Our Trip Across the US

The day finally came for us to leave San Diego! We were very sad to leave the city we have called home for the past 3 years, but also very excited to get on the road and start our new adventure!

Our first stop was in Phoenix! In Phoenix we would be spending the day, and evening, with our very dear friend Chris Velasco. We were stationed with Chris and his family in PA, and have kept in touch ever since. Chris is active duty Marine, and will be teaching Military Science for the next 3 years at the University of Arizona.

Upon arrival, the temp was HOT! So, we headed to the local brewery to chill off with a nice COLD drink. There is nothing like a cold beer and good company, on a steamy day!

It was great to catch up with Chris and we spent the next few hrs enjoying his company,many a cold beer, and later some good food. The next day we went to Meteor Crater and it was AWESOME!After leaving AZ, we then ventured across to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and then landing at the home of Amber, Robyn and their animals (in Kansas City). I had not seen Amber in nearly 3 years, so seeing her was a treat for me. We went to dinner and had some great KC BBQ, then home to veg and chat. Thanks for allowing us into your home for the night, and it was great to see you and Robyn!

Moving Day!

Most of you are probably saying "where was Glenn all month while Tina was hanging with friends"!? Well, he was in Hawaii! Yes, when I returned home from HI in June, he had to stay and finish up his last RIMPAC. So, with him gone, it allowed me to spend some true quality time with friends!

Glenn returned home on Monday the 19th, and on Tuesday...the packers arrived! I was a bit stressed due to me just returning from Chicago, and he from Hawaii...nothing had been done. But with a little "Rescue Remedy" in the system and magical minnie ears on my head...the stress melted away. Our packers were amazing and truly took their time handling our things. The next day the movers arrived to load the truck. This was the point for me where I lost it. Sure, there are strange people in my house, packing my things, but the moment I saw the moving truck, the tears started. All emotions came to head right then and there! The realization we were leaving a home we loved, but also that we are moving across the world to Italy! Not only that, but we also were on a time schedule! We had to get the movers a'movin because the house cleaners were coming in 2 hrs and our new tenants in 4 hrs!

Everything came together...doesn't it always? So, our stuff is in transit to Italy and hopefully we will see it in less than the 3 months they tell us it might take!

Chicago Weekend

Immediately following the return home from Disney, I had to hop on a plane and travel to Chicago for work (oh and a little play as well). The trip to Chicago was to be my last "working trip in the office" and to also leave Trinity with my in-laws. All month I had been quite stressed about the trip, as I was nervous about flying with Trinity. When we moved here, we flew her cargo. For this trip, I wanted to fly with her in the cabin. I bought an American Airlines specific carrier, and it was a breeze. We flew thru security with no problem and she did great in flight! She only cried while going up, and then when we hit turbulance coming down. But I was so proud of her!

Work was good for the week...I always enjoy a trip in to see my fellow coworkers and get the office feel. Working from home is wonderful, but I do miss my office buds. Lots of lunches and laughs.

On Friday, my good friend Beth flew in for us to spend the weekend together. I had not seen her since she moved from San Diego, so I was thrilled to have some girl time with her. Friday night we enjoyed Palermo's pizza (the best in Chicago) and wine with my in-laws. They are a hoot, so we laughed hard all night.

Saturday morning we got on the train and headed downtown. We checked into our hotel and then enjoyed some shopping on Michigan Ave. It was neat because they were filming Transformers 3 and lots of props up around the city. I sooo love Chicago! We headed to Navy Pier for the beer garden and then for the evening we enjoyed dressing up for a nice dinner. After dinner, and being in the city, we decided we must paint the town a color of Beth and Tina :) We ended up at Howl at The Moon. A great dueling piano bar and had some cocktails and lots of dancing and laughing. What a blast.

Sunday morning we both headed to the port to head home. Saying goodbye was hard, but I look forward to Beth coming to Italy VERY SOON for a visit! She's a great gal and i'm blessed to have her in my life. Funny how sometimes life places you on a doorstep of someone that later becomes a very close and dear friend. We've shared some similiar life experiences and i'm happy that I went thru them first to be there for her.

PS...check out the top of the bridge in the pictures. The bridge on Michigan was lifted for the filming and there is a "car" hanging over the top! Totally awesome!

Girls Weekend with Wine and Mickey!

So, the first weekend in July was family time, the second weekend was friend time! Woo hoo!! Earlier in the year, Gina and I decided we wanted to have a girls weekend away. We threw the word out there, and my old college roomie Krista (aka Zoo Wu) and her sister Rosanna decided to join us! They flew in on the big jet plane from St. Louis on Wednesday and it was non stop from there!

I had to work part of the day, but I did take the afternoon off to show the girls around San Diego. We have had an very cool summer here in SD, and the sun didn't shine all day. But we did go to La Jolla and see the seals and then headed over to the Hotel Del on Coronado.

To start the weekend off right, we joined Mary and Dave at the O'Club on base. We knew there was a band playing, so we said "hey, why not get cheap drinks and free food"...so that is what we did. It was a blast, as we each had a 44D shot (thanks to Mary) and called it a night!

After getting some sleep on Friday night, we then hit the road to travel to Southern California Wine Country...Temecula! We had booked an open air jeep tour and a hotel room! In addition to Rosanna, Zoo, Gina, and myself...my good friend Heather and our old college roomie LeAnne also joined us. We started in Temecula with an Italian lunch (and a bottle of Wilson Creek champaign). Then we all piled into the jeep to start the tour of 3 wineries. The weather was gorgeous...sun was shining and the laughter was contageous. The girl driving our jeep was first day on the job. I"m sure she was thinking "what did I get myself into". We had a great day with tons of wine, laughter, hugs, and ended with a trip to In & Out Burger! Nothing like some grease to soak up the alcohol!

After a good night sleep, we then headed to Disneyland! Nothing like having the adult fun the night before, and then transforming into a big kid the next day! We all felt great at Disney and the lines for the rides were short and crowd manageable. We had a great day in truly the "happiest place on earth"!

Big Bear Trip

Sorry that I have not updated this lovely blog during July, but July has been a very busy month here in San Diego! I wouldn't change a minute of it though! I had something going on every weekend and it was great to catch up and spend time with friends.

So, the July adventure starts with a 4th of July weekend trip to the mountain to Big Bear! My good friend Gina's mom (aka mama G) and sister lives in Big Bear, so I wanted to take a trip up to see them (and say goodbye) and see Big Bear. Big Bear is the location that most people from San Diego go to for skiing. I have no desire for the skiing, nor snow, so we decided July would be the best time. Plus mama G was making us homemade tamalies and salsa. Oh holy smokes...it was all so good!

Gina and I left on Friday night after work and arrived a few hours later. The weekend was very fun with her mom and sister and Big Bear is quite lovely! We ended the weekend with a BBQ and wine. Attached are some pics of the fun we had.

The passport has arrived!

Today the government passport arrived, and so now we start the process for the visa. I was so excited to get to the office, that dorko me totally forgot my marriage certificate! UG! Guess i'll be driving back down to 32nd street tomorrow to take the certificate to show we are legally married. There goes my workout during lunch! ARG!

Today has been a better day for the emotions. I'm not as freaky crazy as I was yesterday, thankfully. Man, that was bad! If this is what the next month holds...not sure I want it. Did have a wonderful pizza dinner with my friends Gina, John, Lorene and Leslie. Leslie is my good friend from Hawaii, and I said "arrivederci Leslie"! Which in translation means "until we meet again". And I will see her again...and looking forward to it. While I was in Hawaii, she took me to about 4 different beaches...gorgeous beaches. Here is a picture of us enjoying a Mai Tai after our day of beach hopping!

Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July weekend! Be safe and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Today, someone walked out

Today, I had my very first crying episode, and it came from left field. I was sitting here working, as I do everyday, and I noticed our Korean neighbor walk out of his house. I knew he was moving out today and leaving for good, but I said my goodbye yesterday. Anyway, as I watched him turn around and lock the door, it really hit me. All of the wonderful people we let into our life, and then one day they often turn around, shut the door, and they are gone. We allow them to enter, get to know them and their family, and then the next day, they are gone. I feel like I sound so corny when I talk about it, but it really hit me what the next month and a half is going to hold for us. Cy (our neighbor) was a wonderful man, and Glenn and I truly enjoyed learning about his culture and his food (he's an amazing cook), and he's also retired at the age of 42! SO JEALOUS! I'm just thankful that I live in a place where diversity is no stranger. Truly, I live in the United Nations :)

But when I went to say one final goodbye, I came home and cried. I just cried and cried. I cried for our friend that has now left to go back to Korea (he was here only for 14 months to experience the American culture) and I felt a heavy heart that we will have to say goodbye to our family and friends for 3 years. I am TERRIBLY EXCITED about the new adventure that awaits us, but feel sadness all at the same time.

Okay, time to log off because you are probably saying...wow, she is losing it :) Just wait...i'm sure the next month and a half will bring more corny stories of me crying like a little bitty baby :)