Math is and is not fun: School + Us = : ( but Zach + Ashley = : )

Survived our first two days of class (barely). *sigh* This is going to be a long semester--longer than either of us expected. Together we'll make it to the other side (a.k.a. graduation). :)

Zach's mom Beverly came up to Conway yesterday and brought us the engagement ring. I finally get to wear it!! The diamond still looks like a snowflake. A size 5 fits perfectly. It looks even better than I remember. :)

We went to the library and mapped out our seating and table arrangements so we will have everyone prepared who is helping set up. It was difficult trying to figure out how we want things to go, especially since the library was closing shortly after we got there. But I think we planned it out. We also went to Hobby Lobby and rented some pillars for our ferns. I think we are going to run some lights down the aisle with blue tulle and only use a handful of potted ferns. I think it will be elegant, but minimalist. :)

We had our engagement pictures today! We went to Hendrix, downtown Conway, the library, and our sculpture garden outside of Conway for them and took all kinds of photos. Poor Nichole...I hope we didn't wear her out. Getting your picture taken is awkward and we had NO idea what we wanted. But she was great at coming up with ideas on the spot. She posted some samples for us to choose from. I think they turned out great! We selected the ones we liked best, and we should get them soon. I can't wait to see them in person and to share them with everyone! :)

Licensed to Wed

We got our marriage license today! Being ever the practical one, Zach said we couldn't back out now because we would be even poorer. (If you don't register your license within 60 days, you have to pay a $100 bond.) ;)

We are meeting with Alan, who is marrying us, next weekend to go over the program, and Zach's mom is coming up Friday to check out the library and bring my ring so we can exchange them.

I found out on Monday that one of my papers has been accepted for publication in The Sigma Tau Delta Review, a journal released by the English Honors Society of the same name. HUZZAH! I'm a real scholar now. The news came at the perfect time to get me pumped up for the school year. Classes start back tomorrow. I've been hard at work on my thesis this week, and I have my first meeting for it at 10:15 in the morning. I'm also meeting with Dr. Fowler to hammer out my work schedule tomorrow afternoon. Things are going well!

500 Days of Summer is a really good movie, by the way. I did find the ending a little too pat and cute-sy for me, but we really identified with Zooey and Joseph's characters. *lol*