Say yes to the dress...

My friend Gaby is designing and making my wedding dress. She is a Fashion Design major from WashU and now she is working on her master's degree in Textile Design at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Gaby and I met about 5 years ago while she was doing my make up for Carnaval, the Latin American cultural production at WashU.

It has been really hard for me to pick a dress... I've tried on about 30 dresses since getting engaged, to the point where it is not fun anymore. Gaby offered to desing and make the dress and finally today she showed me some designs and I think she really nailed it. She had a great ability to put my style on paper and came up with an amazing design that I absolutely love. Today we went to get fabric and this week I will try on a practice dress. I'm really excited to share this process with her and to learn all about the world of fashion. Of, course I won't reveal the design here, but I will keep you updated on the process.

Gaby and I at a San Fancisco Cable Car earlier this year.

6 months to go!

So we are exactly 6 months from our wedding day! We've been doing marriage prep. Today we got our group class certificates. We are also doing one-on-one counseling and we still have to do Family Planning class. We are really enjoying it so far. It has been really helpfull in giving us an opportunity to talk about our relationship and how to make it better. Our love grows every day!

House!

That's right, we bought a house! We are moving back to Dogtown, where it all started! We love this neighborhood. Our first date was @ Felix in Dogtown, and for the first 2 years of our relationship we lived across the street from each other on Louisville. We love how close we are to Forest Park and all those amazing restaurants. And save the date for next year's St. Pats, bc the party is at our place! Our closing date is August 13th. We cannot wait to move into our new home.

Ryan signs the offer.

This image of Old San Juan was hanging on one of the walls.

Our backyard.

Front of house.

FOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!

This week, Andrew Zimmern's Bizzare Foods was set in PR... Here's what he had to say about the island:

By Andrew Zimmern on June 9, 2009 12:07 PM

Why go to Puerto Rico: Well, because it's the best secret hiding in plain sight in the Caribbean! ...and due to massive migration to the US over the years, it is said there are more Puerto Ricans living in New York than in San Juan. Growing up in New York City, I long ago got a big taste of Puerto Rico's culture and cuisine but not the full flavor of the island's diversity. I wanted to visit the "real" Puerto Rico - and believe me, this Caribbean island is no West Side Story. Steeped in an amalgam of complex influences, the cuisine clearly reflects the island's history: from original Taino native tribes to its Spanish occupation and subsequent influx of African slaves, to its current status as a Commonwealth of the United States. Nothing reveals the history of Puerto Rico more than the impact it has had on the cuisine. Spanish, African, and native Taino influences can be tasted in nearly every traditional Puerto Rican dish. Sound intriguing? I thought so.

Not staying too long, want a hotel room...

So, I have been asked a lot lately for recommendations of hotels if you are not staying for too long. Here's are my suggestions:

If you want to stay in a hotel close to Loiza, where Ryan's family and some friends have rented vacation homes, your best option for hotels will be the area of Isla Verde. This is going to be really close to the airport and about 8 miles away from the vacation homes. It will also put you about 25 minutes away from all the wedding activities. I found two business type hotels in the area: Howard Johnson Hotel - Islan Verde ($89.25) and Holiday Inn San Juan ($167). These hotels have the basic hotel ammenities and no beach access.

Here's the contact information for all the hotels described above:

Howard Johnson Hotel - Isla Verde

4820 Isla Verde Ave

San Juan, 00979, PR

787-728-1300

Holiday Inn San Juan

8020 Tartak Street

Carolina, 00979, PR
787 253-9000
787 253-9007

Let me know if you need more information about any tavel accomodations. I will be more than happy to help answer your questions. :)

New Beginning

Sorry for the lack of posting this month. I have been really busy wrapping things up at work. Today is my last day at Washington University. I start the one-year MBA program at SLU next Tuesday! I am really excited about this new adventure!!

On the wedding front, I can confirm we have a DJ! They are called Monument Sound, and the company is run by two of my mom's students. They will also be recording the wedding. I'm excited to have them, they are young and professional and awesome! They will be taking music request so send in your suggestions to make sure we have all the great music you love at our wedding.

Also, Ryan and I are looking for houses! Stay tuned....

Ceremony Music

I just signed contract for the ceremony music. We will have a guitarist, Gabriel and a vocalist, Monica. I first heard them play at the wedding of my high school friend Jo Ann. I was really impressed by their sound. They are members of a band called Dias de Enero (Days of January). During the ceremony, they will play more modern music. I am not a big fan of the traditional wedding march, etc. And wait for an experience out of this world when you listen to Monica's Ave Maria. I invite you to go to their website and check out some of the band's music samples. Enjoy!