*Lo*

I didn't really get him a gift...but I decided to book a Christmas/New years cruise for us! So it is something fun we will do together and it is kind of to celebrate our engagement. (So it is cheating because I get to enjoy it too!) It seems like wedding gifts are perhaps more popular though. I am actually not sure I am going to do that but instead since he is away at school I am going to splurge on a graduation gift. (He graduates a few months before we get married so I am hoping the gift is sort of for both!!!) I think the wii idea is cool though!

Ok, so is it that there are no chartered flights? Because There are a ton of flights from Montreal (even one direct flight that doesn't route through Toronto) to Cayo Coco on May 9th the Saturday with Air Canada. They are not all that cheap though, but they do exist. If they are trying to do it as a package deal with flights and resort operated by Sunquest or something, they tend to only depart on certain days. But you COULD book separately and get there when you want to get there and then not cancel your whole wedding!!!

You definitely have to get them!!

I went at the end of May with my best friend and we had the best time! We tried to use a slot machine once, but we couldn't figure them out! So that was the amount of gambling that happened. But as everyone said, amazing food, tons of things to see, even just walking around and checking out all the hotels is really fun. We spent most of the time just relaxing by the pool actually! If Vegas brings your family together, then why not?!!! You will have fun!

Voted! I hope he wins! I will try and remember to vote daily

Well during out discussion he said that he does go to parties all the time and it is just one, and he is excited to see me instead. (He then went out for someone's b-day immediately after hanging up the phone.) I have been down when he first moved, met a lot of people and went to a party then. I am also going down at the end of October for this retreat thing, where his section and their significant others all go on a trip. So I will have the opportunity to meet everyone. I have trips booked 2 other weekends as well to visit. So I just feel like I AM making an effort! And he isn't. He wasn't willing to give up just 2 weekends of the semester to come up here. I did consider moving with him, but it is really not a good option for me career wise. So we both agreed it is best that I stay here and work my way up with the firm I am with. He didn't want me to give up everything I have worked for, just because he is going away to school. Just like I wouldn't ask him to stay here, when his job requires him to have this degree and they are paying for it for him and it is such a good opportunity for him! I appreciate insight from others who have done the long distance thing! The situation seems so much worse because I haven't seen him in a month. I just don't like when his idea of 'sacrifice' is mentioning that he is not going on the trips that are offered over christmas, so that he can spend time with me. When really it is because I paid $5,000 for us to go on a cruise for an engagement present (back in June) so he already has a vacation to go on. I seriously think he considered trying to get out of it though to go away with his classmates. I totally get it, that he has to meet people down there and have that life. I am not asking him to change all that or give that up. Just to spend the 2 weekends we scheduled and booked, up here with me! (plus his friends here want to see him as well) I don't think that's asking a lot!

hahahahha that is hilarious! Love it

Thanks, you have all made some really valid points. I guess what I saw an issue with is that he is only coming up here 2 weekends for the entire first semester...and both of them he has either cancelled, changed, or attempted to reschedule. I am not really asking a lot. The other 14 weekends he is there this semester he can go to as many parties as he wants! And he does. It is a little weird for me because we are of the age where we kind of stopped going out to bars all the time and it is more just for someone's birthday or whatever. But I can understand that he wants to meet new people etc. I did talk to him tonight and he actually called me because a team meeting he had today made him realize that things have changed. He apologized for admittedly putting everything else before me. He promised he will make an effort and things will be better. I think it is true, it is an adjustment period. It is sort of compounded by us not seeing each other for a month. Because I know sometimes things seem like a huge deal but when you see each other, they seem insignificant. I am sure this won't be the only issue we have over the two years but I appreciate all the advice! It has been helpful

He did suggest I fly down on Friday for the party and then we fly back on Saturday or Sunday to spend thanksgiving with my parents. But I am also tentatively going down the weekend after for some random event he wanted me to go to. (Thankfully we have lots of airline points!) So it is possible that I go, but in all honesty, it is the HBS Priscilla Ball. Google it! It is something that was fun for me when I was 21 in undergrad. But not now. Guys dress up as women or something, and everyone drinks from a keg. I don't know it just sounds immature. Which is what he is becoming. And I took this Friday afternoon off since he is apparently still coming up, to surprise him with a trip to Niagara Falls since he has never been. I can't really take every Friday off. Now I feel like cancelling the Niagara trip. Although it is non-refundable. So that likely won't happen. I feel like I am putting so much into this and he just isn't. And I have mentioned this countless times and he just says I am constantly trying to pick fights with him. I have never been so angry! I am seriously really really angry.

Hi everyone, I need to vent bigtime. And I need some advice! My FI moved to Boston to do an MBA about a month ago. We were living together for about a year and a half prior to this. We have not seen each other since I went down to help him move. Before he left we talked about how we would make things work, how often we were going to see each other (every 3 weeks), and we would schedule the first few flights right away. We also agreed that the distance would be hard but we are committed to making it work (hence engagement). So the first weekend he was supposed to come visit was last weekend. 3 days before he tells me he can't make it because he has class until 5 and it will be difficult to get a flight out because he has to fly to NYC first. (Long story on the NYC stuff). So anyway he says he will rebook it for the following weekend. So already I am disappointed and I feel like he could, if he really wanted to, find a way to still make it home. (There are other airlines running later flights). In the end his class only ended up going until 2 so I was a little upset. He didn't even suggest that I go down to visit him instead. Then he just calls me to tell me that he found out that his Oct 10 classes are now going to go until 5. This was the next trip we had booked because it is Canadian thanksgiving. But I told him he could try and get on a different airline and he should still try to come Friday night when he suggested he comes Saturday morning. THEN, he tells me that's fine, he will just resent me. WTF is that? So THEN he tells me there is a party that is supposed to be the party of the year that night and he really wants to go. Which is sort of what I suspected. And he tells me I am making too big a deal out of this, and I just don't want him to have any fun. Isn't coming to see me supposed to be fun? I feel like this is the first of many situations like this. He always feels like he is missing out on something. It's not like he never goes to parties there, he goes out all the time. I have talked to him about it extensively, he knows how I feel. He knows that it hurts me and makes me feel like he doesn't want to see me. And he just says, "well that's not the case". Is it just me? Am I overreacting? I have never had a successful long distance relationship before so I just don't know. I am soooo angry right now I almost threw my phone against the wall. But I am at work so that would just lead to more problems.

My FI looooooooooves watches. So even if he had 400 he would still want another one...so for an engagement gift I am taking us on a cruise, and then I think for a wedding gift I will get him a watch. (Or for his MBA graduation which happens like 2 months before we are getting married). There are just WAY too many things to give gifts for! I am excited about the Invicta that was mentioned! I am looking into them.

I have the exact same thing! Although it only seems to be noticable after I am in the sun. I swear it is totally true that the sun causes premature aging. Even when I don't mean to be in the sun, like I am out walking around doing stuff and I get more than 30 mins of exposure, this one line shows up that is just over an inch long. AT first I FREAKED OUT. But then I realized that probably noone else will even notice! So I am slathering 15 layers of sunscreen on now everytime I leave my house. And wearing a hat anytime I am at a beach. Bangs always seem like a good idea...and they usually work for a few days and then you start to hate them and regret it bigtime. I probably cut, and then proceed to grow out my bangs 4 times per year. So trust me from experience, don't do it!

I am considering it for my wedding...we are now thinking Maui vs. Kauai as there is more to do for guests. The Marriott is I think in the top 3 right now. I will anxiously await your review and photos and thanks for the info! Your big day is coming up!!!

I agree with what everyone is saying...if you diversify and stay long term focused, you should be ok. Watching the ups and downs every day can make you go crazy! The problem is when widespread panic happens and everyone sells. Since I have time on my side, instead of selling and moving investments around I am thinking of just buying more. We probably haven't seen the worst of it yet, but once people start to buy back in when it gets low enough, the markets will see some recovery. I just took a call from a client who lives moved to Canada a year ago but still has $500,000 in a US bank account. She wanted to know the tax consequences of transfering it up here, etc., but basically she wasn't comfortable leaving it in a US bank as the total amount would not be insured. I clearly cannot tell her what to do, but I am thinking that it makes it worse when people start to withdraw large sums of money from the banks! I cannot believe it has come to this where people don't even trust their bank! And it is a very large, for the time being considered to be safe bank. I was reading some people are actually withdrawing all of their money and storing it in their homes!!!

Ya I am sure lawn setups are permitted since it is private property. As for the beach, this is sucky. I actually don't mind having my guests stand since the ceremony will be short...but those arch things are nice to give you a place to stand near, instead of randomly on the beach...and I envisioned some type of aisle with flower petals or SOMETHING that I could walk down. I have time to see what transpires with this, but I will definitely hold off on booking something until I know for sure!

Wow...that is a lot to handle. It is going to be a long process but we are all here for you! It is great that you have Will to help you through it, that will help greatly in your recovery. You also have so many amazing things to look forward to, like your destination wedding!!! Stay positive and strong and keep us posted. We have PM'd several times and as you know I am in Toronto...and I will be around so if you need anything or even want some company do not hesitate to contact me!

Last I had read on the forum was that you could still have a set up but there was a site licensing fee or something like that. I will change my destination if they disallow beach weddings!

Ohmygosh I am so worried. I saw on CNN that it will be really bad Even up in Toronto we are watching the updates and hoping that everyone in Texas and in the path are safe and will continue to be safe. "Just Martha", I know I don't know you but from readings posts and stuff it oddly feels like I do! I REALLY hope everything goes well and that your in-laws are really well prepared. Please update us often because we worry!!!!

One thing I have noticed though, is that to compare the US vs. Canada, it seems like those in the US spend A LOT more on rings than Canadians. Not to say that every one does that, but just that I have noticed it. Different states too have different concepts of ring sizes. It seems geographical. I was in a bar one night and met a couple who just got married. And they were from the UK. She actually almost had a heart attack when she held up my hand to see my ring. (Which is not way big, maybe a little bigger than average). Hers was really really tiny, like I had not ever seen a ring like that. I of course told her it was beautiful (which it was) But she said that was how most rings are in the UK. They just do not spend tons of money on rings there vs. in North America. And they were the happiest couple ever, and I thought that was awesome. Just thought it was interesting.

Reading that was so strange because believe it or not my FI has a father who is very similar to that. The only difference is my FI no longer has any type of relationship with him and his dad took off to live in China. (And frequently visits Thailand and then sends my FI emails about all the women there). In his last correspondence he mentioned that his visa is running out so he will have to marry "either his current commonlaw spouse who is 30, or his girlfriend in Laos who is 18" His dad is 70. Like that is just disgusting. My FI is completely grossed out by it. And I know it upsets him so much. His father would act the same way if he was invited to the wedding. Which he is not. I understand a little about what you are going through because not wedding related necessarily, but this has caused several issues with our relationship. The best thing to do is talk to your FI about how you are feeling. And work on a solution together. You shouldn't take the brunt of this stress because it really isn't fair. Just know that you aren't the only one with these crazy situations!!! Everyone has them and you will get through it

I may be interested in this. I have been growing my eyebrows since March so that they will be a proper shape (due to an unfortunate eyebrow waxing incident at a spa). They take FOREVER to grow. I have this one part now that I have to fill in and I hate it. I may try this product!!! Although the last time I went to my new eyebrow person, she recommended that if I am really frustrated, she has some clients that used Rogaine on their brows. And it seriously helped them grow faster.

I haven't encountered this situation yet, but I have thought about it. The only thing I could come up with off the top of my head is a bucket. Not like a sandbucket but they have those tin type metal buckets that you can put ice and then like 3 or 4 beers in. I saw guys with them last time I was in Vegas actually and they could go to the pool (or beach depending on where you are) for a few hours and have their beverages cold and right beside them. Logistically though, bringing a metal bucket with you in luggage is not practical. So I will continue to think up some ideas. I love shopping challenges.

Hahaha, I swear though, guys just PRETEND to not like those shows because they are not supposed to like them or their friends will make fun of them. But then why are they always watching them with us? A few weeks ago I was sitting on the couch and my FI was in the next room, and I called to him to see if he wanted to watch The Hills. And he was like "ya I will be right there". !!!!! Seriously, they love the shows just as much as we do!

Wow that is so sucky you have all those sites blocked! Thankfully not this one! I am lucky in that we have no 'blockers'!!! I actually go to Perez so often that I only need to spend about 2 minutes on it since I am already so up to date on the posts! Also try (maybe it's not blocked for you?) Justjared.com. It has celebrity gossip and is a little nicer I guess you could say. Definitely not as funny as Perez though but it focuses more on just showing celebs out and about and what they are wearing.

Yes I am certain 'commander' is just something his family says. Or maybe just him, since I have never heard his family members say it. So strange. So I attempted useage like this...walk into boardroom "what in tarnation happened in here?" as it looked like a paper bomb exploded. Surprisingly, noone commented on the tarnation, just mentioned that they were trying to get some stuff organized and they would clean it up before the 4pm meeting. You know when you don't hear something forever, or have never heard it before, and then all of the sudden you hear it two times in one day? Last week both times on the same day, my boss, and then the concierge in my condo building both said "That's the biz sweetheart". I don't even know what that means. I am assuming to extent that, tough luck, or something. So confusing though.