Not Merely Living

Random Vegas Awesomeness (Part IV)

There were some random epic moments in Vegas.

First, It's hard to beat magic/comedy. We got pulled on stage (mostly because we were the only honeymooners at the 3pm comedy magic show-go figure):

Viet and I enjoyed the awesomeness that is Downtown Vegas (Fremont street).

I think I have said this before, but if Reno and Bourbon street had a love child, it would be Fremont street.

So we did some dancing in the street. We played a bit. And then Viet magically lead us to the

I highly recommend you check out Insert Coin if you're ever down on Fremont Street. Basically it's this giant open bar filled with video games (that have drink holders). It's rad. I got to play the ninja turtles. awesome.

and that pretty much wraps us the Vegas part of our trip (besides all the winning. I didn't take pictures of that. :)

Next up: MEXICO!!!

 

 

right now

I'm pausing the honeymoon recaps to write a bit about where we find ourselves right now.

Newly married. Newly honeymooned. Newly returned.

Things are nice and calm. I am dreaming and hoping and excited about all the things we want to learn and do and see.

and just generally:

we are settling back into an every day routine.

we are cleaning and purging and starting anew.

we are relaxing (just started watching Sopranos).

we are stopping to smell the snapdragons.

we are cooking.

we are enjoying the lanterns (from our wedding!).

we are mr & mrs.

and life is good. I'm holding on to these moments. 

Luna Miel Part 3: Vegas Yumminess

Vegas is definitely the place to eat some exquisite meals, and we were able to partake in some especially wonderful food while we were there for our honeymoon. 

We ate some really yummy food.

My favorite restaurant that I try to go to for brunch at least once during every and any Vegas trip:

a very romantic dinner at the top of the eiffel tower (my favorite meal of the honeymoon):

andddd I bet our trip off the strip resulted in Viet's favorite honeymoon meal. We had to walk a few blocks in heat to find this place, but it was well worth it.

On our last evening in Vegas we tried out a delicious restaurant at the Cosmopolitan called Comme Ca:

I got this shirt for Viet for Christmas one year. He loves a good game of scrabble. The shirt seemed especially awesome in Vegas:

The view was amazing and the brisket was scrumptuos:

Cheezy. Grits. Nuff said.

Yummmmm. Thanks Vegas.

 

Luna Miel Part 2

My sweet husband planned several romantic surprises for me on our honeymoon. On our first morning in Vegas we started our day with delicious breakfast:

I highly recommend the delicious Payard restaurant in Vegas

 

I took the first shot of my wedding set at breakfast! so happy.

 

and then, as a real treat, Viet took me shopping! We both picked up some key honeymoon digs, and we changed for our surprise evening. As a result of the wedding, I am newly enamored by the color orange. and my new fancy banana republic dress:

For dinner, Viet made us reservations at Carnevino:

After a lovely and delicious dinner, we headed to a show! This show is very special to me because we saw it on the first night alone when we were in Vegas together for the first time. Viet surprised me with Phantom of the Opera tickets that were front and center.  Since Phantom is closing in September, it was extra special that we got to see it one more time.

 

It was a magical first day of our honeymoon. : ) 

 

Viet got us tickets front and center.

 

Luna Miel I

Welcome to my honeymoon/wedding recaps!! As a general rule (because the memories are so dearly precious to me) I'm going to air on the side of telling more details than may be necessary.  Let's get started with some honeymoon background:

    Viet and I fell in love in Vegas (more back story here). 

Many, many years ago he invited me to join him and several other friends for a weekend in Vegas for his birthday. At the end of that weekend all of our friends caught early morning and flights and randomly the two of us were left wandering together for about 8 hours before our evening flights.

In those 8 hours we laughed so hard we cried, Viet taught me how to play blackjack, and we generally just enjoyed each others company. Long story long. . .  as we walked back to the hotel to pick up our luggage before heading to the airport, one of us (neither of us knows which) said "I wish we could stay the rest of the week." (I think that was me) To which the other replied, "Well, I don't have a job." (I think that was Viet) To which the other replied "I don't have a job either." 

and just like that, we changed our flights from Sunday night to the following Friday night. and then immediately afterwards Viet was whisking us away to buy tickets to see that night's Phantom of the Opera show at the Venetian. 

It was magical. The whole week was magical, and by the end we knew we were smitten.

 - - - but enough reminiscing. On Sunday, June 3rd after the wedding, we took a quick flight to Vegas. As we walked down the escalator to pick up our bags, I noticed a suited man with a sign that said (I kid you not):

"Giet Nguyen" 

Viet immediately said I think that's for us!

We were escorted to our hotel in style in a Limo (!) with Champagne on ice in the back waiting for us. It was very romantic and lovely:

and so we arrived in style to our hotel.

We were sooo tired but soo happy. :)

Next up: Viet's surprises and big plans: some new adventures and a few old favorites

newly wed

Today was our first day back into our work routine, and I have to tell you I haven't stopped smiling all day.

I guess I thought I would be bummed to head back to work. I've heard of ladies who get pretty bummed post wedding, but I seem to be riding a wave of bliss.

I'm stoked. Life is good. I have a new name! (not legally yet, but my email says so!)

I'm just feeling full of love. 

and we've got a lot of cleaning and organizing and thank you writing to do, but they all feel like happy tasks.

I was also feeling so grateful to our family and friends for surrounding us with so much love. and I'm grateful to all of our amazing vendors. We had the best vendors. They really made our day simply magical.

I'm going to wait to get our photographer's pictures to share with you the full recaps, but I will tell you all about our honeymoon over the next few days. For today here are two pictures from the ceremony taken by Viet's nephew John (also an amazing photographer):

Up Next: Honeymoon Awesomeness!

Epic

that is the only word I can think of that can accurately sum up all of the joy and emotion I feel about the last three weeks of my life.

Epic.

and oh how it was.

and I can't wait to recap all of the awesomeness that has occurred with you guys.

oh, and how I really should have started this post is,

hi there.

We're back!

After our wedding on June 2nd (Epic), we spent nearly a week in Vegas (Epic) followed by a week and change in Playa del Carmen (Epic). We got back Saturday evening and spent most of the day cleaning and unpacking. and now we are bright eyed and bushy tailed and excited (really!) to head back into work.

It feels really nice to be back in our life. 

and really, really nice to be back here at Not Merely Living.

Happy Monday!

Mere

Today

I am getting married to my better half.

I am calm.

I am joyful.

I am very lucky.

I am ready to walk down the aisle.

I am grateful:

To Viet's amazing family for hosting the most beautiful and magical rehearsal dinner ever.

To my friends for surrounding me with love, laughter, and support.

To my family for being simply the best.

Today I am hoping to:

Be Present.

Move slowly through this day.

Soak it all in.

Focus on the love.

To my almost husband:

"So glad we took the chance."

Mere

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