i was really stressed out with everything going on.  i wasn't quite sure how to handle the combination of bridesmaid duties competing with the desires to see the friends who also very much wanted to see me.  so i called mum when i had no voice and whispered to her over the phone.  i was practically panicking.  mum told me that i just had to calm down about how much stuff there is coming up.  she was right.  i told her "i'm TRYING."  and she said, "that's half the problem.  calming down isn't something you TRY to do.  it doesn't work that way."  she's right.
 
the wedding went off without a hitch.  the rain held off (i spoke with mother earth in the morning) for the ceremony and politely refrained from downpouring during the reception.  in the morning before the ceremony, amy (maid of honor), venice, and i decorated the place -- set up the tables, put on the tableclothes and centerpieces, decorated the chairs that lined the aisles, set up the gift table/boat, and finally managed to get ourselves dressed in record time while keeping stef calm and out of the way.  she was so excited.  it was so cute.  they both cried as she made her way down the aisle.   it was beautiful. 
 
so it's over.  i cried up there next to her, smiled at dan, and thought about how someday i would like something like this for the two of us. 
 
i drove back home to boston last night after the kick-ass reception.  it was a long haul from lincolnville beach, maine.  i made it home around 9:45 when parking was said and done, called dan and mum to let them each know that i made it back safely, and fell asleep so fast i that i don't remember my head hitting the pillow. 
 
but i did have time for one more bit of excitement --  my final GRE scores came in the mail, and my multiple choice we already knew is a 1300, but i got a perfect 6 out of 6 on the writing!!!   A SIX OUT OF SIX!!!  that's AWESOME!  so that is in the 96th percentile.  the reality of how fucking COOL that is finally sunk in today, and i must say it feels really nice to know that even after 3 years at a non-traditional school with no grades or tests, i'm still competitive in the traditional world.  go me.