I know I haven't been around lately.
It's because of this...
Happy Summer!
Showing posts with label San Diego Things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Diego Things. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2015
Thursday, May 1, 2014
An Open Letter to My Alma Mater *****Edited
Dear Point Loma Nazarene University,
In the last few moments, your budget cuts, previously unknown to me, have been brought to my attention and now permeate my thoughts. A simple Facebook message read, "PLNU Theatre grads. It's official. They are phasing out our major. We will no longer exist."
A lot of life has happened in these many years since I sat, boiling in black cap and gown, waiting to receive my degree on an uncharacteristically hot day in May eleven years ago. I don't agree with all the choices you've made, but I will continue to validate my experience because I believe, down to my very core, that I am who I am today--in large part--because of the four years I spent on your campus.
In those incredibly formative years, I gained significant head knowledge but, more than that, I learned about life. Those seemingly never ending years are now a mere spot on the radar of my past but, in them, I learned who it was that I wanted to be. As a result, I find myself passionately defensive of my education. I learned. I learned that my professors were right. They were wrong. And sometimes they were neither right nor wrong because it was often a matter of opinion. I learned discernment, when to keep my mouth shut and when to speak up. I learned how to live and grow and educate myself without my incredible parents by my side day in and day out. I learned about God. I studied His word. I took significant steps toward being the believer that I wanted to be. I will be ever thankful for all that Point Loma Nazarene University is to me.
It is because of all that that I grieve the decision you have made to phase out my major. I am deeply saddened by the information reported on your website. The truth of the matter is, I'm not using my theatre degree in the way it was intended. I'm not employed as an actor, director, or stage manager. I don't even work in a box office. I don't regularly consider the Laban Theory of Movement or implement professional make-up techniques on a daily basis. So if you're basing your decision on how many graduates are using their degrees for employment, I urge you not to look in my direction.
But I am using my theatre degree. I use it every single day in a vast array of areas.
I graduated from PLNU in May of 2003 and married my husband three months later. He was and still is a pastor. Having spent the past ten years as a pastor's wife, I have had countless opportunities to be front and center, including the many times I have shared from God's word at conferences and retreats. This skill was fine tuned through the art of being in front of people on stage in productions as well as through classes such as Acting I and II and Movement I and II. I taught drama in the Ramona Unified School District. At that time, I was using my degree for employment (using the knowledge I gained from classes including, but not limited to, Directing, Theatre History, and Stagecraft Techniques). I also used my acting training to effectively and comfortably communicate in the classroom. I now work as a substitute teacher, using my degree in much the same way. With substitute teaching comes the addition of applying my improvisational skills to interact in a variety of different classroom situations and disciplines as well as with students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
While not lucrative, I use the knowledge I gained under Paul Bassett at Point Loma's Salomon Theatre to write and direct church plays and participate in Vacation Bible School ministries. We do not always use our degrees for monetary gain. Sometimes, the Lord calls us to an area of study so that it will later benefit us in volunteer ministry.
From 2001-2003, I served as Salomon Theatre's Production Manager. This, along with stage managing, equipped me for a variety of different opportunities. I now plan conferences and retreats for our church. The theatrical managing disciplines taught me how to take an idea and turn it into an event by being mindful of each and every detail.
Truly, I cannot begin to tell you how often I use the knowledge I gained through the Theatre Department at Point Loma.
For so many of us, theatre is not just a hobby or a way to pass the time. I am deeply saddened that future students will not be able to experience the same education I did. To attend PLNU, gain a Christian education, and study theatre, was a dream come true. By making the decision to cut the major, you are choosing to send young students to secular drama programs when they would have preferred to study at a school that might have helped to reinforce their beliefs and values.Your website is quick to state that a theatre minor will still be offered and that PLNU will continue to stage plays. I trust that you understand what a terrible consolation prize that is. In a world that is so quick to cut the arts, areas in which humanity communicates its God-given condition, I would have expected more from a Christian institution.
As a side note, I am deeply concerned about the university's choice to phase out the Philosophy/Theology department. As my heart is bound to the theatre department, I am much more personally invested in your decision to cut it, but it confuses me that a religious school would do away with its theology department.
My heart is forever tied to the incredible education and experience that I received at your institution. I learned volumes about life...and about theatre. I made deep and continuing friendships. I made memories that will last a lifetime. I love Point Loma Nazarene University.
I love the theatre department. I am devastated that you have chosen to eliminate it. Truly, I wish that another choice could have been made.
***Edited to Add
A PLNU professor brought the following to my attention: The Phil/Theo decision affects only one small major within the School of Theology. The courses will be reorganized into major programs more appropriate to current student interests.
In the last few moments, your budget cuts, previously unknown to me, have been brought to my attention and now permeate my thoughts. A simple Facebook message read, "PLNU Theatre grads. It's official. They are phasing out our major. We will no longer exist."
A lot of life has happened in these many years since I sat, boiling in black cap and gown, waiting to receive my degree on an uncharacteristically hot day in May eleven years ago. I don't agree with all the choices you've made, but I will continue to validate my experience because I believe, down to my very core, that I am who I am today--in large part--because of the four years I spent on your campus.
In those incredibly formative years, I gained significant head knowledge but, more than that, I learned about life. Those seemingly never ending years are now a mere spot on the radar of my past but, in them, I learned who it was that I wanted to be. As a result, I find myself passionately defensive of my education. I learned. I learned that my professors were right. They were wrong. And sometimes they were neither right nor wrong because it was often a matter of opinion. I learned discernment, when to keep my mouth shut and when to speak up. I learned how to live and grow and educate myself without my incredible parents by my side day in and day out. I learned about God. I studied His word. I took significant steps toward being the believer that I wanted to be. I will be ever thankful for all that Point Loma Nazarene University is to me.
It is because of all that that I grieve the decision you have made to phase out my major. I am deeply saddened by the information reported on your website. The truth of the matter is, I'm not using my theatre degree in the way it was intended. I'm not employed as an actor, director, or stage manager. I don't even work in a box office. I don't regularly consider the Laban Theory of Movement or implement professional make-up techniques on a daily basis. So if you're basing your decision on how many graduates are using their degrees for employment, I urge you not to look in my direction.
But I am using my theatre degree. I use it every single day in a vast array of areas.
I graduated from PLNU in May of 2003 and married my husband three months later. He was and still is a pastor. Having spent the past ten years as a pastor's wife, I have had countless opportunities to be front and center, including the many times I have shared from God's word at conferences and retreats. This skill was fine tuned through the art of being in front of people on stage in productions as well as through classes such as Acting I and II and Movement I and II. I taught drama in the Ramona Unified School District. At that time, I was using my degree for employment (using the knowledge I gained from classes including, but not limited to, Directing, Theatre History, and Stagecraft Techniques). I also used my acting training to effectively and comfortably communicate in the classroom. I now work as a substitute teacher, using my degree in much the same way. With substitute teaching comes the addition of applying my improvisational skills to interact in a variety of different classroom situations and disciplines as well as with students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
While not lucrative, I use the knowledge I gained under Paul Bassett at Point Loma's Salomon Theatre to write and direct church plays and participate in Vacation Bible School ministries. We do not always use our degrees for monetary gain. Sometimes, the Lord calls us to an area of study so that it will later benefit us in volunteer ministry.
From 2001-2003, I served as Salomon Theatre's Production Manager. This, along with stage managing, equipped me for a variety of different opportunities. I now plan conferences and retreats for our church. The theatrical managing disciplines taught me how to take an idea and turn it into an event by being mindful of each and every detail.
Truly, I cannot begin to tell you how often I use the knowledge I gained through the Theatre Department at Point Loma.
For so many of us, theatre is not just a hobby or a way to pass the time. I am deeply saddened that future students will not be able to experience the same education I did. To attend PLNU, gain a Christian education, and study theatre, was a dream come true. By making the decision to cut the major, you are choosing to send young students to secular drama programs when they would have preferred to study at a school that might have helped to reinforce their beliefs and values.Your website is quick to state that a theatre minor will still be offered and that PLNU will continue to stage plays. I trust that you understand what a terrible consolation prize that is. In a world that is so quick to cut the arts, areas in which humanity communicates its God-given condition, I would have expected more from a Christian institution.
As a side note, I am deeply concerned about the university's choice to phase out the Philosophy/Theology department. As my heart is bound to the theatre department, I am much more personally invested in your decision to cut it, but it confuses me that a religious school would do away with its theology department.
My heart is forever tied to the incredible education and experience that I received at your institution. I learned volumes about life...and about theatre. I made deep and continuing friendships. I made memories that will last a lifetime. I love Point Loma Nazarene University.
I love the theatre department. I am devastated that you have chosen to eliminate it. Truly, I wish that another choice could have been made.
***Edited to Add
A PLNU professor brought the following to my attention: The Phil/Theo decision affects only one small major within the School of Theology. The courses will be reorganized into major programs more appropriate to current student interests.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
(Un)Afraid
This morning I was back at my church for the first time in three weeks. It was a great vacation full of relaxation, sun, sand and surf. I missed all the faces that I got to see this morning and I just wish I could bundle up everyone I've ever loved and put them all together in one great big church.
On the coast.
Maybe in Hawaii.
So many people asked me if we had a good time, several told me that I'm tan, and one said, "So, I think maybe I saw a picture on Facebook of one of your kids surfing." He was teasing, of course, because there are dozens of pictures on Facebook of my children surfing.
Just like there are dozens of pictures here that reflect the fact that yes, indeed, my kids surfed.
Do you want to see one more?
No? Too bad.
My mom took the picture. I cropped it and made it black and white. I love it.
My dad got stung by a ray on Thursday.
Apparently it hurts. Like a lot. My HWSNBNAKAEF* was stung by a ray while we were dating. I wasn't there but he said it was horrific pain. He had a flair for the dramatic so I thought he was exaggerating. I was wrong. Come to find out, there are women who would rather give birth than experience the barb of a ray piercing into their body, releasing an excruciating protein venom. It made my kids afraid to get back in the water. It made me reluctant as well. We knew a sting would beach them forever so we weren't too keen on putting them in a situation where it could happen.
But we were leaving Friday morning and we didn't want their last experience to be one of fear. So Troy took them both out again. I prayed fervently for the protection of all three boys while they were out. Matthew and Garrett both surfed. Every time Garrett fell off his board he jumped back on with such speed you would have thought the ocean was made of boiling acid. Later in the afternoon, my dad went back in with them. (Again, I continued to pray that the rays would stay away.) They surfed some more, with Garrett still acting as though the water was pure poison, but seeming to enjoy himself while he was standing on his board.
Then I went in.
Notice how I kept my feet up? You know, just in case any rays were lurking around there just waiting to sting them. (Not really--I know they don't around at the surface.)
I read that every year in the United States there are approximately 1500 people stung by rays. That's a lot of people. One of the lifeguards had been stung a couple times, another guy told my dad that he'd been stung twice, the man sitting next to us on the beach had been stung before. We talked to Garrett about the fact that if he is ever stung, it will hurt a whole heck of a lot but that it might not be worth giving up surfing forever. We talked about fear and not living our lives wondering about all the bad things that could happen if we take appropriate risks.
As we drove back to Salt Lake on Friday, the backseat was fairly quiet as Garrett drew and Matthew played. Then, Garrett whispered through the silence, "I just can't stay out of the water." He's scared of being stung, yes. But he loves the ocean. He loves to surf. And he doesn't want to live his life afraid.
We got home to find this video from surf camp.
Walking on Water Surf Camp 2013 from WalkingOnWater on Vimeo.
The song is called "Believer" by Audio Adrenaline. It starts off like this...
I want to live this life unsafe, unsure, but not afraid
What I want is to give all I got somehow
Giving up letting go of control right now
'Cause I'm already out here, blind but I can see
I see the way You're moving
God how I believe thatI can push back the mountains, can stand on the waves
I can see through the darkness, I'll hold up the flame
Take me to the ocean I want to go deeper
I'm not afraid no, I'm a believer
And so I lose this life to find my way and come alive
They can try to deny what's inside of me
But there is more, can't ignore all the things unseen
Oh I believe I can walk on water with You, Lord
*He Who Shall Not Be Named Also Known As Ex Fiance
On the coast.
Maybe in Hawaii.
So many people asked me if we had a good time, several told me that I'm tan, and one said, "So, I think maybe I saw a picture on Facebook of one of your kids surfing." He was teasing, of course, because there are dozens of pictures on Facebook of my children surfing.
Just like there are dozens of pictures here that reflect the fact that yes, indeed, my kids surfed.
Do you want to see one more?
No? Too bad.
My mom took the picture. I cropped it and made it black and white. I love it.
My dad got stung by a ray on Thursday.
Apparently it hurts. Like a lot. My HWSNBNAKAEF* was stung by a ray while we were dating. I wasn't there but he said it was horrific pain. He had a flair for the dramatic so I thought he was exaggerating. I was wrong. Come to find out, there are women who would rather give birth than experience the barb of a ray piercing into their body, releasing an excruciating protein venom. It made my kids afraid to get back in the water. It made me reluctant as well. We knew a sting would beach them forever so we weren't too keen on putting them in a situation where it could happen.
But we were leaving Friday morning and we didn't want their last experience to be one of fear. So Troy took them both out again. I prayed fervently for the protection of all three boys while they were out. Matthew and Garrett both surfed. Every time Garrett fell off his board he jumped back on with such speed you would have thought the ocean was made of boiling acid. Later in the afternoon, my dad went back in with them. (Again, I continued to pray that the rays would stay away.) They surfed some more, with Garrett still acting as though the water was pure poison, but seeming to enjoy himself while he was standing on his board.
Then I went in.
Notice how I kept my feet up? You know, just in case any rays were lurking around there just waiting to sting them. (Not really--I know they don't around at the surface.)
I read that every year in the United States there are approximately 1500 people stung by rays. That's a lot of people. One of the lifeguards had been stung a couple times, another guy told my dad that he'd been stung twice, the man sitting next to us on the beach had been stung before. We talked to Garrett about the fact that if he is ever stung, it will hurt a whole heck of a lot but that it might not be worth giving up surfing forever. We talked about fear and not living our lives wondering about all the bad things that could happen if we take appropriate risks.
As we drove back to Salt Lake on Friday, the backseat was fairly quiet as Garrett drew and Matthew played. Then, Garrett whispered through the silence, "I just can't stay out of the water." He's scared of being stung, yes. But he loves the ocean. He loves to surf. And he doesn't want to live his life afraid.
We got home to find this video from surf camp.
Walking on Water Surf Camp 2013 from WalkingOnWater on Vimeo.
The song is called "Believer" by Audio Adrenaline. It starts off like this...
I want to live this life unsafe, unsure, but not afraid
What I want is to give all I got somehow
Giving up letting go of control right now
'Cause I'm already out here, blind but I can see
I see the way You're moving
God how I believe thatI can push back the mountains, can stand on the waves
I can see through the darkness, I'll hold up the flame
Take me to the ocean I want to go deeper
I'm not afraid no, I'm a believer
And so I lose this life to find my way and come alive
They can try to deny what's inside of me
But there is more, can't ignore all the things unseen
Oh I believe I can walk on water with You, Lord
*He Who Shall Not Be Named Also Known As Ex Fiance
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Lovin' It
I heart San Diego.
In summer, especially.
So far there has been...
beach, sand, surf and Mexican food.
Also,
pedicures, shopping, and more Mexican food with Mom.
And sun.
And four different pools.
Still to come...
My Chargers and his Seahawks.
The Old Globe.
Seafood.
Camping on the beach.
And more Mexican food.
Proving that you can take the girl out of San Diego--but it will still be her favorite city.
In summer, especially.
So far there has been...
beach, sand, surf and Mexican food.
Also,
pedicures, shopping, and more Mexican food with Mom.
And sun.
And four different pools.
Still to come...
My Chargers and his Seahawks.
The Old Globe.
Seafood.
Camping on the beach.
And more Mexican food.
Proving that you can take the girl out of San Diego--but it will still be her favorite city.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Surf Camp Shots
Here's what we've been up to during the last two days.
First, we came all the way to San Diego to see the official Utah state bird. Who knew they were actually supposed to live on the coast?
Me. I knew. That's who. Stupid Utah seagulls. This one, at least, has some sense and lives at the Pacific.
Yesterday, Garrett caught some waves.
And today he caught some waves.
I like how his hair isn't even wet because, well, he hadn't fallen in. He just rode the waves to the shore and then took his board back out. Today he rode a shorter board--five or six feet. Go Garrett!
Matthew had a blast playing on the sand and doing this with his daddy.
As for me...well...I've just been shooting the breeze with professional surfer, film producer, Walking on Water founder and fellow PLNU alum Bryan Jennings.
Okay so I wasn't actually shooting the breeze. I was just trying to get my kid's attention. Garrett started off yesterday by standing funny on his board and falling over on every single wave. I went down to give him a quick pointer. Then Bryan told me I was a great coach and knew exactly what I was talking about. I decided not to mention the fact that my surfing ability is limited to two minuscule waves in Hawaii last summer.
If my hoodie at the end of July doesn't give away the fact that I'm not actually a surfer, I'm pretty sure the pasty white legs do.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Vacation
I have two and a half days to prepare to go to San Diego for three weeks. Here's to hoping I don't forget anything terribly important. Here's to knowing that I'm sure I will.
First week--Garrett's surf camp.
Second week--Hanging out for the first part of the week. Celebrating my 10th anniversary for three days.
Third week--Beach camping.
Troy will be there for the first several days and then he'll be back for the last eight days.
I'd say more but I just remembered not to forget my cameras.
Or my toothbrush.
Or sunscreen.
First week--Garrett's surf camp.
Second week--Hanging out for the first part of the week. Celebrating my 10th anniversary for three days.
Third week--Beach camping.
Troy will be there for the first several days and then he'll be back for the last eight days.
I'd say more but I just remembered not to forget my cameras.
Or my toothbrush.
Or sunscreen.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Weather
It's freezing.
And snowing.
And gray.
I hate Utah's spring.
It is, by far, my least favorite season here which is saying a lot because WINTER! The LONG winter. Every year, it seems.
But at least I'm prepared to freeze from November until March. Spring gets me every time with its 65 degrees followed by 20. Don't get me wrong, I love those 65 degree days much more than I love Utah winter but I hate those 20 degree, snowy spring days much more than I hate Utah winter.
When it comes to weather, I am happy from May through October.
I'm a weather snob.
But aren't we all?
Doesn't everyone hate humidity or cold or dry heat or snow or wind or something?
I spent the first 26 years of my life in San Diego and can I just state, for the record, in case you've never been there, PERFECT WEATHER ABOUT 10 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. (If you hate the heat which comes in July and August. Perfect weather 12 months out of the year if you don't mind the summer. Which I don't.)
At this very moment, at 10:33 am in Salt Lake, it is 29. At this very moment, at 9:33 am in San Diego, it is 59.
I am ready for flip flops and tank tops and shorts and swimming outside. Utah is, apparently, ready for more sledding and snowmen.
We have fundamental differences, Utah and I.
And snowing.
And gray.
I hate Utah's spring.
It is, by far, my least favorite season here which is saying a lot because WINTER! The LONG winter. Every year, it seems.
But at least I'm prepared to freeze from November until March. Spring gets me every time with its 65 degrees followed by 20. Don't get me wrong, I love those 65 degree days much more than I love Utah winter but I hate those 20 degree, snowy spring days much more than I hate Utah winter.
When it comes to weather, I am happy from May through October.
I'm a weather snob.
But aren't we all?
Doesn't everyone hate humidity or cold or dry heat or snow or wind or something?
I spent the first 26 years of my life in San Diego and can I just state, for the record, in case you've never been there, PERFECT WEATHER ABOUT 10 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. (If you hate the heat which comes in July and August. Perfect weather 12 months out of the year if you don't mind the summer. Which I don't.)
At this very moment, at 10:33 am in Salt Lake, it is 29. At this very moment, at 9:33 am in San Diego, it is 59.
I am ready for flip flops and tank tops and shorts and swimming outside. Utah is, apparently, ready for more sledding and snowmen.
We have fundamental differences, Utah and I.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
CA Times
There's been shopping and visiting and eating Pat & Oscar's breadsticks. We've been to Point Loma to see professors, including but not limited to my friend and roommate from college who decided to get a doctorate and then get hired by our alma mater. We've seen all my grandparents, all my aunts and uncles, and all my cousins. We've seen my nieces and nephew and their parents. The sun has shined. I've visited with friends. California is, perhaps, the best way to end a summer. On Friday we leave to go camping for the weekend and on Monday we'll leave from the campground to return home.
I'll have to write about picking my cousin up from the high school and watching as The Rock Star soaked in what it was like to, "be inside high school." I'll have to write about the waves of nostalgia I feel when I step foot onto 3900 Lomaland Drive and see the ghosts of my friends' faces in the nameless crowds of eager freshman just starting their collegiate careers. I'll have to write about how my parents 12-year-old golden retriever just wandered down the hall to find me and how I wonder how many wanders she has left. But for now the time has come to get my toddler up from his nap. The time has come to savor his sleepy little body as he folds it into my own. When I visit people and places it seems that time stands still. I am catapulted back to high school, or college, or another time in another place. But when he sighs a breath of contentment on my chest as sleep paves way to energy and life, I am, simply, mama.
And as much as a long for a day spent in a time when I was young and I didn't ever have to leave California, mama is who I was always meant to be. Mama is where my heart is.
Except earlier today when I wasn't sure which son would kill the other first and I stood in between trying to be the parent. Yeah. Except that.
I'll have to write about picking my cousin up from the high school and watching as The Rock Star soaked in what it was like to, "be inside high school." I'll have to write about the waves of nostalgia I feel when I step foot onto 3900 Lomaland Drive and see the ghosts of my friends' faces in the nameless crowds of eager freshman just starting their collegiate careers. I'll have to write about how my parents 12-year-old golden retriever just wandered down the hall to find me and how I wonder how many wanders she has left. But for now the time has come to get my toddler up from his nap. The time has come to savor his sleepy little body as he folds it into my own. When I visit people and places it seems that time stands still. I am catapulted back to high school, or college, or another time in another place. But when he sighs a breath of contentment on my chest as sleep paves way to energy and life, I am, simply, mama.
And as much as a long for a day spent in a time when I was young and I didn't ever have to leave California, mama is who I was always meant to be. Mama is where my heart is.
Except earlier today when I wasn't sure which son would kill the other first and I stood in between trying to be the parent. Yeah. Except that.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Day One
San Diego: Day One & Two
I managed to get all my junk and all my kids onto the flight. The Husband got a pass to go through with me and we decided to take the "Expert Traveler" route. I'm sure there were more than a few raised eyebrows but, between the two of us, we were able to fly through the security check faster, even, than some of the single travelers around us. So, uh, take that, eyebrow raisers. I was also able to move to the back of the plane and take the car seat on. This made life exponentially easier than it would have been if I'd been wrangling a kid who is threatening to hit the eighteen month mark.
My mom drove up to Long Beach and picked us up at the airport. Have you ever been to the Long Beach airport? It was like flying in to somewhere small. Somewhere tropical. Somewhere small and tropical. Like Kauai. Or The Bahamas. Or a lesser known airstrip in El Salvador. We got off the plane outside, walked through a teensy little room, and walked back outside. That's where the luggage was. Underneath a metal roof. In 108 degree heat. That somehow felt very humid. So again with thinking I'd ended up in El Salvador.
Anyway.
We stopped at a McDonald's on the way home and I got to meet a fellow blogger who lives in Colorado but is visiting her family in San Diego. Or, well, she was visiting but now she's just waiting for her broken car to get fixed. It's a long story. She was so sweet and if we'd known each other while we were attending the same college, at the same time, we'd probably have been good friends. Except I was a lot more dramatic then so it's really anybody's guess. Matthew hadn't had a nap so he was a real peach but other than that the visit was great. I've got pictures to prove it happened but for the time being they are stuck on my camera.
Today we spent the day at my sister-in-law's house. I came home to put the boy down for a nap and The Rock Star is still enjoying time with his California Cousins. He has four of them. He knows Kian's name because he's the only boy. When I asked him who had gotten him a water bottle he paused and then finally whispered, "One of the girls." Apparently we need to quiz him on their names a little more frequently. He's having a blast and I know there will be tears when I go retrieve him in a few minutes. After all, he's been carting around dead lizards all day. They're dead because my sister-in-law's golden retrievers like to tote them in their mouths. They're being carried around by Garrett because he thinks they are, "just sleeping." Terrific.
It's hot here. But it's home. And I love it.
I managed to get all my junk and all my kids onto the flight. The Husband got a pass to go through with me and we decided to take the "Expert Traveler" route. I'm sure there were more than a few raised eyebrows but, between the two of us, we were able to fly through the security check faster, even, than some of the single travelers around us. So, uh, take that, eyebrow raisers. I was also able to move to the back of the plane and take the car seat on. This made life exponentially easier than it would have been if I'd been wrangling a kid who is threatening to hit the eighteen month mark.
My mom drove up to Long Beach and picked us up at the airport. Have you ever been to the Long Beach airport? It was like flying in to somewhere small. Somewhere tropical. Somewhere small and tropical. Like Kauai. Or The Bahamas. Or a lesser known airstrip in El Salvador. We got off the plane outside, walked through a teensy little room, and walked back outside. That's where the luggage was. Underneath a metal roof. In 108 degree heat. That somehow felt very humid. So again with thinking I'd ended up in El Salvador.
Anyway.
We stopped at a McDonald's on the way home and I got to meet a fellow blogger who lives in Colorado but is visiting her family in San Diego. Or, well, she was visiting but now she's just waiting for her broken car to get fixed. It's a long story. She was so sweet and if we'd known each other while we were attending the same college, at the same time, we'd probably have been good friends. Except I was a lot more dramatic then so it's really anybody's guess. Matthew hadn't had a nap so he was a real peach but other than that the visit was great. I've got pictures to prove it happened but for the time being they are stuck on my camera.
Today we spent the day at my sister-in-law's house. I came home to put the boy down for a nap and The Rock Star is still enjoying time with his California Cousins. He has four of them. He knows Kian's name because he's the only boy. When I asked him who had gotten him a water bottle he paused and then finally whispered, "One of the girls." Apparently we need to quiz him on their names a little more frequently. He's having a blast and I know there will be tears when I go retrieve him in a few minutes. After all, he's been carting around dead lizards all day. They're dead because my sister-in-law's golden retrievers like to tote them in their mouths. They're being carried around by Garrett because he thinks they are, "just sleeping." Terrific.
It's hot here. But it's home. And I love it.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
It'll Be 3 Days In Paradise
We're taking off this afternoon for a whirlwind trip to San Diego. The plan is for us to spend the night with my great aunt and uncle in Hurricane, Utah. Tomorrow morning we will finish the trip to San Diego. We'll be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then make the same stop on the way home, arriving back here next Tuesday.
Then we'll have a very busy two weeks of well kid check ups and the start of preschool and a bunch of meetings. Then we'll fly back to San Diego. The kids and me will be there for two weeks as we partake in wedding festivities and then as I attempt to not make a fool out of myself as I speak at the women's retreat.
But this trip...this trip is for my reunion. The only other official business we have is that Troy and I bought nose bleed seats to see Wicked. Yes, I've seen it twice already. Yes, I pretty much adore it and haven't grown tired of it at all. Yes, I know, we can't justify even nose bleed seats to the theatre except that the tickets are my birthday present.
I may be a bit quiet for the next week but I promise to return and regale you with stories of my reunion. Names will be changed to protect any cheerleaders who show up in their high school uniform, people who've come into money and choose to spend it getting sloshed at the bar, or any individuals who still party with each other on Friday nights and then have hangovers all weekend before returning to work on Monday morning at the handbag kiosk inside of North County Fair*.
I'm looking forward to it. I'm just sort of excited to see what some of my classmates have been up to over the past ten years. Maybe some of them live really exotic lifestyles that don't include systematically working their way through the Disney archives.
See you next week.
*I was going for comedic effect. Truly. I would never judge someone for working at a handbag kiosk. I don't even work. I sit on my derriere all day long eating ice cream and updating my blog. Sure, I have kids but they generally raise themselves. I just put an open box of cereal on the table and stock the fridge with cans of Red Bull and let them fend for themselves.
Then we'll have a very busy two weeks of well kid check ups and the start of preschool and a bunch of meetings. Then we'll fly back to San Diego. The kids and me will be there for two weeks as we partake in wedding festivities and then as I attempt to not make a fool out of myself as I speak at the women's retreat.
But this trip...this trip is for my reunion. The only other official business we have is that Troy and I bought nose bleed seats to see Wicked. Yes, I've seen it twice already. Yes, I pretty much adore it and haven't grown tired of it at all. Yes, I know, we can't justify even nose bleed seats to the theatre except that the tickets are my birthday present.
I may be a bit quiet for the next week but I promise to return and regale you with stories of my reunion. Names will be changed to protect any cheerleaders who show up in their high school uniform, people who've come into money and choose to spend it getting sloshed at the bar, or any individuals who still party with each other on Friday nights and then have hangovers all weekend before returning to work on Monday morning at the handbag kiosk inside of North County Fair*.
I'm looking forward to it. I'm just sort of excited to see what some of my classmates have been up to over the past ten years. Maybe some of them live really exotic lifestyles that don't include systematically working their way through the Disney archives.
See you next week.
*I was going for comedic effect. Truly. I would never judge someone for working at a handbag kiosk. I don't even work. I sit on my derriere all day long eating ice cream and updating my blog. Sure, I have kids but they generally raise themselves. I just put an open box of cereal on the table and stock the fridge with cans of Red Bull and let them fend for themselves.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Vacation All I Ever Wanted
I apologize for my severe lack of blogging but aside from all the fun I was having, my son slept in the room with the computer. Generally the only time I write is when my little man is napping so this posed a logistical problem for keeping my six readers up to date on the happenings of our lives.
Yes that is my full grown male golden retriever.
Garrett's party was in the evening on Sunday the 20th and we celebrated at Ramona Oaks Park with hot dogs, watermelon, potato salad, chips, plums (because my parents tree is producing hoards of them) and cake. We had about fifty friends and family members there including some of Garrett's little friends from our church in Ramona.
My son is wearing a complete cheeseball grin in this picture. I have no idea where he gets his goofy personality. I mean, neither of his parents are goofy. Right? This is taken at 7:30 pm exactly two years after Garrett was born. Of course, I think I look a touch better than I did two years ago. I still believe that I was every bit as much of a mother two months before he was born as I am now because I would have done anything for that fetus. But what I didn't know was the capacity of my own heart. I never knew I could love a child this much. My husband says, "I love him so much it sometimes hurts." I am acutely aware of that feeling. For some reason, at 7:30, I wanted the whole world to disappear for one minute. I wanted to hug him tighter, love him longer, thank him for being born and praise God once again for giving him to me.
Let me just start off by saying, "Gadzuccs!" Before Troy flew out to San Diego on Monday to meet us, I had him pick all the zucchinis. He was instructed to leave only minuscule ones. When he arrived he assured me that he'd only left the ones that were smaller than his fingers. Imagine my gardening surprise when we arrived home last night and found four baseball bats masquerading as zucchinis. A picture, just for perspective.
Yes that is my full grown male golden retriever.We had an amazing time in San Diego. Garrett and I were there for eleven days (Troy for seven) and in that amount of time we went to the Wild Animal Park, Sea World, Disneyland, the beach, the pool, a wedding, and the park where we celebrated my 6 pound, ten ounce newborn baby's second birthday party. I haven't sifted through all the pictures yet but the sheer volume is a testimony to the fun we had.
Garrett learned several new words while we were there including, but certainly not limited to, turtle, moon and Ruh-Ruh (my parents dog's nickname. He now refers to our dog as the same even though his name is Beck. I also asked him if he wanted a corn dog for lunch and, when the microwave dinged announcing its readiness, he emphatically shrieked, "Ruh-Ruh!").
On Friday we went to the beach and I was able to see my friend, Marissa. On Saturday evening we went to the Wild Animal Park. I have pictures but they are on discs and I haven't looked at them yet. Sunday night my brother and my grandparents came up for dinner. On Tuesday we went to Sea World.
We had a great time and Aunt Heather was able to take us back to see a newborn dolphin and a tiny baby sea lion. I'm a nut for dolphins but it was actually the sea lion that I wanted to take home with me. What? I have a big bathtub and a kiddie pool. Garrett rode two of the new rides in Captain Kid's World, I mean Shamu's Happy Harbor, I mean Bay of Play. Whatever, it will always be Captain Kid's to me. He saw Pets Rule along with the sea stars, manatees, penguins, flamingos, and bat rays which he referred to as turtles.
On Wednesday I had an appointment and we had a down day with a long nap for Garrett and a visit from my brother. Thursday morning we headed to Disneyland!
Here's Garrett and my parents on what might have been his most favorite of rides, Autopia. Troy and I were behind the three of them but we could hear our boy cackling for most of the ride. We were there for two days and had a park hopper. We took him on all sorts of rides including Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, the Ferris Wheel, the carousel, the rides in Bug's Land, Finding Nemo and The Matterhorn. You have to be 35 inches to ride the Matterhorn (which is ridiculous because all the other thrill rides are at least 40 inches) and I was just dying to take him on it. He's about 34.9 inches long but he never stands up perfectly straight. We took him on it at night and they never questioned whether he was tall enough. He sat on my lap and I pulled his seat belt tight and put my legs in between his. Then I pretty much vice gripped him with my right arm and held his head with my left hand. This meant that I slid and banged around for the duration of the ride, but Garrett was safe. I would have guessed that he would either sob the entire way or laugh hysterically. He did neither. He simply looked around as though he was thoroughly unimpressed. It was quite humorous. We waited for about an hour for Nemo and about an hour for the Toy Story ride in California Adventure. Other than that we waited an average of ten minutes for the other rides. It was crowded but the lines weren't bad. Of course it's better to go in the winter but all I have to say to everyone who "warned" me not to go in the summer is, "HA!" We all had a blast.
On Saturday Troy took Garrett to his sister's house (well, it's actually our house but she lives in it. Again, anyone want a house in Ramona?) to play with his cousins and aunts and grandparents while my mom and I went to get all the food for Garrett's party. That night Garrett went to the park with all four of his grandparents and had a picnic and played while Troy and I went to my friend's wedding.
I met Jayni when I was seven years old. I don't remember the circumstances of our meeting but I am ever so glad we did. She is one of just a few friends that I have had for so long. She was there when Troy and I tied the knot almost five years ago and I am so thankful that her wedding happened to be the same week that we were in San Diego--although I would have been there regardless. Jayni is so beautiful inside and out and I wish her and her new husband all the happiness in the world.
(I kind of think this picture yells, "Hey, prospective birth mother, pick us! We're happy and smiley and we promise to throw your kid birthday parties!")
My son is wearing a complete cheeseball grin in this picture. I have no idea where he gets his goofy personality. I mean, neither of his parents are goofy. Right? This is taken at 7:30 pm exactly two years after Garrett was born. Of course, I think I look a touch better than I did two years ago. I still believe that I was every bit as much of a mother two months before he was born as I am now because I would have done anything for that fetus. But what I didn't know was the capacity of my own heart. I never knew I could love a child this much. My husband says, "I love him so much it sometimes hurts." I am acutely aware of that feeling. For some reason, at 7:30, I wanted the whole world to disappear for one minute. I wanted to hug him tighter, love him longer, thank him for being born and praise God once again for giving him to me.Then we went home and he promptly ran into a coffee table leg with his head. There was an instant purple egg the size of a walnut sticking out of his forehead. We iced it and my dad checked his pupils and we decided it would all be okay. It was as if he said, "I'm a boy and I'm two. Let's see what fun I can have with this combination."
Monday morning was spent with Troy's family before putting Garrett down for a nap and then heading to the airport. Our little man had his very own seat because he's a big boy now and he's no longer free. Sigh. And I am left to wonder what happened to my baby...
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Padres
My Padres have won five games in a row. If you follow baseball you understand that this is a big deal since the Friars have been stinking so badly that I can smell them all the way from San Diego. I miss watching them on television every night in mighty ways but just knowing that they've put together five goods games is cause for squealing with glee.
Friday, May 30, 2008
America's Finest City
We're back in Utah now. After we froze our limbs off camping, we enjoyed wonderful weather in San Diego and, if we weren't both missing Troy, I would have stayed for awhile. Garrett is horrendously sick with a nasty snotcoughheadcoldthingy and I was dreading the flight home. After screaming his head off before we ever left the terminal and writhing and kicking me for no apparent reason whatsoever, he conked out in my arms and that was that. When we landed he woke up. Turns out that the flight from San Diego is a lot shorter when you are not trying to entertain a toddler the entire time.
On Tuesday we had fun at the zoo where this one really exciting thing happened but for reasons I cannot go into, I am not allowed to blog about it. You should just know that it would make a phenomenal story if I were permitted to tell it. I'm really sorry if you're just dying to know now. Perhaps, one day, in my memoirs or something, it will be told.
Garrett learned several new words while we were there and I am starting to think that he might talk in sentences before his seventh birthday after all.
On Tuesday we had fun at the zoo where this one really exciting thing happened but for reasons I cannot go into, I am not allowed to blog about it. You should just know that it would make a phenomenal story if I were permitted to tell it. I'm really sorry if you're just dying to know now. Perhaps, one day, in my memoirs or something, it will be told.
Garrett learned several new words while we were there and I am starting to think that he might talk in sentences before his seventh birthday after all.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Must Supress The Cravings
New Red Thing readers click here.
I thought it was time for my ever impressed husband to appear in another Red Thing shot. The following photo shows just how versatile the Magic Scarf can truly be. We've appealed to infants with the use of the fuzzy diaper. We've appealed to women across the globe. We've appealed to men with the tie. (And by we I mean, of course, The Red Thing and me.) Now we are showing you that even old men, who would probably not be caught dead in the boutiques that these are often found in, can effectively wear the Magic Scarf. All hail the suspenders:
I thought it was time for my ever impressed husband to appear in another Red Thing shot. The following photo shows just how versatile the Magic Scarf can truly be. We've appealed to infants with the use of the fuzzy diaper. We've appealed to women across the globe. We've appealed to men with the tie. (And by we I mean, of course, The Red Thing and me.) Now we are showing you that even old men, who would probably not be caught dead in the boutiques that these are often found in, can effectively wear the Magic Scarf. All hail the suspenders:
So, not only are these great for your average suspender wearing man of any age (also, they match the tie and cummerbund) they are great for someone who has recently become memory challenged. If your friend, spouse, or great-grandfather has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's simply shove him into Red Thing Suspenders or, as I like to call them Magic Scarpenders. This way, when he wanders off and Search & Rescue tries to locate him, he'll be helping them out by proudly displaying his humongous, bright, fuzzy suspenders.
It should be noted that it is not the intention of this blog author to make light of Alzheimer's or any other disease which effects the memory.
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Dang it stays light here for a long time now. Being that I now live more north than I ever have before and we are pretty close to where Mountain Time ends and Pacific Time begins and we just leaped forward, it was light last night until sometime after 7:30. It's March! I don't know what the summer will bring other than a later bedtime for Garrett or some kind of black paper on his window so that he can sleep when it's still light out at 10 pm. (Exaggerating, I hope!)
My brother called last night and left me a nasty message about how he was eating white sauce from Miguel's. I didn't think it was a very nice thing to do to his best and only sister. Three and a half months must be the point in a move where you start longing for specific restaurants not found in your new neck of the woods because additionally, I'm craving a tostada from La Cocina and a piece of boysenberry apple pie from The Julian Pie Company. I'm sure I'll live through the cravings. Other than the yummy Cafe Rio, living out here is like Mexican food detox. I'm just a bit afraid of trying Comida de Mexico so very far from the border. I'm spooked that it will be Tex-Mex masquerading as authentic Mexican food. Or, more accurately, Tex-Mex masquerading as the exquisite California-food-with-its-heritage-rooted-in-Mexico that I know and love.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Happy Half Birthday To You
All I am going to say on the matter is that with a healthy LT and a healthy Gates, the outcome may have been different. And, while I am not saying that they aren't a phenomenal team, they are cheaters. Maybe not today and maybe not yesterday, but cheating is in their repertoire. Perhaps they don't deserve an asterisk next to their probable perfect 19-0 season. But consider that, perhaps, they do. It's not just because they beat the Chargers today, I've been saying that since September. And really, that's all I'm going to write on the matter. Quiet Troy, this is my blog, if you want to talk about how the cheating didn't play in to their perfect season, start your own. I'm sure you'd have a huge fan base in Foxborough.
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In other, non sour grapes news, my son is one and a half years old today. My mind has an extremely difficult time comprehending that he's been a squawking, pooping, giggling part of our lives for eighteen months. Because, in almost every single way, it feels like this was just yesterday...
I've said it before and I will say it again and again and again, when he was born, he stared at me like he had known me forever. In some ways it felt so foreign and almost eerie to stare into the eyes of my flesh and blood but in all the ways that mattered it was as though I had known him for so much longer than mere seconds. In his face I saw the years of prayers and petitions I had sent to Heaven and becoming a mother took absolutely no getting used to. It was just as though it was something that had always been. I can say with certainly that no experience has moved me so completely than the birth of my son.
In the past year and a half, I have learned that the world is a much louder place with him in it. He has not quite mastered the "indoor voice" and his shrieking through WalMart can attest to that. I have learned that no matter how great an eater my nine month old may have been, my eighteen month old will turn his nose up at macaroni and cheese, even though he devoured it yesterday. I have learned that nothing is a more rewarding sound than the deep belly laugh of my toddler, and I'll do anything to warrant such a laugh. Yes, even dance around my house like a giant buffoon singing at the top of my lungs, theatre major style. I have learned that every animal barks or smells like a skunk and that's okay, for now. I have learned that my heart is now toddling around outside of my body and I will do anything to protect that heart. I have learned that I don't really want to French kiss my son, but he couldn't care less. I have learned that it's easier to write a blog without him sitting on me, but it's not nearly as heartwarming. I have learned that all those months of praying were well worth it. I wouldn't trade the sleepless nights early on, the lack of napping for the first six months, the pickiness, and the stubborn streak. Not if, in return, I get a fuzzy blonde head laying on my shoulder, or a chubby little hand holding my own. These past eighteen months have, indeed, been the best of my life. Hands down. No discussion. I am head over heels, mad, crazy in love, with a little man, and the husband who shares him with me.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Hometown Super Chargers
Yes, I took a picture of my television. Yes, that is Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers talking to each other after the game. Yes, the score that you see underneath the Colt and the Bolt is 28 to 24. Yes, the 28 is next to MY team. No, (for all of you non-football fans out there) the lowest score doesn't win. Yes, if I was a betting person I would probably place my bets on the New England Patriots next weekend. No, I'm not a betting person. So I won't be placing any money on the undefeated Patriots. I will be wishing and hoping that my Chargers win because (long shot as it may be) I will be in San Diego for the Superbowl. ********************************************************
In other news, at the beginning of the game, when I was preoccupied with a particular third down, I realized that my son was sitting on the kitchen floor playing with some kind of watery substance. He was swirling his hand around in it and then trying to blow bubbles (something he now tries to do in even the smallest amount of water). My dog had left his boundaries and was accompanying him. I thought the boy had spilled his drink but, upon further review, it was a smallish amount of upchuck. Garrett looked up at me and there was white vomity substance on his nose and chin. He smiled and then flopped over again, in his bubble blowing stance. When I whisked him to the sink to clean him up, the dog happily lapped up the remaining regurgitation. All this to say that dogs and little boys are kind of gross.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
100 Things I Love: San Diego Edition
So when I asked for topics to write about, my friend, Joelle, from the "old" days back at PLNU, asked for a list of things I love about San Diego. She suggested putting them in ranking order which I will not be doing because of the sheer volume of lovable things about America Finest City. But, in any case, thanks for the idea, Joelle (missing you tons and remembering all the older days in the caf and the newer days when we lost each other and then found each other and then went to breakfast in Ramona and had the crazy mathless waitress).
100 Things I Love (and will miss) About San Diego (and surrounding areas, like my shower):
1. San Diego Chargers--huge football fan right here *emphatically jumps around wishing her husband was a pro player
2. In & Out. They don't have them in Utah and it is a travesty. Oh how I love you toasted bun.
3. My Mom. See I told you this wasn't in order. No, Mom, I don't love In & Out more than you. Chargers, maybe, In & Out...definitely not. Thanks for being one of my bestest friends. Let's not talk about how much I'll miss you.
4. Salomon Theatre
5. Kaiser Permanente. I know a lot of people hate you. I hate your billing department, it's true. But I love knowing the system. I love the doctors. I love you.
6. Mountain View Community Church
7. Sunsets over the ocean
8. The row of mailboxes when you drive into Ramona
9. Knowing my way around the grocery store
10. The smell of fall in a place without seasons
11. My insurance agent
12. Garrett's room. I love how it was Troy's old room and then it was the lonely place that needed a baby in it desperately and now it is his blue baby boy room.
13. World Famous San Diego Zoo
14. Horton Plaza
15. My students.
16. Gillespie Field where my Dad works. It was cool growing up and having a pilot dad.
17. The stretch of undeveloped land just after the Wild Animal Park on the way into Escondido that would be perfect for a movie.
18. The old house that sits on that stretch of land that would be perfect for a movie.
19. Jack Murphy Stadium. Alright. Fine. Qualcomm.
20. North County Fair
21. La Jolla Shores
22. My Dad. I don't love you less than mom, I just didn't want all the family in one giant order. Thanks for raising me and loving me and teaching me not to leave the lights on in rooms I'm not occupying.
23. Being able to make a day trip to Disneyland.
24. Hotel Del
25. My parents house
26. The pool at Mt. Carmel High School--so many CIF memories
27. My Grandma lives here
28. My other Grandma lives here
29. The dip on Wildcat Canyon. Get's me every time.
30. Beach Camping at Carlsbad or San Elijo
31. My Grandpa lives here
32. My other Grandpa lives here
33. The weather
34. Camping at Pinezanita
35. Sea Port Village
36. http://www.signonsandiego.com/
37. The Santee Drive-In Theater
38. San Diego Civic Theatre. I know all the best places to sit. I know how to get the good tickets on ebay. I love you. I'll miss you.
39. The hospital on Zion. One could argue that this should be included with Kaiser but the love is different. Since Garrett was born I now feel my heart swell with joy when I drive by it. So many fantastic memories of my first day with my son.
40. The leg shaving ledge in my bathtub
41. Lamb's Players. Your theatre is so quaint and wonderful and lovely.
42. Being near Hollywood.
43. Nuevo Grill warm chips and Caesar salad or Turkey Jack melt
44. The playground at the elementary school
45. The duck pond at Dos Picos Park
46. The border crossing. Home sweet USA.
47. Parkway Plaza
48. The Greek Ampitheatre at Point Loma
49. Coronado Bridge
50. My brother. The blog about youthful nostalgia is coming. You're my favorite brother and I already miss your laugh.
51. The Doubletree
52. Old Point Loma Lighthouse
53. Shelter Island
54. Point Break Cafe
55. Old Town
56. Balboa Park
57. Del Mar Fair or San Diego County Fair or whatever dumb name they changed it to.
58. Mama Rosa's.
59. My gynecologist. But there's already been a blog dedicated to this obsession.
60. Sea World
61. My aunts live here
62. My uncles live here
63. Sunset Cliffs
64. The baseball field at PLNU
65. Belmont Park
66. My cousins live here
67. So this really isn't in San Diego exactly but I love those "oddly" shaped power plant thingies on the 5. If you live here you know what I'm talking about. I'm 26 years old and I can't drive past them without cracking a smile.
68. San Diego Airport. I love that the terminals are circular and thus one does not have to walk all over the world like they do at most long terminal tunnelish airports.
69. Extraordinary Desserts. I only ate there once but man was it good.
70. Gus's in Point Loma. I love it. I so have to go there in the next three weeks oh my gosh.
71. Ramona Oaks Park
72. San Diego Padres
73. Jamba Juice on Rosecrans. I love Jamba Juice in general and there are Jambas everywhere but the one on Rosecrans has my heart more than any other.
74. The cute town of Coronado
75. Swap Meet...although I haven't taken advantage of this in far too long.
76. Point Loma Summer
77. Being two hours from Medieval Times
78. The view from my office window. So there's really no view, but the neighbor cats play in the yard and the leaves fall and it's peaceful.
79. The stars in the Ramona sky.
80. Warm Christmases. I gotta admit, I'm looking forward to a chilly Christmas but I just don't know anything but a So Cal Christmas and I love 'em.
81. Tom Ham's Lighthouse. Thanks for proposing Troy.
82. Ramona Trick or Treating down Main Street
83. Torrey Pines
84. The view as you fly in to Lindbergh field
85. Forever Fondue
86. La Cocina (Ramona's finest Mexican hole-in-the-wall dining. Should I ever get pregnant again, how will I satisfy the cravings?)
87. Downtown
88. The Living Room (Point Loma)
89. The trail by my parents house.
90. My friends. Anyone who still lives here. Even those of you I don't get to see nearly enough. Just knowing you're here is a joy. When I am there and you are here, I will miss you.
91. Presidio Park
92. Looking at the incredible homes that line Mission Beach
93. The caf at PLNU. So many memories both behind the scenes and eating with dear friends.
94. The spa at the club. So many swim team memories.
95. Ramona High School. I love the pool and the football field and all the other memories I have when I drive by.
96. Miguel's
97. Wild Animal Park
98. Mt. Woodson Golf Course. I don't golf but it's beautiful.
99. The Blue Tattoo. I've never even been in a nightclub but I love the fact that San Diego has one named this. It's just funny to me. It makes me laugh with affection...and kind of shame.
100. The whole darn county. I am in love with you. I want to fill in the Great Salt Lake. I want to wrap a huge blanket around you and put you in my moving van and plop you in the middle of it.
What we have learned is that I have a love affair going on with Point Loma and restaurants. What does that say about me, I wonder.
100 Things I Love (and will miss) About San Diego (and surrounding areas, like my shower):
1. San Diego Chargers--huge football fan right here *emphatically jumps around wishing her husband was a pro player
2. In & Out. They don't have them in Utah and it is a travesty. Oh how I love you toasted bun.
3. My Mom. See I told you this wasn't in order. No, Mom, I don't love In & Out more than you. Chargers, maybe, In & Out...definitely not. Thanks for being one of my bestest friends. Let's not talk about how much I'll miss you.
4. Salomon Theatre
5. Kaiser Permanente. I know a lot of people hate you. I hate your billing department, it's true. But I love knowing the system. I love the doctors. I love you.
6. Mountain View Community Church
7. Sunsets over the ocean
8. The row of mailboxes when you drive into Ramona
9. Knowing my way around the grocery store
10. The smell of fall in a place without seasons
11. My insurance agent
12. Garrett's room. I love how it was Troy's old room and then it was the lonely place that needed a baby in it desperately and now it is his blue baby boy room.
13. World Famous San Diego Zoo
14. Horton Plaza
15. My students.
16. Gillespie Field where my Dad works. It was cool growing up and having a pilot dad.
17. The stretch of undeveloped land just after the Wild Animal Park on the way into Escondido that would be perfect for a movie.
18. The old house that sits on that stretch of land that would be perfect for a movie.
19. Jack Murphy Stadium. Alright. Fine. Qualcomm.
20. North County Fair
21. La Jolla Shores
22. My Dad. I don't love you less than mom, I just didn't want all the family in one giant order. Thanks for raising me and loving me and teaching me not to leave the lights on in rooms I'm not occupying.
23. Being able to make a day trip to Disneyland.
24. Hotel Del
25. My parents house
26. The pool at Mt. Carmel High School--so many CIF memories
27. My Grandma lives here
28. My other Grandma lives here
29. The dip on Wildcat Canyon. Get's me every time.
30. Beach Camping at Carlsbad or San Elijo
31. My Grandpa lives here
32. My other Grandpa lives here
33. The weather
34. Camping at Pinezanita
35. Sea Port Village
36. http://www.signonsandiego.com/
37. The Santee Drive-In Theater
38. San Diego Civic Theatre. I know all the best places to sit. I know how to get the good tickets on ebay. I love you. I'll miss you.
39. The hospital on Zion. One could argue that this should be included with Kaiser but the love is different. Since Garrett was born I now feel my heart swell with joy when I drive by it. So many fantastic memories of my first day with my son.
40. The leg shaving ledge in my bathtub
41. Lamb's Players. Your theatre is so quaint and wonderful and lovely.
42. Being near Hollywood.
43. Nuevo Grill warm chips and Caesar salad or Turkey Jack melt
44. The playground at the elementary school
45. The duck pond at Dos Picos Park
46. The border crossing. Home sweet USA.
47. Parkway Plaza
48. The Greek Ampitheatre at Point Loma
49. Coronado Bridge
50. My brother. The blog about youthful nostalgia is coming. You're my favorite brother and I already miss your laugh.
51. The Doubletree
52. Old Point Loma Lighthouse
53. Shelter Island
54. Point Break Cafe
55. Old Town
56. Balboa Park
57. Del Mar Fair or San Diego County Fair or whatever dumb name they changed it to.
58. Mama Rosa's.
59. My gynecologist. But there's already been a blog dedicated to this obsession.
60. Sea World
61. My aunts live here
62. My uncles live here
63. Sunset Cliffs
64. The baseball field at PLNU
65. Belmont Park
66. My cousins live here
67. So this really isn't in San Diego exactly but I love those "oddly" shaped power plant thingies on the 5. If you live here you know what I'm talking about. I'm 26 years old and I can't drive past them without cracking a smile.
68. San Diego Airport. I love that the terminals are circular and thus one does not have to walk all over the world like they do at most long terminal tunnelish airports.
69. Extraordinary Desserts. I only ate there once but man was it good.
70. Gus's in Point Loma. I love it. I so have to go there in the next three weeks oh my gosh.
71. Ramona Oaks Park
72. San Diego Padres
73. Jamba Juice on Rosecrans. I love Jamba Juice in general and there are Jambas everywhere but the one on Rosecrans has my heart more than any other.
74. The cute town of Coronado
75. Swap Meet...although I haven't taken advantage of this in far too long.
76. Point Loma Summer
77. Being two hours from Medieval Times
78. The view from my office window. So there's really no view, but the neighbor cats play in the yard and the leaves fall and it's peaceful.
79. The stars in the Ramona sky.
80. Warm Christmases. I gotta admit, I'm looking forward to a chilly Christmas but I just don't know anything but a So Cal Christmas and I love 'em.
81. Tom Ham's Lighthouse. Thanks for proposing Troy.
82. Ramona Trick or Treating down Main Street
83. Torrey Pines
84. The view as you fly in to Lindbergh field
85. Forever Fondue
86. La Cocina (Ramona's finest Mexican hole-in-the-wall dining. Should I ever get pregnant again, how will I satisfy the cravings?)
87. Downtown
88. The Living Room (Point Loma)
89. The trail by my parents house.
90. My friends. Anyone who still lives here. Even those of you I don't get to see nearly enough. Just knowing you're here is a joy. When I am there and you are here, I will miss you.
91. Presidio Park
92. Looking at the incredible homes that line Mission Beach
93. The caf at PLNU. So many memories both behind the scenes and eating with dear friends.
94. The spa at the club. So many swim team memories.
95. Ramona High School. I love the pool and the football field and all the other memories I have when I drive by.
96. Miguel's
97. Wild Animal Park
98. Mt. Woodson Golf Course. I don't golf but it's beautiful.
99. The Blue Tattoo. I've never even been in a nightclub but I love the fact that San Diego has one named this. It's just funny to me. It makes me laugh with affection...and kind of shame.
100. The whole darn county. I am in love with you. I want to fill in the Great Salt Lake. I want to wrap a huge blanket around you and put you in my moving van and plop you in the middle of it.
What we have learned is that I have a love affair going on with Point Loma and restaurants. What does that say about me, I wonder.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Did ya know I'm retro? Did ya?
Alright...so I've lived in this county for the last 26 years. Consequently, these happen to also coincide with the years that I have been alive and breathing. This makes me, indisputably, a die-hard fan of both the Chargers and the Padres. Lucky for us San Diegans, the Padres have their own TV station which broadcasts nearly all the games. So tonight, while Troy was working on his sermon, I was passing time between a book and the game. We're in a race for first with a month of regular season play left, what do you expect? Imagine my surprise when I hear them talking about a "special event" coming up. On Friday, September 14, the Padres will play the Giants. They will be clad in blue pinstripe uniforms they wore ten years ago. This sporty event will be referred to as...
Alright. Now. I graduated in the 90's. Granted, it was the last year of the decade but...um...I am so not ready for my high school experience to be referred to as retro. Unless, you know, I'm being sarcastic or something. I mean, it might work out if they have the Padres sag their pants and let their boxers hang out. If the male fans wear giant chains attached to their wallets. If the female fans dress a la Cher in Clueless and refer to the event as "That's So 1997 Night" I might understand. Oh wait a sec...do you even know what movie I'm referring to or is that too far in the past. Did I just date myself? I may be crashing toward 26 but I've never thought of the fall of my junior year as retro. At least not yet. I haven't even had a ten year reunion.
So anyway, I won't be able to go this game because I will be in Hawaii (booyah! um...I just did that so the word booyah would appear in my blog) but I would have loved to see the clothing that the fans show up in. I mean, what the heck? Dig into the back of your closet for...jeans that are cut the same way we're still wearing them and a t-shirt! If you can't find anything come over to my house. I'm still wearing half the stuff I had back then. Awesome. I'm so retro that I'm jealous of my own fashion sense. Who knew?
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Sea World Adventures
So, yesterday we (and by we I mean, of course, Troy, me, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Jon and Aunt Heather) took Garrett to Sea World. We waited until after his nap in the hopes that fun would be had by all. He met sea stars and bat rays. He observed flamingos and sea lions and seals and fish and manatees and sharks and penguins. He stood from afar and gazed upon the dolphins because the new policy of only getting near them if you've purchased food is as stupid as the Sea World no sandwich policy. He played in the children's area formerly known as Captain Kid's World now known as Shamu's Happy Harbor and soon to be renovated and renamed Sesame's Land of Play or something equally lame sounding. In my heart it will remain Captain Kid's World. Much like how I still often refer to Big Lots! as Pick 'n Save and have only recently been able to call Price Club by it's actual name, Costco. If you really want to get me started on a tangent just bring up Qualcomm Stadium. It's Jack Murphy you fools! Can you tell I'm not a huge fan of change? Huh, huh, canya? I digress. Back to Sea World. He rode in the Sky Ride. He saw polar bears. His Aunt Heather bought him a penguin backpack that she'd been eyeing since his birth but, until now, would have been much too big. Unless I was in the habit of putting my infant inside wheely backpacks and lugging him around that way. His Uncle Jon bought him a stuffed Shamu which he held tightly on the ride home. Being that they both work there, they have a lot of time to discover which trinkets and nicknacks are best for toddling little boys. Below are pictures of the beloved new possessions. 
Speaking of toddling little boys, did you catch in my last post that he'd finally taken more than two steps? WELL HE DID! His preferred method of transportation is still crawling because he is quite the master of that particular vehicle. However, if you stand him up and make sure he's steady, he will now take somewhere between six and twelve steps before toppling forward or falling backward onto his hind quarters. It's the most adorable thing to watch. Although, his Uncle Jon does think it more resembles a shuffle than a walk. It still counts! He did it a couple of times at Sea World thanks to the aid of the backpack, which he used to balance himself before shuffling off.
So he has now been to every "animal" park this county has to offer and, I think it's safe to say, Sea World was his favorite. There are certainly things he enjoyed about the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park but his two favorite things in all the world are being outside and being wet. Both of those were quite easily accomplished at Sea World.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
The Zoo
Yesterday I woke up earlier than normal, Garrett was still sleeping. In the middle of the night I'd gotten the idea to take him to the zoo. We were there, with my cousin, Holly, in tow, by 9:30. This is exciting in and of itself. Normally I feed Garrett breakfast at 9:00 and then get on with my day. The mere fact that I was a fifty minute drive away from my house by 9:30 is very exciting. Now, I have to go digging around in the photo albums at my parents' house but I think there is a picture of me on this enormous statue turtle when I'm about three. This is the best we could get of Garrett yesterday...
Funny how the turtle is so much smaller than I remember... So I took Holly with me and this is what they looked like at the start of the day. This is before it got warm. Before he yanked his hat off. (Which he has to wear backward anyway because if he can see the bill it comes off in two seconds). Before he took off his shoes. Before he got filthy dirty petting zoo chunks on his shorts and ended up wearing only the "Going Ape" onesie that I found highly appropriate for a Zoo day.
We saw lions and bears and rhinos and turtles and meerkats and okapis and giraffes and monkeys and orangutans and, well, hippos.
We ate bananas and nectarines and gold fish crackers and shared chicken fingers and french fries. We walked up hills. We walked down hills. We walked up more hills. I have decided that the word "hill" effectively describes the World Famous San Diego Zoo. Garrett has decided, lately, that he likes to use his only two teeth to chomp down on fingers. It's highly exciting. We're working on it. In any case, I thought this picture was appropriate...
Funny how the turtle is so much smaller than I remember... So I took Holly with me and this is what they looked like at the start of the day. This is before it got warm. Before he yanked his hat off. (Which he has to wear backward anyway because if he can see the bill it comes off in two seconds). Before he took off his shoes. Before he got filthy dirty petting zoo chunks on his shorts and ended up wearing only the "Going Ape" onesie that I found highly appropriate for a Zoo day.
We saw lions and bears and rhinos and turtles and meerkats and okapis and giraffes and monkeys and orangutans and, well, hippos.
We ate bananas and nectarines and gold fish crackers and shared chicken fingers and french fries. We walked up hills. We walked down hills. We walked up more hills. I have decided that the word "hill" effectively describes the World Famous San Diego Zoo. Garrett has decided, lately, that he likes to use his only two teeth to chomp down on fingers. It's highly exciting. We're working on it. In any case, I thought this picture was appropriate...
All in all, we made it just over four hours before Garrett had a colossal meltdown in the middle of the petting zoo because, of course, I should have let him keep crawling toward the deer poop because my child would never have tried to put it in his mouth. Noooo. So anyway, we loaded him back into the stroller, went and visited the humming birds, and left. He was asleep before we got out of the row we'd parked in. But I think he had fun. I'm glad we got passes.
And I'm even more glad that my Sea World working brother got us free passes to there. Passes that we will be using on Friday. I'll keep you all posted. All, two of you who read my blog~
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