nervous boys + bad pick-up lines = the bachelorette [recap #1]

 I promise to do a recap of my birthday weekend tomorrow..but today is going to be all about this lovely lady...

and her scripted journey quest to find love on The Bachelorette.

As much as I hate to admit it, I am a sucker for these shows. After every season, I always say that I'm not going to watch the next one because they tend to NOT work out the best way...

e.g. Jason chooses sweet Melissa...then dumps her and goes back to Molly.

Jake + Vienna = total disaster. 

Ben + Courtney = Satan's sweethearts.

But nonetheless, I always get sucked back in to the point where I will fill out a bracket, yes a bracket, on who I think will make it to the end...

Please don't judge. I didn't make this bracket, a former bachelor contestant (anyone remember sweet Ashley Spivey from Brad's season?) did and posted it to her blog! 

Anyway, I just think it's so super cool that they filmed the first part of the show in Charlotte so that Em could stay with her daughter...so sweet! 

Enough blabbering ---on to the recap. 

First off, my favorites:

Ryan Bowers, from GA

 Believe me when I say that this picture just does NOT do him justice. Not only was he super handsome, but he works with kids for a living (sports training camp owner or something like that) --how perfect would he be as a new dad?! I do have some reservations about him because he is SO charming. Let's just hope it's genuine charm. 

Chris ??, from IL

First off...is it just me, or does he bear a strong resemblance to a certain Gerard Butler?! 

Please tell I'm not crazy and that y'all see it, too. I was trying to figure it out the whole night and I finally got it. Oh, and Emily acted like she really liked him. If I recall correctly, he was one of the first ones to receive a rose. I know they say order doesn't matter...but it totally does. 
Chris is at the top of my list as well..seems really sweet!

Sean Lowe, from TX

Once again, is it just me, or does this guy bear a strong resemblance to a certain Kevin McKidd (you know...Dr. Owen Hunt from Grey's) ?!

Em is a lucky lady!!
I like Sean because he just seems really down to Earth, and like he's super interested in Emily.

And he looks like a hot doctor from Grey's. Uhhh...DUH! He's a keeper ;)

Arie Luyendyk Jr, from AZ (originally from the Netherlands)

Again, this picture doesn't do him justice. He's actually a very handsome guy. Looks a lot better with a little scruff on his face, too. 
And y'all are gonna think I'm just super obsessed with comparing these guys to movie stars..but I think Arie slightly resembles Liam Hemsworth (you know, the cutie from The Last Song & The Hunger Games?)

 I think it's just the lips & eyebrows -- thoughts?
Anyway, he seems super sweet and focused on winning Emily's heart, not winning the "show". Only issue -- he's a race car driver. But he told Emily upfront the first night and she seemed perfectly OK with it. Good luck Arie..I'm rooting for ya! 

Doug Clerget, from WA

I like Doug a lot, partly because he's a single dad and can connect with Emily on that level. However, I think he's using it as a ploy to win her heart. Yes, he should have told her that he is a single dad so that they could find common ground, but I think he's playing it up a little too much. Still, I think he has great intentions and really adores Emily. 

Well, those are my favorites. So here are my not so favorites...

Kalon McMahon, from TX

 Apparently, Kalon is pretty wealthy -- and he makes sure everyone knows it. I mean, c'mon...flying in on a helicopter?! Get over yourself, dude. Really. Anybody who watches the show knows that trying to stand out on the first night is a sure fire way to get yourself on everyone's bad side..but he did it anyway. I think he's only there to 'win' the game and receive from publicity...not for Emily. 

And to be honest, he's the only guy I really don't like at this point. After all, we've only seen one episode! 

Emily seems like a super sweet, genuine lady and I wish her all the best (at the expense of my entertainment)! ;)

Be sure to check back next week for a recap on the first round of dates!! 

Do you guys watch Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad as well? Are you as obsessed with it as I am? Who are your favorites/least favorites so far this season? Let me know!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, y'all! xo 

P.S. I would also like to wish my parents what would have been their 31st wedding anniversary today, May 16th 2012. I can only hope to have the kind of love that you guys had. I love you both tons, and miss you more than ever, Mama!

in Bermuda, May 2003