wedding countdown!

Whoa, whoa, whoa, our wedding is less than two weeks away! One week till the Liaos come to town. I'm so not ready; yesterday I went on a bridal accessory buying spree online. Somehow I forgot that I would need earrings and hair adornments and the like (insert mug: world's worst bride). But all that stuff is gravy -- what I'm really looking forward to is seeing our friends and family, and, above all, marrying Erik. So I'm going to devote this post as a shout-out to him, because he's been incredible. Even though wedding planning is ridiculous, I have to say that I've enjoyed most of it because we've worked so well together. Erik's been there every single step of the way, from designing our invites to planning our music and even helping me choose my wedding dress. Not that I had any doubts before, but this all reinforces the fact that Erik is my perfect match. I love him!

and then...rest

These weeks are just flying by! Last week was full of deadlines and friend meet-ups. On Friday, the ladies (plus Jonathan) had another summer surf day. Although it was really flat, it was fun to cruise on the baby waves and eat Roberta's pizza. On Saturday, I did my 14-mile long run with Glenna. We ran Summer Streets, one of three days when NYC shuts down Park Avenue for runners and bikers. It's so cool to go right through midtown and Grand Central! After I was through, the rest of my weekend was spent doing...nothing. Erik's away on business and my body felt off. Maybe I have a mild virus or I'm fighting off something stronger? Despite the pretty weather and my miles-long to-do list, I laid in bed for much of the weekend. I took cat-naps (literally), watched mindless Netflix, and ate my body weight in pad Thai. It was sloth-like, unproductive -- and totally necessary.

trapeze bachelorette

On Sunday, my amazing friends surprised me with a bachelorette party! I was so shocked and touched! I'll post more about the entire experience, because it was an awesome multi-leg event, but the highlight was trapeze school. I've been wanting to try it out for ages, so I shrieked with joy when the cab pulled up to the location. The school is located on the roof of Chelsea Piers, with a beautiful view of the Hudson River and West Side Highway (which makes you feel even higher). After we strapped on a super-tight harness, the instructors gave a surprisingly short lesson. Before long, I was clambering up the rickety ladder. I'm not terribly afraid of heights, but legs turned into Jell-O as I stood on that 25-foot-high platform, gazing at the toy-sized taxis below. When the instructor yelled "hep!" I jumped and swung. I was flying! I was so focused on snaking my knees over the bar that I don't think I even enjoyed the moment. After the final hep, I let go of the bar and dropped into the net. What a thrill. I was so proud of all of us ladies -- everyone leaped off that platform without hesitation, and we all managed to do backflip dismounts and even the catch (video above). How incredible are my friends to (a) agree to participate in a crazy trapeze class and (b) plan it for my bachelorette? It sure beat teetering around in heels in a nightclub -- one of the coolest things I've done ever!

keeping busy

To say that our little household has been pretty busy is an understatement. I've got my hands full with my marathon training, a part-time in-office gig, and lots and lots of deadlines. Plus, I've been trying to surf at least twice a week and keep up a social life. Erik's schedule is even crazier, since he's in the midst of a ton of wheeling and dealing. Oh yeah, and wedding planning on top of all that jazz! There's been more than a few days of me waking up at the crack of dawn as a delirious Erik is heading to bed. In spite of it all, we've been having fun! Both of us are so incredibly lucky that we're doing what we're passionate about doing -- and are own bosses to boot. And if things ever get too insane, we can just stop, laugh it off, and give our fat little cat a healthy squeeze.

climbing date

Happy Monday, everyone! Per usual, my weekend was busy with lots of activities. On Friday, I had a summer Friday in the Rockaways. The beach wasn't too crowded and the waves were nice. Amanda and Heather were natural surfers; hoping they'll get hooked so we can go out together all the time! That evening, Erik and I ate delicious Jamaican food and went to a 30th birthday party in Tribeca. On the way home, we stopped by the new Freedom Tower and stared upwards at the sparkling building. On Saturday, Erik and I had a climbing date at Brooklyn Boulders, where we learned to tie knots, belay, and scramble up the wall. (I finally talked him into doing a physical adventure with me!) Then, I wrapped up Sunday with a 12-mile long run, lots of errands, and burgers on the patio. Not a bad life. :)

crybaby

I consider myself a pretty stoic person (truth be told, Erik's the one who tears up during emotional movies), but this wedding nonsense has me dribbling like a leaky faucet lately. Why did no one warn me of this? In the past few weeks, I've teared up no less than three times. Once, when a dear childhood friend told me that she was going to be able to make it after all, despite dealing with a family emergency. Another time, when I asked my brother to walk me down the aisle. And then also after one of my "uncles" sent me the sweetest note saying that he would be there to represent my dad. Ah, can you even?!? I'm tearing up as I write this...sheesh, I feel like John Boehner over here!

Photo: My parents on their wedding day.

NYC marathon, part two, post one

Sometimes even I can't believe that I'm freaking training for the NYC marathon again. Since some of my first-time excitement has worn off and my schedule is considerably crazier, I've been having a harder time motivating this time around. Even so, I've knocked out some long runs and even sweated buckets during heat-wave training. This year's mantra: just wanna finish!