It's Physically Impssible pt. 2

Just a couple more spots that Brad and I visited during our recent trip, spots that I highly recommend if you are going there yourself. It's physically impossible for us to visit San Diego without seeing the ocean. Here is La Jolla Shores, the beach of my childhood. And even before. Let me explain. My mom was such a beach lover, being pregnant with her first didn't stop her. She says she would dig a hole in the sand to put her pregnant belly in so she could still catch some rays. And being lucky enough to have that beach loving mother, I have had my fill childhood beach activities of sand castles, boogie boards, jump roping with the seaweed, shell collecting, life guard watching, nasty beach bathroom attending. And all, well most, at this beach. I love it.

It is also physically impossible for me to be in San Diego without going to Balboa Park. I have been in love with this place for as long as I can remember. It's like this old world escape in the middle of the city set up on the hill so you get little glimpses of the ocean, and it's so quiet and peaceful. Also home of the San Diego Zoo, countless museums, and where I got to take art lessons as a kid. Isn't it beautiful? Next time you go to San Diego, you just have to go.

It's Physically Impossible pt. 1

Well. It's been about a week now that we've been home from our little weekend getaway to Southern Cal, and I am missing it. It is SNOWING here for heaven's sake, and I am trying to remind myself what it was like to have sun. It's just a distant memory after today:(

Since it's such a fun and easy trip for us, we do it often. Just a nice little escape. When we go we are lucky to stay with my aunt Cory and her family who are holding out and still live in Cali, after most of my family(mom & dads' sides) have slowly trickled into Utah. I love them. Love, love, love them. So when we go, it is physically impossible not to spend as much time as possible with our family. Brad has a 'brotha from anotha motha' in my uncle Fred, sports speaking. Everytime there is a major sporting event, Brad thinks we might as well head down so he can watch it with Fred rather than calling eachother every (insert sports timing increment here) to discuss. I don't care what I'm doing, as long as I get to hang with my aunt Cory, and we can't get enough of my cousins. So we all just hang out, shop, eat, play Rock Band, and mostly . . . relax. Trust me, I've been to Sea World all ready, so it's a nice relaxing trip. No need to try to hit all the attractions. Every time we leave I can't decide if I want her to move here or us to move there. . . . anyhoo, we just hate to leave.

We did attend a couple of my cousins ballgames:

Go Gabe Go

Father and Son

My cousin Garrison is missing a tooth or two.

Our watching spot.

Brad and Garrison. They are opposites in height and weight. Garrison being light on his feet and Brad, well, not. It's hilarious really. Check out the cans they're holding. You can barely see Brad's through his big ol' hand, at least compared to Garrison's. They are quite the pair.

It's also physically impossible for us when in San Diego to not stop by a little Italian restaurant downtown on India street called Filippi's Pizza Grotto. It's a game in my family. If my dad is ever in San Diego, place of his birth and first 35 yrs of life, without me, his eldest daughter, he will send me this nasty little text that says something like, "I am just sitting here at Filippi's, enjoying some pizza. And it's beautiful outside." This is followed by eye-rolling and sighing on my part. So naturally, if I am ever in San Diego, without my father, I'll send him a nasty little text that says something like, "Mmm. The pasta at Filippi's is sooo good today. Too bad you're in Utah, at work." And so the cycle goes. But anyway. It's been there since like the fifties, and if you try to go on the weekend the line will be out the door. But it's Filippi's, and so it's worth it.

It's the funnest little place, empty Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling throughout.

Check out that pizza.


I could hardly get a picture of Brad and his cannoli before he inhaled it.


You have to wander through the shop to get to the restaurant in the back. This is where the line forms, smells wafting everywhere.

Okay. Now I am going to go eat something.

Surprise

Here I sit at work, minding my own business and trying to get going on the day, and my husband sends me this from his phone:
He surprised me and bought me a new camera lens(85mm 1.8 for anyone that cares) and it just got here this morning!!! And it is just sitting at home on our dining room table in all it's glory, and I am so impatient and excited to try it out I just can't stand it. Can I just brag on my husband for a minute? I love that guy like crazy. He is bound and determined on making me the happiest girl around. I won't even tell you how much this was, as liking to take pictures is a very expensive hobby, but he knew I wanted it and so he didn't even hesitate to buy it and surprise me with it. Just had to share my excitement. Plan on seeing some pics with it later on!

Withdrawal

Do you have Guitar Hero? Better yet, do you have the kind on the Wii where you can play the drums??? Because it has now been several days since I've played and I am starting to feel desperate. Knocking on doors till I find someone who has them is starting to seem like a good idea. I have even contemplated going out and buying the whole setup just for me and Brad, but I realize this is a bit frivolous for only two people. Only because I don't want just Guitar Hero. I want the whole thing so I can play the drums and someone can play bass and guitar and sing. I am hooked I tell ya. I am also fearful that if I had my very own game I would neglect cleaning and showering and eating. When we got to San Diego, we all started playing and I saw the drums. I thought, "Yeah right." But three days later we were up playing into the night and having to pry ourselves away. I would show you a picture of all the excitement, only when I looked at all the pictures Brad took, I am usually wearing my horizontally striped pajamas (horizontal stripes = very unflattering), and I am making some crazy distored face that apparently comes with trying desperately to play the darn things. So what did I do? I deleted them with a ferocity. But here's one of my cousin Gabe. He's and expert. So can I come over and play? I promise I won't wear my pajamas and I'll try to keep my scary faces to a minimum.

Now Open

If you have not yet tried the new Rubio's (check out the menu here) in town, don't delay. That is if you like that kind of thing. But that's just my opinion and I will try not to be offended if you do not agree. I am most likely biased since I grew up eating this flavorful grub. Mmm. You simply must try the Gormet Tacos and, of course, the Orinigal Fish Taco. I just got back from having a tasty lunch there, and am contemplating dinner. I was so happy to see the 'Now Open' sign! Following in the steps of El Pollo Loco (the double lls are pronouned as a y people. Say it with me: El Poyo Loco.) I am thinking Rubio's will be filled with Californians, since there are so many here now, anxious for a taste. OH so good. And now it's around the corner. Hooray! Happy Eating!!!

Back Home

Brad & I just got home last night from our bi-annual trip so San Diego, but I am thinking it needs to become more like an every three rather than every six month occurance. The day we left the weather was so beautiful and I just felt sooo good that I really wanted to throw a temper tantrum at the airport, complete with throwing all my bags, falling on the floor, and screaming, "No, I don't wanna go!!!" But I am here (sigh), and am trying to resume life and have a good attitude about it. I'll be posting some more about all our goings on down there. Oh I miss it.

Hawaii?

Brad and I are trying desperately to decide on a vacation spot for this year, it being our 5th anniversary this June and all. We are also aware that our current state of childlessness will not last much longer(this is not an announcement) and we should probably expound on any and all opportunities possible while they do exist. I've heard your life changes or something when you have a baby??? We have been throwing around ideas for awhile: Mexican cruise, NYC or New England in general, North Carlolina(it is the place of my husband's birth, after all), or even Europe. We've done the whole cruise thing, twice. And for some reason I have a serious aversion to planning a vacation that does not involve a warm climate, beach, and ample time to read extremely frivolous books.



At some point, Hawaii showed up on our vacation radar. It comes highly recommended, is some supposed paradise, and is even in the good ol' US of A. So we are honing in on it, and trying to just plan the darn thing already instead of always just talking about it. But I am one of those people who, if I have time to actually plan it out, want to know about all of it. Like if I want to plant a peony bush I can't just go pick one up, dig a hole, stick it in the earth, and call it good. I have to do research. Where do I put it? What kind of soil do I have? How does one take care of a lovely peony bush? What kind of shovel do I use? Okay, I don't usually get that carried away, but still. You get the picture. So I need feedback. I know lots of you lucky people have already experienced this supposed paradise, so I need to know: Where did you stay? Suggestions? Recommendations? I know we are going to hit Oahu, as I want to experience a whole night at the Polynesian Culteral Center, see Pearl Harbor and the Hawaii Temple. But the rest of the time? The rest of the time I am thinking uncrowded beach, relaxation, pineapple and macadamia nuts, fresh local food, breathtaking vistas. . . basically a green, lush, tropical wonderland. Maui? Kauai? Please, do share.

A Farewell to Winter