Sunday, July 29, 2012

Sweet Home Alabama









Yes, I made it to Alabama! I survived the week long road trip, and it was amazing! And I can't wait to share all about that trip in upcoming posts. Not only did I survive the road trip, I even managed to survive my first week of work! And while I will never ever talk about the nitty gritty of work on my blog, I will share a few things. Having my own office (which is painted a very cherry red by the way), makes me feel like I'm such a grown up. Yesterday I even spent all day carefully picking out items to make it more homey and comfortable.

Yet, having to navigate my first post-master's degree job has me feeling more like a kid on her first day of kindergarden. I want to understand everything I'm supposed to be doing every second of the day from day one. But it just doesn't work like that. So some days I feel totally on my game and others I feel like I'm about to have a panic attack, but that is the story of my life.

And to top it all off, I went for a routine pre-employment tuberculosis (tb) test. And I got a positive test! I've never gotten a positive test before, that totally freaked me out. So I had to get my lungs x-rayed to rule out the possibility of me having TB, and they found a nodule on my lungs, and now I have to get a CT scan for diagnosis. But this is all scaring me a little, although the worst case scenario probably is that I have a non-contagious, latent form of tuberculous. But still, this is not cool. Not cool at all.

Besides having new digs and a new job, I'm also, wait for it, wait for it, training for a 5k in September! Yes, this chubby girl, who typically only runs when being chased, has been dragging my butt out of bed 3-4 days a week to do the couch to 5k training regimen. And man it's hard for me, I struggle when I start jogging, and then I think I'm going to die every moment until it is over. But so far I haven't failed myself yet. I don't know if I will actually be able to run the whole 3 miles come September, but as long as I cross that finish line somehow, I will be proud of myself.

Of course, I have to mention that I'm missing Adam all the time. But we are both just trying to keep busy and remember that everyday we are without each other just means we are one day closer to starting the next phase of our lives in Alabama...together.

Friday, July 20, 2012

An Online Link Love Book Vol. V




I think Cake Balls are delicious, but I always thought they looked really complicated to make. But this video breaks it down and makes it look super easy.

I wish I had invested in one of these uber cute iPhone cases before I dropped my phone and shattered the glass into pieces *sad face.*

I really love reading travel guides, but I never thought about what tourist guides would say about traveling to America. (Some gems: Be Punctual! Don't Talk Politics! Inner Cities are Unsafe!).

I am so psyched for the summer Olympics, and I have been watching the trials, but everyone knows I could never make it in the Olympics. But I could excel in the Olympics if these sports for athletically challenged people actually existed.

A few years ago I was taking a nap with my dog Sarah, and all of a sudden she made a sound like she was choking. So I hopped out of bed and started giving her the Heimlich maneuver, or at least what was my closest approximation. Although it turns out she wasn't choking, and she just thought I was nuts. But when I came across this information on dog CPR, I thought it was good knowledge to pass along anyway.

Coloring is no longer just for children and these Adult Coloring Book pages look like an amazing way to relax.

I don't have children, and I don't really have a reason to throw these kind of parties, but I thought these party themes based on Children's books were smashing.

When I settle into our new place in Alabama, I really want to make this magnetic make-up board. So cute.

I don't know whether I love these cheeseburgers made from eye shadow or am just disgusted by it. All I know is I would love to see a step by step process for this.

The history buff in me loves this article on the seven people who missed the titanic.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Friends & Cupcakes Always Go Together

I have made no secret that the hardest part of this whole move is leaving our California friends behind. I feel like this week has been me doing a friend farewell tour. Going to dinner with friends, meeting friends for drinks, and having lots and lots of games of Wii tennis. And every time I'm with my friends, my heart hurts just a little more (even though I know we are making the right choice). And then when I think about leaving Adam for two months, I could just about cry. No joke. But in a way these goodbyes have felt good, because I realize how blessed we are to have such great friends. 

Last week, we had dinner with a couple friend of ours. I meet the husband in therapy school, and we all quickly found out we had a lot in common. I wanted to bring something nice to their house, so I picked up a half dozen cupcakes from the frosted cupcakery here in Long Beach. Of course, when I got home I managed to drop the cupcakes, mangling them beyond all recognition, and then had to go back and buy 6 more (ugh, my clumsiness).

When I was buying my second round of cupcakes, I bought those two toppers pictured above. Only because my friend and I are both therapists, and we know that thinking someone is "rad" one second and "sucky" the next, is a classic symptom of borderline personality disorder. This made my therapy loving heart go pitter patter, and I think they liked it a lot too. Plus, they were delicious.

And I don't think there is any better way to say goodbye than with a round of cupcakes.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Great American Road Trip Mix


I do declare that the most important part of planning a road trip has nothing to do with maps or hotel reservations. Nope, it is all about the music. So instead of packing, I've been procrastinating by making one epic play list. I filled it with tons of danceable tunes and songs that my road trip mate and I loved in college. I also put in a good helping of country tunes, and a few melodramatic songs just to do some cheese ball singalongs too (Joni Mitchell, anyone). I'm already at over seven hours of music, and I just can't stop myself from adding more!  But then again....it is a long drive. 

But I just have to wonder, what songs would be on your road trip playlist?

1. Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me) by Blessid Union of Souls
2. When You Were Young by The Killer
3. Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye (ft. Kimbra)
4. The Girl's Gone Wild by Travis Tritt
5. Telephone by Lady Gaga & Beyonce
6. Stronger by Kanye West
7. F.U. Right Back by Frankee
8. I've Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash
9. Another Dumb Blonde by Hoku
10. Alone by Heart
11. RockStar by Nickelback
12. 4 Minutes by Madonna (ft. Justin Timberlake & Flo Rida)
13. Love the Way You Lie by Eminem (ft. Rihanna)
14. Bobbi with an I by Phil Vassar
15. Bulletproof by La Roux
16. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Deep Blue Something
17. I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry
18. Take it Off by Kesha
19. Young Money by Vita Chambers
20. Hey, Soul Sister by Train
21. Airplanes by B.o.B (ft. Hayley Williams)
22. Tik Tok by Keisha
23. Gunpowder & Lead by Miranda Lambert
24. Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C. Riley
25. Piece of Me by Britney Spears
26. Music is My Hot, Hot Sex by CSS
27. Pieces of Me by Ashlee Simpson
28. Like a Prayer by Madonna
29. Mama Mia by ABBA
30. Part of Me by Katy Perry
31. Don't Speak by No Doubt
32. Irreplaceable by Beyonce
33. Lips of an Angel by Hinder
34. London Bridge by Fergie
35. Pretty Girl Rock by Keri Hilson
36. Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms
37. Rehab by Amy Winehouse
38. So What by Pink
39. Baggage Claim by Miranda Lambert
40. ABC by The Jackson 5
41. Hot N Cold by Katy Perry
42. Buttons by The Pussycat Dolls
43. Umbrella by Rihanna
44. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
45. Forget You by Cee Lo Green
46. What I Got by Sublime
47. Case of the Ex by Mya
48. Your Love is My Drug by Kesha
49. Ants Marching by The Dave Matthews Band
50. Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) by The Looking Glass

51. River Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turner
52. Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell
53. Piano Man by Billy Joel
54. Beat It by Michael Jackson
55. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse
56. Meet Virginia by Train
57. Dirty by Christina Aguilera (ft. Redman)
58. Roam by The B-52's
59. Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
60. No One Needs to Know by Shania Twain
61. Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
62. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F) by Katy Perry
63. Summer Nights from The Grease Soundtrack
64. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
65. We Are Young by Fun. (ft. Janelle Monae)
66. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
67. Jumper by Third Eye Blind
68. She Wolf by Shakira
69. Paralyzer by Finger Eleven
70. Animal by Neon Trees
71. Mr. Know It All by Kelly Clarkson
72. Love Song by Sara Bareilles
73. Paris (Oh La La) by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
74. Great DJ by The Tings Tings
75. Amarillo Sky by Jason Aldean
76. Mary Jane's Last Dance by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
77. Someone to Call My Lover by Janet Jackson
78. Something There by Angela Lansbury (from The Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack)
79. Poker Face by Lady Gaga
80. Circus by Britney Spears
81. Cheater, Cheater by Joey & Rory
82. Nothing Wrong by LeeAnn Rimes
83. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
84. Party in the U.S.A by Miley Cyrus
85. Why Ya Wanna by Jana Kramer
86. That's Not My Name by The Ting Tings
87. Waking Up in Vegas by Katy Perry
88. Till I Collapse by Eminem & Nate Dog
89. All For You by Sister Hazel
90. Single Ladies by Beyonce
91. He Loves You Not by Dream
92. Tongue Tied by Grouplove
93. My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson
94. Best Days of Your Life by Kellie Pickler
95. Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That by Dolly Parton
96. Honey Bee by Blake Shelton
97. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
98. Words by Missing Persons
99. Don't Step Believein' by Journey
100. Peacock by Katy Perry
101. Labels or Love by Fergie
102. Raise Your Glass by P!nk
103. Grace Kelly by MIKA
104. The Remedy (I Won't Worry) by Jason Mraz
105. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend by Miranda Lambert
106. Accidentally in Love by Counting Crows
107. Melt With You by Modern English
108. Empire State of Mind by Jay Z (ft. Alicia Keys)
109. Fergalicious by Fergie
110. Dog Days Are Over by Florence & The Machine
111. Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson
112. Sydney (I'll Come Running) by Brett Dennen
113. Belle from The Beauty & The Beast Soundtrack
114. Dancing Queen by ABBA
115. Waterfalls by TLC

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

A Downtown Disney Date









It seems like Disney has been a theme in our life lately, Last weekend, we spent a few hours hanging out in Downtown Disney (which is a big outdoor shopping area). It was a beautiful and hot, hot day. We ate lunch at the Rain forest Cafe, which is the only place we are going to experience a thunderstorm while we are still in California! We went to Build-a-Bear and Adam surprised me with a little stuffed animal that I could take with me to Alabama for our long separation. Of course, when I opened the box, I found it was a Green Bay Packer's Bear. Surprise, Surprise, He named it, "Little A." I just wonder if that stands for, "Little Adam," or "Little Quarterback Aaron Rogers." At least, I will have someone to watch the Packer's games with me in the Fall.

We went to the Lego Store, and I marveled at the Larger than Life, Disney, Lego Figurines (my favorite was Beauty and the Beast, although that is always my favorite Disney anything). And I couldn't believe all the different types of sets you can buy and how expensive they can be! We saw one that was over $400 dollars.  Adam actually collects Lego sets, which I think is a really cool hobby. He really hasn't been building them in the last year because in our current home we have no room to display them. But in our new place in Alabama, I will find a special place for them all.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Homeward Bound


I've been wanting to announce this for a couple of months now, but I've been waiting to tell friends and family face to face, so they didn't find out from the blog. But now it is time! Adam and I have made the decision to move to my home town of Athens, Alabama! We've always known that California wouldn't be our forever home, but we originally hadn't planned to move for another year or so.

But after my graduation, we started to think that it didn't make a whole lot of sense for me to go out, get a job here, and then just have to up and leave it in a year. Why not start my career in Alabama instead, so I could grow with the company?  So that is the main reason we made the decision. Although it didn't hurt to know we would be closer to both of our families, everything is a million times cheaper in Alabama, and that we are more country folk than city folk.

We have enjoyed our time in California.  I will always look back at our first few years of marriage, when we lived in the tiniest spaces, and struggled to make ends meet, as really happy times. Living  in California has allowed us to do and see some amazing things, and we've meet some amazing people, who I know will be lifelong friends.  Friends that are making it just a little harder to leave.

I guess the most shocking news is that I am leaving in a week and a half! I will be pursuing job opportunities and Adam will be following me in September. I am trying not to focus on the few months we will be apart (because that is scary), and trying to focus instead on the road trip I'm about to embark on with one of my best friends and college roommate, Jana! Tombstone, Arizona! San Antonio, Texas! It will be epic.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

The Happiest Place on Earth












When Adam and I first started "flirting" or "talking" or "hanging out" (or whatever the kids are calling it now a days), he told me he hated all things Disney, and would never step foot in Disneyland or Disneyworld. This was shocking to a girl like me who spent summers pretending to be Aerial in the pool, singing A Whole New World with my kindergarten crush on the swing set, and dreaming of marrying the Beast (pre-human transformation, he was so much hotter that way).

So it is a testament to Adam's love for our nieces that he went to Disneyland last year with us three girls last summer. But against his better judgment, he loved Disneyland (although he was pained to admit it).  I think this mostly has to do with the Star Tours ride (which I think we've ridden 15+ times now, so fun).  So Adam and I have been trying to get back to Disneyland for months. Literally.

We bought a pair of tickets back in January, and every time we planned to go, something bad would happen the night before. The worst of which was the accident I had, where I cracked open my head. I remember lying on a bed in the ER, having my head stitched up, and turning to Adam and crying, "But I really wanted to go to Disneyland tomorrow." We vaguely began to wonder why the Disneyland Gods hated us so. In fact, when we finally went to Disneyland a few weeks ago, Adam was so paranoid, he only told me we were going to Disneyland the night before!

On this trip, we got to ride a whole bunch of rides that we didn't the first time. In fact, I think we've ridden them all now! Our favorites are Star Tours (duh), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and The Pirates of the Caribbean. And I love It's a Small World, but it freaks Adam out.  But Splash Mountain was something else. And the picture of us riding Splash Mountain, revealed to the world, that I was honestly convinced we were going to die on that fake mountain. I swear I looked more terrified than the 5 year olds.

After surviving Splash Mountain (by the skin of our teeth, I feel), I talked Adam into riding the Winnie the Pooh attraction. Partly because I just found it hilarious to make him ride in a beehive. The ride included Pooh shoving fistfuls of honey into his mouth from atop of a psychedelic colored mountain. And when we saw that scene, Adam turned to me in horror and said, "Is this Pooh's descent into Madness?!?!" And I laughed and laughed at that. When the ride was finished, the attendant said to us, "Welcome back my little honey bees, now make a beeline for the exit." Between the attendant’s words and the look of astonishment and loss of dignity on Adam's face, I lost it. I was laughing so hard, I had to sit down.

Best Moment at Disneyland ever.