It's Simply... Life: The Fabulous Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Sin City.

The Gambling Capital.

All terms you've heard, too? It's finally no stranger to me and I can quickly say it's all true! I finally made my first trip to Vegas last weekend and it was one that I won't soon forget! A couple of months ago I started talking to a mutual friend, Corey, getting to know each other over some life experiences we had in common. Throughout our conversation we were talking about places we've been, places we want to go, and things that we've experienced. I had mentioned how I've never really done anything too exciting and long story short?

We planned a spontaneous trip to Las Vegas.

He's been multiple times and I hadn't been at all. We planned to gather up a bunch of friends and hit the city for a quick trip January 10th through 12th. A few people backed out on us, and I ended up being the only girl with 4 other men, only 1 that I knew. To say I was nervous was an understatement!

Conversations leading up to the trip were entertaining as we had a Vegas FB conversation. It's kind of lonely now that I don't have over 100 messages to come home to sort through!

I left on Friday morning for Denver to catch my flight. The closer I got to the airport the more nervous I became, but I knew that it'd be worth it. I knew it was going to be a trip to remember. My flight was 3 and a half hours long with a short layover in Salt Lake City. I was bummed to be in Utah but not able to visit friends! Got to Vegas and it all began! It was a lot to take in at first and I didn't know the guys very well so I was pretty quiet, but regardless I was loving every minute of it.

We got a big suite between the 5 of us at a 5 star - the Venetian. When we got there we went down to go grab a burger at I Love Burgers. Just walking through the hotel (actually 2 hotels were connected together making it seem gigantic!) was an experience. So much to see. I started opening up and getting a little more comfortable after sitting down to eat with the guys. Talked about how the night was going to go down and then went back up to the room to chill and get things started!

Friday night I went to my very first club! We went to Marquee at The Cosmopolitan. It was SO much to take in. Didn't really know how to react to it at first, but it turned out to be a night I will remember forever! I had a really great time there. It was super crowded and you definitely can't be afraid to get close to anyone, but it was so fun. After my toe got stomped on and after getting shoved around multiple times we headed back to our suite. We hailed a cap which was my first experience ever getting a taxi. Kind of fun.

Saturday we slept in, as we were all beat from the previous night, and then got up and went to the Luxor to go to the Titanic exhibit. It was really awesome how they were able to save and preserve so many pieces from the Titanic in such good condition. They were also holding a Body's exhibit and I'm REALLY disappointed I didn't go ahead and go over to that one as well. If I could have a do-over, I would have went through it even by myself because i've been wanting to see it for years and years now. But that's alright. Maybe I'll get another opportunity at some point.

We were planning on eating at Ceasers Palace Buffet, but the waiting time was about 2 hours for a party of 5, and we were starving, so we ended up just eating another burger at the food court. While we were eating we watched the football game. With guys, there is always sports involved ;) While I couldn't join in on much of their conversation (as I don't follow football all that closely) I do enjoy sitting down and watching a game. So it was pretty fun.

We then went over to the Rio to play some $5 Black Jack. My first time ever gambling! I had been watching a guy in our group play black jack several times and I had asked the guys how to go about playing, so I was ready! I put down $50.00 and unfortunately lost it all. I was on a roll for quite awhile, but every time I would up my bet to $10, that's when I'd lose. It really stinks when you hit 20 but the dealer hits 21! So all of us left pretty empty handed, no one really had any luck with it! Between us all thousands of dollars were lost that weekend! But what's Vegas if you don't take a gamble? haha.

We then went back to our suite and watched some more football, listened to music, talked, and got geared up to go to the second club, Hakkasan at MGM Grand Hotel. I don't know if it was just the fact that I actually knew what to expect or what, but I had a blast at Hakkasan. The music was good, but it was far too overcrowded. Regardless, we found a spot in the corner next to the DJ and danced til our feet hurt, bodies were sweaty, and could hardly keep our eyes open! We went out on the Strip and walked a little bit, my feet were far too sore in my heels to go very far, so we got another cab and went back to the hotel for the night.

Sunday we woke up around 9, surprising considering how late we were out. Watched some football, got packed up and the guys took me to the airport. I was so sad to leave. I felt like there was just SO much more to do and explore. I was finally starting to get comfortable around all of the guys and really wanted to get to know each of them better. Sometimes I hate that I'm so shy and don't speak up a little more at first, but I can't quite help it. Once I get to know you it's sometimes hard to get me to be quiet ;)

All-in-all I had a time to remember!!! It was a good time and I'm so glad that we went. Corey has been the first friend I've ever had to follow through with plans like this. I'm used to things being talked about, but no one actually following through with it, and more often than not, things getting cancelled. He showed me a good time and I really hope to be able to do it again, if not in Vegas than somewhere else!

You will probably be disappointed to know that I didn't really get any pictures. I just lived in the moment. Not to mention my phone doesn't take the best pics and it was dying really quickly. So I will leave you with some pictures that I/we did get (click on them to make them bigger) and a "What I learned in Vegas" list!

What I Learned In Vegas:
Sleep is for the weak
Beginners luck only lasts for so long
Clubbing is actually really fun
One drink is nearly plenty, but 2 is more fun
Vegas is a blast and I definitely want to go back