Atlanta!!
I just got back from Atlanta for one of my best friend's graduation from culinary school. I'm so proud of him, he graduated with a 3.7 something GPA and graduated magna cum laude. I've never seen him so happy. Hooray for Mike!
We all stayed in an awesome hotel room at Holiday Inn that we got for $40 instead of $120 because one of my friend's boyfriend works at Holiday Inn. We had a ton of fun. I'm so glad I was able to go. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. We had to leave Memphis to get to Atlanta at 6am, so Mike and Melissa spent the night at my place so we could get an early start in the morning. The drive down was rather pleasant. We had good company and made good time. We got to Atlanta just in time to stop for a drink at O-Charley's before going to Mike's grad rehearsal. I don't know that guests were really supposed to be there, but we tagged along anyway. I don't guess anyone noticed that we weren't grads too. It was so cool to get to see Mike's school and peek in the classrooms. We got some free munchies in honor of the grads and a champagne toast. We made it to the hotel in time for a much needed nap. Rachel (my best friend from forever ago) and her boyfriend got there and we all went to an Irish pub called The Loafing Leprechaun, conveniently located within crawling distance of the hotel, making it possible for us to easily be responsibly irresponsible. After dinner and some drinks we went back up to the hotel room for more drinks and fun. We talked and laughed and drank, went swimming (all except me, I couldn't find a swimsuit that fit-that didn't make me look like a beached whale- at the store we went to, but it was cool anyway). We played a late night game of Loaded Questions (awesome game for anyone who has never tried, so much fun to play with a group of friends). We made it to sleep about 3:30am. We had 5 people in a room with 2 double beds. You do the math. They wouldn't bring us a cot. So I shared a bed with Rachel and her boyfriend. He slept in the middle. We woke up in the morning and he was asleep on his back with his arms across his chest like a mummy. I guess he didn't want to accidentally touch anything he wasn't supposed to. Made us laugh.
Rachel, Melissa, and I went downstairs at about 8 to partake in the complimentary breakfast. Rachel and I were still in pajama pants and didn't even put shoes on. We go into what actually looks like a nice restaurant, but we see the food bar to the back so we help ourselves. We go back for seconds and then they bring us a check. Turns out the complimenrary breakfast was not so complimentary. It was $10 each and they charged for the cokes and the orange juice too. Kinda pricey for what it was, but we paid it anyway. We also felt dumb that we were down there in our pj's and barefoot in what turns out to be a nice restaurant. Everyone else was definitely fully dressed. Hehe. Oh well, good times.
Then of course was graduation. We were so proud to be there for Mikey. He got to wear a red kerchief thing with a fancy french name that I don't remember for being magna cum laude. It made him stand out quite nicely. They all received their special chef's hat as they crossed the stage. We were all so happy to be there.
We went to a steakhouse, joined by a good friend of Mike's who lives in Atlanta, for lunch before heading back to Memphis.
The ride home was sleepy, but we made good time and made it home safe and sound.
Type your cut contents here.
Spontaneous group self portait in the ride up the hotel elevator including Mike-The Grad!, Me, Melissa-Friend of Rachel, Rachel-Best friend from forever and ever, and Michael-her boyfriend)
Rachel and I being goofy
The girls
Show us whatchya got!
Love you too Mike!
That's my Rachel!
chillin by the pool
Mike and Melissa
THE GRAD!!
