Sister Time

I have now lived in California for exactly three weeks so it was definitely time for a visit from my sister, Marci. She came out last weekend for her UEA and we had a blast! I don't know if she can actually call her visit a vacation...because aren't vacations supposed to be relaxing? With all of the shopping, eating, and touristing we did it was anything but relaxing.

On Thursday we went to Alcatraz which is so awesome and everyone needs to do it if you ever come out here. They have audio tours led by the actual guards and inmates and it is worth every penny. It also helps that I'm really into all things creepy like that. I would love to tell you all about it, but I'd rather you all just come out and do the tour yourself.

The big building behind us is the prison cell and behind the fence is the rec yard. Believe it or not, the gardens on Alcatraz are actually really beautiful.

Friday was a big shopping day. We went to the outlet mall in Petaluma and the malls close by my house; we were very successful (depending on who you ask...Joe doesn't think so). That night while Joe played Halo, Marc and I went to see Footloose. It was hilarious and cheesy but we loved it. Luckily there was only about four other people in the theater so we felt comfortable enough to do all the singing and dancing right along with the movie. Joe missed out big time.

On Saturday we went for a traditional bagel run - my dad would be so proud. Joe went to the U of U game with some of his friends so Marci and I went to the Westfield Mall in San Francisco. That mall is gigantic. For real. We were there for almost 5 hours and we only made it to about six stores.

To be fair, we got sidetracked for a while by this drag show. It was very...entertaining.

After the game we met up with Joe and his friends and went to a fancy Italian restaurant for dinner. Joe refused to let Marci leave without eating at Ghiradelli Square so we stopped there on our way home. It was delicious!

The Nob Hill Chill. So so good.

Last, but definitely not least, we ate our little hearts out. One of the best parts about living somewhere new is all of the new restaurant choices. I had fun taking Marci to all of my new favorites, and trying some new ones. I love eating out and I am well on my way to doubling my weight.

Thai Food including pumpkin curry.

Sol Food - Authentic Puerto Rican Cuisine. Hands down the best restaurant out here.

Sol Food again. Yes, it is that good.

Gaspare's Pizza. Worth all the calories.

Thanks for visiting Marc!!! This post just made me really hungry...

Silver Lining

So most people that blog say they never have time to keep it updated. Believe it or not, I wish that was my case (I'm sure I'll take this back some day, but hear me out). I do a lot better when I'm constantly doing something. I went from being super busy, i.e. planning a wedding, doing an internship, getting married, moving and unpacking....to being not so busy. Not only do I not have a job yet (and you can only spend so much time job searching every day, right?) but Joe keeps leaving me high and dry! For our first two weekends as a married couple in California Joe has had to work in Phoenix. Just when I was getting used to having him around - he leaves. Twice.

Last weekend was pretty rough. I was freshly homesick, still unpacking everything, missing the hubs like crazy AND I had to go to our new ward by myself for the first time. Not fun. However, I was able to find the silver lining(s) through all of this...

First, I found a little gem of a book at Marshalls for only $3. It's called Saving Graces and it is exactly that. It's full of a million little pick-me-ups like this:

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present." - Babatunde Olatunji. 

And there's this one:

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." -Frank A. Clark. 

See, pretty good right? Maybe not, but they did the trick for me.

Second, being here by myself for four or five days has really put the last year of Joe's life into perspective for me. Living by yourself sucks. Even though we live in a cool place with lots to do, it can get pretty lonely, especially before you really make some good friends. Joe did it for ten months and never complained once. Really, he NEVER complained. I wish I could say the same. Dating long distance was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I was still surrounded by friends and/or family the whole time. I can't imagine doing what he did, I would never be brave enough to move out here without him. I'm so happy that he doesn't have to be alone anymore!

 Disclaimer: I promise I didn't mean for this post to be a big complain fest. I just wanted everyone to know how brave and patient and amazing my husband is. Maybe if he'll stick around for a while some of that will start to rub off on me...

Third, I have experienced being truly homesick for the first time in my life. Of course, there have been plenty of times when I've missed my family before but never like this. Even when I was living away for school I could still go home whenever I wanted to. Now I can only go home when I have an extra $500-600 laying around. I know what you're thinking...how is that a good thing? Well, it's good because it's made me realize how lucky I am to have a wonderful family. I only miss them because I love them so much, and that is really a blessing.

Fourth, now I have tons of time to blog :) You've been warned.

Happy Bday Mother Dearest

Today is my wonderful mother's birthday! She is the best mom ever. For real. You wanna know why? Take a scroll...

 She is my number one example. She is everything I want to be. She and my dad have taught me the true meaning of love, and how to treat your spouse.

 Not only is she the best mom in the world, but she is also g-ma extraordinaire. I am in no hurry to have kids, but I seriously can't wait for my kids to be the luckiest grandchildren in the world.

Oh my gosh she is the funnest (is that a word?). But really, she is so fun. She makes me laugh so hard, especially when she gets going on a fit of laughter. If you're lucky enough to be around for one of those, you are in for a treat...and sore abs.

She is always there for me. She's the most loving, kind, patient, hard working, smart, forgiving, beautiful, amazing woman ever. For real. I hate hate hate not seeing her every day. 

I love her more than anything in the world. Happy Birthday mom!

Brand Spankin New

Wow, where do I begin? The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind! After 18 months of dating (the last ten months being long distance) Joe and I were FINALLY married in the Salt Lake Temple. It was the most amazing day and so much more than we could have ever imagined. I'll dedicate an entire post to that when I get the pictures back.

The day after our wedding we jetted off to our week-long honeymoon. Joe had kept the whole thing a surprise to me so I was really excited to find out where we were going. Of course, he waited until we were in line at the airport to tell me that we were going to Miami, Florida! I was so excited for that but he surprised me again the next day by telling me that we were going on a 5-day cruise to Key West and Cozumel. It was such a great surprise and so so fun. We loved every minute.

We flew back to Utah on Saturday. That night, both of our families got together for dinner and to open our wedding gifts. We're so thankful to both have such amazing families - they make life sooo much easier. It was really fun and I'm so glad that everyone has a good time when we all get together.

The next day was moving day...a day I had been both dreading and looking forward to for a long time. I had packed up most of my belongings before the wedding and with the help of our families we were loaded up and ready to go by Sunday afternoon. Saying goodbye to my best friends and everyone in my family was terrible. I have the absolute best friends in the world and I know I'll never find friends quite like them no matter where I end up. And I'll say it again - my family is the best. I already miss them so so much.

It's hard being away from everyone I know but I'm also really enjoying this exciting adventure in our lives. Joe is the best husband ever and he's been so supportive of me in my sensitive state - even when I randomly burst into tears. We've already had so much fun living here together and I look forward to everything in our future. The best part is that we actually get to spend time together instead of just talking on the phone. So for now, our little apartment is packed up with LOTS of boxes but it is livable. Everything in my life feels new right now. Everything but Joe - he makes me feel OK about all the new changes. We are adjusting to life together and loving it.