Day 4, 26 April 2002
Friday

Day of the rehearsal dinner, even though technically there would be no rehearsal. More importantly, it's the day that everyone is to arrive. All 45 guests.

Green Beach Fiasco
A group of us decided to go snorkeling at Green Beach, at the western-most tip of the island. A dark cloud hovered directly over the center length of the island. Dad had gone first with Wendy, Annie, Aunt Sandra and others. Dan's dad, Mike, Jen, Shaun, Beth, Meg, Cyndy, John, Dan and I separated into 3 jeeps and soon followed. En route we passed my dad and crew heading the opposite direction. "Too many bugs!" they said. They had brought a picnic with them but ended up being the main course instead. We decided to give it a go anyways.

Green Beach

When we finally got there after a few wrong turns, it was god awful. To me anyways. That dark cloud sat itself right over us and gave a torrential downpour. To the right, sunny. To the left, sunny. But right over head, bleh! The bugs - a hybrid of the most persistent gnat and the hungriest mosquito - were all making a beeline for my nostril cavity. It was cold from the rain. The only way to escape was to the water, where the snorkeling was pretty good, but I was miserable. I wanted blue skies and butterflies, not thunderstorms and gadflies. For a little bit I stood under the pavillion with Dan's father playing lifeguard, watching the nine others bobbing in the grey water, a pair of flippers waving every now and then before they descended underwater.

Ooooo I wanted out! Now! Out now!

After an hour Beth, Shaun, Cyndy and John were ready to go; we left the others. I grabbed my things, hopped in Beth's jeep quick as a bunny, and it wasn't until we got all the way out of the rain forest and back to the Inn that I realized I had taken Dan's car keys with me.

Favors assembled and ready to go

I was ready to head back when his brother Mike and his dad themselves returned for the keys. Dan stayed behind in the Jeep at Green Beach. We were told not to leave our cars unsupervised; do so and you'll find your car has been disassembled and sold for parts. So he was huddled inside waiting. I, meanwhile, was waiting listlessly at the Inn worried sick because it seemed so long since Mike and his dad had left to get him. . .I passed the time by assembling our party favors with the help of Mom and my aunt. We enclosed the favors (small jade figurines in the shape of each person's Chinese zodiac sign) in small boxes and wrapped them in pretty Japanese paper and ribbons.

Three long hours later they finally return and I am convinced Dan no longer wanted to marry me. It turned out Ty's car just stopped functioning on the way there, so Mike ran the two miles in the rain and mud to Dan, who was by this time eaten to the bone by the pesky bugs that were able to crawl through the smallest crack in the Jeep's window. I felt so terrible about the whole fiasco that I couldn't stop crying. Ty's car break down because of me! Mike run two miles through the jungle because of me! Dan's been picked clean by angry gnats, there's his skeleton leaning against the wheel! All because of the ants in my pants.

Dan looked at me tiredly and only with a slight, harrassed smile as I pleaded with my eyes to forgive me. But he said, "I don't want to talk to you right now, just give me an hour and I'll be fine." Noooo! He then left with this brother for a late late lunch at Banana's. One day before the wedding and we're breaking up! Why oh God why?

Christy and Steve

Everyone Arrives At Once
A few seconds later, Christy and Stephen walk into the bar, two high school friends whom I have not seen in many years. And of course when I do finally see them I'm a slobbering mess. I had to laugh. Stephen gave me a huge bear hug and I wasn't able to recover before more high school pals come streaming in: Tim, Hayley, Kevin and Dan. Terry. And then Thalika and Tell. And then some more of Dan's friends Dave and Steve. What is this? Everyone decides to show up precisely when I'm looking like a salty, wet dog. It was almost too overwhelming, going from what seemed like tragedy to woohoo party time! in 2.5 seconds. Christy, Stephen and I headed for the Adirondack chairs by the sea to catch up, and we had a good laugh when I recounted to them what happened earlier. Back at the Blue Bar, everyone else was busy starting their first island drink and getting to know each other.

I couldn't chat long because we had to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.

Dan had finally forgiven me by then. Phew.

"Rehearsal" Dinner at Trade Winds
This should have been called the "We'll Wing It and Hope For the Best" Dinner.

REHEARSAL DINNER MENU FOR FRIDAY APRIL 26 Salmon Valenciana: fresh salmon sauteed in a tomato fennel, saffron and orange sauce. Served with fresh vegetables and rice. Pork Tenderloin: pan seared with caramelized onions, cranberries, Dijon mustard and cognac. Served with fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes. Chicken: Tarragon and mushroom stuffed breast of chicken. Served with fresh vegetables and rice. Chicken and pork can be grilled and served with pineapple salsa. Vegetarian also available.

 

Gang arriving for dinner at Trade Winds	With Dan, Tim, Kevin and our rum punch
Tim's name tag	Dinner crowd

 

The rest of the guestlist arrived - Dave W, Nick and Viv from college, Samir, Marcus and Amanda from work, Dan's childhood friends Dan J. and Andrea. Everyone is chatty and festive with a glass of rum punch in hand. Mom and I pass out name tags and get everyone to sign. Tim's tag said, "Li owes me $150". Heh. I lost the who-will-be married first bet.

With everyone here I finally had a chance to see just how big the crowd was. 45 people is still a lot. The food was great, but we made horrible horrible speeches. It went something like, "Thanks for being here, um. . .yeah ok bye." Argh.

So what happened afterwards? I think we hung out for a little while and then headed back to the Inn to crash. Oh so tired, so little sleep so far. The excitement and fun keeps the adrenalin pumping. Everyone was finally here amd tomorrow would be the big big day!

WEDDING DAY >>