After two and half weeks that seemed like 2 and 1/2 years the job search is over! The day started out a bit rough.
HORRIFIC night of sleep.
Moving company coming with ALL our stuff, with no where except storage to put it.
Rushing to an interview.
Feeling like we are in the Twilight Zone because....
The event planning company interview was a CRAZY pyramid scheme. Which sent me to a run down JC Penny's in an even more run down strip mall. (20 miles outside of Jacksonville)
Asked what we were actually doing at the event planning interview that was supposed to be observing an actual event....the answer "we sell things outside of places like JC Penny's."
My answer....."not exactly what was told to me. Thank you. Bye."
Drove home in disbelief.
Sam and me laugh because at this point, there is nothing left to do.
Go for a quick beach trip to clear our head.
Sam got a call from our friend Kimi that Sam can have a room next door to them for a steal, fully furnished!
Went to interview #2.
AMAZING INTERVIEW!!!
Got the job at a company called, Metabolic Research Center, focusing on holistically helping people get healthy.
They saw my resume last week. Interviewed me on the phone. Brought me in today. Hired me on the spot.
Great Pay. 8-5. Never in the same office all day long. Using all my strengths.
Tomorrow we can sign on one of two amazing apartments we saw in our apartment searches now that I have a job.
Bottom line: wins
Sam and I both needed wins today, and we just stared at each other in disbelief that we made it this far. We celebrated with a little Chipotle....nothing says HOORAY like Guacamole :)
The next chapter of Jacksonville will start in the next week.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
You can't rush a Sunrise
One of my most favorite moments at the Mount in New Zealand was my morning jog down the beach and watching the sunrise when I was done. There was just something so peaceful about running next to the ocean, listening to music or sometimes just the crash of the waves, and timing my run each morning so that on my jog back home I could watch the sun slowly rise. At the end of my jog I would sit on the beach and watch those last few seconds when the sun pops out from the horizon and blast the sky with gorgeous light.
I was writing my mom an email today and I was telling her about our job searching, apartment searching, living with people after 9 months of doing that and just the long emotional week we have had. A lot has happened in the last week and half in our lives. SO GOOD, the best week of my life for sure, but in the midst of all the excitement comes two little words I had...waiting and change.
As I used to stumble out of my warm electric blanket bed at Ali and Uncle Neville's in NZ, and put on warm clothes to survive the cool jog down the beach I would often wonder, "what the heck am I doing?" The house was usually dark, the sky was dark, littered with stars, and the chill was biting in the air I wanted to die. But each day I would get and jog down to the beach and the minute my eyes saw the surf and my feet hit the sand there was just a calming peace. It was as if I was up before the rest of the world. I mean, there was the occasional dog walkers that scared me to death...because it was so dark on the beach you couldn't see people (or dogs) until they were right in front of you. So many times I would be lost in the peaceful moment or rehashing something in my head that I would know someone was there until it was right up on me...and in a lot of the dogs cases they did get right up on me. You can imagine how well that went over with me.
I don't know though, there was something about those quiet, still mornings. I can remember one morning hesitantly saying, "good morning God." It was as if he was the only one that was up in the world with me.
I timed my run so as I turned around down at the Mount I would began to catch the morning light peeking out above the horizon. It was a memory I knew I was making and one that I knew I would never be able to replace. I ran along, not caring how tired my legs were or how winded I was because I was mesmerized that the Sun, once again was rising. It didn't need my help, nor did it depend on my day or my mood, it just consistently rose and set each day without me. There was a peace knowing how small you are in this universe. As I ran next to a massive, uncontrollable ocean, watched the beauty of a breathtaking sunrise, in a country I wasn't even sure of the location of less than a year ago, does something to remind you of God. Whether you believe in Him or not those things colliding made him more real than he has ever been to me.
This morning as I watched Sam drive away, I walked back into the house in tears. Now the tears started because my bath and body car freshener which I love broke this morning. But I don't think it was really the cause of my tears...I think it was just the object that reminded me that it is still the dark part of morning...kind of like the dogs that used to come up on my so fast in the dark at the Mount on my runs.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are supposed to be here, and this morning I think I remembered that it is just the dark of morning. We can't see yet the sunrise which will enable us to see the waves, and the sand, and the mount and the life that is before us. It is just still a little morning dark as we wait for jobs, sort out immigration, find places to live, and learn to be us in the midst of all this change. The sun is rising. It always does. It is just a late Sunrise. But this I know, once it rises it will all be worth it. And as much as I would like too...you cannot rush a sunrise. The slowness and quickness of it once it peeks out above the horizon is where its beauty is held. Patience...waiting...change....it is always hard for me, but always worth it.
Each morning as I sat and watched the sunrise I marveled at what I was seeing....so glad I got out of that warm electric blanket, endured the run and took the time to watch a sunrise.
It will be no different here, of this I am sure.
A little visual reminder of why we get up and run each day....we love each other...
A date at Daytona Beach
The smile says it all...
I was writing my mom an email today and I was telling her about our job searching, apartment searching, living with people after 9 months of doing that and just the long emotional week we have had. A lot has happened in the last week and half in our lives. SO GOOD, the best week of my life for sure, but in the midst of all the excitement comes two little words I had...waiting and change.
As I used to stumble out of my warm electric blanket bed at Ali and Uncle Neville's in NZ, and put on warm clothes to survive the cool jog down the beach I would often wonder, "what the heck am I doing?" The house was usually dark, the sky was dark, littered with stars, and the chill was biting in the air I wanted to die. But each day I would get and jog down to the beach and the minute my eyes saw the surf and my feet hit the sand there was just a calming peace. It was as if I was up before the rest of the world. I mean, there was the occasional dog walkers that scared me to death...because it was so dark on the beach you couldn't see people (or dogs) until they were right in front of you. So many times I would be lost in the peaceful moment or rehashing something in my head that I would know someone was there until it was right up on me...and in a lot of the dogs cases they did get right up on me. You can imagine how well that went over with me.
I don't know though, there was something about those quiet, still mornings. I can remember one morning hesitantly saying, "good morning God." It was as if he was the only one that was up in the world with me.
I timed my run so as I turned around down at the Mount I would began to catch the morning light peeking out above the horizon. It was a memory I knew I was making and one that I knew I would never be able to replace. I ran along, not caring how tired my legs were or how winded I was because I was mesmerized that the Sun, once again was rising. It didn't need my help, nor did it depend on my day or my mood, it just consistently rose and set each day without me. There was a peace knowing how small you are in this universe. As I ran next to a massive, uncontrollable ocean, watched the beauty of a breathtaking sunrise, in a country I wasn't even sure of the location of less than a year ago, does something to remind you of God. Whether you believe in Him or not those things colliding made him more real than he has ever been to me.
This morning as I watched Sam drive away, I walked back into the house in tears. Now the tears started because my bath and body car freshener which I love broke this morning. But I don't think it was really the cause of my tears...I think it was just the object that reminded me that it is still the dark part of morning...kind of like the dogs that used to come up on my so fast in the dark at the Mount on my runs.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are supposed to be here, and this morning I think I remembered that it is just the dark of morning. We can't see yet the sunrise which will enable us to see the waves, and the sand, and the mount and the life that is before us. It is just still a little morning dark as we wait for jobs, sort out immigration, find places to live, and learn to be us in the midst of all this change. The sun is rising. It always does. It is just a late Sunrise. But this I know, once it rises it will all be worth it. And as much as I would like too...you cannot rush a sunrise. The slowness and quickness of it once it peeks out above the horizon is where its beauty is held. Patience...waiting...change....it is always hard for me, but always worth it.
Each morning as I sat and watched the sunrise I marveled at what I was seeing....so glad I got out of that warm electric blanket, endured the run and took the time to watch a sunrise.
It will be no different here, of this I am sure.
A little visual reminder of why we get up and run each day....we love each other...
A date at Daytona Beach
The smile says it all...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
My fiance was saying last night....
Yep.
He asked.
I said YES!!
A thousand times YES!!!!
It was a PERFECT Dana Day yesterday!!!
We spent the day working for our friend Brad, putting 100's of flyers on door handles in neighborhoods. We were so tired and so hot, but it was in the sun, excercise, work, and being together! I sent out some more resumes and emails, then we went to the beach in the late afternoon to just relax for an hour or two.
We had SO much fun, laughing about our life, being excited about our future, wondering what the next few months will hold...we just love the beach and love being their together. We talked in the sun, played a bit in the water and just were together as we walk through this crazy adventure.
We headed over to our friends Kimi and Brad's for dinner, but I started crying about something...as you do when you are SO overly tired and emotionally drained. Sam ended up taking me to a different beach that he wanted to show me, so I could calm down a bit and feel a little more composed. We got to this beach and then we listened to a song by Dave Dobbyn, a NZ icon. The song is called Hopetoun Bridge. It is the song he used to listen to every night he would leave Ali and Uncle Neville's house in NZ where I was staying. It says, "Go get that girl and never let her go." Dave was his coach over and over while I freaked out too scared to hope that Sam was for real. He was. He is. He got me. And...He is never letting go.
After listening and looking Sam in the eye, silently assuring him that he got me and I now trust that he is never letting go.....we walked to the beach. Wheat Thins and Diet Coke in hand, because we never ate dinner, but had those in the car. Along with our Fiji towel...we were ready for a sweet night on the beach. It was a beautiful night! We still had our togs on (or in america, swimsuits :) and just needed a hoodie...it was just so great out. We walked for awhile just talking and enjoying the beach at night and each other. We found a spot and watched the waves and stars. He looked at me and said...."I have something in my pocket I want to show you."
And I did what any girl that loves her man so much would do...I burst into tears.
He got down on his knee and had me look him in the eye and said, "Will you marry me? I choose you."
I said, "A thousands times YES!"
He placed this GORGEOUS HUGE ring on my finger (he did have to ask which finger it went on :) It fit PERFECT. Which made the night even more special and perfect than it already was. See, it was his Nana's ring. (His dad's mum) His mom told me that Sam was super special to her and Sam can vividly remember her and feels so connected to her. The ring actually feels like it was made for my finger. We just looked at each other in disbelief. I asked him, "Do you think the night your Nana had her special moment that she ever in her wildest dreams thought we would be having our moment with her ring?" It is the coolest feeling to have a ring that has shared love and one that has so much history, yet is the start of a new future.
I LOVE being in my swimsuit, and LOVE the night after a long day in the sun. It is quite possibly my favorite feeling ever. To get proposed to still in my swimsuit, with a sun dress on, Sam's hoodie (that I used to always wear in NZ...purposely not taking a hoodie so I would have to wear his each night....) and sitting on our towel from Fiji...was the PERFECT DANA way to get engaged.
We are creating our future and writing our story...we couldn't have planned a better one....
(Talking to my mom!)
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The middle of the story
What a week...I forget sometimes how tiring it is to not only move, but look for jobs. I LOVE newness and the excitement of seeing new places and experiencing new things, hence the life I have seemed to lead. Yet at the same time I HATE change. How do you figure that one out? I have such an intense need for it but cry my way through it.
I think at the end of the day I love a good story. The best parts of a story are often the beginning that draws you in and makes you wonder what will happen next. And the ending that ties up your moments of escape with a happy ending or leaves you thinking and so glad you experienced people and places in your mind. The middle though...sometimes it is uneventful. Needed. Informative. Even funny at times. But never quite as good as the beginning and end. I always must remind myself in moves that the middle starts soon after the beginning just gets good. This middle, or we can also call it REALITY, came quite fast this time. To look for jobs can be a long degrading process, especially since I have been on a job search since September it feels like. It isn't bad or even genuinely degrading, just wares on you. You walk in a place or send an email selling yourself only to hear...nope not now. It takes a ton of mind work to keep going for me some days. But the reason I am here makes me smile. We knew and know Jacksonville for some reason was the place to head, so I keep plugging along, reminding myself Rome wasn't built in a day (well Sam reminds me that...I sometimes think it could have been if they just worked a little harder :) think I have issues?)
I have learned so much this week and am excited to see what this adventure holds. I have pictured myself so many times being asked years down the road, "how did you and Sam get together? What was your dating experience life?" And I just smile, my mind and heart full of memories that almost seem unreal. It is easy to remember at that point that this is the "middle." A job will come, an apartment will come, life will be so busy I will wonder where time has gone, but these are memories I am trying to enjoy and take in. Sometimes it is easy, other times it is hard. That is just life. And I am learning to just let me be me and take each day.
Jacksonville is filled with SO much and so much I love discovering. There are differences for sure for this California girl, and moments I have to remind myself that I am in a brand new culture, but I think this is going to be a good place to call home for awhile. And it's by the beach...really can anything be that hard when you live by the beach? Plus, LA has made me so tough, that driving here is a breeze...their "traffic" is like driving around in LA on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Gotta love that!
Until next the installment of the midlle...
I think at the end of the day I love a good story. The best parts of a story are often the beginning that draws you in and makes you wonder what will happen next. And the ending that ties up your moments of escape with a happy ending or leaves you thinking and so glad you experienced people and places in your mind. The middle though...sometimes it is uneventful. Needed. Informative. Even funny at times. But never quite as good as the beginning and end. I always must remind myself in moves that the middle starts soon after the beginning just gets good. This middle, or we can also call it REALITY, came quite fast this time. To look for jobs can be a long degrading process, especially since I have been on a job search since September it feels like. It isn't bad or even genuinely degrading, just wares on you. You walk in a place or send an email selling yourself only to hear...nope not now. It takes a ton of mind work to keep going for me some days. But the reason I am here makes me smile. We knew and know Jacksonville for some reason was the place to head, so I keep plugging along, reminding myself Rome wasn't built in a day (well Sam reminds me that...I sometimes think it could have been if they just worked a little harder :) think I have issues?)
I have learned so much this week and am excited to see what this adventure holds. I have pictured myself so many times being asked years down the road, "how did you and Sam get together? What was your dating experience life?" And I just smile, my mind and heart full of memories that almost seem unreal. It is easy to remember at that point that this is the "middle." A job will come, an apartment will come, life will be so busy I will wonder where time has gone, but these are memories I am trying to enjoy and take in. Sometimes it is easy, other times it is hard. That is just life. And I am learning to just let me be me and take each day.
Jacksonville is filled with SO much and so much I love discovering. There are differences for sure for this California girl, and moments I have to remind myself that I am in a brand new culture, but I think this is going to be a good place to call home for awhile. And it's by the beach...really can anything be that hard when you live by the beach? Plus, LA has made me so tough, that driving here is a breeze...their "traffic" is like driving around in LA on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Gotta love that!
Until next the installment of the midlle...
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tornado Warnings...Thunderstorms...Welcome to Florida!
OUR LAST DAY OF DRIVING!!!!
5 Days of driving, too many gas stations to count, 9 states, one near accident, and memories of a lifetime....
WE MADE IT!
We pulled into Jacksonville yesterday at 3pm, just in time to SURPRISE the twins! Sam's favorite little friends had NO idea we were coming today, they thought we would be in Florida in a week or two. We tricked them good! They got off the bus and saw a rugby ball get kicked out of their garage and they said, "they knew it was him!" It was so fun seeing them and getting to surprise them.
We also pulled into Tornado warnings and a massive thunderstorm last night! Sam and I looked at each other and just laughed...why would there not be Tornado warnings our first day in Florida!
We hung out with the Jensen family for awhile, then headed off to Mama's (Sam's grandma's) for our first look at our new home for awhile. She is SO gracious and had everything all ready for us...I took some pictures of my room so you can see where I spent my first night in Jacksonville
The room actually made me think of my Aunt Velma and Aunt Alamay so I did okay my first night in a new place.
I also, in tornado weather, went and looked at apartments and hunted for jobs today while Sam worked. It was quite ridiculous for me to be doing that but...I needed to, for my own sanity if nothing else. After living in LA apartments are so cheap, I feel like they are giving them to me! I found some great ones by the beach and by a fun shopping area. I have a job interview tomorrow and even gave my resume to one of the apt. places that was hiring...we will see.
We are glad to be in Jacksonville and excited to see what this new adventure holds...already the stories make me smile!!!
5 Days of driving, too many gas stations to count, 9 states, one near accident, and memories of a lifetime....
WE MADE IT!
We pulled into Jacksonville yesterday at 3pm, just in time to SURPRISE the twins! Sam's favorite little friends had NO idea we were coming today, they thought we would be in Florida in a week or two. We tricked them good! They got off the bus and saw a rugby ball get kicked out of their garage and they said, "they knew it was him!" It was so fun seeing them and getting to surprise them.
We also pulled into Tornado warnings and a massive thunderstorm last night! Sam and I looked at each other and just laughed...why would there not be Tornado warnings our first day in Florida!
We hung out with the Jensen family for awhile, then headed off to Mama's (Sam's grandma's) for our first look at our new home for awhile. She is SO gracious and had everything all ready for us...I took some pictures of my room so you can see where I spent my first night in Jacksonville
The room actually made me think of my Aunt Velma and Aunt Alamay so I did okay my first night in a new place.
I also, in tornado weather, went and looked at apartments and hunted for jobs today while Sam worked. It was quite ridiculous for me to be doing that but...I needed to, for my own sanity if nothing else. After living in LA apartments are so cheap, I feel like they are giving them to me! I found some great ones by the beach and by a fun shopping area. I have a job interview tomorrow and even gave my resume to one of the apt. places that was hiring...we will see.
We are glad to be in Jacksonville and excited to see what this new adventure holds...already the stories make me smile!!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Trip Of A Lifetime...(Part 5)
4 States....YIKES! Who does that on Easter...we do :)
We set off from Baton Rouge today and headed for historic New Orleans (can you tell I have been reading lots of travel books?) It was so surreal to be in the French Quarter on Easter. I can GUARANTEE you that I would have never guessed I would be doing that this Easter.
It was also really important to us to see the consequences of Hurricane Katrina, almost 4 years ago now. It was humbling to see so much devastation still present in the city. You didn't see it in the main strip as much, but you saw SO many homes still water logged and condemned and just completely unlivable. It was sad to put yourself there 4 years ago...we drove across the bridges/overpasses that so many were trying desperately to get away from the massive flooding. It was so startling to realize they were running to safety, or what they hoped was safety, but as they turned to look they weren't able to see their town, shops, or homes any longer. I am so glad that I saw it and feel a sense of ownership as an American for the tragedy.
There was not only serious moments, by any means while we were in New Orleans. We had a fun Creole lunch, after strolling the French Quarter. It was a crazy place...I even found a candy shop called "Evans Creole Candy Factory" That made me smile!
And in true crazy New Orleans style there was a RANDOM Easter parade...Complete with drunk old people throwing Mardi Gras Beads
Notice the woman in the yellow...she was screaming at them to throw them to her...along with the other of 100's on the side of the street doing that same. I just laughed all the way down the street...Sam didn't find it as funny :)
Famous Bourbon St.
After New Orleans, we said good bye to Louisiana and heading East, passing through...
Then..
And finally...our destination...
We were SO happy to see the Florida state sign, kind of surreal. The combination of seeing Florida and realizing how much I love doing life with Sam...even this crazy life we have led, this was my face...
We are pretty excited to start this new chapter in life...we didn't quite make it to Jacksonville today...we were so wasted from the driving and the time zone changes and a couple of bad night of sleep. So we stopped in Tallahassee for the night..had Easter dinner at Crackerbarrel (Stac and Aim remember that place?!) and start tomorrow with only 3 hours left to drive! We need a good night of sleep to face real life tomorrow...
Real Life HERE WE COME!
We set off from Baton Rouge today and headed for historic New Orleans (can you tell I have been reading lots of travel books?) It was so surreal to be in the French Quarter on Easter. I can GUARANTEE you that I would have never guessed I would be doing that this Easter.
It was also really important to us to see the consequences of Hurricane Katrina, almost 4 years ago now. It was humbling to see so much devastation still present in the city. You didn't see it in the main strip as much, but you saw SO many homes still water logged and condemned and just completely unlivable. It was sad to put yourself there 4 years ago...we drove across the bridges/overpasses that so many were trying desperately to get away from the massive flooding. It was so startling to realize they were running to safety, or what they hoped was safety, but as they turned to look they weren't able to see their town, shops, or homes any longer. I am so glad that I saw it and feel a sense of ownership as an American for the tragedy.
There was not only serious moments, by any means while we were in New Orleans. We had a fun Creole lunch, after strolling the French Quarter. It was a crazy place...I even found a candy shop called "Evans Creole Candy Factory" That made me smile!
And in true crazy New Orleans style there was a RANDOM Easter parade...Complete with drunk old people throwing Mardi Gras Beads
Notice the woman in the yellow...she was screaming at them to throw them to her...along with the other of 100's on the side of the street doing that same. I just laughed all the way down the street...Sam didn't find it as funny :)
Famous Bourbon St.
After New Orleans, we said good bye to Louisiana and heading East, passing through...
Then..
And finally...our destination...
We were SO happy to see the Florida state sign, kind of surreal. The combination of seeing Florida and realizing how much I love doing life with Sam...even this crazy life we have led, this was my face...
We are pretty excited to start this new chapter in life...we didn't quite make it to Jacksonville today...we were so wasted from the driving and the time zone changes and a couple of bad night of sleep. So we stopped in Tallahassee for the night..had Easter dinner at Crackerbarrel (Stac and Aim remember that place?!) and start tomorrow with only 3 hours left to drive! We need a good night of sleep to face real life tomorrow...
Real Life HERE WE COME!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Trip Of A Lifetime...(Part 4)
(and we're off for the day!)
Texas was long, I admit that, but we did one of the coolest things here today...went to the NASA Space Center!
(Trying a real Space Helmet!)
(Sam landing a Space Shuttle)
I am embarrassed to say that Sam knew more about Space Program in America than I did. I constantly was asking him questions through the whole day! Really though? Did you know we don't go to the moon any more and just go to the Space Station? Did you know that we are going back to the moon in 2020 and to Mars in 2030? In new spaceships? And that the Space Station has 3 people on it, One America, One Japanese (their first ever) and One Russian? I didn't.
It was like Disneyland for guys I think, but I was super impressed the whole time! We saw the first space shuttles, where they do all the simulations and trainings, saw the new space ship that will carry people to the moon and Mars! It was such a cool experience. I even cried when I heard a recording of one of the flight directors (the guy in Houston directing the Space Shuttles--Gene Hackman's character in Apollo 13) say, "Welcome home, we are glad you here." I'm not gonna lie, I was SO proud to be an American!
(In the observation deck of the training center)
(One of the first rockets in space)
(Me trying to take a cute picture in front of the HUGE engines...Sam being silly)
The whole time I was there I thought that my nephew Tyler and my little buddy Jacob would have LOVED It! I had to get them cool post cards from there for sure!!! The other reason I loved it...their motto...
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION
That could be my life quote!!! I LOVED that line in Apollo 13...which I wanted to watch SO BAD when we left there. And get this? It was on TV when we finally stopped for the night!!! I am so not even joking!! I was so excited, I might have squealed :) I was SO excited to see all that I just saw on TV!!!
We also made it through a new state line! I never thought I would be so happy to see Louisiana!!!
We are off to New Orleans tomorrow and I am really looking forward to that! Then on to Jacksonville! Our friend Kimi double checked for us tonight...only 7 & 1/2 hours from New Orleans to Jacksonville! I can't believe how close we are!!!
Until tomorrow!
Texas was long, I admit that, but we did one of the coolest things here today...went to the NASA Space Center!
(Trying a real Space Helmet!)
(Sam landing a Space Shuttle)
I am embarrassed to say that Sam knew more about Space Program in America than I did. I constantly was asking him questions through the whole day! Really though? Did you know we don't go to the moon any more and just go to the Space Station? Did you know that we are going back to the moon in 2020 and to Mars in 2030? In new spaceships? And that the Space Station has 3 people on it, One America, One Japanese (their first ever) and One Russian? I didn't.
It was like Disneyland for guys I think, but I was super impressed the whole time! We saw the first space shuttles, where they do all the simulations and trainings, saw the new space ship that will carry people to the moon and Mars! It was such a cool experience. I even cried when I heard a recording of one of the flight directors (the guy in Houston directing the Space Shuttles--Gene Hackman's character in Apollo 13) say, "Welcome home, we are glad you here." I'm not gonna lie, I was SO proud to be an American!
(In the observation deck of the training center)
(One of the first rockets in space)
(Me trying to take a cute picture in front of the HUGE engines...Sam being silly)
The whole time I was there I thought that my nephew Tyler and my little buddy Jacob would have LOVED It! I had to get them cool post cards from there for sure!!! The other reason I loved it...their motto...
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION
That could be my life quote!!! I LOVED that line in Apollo 13...which I wanted to watch SO BAD when we left there. And get this? It was on TV when we finally stopped for the night!!! I am so not even joking!! I was so excited, I might have squealed :) I was SO excited to see all that I just saw on TV!!!
We also made it through a new state line! I never thought I would be so happy to see Louisiana!!!
We are off to New Orleans tomorrow and I am really looking forward to that! Then on to Jacksonville! Our friend Kimi double checked for us tonight...only 7 & 1/2 hours from New Orleans to Jacksonville! I can't believe how close we are!!!
Until tomorrow!
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Trip Of A Lifetime...(Part 3)
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!!! Those are the only words I have...
The 2 Time Zone change killed us this morning...we were dying to get going this morning...didn't leave til 9:30...
We will definitely be taking 3 days to get across Texas!! I think Texas kicked our butts! We were so bored at some points we went a little stir crazy for sure!!
There was one memorable moment...I had to go to the bathroom SOOOO bad. There was nothing for miles. So I opted to stop at this little hole in the wall gas station/country store. I walked in and giggled to myself at what I saw, but it wasn't that bad. Everyone seemed to know everyone, though, which made me smile. Then it happened...that moment when you see the bathroom and know that you can go...then you have to go REALLY BAD. But...there was a lovely man cleaning it and the other women's bathroom was taken, with no sign of being untaken any time soon. So as I stood there doing a little dance, so annoyed, 20 or more Sheriffs poor in the door (which we had see them each in their own Sheriff SUV on our drive) along with....Inmates, clad in the proverbial black and white attire. I just shook my had and laughed and thought, "where am I?" In the middle of NOWHERE, aka South Texas!
Oh and do you know this? There are MORE Texas state flags than American flags on the drive...there is. I counted.
And when we finally made it to San Antonio (the first sign of real civilization) we were so excited. I was explaining our national anthem to Sam and then missed the turn off for the 10! This is how annoyed we were...
We FINALLY made it through the vast nothingness that is south Texas on the 10 and saw signs for Houston!! We were so happy!!!
Until tomorrow!!
The 2 Time Zone change killed us this morning...we were dying to get going this morning...didn't leave til 9:30...
We will definitely be taking 3 days to get across Texas!! I think Texas kicked our butts! We were so bored at some points we went a little stir crazy for sure!!
There was one memorable moment...I had to go to the bathroom SOOOO bad. There was nothing for miles. So I opted to stop at this little hole in the wall gas station/country store. I walked in and giggled to myself at what I saw, but it wasn't that bad. Everyone seemed to know everyone, though, which made me smile. Then it happened...that moment when you see the bathroom and know that you can go...then you have to go REALLY BAD. But...there was a lovely man cleaning it and the other women's bathroom was taken, with no sign of being untaken any time soon. So as I stood there doing a little dance, so annoyed, 20 or more Sheriffs poor in the door (which we had see them each in their own Sheriff SUV on our drive) along with....Inmates, clad in the proverbial black and white attire. I just shook my had and laughed and thought, "where am I?" In the middle of NOWHERE, aka South Texas!
Oh and do you know this? There are MORE Texas state flags than American flags on the drive...there is. I counted.
And when we finally made it to San Antonio (the first sign of real civilization) we were so excited. I was explaining our national anthem to Sam and then missed the turn off for the 10! This is how annoyed we were...
We FINALLY made it through the vast nothingness that is south Texas on the 10 and saw signs for Houston!! We were so happy!!!
Until tomorrow!!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Trip Of A Lifetime...(Part 2)
We finally made it to Texas! Wow is New Mexico boring! Arizona wasn't that much more exciting I have to say. We laughed a lot today...I guess there isn't much else to do on a 10 hour drive, with 2 time zone changes and 2 state lines, stopping for a few fun pictures..
(Day 2! We're Off!)
(Sam and his best friend Andy have a weird fascination with Dragon's...or really they like to make fun of people that like them...so we couldn't resist this picture!)
(Notice the VAST NOTHINGNES behind us at this rest stop in Arizona...finally a picture not with a beach behind us)
(We finally made it out of Arizona! Not gonna lie...we didn't see much enchantment)
After a few gas stops, bathroom stops and stops to buy Jacob post cards with the state's map we were driving through, we finally saw it...
(Notice in the far left the Texas Monument with the GIANT star welcoming us to Texas....Everything is BIGGER in Texas)
(Here is the Welcome to Texas Official Sign)
The best part was when we were nearing where we wanted to stop about 2 and 1/2 hours into Texas...the moon looked SO big and like it was right off the freeway. It looked like an ENORMOUS sugar cookie. I tried to take a picture, of course, but it didn't work. It was SO beautiful and reminded me how big our world is and incredible God is...I think that he really did make it look like a cookie...I betcha God LOVES sweets...just my opinion of course :)
Tomorrow we are trying to head to Louisiana, but Texas is a BIG state. We will see how we do. I am really excited to see the Gulf of Mexico and see New Orleans. We are both wanting to see the devastation that wreaked havoc on that city not very long ago, and I would love to see the French Quarter. I loved watching when Food Network people went there :)
I wish there was more exciting stuff that we did today...but really, driving in three states in one day...pretty cool :)
(Day 2! We're Off!)
(Sam and his best friend Andy have a weird fascination with Dragon's...or really they like to make fun of people that like them...so we couldn't resist this picture!)
(Notice the VAST NOTHINGNES behind us at this rest stop in Arizona...finally a picture not with a beach behind us)
(We finally made it out of Arizona! Not gonna lie...we didn't see much enchantment)
After a few gas stops, bathroom stops and stops to buy Jacob post cards with the state's map we were driving through, we finally saw it...
(Notice in the far left the Texas Monument with the GIANT star welcoming us to Texas....Everything is BIGGER in Texas)
(Here is the Welcome to Texas Official Sign)
The best part was when we were nearing where we wanted to stop about 2 and 1/2 hours into Texas...the moon looked SO big and like it was right off the freeway. It looked like an ENORMOUS sugar cookie. I tried to take a picture, of course, but it didn't work. It was SO beautiful and reminded me how big our world is and incredible God is...I think that he really did make it look like a cookie...I betcha God LOVES sweets...just my opinion of course :)
Tomorrow we are trying to head to Louisiana, but Texas is a BIG state. We will see how we do. I am really excited to see the Gulf of Mexico and see New Orleans. We are both wanting to see the devastation that wreaked havoc on that city not very long ago, and I would love to see the French Quarter. I loved watching when Food Network people went there :)
I wish there was more exciting stuff that we did today...but really, driving in three states in one day...pretty cool :)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Trip Of A Lifetime...(Part 1)
Well I might be a bit optimistic with that title...but it might be a trip of a lifetime...I am thinking after today's drive alone I might not want to do this again :) Lots of desserts and lots and lots of cactus.....We clearly made it to...(11 and 1/2 hours later!!!!)
After good byes to friends in Redding, and good byes to Aunt Velma, Nana, and Grandma, repacking my stuff to be moved out to Florida, repacking my car to organize our suitcases once we got there...we were ready to set off. This was the good bye at 7:30AM from my parents house.
It was SUPER emotional! I have left my parents house more times than I could ever count...but this time seemed so different. I have never gone on one of my adventures with someone I loved before and the good bye this time just seemed to be a bit sad as I said good bye to my mom and dad. I hated to leave before Easter, I hated to leave my parents there with both me and Mike gone, and I hated that they were a bit teary...but I know that this is the right thing. Still I cried until I was on the other side of Turlock. Then the fun reality of what I was doing hit me!
Someone in the car with me might have been a bit grouchy...I won't say who but it wasn't me :) We found the middle of nowhere...well the very end of my life in CA as I know it. It was at a rest stop right before we crossed the Arizona border.
The day was LONG for sure, but we really wanted to make it to Phoenix (we did it Aunt Delores!!) In fact, in our tiredness and frustration we passed Phoenix because we couldn't find a strip of hotels and landed on the other side of Tempe. But we found a great place for really cheap...and there wasn't just a complimentary breakfast...but a complimentary dinner!!!
Even though today was long (and I remembered my last drive across the country (there and back!) with Stacie, Amy and I and we all HATED Nebraska...we felt like we were in that state for weeks, but I have a feeling that my whole drive is going to look much like that...) it was such a good feeling to be setting out for a new adventure with Sam. And I even got a call on a job our friend Kimi, in Florida had forwarded me from Craigs List. I have an interview on Tuesday! That was pretty encouraging to get that and realize that there are jobs out there to be had.
I am off to bed now...ready to do it all again tomorrow! Texas here we come!!
After good byes to friends in Redding, and good byes to Aunt Velma, Nana, and Grandma, repacking my stuff to be moved out to Florida, repacking my car to organize our suitcases once we got there...we were ready to set off. This was the good bye at 7:30AM from my parents house.
It was SUPER emotional! I have left my parents house more times than I could ever count...but this time seemed so different. I have never gone on one of my adventures with someone I loved before and the good bye this time just seemed to be a bit sad as I said good bye to my mom and dad. I hated to leave before Easter, I hated to leave my parents there with both me and Mike gone, and I hated that they were a bit teary...but I know that this is the right thing. Still I cried until I was on the other side of Turlock. Then the fun reality of what I was doing hit me!
Someone in the car with me might have been a bit grouchy...I won't say who but it wasn't me :) We found the middle of nowhere...well the very end of my life in CA as I know it. It was at a rest stop right before we crossed the Arizona border.
The day was LONG for sure, but we really wanted to make it to Phoenix (we did it Aunt Delores!!) In fact, in our tiredness and frustration we passed Phoenix because we couldn't find a strip of hotels and landed on the other side of Tempe. But we found a great place for really cheap...and there wasn't just a complimentary breakfast...but a complimentary dinner!!!
Even though today was long (and I remembered my last drive across the country (there and back!) with Stacie, Amy and I and we all HATED Nebraska...we felt like we were in that state for weeks, but I have a feeling that my whole drive is going to look much like that...) it was such a good feeling to be setting out for a new adventure with Sam. And I even got a call on a job our friend Kimi, in Florida had forwarded me from Craigs List. I have an interview on Tuesday! That was pretty encouraging to get that and realize that there are jobs out there to be had.
I am off to bed now...ready to do it all again tomorrow! Texas here we come!!
Monday, April 6, 2009
40 Hours + 9 States + LOTS of Diet Coke in 4 Days = My Next Adventure....I'm Moving to Jacksonville, Florida!!!
Life never seems to go the way I plan, but man is it ALWAYS full of adventure! The lack of blogs has been, quite frankly, PATHETIC! But without a schedule, I don't always do so good. But a schedule is coming soon! Sam and I are moving to Jacksonville, FL this week. We are SO excited about this next adventure, and I am not going to lie...one of the most exciting things to me is having an apartment again and having a washer and dryer!
This last month has been FULL of life decisions, saying good byes, sorting SO many details I thought my mind was going to explode, and trying to find jobs. Sam has a job in Florida and I am well on my way to finding one. I can have an apartment (YAY!!!)and Sam can live for free with family.
I have to say Florida was NEVER EVER in my life plan (but we know how my life plans have been going lately) While in Florida, which was PURELY a visit, so many things fell together that we looked at each other one night and had to laugh at the turn of events. I also laughed one night in Florida, as I was watching the news and they were saying the top 3 worst states to find a job....yep, California was one of them. I shook my head and thought, what the heck are we doing trying to make it in CA?! Little did I know less than a week later we would really be contemplating moving out of California!
We are filled with such mixed emotions, sad to leave and excited to start this new adventure. Plus we are pretty excited to get to live by the beach again!!! YAY for warm weather! Saying good byes this last week was torture, but I reminded myself how many times I say good bye, only to come back and visist with new stories and experiences to share.
I will keep you updated on life as we go and I am sure that there will be many BLOG WORTHY moments in the next month...how can all that driving and moving to a new city not be!
This last month has been FULL of life decisions, saying good byes, sorting SO many details I thought my mind was going to explode, and trying to find jobs. Sam has a job in Florida and I am well on my way to finding one. I can have an apartment (YAY!!!)and Sam can live for free with family.
I have to say Florida was NEVER EVER in my life plan (but we know how my life plans have been going lately) While in Florida, which was PURELY a visit, so many things fell together that we looked at each other one night and had to laugh at the turn of events. I also laughed one night in Florida, as I was watching the news and they were saying the top 3 worst states to find a job....yep, California was one of them. I shook my head and thought, what the heck are we doing trying to make it in CA?! Little did I know less than a week later we would really be contemplating moving out of California!
We are filled with such mixed emotions, sad to leave and excited to start this new adventure. Plus we are pretty excited to get to live by the beach again!!! YAY for warm weather! Saying good byes this last week was torture, but I reminded myself how many times I say good bye, only to come back and visist with new stories and experiences to share.
I will keep you updated on life as we go and I am sure that there will be many BLOG WORTHY moments in the next month...how can all that driving and moving to a new city not be!
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