first trip home

I had my first trip home this past weekend. It was a really short trip, but it was packed full of activities and it was totally worth it! I left my apartment at 4:30AM Thursday morning. Since the trams aren't running that early, I took a taxi to the main train station. From there I took the train to the airport and got on my first flight of the day at 7AM. I had two layovers - one in London and one in New York (JFK). I was supposed to land at CVG at 6:15pm (Cincinnati time), but my flight out of JFK was slightly delayed and then due to weather we sat on the tarmac for almost 2 hours (had to go back and refuel at one point too). Minh was supposed to pick me up from the airport and was already waiting there for me when I was able to get my cell phone from the overhead compartment and tell him we were delayed so long.

I finally landed in Cincinnati at 9:15pm. As Minh and I were waiting at baggage claim for my luggage, I looked at my watch and realized I had been awake for a full 24 hours (minus a few naps on the planes). We went to my parents for a nice home cooked dinner complete with homemade peach pie and I got to see my sister Lainey and niece and nephew too.

The real reason for my trip home was one of my best friend's weddings. Friday morning Beth and I went and got manicures and pedicures and then Minh and I got Mexican for lunch. It was delicious! I got to see everyone else Friday night at the rehearsal.

Saturday (the BIG day) started at 8am with hair appointments and then ended at midnight when the reception was over. It was a long day but SO MUCH FUN. We were a little camera crazy Saturday and here are some of my favorites:

Bridesmaids and Beth with our hair done

Abby and Brie doing their makeup

Me and the bride at her mom's house

Some of the girls before the wedding (Diane, Katie, me, Tracey, and Abby)

Minh and I after the wedding (he was an usher)

Me and Jamie

The bridesmaids and flower girl

The bride and groom (Beth and Kevin) in the bus after the wedding

Half of the crew on the bus

Me and my rooommates (Amy and Katie)

My brother Jared and very-soon-to-be-sister-in-law Jenae

Beth and the boys (Jared, Corny, Lehman, Greg, Brian, Josh, and Harry)

"The girls"

This was the best tasting diet coke ever. I miss large fountain diet cokes with lots of ice more than anything!! The "coca-cola light" in Switzerland is not very good, is either in a bottle or can, and if you get two ice cubes you can consider yourself lucky.

Sunday morning was my nephew Eli's baptism.

I left at 2:30pm from Lainey and Josh's and arrived back in Zurich around 3:30pm (Swiss time) Monday.

Like I said, it was a busy first trip home, but it was fantastic! Two more weeks and I'm headed home again for Jared and Jenae's wedding! That trip will at least be a little bit longer!