Moving Forward While Looking Back

Hello Blog World. It's been a while. There have been so many things that have happened. So many things that I have done. So many things I have seen. But I have not had the time, or rather taken the time, to share them with you.

I am sure you have figured out by now that I have been an absent blogger due to my new job. Starting a new job is tough. I am not saying I don't love it --- there are days when I walk out of my classroom with the biggest smile on my face, because I know that a lightbulb went off. Other days, I will admit, I come home crying, frustrated with not knowing how to help a student, upset that there are not enough hours in the day to really do all of the fabulous things I would like to. For the last several weeks, I have concentrated my efforts on my work. Establishing my footing. Finding my balance. Some days are good. Some days are not so good. But every day gets a little bit easier. I just have to keep moving.

While I keep moving forward, I cannot help but look back. So far, the most difficult thing has been how much I absolutely miss my former colleagues. Some of these people weren't just my colleagues, but my friends. My best friends. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy my new colleagues (especially my new work-brother, who has welcomed me and taken me in, like...well... like a brother and my new musical non-sister sister who 'gets' that I like to belt out gangsta rap, and knows all of the same lyrics!)  I look back at where I have come from and I miss the familiarity. I miss the ease. I just flat out miss them. I miss how one of my friends would walk in the room on a Friday and yell "It's Friday!" as loud  as she could. I miss how one of my friends would do a little half walk-half run up to me to hug me every time she saw me. I miss how hard I would laugh when one of my dearest friends would make obscure movie quote references, and how either I (or no one!) would have a clue as to what she was talking about. I miss everyone giggling in the staff room. I miss how just being in the same room as some of them made me feel at home. I miss how I could glance at my best friend, and instantly, we would know exactly what the other was thinking.

There are many days when I wish I was back in my old classroom, with my old friends, doing the same old same old. The memories I made at that school, with those people, make my heart smile. I yearn for that old familiar feeling. But I also know that everything has its time. As the saying goes, the beauty of life is found in adventure, and I have found chosen a new adventure. A new adventure with new people, new places and new experiences. I love my new adventures, and I am eager to continue, but I don't see any harm in looking back and realizing (and appreciating!) how fabulous my many adventures have been so far.

Adventures in Homeownership: Moving Day

On Saturday, May 26, my husband and I began our newest adventure! Living in San José.

Our big day started off with some friends picking up/buying our fridge. The fridge was so big, we had to take the front door off the hinges. (Note to self: don't pack up the hinges in a random box, or you will have to go to the hardware store and buy new hinges. Like we did.) Of course "Grandpa Wing" had to give the little guy a ride on the hand truck after loading up the fridge.

We decided that it would be a good investment in sanity and physical anguish to hire a moving company. We decided to go with XO Moving. (See their Yelp review here.) Emil was very helpful in getting us set up for the big day, and the moving men who helped us move were fantastic. The movers were on time and fabulously helpful. My parents and my bestie also came to help us tidy up after the movers. Their help was invaluable. We could not have done it without them!

Goodbye Turlock House. 

Once we got to San Jose, the moving men began unpacking and did so on time and under budget! Mom and Dad came and helped set the basics up.There were boxes everywhere, but it was awesome to know that we were finally in our new home.

Adventures in Gettin' Married: Showered with L♥VE

“A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.” 
-- William Arthur Ward

I am blessed -- truly, truly blessed.

Recently I was showered with love and friendship as my fabulous Matron of Honor and lovely bridesmaids hosted a bridal shower in my honor. I was overwhelmed with love, laughter, gratitude and joy as I was surrounded by so many remarkably fabulous women. It is an emotion that cannot be explained -- to have everyone you love surrounding you -- it's a feeling that you never, ever want to leave you and a feeling that you never, ever will forget.

I was enveloped by everyone I love: my family (from as far away as Portland, Oregon!)  my work friends, my music friends, my college friends! As if being around all of these wonderful women were not good enough, I was presented with many, MANY generous gifts. There are so many wonderful things that I received, I cannot mention them all. There were some really unique and thoughtful gifts that I thought I would feature. Including....

Albert enjoying our new immersion blender... or the box at least!

Albert's gifty -- complete with treats!

Even Albert got a present! 

Our Mr. and Mrs. mugs Mom bought us, direct from Disneyland! 

The espresso make from Aaron's parents --sent all the way from Iowa!

A Party Pack! Complete with glasses, beverages and games!
(And a laughing pig!) 

An adorable "Breakfast in Bed" gift -- everything we need for a romantic breakfast in bed. 

One of the cutest parts?
The enclosed "Bride" and "Groom" attire!

I don't think I can properly articulate how thankful I am, not just for the gifts, but more importantly for the friendships that have surrounded me. I am so grateful for each and every one of the tremendously awesome women that were able to attend as well as those who were not able to attend. I am so happy and so very grateful to have experienced life with all of these people. I only hope that I can touch someone else's life as joyously and as poignantly as they have touched mine. ♥