Friday, October 10, 2008

Speaking of Metrosexuals...


...seems like a good time to talk about..

...that cruise!  Four years ago I got a pretty awesome email.  It was from Eric telling me to clear my schedule, cause for Anjie's birthday he was sending the Beasley girls on a cruise. (Whatchu talkin' about Willis!?) True story.  "Beasley Girls" is the name we went by when we all lived south of campus in a little brick house known as the Beasley House. I have no idea why it was called that.  Anjie? All I know is it was the fantastic place to call home and a sweet slice of perpetual fun. So, the thought of reuniting with these girls on an all-expense paid vacation was more-than too good to be true.  Let's hear it for the guy who dreams up stuff like this!

Sis in law, Natalie, (left) also joined the fun.  Sweet as she is, was always behind the camera saying, "Let me get another one of the roommates together!"  

My first thought was, "Too bad for Jill!"  She's paranoid, got a five month old, full-time nursing, she'll never go.  Ten minutes later--she called me saying.  "I need a break!  I am totally going!" (pack up that pump!) Anjie had no idea emails were flying all across the country written by giddy girls countin' down the days.  I was pregnant and sick, but by the time we went, the wretchedness had past. Hallelujah.

Dinner was always such a highlight--the food is such a fabulous part of the whole experience. But, I am here to say this is the only way to do a cruise--with girlfriends!  I kept thinking...this is the best vacation for a reunion.  The only (and I mean only) thing we had to think about was how to get in the best position to dodge the wind when laying out.

Midnight buffet was worth the wait. Whole room of chocolate insanity!

It was five days of non-stop gab, gossip, and remembering the some of the best times of our lives.  I only wish I could laugh as much now as I did that week.  You can tell we are a bunch of eager 80's cats.  Here we are up in the club just waiting for the big dance party to start.
 
Oh, look! There's no one here but us. 

It eventually got pumpin'! And we danced like a bunch of psycho chicks that were just happy to be together!

It's crazy how much I still think about this trip.  I love these girls and could never truly capture how much this unexpected gift has meant to me over the years.  

P.S.  If you happen to be a Beasley, stick around for song two--it's my dedication to you! "Jennifer, Katrina, Kolette and Jill, Anjanette and Carrie too....."  XOXO

12 comments:

Jayne Layne said...

I remember thinking that sounded like so much fun! How nice for him to do that. Now I just need someone to do that for me :)

Mitch said...

I freakin LOVE LOVE LOVE cruises. These past two years going on cruises with my friends have without a doubt been my most favorite memories EVER! I'm glad got to experience it with just friends. It makes it a lot easier to let loose and just have fun. How many did you go with again? 6? 7 people? Oh yeah, we had 130!!! Booyyeaaahh suckaaaaa!! ;)

Good work Eric. You da man g!

Suzanne said...

And Mr. Eggy just stepped it up a few notches on the ladder of "The Coolest Person EVER" ladder! Seriously!! I am in awe!!

Ah, I miss the cruise days. We have always talked about wanting to go with just our friends, so I am drooling that you went with all of your girlfriends. My favorite thing about cruises: the ice cream machine!

Well Mr. Eggy: High Five and we need more men like you in this world!! and Jennifer, you don't even look pregnant and JILL - lying about just having a 5 month old baby is not healthy. It is very clear that you are too skinny to have just had a baby! Whatever! ;) -Suzanne

Ann Marie said...

Oh man.. Anjie is one lucky girl..
What a cool thing for her, and ALL of you girls.. Girlfriends seriously are the best, and I am in awe that you all still love and adore each other so much..

I have to admit, I have never been on a cruise, and after your post.. I am thinking I will have to try one at least once...

Loved the " LoveBoat" music.. That music just makes me happy!
Great pictures!!~ I still want to see some College pictures oneday!

Anjie said...

Eggy is so nice and thoughtful!! (O: That was such a fun surprise and a wonderful, memorable trip. How many plates of nachos did we eat? Ah, the Beasley gals (and sweet Natalie)... those were the days. I love these days too, but "those" days were pretty "rad". I am so blessed to have such good, lasting friends. We were all put together for a reason and I am sure glad that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor... hee hee. I haven't thought about the cruise and the fun we had in a while. Thanks for the post. We need to plan another one and dip into the mattress bank of the Haunted Forest. (Nick?) We could pay for the whole trip with 5's.

I turn 40 next year. Hummmmmm......

{Mo} said...

That had to have been the funest time ever. My sister won a cruise to Bermuda this past year while my brother in law was in Iraq, so she had no one to take but little old me! We seriously had the best time ever, I wish we could do it every year, but sadly I don't see that happening. I would love someday to go with a big group of friends. Friends, great food and fun....who can beat that?

jill said...

What an amazing trip that was!!!
I was SO grateful to Eric and Anjie for that trip. It was such a treat to be able to get together with some of my dearest friends.

One might think that I missed my baby terribly, and that I was a nervous wreck. Well, I didn't miss her and I wasn't nervous. I was all post-partumed out so the break was an absolute blessing!

Thanks Ang and Egg for your love, kindness and friendship. And thanks Jenn for this post, it brought back such wonderful memories.

Up in Bubbles said...

Great pics of you all. That really looks like so much fun. I would love to do that with all the girls out here. Maybe we could put that into the works.

Me said...

I have tried for years to get a girls trip together-and preferably on a cruise, but to no avail. I have been on several cruises, and the ones with friends are always my favorite. Disney Cruise Line is my favorite so far-just FYI.

eggy said...

Beasley Ladies...Just you wait until the next trip...I already have it all planned out!

Anonymous said...

J-Mark,
Wow. Here I am just realizing that I let the bath water overflow cuz I was rapt by this post. Looks like fun!
I hope y'all raised a glass and observed a moment of silence for the missing Beasleys? I do that from time-to-time for my personal fave (who, I noticed, was missing from the cruise. Kinda sad cuz I would love to look at her picture and think about what might have been if only she had reciprocated my crush...).
Ahhh, a single teardrop from me to K-Cal...

Unknown said...

All I know is, we have Eric's comments recorded. I'm packing my bags now and I'm waiting by the phone.

That was one of the best weeks ever! I love you Beesley chicks! And Eric too! I think Eric earned himself honorary Beesley status.