New Template, Here I Come!

YAY! I am sooo excited! Lindsay over at Splat Designs is going to make me a cute new template for my blog! No more of this regular blogger template for me, thankyouverymuch. And what makes it even better? It was free! That's right, F-R-E-E. For the second time in my life I won something! (The first thing I won was my wedding dress, and while I do have to admit that that one might be a little more significant, this one is a close second). She had a fun little contest with 15 trivia questions with answers that could be found on the blog templates she has already created and the first person to complete the contest with all the correct answers won the free template. Oh man, I really am excited, can you tell?! Lindsay does really cute work, just check out Nicole and Anna's blogs.

Woohoo pretty new blog for Kari, I can't wait!!!

My Trip to the Aquarium

This weekend my coworkers and I went to Monterey (again!) to get some fresh chowdah and see the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Mmmm....the chowdah (isn't it just more fun saying it that way?) was good...and so were the fish & chips. YUM! I like sea food, especially fresh seafood. I'm excited to go to Seattle the week after next to eat some more! Anyway, can we all tell that I like to eat?

Back to the post. So the aquarium. It was so cool! I really like stuff like that and they have a lot of really neat exhibits. They have tons of different kinds of jellyfish and they look so cool. There is a HUGE 1 million gallon outer bay exhibit with sharks, barracuda, stingrays, sea turtles (or so they claim...we didn't see any), blue fin tuna, and this:

Can you believe this thing? Do you know what it is? Go ahead, take some guesses.

It's an ocean sunfish, a.k.a. mola mola. It is the weirdest looking sea creature I have ever seen.

It is huge! I don't know exactly how big the one at the aquarium is, but they can be up to 11 feet long and weigh 5000 pounds!! It looks like someone cut the head off of a whale or something and it just healed itself and keeps slowly swimming around. Here are some more pictures so you can really get a feel how odd they really are.

CRAZY, HUH?!

A Day of Such Wonder

Oh man, I am so proud of myself! I went to the library on Tuesday as promised and I checked out not one, but TWO books, both by Nicholas Sparks. I have noticed a strange trend...all of his books seem to involve the state of North Carolina. I'm all about giving a shout out to the home state, but the same shout out in EVERY book? Is that necessary Nick? Anyway, I read a whole book in 2 days! Granted, it was only 212 pages, but that is a big accomplishment for me! I don't think I've ever done that in my life! The book, Nights in Rodanthe, was good too. Certainly not quite as good as Dear John, but still a cute little book. I don't think I'll have time to read the other book I got, since I only have 3 days left here to finish all my work, so I think I'll probably do the responsible thing and focus on that. Gosh, reading an entire book in 2 days AND making such an adult decision about working instead of reading a mindless book in the time remaining here... I think I deserve a medal.

A Few Random Thoughts

First of all, you, my handful of readers, will be pleased to know that I finished listening to my audio book last night. It was so good! Man, those characters seemed so real to me too, which is part of the reason I got so into it I'm sure. I REALLY recommend it! It didn't quite end the way I wanted it to, but it was still just sooo great! I'm going to make my trip to the library today, where I'll be torn on whether to check out an actual book or just get another book on disc. I'm going to try to force myself to get a book, mostly because I kinda feel lazy when I'm just sitting in my hotel room staring at my laptop, listening to disc after disc. Somehow I think it's a little more socially acceptable to read. You know... doing something slightly more active with your mind and all.

Second, I debated on whether or not to post this, but the more I thought about it, the more it really bothered me, so here goes. Sunday night, I was BEYOND BORED. I went to church in the morning and went on a little drive that afternoon, but after I made myself stop listening to my audio book I had absolutely nothing to do, so I decided to go rent a movie from Blockbuster. But, once I got to Blockbuster, they told me I couldn't rent a movie there without my membership card (which I didn't have), so that kinda bummed me out. But then, I headed to the Golden Oak to pick up my takeout and once I got there I parked my car by a curb so I could just jet in and grab it. However, someone pulled in behind me and as he was letting his wife and kids out in front of the restaurant door, he feels inclined to roll his window down and say to me, "You know, that's not a parking spot." At first, I kind of thought he was kidding, so I just smiled at him. Then, he continues: "Could you NOT just walk the extra 15 feet and park in a spot?" This comment really bothered me, but I didn't want to say something too rude, seeing how I had no idea who he was, and I especially didn't want to spout off if he was the owner of the restaurant or something. So I just said to him, "Who are you?" to which he said nothing so I knew he was just that, NO ONE, so I continued, "And why do you care where I park anyway?" I shook my head with confusion because honestly, why would he care?! It's not like I was parking there for a 2 hour meal, I was just going in to pick up my order. And, it's not like my car was in the way of anything and it wasn't blocking traffic. He again said nothing (or at least not that I heard) so I just kept walking and went inside. I waited for a minute for the hostess to appear and by this time, the man's wife and children were inside standing right beside me. The wife leans over to me and says with a kind smile, "I told him to mind his own business; he's not the parking police." That made me a little more comfortable, knowing that she wasn't as impolite as he was. The hostess finally surfaced at about the same time that he came in from parking his eco-friendly Prius (puke). She handed me my food and I looked at him with my bag in my hand and said to him, "I'm not staying." He then says, "Oh, well I guess that's ok then." UUUgghh! I rolled my eyes at him, as if I care about his approval or think he has any place voicing his opinions about the parking situation. WHAT A PUNK! He really made me so mad!! I really don't know why he thought it necessary to tell me that I was not only parking in a place that indeed was not a parking spot, but that I was lazy for doing so. Yeah, I could have walked the extra 15 feet, but I wasn't doing it to be lazy; I wasn't even doing it with any real thought about the matter, other than just to park, run in, grab my food, and leave. AND, he was dropping off his own family in front of the door! Does that mean that they were lazy or inconsiderate for not walking the extra 15 feet (or whatever) from the parking spot?! No, I don't think like that. I think it was polite of him to drop them off while he parked, however, it really made him look like a hypocrite for chastising me for it. I hope his food was bad and his service really sucked.

Ok... I'm now taking in deep breaths and relaxing my tensed shoulder muscles.

And now for the last thought/story of the day, Adam and I want to have a baby. Can you just imagine the cuteness that will result from our procreation? It's almost too much to stand! ;) jk So, we started trying last month. I didn't want to make a big announcement about it, but Adam has told everyone he's ever met, so I figured I might as well post it here for you few readers. Anyway, my period is late this month and my cycle is usually very regular. I didn't want to take a pregnancy test here all by myself because I wanted to be with Adam and be able to celebrate if I was pregnant, but he was DYING to know, so I headed to the store to get a test. I wasn't going to do it until the morning, but by then I really wanted to know, so I did it right then. I was really thinking it would come up positive, but it didn't. The words "Not Pregnant" appeared and I was kind of shocked. Oh well, not pregnant. I kind of expected my period to start at that exact moment, but still, 3 days later, no period. I thought that maybe my first test was just a false negative, so I did another test this morning and again, "Not Pregnant". Well, where the heck is my stupid period if I'm "Not Pregnant"? This suspense is kind of annoying. Did this ever happen to any of you?

"Dear John"

I am listening to my book on disc that I bought the other day and I. CANNOT. STOP. I brought it inside my hotel today after I came back from church and have been listening to it all day! It is totally engulfing me! I am torn, because I don't want to listen to it all today because I want to have something to listen to for the rest of the time that I'm here, but I really like it and don't want to stop!

It is really a good book and it is so cute! It is telling about this love story and John and Savannah's meeting and their short courtship and it completely reminds me of mine and Adam's. I like that it's being told from John's point of view because it kinda gives a glimpse into how guys feel during times like that even though they don't everything they're thinking and feeling.

Adam laughed at me when I told him that I couldn't stop listening to it. "You know, some people even get involved like that and read the actual book," he said. LOL, I know! I used to read somewhat frequently when I was younger, but once I went to college, I didn't read books other than textbooks and I guess I haven't picked it up since. I have wanted to read a good book for a while, so this is a good way to break me into it I think. I'm going to go to the Morgan Hill library tomorrow and actually check out a book to read on Tuesday (since it's closed Mondays). I'm sure I'll be unable to not finish this one by the end of the evening. I actually have to stop typing because I feel like I'm missing important details by not giving it my full attention. =)

Nothin' Like a Good Day Trip

For my first weekend in Califonia sans husband or any other plans, my two coworkers and I took a little day trip to see the surrounding sights. First we drove to Santa Cruz and went to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The drive there from Morgan Hill was so awesome! We took a little two lane road that wound through hills and tall, tall trees with bright green moss growing up the trunks. Once we reached the top of the road, there were several pull-out points with terrific panoramic views of the valleys and the ocean in the horizon. It was really such a great road! The Boardwalk was pretty cool. They had limited operation because it's January and all, so we only rode one ride--The Hurricane--but it was fun! Too short, because I like rollercoasters and it's been forever since I've been on one, but fun nonetheless. The famous rollercoaster, The Giant Dipper, was closed down while they are doing some rebuilding on the boardwalk, so we didn't get to ride it. I was kinda bummed about that because that's a pretty popular one, but that's ok.

From Santa Cruz, we went to Monterey, and I have decided that I really like northern California and the Bay area! We went to the Bay and it climbed around on the rocks and watched the ocean. I even saw some sea otters out in the water and I was so happy! I REALLY wanted to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but I don't think anyone else wanted to go, plus it's $25 to get in, so we skipped it.


(You'll have to click on this picture to enlarge it. I'm not sure if it's the exact place where we were today, but it looks really similar.)

We didn't really do much else during our little outing, but it was a nice, nearly free little excursion! I'd like to come again with my husband when the weather is a little warmer. Adam & I have both been to California a few times in the past 3 years, but have never had enough time to do any sight seeing together (usually he's with his rugby team and I'm with my sister-in-law taking a little day trip before the rugby game starts), so someday I want to take a trip with him out here so we can experience some of these things together.

Are We in Elementary School or What?

Ok, let's just be honest here. I don't mean to complain, but I am SOO over this whole stupid "Rosie vs. Donald" fued that the media thinks is so important to update us on multiple times each day. As I'm watching TV at night here (really...I don't have much else to do...ok, AND I'm kind of one of those people who likes to watch television, but anyway...) I cannot go more than 3 stations without hearing about the fiasco or reading about it on the scrolling news at the bottom of the screen. At first, yes, I was a little intruiged. I thought it was funny. But it is such a stupid thing and I am so sick of being bombarded with its continuance. If they were everyday people, this would be over by now, but no, they're both famous and it just seems like this is not ending. I think they're both kind of milking the situation. Also, if they weren't famous, everyone around them would tell them that they are both being childish and tell them to shut up about it and move on. Instead, the people around them just try to fuel the fire and keep it going, despite the fact that it's completely ridiculous. Who really cares if someone says you have bad hair? And who really cares if someone you don't even like says that you're fat? Ugggg....I wish it would stop.

(deep breath)

Ok, now that I've gotten THAT out of the way, I'm feeling much better. I'm so excited!!! Adam's dad bought him a plane ticket so he can fly out here and visit me and then drive back with me! I miss my little husband! He isn't coming for another week and a half, but it will be good to see him and be able to drive with him for 10 hours.

I also bought a book on disc today though to help with the time that I am in my car here. I can't seem to find a good radio station and when I do happen to come across one that I like, inevitably it will turn into a Mexican station within five minutes of driving, and while I do wish I was a fan of the sounds of polka, I'm afraid I just haven't aquired that taste yet. So I went to the store and bought the book Dear John by Nicolas Sparks. I think it will be pretty good....I mean, The Notebook. Need I say more?

California...Here I Come!

Ok, I'm actually already here, but yep, sunny California! I'm here on business working in Morgan Hill and it is beautiful!

I am going to be here for 2 1/2 weeks, which I am NOT excited about, but the hopes of making good money are helping the situation. It was so sad to leave my little Adam though. I really almost cried. He is the best husband EVER! I hope the time goes by fast, but if I keep myself busy with work I think it will be ok.

I left on Sunday at about 11:00 am, following 2 of my coworkers--the leader of which who was not a fan of cruise control making THAT a fun experience in and of itself. (oh wait, I'm lying. It actually really annoyed me.) He is also a crazy driver so as we were driving through Tahoe I really thought I might die. HOWEVER, I did not, and we made it to Morgan Hill in about 11 hours.

My manager had told me that the hotel we would be staying at is a little different and sure enough, he was correct. I had envisioned a scary, ghetto place, but when we pulled up, the palm trees and well kept grounds made me feel much better. Oh...but when I got to my room, I was thrust right back into the harsh reality that this hotel actually IS somewhat yucky. The furnishings are quite old and the dim lighting does not help hide any imprefections. My absolute FAVORITE part is the fan/light in the bathroom that sounds like a 1940's war plane. Mmmhmmm, it's fantastic.

Ok, it's actually not too bad, and I brought my Lysol disinfectant spray and wipes so I think I'll be alright. Plus, no one stays here. Ever. There are 4 people from my company staying here and I really think that maybe only 15 other guests are staying here. The maid has yet to come to my room, except once to bring me extra toilet paper. Not sure why she thought I'd use a whole roll in the 24 hours I'd been here, but I'll let that one go. I'm going to have to track her down because I'll need new towels in the morning.

The food here, however, is really good. We have endless trade at a restaurant called Golden Oak. We ate lunch and dinner there yesterday and they have the best salmon I've ever tasted in my life! The other reps here tell me I'll get sick of eating all this high-end food, but I'm gonna go ahead and try to prove them wrong.

If anyone has any good suggestions of what to do or where to go while I'm here, please feel free to tell me. I do have quite a bit of time to kill at night and on the weekends. I think we're going to go to Santa Cruz or Monterey this weekend. Otherwise, I'll be updating my blog from the golden state!

(P.S. Sorry I haven't posted a picture of my magical new coat! I promise to do it when I get back home.)