For all interested parties...

... mostly probably just family....

((Preface: We will NOT track down friends and beg them to hangout this time around. That was a lot of let down last time. Translation: IT'S ALL YOU if you want to see us.))

... Wes and I will be home Jan. 15-Feb. 1.

The second week of being home we'll head down to Cincinnati and Tennessee for few days.

George Michael + us

It's official.

Wes and I are going to the George Michael and Alicia Keys concert Dec. 1.

Apparently this will be Michael's last show EVER.

Leave it to the UAE...

A Google Video Chat first

Last night Wes and I had our first Google Video Chat encounter!

It's still blows my mind that it "works" and that from the Middle East to Washington state we can see and hear somebody for free.

Krissy, my derby sister and teammate, was brave enough to heed my call to get a Gmail account, download the application and chat us. Again, all for free.

So this brings me to trying to guilt trip the rest of you into doing the same. If you don't know what I'm talking about go HERE and follow the instructions.

Google Video Chatting will keep us sane.

Have a Web cam? DO THIS NOW!

Wes and I discovered the AMAZING plugin that is Google's Video Chat!

If you have a Web cam built into your computer (that's you MacBook users) or if you have one to accompany your computer then you must download this HERE*

*You must create a Gmail account if you don't have one already to use this feature. It's free though, so do it!

Anyway, after downloading and installing this (super easy and quick) you can video chat us! FOR FREE. It's amazing (and better than Skype.. since Skype is often blocked here). No need to spend tons of money to call us when you can see us and chat us for free! Really really exciting.

To add us to your chat list:
revolutiontoast@gmail.com (Wes)
elysia.a.smith@gmail.com (Elysia)

Race cars, anyone?

Next November — just one year away — Abu Dhabi's first Grand Prix race will happen. It's a really big deal and I'm already registered to get tickets (looking into both the VIP type and the regular grandstand variety).



Oh-so-futuristic: A super track

Those **thinking** about coming to visit should think about next November. It's total history in the making here!

Next stop: Bangkok

Wes and I have decided on a place for our next journey!

Bangkok in December!

Yay for a fun first anniversary!

Back in A.D.

We're back.

And minus a Wes' mustache (hooray!).

Work returns for me tomorrow (boo). Wes went back today (whatev).

Good thing our weekend starts Thursday (double hooray!).

TOTAL-ly annoying

Last night, on the way back from Chicago, our car got totaled. Yup, my car I've had since early college is no more.
While I was asleep (imagine my surprise as I awoke) Wes swerved to miss some deer who were leaping across 1-94. Well, when he swerved he lost control and rolled down the giant ditch until we landed sideways. I'd never been in a car accident really so it was kind of interesting.
We're fine for the most part (my right hand is cut up and some how the shattering glass windows gave me a slight hair cut but nothing that most will notice). But the cop was alluding at how lucky we are to have worn our seatbelt or we'd probably be dead or something. I bet they tell all the girls that.

So now we're in Watervilet, Michigan.. at the Ramada.

What does all of this mean to you, people in Michigan? Well, if I was supposed to come visit you it ain't gonna happen now. All the effort on visits is pushed to your side of the fence. We're done with the driving.

Vegas baby! Vegas!

Elysia will OFFICIALLY be in Las Vegas from September 4-11th!

While I'll be there on work related matters (this year's Society of Newspaper Design conference) that doesn't tarnish the fact that I'll be in Vegas!

Did I mention I'll be in Vegas?

Oh, and when I'm not staying at the Red Rock Resort & Spa for the conference it looks like I may be at the Bellagio.

Tee-hee!

Next May

May 22, 2009, less than a year from now, is the planned wedding date/party for Wes and I in Michigan.

This is as promised for those who couldn't make our small ceremony in Washington on December 22, 2007.

I don't know exactly what we're gonna do (if anything for a ceremony) but their will be a dinner/reception and an after party.

Details to come. Wes and I will sort it all out when we get back to Michigan in two weeks.

Already piling up

Things are firming up for our trip home. Tada...the list! (Subject to change, of course)

June 12th
AM: Landing in Detroit around 10:30am (followed by some sleeping and eating)
PM: Picking Erik and Sarah up from the airport

June 13th
AM: Drive to E.L. for the wedding, brunch, check in to hotel, romp around the town
PM: Wedding

June 14th-15th
Canada

June 15th
PM: Father's Day dinner in Detroit

June 16th-18th
Chicago

June 18th-23rd
NO PLANS! Hooray!

June 23rd
Back to the other side of the world

Tickets

Flight details

Departure

From	Abu Dhabi	to	Amsterdam (Schiphol)
Flight number	KL0455
Departure time	12:45 AM Thu 12 Jun 2008
Arrival time	5:55 AM Thu 12 Jun 2008
Class	Economy Class

From	Amsterdam (Schiphol)	to	Detroit (Wayne County Airport)
Flight number	KL6039
Departure time	8:00 AM Thu 12 Jun 2008
Arrival time	10:35 AM Thu 12 Jun 2008
Flight duration	17:50 h
Class	Economy
Remarks	Total journey time: 17 hours 50 minutes
	Operated by Northwest Airlines

Return

From	Detroit (Wayne County Airport)	to	Amsterdam (Schiphol)
Flight number	KL6048
Departure time	9:20 PM Sun 22 Jun 2008
Arrival time	11:15 AM Mon 23 Jun 2008
Class	Economy
Remarks	Operated by Northwest Airlines

From	Amsterdam	to	Abu Dhabi
Flight number	KL0451
Departure time	1:30 PM Mon 23 Jun 2008
Arrival time	10:00 PM Mon 23 Jun 2008
Flight duration	16:40 h
Class	Economy Class
Remarks	Total journey time: 16 hours 40 minutes

Birthday boy

Everyone say hello to Wes today. The man is one year older.

Flatted

The keys to the flat are FINALLY ours!
Just in time for the duck-green couch to be delivered on Sunday.

Now it's time to buy a SHITLOAD of other stuff (bedroom set, stove, fridge, dishes, wardrobe....).
Happy shopping for us.

Wes is official

Today Wes was issued his residence visa. Now we can come and go as we please (which includes our flight back into the U.S. in June).

Mini love

Got my Mini Cooper S last night!

It was love at first drive.

Couldn't pass it up

Well, I lied. I couldn't wait until July for a car.
Today I signed the loan papers for a red 2006 Mini Cooper S!


This isn't the actual car but it looks just like it.

The deal we got on this car is insane. And my bargaining skills (thanks mom) seem to fit in perfectly in the Middle East. As does my car knowledge.

Today it gets inspected (I already know it needs new tires and breaks which is why I got a few thousand knocked off the price). It shouldn't need too much of anything else since it's a 2006 with low mileage.

What's even better? I'll have the car paid off in two years (or less).

Hooray!

Joining the rest of the crazies

It happened. I finally found 30 minutes to step out of the office and go over to the licensing department.

Tada! A new license with big Texas-like hair. That's what I get for going to bed with a wet head.

Next up: Buy a car. Well, that or lease one. Wes wants to buy a motorcycle. And I want a Mini Cooper. We'll see who wins (bet on me). I even went to the BMW dealership and got prices and drooled on the cars.

After some more bills are paid off we'll get transportation. My guess is July.

Homeward Bound

Wes and I will be in the US of A June 12-23rd. Our vacation request has been approved!

The only things planned (besides cuddling with my Cassie) are Mike and Kim's wedding June 13th (we'll be in East Lansing for the day/night), my mom has talked about taking a day trip to Cedar Point and I know my Dad wants to go to the MGM in Detroit for dinner. Oh, and I have to work on planning our wedding.

Other than that... we're open to whatever.

Sadly though, I don't think we'll have time for a Washington visit. Sorry West Coasters! We miss you.

If...

...this is true, I'll be in the Midwest at the beginning of August.