settling

{we set up a rod in the attic space attached to our room. my closet is in the attic.}
{those aren't even half my clothes.}

When you've got all your clothes set up in a make shift attic-closet you're pretty much settled in at your folks house. At least, that was my indicator. It was a necessary addition (otherwise where would I put my clothes!) but also had the feeling of a bit of permanence which I think was weird for both of us. 

I've been applying at random secretary/administrative/temp jobs (some that were a bit creepy) and think I've got something lined up. I'm still waiting to hear back from the last few schools - a couple of which are deal breakers (like, I'd go there in a heartbeat and never think twice about the loans). 

Dan is still applying and interviewing and really we're just waiting for a break. Part of me feels like God is just waiting to time this out perfectly - ya know, job/school all in one neat package - but the other part of me just thinks, this is the economy right now; deal with it. Maybe it's a little of both. 

A surprise tea party.

Grams had a birthday this past week and to celebrate my aunt planned a surprise tea party. I was in charge of distraction. Since I get distracted easily this was the perfect task for me. I took Grandma out for breakfast at a cute little bakery downtown and then we went shopping - which is pretty much what we do best.

The hard part was getting her back to the house. We were supposed to have lunch - I said that sandwiches at home sounded perfect but she wanted to go out, of course. So then I had to text in backup. I had my cousin call me and invite herself to lunch with us so we would "need" to pick her up - we are so very environmentally conscious.

It worked. We finally get on the road back to the house and with a bit of tricky manipulating I get her to come into the house and she was definitely surprised when she saw everyone there.

It was such a fun afternoon and the food was so good (pastries from Whole Foods are awesome, who knew?). It was so cool to be in town for this since I have generally missed out on these occasions being on the east coast for the past 3 years.

Happy Birthday, Gram! We love you!

Oh heeeyyyy, LA.

1. The view from Dan's cousin's apartment. I never want to leave.

2. We took a tour of the law program at UCLA - I might be in love.

3. Dan riding the tram to the Getty Museum

4. The view from the Getty tram.

5. The Getty view. We have had perfect weather.

Back on the road

Last weekend we went up to the snow with my fam. It was nice to be up in the quiet. We celebrated the birthdays of me and grams at a tasty little Italian restaurant.

It was a relaxing and beautiful weekend.

At sone point I do plan to share the photos I took with a real camera over the past few weeks but for now it's easy to post with iphone pictures in the road.

We are heading to LA this week for an event at UCLA. Im hoping to take of tour of the law program while we're there and Dan can show me around his alma mater.

Happy Tuesday!

Need this today

Sometimes you just need encouraging words. And coffee. Encouraging words and coffee.

Home is wherever I'm with you

We drove into Livermore yesterday. It's bittersweet. It signifies the end of something. The end of what I'm not sure. The beginning of our marriage? It doesn't really feel like that's over. It's still so new to us in our third year. 

It's also the beginning of something else, though. I'm still hearing back from law schools and Dan is applying for jobs. Things will shake out and we'll get back into a routine. 

We are really blessed to have parents who let us crash their houses. We're currently staying with mine and it is great to be near family again. 

I already miss my friends in Wilmington. I miss the little community and life Dan and I created over there. 

Change is good, though. People adapt. We are resilient creatures. 

CA

We made it!

We woke up early yesterday to watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon; it was magnificent.

Then we packed up our contraband cats (they weren't supposed to be in the cabin) and started the eight hour drive to Irvine, CA.

Dan's cousin Sam and his girlfriend Gianna live there. It was so fun to stay the night with them as I haven't seen them in a couple years! Plus, we had Indian food. Win.

Did you see I had In-n-Out? Oh yes. WITH a neapolitan milkshake. Good to the last drop.

So, in conclusion, yesterday we drove and I ate food. Scintillating, no?

There is no Arizona

Does anyone else remember Jamie O'neal? I've been singing that song in my head ever since we passed the border. Ah, country music. It's so fitting in this part of the US.

We hit up four corners yesterday. I WAS IN FOUR STATES AT ONCE. I chatted with a native woman who was selling some trinkets. She was really nice and I purchased a rock that she had painted. 

Immediately after we turned out of the monument I was like, wait, I just bought a rock. Whatever, it had cool drawings on it.

Then, THEN, we drove to the Grand Canyon. I had never been.

It was incredible. There are no words to describe how beautiful it was. I couldn't stop taking pictures and none of them do it justice.

We stayed in a little cabin on the south rin. We could see the canyon from our window (along with the construction materials that were all around)! It was so cool.

We walked straight from our cabin to a trail and walked a bit of the rim. We had dinner at the lodge restaurant and then hung out at the cocktail lounge and listened to a duo while we drank some beer.

It was such a good day!

Now we're heading into California and visiting some family in So Cal before we head up to the bay.

California, here we come right back where we started from.

End of County Maintenance

We spent yesterday morning exploring a bit of historic Santa Fe. We got to tour the cathedral basilica and take in the miraculous spiral staircase.

We headed over to the Georgia O'Keeffe museum - they had an exhibit of photographs taken by Annie Liebovitz of American landmarks and the belongings and homes of famous Americans like Lincoln. It was stunning. She is talented.

Then we headed over to Chaco Canyon. Navajo ruins are out there - almost a full city! - what they didn't tell us was that the last 12 MILES were on an unpaved, rough dirt road. No problem for a four-wheeler. HUGE ISSUES for Ford Ranger towing a Chevy Cavalier.

Just a little heads up, Chaco. That's all we needed. You know, just a "Only accessed by dirt road," or "4-wheel drive advised," or "Heavy Vibrations might cause you car door to fall off."

So, just a tip, when you see a sign that says "End of County Maintenance" you might be better off turning around.

The ruins were awesome, though, and the views were breathtaking.

Next stop: Arizona! Woot!

If I found you would you let me come and stay

We saw a lot yesterday: white sands, petroglyphs, and the very large array (Contact, anyone?).

We're into the short hops from place to place now which is great. No more umpteen hour days.

Still reeling from those long hauls though, so we spent some time in the hotel hot tub last night. And then we crashed. Seriously, nine o'clock. Old folks over here.

We're touring Santa Fe a bit this morning Christian Bale, Newsies; I'm just never gonna stop singing that song as long as we're in the county limits. Maybe I'll do a little cowboy lasso dance in an alley somewhere, too. Who knows!