Saturday, April 28, 2012

Big Apple Update

After much discussion and planning our official/unofficial (?) moving date is...


We have made the decision to stop expecting everything to come together from across the country. So on May 21st 2012 we will be taking a huge jump and Move to New York with no place to live and only job prospects! Crazy?! People that know me best would never in a million years expect me to make a move like this. I am a planner and I need to know every last detail to feel secure about something but now this. For some reason I am not as nervous as I thought I would be. Joe of course "knows" everything is going to work out and keeps telling me to relax and have fun. It amazes me that people live that way - no worries just having faith. In all honesty it makes me jealous, I really cant imagine no stressing over the little things, but I will start now... I have faith that everything will work out and we will be happy where ever we end up. (I swear I really mean that... really!)
:)

Side note: When I googled May 21 2012 to find the image above I learned that apparently its supposed to be the end of the world? Creepy...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Our Goodbye California Party

As you know Joe and I have made the very big decision to leave our life behind in California to follow our dreams in New York. We have been planning for about two months where we experienced extreme highs and lows as well as exciting surprises and little setbacks. 

This past weekend my mother threw us our going away party for her side of the family. It was amazing to get everyone together and visit before we move so far away. I could not help but feel a little odd talking to everyone about our plans, when we will be back, and how we will keep in touch. I spent most of the party floating from person to person trying to visit with everyone for as long as possible. My Grandmother even told me a couple times throughout the evening that I never sit still. 

Today I sit here reliving the day in my head I realized that even though I have been planing and preparing I have never really had the time to sit back and "live" this decision. My heart is heavy not because of our decision but because I see how our decision is effecting the ones we love in both happy and sad ways. 

My Grandmother means more then the world to me and I will never forget all her quirky phrases she tells me to prove a point.
"I have more shoes then Cater has pills."
"You spend money like a drunken Sailor."
but my favorite lesson from my Grandmother and probably the most laughable is:
"Ladies can go to a bar but they can never sit at the bar. Ladies just don't do that!"
I really hope that she will be able to come visit us in our new town because I know how much she loves to travel. I don't live with regrets but I do kick myself for not taking advantage of living so close to her. I know she is proud of Joe and I but she is probably the hardest one to leave behind... but we WILL be back before she knows it.

My mother has always been and will always be my best friend. If I ever need her I have no doubt she will be on the next plane to be by my side. She is the most selfless person I have ever met. I think I am more like my father but just because my mother is truly one of a kind and I will be proud to be half of the women she is. I can not wait to make more memories with her on the east coast!

I will forever be my Daddy's little girl and I am so thankful that we have always had such an amazing relationship. And as his girlfriend Julie says "We are nothing alike." ;) If you know my father and I you know what a lie this is! The relationship I have with my father is truly a special one. Mothers and Daughter sometimes have to learn not to love but how to get along and show their love. This was the case with my mother and I during my teenage years because we are both very strong women but I kick myself for losing those years and frustrating my mother. Unlike Mother and Daughter relationships Father and Daughter relationships seem to be the strongest they will ever be right away and never fade. My relationship with my father is special because I have and always will be his little princess. My relationship with my mother is equally special because I was older when we had that special bond and not only does it feel like a Mother Daughter relationship it has a feel of the oldest of friends that are always there.

My brother is someone I can barely think about leaving. He was the one I looked up to and wanted to be like. (Although I never told him that!) He was always there to protect me or tell me I'm being ridiculous when I needed it.  Joe and I will be back because I can't even think of having my kids living so far from their Crazy Uncle Mikie!

I can go on and on but I need save more for another night. I really can't believe how life can change. About three years ago I was a single girl that never wanted to get married but look at me now. It amazes me how you can change as a person and what you are willing to change in your life once you meet the one you love.

More crazy married life to come... stay tuned!!!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Let Wedding Season Begin!

Last weekend Joe and I had the pleasure of attending one of our favorite couple's wedding! 

I was absolutely blown away by this wedding! The entire wedding was oozing romance. It's always fun to attend different weddings and see each couples unique style. Every aspect of the wedding was customized to the couples style. See their reception area below:


Joe and I had one of the best nights in a long time. Attending weddings also doubles for a romantic night out with the husband. Hearing other couples commit themselves to each other brings us closer and we were very excited to celebrate another couple making the same lifetime commitment.


Congratulations Jon & Sarah
4-14-12

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Crafty Edition: My 1st Quilt

As some people know I can be a very spur of the moment person. This was the case about a month ago when I was visiting my Dad and his girlfriend and I was flipping through one of her many quilt magazines. I came across a quilt that was themed after the very popular Richard Scarry children's books. I decided right then and there I was going to attempt to make my first quilt for my nephews upcoming third birthday. 

My dads girlfriend co-owns a very popular quilt store in Manteca, Ca (Ladybug Quilts) so not only did I have someone to teach me the ropes but I had somewhere to work where everything I needed was at my fingertips. At Ladybug Quilts they have what they call a Long Arm Machine which stitches the back and front together as well as the padding on the inside. (Remember I am a beginning quilter so I don't have much of the lingo down.) The way it does this is it stitches a design throughout the entire quilt.


My mother has always been interested in quilting as well so we decided that she would help me. Once I received all the fabric and materials my mother and I set aside two Sundays to visit the quilt store and quilt ALL DAY! Surprisingly our quilting days flew by and it really became something I enjoyed. (Keep in mind before I attempted to quilt I had never touched a sewing machine.) After two Sundays with the help of my mother and my dads girlfriend the quilt was done! Although I was not told I still had to hand-stitch the binding onto the quilt. In about three days I had the binding done and had some very sore fingertips. 

The Finished Product:


I could not be happier and more proud that not only did I attempt to quilt but I finished my project in record timing. I am excited to give this to my nephew so he can enjoy it for years to come. 

If your in the area check out my favorite quilt store :)

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Review Edition: The Louisiana Territory Truck - Sunnyvale, Ca


I am not one to really branch out and try different things for lunch and I would defiantly not be called a “foody” but I had a pleasant experience this afternoon. My co-workers and I wanted to think out of the box for lunch this afternoon. (I usually always bring my lunch) After many ideas one of my co-workers suggested The Louisiana Territory food truck that was scheduled to be at one of our neighboring buildings until 1pm. I choose to try what they call a Popcorn Shrimp PO Boy sandwich. It was amazing, served with shrimp, lettuce, tomatoes and their secret sauce in a hallowed out bread roll. The only piece of advice I would hand out with this is if you’re used to eating a smaller lunch it’s probably best to share. It doesn’t look very big but it is very filling!

This food truck not only stops at businesses in the Sunnyvale/Palo Alto area but you can find them at local street festivals. To catch the food truck please see their website below:

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Is Karma Really a B****?


Wikipedia’s definition of Karma is as follows:
Karma (Sanskrit: कर्म IPA: [ˈkərmə];[1] Pali: kamma) in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e., the cycle called sasāra) originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies. 

To me Karma feels very real, I have seen people continue to make poor decisions their entire life and in one way or another I’ve seen it catch up to them. I know everyone’s views are different and I am a very open person, so what do you think? Does it really work, or do we just like to think it does? Is this belief just something to make us feel better or release anger? On the opposite side of it; when the tables are turned do you still stand by your belief or does your tune change?! When you have done something you know is morally wrong and it catches up to you (if you believe in Karma), do you own it or play the victim? 

Please do not preserve this post emotional in anyway. This is just something I have always wondered about after hearing many people in my life utter the phrase, “Karma is a B****.” I like to listen and I like to know how other people preserve things. Please share…
:)

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Review Edition: O Spa - Los Gatos, CA

As we get older we tend to become more cautious about things compared to when you were teens. One main thing I am trying to give up is going to the tanning beds. Now we all know that these can be very harmful to your skin but so many of us make the choice to do it anyway. Everyone that uses these beds know that the side effects can range anywhere from leathery skin as you age to the worst case, the dreaded C word.  We all like to think “That would never happen to me” but the truth it is very could.  

In an attempt to be nicer to my body I have decided to check out my alternatives. Please understand that I am not an active tanner year-round. I only tan when spring is in the air and my nice Italian glow has hibernated for the winter and has yet to reappear. I actually only tan about three times before I can get a color I love and that my body will hold onto. Still, it’s not a habit I want to keep because of the harm to my skin and my pocketbook. ;)

With a good friends wedding coming up rapidly and finding a nice knee length dress to wear I knew this was the time to start exploring my options. I thought about trying to get just a tad of a natural glow by tanning normally by the pool, but with this extended winter California has been having that option was out. I then looked into spray tans which I have heard horror stories about. I decided to give spray tanning a chance. (And no I am not talking about the kind of spray tan when you walk into a box, pose like your doing the running man, and the machine sprays stuff at you where it thinks you are.) I called the spa where I get my facials (O Spa salon in Los Gatos) and to my surprise they actually offered the airbrush spray tan I was looking for. So I went to the this morning the before the wedding I am attending got sprayed and hoped for the best. I forgot to get a before picture but I am not sure I would want to share that anyway, but here is the result:



I love the way it turned out. This options works is much safer, and way cheaper. ($35) Any thoughts?

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Big Changes & Little Setbacks

And married life begins ;)

Joe came to me a couple months ago and wanted to discuss a possible career change for him. I was shocked and excited at the same time. He then began to tell me that he would like continue on the path and he has started as a freshmen in college… this path consisted of law school! After many discussions and going over what must be done to have him reach this goal we decided we were going to take the leap. Not only did we decide that he was going to quit his current job within a month and begin the process of returning to school, we decided it was best for him to pick up exactly where he left off… in New York! This decision did not come easily but because my husband has always wanted to attend law school we will be packing up all of our things and moving on into the unknown. We are currently waiting for little details to come together before we can jump on a plane and go.

Life can be strange sometimes and this is no exception. While trying to make the decision to stay or go little things in my life started to give-way showing me the right decision. These little things are both good and bad but really helped me feel that we were 100% making the right decision. I know its going to be hard and I know I will have my sad moments but I will have my husband by my side and thats all that matters. I have to say I am a very proud wife!

It’s going to be a long hard road but I can not wait to experience it will my best friend.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

PE Update: One Month

It’s been about a month sense I began my PE class and I can’t say that it’s not getting a little bland. I usually try to workout on a regular basis anyway but have to journal all my workouts and how they make me feel is a little time consuming. You would think I like to write about anything because I blog but the truth is things really have to interest me for me to get completely into them. I did find a way to keep track of all the calories I consume in one day. My Fitness Pal is an app you can download (for free) to enter or scan (the best part!) in all the food you’ve eaten in one day. Usually I am not one to record or add up all my calories for the day but this app has a feature where you can scan the bar-code of whatever you are eating with your phone and it enters it into you food diary automatically! With the new knowledge from the textbook that I thought was going to be useless, working out, and counting calories I’ve lost a total of 4 pounds without even trying! Now I just need to start loving to journal about fitness. :)