Two Hundred Thirty-Fifth Entry

I am free.

I can go back to my normal life.

After this coming weekend, I have no plans to visit the Bay Area for at least the next four weeks.

It's hotter than hell here, but at least I have air-con and won't have to suffer the heat in my truck driving back and forth to the Bay Area.

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The last month was extremely busy, extremely nerve-wracking, but extremely fun. Would I ever let myself get this busy again? Never.

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First was Las Vegas.

Louis and I stayed at the Paris Resort and Casino. I recommend it to everyone. It is a bit pricey(aren't they all?) but the decor and ambiance of the hotel is absolutely, hands down the best in Vegas. The buffet is awesome too. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

We hit most of the casinos on the strip. After Paris, my favorites were Bellagio and Venetian.

We watched the Wayne Brady show at the Mirage. It was hilarious!! It was just like watching "Who's Line" but just Wayne Brady. Very funny.

McDonalds was had by all at least 3 times that I can remember. We also developed a technique for getting free drinks at the casinos. We would sit at the nickel slots, wait for a DSB(Drink Service Bitch) to show up, start throwing nickels in, and order our free drinks. When our drinks came, we would throw another nickel in and then take off to another part of the casino or another casino altogether.

It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of interesting conversations between Louis and I, some of which I am not at liberty to discuss. Just Kidding.

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Then there was Portugal.

That was tons and tons of fun. I didn't want to leave. I want to go back next year. And then the year after that. My family is the same as ever which is good to see. It was just really great to see everything and watch my parents get really excited about showing us everything.

The festival was also great, even though the locals said it was one of the worst ones in recent memory. It didn't help that it rained and was cold most of the time I was there. But, I did get to see Simple Minds play(Breakfast Club song), and The Wailers(Bob Marley's band). There was also a DJ on the first night of the festival and my cousins took full advantage of the cheap beer and good music and got up on stage and did some very "interesting" dancing. It was awesome.

One night after the festival we went to "Wolf". A very cool night club where there's a DJ and lots of interesting liquor, including Absinthe(no, I did not partake.)

I ate so much good food throughout the vacation. I didn't eat anything I didn't like...except for octopus. Blechh.

My culture is something that I was never really too proud of. It's kind of just always there. But after this trip, I realized just how proud I am that I come from such a different culture and way of living.

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And then there was the Bachelor Party.

I got back from Portugal and had to be back at work the following day. Then I had to come back that weekend for the Bachelor Party.

In keeping with Louis' requirements, I had no stripper at the party. Noone seemed to mind. Every once in a while Rouja, Jesse or Bernice would walk through and that was about enough. Tons of food. Way too much alcohol. A lot of fun. Louis won $21.

We were attacked by the Bachelorette Party that night too.

Lamar had an idea that we play "Truth of Dare". I must admit, at first I was skeptical, but I enjoyed it. Anyway, just as we were about to end the game and go back inside, the girls drove by and threw TP and condoms and a bra and panties at us. They were planning to TP the house. I don't know why, but they were. Although they were unsuccessful, Louis spearheaded an effort to get back at the girls. He was really wanting to go, but the ideas were getting a little out of control so I had to stifle the revenge talk.

We got ours though. I placed a phone call to Jen warning her of what was to come. Apparently they spent a long time camped out in front of the windows waiting for our attack. Hahaha.

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Yesterday was the wedding of the century.

All the planning, stressing, worrying that went into the wedding paid off. The wedding went off without a hitch. It was emotional, beautiful and fun. I'm honored to have been a part of it. 'Nuff said.

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Future plans are fairly normal, sort of. By August I really want to start studying for my PE exam. I am only going to take the fucker once. At least I hope I only have to take it once.

Then there are plans for a second job perhaps. We'll see how my August promotion goes.

Also, by the end of September, I hope to be a Dual Citizen(USA and Portugal). An EU passport is a very good thing to have. So might as well.

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Going to bed now, good night.