Little did I know how drastically my life would change after last Sunday. I realize now that my worries then were pretty insignificant now that I have to become self-sufficient, update a new blog and plan a wedding. On top of that, work has been more demanding lately and I’ve somehow managed to catch a cold. Every night when I come home from work I try to eloquently describe every detail of the proposal. But tiredness overwhelms me.

Yet as the days pass and I come to more fully realize my decision, I couldn’t be more happy. Matt and I make a great team. Every day I’ve learned a little more about how he orchestrated the proposal plan and it makes me feel even more special.

The most excited I’ve been since Sunday I think was when we went to Costco Tuesday night. (My parents often refer to us as the Costco Couple.) As we maneuvered the orange flats around the warehouse, I realized that no longer will we need to split up all the stuff we buy. And one day, hopefully in the near future, I will have a huge freezer to house all my ridiculously oversized food items. One can only dream.

So I hope to have my reactions to the proposal up sometime soon. You know, before I leave for LA for the two graduations (congrats Mike and Megan!) and the wedding (congrats Jeff!). Until then, I leave you with the first “engagement present” I recieved from my grandpa (Papa):

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This post and others related to our engagement and wedding can be seen on http://emilyandmatt.org/blog.

Tri-tip made me late! So good. Renee CoverGirl winking totally cute!

8:06
Yay CariDee! Where’s her beautiful blonde hair? She doesn’t look as good.

8:07
I can’t decide which one I like more. I guess, I’m team Renee. Natasha would be amazing though.

Now after weening de compeeteetion…

8:24
Renee better not be sent home because she’s too old.

8:11
Jaslene is cute, but commercials? Not so much.

8:09
This challenge isn’t as fair if they don’t have lines.

Why is Renee in a wind storm? She’s a natch! Yay Renee!

8:12
These are very glam cover girls.

It bothers me that Renee and Lisa (previous cycle) are told they look to old. Why is the modeling industry so consumed with the malnurished girls that look like middle school boys?

The Break Breakdown
Sorry I wasn’t able to put a quiz together for the finale. I wasn’t really expecting the late nights at work, coming down with a cold or, you know, getting ENGAGED! And I thought life before my left ring finger found a diamond friend was busy. I guess we’ll just have to wait for next cycle to come up with some quizzes and polls and junk. And there will be another cycle because you know Tyra will take on anyone that gets in her way.

8:19
Oooh Sass & Bide. LOVE THEM!

Natasha’s commercial? LOVE IT! You know, for a foreign trainwreck.

8:20
Her smile is such a liar.

Her lips don’t look very good. In my opinion, these CoverGirl shots are never anything fabulous. They don’t look normal. I think Renee rocked it because she actually showed real personality in those boring shots.

The Break Breakdown
I don’t understand why CoverGirl is used as the big decision for who’s going to be Americas. Next. Top. Model. I understand they are a sponsor, but they have the same girls as covergirls. They pretty, but girl next door pretty. And most of their competitions are about editorial modeling. I know they’re looking for versatility, but it seems like a Vogue-worthy photoshoot should be the final competition, not the cookie cutter CoverGirl commercial.

(Read on …)

I’ve tried thinking of creative ways to announce it, but none seem to do it justice. So I’ll just go and say it: I’m ENGAGED!! Those words are definitely worth the double explanation. The proposal was an absolute surprise–from the question popping to the tearful reaction to having family and close friends bursting out the door to congratulate us.

While I sort through everything, check out www.emilyandmatt.org for pictures and blogs by Matt.

Matt, Christine and I just finished watching Music and Lyrics, and this was the appropriate response:

(Read on …)

Even though I’m not quite rested from my blog/ANTM Live Blogging! hiatus, I’m definitely excited about this being the final four. I can’t really say that I have a favorite. Renee is pretty funny, you know, being all crazy. And Jaslene would be a good winner since that would ultimately mean Tyra failed when she gave her the boot last season. And then there’s Natasha. Dionne, eh. I could do without. Here we go!

8:05
Oh and the sexy music goes on. Natasha is making out with the phone while talking on the phone. Babeey!

Bushwacking in heels? She is a hot competition.

8:07
So I’ve been to Australia. They tell you to stay away from the Aborigines because they’re mean and scary. Well, all except the ones who have a show at the zoo/boomerang school.

Oh this challenge is interesting. You’ve got girls from Seventeen magazine judging an aboriginal storytelling dance.

8:09
Aw, Renee was abused? Give her the top model crown! I think she’s my favorite. She’s like a dysfunctional Miss America who wins the pageant even though her kid attacked her with finger paint.

8:10
These stories are a little sad. And Jaslene is only moving her mouth: All. I. do. is. live. love. and. laugh. yay.

8:16
Why are these stories all depressing? A yellow circle representing my life as a model and the baby is in it?

8:18
Natasha is actually moving around and not saying anything. Standard.

(Read on …)

Okay I haven’t been at Panera since April 18 (or stuck in the handicapped zones), but I wish I was (in Panera, not a wheelchair). I finally found one and it made me happy.