A Struggle: 9 years in the making

Last night while looking through some old floppy disks (I know, how 1997 of me) I came across some old pictures. When I was looking at them I was so disgusted with past self. Why you ask? I'll let the picture explain.

The photo on the left was taken the day after my friends Judy and Joel were married. This is the week I made the decision to make some life changes. With my friend and roommate Kerry, we both decided to workout and eat healthier. We started Yoga for Beginners, started buying whole wheat bread instead of white, spinach instead of plain lettuce and I began to kick my Diet Coke habit.


I don't know what my starting weight was but my pants size was a 24. I had never been a 24. For most of my adult life I had been a 22. My shirt size was starting to reach a 26 and that is when I KNEW I had to make a choice. I didn't want to be limited in my clothes selection. I didn't want to be overweight any longer!


As the months ticked on I started to notice the changes. I was down to one Diet Coke a day or sometimes none at all. Wheat bread didn't taste bad and I was actually starting to enjoy veggies. My pants and shirt sizes went down and I was officially buying 18/20s. Mostly 20s but it was progress. I was feeling better and healthier. Then the weight loss stopped. I have to admit I wasn't being as proactive as I could have been. Yes, I was still eating healthier but my workout routine was lacking.


Then came 2010-2011. I was going on a cruise for the first time and I decided that I didn't want to be the fattest person on the boat. Now, I know this sounds ridiculous but this is what helped me kick in into gear. I looked into calorie counting apps and finally started with My Fitness Pal. It's a great way to track your calories, exercise as well as communicate with other people who are doing the same. When you first set it up you put in your current weight as well as your goal weight and how many pounds a week you want to lose. It then calculates how many calories you can eat each day. 


From January to beginning of May I was eating only 1550 calories a day. With working out you were allowed more calories but I tried to not eat back all the ones I burned. In this time I dropped 25 pounds and was feeling great. It's weird the little things you notice about your body and your health just from losing a few pounds. Walking long distances didn't bother me, my asthma was better, I wasn't craving sweets and most of all I could buy clothes in a variety of stores. 


Finding this old picture of me is causing me to recommit to my healthy lifestyle. I still have 50 lbs I want to lose. I know it will be a struggle. I mean, it took 9 years to get to where I am but I'm not going back to the 2003 me. I hope that in 9 more years I have a third photo of me that is my final weight loss.


Here's to healthy living!

My cruise moments with Donnie Wahlberg

I have loved Donnie since the New Kids came out in the late 80's. The reunion tour just reignited that love. The cruise put that love in over drive and here's why. In a sea of 2,500 plus woman Donnie made me feel like I was the only one on the boat (cue Rihanna song). How is that possible you ask? Let me give you some examples.

Exhibit #1: While sitting on the deck eating lunch Donnie came by. I didn't rush him but he and I locked in an intense eye stare that continued while he hugged other people then he waved. If you've ever looked Donnie Wahlberg in the eye then you know what I'm talking about. There is something in his eyes. It was a weird sense that we were connected some how. I know that sounds weird but this is the 3rd time this stare has happened to me and every time it feels the same way.

Exhibit #2: At the concert on Half Moon Cay Donnie, Jordan & Joey came out and started shooting people with water guns. It was so hot out that it was welcome. Donnie comes over to the side we are on and starts shooting and gets a direct shot or two at me. He then points at his hat and then at me and says. "You I got you, yes I did". Here's video of it for your viewing pleasure (thank you lycogirl03 for catching this).

Exhibit #3: During Pink Night Donnie was on one of the little stages in the crowd. I was close enough that when he reached out into the crowd to grab people's hands he could reach mine. He grabbed my hand, looked me dead in the eye and said, "I love you". I said I love you back. He then made a motion of grabbing at his heart and giving it to me. I swear during this moment we were the only two there. I don't remember the music playing or anything going on around me. When it was all over I looked at my friend Sandra and she was looking at me with her mouth wide open in disbelief. When he moves over to the other stage Sandra, Becky and I stay in the middle between the two stages. We are dancing & having a good time when Donnie points at at me and waves. We continue to dance around when he points me out and starts blowing kisses at me. My friend Jen leaned over & said that's so cute. I mean really what are the chances?

Exhibit # 4: And now the moment that will FOREVER be remembered, the photo op. The groups were going so fast once we got in the room where they were (3 hours later). We probably had about a minute on stage with the guys. Finally it was our turn. We had decided to get in the order the guys were on stage so the Jon girls went first as he was last on the stage. I was the very last one up. As I walked up Donnie grabbed my hand and pulled me on stage next to him. He hugged me and gave me a kiss and said, "It's good to see you baby". Then I heard the camera man say OK. I turned to the camera and smiled. Now the whole time they are taking the picture Donnie is whispering in my ear. "Oh that feels good, that feels nice", all the time he's squeezing me closer. When it was all over he said, "Thank you and I'll see you later baby". My friend who was on the other side of him and commented that she wasn't looking so Donnie had the photographer take another picture of the three of us. That moment with Donnie was worth standing in line! And he was right, he did see me later that night and pointed me out. And here's the picture of us. We so cute!

So after 4 days on a boat with 1000's of woman I had several encounters with him. He gives so much to his fans the least I can do is give him love back. He has my love, support and heart until the end of time!

Trip of a lifetime -cruising with NKOTB!

I don't even know where to start. So much happened on this trip that I don't know that I've remembered it all. I really didn't know what to expect as I had never even been on a cruise before. I decided to take it all in stride and think of it as just a vacation and that served me well.

Sail Away Day - The atmosphere on the boat was electric. Everyone is just super excited to be on the boat. We dropped our stuff off at our room and grabbed some lunch. While sitting there eating Donnie came by. I didn't rush him but he and I locked in an intense eye stare that continued while he hugged other people then he waved. I was happy with that as I wasn't expecting to run into him at all. Then I stand up to get some water when I spot Danny taking pictures. I let my roommate know as he's her favorite. She headed that way and waved me to follow so I could take their picture. It was great to run into some of the boys before we left. It felt more real that this was happening and we were sailing with the New Kids.

The sail away party is just something you have to witness. Seeing the pictures from previous cruises doesn't do the sail away party justice. We grabbed a spot on the lido deck and preceded to dance and talk to people while the boat pulled out of port. The guys were in good spirits and ready for a weekend of fun & sun!

After the sail away party it was Group B's turn to see the game show Double Dare. The guys were broken into 2 teams with some fans. I don't know if the guys couldn't hear or what but they really didn't understand the rules. Watching Joey complain about the points and Donnie completely confused was hilarious. The last game was one of my favorites. The team of Donnie, Danny & Jon had to dress in woman's clothes and then relay and dress their teammates until everyone had dressed in these clothes. First Danny called suspect on the Crocs and refused to play (he eventually played). Then they all got a kick out of the bra that was in the box. Donnie's reply, "I've never held one this big". Those boys are too much.

The first night theme was 80's night. My roommates and I went as the Robert Palmer video girls. It was a hoot! We got a lot of compliments. Funny thing is there was another group dressed like the Robert Palmer video girls but from a different video. The night was a lot of fun and a great way to start the cruise.

Half Moon Cay - What a beautiful private island. Blue water & white sandy beaches, what more could you ask for? We took our tender over to the island and grabbed drinks before settling in the hot sun for the show.

Now I know a lot of people were not happy with the concert being on the beach. I didn't have feelings one way or the other. I packed up some water, my hat and some sunscreen and settled into my spot with my girls. We had a pretty good spot on the side of the stage which proved to be perfect for seeing the show. Before the concert started Donnie, Joey and Jordan came out with super soakers and shot water into the crowd. Donnie scored a direct hit at me. Then he pointed at me and said, "You in the hat, I got you". That he did! The guys were true sports standing out there singing and dancing in that hot sun. The plus side of it being super hot...shirtlessness!

After the concert we splashed around in the ocean and just cooled off from standing in the hot sun. We grabbed one more drink before heading back to the boat. Back on the boat we gathered our selves and got ready for pajama/toga night and watching the Season finale of Blue Bloods. We grabbed a spot on the lido deck (near one of the stages) and waited for the show to start. Donnie came out before and thanked us all for our support. It was good to see him emotional about the show and show a different side. They played a outtake reel that was very funny. Watching the show with Donnie was surreal. He said he doesn't normally watch the show he just reads twitter while it's on. Thus was born the hashtag just sayin' that everyone has been saying. Donnie was making commentary during the commercials. The season finale was very good. Probably my favorite episode of the whole season.

The guys were dressed up in togas and I have to say they looked pretty good. The best part was listening to Donnie and Joey while they were introducing the guys. Donnie gave them all Roman names and it was too funny.

Thanks to camping out for Blue Bloods we had a pretty close spot to the little stages in the crowd. Of course it was my luck that Donnie went to the other stage but that's ok because Danny and Jordan came to the stage we were on. My roommate was able to get the Danny autograph she has been wanting for 20 plus years. I was able to get a Jordan and a Danny autograph. There was a fight a little later in the night once the guys had gone back up their main stage but we didn't let that dampen our spirits. We kept dancing the night away.

Nassau - We got up and headed off the boat to see the sights of Nassau and visit Atlantis. Atlantis was huge and beautiful. I would love to stay at Atlantis if I were ever to go back to the Bahamas. We walked around, did some shopping and then headed back over to the port. There were some local venders so we walked around their tables. After we were shopped out we headed back to the boat for some food and a nap (which I never got since Jared came on the speaker system right as I was about to fall asleep).

This night was our groups night for the Acoustic Wood/Broadway Joe Show. The Acoustic Wood show was good. Danny was a little emotional with it being his birthday. He sang 30 minutes of songs. Now the Broadway Joe Show was something else. First of all he came out in a cage because well, he's a hot mess. He sang a whole bunch of broadway songs that he performed over there years even a song he sang in Wicked. Joe is an amazing performer. It is in his blood. He was born to perform and it shows when you see him.

Tonight's theme was pink night for breast cancer awareness and it was Danny's birthday. I have to say of all the nights this was my favorite night. All the guys were in high spirits. Danny was in a great mood for his birthday. It was just a good atmosphere. This time we staked claim near the other stage. I of course knew Donnie would go to the other stage...and he did. Luckily he came back to the other one (more on that in another blog). They guys gave Danny a birthday cake. We all sang him Happy Birthday. To raise money for breast cancer they had a "dance" for a donation. We got to the lido deck about 7:30 and continued to dance until 5:30 in the morning. It was a blast! Even Jordan and Joey came into the crowd and had a dance party with us.

Day at sea - This was the day we had been waiting for. We woke up after a few hours of sleep to get ready for our photo. Our group lucked out. As we were all walking down to the line a girl needed a group and joined us. Now, the rule was supposed to be if you had a group of 10 you were to get in line. Sadly most people didn't listen to that rule and I think this is what caused the line to take so long to go through. We stood in line for 3 and half hours! As we were going in to the room the guys were in Earl stepped in front of me and is pointing at himself. I looked up at him and he said, "hug"? I said, "sure". Earl gives the best hugs. So I walked to meet my group and wait to walk up to the stage. The groups were going so fast. We probably had about a minute on stage with the guys. Finally it was our turn. We had decided to get in the orderthe guys were on stage so the Jon girls went first as he was last on the stage. I was the very last one up. As I walked up Donnie grabbed my hand and pulled me on stage next to him. He hugged me and gave me a kiss and said, "It's good to see you baby". Then I heard the camera man say OK. I turned to the camera and smiled. Now the whole time they are taking the picture Donnie is whispering in my ear. "Oh that feels good, that feels nice", all the time he's squeezing me closer. I'm sure I'm smiling like an idiot in my picture. When it was all over he said, "Thank you and I'll see you later baby". My friend who was on the other side of him commented that she wasn't looking so Donnie had the photographer take another picture of the three of us. That moment with Donnie was worth standing in line.

We went back to the room and put on our swimsuits and headed up to the lido deck. Time to hang in the sun and take in Jordan's Stretchify. We ordered drinks and took in the sun...until it started to rain. Luckily it didn't rain for too long. Right before Jordan came out the sun started to shine. We didn't stay for the whole Jordan set but the parts we saw were very entertaining. There were people actually doing the stretches but most people were just taking pictures and video.

Tonight was the last themed deck party so we headed back to get dressed in our Red Carpet finery. The guys came out looking very nice in their suits and tuxes. Joey was actually wearing a normal outfit for once. There had been crowd surfing every night so tonight was no different. Joey said he wanted to crowd surf in a tux...and he did. Donnie & Jordan followed him. The party started off slow but after awhile Donnie came down to one of the stages and stayed there for hours dancing and entertaining. I wanted to stay until the very end but one by one my roommates were heading back to the room. I went back to the room, changed and headed back down to the deck. I arrived just in time for the last song of the night, One Song. And just like that 4 days of partying on a big boat in the middle of the ocean with New Kids on the Block had come to an end.

What an amazing trip! I'm so glad I went on this boat. I had a blast with my girls. I can't wait to do it all over again.

See you on NKOTB Cruise 2012!

When the New Kids announced they were planning to do screenings of their new dvd Coming Home in three of the top places in the US based on votes I never imagined the city I lived in would win. Right before the voting was over I put in my vote thinking how amazing it would be if Seattle, WA won.

Fast forward to last Friday. I check my texts to see that Donnie has posted he couldn't wait to go to Seattle, WA, Wheeling, WV, & Long Island, NY. I was stunned! Seattle of all places actually won. That in itself is a miracle. Thanks to my friend Sarah emailing me I was able to submit my email for a chance to see the screening. You couldn't buy tickets. I really wanted to be there but wasn't sure I would get an email invitation.

The first batches of emails start going and I'm thinking oh man I didn't get one. It seems like everyone I followed on twitter from WA got the email. So I closed my email and left to get ice cream and what do you know? When I got back there was the email. I was so shocked. I kept reading the email over and over again not believing it was true.

So now here it is Tuesday. I went into my job an hour early so I could leave early. The plan: take the bus to my friends apartment, drop off my stuff and head out to Bellevue where they were showing the movie. The plan worked out great. I was in line 30 mins earlier than I planned. I met some people in line and we talked, laughed and reminisced about past shows and other NKOTB info. Standing in line for 3 plus hours was pleasant because of these ladies (and one husband).

Finally they started checking people in. The line moved slow at first but picked up. Once inside the building we were then standing in another line where they ushered us into the actual theater is small groups. Once in you can here The Block album blasting. Some people are dancing, some singing, some laughing & some talking. Everyone was in a very pleasant mood. Full Service comes on and out they came. I was in so much shock that couldn't function! I've seen them in concert before but there is something about them being so up close and personal. Donnie said hello and asked if we were ready. He held up someone's Thank You sign (in Auburn last summer everyone had thank you signs and the guys were really emotional - we thought we would help them remember), he mentioned someone brought mistletoe, then Jordan screamed "It's magic". Then they were ushered to their seats which were THREE ROWS behind me. I wish we were closer but even that was close enough. The girl next to me threw popcorn at Donnie. He threw some back all three of us laughed. Right before the movie started Donnie told us if we wanted to get up during the movie we shouldn't worry that was ok.

The theater goes dark and it starts and you could feel the anticipation. I, for one, couldn't stop turning around and looking knowing that all 5 of them were behind me. You wanted to see their reactions and know what they were doing. Many around me commented how hard it was going to be to concentrate knowing they were back there. Joey made fun of himself a lot, spit it out already Joey. They shouted stuff out. During Dirty Dancing we all got up and danced with them. Jordan, Joey, & Donnie were doing some of the choreography. Donnie threw out a ton of popcorn which I found later down my shirt. Anytime any performance songs came on the crowd was singing and dancing. It was awesome!

Once the movie was over it was time for Q&A. On their way down I tried to get Donnie's attention. I did touch his jacket but that was as close as I got. The Q&A was a little strange as most of the girls were not asking about the dvd. Two people asked about why WA wasn't in the dvd and their answer was do you want to go back and have WA in the movie and them not be there...sometimes people can be so dumb. My favorite parts of the Q&A were when Jordan & Joey gave a live version of the vocal warm up, Danny's face was priceless. Another fav was when one girl (Fairy Girl) asked what a swatch was. Joey channeled Tim Gunn and gave an awesome answer. Whole theater was laughing hysterically.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6ybGgOHGCk

The video is dark but listen to Joey's answer.

Joey wanted to play some additional footage which was the 5 Brothers & A Million sisters performance. He claimed he paid the guys to put it on the dvd - yeah right Joe!

The guys left...except one...Mr. Wahlberg. He couldn't get out of the room. He's so great to take all those pictures and hugs with so many. People were getting kind of pushy so I just stood there and took it all in. I couldn't believe I just sat and watched a movie with the New Kids on the Block!

I still can't believe it! The whole night was surreal...and still is.

I can't wait to get my copy and ACTUALLY watch the movie this time. When I wasn't looking back at the guys, the parts I saw, were amazing. This DVD was made with the fans in mind and is filled with nothing but love!

Job hunt

As you know if I've been unemployed since June 2009. Since then I have been actively searching for a new job in Seattle. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack. There are jobs in Seattle, even positions I would be very good at. However, the system so is very hands off. More don't contact us will contact you. One company even says on their FAQ not to contact them.

As you can imagine it has been a weekly struggle. I apply for tons and tons of jobs yet never hear anything. The only reason I know I didn't get the job is because I check my account to see the dreaded words "not selected for this position". It starts to get frustrating to know you didn't even make it to the interview process. I'm still positive about the whole situation but I really miss the days when you could take a copy of your resume in and actually talk to a REAL person.

I have had some success, minor, but success. In August I applied for a job via Craigslist. I sent in my resume and the next day I was contacted for an interview. The interview went well and I would have been really good at this position. I was very close to getting the position but they went with a candidate that had one more skill needed for the job. The lady I interviewed with was nice enough to tell me that I interviewed very well and would have success in the future.

Flash forward to last week. I'm going about my business (of doing nothing) when I check my email. I'm looking at a message from a lady about an interview. I'm thinking this must be one of those spam job emails. I scrolled down to her signature and low and behold it was for the University of Washington. I thought well I apply for jobs there all the time I wonder which position this is. I go and check my account and what do you know. I did apply for this job right before Christmas. I thought WOO! I immediately emailed her back and scheduled an interview for yesterday.

The interview went really well. We seemed to have a good group chemistry and I seemed to be answering their questions how they wanted to hear. At the end of the interview they asked for my references. I left the interview feeling very positive about the whole thing. I went home and sent in my references and low and behold one of my references had been called. I'm taking all of this as a good sign. I figured they wouldn't want references if they didn't think I would be a good fit right?

So now I sit and wait, wait, wait! This is the hard part. I've done all I can and it is now out of my hands. I will remain positive. If I get the job that is really great news. It will be really nice to have a place to go everyday and keep my brain from falling out of head. Even if I do not get the job it is always good to have more interviews under my belt. I can only learn and get better.

As soon as I hear anything one way or the other I'll post an update. For now keep your fingers crossed!

UPDATE: I GOT THE JOB! I start on Tuesday! I'll be working 10-3. So excited!!!!

Unemployment

As you all know I was voluntarily laid off from my job in May. About two weeks after my last day I went ahead and signed up for unemployment thinking it would be good to get started on the process. I went online and filled out the form. When it asked I choose voluntary layoff. I figured that was the truth (this will come back to bite me in the end).

Each week you are required to make at the least 3 job contacts of some sort. You then fill out a claim either online or via the phone. So every week I have been filling out my claim like a good little girl. Well one week I decided to call because it had been 5 weeks and still no check. When I call I'm told at 7 weeks I should call and tell them a decision hasn't been made. She also informs me that voluntary layoffs are the last ones they get to. Oh great! Just great! At the 7 week mark you are able to declare a hardship and they give your claim to a supervisor of some sort. This all moved pretty fast as the supervisor called me the same day to ask me some questions. A few days later I receive a letter from them. What do you know, my claim has been denied because they are saying I was the one who initiated the layoff. Um, no wrong, they came to me. I just excepted. So now I'm in the middle of appealing the decision. 

So what does that mean you ask? I had to write up why I'm appealing the decision and send them paperwork to support. Well I guess you don't need to send paperwork but I did. I sent them the letter my job emailed to the employees when they came up with this deal, a letter written by my last supervisor stating I wouldn't have quit my job if it wasn't for them offering me the offer, and a copy of the offer signed by me. So now I'm just waiting for what they call a "hearing". It's basically just a phone call which is probably going to take 2-4 weeks. So in the mean time I'm jobless & moneyless!

What makes me mad about the whole thing is it could have all be avoided if my previous HR department had been more forthcoming with the information. I've never been unemployed before. If I had been told or should we say guided on how the whole situation worked all would be well. When I got this letter I called my previous HR manager and asked her why she didn't tell me about this and her words were first, "she couldn't tell me how to fill out my unemployment". She didn't have to tell me how but she could have told me my options since she knew I had never done this before. Secondly she said, "I didn't know this was the way unemployment worked". Wait hold the freaking phone! You work in HR and you don't know how unemployment works. Aren't you supposed to be my resource...it's in your job title!

So needless to say I'm waiting! I've been waiting so what's a few more weeks.

All is not lost. I have a job prospect and I will keep my head high while I wait.

 

VEGAS Full Service

About a month ago I made plans to fly to Vegas to see the New Kids on the Block one last time on their Full Service Tour. It was the best idea ever! I even convinced my friend Michelle to come along for the trip.

We flew into Vegas on Saturday (July 11th) the day of the show. Michelle and I got in around 1pm and headed to our hotel, The Orleans, for a little pool time before the show. Hanging out at the pool was a ton of fun but too damn hot. We're talking 107 degrees hot! It was still nice to hang out in a little sun, read and relax. 

We headed back up to the room so I could get ready for the show (Michelle didn't go to the show she stayed at the hotel relaxing - she is pregnant after all). I hopped in a cab and headed over to the Palms. While I waited for the doors to open I gambled a little and won $25 bucks that I quickly put back into my wallet. I went to the Pearl and dropped off my children's books for the book drive (check out http://letsgetthis.org/ - Joey McIntyre's foundation to collect books for children). I hit up the merchandise booth and picked up a keychain. Then I met up with some girls from twitter who also flew in to see the guys. I grabbed a glass of champagne and headed to my seat. I was on the third level but the venue was small so the seats were still good. I think almost everyone in the venue was from some place else. The girl to my left was from B.C. Canada and the two girls to my right were from California. They were all really nice girls and it was great to be sitting next to awesome people!

The Jabbawockeez came on first. I was so glad that I made it early to see them. They are AMAZING! BEST. DANCE. CREW. EVER! If you haven't seen them you really should. They put on a great show and they really dance their asses off! In between their set and NKOTB I went out and met them and got their autographs. They are so sweet and humble. I'm glad I met them. Here's a little video of their performance:

This time there was no Jesse McCartney, not really sure why but I was fine with that. We didn't have to wait until the MAIN EVENT!

The lights dimmed and the energy in there was UNBELIEVABLE! Everyone was so excited. They started the show with the song Full Service. Everything is pretty much the same as the Auburn, WA show which didn't even matter because they put on a great show! You would think going to a show back-to-back would be boring but crowds are so different from city to city. One difference was they played the Michael Jackson Tribute they have been doing for some cities on the tour. Here's a link to the tribute http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjHEf63LIzo. The band was playing Man in the Mirror and the whole crowd started singing along.

Top 5 Performances/Moments:

1. ONE SONG - This is a bonus song on the extended version of their album The Block. During this song confetti goes off and beach balls come out and it is such an awesome party atmosphere.
2. Single - For days I was wondering how they were going to make this work in the venue. . They still came out into the crowd. I couldn't see all the boys but it was still awesome. Donnie was pretty close to me. Not close enough to touch but closer than I ever thought I would ever get to him. Danny was in with a group of people drinking a beer. They all seemed to be having a blast being out with the fans.
3. Step by Step - This time around Joey forgot the words which was hilarious. Donnie asked Danny to sing and he was all I don't know the words and Jon Knight actually sang when no one else was singing. Trust me that is a VERY BIG DEAL. The crowd went crazy and the boys were so happy about it. It was great!
4. Hangin' Tough - Even though this was the last time I would hear it live it was still awesome! It's always a good note to end on!
5. Stare at You - I love this song and I love hearing it live. I called my friend Sarah so she could hear it. It was nice to share a little bit of the show with a fellow Blockhead!

So the show ends and it is bittersweet. I'm super excited that I was able to fly to Vegas to see them again but also super sad because the tour is winding down and who knows what the future holds. I don't let this get me down too long because I am still in Vegas and whose to say I won't run into some of them somewhere in the Palms? I texted Michelle and asked her to meet me at the Palms. We hang out and gamble for awhile. I see Ethan and Chris hanging out talking to New Kids fans. Michelle and I grab some food at the food court and then we run into some of my twitter girls and they were saying Donnie, Joey and possibly Danny were up in the Playboy Club hanging out. I probably should have paid to go up there...but I'm cheap. My feet were hurting and I was tired so we took a cab back to our hotel. We hung out there and gambled a little and then headed up to bed. I'm laying in bed reading people's tweets and I find out that Donnie Wahlberg was STILL at the Palms. He had left the Playboy Club and was playing high stakes poker. I dressed so quickly you would have thought I was Clark Kent. I woke Michelle up to let her know I was headed back to the Palms. I ran downstairs and caught a cab. I thought if there was any chance I might get some kind of FACETIME with Donnie I had to go, I HAD TO!

So off to the Palms I went. I get there and find the girls and they are waiting outside where Donnie is playing poker. He finally leaves the poker area. He talks to a person in a wheelchair and as he's looking up we make eye contact, I put out my hand and he gives me a high 5. His bodyguard walked him down the hallway and around the corner. We didn't follow him all the way down the hallway. They turned around and as he was walking back we made eye contact again. He smiled at me put out his arm and pulled me into a hug. He gave me a hug and a kiss and then his body guard was rushing him along. It was a GREAT moment and worth coming back to the Palms at 3:30am! I've been wanting to have some kind of interaction with him for SO LONG! It was AMAZING! I wish that his body guard (Earl - he's so scary) would have allowed pictures, I didn't even try.

My last show of the tour couldn't have ended any better! The whole night was so amazing I can't believe it even happened to me.

I {HEART} NKOTB FOREVER! I {HEART} DONNIE FOREVER!

I leave you with a little video of Donnie getting is Michael Jackson on.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcsiWgSnZqI