadly drank until as if on time, Garrett stole the rest. We made a quick stop to TCBY which was closed and it was like fate had backhanded us in the face and told us to go home. NOOO! We weren't readyyy! We all stood there and tried to ponder how I could drive back to Utah with them and live with Caitlin, or stay and live with Daph and drive up every weekend...reality was too depressing. We held each other in the parking lot, said bye to Daphne, watched her U-turn her way back home and I followed Garrett to the gas station. As we headed to the 15 N, 15 S onramps, my eyes began to water because I knew my friends were going back to Utah and I wouldn't see them for another month. Garrett pulled up next to me and put me on speaker and we said the dreaded goodbye as I turned onto Southbound headed for San Diego.
I know this sounds lame, but I'm actually really proud of myself for going to Vegas. It's not like me to kind of drop everything and be adventurous. I make lists. I call the bank everyday to check my balance. I order the same food at restaurants. When I find a shirt I like a lot, I'll buy it in every color. But coming home made me realize I need to live. Life is too short! So I felt like I've grown a lot from this experience. When I prayed the night I got home, all I could think was "Heavenly Father THANK YOU for my amazing friends." Garrett, Daphne, Billy, Caitlin and Sam gave me a well needed, magical weekend. I was among some of the best people I have ever met. They are friends who truly feel happy when another succeeds. They have such a light about them, and they make you feel like you're something special. I know Heavenly Father brought them all into my life for a reason and I'm a better person for knowing them and feel blessed that I have people who truly love me and want to see me succeed and share in that joy with me.
Cheers to Vegas. Until next time...
