Boxes, moving, furniture selling, oh my!

We are moving tomorrow!! Well, more accurately, beginning our move tomorrow. Hubby and I are taking the entire weekend to do our move (we have to be out of our old apartment by Monday, the 1st), but the nice one is we can use the entire weekend to move more in waves, instead of freaking out the night before and scrambling to get everything done in one day/night.

It's the nice one, moving into a full furnished place, we can move in just basic essentials tomorrow night, sleep there, and then head back on Saturday to get the bigger things and other things. Shouldn't be a bad move in the slightest, and should be very easy. I'm going to be spending Saturday unpacking and organizing what I can as the boxes come in. Then probably towards the end of the day (going to let "the boys" take care of most of the moving), going to go back and help finish moving and cleaning the old place. Unless Hubby and the Marine decide to just do it all. Which is entirely possible.

We are currently selling most of our furniture. We've successfully sold our fridge, loveseat, and Loft Bed Frame. Now we just have a sleeper sofa, another small couch to sell. Hopefully the people coming to look at it tonight would be willing to take them off our hands. Here's hoping!!

In other news, I am completely registered for classes at school. Bad side: The Road Cycling class I'm taking (or at least want to take) means I need to get a decent--at least, if not very good--road bike. And those are expensive. So...we'll figure something out. Maybe hit up Craig's list...

I'm also taking a Health and Wellness class which should be interesting. All about nutrition and living well and balanced lives, which I'm interested in.

And my favorite most exciting class: American Sign Language, 1!! Soo freaking happy to be able to take this class, and I'm glad things worked out that I can! I just hope I can finish it out (two-three semesters worth). We'll see. I'm just glad to be able to be learning it again. I'll be able to talk to my friends who are fluent! And we'll have fun :-)

Oh! And tomorrow evening, Lush and Il Duce are coming to visit!! Very excited to hang out with them. We're doing a big dinner and hang out time, because we haven't seen them since before Christmas (wow!). Lush is going to help me figure out decorating stuff for the new place and organize and all that. Cannot wait to see them!!

Short blog post today but I need to run to lunch with a friend.

To Do Today:

-Pack up kitchen

Yay for my sister!!!!!!!!!!

Hubby and I just wanted to say congrats to my little sister who qualified for State in Gymnastics!!! Sooo very proud of you, Sis!!!

Much love to you!! xo xo xo xo xo

Announcement

No, not that kind of announcement, sillies.

Along the lines of my last blogpost, I am sooo very excited to announce we're moving!! It was something Hubby and I had talked about all last semester. That after he graduates, to find a better apartment. The requirements we agreed on were: Bigger, better space, away from Biola (and the Biola "Block"). We wanted to find something nicer for cheaper than what we were paying now, or find somewhere that deserves more money. Basically, if all the amenities were worth the extra money, then we'd go for it. We budgeted, and I started keeping a lookout half-heartedly, cause we weren't really going to search seriously till after the first of the year and all that.

Well, one night on Biola's Housing, I saw that there was a 2bdrm 2bath condo (fully furnished) for rent, for barely anything more than ours. Hubby called, and we went to go see it.

Now...when I hear someone say "fully furnished" I think of a couple couches and beds. The bare minimums you just didn't want to take with you. This condo...oh my goodness. We walked in and immediately fell in love. We applied two days after viewing it. They called us in a week later to see it again and to let us know we had gotten it!

So our new condo is a twobedroom/two bath condo. It has a two-car garage, a patio about the size of our dining room/kitchen combined!, both bedrooms have amazing storage space in the closets.

The living room has two leather couches, a cute coffee table, an entertainment center that comes with a (I think!) 32" flatscreen TV, DVD player. The dining room has a gorgeous table with four chairs. And the kitchen...I about died. Big stainless steel Kitchenaid two door fridge, a stove, microwave, oven, dishwasher. New granite countertops. Tons of cupboard space that are incredibly deep. The shelves are all on rollers to pull out. The lady is also leaving one full dishset for me (because they don't want it/have no room for it), a shelf full of teaccups and three teapots. Oh, and an espresso/coffee maker! The appliances are only about two years old, all of them! The Master Bedroom (hehe, we have a master bedroom!!) is huge and comes with a Queen Bed! Also on one wall is the sliding glass door to the patio with gorgeous drapes, and then on the other side of the room are the closets! Two closets with mirror doors and tons of storage. The patio is, like I said, about as big as our kitchen and dining room combined. It has a BBQ (yay!) and a covering you can pull over for when it's raining. Then the 2 car garage. Hubby's really excited to have a garage that comes with a workbench. Oh, and a washer/dryer! No more quarters, no more using laundromats. I can do my laundry when I want, as often as I want. I am so happy about this!!

And the best part? It's only a little more than what we're paying now for our old apartment, and only ten minutes further down the street. We're right by the freeways (which is awesome!). The whole condo complex is a gorgeous place. A pool and jacuzzi, green grassy areas and trees all over the place with picnic tables.

We are so excited to have gotten this condo. Our old apartment worked well for what it needed to accomplish. You know, me starting out there. Hubby and I starting out there (there are some wonderful memories in that apartment!), but we are ready to get better situated in a place that doesn't feel like an extension of a dorm. We want a place that fits with where we are right now as FT working professionals and a married couple (I think technically we're still considered newlyweds, though we don't really feel like it, hehe). Also to get away to a new place to have a "new start" somewhat, and to just feel like closing a chapter to begin another one as Hubby's graduated and figuring out what to do for a career (he actually has, but I don't want to announce it without talking to him first).

We are so blessed to have gotten this condo. We saw it and immediately fell in love. So I just prayed God would open the doors and make everything work out, and it did!

So, come January 29th, we are moving into this new place!! I shall post pictures once everything is settled in and unpacked. Though with the furniture already provided, we really won't have much, besides some special furniture of ours and of course, all of our stuff which will be easily put away.

So that's the latest update! What a wonderful way to start the new year!!

Non sum qualis eram

Hello!

Well, along the same lines of my New Year's "Resolutions", I have decided to adopt a thing my friend has done for the last couple of years. It consists of choosing a word to represent the year and what you want to have happen.

Here's a better explanation:
"'The Experiment: What's the word? A resolution revolution'

New Year's resolutions have never worked for me, especially in a world of information overload. It's another list that gets lost before January ends. That's why in Y2K some friends and I committed to a WORD for the year. A single word or short phrase that would be the compass, true north, filter and driving force for the year ahead. One you want to own. One you remember. One that inspired you, makes you think, grow and learn. ... See More

For example, my JUMP year I ran a marathon, took bigger risks in business, and learned new ways of relating to the most important people in my life. Another year, PAUSE inspired me to take time to read, to build margin in my schedule, and to be quicker to listen and slower to speak.

In a year of DOWNTURN, UNCERTAINTY, CHANGE and BAILOUT, we need more GOOD, HOPE and PERSPECTIVE. The power of a single word can shift opinions, change events, reshape habits...

-Lorraine O'Keefe
principal, ThinkinBig Communications"

I decided I really liked this idea, so I have been musing and thinking about what word I want to represent this year. I at first thought of "Change" but it didn't quite represent what I wanted (and I didn't feel like sounding like our President who used that word too much). After much consideration, I have decided on "Gypsy". This may seem odd, but let me explain.

I chose that word because the whole idea of a Gypsy and who she is, is exactly what I want. For me, Gypsy signifies a willingness to go on adventures, to not be satisfied with being in a rut. To always be willing to go where the wind leads (In this case, the "wind" and God). To always be changing. To never be satisfied with just being and surviving. To be willing to do new things, to pursue things I didn't think I could before...to be at ease no matter where I am. To be satisfied and joyful with what I have, even if it's not much. To be joyful in Life. To take joy in Facts.

It also means being flexible, to embrace changes and enjoy them. To be courageous and do things I've always wanted but have been too scared or worried to try.

Essentially, being a Gypsy and embracing Life as it comes, no matter what it brings.

So let's see how this year turns out together, shall we? I'll do my best to keep blogging (hopefully once a week or so).

P.s. The Latin Phrase means: "I am not as I used to be".

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!! Spent the day relaxing and loving  every minute of it.  

My Resolutions this year --not that I do many anyway-- are:

1. Become a better lover-wife and friend.
        I know most people would say I'm not an awful friend or something. And my hubby definitely wouldn't say I'm not a good wife or lover. That being said, I'm not perfect and I want to become better. Especially as new things happen and I grow from them.

2. Accept me for who I am and all the consequences from thtat. 
       This one is very specific for  me. Even with everything and how I've grown, I still have issues accepting myself. Hope to change this.

3. Finish the book I'm writing.

4. Become more content, in any and all circumstances. 

5. Enjoy Life to its fullest. 

It's going to be a happy new year!!

Hey Everyone,

Well...Christmas has come and gone. Twenty-ten starts on Friday. Someone please tell me where the hell did 2009 go?? Wasn't only just yesterday that we were celebrating the '09 New Year? Well, apparently not.

Christmas was good. We had a wonderful time with our family. Had the day off, had wonderful food, and hanging out with family. Church was beautiful as usual. Ended up hanging out till almost 11:30. Then instead of going home, my hubby surprised me and took me to see the midnight showing of Sherlock Holmes at Downtown Disney. Such a wonderful Christmas surprise! Christmas morning, we took Mom/Dad/Tall-Little Bro to LAX for their flight home. Which was sad. We miss them already.

Oh, yes. Remember that food poisoning my hubby got? Wasn't food poisoning. It was the flu. Bright side: I lost some weight. Bad side: I was sick for two days straight, missed work, and felt awful. You know, I never really saw the appeal of bulimia. Now I really don't. Yuck yuck yuck. I'm slowly getting my appetite back, but it's slow in coming. I think I've eaten one full meal a day since Wednesday, and I'm not getting any urge to eat more. Ah well.

Sherlock Holmes was an amazing movie. I was a bit unsure how well they were going to stay to the book (I knew it wasn't an actual plot from any of the stories, but to the character/spirit of the book itself), and needless to say, it exceeded my expectations. Not only did they stay true to the characters, they also did so many little hints of things from the book. Such as showing you the clues as Holmes saw them. When he's thinking and figuring stuff out, it quickly zooms all over the clues--giving you, I'd assume, the ability to solve it if you were smart enough. They also had erratic violin playing (Yay!), the playful hilarious love/hate relationship with Holmes/Watson. Even down to the socially awkward Holmes is in person and out and about. I think one of my favorite things was the supernatural aspect of the movie like every story has. All in all, amazing! Go see it.

For once, I was actually excited to get back into work. After being gone since last Monday (not really of my own volition), I felt rested enough to be happy to be at work again. Though I realized today that I have Friday off again because of New Year's, which I totally forgot about. So, yay a three-day weekend!! I have no idea what we're doing, considering our money is pretty tight right now. It's cause of Finals week/graduation. Once the 15th pay period comes around, things should start evening out and settling into a pattern. It will definitely help that Hubby is going from 23 hours every two weeks to 80 hours. Huzzah!

Hubby and I had some fun printing out pictures of projects/wishlists to keep track of things we should/want to get. The top priority for me is glasses. My eyes are getting bad, and I desperately need them. Probably will at least help stop the migraines I get. So that's the top priority for me, though with some fun things and practical things thrown in. Hehe. Now I just need to get a board so we can pin them up and take them down as they are accomplished. Hm....

Overall, I'm rather excited to get this New Year going. It should be pretty fun and full of some great changes. For once, I'm looking forward to change and new experiences and new things. I generally like staying comfortable, but...for some odd reason, I'm excited to experience new things and be put in new situations.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions, generally, because they always have a habit of breaking and getting forgotten. But I might this year. We shall see. This New Year is going to have some fun changes, that it seems a shame not to have a couple New Years Resolutions. I'll have to think about it.

Oh! We also saw Pirate Radio on a whim last night with friends at the dollar theater. Pretty entertaining. And the soundtrack is awesome. Though, I probably would watch anything that had Kenneth Branagh's name on it. Shameless fangirl, I do admit. Also, Emma Thompson had a small role!! Which makes such sense, considering that they always do things together. It's very entertaining. Go see it if you enjoy good classic rock and roll, British humor, don't mind cussing and some slight sexuality. Well, there's nothing graphic or anything, more just lots of talking about it. I'm going to go find the soundtrack now.

Speaking of British humor, I need to catch up on Dr. Who. Gah!!

And one of the other awesome Christmas Presents I got was a Palm Pixi from my wonderful mom-in-love. Hubby and I needed to upgrade our phones, which we did, and I ended up getting a wonderful phone that suits me amazingly. Hubby got a Hero HTC, which he's absolutely loving.

All in all, a wonderful week it's been (besides the whole sick thing).

I've just been informed it's time for lunch. Time to wrap this up!

bingle bongle dingle dangle lickety do lickety da ping pong lippy tappy too ta

Well, it's been a while. It's almost 2AM, I am still up because Hubby got a bad case of food poisoning so I'm staying awake for now to make sure he's alright. stupid food poisoning :(

Big things have been happening. The biggest of which is that Hubby graduated!! We've been celebrating all weekend, and we are all so proud of him. Because of graduation, Hubby's family came out from VA. It's been sooo good to visit with them and hang out and see them. As Mom states, "It's soo good to be able to touch you!" :-)

Christmas is in a week. I can hardly believe it. This semester and year feels like they've flown by so very quickly. It feels like we were just celebrating our first married Christmas together. Now we're celebrating our second, with Hubby's family in town. This entire year has had its ups and downs as years always do. But it's been such a good year for both of us, and an awesome time of growth and learning and love between us as a married couple.

Hubby's family saw us and coudln't stop complimenting both of us about how good we looked and how awesome things were going for us. It really blesses us, because we've been trying our hardest to keep life good for both of us and to do what God has called us to do.
The speaker at Hubby's graduation said a not exactly profound but interesting point of how we should find the Lane God wants us in and just keep going straight. It is very true, and a good reminder. I haven't had the best relationship with God this year as I would have liked, but with circumstances, it makes sense. But no matter what, I always keep trying to do what I;m supposed to wherever I am. And God has blessed us immensely over this past year, and especially the last month or so. It's hard to remember sometimes, but He really has blessed us, and things could be a lot worse. That being said, I"m going to just keep doing what God would have me do, and support Hubby as he figures out life post-graduation (though to be fair, we haw figured some of it out) and just see what God has in store for us over the next few months.

Hubby and I are both sooo happy to have our family in town (since I know you read this, Mom :-) xo). We've been blessed to see everyone and to be able to hang out and have some fun. God has truly blessed us with an amazing awesome supportive family. I am very blessed and overjoyed about this fact.

Btw, Avatar is the most amazing movie I have ever seen in 3D EVER!!!!!!! Go see it. The story is good. The characters are awesome, and the cinematography is sooo awesome. The 3D feels like it actually enhances the story, not as some cheap trick to get more money. First time I"ve watched a movie and tried ot wipe away the dirt getting flung at my face,

Ok, I think it's time for a doze now,

In the words of Dr. Who:
bingle bongle dingle dangle lickety do lickety da ping pong lippy tappy too ta