tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358061592750666432024-02-19T08:44:01.722-05:008 Kinds of AwesomeCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-66592947893047267782017-08-09T20:16:00.001-04:002017-08-09T20:16:23.839-04:0040 by 40 - Go to a movie alone & invite the neighbours for dinnerSo it's been a year since I've updated my 40 by 40 and I've only got two new things to show for it. But something is better than nothing right?<br />
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<b>Go to a movie alone</b><br />
It probably seems silly for me to be uncomfortable with this, but eating alone or going to a movie alone has always felt like a scary thing for me. Where do I look? How do I fill the silences? Well...now with two small kids at home, I treasure my alone time and any silence I can get. I was EXCITED to get out to a movie alone. And it was great. Not weird at all and a really nice little break. I might just do it again.<br />
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<b>Invite the neighbours for dinner</b><br />
How have we not done this before? I love the idea of neighbours who know each others names and have conversations in the driveway and dinner together. We bring the neighbours treats at Christmas, but even then, we don't really get to <i>know</i> them. One day, our next door neighbours were playing in the front yard as the same time as us and we chatted a little. We were heading inside and I thought, yet again, "we should really invite them for dinner." And I suddenly just turned around and went back out and invited them over for a few nights later. They were free and we set the date.<br />
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The night they came by, AJ and I were having a conversation because we couldn't be sure we remembered their names. How embarrassing. We have lived here 3 years. I thought I knew, but it had been a long time since we had introduced ourselves, and it's really easy to have quick conversations without ever using each other's names. And so, when they got there, I just got it out of the way. "So, this is embarrassing, but I need to make sure I have your names right." I did, and I made sure they knew ours just in case they were feeling the same way. And we had a great night letting the kids run around and getting to know each other.<br />
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I hate that we let busy schedules and laziness get in the way of really getting to know the people around us. This is one that I absolutely want to continue.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-66343323177770991882016-07-24T20:26:00.002-04:002016-07-24T20:26:28.543-04:0040 by 40 - Learn To Drive Stick Shift & Try Adventure Rooms CanadaTwo more down for the blog today.<br />
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First, learning to drive stick shift. I had the basic idea a while ago but I just get so nervous when people are around me that I will stall and look like an idiot. Before AJ got rid of his manual transmission, I drove it a few more times. Enough that I am confident that I can do it if needed and also enough to know that I will always buy an automatic.<br />
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Secondly, and more fun, escape rooms. I have been looking forward to doing this for a long time. It seems like an activity designed just for me and, as it turns out, that's pretty accurate.<br />
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We didn't actually go to an official Adventure Rooms Canada, but an Escape Room opened up in Barrie and that made getting there and getting babysitting much more convenient.<br />
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We went with another couple that we don't see enough who also wanted to try it out. The place is called Perplexcity and although I have nothing to compare it to, the rooms seems pretty good. The rest of the place doesn't quite give off the same vibe, but the rooms themselves are great.<br />
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We got a quick lowdown on the story and the way all the different locks work from our gamemaster and he "locked" us in and started the 60 minute clock. Immediately, we figured we'd all just take a side of the room and find anything we could that might be part of it and go from there. I won't go into details because I'm not going to ruin the fun for anyone.<br />
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Like I said, this sort of thing is perfectly aligned with my competitive nature and nerdy love for puzzles. I was pumped and moving at lightning speed through the things we found. AJ actually had to reel me in once or twice because I sort of took over and he reminded me that perhaps our friends would like to play too. Ooops.<br />
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A lot of the puzzles came fairly easily to me, but when I was stumped or slow at getting something, someone else jumped on it and had the answer. We ended up escaping in 40 minutes and our gamemaster was pretty impressed. Apparently we were the first to even escape that room, never mind with 20 minutes to spare.<br />
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I loved it and can't wait to try it again!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-21912807575991866882016-07-01T19:40:00.001-04:002016-07-01T19:40:58.431-04:00City Chase 2016After a couple year hiatus, AJ and I got back to City Chase in Toronto.<br />
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We went into the race with no anticipation of winning (top teams do it in 2.5 of the allowed 6 hours), but instead made our goal to complete the required 10 Chase Points by the 4pm finish time. This makes for a much more relaxed and fun race for two competitive people.<br />
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It was a beautiful day, the boys were with their grandparents and AJ and I were ready for some adventure.<br />
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After the Zumba-like warm up that AJ hated, they announced the riddle to lead us to our clue sheet. We spent about 40 minutes sitting on the sidewalk working out the riddles. Longer than many other teams, but shorter than others. This year's clue sheet was done in brain teasers so it took a little longer to work out.<br />
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Once we had most of them figured out, we picked the one that sounded the most fun (which is basically our whole strategy) and headed out with our TTC passes in hand.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #1 - Escape Room</b><br />
We forgot to take a picture of this one, but it was easily my favourite. I haven't done a full escape room before but this made me want to go soon. It was a medical room and we had to find files and match files with injuries and blood types to open a lock. It was a pretty quick Chase Point #1.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #2 - Zorb Wars</b><br />
Stop #2 was a bit of a walk to a park. We were so excited to see the zorbs because we thought there would be water involved and the sun was beating down. Alas, no water, but still a fun challenge. Us vs another team to try and knock off small balls velcroed to the zorb. And we won so we didn't have to clean up.<br />
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At this point, we didn't really have a game plan so we sat down for a snack and to map out where we would go the rest of the day. We forgot our plan from the last race to have a paper map with us, but AJ used his iPhone to map each address into quadrants so we'd at least pick ones in the same area. This little stop was a good choice and gave us a plan for the rest of the day.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #3 - Cheerleading Routine</b><br />
Routine is a bit of a stretch. One partner had to stand on the other partner's knee and hold for 5 seconds. I tried first because that's what the girl is supposed to do, but apparently I have the world's worst balance. So we switched and AJ nailed it immediately.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #4 - Box Hockey</b><br />
This was surprisingly one of the most physically difficult challenges. Those sticks are super bendy and the other guy just held his stick in front of the holes so there was nowhere to go. We ended up there so long, the judges just gave us a mercy point.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #5 - Boot Toss</b><br />
We accidentally found this one by following another team from box hockey, but we'll take what we can get. AJ tossed 3 boots into a can for the point.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #6 - Surf Workout</b><br />
Another really fun one! We followed the instructor through an ab workout on surfboards. Nama-surf.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #7 - Goodlife Puzzle</b><br />
Goodlife usually has a fun and challenge point, but this one was a bit disappointing. Move the weights to the other side moving one at a time and not having a larger weight on top of a smaller one. Took AJ about 10 seconds. (Though he hammed it up for the photo)<br />
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<b>Chase Point #8 - Trumpet Playing</b><br />
Forgot to take a photo again, but be glad there's no video. I said I was going to do this point no matter what it was and I ended up having to play a note on a trumpet for 5 seconds. I played something that could maybe be called a note, or several terrible notes. But I got the job done. Of course, AJ played trumpet in high school, but he was kind enough to let me embarrass myself.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #9 - Art Match</b><br />
Next we went to an art school. We were given 10 photos of artists and had to match them with their paintings. I knew half of them for sure and the others were a guess. The staff member was very generous with hints.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #10 - Fun With Flags</b><br />
After accidentally taking the long route, we made it to a park where we had to use flag signals to spell a phrase. It took us a few minutes to figure it out but we got it.<br />
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We were at our 10 points at about 1:45, but I had already seen the tweets that winners passed the finish line around 12:30. So we could have headed back but decided to keep going and see how many we could do. (There is something called the Enduro Challenge, where the team with most Chase Points gets a prize. The winner this time got 20.)<br />
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<b>Chase Point #11 - Paint A Masterpiece</b><br />
As it turns out, our last two points were not as exciting as we hoped. For #11 we had to copy a painting, mixing the colour to match.<br />
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<b>Chase Point #12 - Arm Trivia</b><br />
Next we had to answer 5 trivia questions at an art store by writing the answers across both our arms. The marker pens we were supposed to use did not work well so we ended up just telling the staff the answers.<br />
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Now it was 3:20 and we decided to head back. You have to be at the finish line by 4pm to have your ranking count. Plus, we were sweaty and ready to be done. I got 3 times my step goal for the day and covered 14km even with our TTC pass.<br />
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We made it back just before 4 and ended up in 300 and something place out of about 500 teams. So we made our goal with 12 Chase Points, didn't fight and had a fun day together. See you next year City Chase!<br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-36977158327846080152016-02-06T11:00:00.000-05:002016-02-06T11:00:11.157-05:0040 by 40 - Get a dogI've had a dog for most of my life. When AJ and I got married, we got a dog within the first year. I love having a dog around and have missed it ever since we had to put Snax down about 2 years ago. It didn't make sense to get one right away when we knew we'd have another baby, so we waited. Then we had Dallas and we're getting to the point where he's not so needy and I started getting puppy fever. I thought it would be great to get one while on mat leave so I'd been home more often and have time for training. AJ wasn't so sure so I just looked up puppies online.<br />
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One day, I was looking up breeders to see if there were any new litters of goldendoodles at a reasonable price and I found one in Peterborough. I sent it to AJ more as a joke, but surprisingly, he said we should do it. I called the breeder and they still had a female left and Kyler had a PA day the next day so we went on a road trip. We didn't tell Kyler what we were doing and he was very patient for the whole 2.5 hour drive.<br />
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When we got there, we went inside and told Kai what was up. He was pretty excited. We took a look at 2 different dogs and fell for the playful white one.<br />
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We made a deal and brought our new puppy home.<br />
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We named her Kona which means Lady in Hawaiian and is also an apparently delicious coffee. Kyler is already her favourite and has the playful scratches to prove it. The first bit is always a little more trying - she cries when we leave the penned in area of the house or put her in the mudroom at night and there are lots of accidents to clean up, but she's already a pretty great dog and I love having her sleeping on my feet right now as I type.<br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-1055687272142523292016-02-05T11:26:00.001-05:002016-02-05T11:26:55.708-05:0040 by 40 - Let someone else order order dinnerI am a very picky eater. But I'm working on it. I used to only order chicken fingers at every restaurant I went to. AJ will eat almost anything and his sense of food adventure has been rubbing off on me over the years.<br />
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This year, I created a binder full of new recipes and we've been trying a new one every night. It's been a little over a month and it's been an interesting experiment. Most of them, we've all enjoyed, some have been less than thrilling and we've tossed the recipe, but it's been fun trying new things and buying groceries we've never bought before.<br />
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Still, letting someone else order whatever they want for me at a restaurant is a scary thought. I'd hate to spend all that money on something I don't like. But last weekend, I had a girls' day while the husbands watched all of the children (brave men) and the girls wanted Indian food. I have never tried any kind of Indian food, but they all raved about it so much and I was just happy to be out kid-free, so I agreed.<br />
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Since I know nothing about the food, I let them do the ordering. We had butter chicken, daal, curried beef, samosas and naan. I tried it all and it was good! The samosas and naan were especially good, but there was nothing I truly didn't like.<br />
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Maybe I'll even try it again sometime.<br />
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Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-20721466125847623632016-01-13T14:04:00.002-05:002016-01-13T14:04:13.518-05:0040 by 40 - Binge watch a TV showSo it's been a bit of a hiatus on this blog as we've been busy figuring out how life works with two kids. But it's been great. Dallas is now sleeping through the night and is such a happy, easygoing kid. Kyler has started school and absolutely loves it, plus that gives me plenty of one-on-one time with Dallas during the day. Which brings me to my next <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2014/09/40-by-40-list.html" target="_blank">40 by 40 list</a> completion.<br />
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Dallas is generally a pretty good sleeper and still takes two 2 hours naps during the day leaving me lots of time to clean and learn a new language, but who am I kidding? I've done a few projects here and there, I shower most days, I go to mom's groups once in a while and I thoroughly enjoy my Netflix subscription.<br />
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I have watched a number of shows over the past few months, but the biggest binge watch has definitely been Grey's Anatomy.<br />
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I wasn't sure about it at first - I had never watched an episode in the 11 seasons it's been on so far. Seemed a little too soap opera for me. But enough people recommended it that I figured I'd give it a shot.<br />
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And it is kind of a soap opera. But it's very well done and I got hooked pretty quickly. And I am proud (or maybe embarrassed) to say that I have now caught up to the 12th season on live TV.<br />
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I am currently rewatching The Office series since Netflix has added it and remembering why it's one of my favourite shows ever. It's so smart and hilarious, especially the cold opens.<br />
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So another thing off my list. I've highlighted a few others that I hope to accomplish this year as well. Then I start to get down to the more expensive/difficult ones but also some really fun ones. And I will try to post more often than every 5 months.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-34879093162278091782015-08-18T14:56:00.000-04:002015-08-18T14:56:00.657-04:0040 by 40 - Coach Kai's sports teamI've had a bit of a hiatus with my bucket list what with having a baby and I. Actually, having a second baby would have been at the very top of my bucket list, but with all the trouble we had getting pregnant the second time around, I was afraid to even put it on the list. But he's here now and I'm ready to knock some items off this list.<br />
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We put Kai in soccer this summer - not just Playball where they learn drills, but real (ish) games. I mean, it was 12 teams of 3-5 year olds, so there were kids that chased the ball and kids that ate grass. Kai was kind of in between. He LOVED playing goalie (and was really great at it), but we challenged him to go out and play too (the whole point is to use up his nearly endless energy). At first he just cried every time the ball got taken away from him, but by the end of the year, he was right in there and having a great time.<br />
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The coach of the team didn't exist. I think the league just assigned one of the parents but no one seemed to know who it was. So the parents just kind of took turns taking lead on the practise that happened during the first half hour of the night, and more often than not, that fell on me because I actually went in and played instead of watching them.<br />
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I'm not a soccer person. I subbed a couple times for a friend a couple years ago, but otherwise, I've always been into baseball. But working with Kai and the kids and running around with them was fun.<br />
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So, I wasn't exactly the official coach, but I did get the free coach's pizza at the end of the year so I think it counts. And I may even sign up to be the official coach next year.<br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-44719561409994089892015-07-17T11:13:00.001-04:002015-07-17T11:13:39.622-04:00Dallas' Birth StoryIf you read my last couple blog posts, you know the road to Baby #2 wasn't an easy one, but he's here and I couldn't be happier. Dallas is 7 weeks old now and pregnancy memories are already fading, so I wanted to put my birth story into words now before those moments dim too. (And I honestly believe they dim because God made us that way...otherwise, very few people would have more than 1 child!)<br />
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When I started to go to my OB at 32 weeks, we discussed the idea of me being induced early, around 37 or 38 weeks because I was pretty much destined to have another big baby (Kyler was 11lbs 1oz) and because of the hemorrhaging I experience with my first birth. We didn't want my body to go through that again.<br />
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As I got closer, around 36 weeks, I decided I wanted to give the little guy a chance to come on his own as I think that's the healthiest for both of us if it's possible. So I wanted to wait to induce until 38 weeks. My doctor agreed.<br />
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We got to 38 weeks, I had my appointment and my doctor did a stretch & sweep but didn't mention inducing me and I didn't ask. In hindsight, I should have, but I really did want to go into labour naturally and figured 39 weeks was ok. At 39 weeks, after another stretch & sweep, he still didn't mention it, but I stopped him and asked, getting concerned now. He said they couldn't do it yet because I wasn't eligible - I was healthy, the baby was healthy and he thought this baby wasn't as big anyway, maybe 8lbs or so, which seems like nothing after an 11lb baby. So I trusted him and waited to go to term.<br />
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At 40 weeks, I was more than done with the pregnancy. I had finished work early because I had planned on being induced early and now I was just sitting around, feeling huge and worried that there would be big baby complications. My doctor informed me that we wouldn't be inducing until at least 41 weeks. I was annoyed to say the least, but I couldn't force him to do it so I went home to wait, feeling stressed.<br />
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Another issue with this is that AJ was starting a new job with a start date of a week after my due date that sent him out of town for a full week. This should have been fine and given us a couple weeks together after I was induced early, but as the days went by, it was looking more and more like he'd be leaving for a week only a couple days after our baby's birth and that stressed me out more than anything.<br />
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I went to the hospital every couple days for a Nonstress Test and a stretch & sweep and that baby just wasn't moving. Finally, 5 days after my due date, I had another appointment with my doctor at the hospital and told him we needed to pick an induction date and I wasn't leaving without one.<br />
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At this point, we had bumped AJ's start date to the next Thursday, giving us a week together at best. My doctor offered the following Wednesday as the date. Not only was that 1 day before AJ HAD to go to his new job, it was at 42 weeks in my pregnancy and this was no longer a small baby, I was sure. I was told later that the look I gave him at that news was probably nearly enough to kill him. But he left my little cubicle and what was I supposed to do? I was already trying all the old wives' tales to induce and nothing was working. I was pretty distraught.<br />
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About a minute later, as we were getting ready to go, he came back. He told us that it was a slow morning in the hospital's delivery centre and would I like to be induced now? Um...yes, yes I would.<br />
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So suddenly, I was admitted and gowned and given a delivery room and we had a lot of calls to make. We got Kai a place to stay and my mom to come and help with delivery. After such a long wait, it was all moving fast.<br />
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I was admitted around 10, had my water broken at noon, walked around for a couple hours and was given an IV of labour-inducing drugs around 3. That got things moving pretty quickly. At 4, the pain was still manageable, but my nurse suggested I request the epidural now if I wanted to ensure I got it and by the time it came, I was definitely needing it.<br />
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They measured me around 3cm at 6pm and the next time they measured, about an hour later, I was at 10cm and he was on his way.<br />
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Dallas Jarett Martin was born on May 28 at 8:45pm after about 5 hours of labour and 30 minutes of pushing (compared to 22 hours of labour and 3 hours of pushing with Kyler). He was 11lbs. 5oz. - probably big enough to have induced early, huh doc? But he was here and none of that mattered anymore. I had no complications and neither did Dallas and that's all I wanted.<br />
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We had some family visitors that night and Kyler stayed up late to meet him which was a pretty amazing moment. I spent 2 days in the hospital and felt so much more comfortable overall, physically and emotionally after having been through this once before. AJ got to spend a whole week with us before leaving for work and I survived being on my own with 2 kids.<br />
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Since everyone asks, I can't say for sure if we're done having kids (never say never, right?), but I'd say we're 90% sure we're happy with two. AJ got his two boys, I got a sibling for Kai, they're happy and healthy, they don't outnumber us, and I wouldn't mind never being pregnant again.<br />
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And anyway, doesn't this look like a pretty perfect family?<br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-85174610169219522162015-04-04T12:00:00.000-04:002015-04-04T12:00:06.109-04:00The Journey to Baby #2 – Part 2: Through the darkness and to the other side<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
After the miscarriage, it was a few months before I was ready to try again for Baby #2. I know this isn't everyone's experience, but I feel like I was able to move on pretty quickly. I think there are a few reasons: like I mentioned last time, I never really "felt pregnant", I loved the baby certainly, but I didn't feel that connected like I did with Kai. I also spent most of the day on that awful Saturday coming to terms with what was going to happen. And I was hopeful. The first two pregnancies had come relatively easily and I was still within my age plan for the whole thing. (everyone who has had a baby rolls their eyes at the idea of a plan for anything baby related)</div>
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Before I move on from the miscarriage I just want to note how little I knew about miscarriages before this. No one talks about them. For me, they had a stigma of someone with pregnancy problems, that they were uncommon. I haven't shared openly about my experience until now, but I did tell a fair number of close friends and, to my surprise, dozens of them shared their own miscarriage stories. I had no idea. It's common, really common. And not just for first pregnancies, as I found out. And it doesn't necessarily mean there will be a problem with the next pregnancy. In fact, doctors don't even blink about a miscarriage until you've had about 3.</div>
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That being said, I'm thankful that I hadn't gone and shared our pregnancy news with the world. At 11 weeks, it happened fairly late for me, but I think having to retract that kind of news would have made things that much harder.</div>
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Moving on to what came next. </div>
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By October, I was ready to try again. When there was nothing happening after a couple months, I started to panic a little. Kai was going to be over 3 by the time we had the next one, if we ever did. I had a couple tests done, just to make sure the miscarriage hadn't caused any problems and everything was clear. The doctor just said that it can take up to a year even in the most healthy people. That didn't make me feel a whole lot better.</div>
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I started going to a naturopath and trying some natural solutions to help with ovulation, etc. I got an app on my phone to track everything. I bought ovulation tests in bulk and eventually pregnancy tests in bulk too. My once predictable cycle had gone a bit crazy and there was no pattern, so I was relying on testing.</div>
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Over the months that followed, I became increasingly stressed and less and less hopeful that this was going to happen. Throw in a pretty stressful move to a new town and I was a mess. I was exhausted and easily agitated and thinking of nothing else. Poor Kai probably got in trouble more times than he deserved and AJ, once again, wanted so badly to help, but couldn't.</div>
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It was not a good time for me. Feeling that way is awful, but worse is knowing how you're treating your family and not being able to stop yourself. They were so patient with me when I didn't deserve it and I will forever be thankful for how well AJ stuck by me. I had a couple good friends too who I would go to. One in particular who had had her own struggle with conception. Having a woman to talk to, who understood and could even voice my frustration and sadness was so helpful. She was able to give me something that AJ couldn't and I think he was grateful for that too.</div>
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After 10 months of nothing happening, my doctor sent me to an OB to see if there was something he could try. He gave me the same line - everything seems healthy and it hasn't quite been a year, which is not uncommon, even for the most healthy people. But he did suggest a medication that I could try that helps stimulate ovulation. I was willing to try.</div>
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I started the medication the next day, along with continuing naturopathic remedies and acupuncture.</div>
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6 weeks or so later, I finally got what I had been praying/hoping/wishing for for almost 11 months: 2 pink lines.</div>
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I didn't even both trying to make a surprise of it - I walked like a zombie into the kitchen where AJ was making Kai's breakfast, hands shaking and showed him the test. He didn't quite understand at first - is two lines good? After all, he hadn't taken dozens of tests over the past year. Wide-eyed, I told him it was good and he gave me the biggest hug and I could feel some of the anxiety melting away.</div>
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It didn't quite end that day of course. I took several more pregnancy tests that week and the next, just to be sure. I was constantly on alert for something to feel wrong or off. I was excited, but tentative. </div>
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We told our parents at 8-weeks. AJ was leaving for school for a month in November and I needed the support. My mom cried, knowing what I had gone through to get there.</div>
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At 11-weeks I was still holding my breath, but feeling a bit better, knowing I had made it past that milestone.</div>
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My doctor was kind and booked a dating ultrasound even though I knew the date basically to the second thanks to my compulsive tracking. But seeing that ultrasound at 12 weeks - the little peanut baby moving around with a heartbeat did so much to ease my mind. As did every doctor's appointment listening to the heartbeat and especially the 20-week ultrasound.<br />
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Now, at just over 7 months, I'm feeling much less tentative. I don't think I'll stop worrying until I hold this baby boy in my arms, but every time I feel those kicks and tosses and turns (as uncomfortable as they make me sometimes), it's a reminder of what I've come through and how thankful I am that God has given us this second child. Every sciatic nerve spasm and moment of nausea is a blessing. Only 7 more weeks to go!</div>
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Unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant, for me, was infinitely harder than a miscarriage, or delivering an 11 pound baby. It wrecked me emotionally and physically and relationally. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. </div>
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I understand now how obnoxious it must have been to some people for me to say how easy it was to get pregnant with Kai. Every friend and acquaintance who posted a pregnancy announcement on Facebook during that year was like a knife in my heart. Several close friends and family members had babies and I had trouble being happy for them, much less snuggling their little ones. But I'm on the other side, and I know this joy I've finally received doesn't happen for everyone. I know plenty of people that have been trying for years and are still trying. Because of my experience, I can now empathize and be that friend who knows the words someone going through miscarriage or infertility needs to hear. And I think I'll do a better job and enjoying every moment with the new baby having taken a harder road to get there.</div>
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So my advice to anyone going through something similar - talk to someone. It doesn't need to be everyone - most people won't know what to say - but someone who has gone through it and come to a place where they've found hope again. Don't blame yourself. Give yourself permission to mourn every month, but don't wallow too long. Don't miss the life you have while you're dreaming about the one you want.</div>
Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-86580328004470601142015-04-02T18:00:00.000-04:002015-04-06T14:45:28.328-04:00The Journey to Baby #2 – Part 1: Joy & Loss<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="background-color: white;">When we got pregnant with Kai, it was very planned. This will come as a surprise to no one who knows me. When AJ and I got married, we knew we wanted to enjoy a few years just as a couple before having kids. We waited 5 and it was great. I was ready to expand our family before AJ was, but I was young enough to not mind being patient. When AJ said he was ready too, we were pregnant within a month. It was so easy. I had a good pregnancy and we had a wonderful healthy baby.</span></div>
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We knew we wanted Kai to have a sibling, but wanted to wait a couple more years so Kai could be a bit more independent by the time a sibling came around. Having #2 when Kai was around 2.5-3 years old seemed ideal.</div>
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Everything went so well with the first pregnancy, I made my plans without even considering the possibility that they wouldn't work out. I knew it might not happen the first month again, but within 3 I was sure.</div>
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When we decided we were ready, surprise, I was pregnant within a month again. I was ecstatic. A February-March baby spread out our birthdays nicely throughout the year. I even managed to hold off telling AJ until I could order a Dallas Stars bib to surprise him.</div>
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We decided to still hold out until the 12-week mark to tell family and friends, although we did share with 1 or 2 people.</div>
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My pregnancy always seemed a bit strange to me. I was missing some feeling that I still can't express. I just didn't <i>feel</i> pregnant. But I just figured, it's #2, things are going to be different.</div>
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At 11 weeks, my world changed.</div>
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I had been having a bit of spotting for a week or two, but it wasn't much and, from everything I read, it was perfectly normal. Then, one Saturday, it got worse. AJ was out that day and I kept the problem to myself, thinking it would get better. I told AJ about it when I got home, and a couple hours later, I knew without a doubt that something was wrong. Really wrong.</div>
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We called a friend who knew about the pregnancy to come and watch Kai so we could go to the hospital and he came immediately and without questions. He told me later that he could tell by my face that it was going to be bad news. I knew it too. I tried to be hopeful, but I just knew.<br />
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**TMI warning** At the hospital, I bled through all my protection and the pants I was wearing. When the nurse found out, they brought me into a room right away (we had been waiting a couple hours already). I remember asking if there was any point in hoping for good news. The nurse didn't answer.</div>
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They kept me for a few hours with nurses checking in every so often. It wasn't getting any better, but I kept my brave face. The doctor finally came in and did an invasive ultrasound, at which point the official miscarriage happened. He explained what I already knew, told me how sorry he was and left. The kind nurse stayed behind and held me for a few minutes while I cried, told me it was ok to mourn, that it was nothing I did wrong, there was nothing I could have done to prevent it. She also said that often, miscarriages happen because there was a problem with the baby from the start. (this part, I don't find comforting, but I wasn't in a place to really question her on it)</div>
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I cried on AJ's shoulder for awhile too. I know he was sad for the loss, but I think he was even sadder for how broken it made me. I think it must be really hard to be the guy - all he wants to do is fix it and he's helpless. But he did the right thing - he held me, let me get all the tears out and told me we'd get through it.</div>
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We did, but it was a harder journey than I expected.</div>
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<a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-journey-to-baby-2-part-2-through.html" target="_blank">Part 2 is here.</a></div>
Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-13556059501339941282015-01-25T08:34:00.002-05:002015-01-25T08:34:54.057-05:0040 by 40: Get BangsI've thought about getting bangs for many years now but was never ready to take the plunge. Mostly I was worried that they would never sit right and didn't want to have to keep up maintenance.<br />
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I got a haircut the day AJ came home from 3 weeks in Texas and decided it was time.<br />
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I'm happy with the result and have found it easier than I expected to get them to sit the way I want, but they are still definitely more work. They're growing out pretty quickly and I've decided I probably won't trim them. I tried it and enjoy it but I think I'm happier with long hair all around. Glad I finally tried it.<br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-37103778836511110982014-10-09T20:24:00.000-04:002014-10-09T20:24:22.733-04:0040 by 40: Take a yoga classAbout 2 months after my 30th birthday and I have completed my first 40 by 40 task!<br />
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I have been taking a kickboxing class for a little while now and I really really like it. It's a good workout that I enjoy and the hour goes by quickly. Last week, though, I had to miss a class due to another event, so I asked about doing a make-up class so I didn't lose the money. They said no problem so I signed up for the Vinyasa Yoga class.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj-NqGEtGdQ6iXklNn4GO6X5Bu0npo7f8aUZ0Vv4eMF1EWsplB8BOKTIchBAvuSkBYe0rvoVW3EhuzraDOpS0GHQ49ByEQkbqb2e4hmXPQ_up-iNfhn8mfCOnWGz-tnuDx61D7uVG0Z0/s1600/yoga+class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj-NqGEtGdQ6iXklNn4GO6X5Bu0npo7f8aUZ0Vv4eMF1EWsplB8BOKTIchBAvuSkBYe0rvoVW3EhuzraDOpS0GHQ49ByEQkbqb2e4hmXPQ_up-iNfhn8mfCOnWGz-tnuDx61D7uVG0Z0/s1600/yoga+class.jpg" height="200" width="199" /></a>I've been wanting to try yoga for a while so I was excited to see what's it's all about. Yoga girls are always skinny so I figured it must be a good workout. And Vinyasa yoga is also known as "power yoga" and is a bit more of a flow of movement which sounded interesting to me.<br />
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There were 5 other people in the class and the room was dimly lit with some nice music and fake candles lit - a good ambiance.<br />
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We started with some deep breathing and feeling your body melt into the mat. Then we moved on to different movements with a lot of focus on downward dog and planks. It wasn't easy. I'm not as well balanced as I thought and all those planks and push-up type movements were exhausting.<br />
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At the end of the class I felt relaxed, but not like I had done a workout. Without the sweat and the desire to chug the rest of my water bottle, it didn't feel like an exercise class to me. And there was a lot of lying on our backs and stretching, or sitting in child's pose. It was a nice break from the plank, but the whole class left me without the feeling of accomplishment I get from kickboxing.<br />
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I haven't ruled out yoga entirely, I think I would probably try a class or two again sometime, but I still love a good cardio class.<br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-52458937983832559382014-09-02T17:14:00.002-04:002017-08-09T19:59:16.314-04:0040 by 40 ListI'm no longer a twenty-something, but I think I'm taking 30 in stride. What seemed scary a few years ago isn't so bad now that I'm in it.<br />
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I posted a few weeks ago with a re-cap of my 30 by 30 list. I did ok with it, but there were a few misses. Now, it's time for a fresh start and a new list.<br />
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I've included the items from 30 by 30 that didn't get done, because they're still things I want to accomplish. And I've layered in other items on my life-long bucket list, new items I'd like to try and some great suggestions from friends. Another suggestion I really liked was to categorize my goals so I don't end up with 25 travelling to-dos and nothing that involves giving back. So here it is: my official 40 by 40 list.<br />
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<b>Live A Little</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWsmNbBAT_lX-8_4b5hczXzxC1VEh_og0xClhTXFMIShf3OdjBTXV4M3LO6iYh-Yz9x3BPDqWCYHblfdqyQax6E1C4KoufHqKUg-vX_2PXhx9Il1QRULft1wdqyNwQSFmWgaeKWfcd4Q/s1600/40x+Live+a+little.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWsmNbBAT_lX-8_4b5hczXzxC1VEh_og0xClhTXFMIShf3OdjBTXV4M3LO6iYh-Yz9x3BPDqWCYHblfdqyQax6E1C4KoufHqKUg-vX_2PXhx9Il1QRULft1wdqyNwQSFmWgaeKWfcd4Q/s1600/40x+Live+a+little.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Bungee jump</li>
<li>Scuba dive</li>
<li>Be in a game show audience (or better yet, be ON a game show)</li>
<li>Ride a mechanical bull</li>
<li>CN Tower Edgewalk</li>
<li>Hot air balloon ride</li>
</ul>
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<b>Just Because</b><br />
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsR9K5h_kHlxkTqDktjZ-15Zy0L-UuYz8W9D04UANgKEK3nZSJ7OaJNIWLl3PJLhKjMRNjTyn3YweAQ_rBjYYBqZ3Y73_BWs3ssl86322o3xKY6yF930GQjJkqHGTuwTdw10QsHkqMRk/s1600/40x+Just+because.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsR9K5h_kHlxkTqDktjZ-15Zy0L-UuYz8W9D04UANgKEK3nZSJ7OaJNIWLl3PJLhKjMRNjTyn3YweAQ_rBjYYBqZ3Y73_BWs3ssl86322o3xKY6yF930GQjJkqHGTuwTdw10QsHkqMRk/s1600/40x+Just+because.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Use valet parking</li>
<li>Wear a ball gown</li>
<li>Smash a guitar</li>
<li><strike>Get bangs</strike></li>
<li><strike>Let someone else order dinner</strike></li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Wanderlust</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIaNEXxkBhgbYy4f_Qjw7q2sFxp2XayVwgQu6kPpwJL7kiHWunxuRFJEhUT8g2MfVumRw0IjRF_3GCFn_a6qPDDagW1KI7oJdc2DEw02IbxC4N9f5__L18uAcLvRVmOzKWM2kkoZvdSM/s1600/40x+Waunderlust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIaNEXxkBhgbYy4f_Qjw7q2sFxp2XayVwgQu6kPpwJL7kiHWunxuRFJEhUT8g2MfVumRw0IjRF_3GCFn_a6qPDDagW1KI7oJdc2DEw02IbxC4N9f5__L18uAcLvRVmOzKWM2kkoZvdSM/s1600/40x+Waunderlust.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Celebrate New Year's in a big city</li>
<li>Vacation at an all-inclusive resort</li>
<li>Visit 5 new baseball stadiums (and watch a game there of course)</li>
<li>Family trip to the East Coast</li>
<li>Family trip to the West Coast</li>
</ul>
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<b>Improve Myself</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRZ7Maa4tCSgsFayY_GVlCA1MFEf2k9kLmN_KnKzxtJICmnwvVLdfg31XwRZKQxZWHdOkpoNaQs-xrXRNENf6nyoWRAKyiOr8sumoOWinYKxRAcrIgGsqveCtr95gSpn6zNQjJdc6dZQ/s1600/40x+Improve+myself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRZ7Maa4tCSgsFayY_GVlCA1MFEf2k9kLmN_KnKzxtJICmnwvVLdfg31XwRZKQxZWHdOkpoNaQs-xrXRNENf6nyoWRAKyiOr8sumoOWinYKxRAcrIgGsqveCtr95gSpn6zNQjJdc6dZQ/s1600/40x+Improve+myself.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
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<ul>
<li><strike>Learn to drive stick (without panicking and requiring a completely empty stretch of road)</strike></li>
<li>Get to my goal weight</li>
<li>Run a 5k</li>
<li><strike>Go to a movie alone</strike></li>
<li><strike>Take a yoga class</strike></li>
<li>Grow my own veggies</li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Spread Goodwill</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OMGz5DT_fHJ44MaXAbPlVAHqCd2ELT0sZ8rekiWZ4JFKJA677rmpOBxaNPHQDxBpPopCTLH-ctPPGrFQYICCMEZZ_pACSI0YoQ7ApFWpRvLXmfcnKnudNF8QAZOPTmVp0C-xT-OzVrY/s1600/40x40+give+back+rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OMGz5DT_fHJ44MaXAbPlVAHqCd2ELT0sZ8rekiWZ4JFKJA677rmpOBxaNPHQDxBpPopCTLH-ctPPGrFQYICCMEZZ_pACSI0YoQ7ApFWpRvLXmfcnKnudNF8QAZOPTmVp0C-xT-OzVrY/s1600/40x40+give+back+rev.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Go on a short-term mission trip</li>
<li>Write letters to 5 people who have impacted my life</li>
<li>Donate blood</li>
<li><strike>Invite the neighbours for dinner</strike></li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Get Creative</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WcRvR-fpovZax4GFItmT4s7hVOHBBGbe8v8WvOZ_eOYtm1nWsEI0OZVSc64zvafNKShe5dBF5B4T9l7GEE0nG9CG2hM8IAhydOVNdsdOWEMzf3IEs5U_M_Bd3JR8Yb64mPoyQa1RYwQ/s1600/40x40+improve+myself+rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WcRvR-fpovZax4GFItmT4s7hVOHBBGbe8v8WvOZ_eOYtm1nWsEI0OZVSc64zvafNKShe5dBF5B4T9l7GEE0nG9CG2hM8IAhydOVNdsdOWEMzf3IEs5U_M_Bd3JR8Yb64mPoyQa1RYwQ/s1600/40x40+improve+myself+rev.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Be in a flash mob</li>
<li>Write a short story</li>
<li>Learn an instrument</li>
<li>Year of Dates project</li>
<li>Learn the Thriller dance</li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>For My Kid</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-x-T8Zqz77hSyJsjsuYWxOZ4FpRVOmdSH2Je8YPeGWasITrV5UBQu4KcIMxlwd0HSe7tEAemO28VzV6yS22wDwtUXpA0ZL32vDfDrCzO0o-y_RrYniJ2WkhUmdIGE2u6yCxrw9yuBEM/s1600/40x+For+my+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-x-T8Zqz77hSyJsjsuYWxOZ4FpRVOmdSH2Je8YPeGWasITrV5UBQu4KcIMxlwd0HSe7tEAemO28VzV6yS22wDwtUXpA0ZL32vDfDrCzO0o-y_RrYniJ2WkhUmdIGE2u6yCxrw9yuBEM/s1600/40x+For+my+kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b>
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<ul>
<li>Back yard projector movie night</li>
<li><strike>Get a dog</strike></li>
<li><strike>Coach Kai's sports team</strike></li>
<li>Family trip to Disney</li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Date Night</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25qfeL6w0g1uG3GujBgOpSCb0ytSDu93HKsgbyCqNjlr0Wk3W3WjnK0SQwFVFyAh50Kz1dFbZ0ccDSCUw2liNVTSvGjpV1L5F8WNi281q-mrPO1Dcb9HK8-puVZVT2VAhv9-eyhz_65s/s1600/40x+Date+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25qfeL6w0g1uG3GujBgOpSCb0ytSDu93HKsgbyCqNjlr0Wk3W3WjnK0SQwFVFyAh50Kz1dFbZ0ccDSCUw2liNVTSvGjpV1L5F8WNi281q-mrPO1Dcb9HK8-puVZVT2VAhv9-eyhz_65s/s1600/40x+Date+night.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li>Go to a Ben Rector concert</li>
<li>SUP with AJ</li>
<li><strike>Binge watch a TV series</strike></li>
<li><strike>Try Adventure Rooms Canada</strike></li>
<li>Go skeet shooting</li>
</ul>
<div>
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</div>
<div>
If you see any that sound like something that's also on your list, let's do it together!</div>
<div>
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Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-34578509096694023252014-08-14T18:30:00.000-04:002014-08-14T18:30:00.018-04:0030 by 30: The Final RecapWell it happened, I've turned 30.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMRlQD-u8HufQRhiuPrHt4KA79bXi0rleKhl8zHdio70zj-idHeju2kd3GHnGm7V82g74ZU6W2oRREI7lPSvb6S5fURatm6Kc6biZ6IFkrRQPmLQwt0RX5JaSzjWYqnYX6tc2QX8hD-I/s1600/birthday_cake_30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMRlQD-u8HufQRhiuPrHt4KA79bXi0rleKhl8zHdio70zj-idHeju2kd3GHnGm7V82g74ZU6W2oRREI7lPSvb6S5fURatm6Kc6biZ6IFkrRQPmLQwt0RX5JaSzjWYqnYX6tc2QX8hD-I/s1600/birthday_cake_30.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
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Interestingly, the closer I got to it, the less scary it was. I've accomplished some pretty big things on my unwritten life list. Married, child, job in my field, house, car, done some travelling. I think 30 will be ok. 40, now that's scary, but that's for another post.<br />
<br />
Time to recap my 30 by 30 list, originally posted 4 and a half years ago.<br />
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<ol style="background-color: #fefad2; color: #2f2f2f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Georgia, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin: 0px 0px 15px 40px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: line-through;">Blow up at least 3 of our own photos to use at art in the new house</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Make a calendar in Photoshop to give as Christmas gifts</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: line-through;">Teach Snax a new trick</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Serve at a soup kitchen at Christmastime</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Take a wine tour</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><s style="margin: 0px;">Play ice hockey</s></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Try (and hopefully enjoy) running</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Bungee jump</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Road trip down the California coast</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Scuba dive</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: line-through;">See the Goo Goo Dolls in concert</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Go on a short term missions trip with AJ</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Weigh 160</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Read the favourite book of at least one friend each year</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Spend New Year’s downtown in a big city</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><s style="margin: 0px;">Read the Harry Potter serie</s>s</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Spend a day painting on canvas</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: line-through;">See the Grease musica</span>l</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: line-through;">Take kickboxing</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Learn to drive stick (better)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><s style="margin: 0px;">Go white water rafting</s></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Pay off our debts</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike>Recover the dining room chairs </strike>(didn't do this, but we got new chairs so sort of the same?</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Learn to sew so I don’t have to get my mom to fix my buttons</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><s style="margin: 0px;">Get a great permanent job</s></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><s style="margin: 0px;">Buy a design program (probably Photoshop)</s></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike style="margin: 0px;">Host a family Christmas</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><s style="margin: 0px;">Bake a pie from scratch</s></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Be in a play</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><s style="margin: 0px;">Have a baby</s></li>
</ol>
<div>
7 to-do's left undone. Almost 80% isn't bad I guess. Most of what's left is travel related and some of the other items (like buying a house, having a baby, paying off debts) kind of took priority over those. So overall, I'm pretty proud of myself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But that means, dun dun duhhhh, it's time for a 40 by 40 list. Being 40 seems crazy right now, but hopefully by the time it comes, I'll feel the same way as 30.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I am currently working on my list of 40 things and will post my to do list soon. Feel free to send me any suggestions.</div>
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Goodbye 20's, I'll miss you.</div>
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Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-66296347876664711792014-08-01T19:30:00.000-04:002014-08-01T19:30:00.660-04:00Starving the monsterThree years ago a friend of mine, Sarah, went on a <a href="http://www.josephsangl.com/2012/03/21/why-sarah-went-on-a-365-day-spending-fast/" target="_blank">year-long spending fast</a>. I was blown away and inspired, but I never got around to doing it myself. Two years ago, inspired by Sarah, our Pastor, Carey, <a href="http://careynieuwhof.com/2012/03/today-i-start-my-spending-fast/" target="_blank">did the same thing</a>. This summer, Carey spoke about it at church in a series called <a href="http://www.connexuscommunity.com/watch-online/starve-the-monster/" target="_blank">Starve the Monster</a>, all about entitlement and challenged us to try it for ourselves, whether it be for a week, a month or a year.<br />
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After 3 years of thinking about it, I'm ready to act and AJ is on board to embark on this challenge with me.<br />
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So today is day 1 of a 9-month spending fast. Not quite a year, but a pretty daunting amount of time.<br />
<br />
Why are we doing this?<br />
<br />
This is not because are church has told us we have to or we think it's the holy thing to do. It's not about saving money, although I hope that's a nice bonus. For me, there are 4 main reasons I've wanted to do this, ever since Sarah talked about it.<br />
<br />
1) We have so much stuff. It just happens. We're not hoarders by any means, but we have more than we need and don't need to add to it.<br />
<br />
2) Appreciating things more. I want something, I buy it, I enjoy it: sometimes for a while, sometimes for an embarrassingly short time. I'd like to pay more attention to the things already have that work just fine instead of just buying things on a whim.<br />
<br />
3) Considering my purchases. This really goes with number two, but how many of the things I buy do I even really want that badly? If I abstained from buying that thing I want for a week, would I still be thinking about it a week later? For most things, the answer is probably no. I'd like to be more intentional about purchases and less quick to pull out my debit card.<br />
<br />
4) Battling entitlement. I never thought about it in those terms before this series at church, but I do feel entitled. I work hard at work so I deserve a couple new shirts or I had a bad day so I need an ice cream. I could and should be so much more thankful for the things I have and the things I'm able to have. And if I can be happy with less stuff, maybe I can afford to do more with my money – do more family activities, treat friends and family to a night out and give more away to great causes.<br />
<br />
I think everyone deals with money in a different way and your reasons for a spending fast might differ from mine, but I think most people would agree that we all have too much stuff and aren't thankful enough for it.<br />
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So. The rules. We obviously are not planning to spend zero dollars for the next 9 months.<br />
<br />
1) This spending fast does not apply to necessary expenses. Mortgage, utilities, car expenses, groceries - not affected. Although I do think we'll be a little more intentional about our grocery spend.<br />
<br />
2) This spending fast <i>does </i>apply to discretionary money. Clothing, shoes, accessories, eating out, music downloads, etc. Yikes! (And no buying that stuff for AJ because he can't buy it for himself)<br />
<br />
3) Gifts for others on special occasions are ok.<br />
<br />
4) Spending gift cards is totally fine.<br />
<br />
5) Spending on family/date experiences is ok, but we'll be more conscientious about our choices.<br />
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6) If we find there's something we truly need, try to buy second hand first.<br />
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So of course, Target just opened 5 minutes away from my work and I can't go shopping, but I'm excited to see what this little adventure teaches us. I imagine we'll both be very easy to buy for come Christmas.<br />
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I'll aim to post an update once a month or so. If you've ever thought about taking control of your discretionary spending and become a little more thankful, would you like to join me?Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-68160854803159255762014-07-18T17:00:00.000-04:002014-07-18T17:00:00.474-04:00An exercise in thankfulnessFor many reasons, 29 has not been my favourite age. This year has been really hard on me and my family. If I'm honest, I'm probably a good deal of what's been hard on my family. Health complications, job transitions, a new house and a toddler who has found his will -- I have felt just drained and kind of lifeless for much of the past year.<br />
<br />
And that list of the tough things, I think about it often. I hate feeling so down and knowing I'm bringing others down, but I'll often play through the list of things that are tough in my life. It certainly doesn't make me feel better, but it does make me feel justified in my self-pity.<br />
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I've talked about pieces of this with different people, those who have gone through some of the same problems or those whose opinion I value and there has been a recurring theme of advice. "Yeah, that's tough and it might not seem like it, but you'll get through it. What if you started dwelling on the good things instead of the bad?"<br />
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I got no quick and easy solutions, no "well here's what I did and I was better after a week." These aren't those kinds of problems. But maybe they've got something there. What if I changed the way I dealt with these struggles? Even if the bad things don't go away, can I choose to focus on the good?<br />
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I'd like to think so.<br />
<br />
And I have to admit, my attitude is probably the biggest problem of all. It's why no matter how many empathetic conversations I have, how much my husband dotes on me and how many wonderful little hugs I get from my toddler, I have had trouble feeling happy.<br />
<br />
So, maybe I should actually take some of that advice. To be more of the person I want to be and less of the person I feel like. Feelings follow actions I've been told. In that spirit, here are some of the things I'm thankful for, despite any other circumstances. (in no particular order)<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>My unfailingly patient husband</li>
<li>My caring (if emotionally precarious) toddler</li>
<li>Awesome parents and in-laws (and other immediate family)</li>
<li>Overall pretty good health</li>
<li>A new house we love</li>
<li>A steady job</li>
<li>The ability to allow AJ enrol in school and chase his dream</li>
<li>Good friends who talk me through darkness and know how to make me smile, even through faraway texts</li>
<li>A church our whole family loves</li>
<li>Nachos</li>
<li>Summer and sunshine</li>
<li>Events to plan</li>
<li>No major debt</li>
<li>So many nice things we own</li>
<li>Time spent reading</li>
<li>A God who waits for me to come back</li>
<li>Enough (often more than enough) food to eat</li>
<li>Date nights</li>
<li>Sleep</li>
<li>A list that could go on and on</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Making a list like that certainly feels a lot better than listing what's going wrong. And this list is much longer too. I'm still praying and working toward solutions to all those other problems, but in the meantime, I'd really like to just enjoy what's in front of me. Because it's a lot of really great stuff.</div>
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Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-3812729313099898332014-01-06T18:30:00.000-05:002014-01-06T18:30:02.187-05:0030 by 30 UpdateIt's 2014, the year I turn 30. Crazy. But I'm in good company. Here are some other things that turn 30 this year:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</li>
<li>Tetris</li>
<li>The Cosby Show</li>
<li>The Mac</li>
<li>TED (that one's for AJ)</li>
<li>Transformers</li>
<li>The Karate Kid</li>
<li>Footloose</li>
<li>Muppet Babies</li>
<li>Ghostbusters</li>
</ul>
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Not bad.</div>
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<div>
In 2010, I set myself a list of goals. 30 things I wanted to accomplish by the time I'm 30. Now that I've only got about 6 months left, I should probably see what kind of work I've got left to do. Here's what I had left as of my last update. You can see the full list <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.ca/2010/02/30-by-30.html" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike>Serve at a soup kitchen at Christmastime</strike> – not a soup kitchen, but I did man a Salvation Army kettle and spend a few hours cleaning bathrooms and sorting foot at the Food Bank</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike>Take a wine tour </strike>– AJ took me to Johnson's Cranberry marsh last year for geocaching and wine</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Bungee jump – Not yet. Not sure if this will happen this year.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike>Road trip down the California coast</strike> – Yes! <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.ca/2013/06/california-adventure-part-4-san.html" target="_blank">It was awesome.</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Scuba dive – Nope, hopefully next vacation will be a tropical destination. Also, probably not this year.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Go on a short term missions trip with AJ – This is probably on hold until our child(ren - to be soon we hope) are a little older</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Weigh 160 – yeah...no</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><strike>Read the favourite book of at least one friend each year</strike> – This has been fun. I actually did several a year and am going to do at least one more in 2014.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Spend New Year’s downtown in a big city – Too late for this year, add it to the 40 by 40 list.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Learn to drive stick (better) – I haven't practised in a while. This is definitely do-able before the end of July.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Recover the dining room chairs – This is just me being lazy. It can be done.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">Be in a play – I would still love to, but I don't think I have the time margin right now. 40 by 40.</li>
</div>
<div>
So I have 8 left, 2 of which are likely to still happen. 24/30 ain't bad right?</div>
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I'm going to have to start thinking about that 40 by 40 list. If you have any suggestions, send them my way!</div>
Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-59896813771869142642013-12-31T14:26:00.000-05:002013-12-31T14:26:09.270-05:00A Really Honest Look at 20132013 is not going to make my top 10 life list anytime soon. In fact, it probably won't even make the Top 25 and I'm only 29 years old. The goal with this post is not to gain sympathy or whine about how awful my life is, but I want to reflect on a year that leaves me discouraged and frustrated and remind myself of the good. And hopefully, see what I can do differently in 2014.<br />
<br />
The year didn't start off great. My grandpa passed away early in the year. It was hard to lose him, but even harder to see my dad go through losing his dad. I also developed psoriasis on my scalp early in the year, which is sometimes painful, always itchy and makes it nearly impossible to wear dark colours. I've seen the dermatologist several times and have gone through a number of treatments. At this point, it's better than it was, but still not gone.<br />
<br />
One positive did come from sadness - my grandpa left me a bit of money in his will, so AJ and I decided to take a vacation we've been dreaming about for years. We spent most of the rest of the first half of 2013 planning our California road trip.<br />
<br />
We took the trip in June. Two weeks child-free, driving around that beautiful state and checking a ton of things off our bucket lists. You can read about the trip <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.ca/2013/06/california-adventure-part-1-seattle.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It was amazing and refreshing and so good for us as a couple. It was absolutely the highlight of the year.<br />
<br />
About a month after we got back from the trip, we found out I was pregnant with our second child! The timing wasn't quite in my master plan, but we were both so excited to give Kai a sibling. Like last time, we decided to keep it secret until 12 weeks, telling only a 1 or 2 close friends because we (ok I) couldn't contain our excitement. At the 11 week mark, I knew something was wrong. There was some bleeding and I felt really off. A friend who already knew about the pregnancy came to our rescue and watched Kai while we went to the hospital. Things progressed quickly, and not in a good way. And as you can guess, since I'm not currently 6 months pregnant, I had a miscarriage.<br />
<br />
This has been one of the hardest things I've ever been through. When you find out you're pregnant, your whole world changes. And suddenly, it was all changing back. AJ was wonderful and strong and having a healthy son at home certainly helped, but, honestly, I'm still not over it. And it hasn't helped that everyone I know (not quite literally, but almost) is pregnant. I really believe that God works out all things for good and through this I have learned how great a husband and friend I have. We're praying that 2014 will be the year Kai gets a brother or sister.<br />
<br />
At work, it's been a good year. I got a promotion and new job title earlier in the year. More responsibility and a new boss and I started really getting to use my marketing skills and knowledge, not just writing, which was exciting. When my boss left on maternity leave, things got a bit sketchy. My new boss was the VP and it took some time to get used to working for him. Plus, I hadn't really gotten to know the department well enough to run it on my own. For about a month, I wasn't sure I was going to make it. But slowly, I figured out the job and figured out my new boss and I really think I've become an asset to the team. It feels good.<br />
<br />
Aside from Kyler, 2013 has not been a year of health. My skin issues continue, but AJ also is working on overcoming some back problems and then there's the dog. Oh the dog. She had a herniated disc in August, which resulted in about 6 weeks of expensive drugs that paralyzed her from the waist down, making walking and going the bathroom outside impossible. The walking has gotten better, the using the bathroom hasn't and we are overwhelmed with frustration and unsure what to do with her. I don't know how this will be resolved, but something needs to happen soon.<br />
<br />
When AJ and I moved to Angus, we chose this town so that AJ could get on the volunteer fire department. In the fall of this year, we found out that they are not planning on hiring anyone for at least 3 more years. It's nice of them to tell us now, after 3 years of AJ visiting the hall every month. So we had to step back and decide if this was something worth pursuing. We decided it is and we need to go all in. So we organized the house and put it up for sale, with nowhere to go. It sold in less than 12 hours. This is a huge blessing, especially since we didn't expect anything to happen so close to Christmas. At the same time, AJ had interviews with Innisfil to get on as a volunteer there. We still don't know the result of that interview, but we've taken the step of faith and are moving in February no matter what.<br />
<br />
I had big plans, like most people do, to get in shape in 2013. I started running in the spring and did well on again and off again. After the miscarriage, it was off again and hasn't returned. This is something I can control (thank goodness!). I'm not setting a weight loss goal or anything like that, but I'm really trying to get my head around the fact that being healthier isn't optional - it's necessary - for my energy levels, my mood, my ability to play with my kid. I think if I can change my mindset, I'll feel less guilty and apathetic. That's the plan anyway.<br />
<br />
There was another health scare right before Christmas too, that I won't go into detail about, but I heard back from the doctor on Christmas Eve (bless him for not making me wait through Christmas), and everything is fine, so I can put that behind me at least.<br />
<br />
I have most definitely not been at my happiest in 2013. Truly, we've had some struggles that were out of our control, but, looking back, I think the biggest thing for me to make 2014 better is a change in mindset. I've let things bother me too much, ruin my plans, justify zoning out on the couch. Whatever happens with houses, jobs, kids, I'd really like to make 2014 the year that I find joy. I'll be 30 this year and that scares me a bit, but I think it could also be really good.<br />
<br />
I'm saying goodbye to 2013 feeling low. But I think I can do better.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-13384567168571351652013-08-30T12:30:00.000-04:002013-08-30T12:30:00.842-04:00Doing her job<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've had our dog Snax for just over 6 years now and we love her. She is also very good at her job. Oh, does your dog not have a job? Snax's job is to greet us when we get home and make us feel welcome. And she is awesome at this.</div>
<br />
As a cockapoo, she is prone to ear infections, so we've dealt with that a few times over the years. But this month has been the toughest yet.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago she had some bowel problems and had to be put on a low dosage of steroids and wear underwear so she didn't draw her bum around and irritate things. Poor AJ had to measure her and go out and buy children's underwear in her size. He then sent me this picture, which caused me to burst out laughing in the middle of work.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so happy with this look</td></tr>
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The drugs have helped immensely and she was underwear free.<br />
<br />
This week, we found her shaking in the front hall and she cried when we tried to touch her. Back into the vet we went and he believes she has a displaced disc in her spine, totally unrelated to the injury from the week before. Poor dog can't even walk without pain.<br />
<br />
Now she's on a high dose of steroids, which has totally taken away the pain, but leaves her bottom half without feeling, so she has no use of her back legs and can't control her bowels. So now we're moving backwards to underwear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBRfIqtvs1sVhVg9JajS3vUD1OOZK-7O2X7R5YQhz0iDpCDM9cieT7vb_WgijqGtmhv9tnEkghyphenhyphenXWjFsuUaMX0TZ0Szr9ipEWh51y1ZC_Ndq40NSc73KtCddk-cAL5f97-brtVRY-XUk/s1600/2013-08-27+06.59.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBRfIqtvs1sVhVg9JajS3vUD1OOZK-7O2X7R5YQhz0iDpCDM9cieT7vb_WgijqGtmhv9tnEkghyphenhyphenXWjFsuUaMX0TZ0Szr9ipEWh51y1ZC_Ndq40NSc73KtCddk-cAL5f97-brtVRY-XUk/s320/2013-08-27+06.59.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 diapered kids in the house right now</td></tr>
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She's actually a lot more comfortable now than when she was going to the bathroom accidentally all over the house. And so are we. She "walks" very little because she can only drag her back end around, but she's in good spirits and she still wants to be with us so we carry her from room to room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzt8YlTXJShgIG-KL7HO0YWHqToR9kLLjDTn6XIF7gNwD1oyhypqwFErDX8c91tBKHjCrDzp4w5iL2IQQxrxdQJJjMOt-FRO60EgthkFO2yel-xnsTCPjteJsWApCx9sBjfNlRiDKnAY/s1600/2013-08-27+19.57.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzt8YlTXJShgIG-KL7HO0YWHqToR9kLLjDTn6XIF7gNwD1oyhypqwFErDX8c91tBKHjCrDzp4w5iL2IQQxrxdQJJjMOt-FRO60EgthkFO2yel-xnsTCPjteJsWApCx9sBjfNlRiDKnAY/s320/2013-08-27+19.57.47.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor little legs</td></tr>
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Hopefully after another week on these meds, the inflammation will have gone down and she'll go off the drugs so she can regain feeling and walk again without too much pain.<br />
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Last night I was out late at a concert so AJ put her in her bed upstairs. When I came home she was waiting for me by the front door. How she got down the stairs with no back legs I have no idea, but she was determined to do her job and I felt more welcomed than ever.<br />
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Like I said, Snax is very good at her job. I hope I can be as good at my role in the family as she is at hers.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-74153816942422987542013-06-23T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-23T07:00:02.907-04:00California Adventure – Part 5: Surfing & San Diego<i>This June, AJ and I had the opportunity to take our first trip together since before Kai was born so we decided to go big and do 2 weeks in California! We planned a jam-packed trip that would let us see nearly everything Cali has to offer - the road trip of a lifetime. If you missed it, you can check out Part 4: San Francisco & the Coast <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2013/06/california-adventure-part-4-san.html">here</a>.</i><br />
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Our trip is now coming to an end, with just 3 days left. At this point, we were really missing Kai and felt like we'd been gone quite a long time. But he was having fun and in good hands and we were very excited for the next 3 days.<br />
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June 11 was our designated beach day. We were able to sleep in a bit and then headed to Oceanside for our 2-hour surf lessons. AJ was beyond pumped to try surfing. He's been watching surf movies for years and loves almost any water sport – Stand-up Paddleboarding, Wakeboarding, Skimboarding. So this was really his day and I was along for the ride, a little nervously. I'm not great at any of those sports and I wasn't looking forward to falling lots, swallowing lots of water and getting pummelled by waves.<br />
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Our instructor was Hoku, born in Hawaii and bred by California–a surfer dude for sure. The first thing he taught us was the Stingray Shuffle so we didn't get stung. Not good for my confidence. He assured us he had only been stung once in 13 years. Next, we practised popping up on the boards on shore. And then we were heading into the water. It was a little overcast, but not cold. We had wetsuits and the water was about 68ºF, which was pretty refreshing.<br />
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Hoku pretty much had us going right away. We were only in thigh to waist deep water so we hopped on the board and paddled a bit through the waves until Hoku saw one he liked. He helped us turn around and gave us a good shove at the right time. AJ was a natural. He was up pretty much right away. We weren't in big waves of course, so there wasn't a lot of carving he could do, but he rode most waves all the way in. So proud. I had a bit of a tougher time getting up. But I did get up and ride for a bit 2 or 3 times which I was very happy about. Also, I swallowed very little water and, because we were in so shallow, when I fell, I could just stand up and out of the waves and not worry about getting hit over and over. All my anxiety was gone after the first few minutes and that was awesome. I ended up really enjoying myself and I would even try it again. I would probably prepare better by doing more push-ups ahead of time. We were wiped, but happy, by the end of the 2 hours.<br />
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We stayed on the beach for a little while and then headed back to Mission Viejo for dinner with Paula and Shoubert. We went out with their family for Taco Tuesday, which is apparently a very big deal there. All over California, restaurants offer tacos for $1.50 on Tuesdays. Not just one chain, but restaurants everywhere, whether they're Mexican or not. We did choose an authentic Mexican restaurant and dinner was fantastic. Can't beat $1.50 tacos.<br />
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The next day we said goodbye to Paula and Shoubert for the last time this trip and headed to San Diego. First stop was the San Diego Padres afternoon game vs. the Braves. Petco Park really impressed us. It had a really cool vibe, with an old warehouse built right into the stadium. There was a pathway on the outside of the actual park with a bunch of yummy food vendors at The Park in the Park, which had a big grassy hill that looked over the outfield. You can by cheap tickets and sit on the hill, which seems great for families. There is also a mini replica diamond with a staff member that runs a game for kids all game long. Really cool. We ended up sitting in the front section, just passed 1st base with a bunch of season ticket holders. It reminded me of Fever Pitch. These people knew each other and were very excited. Padres won and we enjoyed a sunshine-filled afternoon of baseball.<br />
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After the game, we did a self-guided walking tour of the Gaslamp District, which is an older part of town with great architecture. We learned that basically every building used to be a brothel. It was an interesting and enjoyable walk.<br />
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We went for dinner and sunset on Coronado Island, which is a big vacation/beach destination. We ate at an old Firehouse turned pub that was playing the hockey playoffs that people were actually paying attention to. Perfect place for a couple Canadians. We walked along the beach, checking out the famous Coronado Hotel at sunset and waiting for it to get dark because the hotel is supposed to have some incredible lights. Although it was nice, the lighting wasn't terribly impressive. Turns out all the photos I've ever seen are from Christmas. Oh well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of San Diego from the Island</td></tr>
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We stayed that night with another couple we met through the couchsurfing website. They had recently moved to San Diego as the guy is in the Navy. We did get to meet this couple and went for a late night walk as they told us a bit about the Navy and the city. The next morning we went for breakfast with Nick because Kristen had to work very earl. He talked a lot of American history and politics and gun control and all the hot button issues. It was very interesting to hear an American's perspective and he was quite knowledgable.<br />
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He left for work and we drove out to the USS Midway and aircraft carrier that is now a museum. The audio tour took about 3 hours, which was a little long for me, but it was very interesting. You really got to see how the crew lived and work and got up closed with lots of cool planes. AJ was in heaven. He saw a couple planes from Top Gun and was very excited about that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the USS Midway</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying his hand at some essential knots</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilot and copilot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for take-off. Unbelievable they can launch an <br />aircraft from a ship.</td></tr>
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We had lunch in La Jolla, walked around and went to the beach quickly. We'd like to be able to spend a little more time there one day, it was really nice. Then we went to Balboa Park, which I didn't research much but heard was nice. We started in just a regular playground that was nice, but pretty normal. Eventually we walked further and found that the park goes on forever. There are all kinds of museums - many for free - tons of gorgeous Spanish architecture, fountains, even a replica Globe Theatre that shows Shakespeare plays. We were so impressed and disappointed that we only had about 2 hours before our flight. Balboa is also home to the San Diego Zoo, which we didn't make it too either.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church in La Jolla</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Balboa Park</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdNtYJDAJsNIOWbNNmyqm6xd5O6-G91lthaqDwy4_z2SyM0vRuoNh3J6gBwo_2muWBpbb4v8OSbynu44X-uP1zw0xfR_2Bkq5sgo0RoXDCJM274ycFwvMGVK7Zm8A5mmNyYR-IlBahb4/s1600/2013-06-13+17.49.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdNtYJDAJsNIOWbNNmyqm6xd5O6-G91lthaqDwy4_z2SyM0vRuoNh3J6gBwo_2muWBpbb4v8OSbynu44X-uP1zw0xfR_2Bkq5sgo0RoXDCJM274ycFwvMGVK7Zm8A5mmNyYR-IlBahb4/s320/2013-06-13+17.49.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We found AJ some more fish tacos (maybe his 5th on the trip) before dropping off our rental car and heading to the airport for our red eye flight home. We were able to sleep on the flight and got through the border without issue. Kai was waiting for us at AJ's parents place and it was so good to see him! I was struck by how much he had changed in just 2 weeks. Not physically, but is speaking even longer sentences than when we left and he just seemed older.<br />
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California was a Bucket List trip for sure. We saw so much in a short time. It was amazing to get away alone with AJ, take some time off work and just explore. We both agreed that we'd like to go back one day and spend a full week just in San Diego, probably with Kai and see more of Balboa Park, visit the Zoo, Old San Diego and lots of other things we just couldn't fit in. Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our journey highlighted in pink</td></tr>
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Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-58560418872007636142013-06-22T14:48:00.001-04:002013-06-22T15:37:22.265-04:00California Adventure – Part 4: San Francisco & the Coast<i>This June, AJ and I had the opportunity to take our first trip together since before Kai was born so we decided to go big and do 2 weeks in California! We planned a jam-packed trip that would let us see nearly everything Cali has to offer - the road trip of a lifetime. If you missed it, you can check out Part 3: Yosemite National Park <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2013/06/california-adventure-part-3-yosemite.html">here</a>.</i><br />
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We woke up at our Yosemite hostel early and quite sore after that big hike, but it was time to move on. It was San Francisco day! On our way west, we had planned to meet up for breakfast with an old friend of mine who now lives in Merced. Wouldn't you know, the GPS took us to the wrong restaurant location and we ended up being almost an hour late to breakfast by the time we found the right one. But it was great to sit and chat with Tim and his family and we left still on track to make the ferry to Alcatraz on time.<br />
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San Francisco traffic had another idea. The Bay Bridge crossing was brutal and we ended up missing our ferry by about 10 minutes. I was pretty upset because I know they always sell out and the tickets aren't cheap. When we asked the girl at the counter what she could do for us, she didn't even flinch and put us on standby for the next ferry. I guess missing your boat isn't an unusual occurrence because there were 10 other people in line and all of us were able to get on the next Ferry. Phew!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Alcatraz Island</td></tr>
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It was AJ's first time on The Rock, but my second. We got the audio tour and walked around and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. (It was 9 years ago after all) They also had a guided tour you could do for free, but only at certain times, but we opted not to wait the extra 45 minutes. I kind of wish we had - those people got to go up to the second level and work the contraption that opens and closes the cell doors. Maybe next time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">No taking prisoners off the island, ok?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">"Broadway"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The view back to San Fran</td></tr>
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Our ferry ride back to shore was VERY choppy, unusually so according to one of the crew members. A bunch of pre-teen girls were up at the bow taking photos and giggling and the boat hit a huge wave and totally soaked them. This may have amused us more than it should have.</div>
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We had dinner at Neptune's seafood restaurant at Pier 39 which we had a gift certificate for. Great views of the water and sea lions. The food was just ok. We did a bit of souvenir shopping at the pier and then found our way to Creme Bruce, a little food stand that just serves crème brulée. Yum!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Lazy sea lions</td></tr>
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San Fran (well, technically Berkeley) was one of two couchsurfing stops we made. If you've never heard of it, it's a traveler's site where people offer up their homes for travellers to stay in for free. Sometime they have a bed in a separate room, sometimes a couch or air mattress. We chose these people specifically because they had a bed in a separate room and they even offered to make us waffles for breakfast.</div>
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They weren't home when we arrived around 8pm. I texted her and she said they were in San Fran and wouldn't be home until 11. We were pretty tired so we said we'd see them in the morning. We got up early and got ready so we could spend some time with our hosts before we had to go. By 8am there was no sign of movement from their room, 9am, nothing. Finally at 9:20, we decided we couldn't just wait around, we had lots planned and had no idea when they might get up. So we left them a thank you note and a host gift (maple syrup and Twinkies from Canada of course) and left. That's not really the point of couchsurfing, we did want to meet them, but it just didn't work out for us.</div>
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It was time to head down the coast. We drove through San Jose and up a bit to Palo Alto and then Santa Cruz. If you read my other blog posts, you may remember a girl I mentioned who we met at the Phoenix airport who suggested we go to a climbing tree (Tree 9) at UC Santa Cruz. So we drove to the campus and followed some online instruction to find the tree. They weren't very clear and I ended up using my Geocaching app to lead us there. (I figured there would probably be a geocache at a landmark like that on a university campus) We found the tree! But...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Tree 9 – UC Santa Cruz</td></tr>
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Apparently in 2010 the University's arborists cut the branches off up to 25 feet so people wouldn't climb it and the tree would live longer. Disappointing. But you can see that it would be really easy to climb had the branches been there.</div>
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We also did the Santa Cruz boardwalk while we were there. It was overcast and cold so we didn't say long. We continued south to our only hotel of the trip in Monterey. We used our Petro Points to splurge on this one. It was more of a boutique hotel, but the room was nice - King size bed, jacuzzi tub, fireplace, even a bidet! (I did not try out that feature) We had a complimentary glass of wine and walked down to their pier for some dinner on the water. I had a very yummy coconut crusted tilapia and AJ tried a local fish, sandabs.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Santa Cruz boardwalk – one of the largest in America</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Our hotel room – tub right in the bedroom and a chandellier</td></tr>
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The next day was our second big drive of the trip, all the way down the coast, back to Mission Viejo and our friends' house. We kicked the day off with the 17-mile drive in Carmel, home of the famous Lone Cypress. The drive was ok, but it was pretty overcast so it wasn't at its best. The Lone Cypress was a little less impressive than I expected, I mean, there are literally hundreds of other Cypress trees all along the drive, this one just happens to be anti-social. But some of the views were beautiful and we got to see the famous Pebble Beach golf course.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Waves on the rocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpxHSSfHAw6mim3t9qNwe70tENEFF95eBZhRbwmSn3fo7VffEqAmGlAScJYwgP9Jvq5bJtWIZ4b5pS1K6Uf655HOKdEJm_Whp8Y2FgNmkkPnyPksgHW1JCWCDfV-Z41y_MvWp4pcDlZQ/s1600/968926_10151686923762497_203198513_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpxHSSfHAw6mim3t9qNwe70tENEFF95eBZhRbwmSn3fo7VffEqAmGlAScJYwgP9Jvq5bJtWIZ4b5pS1K6Uf655HOKdEJm_Whp8Y2FgNmkkPnyPksgHW1JCWCDfV-Z41y_MvWp4pcDlZQ/s320/968926_10151686923762497_203198513_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Lone Cypress</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32d9oT7UV_2Pa-MNk1h0LK1ZaReF7FRm4-8y7Cxa4E7P4VgRoln-pCeTlAM8daBvQMUaZqKWysLewD2JEIeFXGe28EmporGvxZlWmq4krY8i9gtXcaKDM0sB00ZVt3dcBIsGR4Y8RJhA/s1600/2013-06-10+10.58.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32d9oT7UV_2Pa-MNk1h0LK1ZaReF7FRm4-8y7Cxa4E7P4VgRoln-pCeTlAM8daBvQMUaZqKWysLewD2JEIeFXGe28EmporGvxZlWmq4krY8i9gtXcaKDM0sB00ZVt3dcBIsGR4Y8RJhA/s320/2013-06-10+10.58.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Ghost tree (not quite as white as advertised)</td></tr>
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The coast would not disappoint though. We continued the drive and the sun came out we really got to see what all the hype about the Pacific Coast Highway is all about. There are turnoffs about every half mile for ocean oglers and we probably stopped at the third of them. Every turn was a new breathtaking sight. Despite the length of the drive, I highly recommend it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqcBO2WrYh75eJZFUGsEOjRK3lamG7viqVlom255N8qgjE9xp1pHvGD-_z2zO7vw6YcEvYVADU7daQsMAhlryKMqYBFmlI5i7LJfCO6du85ImOTHI6AK9FZqqW3NDVReKC7JAwUXlay0/s1600/2013-06-10+13.04.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqcBO2WrYh75eJZFUGsEOjRK3lamG7viqVlom255N8qgjE9xp1pHvGD-_z2zO7vw6YcEvYVADU7daQsMAhlryKMqYBFmlI5i7LJfCO6du85ImOTHI6AK9FZqqW3NDVReKC7JAwUXlay0/s320/2013-06-10+13.04.06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpXKTU_NG3s1JQudmLt_KJ7-bAewigEKgORXPe8Bh8FQw-DF8FspThGpVoB1HQhpvJq9_kXwP2wvOtPHHfnHK4QoRAMWds1OMcW_exG2WEgt3XQfevEDLgB3tDwIKjedmygAARMBGvWs/s1600/1010496_10151686925182497_1787455308_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpXKTU_NG3s1JQudmLt_KJ7-bAewigEKgORXPe8Bh8FQw-DF8FspThGpVoB1HQhpvJq9_kXwP2wvOtPHHfnHK4QoRAMWds1OMcW_exG2WEgt3XQfevEDLgB3tDwIKjedmygAARMBGvWs/s320/1010496_10151686925182497_1787455308_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We stopped for dinner in Santa Barbara and got "home" late that evening. A long day, but totally worth it.</div>
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Next, we wrap up the trip with <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2013/06/california-adventure-part-5-surfing-san.html">surfing and San Diego</a>.</div>
<i><br /></i>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-36366948542474972112013-06-21T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-22T14:48:40.252-04:00California Adventure – Part 3: Yosemite<i>This June, AJ and I had the opportunity to take our first trip together since before Kai was born so we decided to go big and do 2 weeks in California! We planned a jam-packed trip that would let us see nearly everything Cali has to offer - the road trip of a lifetime. If you missed it, you can check out Part 2: Orange County & Los Angeles <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2013/06/california-adventure-part-2-orange.html">here</a>.</i><br />
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We departed Orange County for our first of two extra long driving days, about 10 hours. We did take an extended break for lunch at Red Robin and a visit to Target. After LA, we went through some mountains and then suddenly everything went flat and it became a rather boring drive until finally we hit the mountains again.<br />
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We stopped for dinner at the closest town to our hostel, not knowing if there would be anything closer. Our hostel surprised us, however. There was a great little dining hall with a little cafe/restaurant, lots of seating, a shelf full of games and, maybe best of all, free Wi-Fi. Our dorm itself was co-ed with 12 beds, air conditioning, 2 toilets and 2 showers. Not bad at all.<br />
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Early the next morning, we got up and headed deeper into the park. This was a spectacular drive.<br />
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Originally, we (AJ) had wanted to hike Half Dome - a 10-12 hour hike, ending in scaling a huge rock face. But it requires a permit and hundreds of people apply for a small number of permits each day. So we went into the village and decided to hike the 4-Mile trail, which is supposed to end in spectacular vistas of Half Dome and other mountains. We started the climb, up, up, up through a forest that could have been in Ontario. It was a tough climb and not all that interesting. We weren't sure we could do 6 hours of that just to see the sight at the end, so we went back down and chose the "Mist Trail" - a 4-5 hour hike that had lots to see all along the trail.<br />
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Like all of them, it was an uphill climb and it was tough. But we stopped when we needed to and saw some beautiful, smaller waterfalls along the way. The first break was at the bottom of Vernal Falls, a pretty bridge and lots of people. Many families take this trail and stop at this point. But we climbed on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4KTX7gCtSJwHDDSRyGUYE8ZHLbQ7HYKtNx_gVfHTdWOa5iAvtV9De17mEzidXCE-rwsv7xpAJ7S2MS_uDHxoePh_GkmUoy3N9BWnc62WTw-gaeM6pwEtAMFfJr487EbrsmpeskTqILw/s1600/1003286_10151686797387497_574182601_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4KTX7gCtSJwHDDSRyGUYE8ZHLbQ7HYKtNx_gVfHTdWOa5iAvtV9De17mEzidXCE-rwsv7xpAJ7S2MS_uDHxoePh_GkmUoy3N9BWnc62WTw-gaeM6pwEtAMFfJr487EbrsmpeskTqILw/s320/1003286_10151686797387497_574182601_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the bottom of the falls</td></tr>
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After a little while, it was time to really climb–over 600 stairs carved into the stone. Uneven and tough to climb, but there were fewer people here and the view... part way up we saw this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbDmO2YHc-4joT_azmyJlhh1kEHtNV1uWIhsvZ2CGVpJ4seD_NfM-tWCWuja-GryrAIJ5foxXgEcu3TFzT47mUSGu_0R-TbGDmzgVvAsaGdqQkoV8NlBTGj6mCxoIFM6ERz-kxUIIsdg/s1600/1006111_10151686797437497_1052332852_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbDmO2YHc-4joT_azmyJlhh1kEHtNV1uWIhsvZ2CGVpJ4seD_NfM-tWCWuja-GryrAIJ5foxXgEcu3TFzT47mUSGu_0R-TbGDmzgVvAsaGdqQkoV8NlBTGj6mCxoIFM6ERz-kxUIIsdg/s320/1006111_10151686797437497_1052332852_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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then this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihRHXN1-IjIsgHtPR9wrtqfNDVR35MV0-6vG-1bVFuseo8d9Yi4y1CKHcm8__0NHQD2WJlO6jvNM8fIgP5kmV4_d4Ut76pQsDzOuGwtNxD-3H4hYdqZNJPOoKtdM2RdOEABlhTvBNjXo/s1600/1000556_10151686797677497_505649037_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihRHXN1-IjIsgHtPR9wrtqfNDVR35MV0-6vG-1bVFuseo8d9Yi4y1CKHcm8__0NHQD2WJlO6jvNM8fIgP5kmV4_d4Ut76pQsDzOuGwtNxD-3H4hYdqZNJPOoKtdM2RdOEABlhTvBNjXo/s320/1000556_10151686797677497_505649037_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vernal Falls, Yosemite</td></tr>
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That view and the mist refreshed us enough to get all the way up the wet stairs to the top of the falls where we stopped for lunch and a climbing break.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hwk3IC646WI71N3NNgeMWkeIaHQegrQUvt68PGqhcjT-IfOCjpmDcgL1amjqYOKHBGhGYdveokMMdg6SpGbkn5A5noC0jpGh2Cfkvmw1ximWv7ZMR5nUN7YQDgk4GuoKeidpazNRcoo/s1600/1013668_10151686798222497_241439710_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hwk3IC646WI71N3NNgeMWkeIaHQegrQUvt68PGqhcjT-IfOCjpmDcgL1amjqYOKHBGhGYdveokMMdg6SpGbkn5A5noC0jpGh2Cfkvmw1ximWv7ZMR5nUN7YQDgk4GuoKeidpazNRcoo/s320/1013668_10151686798222497_241439710_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunA6_k7MGn5nhtGrWKa5SgzLCwoph0XfInKCs4fQXud_njypy-i80yGe3UJMYhx0W_qbFVxf7ZpLu05A6mxwJvygHLLNiuWHLqjQ9ACcOHK7XbTMy1bdhOUHkt656GbZX87BExJ3xEtk/s1600/972151_10151686798617497_40038709_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunA6_k7MGn5nhtGrWKa5SgzLCwoph0XfInKCs4fQXud_njypy-i80yGe3UJMYhx0W_qbFVxf7ZpLu05A6mxwJvygHLLNiuWHLqjQ9ACcOHK7XbTMy1bdhOUHkt656GbZX87BExJ3xEtk/s320/972151_10151686798617497_40038709_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top</td></tr>
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The way down was much easier...for me anyway. AJ had no trouble going up, but found it painful to his knees to go down. Whereas I had trouble catching my breath on my way up, but the way down was no problem. Opposites. We could have continued up to the next set of falls, another 1.5 miles away, which doesn't sound bad, but a mile uphill, I learned, is very different than a mile walk on flat land. We were not up for it.<br />
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Since we did a bit shorter hike, we were back down earlier than expected so we did another quick and much flatter hike to see Yosemite Falls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf8y3pcuAHyecq4-DRpNi3hUpSDqcf7Z98C68-ktD5cYfRYCsNUjRkcf-0hZBKrucBAH2a0WQwix0sp1lPDkMZnUvPIJhFUVov3diNMxiJVJ7exs3iYJ9ySIFLvJiImodcWsf6LQFDmg/s1600/8690_10151686796707497_1179577174_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf8y3pcuAHyecq4-DRpNi3hUpSDqcf7Z98C68-ktD5cYfRYCsNUjRkcf-0hZBKrucBAH2a0WQwix0sp1lPDkMZnUvPIJhFUVov3diNMxiJVJ7exs3iYJ9ySIFLvJiImodcWsf6LQFDmg/s320/8690_10151686796707497_1179577174_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yosemite Falls</td></tr>
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I think the cool thing about this park is that they've got something for everyone. There's a campground or a hotel, there's insane rock climbing and lengthy hikes and short flatter ones that are still amazing. I would definitely recommend it. I am also kind of glad we didn't get the Half Dome permits, I don't think I could have made it.<br />
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Next, follow us West to <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2013/06/california-adventure-part-4-san.html">San Francisco and then down the coast</a>.<br />
<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-70694791698646365622013-06-20T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-20T07:00:00.276-04:00California Adventure – Part 2: Orange County & LA<i>This June, AJ and I had the opportunity to take our first trip together since before Kai was born so we decided to go big and do 2 weeks in California! We planned a jam-packed trip that would let us see nearly everything Cali has to offer - the road trip of a lifetime. If you missed it, you can check out Part 1: Seattle <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2013/06/california-adventure-part-1-seattle.html">here</a>.</i><br />
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We set Monday aside to spend with our Orange County hosts, Paula and Shoubert who promptly took us to the ocean. We visited Dana Point then got our feet in the water at Laguna Beach. There's not much better than standing in the sun and having the ocean wash up onto your feet. We walked around the cute little town for awhile and had some lunch before Shoubert and Paula went home to pick up their daughter from school.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbsluHhVGK9ICp3MnFZvTLiICXO9DawsUvwEM96o4CgfvwwaFXT7UEifi8jPGn-LN7nqU9UInasl7zJ8aa5YXt3jE4F5Pd7b9klhrUuOPvm12ZbqQosDhlPiw2Xq-oACTEzr8QLccyho/s1600/2013-06-03+14.58.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbsluHhVGK9ICp3MnFZvTLiICXO9DawsUvwEM96o4CgfvwwaFXT7UEifi8jPGn-LN7nqU9UInasl7zJ8aa5YXt3jE4F5Pd7b9klhrUuOPvm12ZbqQosDhlPiw2Xq-oACTEzr8QLccyho/s320/2013-06-03+14.58.26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laguna Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already falling for Orange County</td></tr>
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AJ and I continued north to Balboa Island at their suggestion and came upon this sleepy little village that seemed like the set of a movie, it was so quiet. Turns out we turned in one street too soon and went into Balboa retirement residence essentially. We didn't find out until we got back to our host home. We all had a good laugh.<br />
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On our way to LA, we stopped at Huntington Beach and walked along the pier, then onto Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. We stopped at the chic TESLA retail store that seemed more like an American Apparel than a car dealership and a couple other shops along the way.<br />
<br />
The plan was to go to the red carpet premiere of the movie This Is The End in Hollywood, hoping to have a few star sightings. This did not pan out as traffic was awful and there was no parking under $30 to be found, so we scrapped that plan and headed to the Santa Monica Pier for sunset. The actual carnival area was cool, but much more enjoyable from the shore with our feet in the water, watching kids play in the waves as the sun went down.<br />
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We stopped at In & Out on the way back down to Mission Viejo for some off-menu meals. For a non-burger eater, it wasn't that exciting, but man is it cheap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdVsuLptg9ORbdJbhn3wCLblzzHXxeEBhOYY7nq2j83NiuhRh74aAQRHtGxTupoYag9pctT7JJVuhweGQMu7YibWL_lbiv7f54L9wCk4mtnl8bfwlDgbgkoNDVUxb2YyUAyffClLe-Hs/s1600/993045_10151686727857497_1179083631_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdVsuLptg9ORbdJbhn3wCLblzzHXxeEBhOYY7nq2j83NiuhRh74aAQRHtGxTupoYag9pctT7JJVuhweGQMu7YibWL_lbiv7f54L9wCk4mtnl8bfwlDgbgkoNDVUxb2YyUAyffClLe-Hs/s320/993045_10151686727857497_1179083631_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 by 4 extra crispy, animal style</td></tr>
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Days 2 and 3 were set aside for some serious LA sightseeing. On Tuesday we headed to the city and realized what everyone means when they talk about LA traffic. We didn't have time to do nearly as much as we wanted. BUT, we did make a very important stop, just north of Hollywood – the site of The Office! The actual exterior building that we all know and love is where they tape the outdoor and warehouse scenes and next door is the soundstage for the show. Of course, the series is over, so everything is cleared out and you can't get inside, but, as we were standing at the gate, a guy came out. Turns out it's the guy who runs this particular site and he's the one who gets everything ready for taping and he was able to tell us all kinds of stories about the cast and the show. For example, Steve Carell requires the set to be about 55 degrees Fahrenheit so he doesn't overheat. You can't plan this stuff!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3_3HcQbLoEmuBPHROaGZoH-qIT8c8rbVuqN8DYzZtzdNLSrek3QMSniO53smJWLRCeh0vybrGlc5C8va_ECQYt_XpHC1LZhBw4Kn68aQeXNefa9B5jARSkFU2maD_ZKyNcVOd-ULKQU/s1600/8553_10151686719372497_715608100_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3_3HcQbLoEmuBPHROaGZoH-qIT8c8rbVuqN8DYzZtzdNLSrek3QMSniO53smJWLRCeh0vybrGlc5C8va_ECQYt_XpHC1LZhBw4Kn68aQeXNefa9B5jARSkFU2maD_ZKyNcVOd-ULKQU/s320/8553_10151686719372497_715608100_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my Dunder Mifflin shirt at The Office!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfqw-57wewy7JaEL82Woyg9AuynYzzssgMqOwR2gSBsE9aYdSlbaVIZJw6AVltWq9xE66SH8uAGgrTXpRhK7pXvgOn0l26K75oVg7gdIILWU0HVdu5fC63riEVpRPJUWN6C6BoXo-xks/s1600/2013-06-04+11.23.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfqw-57wewy7JaEL82Woyg9AuynYzzssgMqOwR2gSBsE9aYdSlbaVIZJw6AVltWq9xE66SH8uAGgrTXpRhK7pXvgOn0l26K75oVg7gdIILWU0HVdu5fC63riEVpRPJUWN6C6BoXo-xks/s320/2013-06-04+11.23.34.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next door where the show is actually taped</td></tr>
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For lunch, we looked at LA's handy food truck map and ended up at the Grilled Cheese truck. Dozens of types of grilled cheese stuffed with ribs, bacon and tons of cheese flavours...and my pick, the Mac & cheese grilled cheese. OMG.<br />
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For the afternoon, we had a few tickets to different show tapings, but settled on a sitcom we'd never heard of, Sullivan & Son. The show itself was pretty average, but it was cool to see how they filmed in front of a live audience. A few times they stopped and re-did a scene, changing the dialogue slightly. We found out later that if the audience doesn't laugh at a joke, they cut, quickly re-write it and shoot it again until they get the desired reaction. Stuff like that is the reason I wanted to see LA, it's so interesting. Mike from Mike & Molly and Ryan Miller from the Buffalo Sabres also guest starred, so that was kind of cool. I'm 100% sure that AJ was the only one in the audience who recognized Ryan Miller. So Canadian.<br />
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We went back to Paula & Shoubert's for a late dinner and to watch the season finale of Revolution before bed.<br />
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The next day was packed, but we made sure we left ourselves time for the LA traffic so we were up pretty early. The first stop ended up being one of my favourite parts of the whole trip – the Warner Brothers studio tour.<br />
<br />
Our group of 12 rode a tram with a tour guide through the studio lot. Most shows are on hiatus for the summer, which was actually good for us because we were able to go into more places than usually. Pretty Little Liars was going to tape the afternoon we were there, so we saw a ton of sets for that show, which was cool despite me having never seen the show. We also saw the sets of The Mentalist and Mike and Molly (no photos in any of these sets), plus they're extensive props house that has everything from US wall seals, statues, peel up flooring and lighting fixtures. Even other studios use their prop house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmlhg4w_na6tZJUD1poF1MG9ehbtK5zDF3aImjmK1wi20Pay-l7n2mkSHL1tymgN_nZWB5X7QhR-uApiVjRk-eQLxtGrktJ-jicUkG3GmiuFBvG_Vm4rrUCTo9D-RPHHTqAWZfc_9NBE/s1600/2013-06-05+10.54.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmlhg4w_na6tZJUD1poF1MG9ehbtK5zDF3aImjmK1wi20Pay-l7n2mkSHL1tymgN_nZWB5X7QhR-uApiVjRk-eQLxtGrktJ-jicUkG3GmiuFBvG_Vm4rrUCTo9D-RPHHTqAWZfc_9NBE/s320/2013-06-05+10.54.40.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leonard & Sheldon's apartment facade – remember <br />
when Sheldon was chased down the street by the dog?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQMkQ-VE3-IgT73M0nWLT8VCzAvPOwxyFl-fcWDEFt2wCq2JIkOLE7ehx6_7NmdH4Lt8mEibVbhJOsv2Jjn3g-tiQXmxAD5_BbDO8xZn6YoaqJX0cgujQpqfCNMVOX41EHaeTPurcJmc/s1600/2013-06-05+10.57.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQMkQ-VE3-IgT73M0nWLT8VCzAvPOwxyFl-fcWDEFt2wCq2JIkOLE7ehx6_7NmdH4Lt8mEibVbhJOsv2Jjn3g-tiQXmxAD5_BbDO8xZn6YoaqJX0cgujQpqfCNMVOX41EHaeTPurcJmc/s320/2013-06-05+10.57.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the centre of town in Gilmore Girls, <br />
just picture the gazebo. Now it's the town in <br />
Pretty Little Liars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh7SG6iIggrRAp0PIJuF8UWP1tlXL0_8EfJSHdFV0uPiwHIF7kil-WwuTTP9JlR7zoRJqkFCtLCT90P72rmCW3xEqes8SHq6V0pMbCovwtLxn8U1RsM2uSxvKtKYlsM-5k4RQFvXPlRk/s1600/5757_10151686720027497_347174818_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh7SG6iIggrRAp0PIJuF8UWP1tlXL0_8EfJSHdFV0uPiwHIF7kil-WwuTTP9JlR7zoRJqkFCtLCT90P72rmCW3xEqes8SHq6V0pMbCovwtLxn8U1RsM2uSxvKtKYlsM-5k4RQFvXPlRk/s320/5757_10151686720027497_347174818_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke's diner from Gilmore Girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituRChu8ZNsMOQKuM5x9Lxm04tMea8oqJYcn6Ckqq5K3uAjU1jptwzc18KcJ9ch1nJLp5ePRbIOVqF0E_CsnchV-OXCPwaOdZoDean8z6h4OEqsJznqtNUXvOiAlKqMxr-BrQaBkI-2Sw/s1600/1005116_10151686719987497_1297578823_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituRChu8ZNsMOQKuM5x9Lxm04tMea8oqJYcn6Ckqq5K3uAjU1jptwzc18KcJ9ch1nJLp5ePRbIOVqF0E_CsnchV-OXCPwaOdZoDean8z6h4OEqsJznqtNUXvOiAlKqMxr-BrQaBkI-2Sw/s320/1005116_10151686719987497_1297578823_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Currently the high school in PLL, but it was also the <br />
Rosewood police precinct in Rebel Without A Cause</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMhbL3DreS-4xjklw7DNuPz4WN7YpbbFpYiWgg3JUQbLBNfYAYIL930gBmqgLfivCP7SkcsCZdrqZ_XX-6UzEMsj5EXsoxBQtAdDQYodTICPlDIqwXrIeESY5ydOUwCGFscedaY1DRoE/s1600/1011915_10151686719417497_1034133829_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMhbL3DreS-4xjklw7DNuPz4WN7YpbbFpYiWgg3JUQbLBNfYAYIL930gBmqgLfivCP7SkcsCZdrqZ_XX-6UzEMsj5EXsoxBQtAdDQYodTICPlDIqwXrIeESY5ydOUwCGFscedaY1DRoE/s320/1011915_10151686719417497_1034133829_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Patty's dance studio – Gilmore Girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6gsNr4tswOQ2MnXYOTe_xhfFBT0BqIoEQcTSJfnW4Me4QDVWqtQdK6GjnNjWpY_7J-oCJqsJTJ0B9ACZ2UaRC2ompkJFV5R5XaXWIaH3SvlXOrYhKeOqz1Af67_Z8k6ULHdvxGVt_C8/s1600/1013482_10151686721522497_2045648961_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6gsNr4tswOQ2MnXYOTe_xhfFBT0BqIoEQcTSJfnW4Me4QDVWqtQdK6GjnNjWpY_7J-oCJqsJTJ0B9ACZ2UaRC2ompkJFV5R5XaXWIaH3SvlXOrYhKeOqz1Af67_Z8k6ULHdvxGVt_C8/s320/1013482_10151686721522497_2045648961_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Howards space shuttle from the Big Bang Theory. <br />
Several Batmobiles and the car Harry Potter crashed were also here.</td></tr>
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We saw Peter Billingsly along the way who played Ralphie in A Christmas Story and also produced Iron Man. Near the end of the tour, we stopped at a little museum that houses costumes from many of their movies and has a top floor dedicated to Harry Potter. AJ and I got to sit on a stool and put on the Harry Potter sorting hat! A voice from above announced that I'm a Hufflepuff and AJ is a Weasley and should be in Gryffindor. Awesome.<br />
<br />
And then our tour guide took us to another set that is permanent because there's no way to re-use it without it being recognizable...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkagP5Zutw_e8jj8nvL_R3GUSNTczj3fXTGVqwgy39wzxdWDCpEBoxmz0G333MlBcTq-S6YfAVZUxRBVvFNk8CXWoVIMmX8VldAGr7I3RHFttyDzJzx2N4e7wfp5Rg43vI97XBRtCn40/s1600/1013671_10151686721227497_489480334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkagP5Zutw_e8jj8nvL_R3GUSNTczj3fXTGVqwgy39wzxdWDCpEBoxmz0G333MlBcTq-S6YfAVZUxRBVvFNk8CXWoVIMmX8VldAGr7I3RHFttyDzJzx2N4e7wfp5Rg43vI97XBRtCn40/s320/1013671_10151686721227497_489480334_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Perk</td></tr>
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I thought my jaw might actually have dropped. I didn't expect to see this, almost 10 years after it went off the air. I was so excited. And then our tour guide asked if we wanted to sit on the couch. Um, yes please.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAYN-V3mPHkCG8SjPvCwb8xi5374VD_x-vts9CQ8xhF7UgHVPcUrjgfiuzO3qA6LtnzXp6Uv-AaZ6XrHtq3iBGMz3XVU55L1XJriVPlbDxmuethC9SLmxJIfLKuI3fU6gT8Z7aC-_4QI/s1600/2013-06-05+11.22.03+HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAYN-V3mPHkCG8SjPvCwb8xi5374VD_x-vts9CQ8xhF7UgHVPcUrjgfiuzO3qA6LtnzXp6Uv-AaZ6XrHtq3iBGMz3XVU55L1XJriVPlbDxmuethC9SLmxJIfLKuI3fU6gT8Z7aC-_4QI/s320/2013-06-05+11.22.03+HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me. On the Friends couch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Perhaps I shouldn't have been so excited about sitting on the couch from a fictional show, but this was a huge highlight from the entire trip.<br />
<br />
We probably saw a couple other things, but I was in a daze. The tour ended and several food trucks were waiting for us so we enjoyed Smokin' Willie's BBQ food truck before heading to Griffith Observatory. It's a beautiful place with a view of the Hollywood sign and the entire city. So peaceful compared to the rest of the city.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-Kdj8WQjNH4yUKmqD-NfUzH8htmhFgy0Q6OBM3rOuroNYkOOcutXuj_TechTqtzYg33Sc5hAzYW4NMM8pAKm3GhnTbhBn2fVHREk2nhNZW6owMXfaD3Bq3pD9zXNKYa8lawviHu0DAk/s1600/1013014_10151686722332497_1099881018_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-Kdj8WQjNH4yUKmqD-NfUzH8htmhFgy0Q6OBM3rOuroNYkOOcutXuj_TechTqtzYg33Sc5hAzYW4NMM8pAKm3GhnTbhBn2fVHREk2nhNZW6owMXfaD3Bq3pD9zXNKYa8lawviHu0DAk/s320/1013014_10151686722332497_1099881018_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back down to the hustle and bustle of Hollywood to visit the big tourist spots – Hollywood & Highland Center, Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Dolby Theater (the Oscar's are in a mall??) and the Capitol Records building.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMlxLubtY30rWdEGRa-UNzasvVA8Kioxt4in8oDDiSwsRRxCOLFsIlkQfTEwE3OtmIEqTlv4qKGKM1Pl6pXOwfidZbvUmpg2ijJtTanRI5QdrkL5s3Arbh0-KFpI__357hs3b1G37bqI/s1600/1010924_10151686724892497_1553761436_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMlxLubtY30rWdEGRa-UNzasvVA8Kioxt4in8oDDiSwsRRxCOLFsIlkQfTEwE3OtmIEqTlv4qKGKM1Pl6pXOwfidZbvUmpg2ijJtTanRI5QdrkL5s3Arbh0-KFpI__357hs3b1G37bqI/s320/1010924_10151686724892497_1553761436_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muppet of a man</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLprd1QttQdeC5p2hm9ix_m_SCYHvzN78dwpL81Y6ywdZ3BTBioUHqkDCH1oDIUTns4uUJBP8zvOHE19z19PDABZSTE7pplqL62o7skLkTaeWkxiL5BBDnPSmt4RQ9PxQ5ZmpI5PIKE0/s1600/2013-06-05+15.12.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLprd1QttQdeC5p2hm9ix_m_SCYHvzN78dwpL81Y6ywdZ3BTBioUHqkDCH1oDIUTns4uUJBP8zvOHE19z19PDABZSTE7pplqL62o7skLkTaeWkxiL5BBDnPSmt4RQ9PxQ5ZmpI5PIKE0/s320/2013-06-05+15.12.40.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grauman's Chinese Theater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc-WoE-E0CEU954DWW44ggLcHqvCo0uum8ra8WcE0iLJig_F3rio_h9eh_E8onxWXFmQFtZ7ZSoiclBU1QlaIhacFpR6Ip7vgI3Q84VaQ9P9NajZeZ7fElFnwXc2WAHpaMOXmJzoESHk/s1600/972137_10151686724102497_1551699640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc-WoE-E0CEU954DWW44ggLcHqvCo0uum8ra8WcE0iLJig_F3rio_h9eh_E8onxWXFmQFtZ7ZSoiclBU1QlaIhacFpR6Ip7vgI3Q84VaQ9P9NajZeZ7fElFnwXc2WAHpaMOXmJzoESHk/s320/972137_10151686724102497_1551699640_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just me and Matt Damon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have to say, downtown Hollywood wasn't my favourite place. Don't get me wrong, it was cool to see such famous sights, but there were so many people vying for attention, in costumes, with pamphlets, it was a bit too much. I'm glad I saw that stuff, but once was probably enough.<br />
<br />
That night we went to the LA Dodgers game. Ironically, they were playing the San Diego Padres, who we had plans to see the next week. Dodgers Stadium is so famous and the team has such a rich history, we were really looking forward to the stadium. Honestly though, it was pretty average. The age of the stadium could have been really nostalgic, but it lacked personality. They just had the generic snack booths everywhere and not much in the way of history. Too bad. But it's still baseball and we had a great time watching the game.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQi2_IsGYGRhyphenhyphenTRE59ixIHKmS50LCdr5zY5bgVd05W4dMRslnERLZnW1kXeWwWpq3a3eA_Adc2thfM5vHAagKJieuWXV_EFm6gg8G1r-YkzYU-lH_tTW2orXV_Z9UzJRqNXivgAD6Lto/s1600/1003286_10151686727022497_2024124031_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQi2_IsGYGRhyphenhyphenTRE59ixIHKmS50LCdr5zY5bgVd05W4dMRslnERLZnW1kXeWwWpq3a3eA_Adc2thfM5vHAagKJieuWXV_EFm6gg8G1r-YkzYU-lH_tTW2orXV_Z9UzJRqNXivgAD6Lto/s320/1003286_10151686727022497_2024124031_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dodgers Stadium at dusk</td></tr>
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And that concludes the Orange County and Los Angeles portion of our trip.<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2013/06/california-adventure-part-3-yosemite.html">Yosemite National Park</a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-18682128649773919072013-06-19T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-20T08:02:24.567-04:00California Adventure – Part 1: SeattleThis June, AJ and I had the opportunity to take our first trip together since before Kai was born so we decided to go big and do 2 weeks in California! We planned a jam-packed trip that would let us see nearly everything Cali has to offer - the road trip of a lifetime.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTbAYehpW7XFqvlD2ap8lBg7yr8X93-ANnaCehKOWGgK840o6USm-N1_DKdoyr1Z1TRQ3kiBYMqIxXcxtfwRr_7R9KZ8Llmx-Dqq_19ok-H_nMc5KNsj2q1Q9Sla3h6ollBRkKrstk2k/s1600/2013-05-30+15.55.27-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTbAYehpW7XFqvlD2ap8lBg7yr8X93-ANnaCehKOWGgK840o6USm-N1_DKdoyr1Z1TRQ3kiBYMqIxXcxtfwRr_7R9KZ8Llmx-Dqq_19ok-H_nMc5KNsj2q1Q9Sla3h6ollBRkKrstk2k/s320/2013-05-30+15.55.27-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my calendar for the trip and a folder of documents, <br />
passes and maps. I also used the iPhone app TripDeck that held <br />
confirmation numbers, addresses and an agenda.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If status updates on Facebook just aren't enough for you, get ready for a comprehensive, 5-part view into our trip. You'll feel like you were there.<br />
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We left right from work on Thursday, dropped Kai off at Grandma & Grandpa's and continued to our hotel in Buffalo. We managed to find the wrong Red Roof Inn at first, but eventually made it and tried to sleep despite our excitement.<br />
<br />
An early flight got us to Seattle by late morning to spend a few days with my brother, his wife and his new baby. After some snuggles with baby Oliver, Brett took us around town to see some sites – the Freemont Bridge Troll, Gasworks Park, Kerry View Park and Golden Gardens Beach.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJIEDFMEr7VZLLM2EfI69vawYZqrnXP8TlHVrAmK-TRhfL_gpi9qrGxGO-po43bVTBx3yvi1r3hG0-YXmrVeoUIidF3dt1YzCZOe_f2-bSDxMthdZNhKR_U5nWowv9J87C_UK5hOjq5o/s1600/2013-05-31+18.02.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJIEDFMEr7VZLLM2EfI69vawYZqrnXP8TlHVrAmK-TRhfL_gpi9qrGxGO-po43bVTBx3yvi1r3hG0-YXmrVeoUIidF3dt1YzCZOe_f2-bSDxMthdZNhKR_U5nWowv9J87C_UK5hOjq5o/s320/2013-05-31+18.02.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My adorable nephew Oliver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8d8mEvfHm0iMajpexxx3N9f5i6ZS_yxPL0cVTrjYjehzN7sI3ZTZgPIo0-enXk6uyjI5CrJVq1UE9ptrepQIPmAN8bN1wElb8BeKvKaNYpSOeDoOUWGfIHMaqPU4SALOWhe5qIJlIa4E/s1600/945905_10151685433217497_1965454704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8d8mEvfHm0iMajpexxx3N9f5i6ZS_yxPL0cVTrjYjehzN7sI3ZTZgPIo0-enXk6uyjI5CrJVq1UE9ptrepQIPmAN8bN1wElb8BeKvKaNYpSOeDoOUWGfIHMaqPU4SALOWhe5qIJlIa4E/s320/945905_10151685433217497_1965454704_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Freemont Bridge Troll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzalnZute8eha_QvjfMio_5UHqrbVlTeaKi8oPhxqHIHGAQLajzWUvrgfw4d3NVBHRUTiBVL-rUXW6Yk4G_rI8EWAQXiCnfweiyyAko3umYnA-zc4ngzDo7x_msX8RMmULu9eUvvUSKCQ/s1600/1006172_10151685432702497_2091278292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzalnZute8eha_QvjfMio_5UHqrbVlTeaKi8oPhxqHIHGAQLajzWUvrgfw4d3NVBHRUTiBVL-rUXW6Yk4G_rI8EWAQXiCnfweiyyAko3umYnA-zc4ngzDo7x_msX8RMmULu9eUvvUSKCQ/s320/1006172_10151685432702497_2091278292_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerry View Park – this would be Fraser's view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDe1TSkdHLxVwExletnIpIzPGdvGH8pKnQ2hiSal6qP2rO9ddqSbx3QgVSFm32Z5dRDA4V281gFRsYCvgdnudWxZAteQDi8hz2SNCFhv6UF6YtA5fOMT2mYuNoVyfettc12ZDoJHslZdo/s1600/1016179_10151685434227497_1237283258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDe1TSkdHLxVwExletnIpIzPGdvGH8pKnQ2hiSal6qP2rO9ddqSbx3QgVSFm32Z5dRDA4V281gFRsYCvgdnudWxZAteQDi8hz2SNCFhv6UF6YtA5fOMT2mYuNoVyfettc12ZDoJHslZdo/s320/1016179_10151685434227497_1237283258_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother and sister at the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Brett also took us to Chocolati, a little cafe, for chocolate frappuccinos and then we enjoyed some bottomless fries at Red Robin for dinner before calling it a night.<br />
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The next day we headed downtown to Pike Place Market where AJ got to enjoy some famous clam chowder.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzzGreMKtU2ln8VXFlgQ7wuzSYrxhkS5Bw3k6KHRAvtKaIjcug3nTnrQjyT9_5ufjD4rjP3C4e0B1mzlxuAE8yg4zulMj63IrIfUqTo1h6N60BaisX8asI0mXxVdQezsviqTRHqS2Dsk/s1600/2013-06-01+12.00.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzzGreMKtU2ln8VXFlgQ7wuzSYrxhkS5Bw3k6KHRAvtKaIjcug3nTnrQjyT9_5ufjD4rjP3C4e0B1mzlxuAE8yg4zulMj63IrIfUqTo1h6N60BaisX8asI0mXxVdQezsviqTRHqS2Dsk/s320/2013-06-01+12.00.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pike Place Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3bDNOppW5MBSXJDXWI-vwPfoSrjF6Y5mAXhy8ZBm_C8GSwvdweJaM16WJSq4olCv-J2ckBtEaIFj522OUzZq0IaAsyUDHvodKH8bBtNLxpbkgfLkBDwMrSDgRF7A-rmp7iPoft_EHIc/s1600/2013-06-01+12.11.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3bDNOppW5MBSXJDXWI-vwPfoSrjF6Y5mAXhy8ZBm_C8GSwvdweJaM16WJSq4olCv-J2ckBtEaIFj522OUzZq0IaAsyUDHvodKH8bBtNLxpbkgfLkBDwMrSDgRF7A-rmp7iPoft_EHIc/s320/2013-06-01+12.11.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I keep seeing this place in marketing and corporate culture <br />
videos – these guys do a lot of shouting and throw their <br />
fish across the market, it's pretty fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPcJZaINj7j5JuInAsbURU-pQrYF4uT6yM3V1cScFPEUanpBM9BAWH9cBd6-HqhM7T6FY5obc0uc1BgB7oRN4j2rdVOYWqTLYEVXkR1CXe3s3h3QljYd5LEubfjOrWECTiSXIbaSLlQw/s1600/946681_10151658000152497_1670313692_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPcJZaINj7j5JuInAsbURU-pQrYF4uT6yM3V1cScFPEUanpBM9BAWH9cBd6-HqhM7T6FY5obc0uc1BgB7oRN4j2rdVOYWqTLYEVXkR1CXe3s3h3QljYd5LEubfjOrWECTiSXIbaSLlQw/s320/946681_10151658000152497_1670313692_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous gum wall. And before you throw up, I chewed <br />
that piece of gum myself, stuck it to the wall and very carefully <br />
stuck my tongue out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVnJCpM18vm52gMhz4Rne3rvztfWCuBBKIp3kgUVlQQjANk_3WM4m04sgBZGjzNhikxVtnSwY-lX7HE4fJbtvNXLKa5SWrpRo2YiNE8-yQzHDrgnE2IweOvSByL4vGsIPHsmrlgFt1zk/s1600/2013-06-01+13.06.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVnJCpM18vm52gMhz4Rne3rvztfWCuBBKIp3kgUVlQQjANk_3WM4m04sgBZGjzNhikxVtnSwY-lX7HE4fJbtvNXLKa5SWrpRo2YiNE8-yQzHDrgnE2IweOvSByL4vGsIPHsmrlgFt1zk/s320/2013-06-01+13.06.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the giant Ferris Wheel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWdlruXEboLUV1vLfMosK3uVPxZIfU4RXBKh6wNP_Y5Kh8N6mDmlWceHSGVefMvp15h0Y2bvvIBo4zUoCYeog2HSXR0HqLe5tAk4AYS90XB4254rNXJHM3Tx9qXj7zkjSMP3ryXVVXGQ/s1600/1017495_10151685437327497_166364380_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWdlruXEboLUV1vLfMosK3uVPxZIfU4RXBKh6wNP_Y5Kh8N6mDmlWceHSGVefMvp15h0Y2bvvIBo4zUoCYeog2HSXR0HqLe5tAk4AYS90XB4254rNXJHM3Tx9qXj7zkjSMP3ryXVVXGQ/s320/1017495_10151685437327497_166364380_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AJ was excited for the original Starbucks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We did a quick stop by the Space Needle for a few pics, but didn't go up and then picked up an incredible BBQ dinner from this little restaurant – pulled pork, beef brisket and amazing deep fried mac & cheese balls. *drool*<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmFSWpCw4Dwe5UDbir4juyFL8yXh92x4pplnp_dbSQoBZ1QKzbj81m0UFuncLWeTe81xGj-JtosfwpKLSgG68JNcsdsaqw0TPH7mWHYBgoi0BRdBujtsqqQLQyWoDTqXZC4cwITIx0VQ/s1600/2013-06-01+15.17.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmFSWpCw4Dwe5UDbir4juyFL8yXh92x4pplnp_dbSQoBZ1QKzbj81m0UFuncLWeTe81xGj-JtosfwpKLSgG68JNcsdsaqw0TPH7mWHYBgoi0BRdBujtsqqQLQyWoDTqXZC4cwITIx0VQ/s320/2013-06-01+15.17.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Space Needle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On our last day, we visited my brother's church, Mars Hill. These guys have 5 campuses in Seattle alone. Before we left, Brett insisted we try the best ice cream he's ever had at Molly Moon's. I have to say, it didn't disappoint. I had vegan coconut, which so doesn't sound like me, but it was delish.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZU2XVloJiNLXFaRjOkTl0aHyqCS9XvhUm5Bt3BeeMMIheXXRxNs82bhc1KSv-qEbX1KhiivtszvHA36INOYdGt31f4f-AXpU8hr2dpfOOLL4gbYbA-gZ9YP-MpQRseQiQ-oewXu6QzA/s1600/2013-06-02+12.28.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZU2XVloJiNLXFaRjOkTl0aHyqCS9XvhUm5Bt3BeeMMIheXXRxNs82bhc1KSv-qEbX1KhiivtszvHA36INOYdGt31f4f-AXpU8hr2dpfOOLL4gbYbA-gZ9YP-MpQRseQiQ-oewXu6QzA/s320/2013-06-02+12.28.05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cream at Molly Moon's</td></tr>
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We said goodbye in the afternoon, with lots more trip to go. It was so great to see Brett and Gretyl and finally get to meet Oliver in person!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl5Gk30imwXQ82FV2pZ3e1l8x9fktEOGD2l0bcY6TqIAMUc5Or-7fK2OnodRGdq15O2RXD6PhAs3fEN5jxmzwxxqoKfvFRn8wv-I4hCkOPiDW8h5BuQ3Vt8ZANKuvcAXLqm5dsosQnGE/s1600/1011168_10151685439907497_1098801550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl5Gk30imwXQ82FV2pZ3e1l8x9fktEOGD2l0bcY6TqIAMUc5Or-7fK2OnodRGdq15O2RXD6PhAs3fEN5jxmzwxxqoKfvFRn8wv-I4hCkOPiDW8h5BuQ3Vt8ZANKuvcAXLqm5dsosQnGE/s320/1011168_10151685439907497_1098801550_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our flight had a stop in Phoenix just in time for dinner. We ate at a little Mexican restaurant called Blanco Tacos & Tequila with fantastic food, especially for an airport. Even cooler, they had family-style seating – one long table and you sit beside some random people. We ended up with a girl about our age from Idaho who works as a veterinarian but wishes she could be a marine biologist. We had a good conversation and she suggested we visit her alma mater in Santa Cruz to climb this huge tree, at which AJ's ears perked up. We did go there, but you'll get that story later.</div>
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We flew into San Diego at about 10pm Pacific time and drove straight up to Mission Viejo, about an hour and a half away to stay with our friends Shoubert and Paula.<br />
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Continue to <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.com/2013/06/california-adventure-part-2-orange.html">Part 2: Orange County and LA</a>.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835806159275066643.post-38079257239105897442013-04-04T20:25:00.001-04:002013-04-04T20:30:11.054-04:00New Year's Project #2I was waiting until my second project made it up on the wall to post, but it's still not up, so here it is.<br />
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THE INSPIRATION:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwPxrmGT7ujIH7PC68VDCECw6jZIDkxhMv5Srh58AX1xUrKdt9wfAScQmiiSSMsUuQaSULvrSuWzqyJsnsROL-La6VC41XyfdSMZPXs7ECkAIOHmcMHJYhIYPqkYWPru5EueOqsDqRp0/s1600/zoom-wild-herringbone-cozamia3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwPxrmGT7ujIH7PC68VDCECw6jZIDkxhMv5Srh58AX1xUrKdt9wfAScQmiiSSMsUuQaSULvrSuWzqyJsnsROL-La6VC41XyfdSMZPXs7ECkAIOHmcMHJYhIYPqkYWPru5EueOqsDqRp0/s320/zoom-wild-herringbone-cozamia3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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THE PROJECT:<br />
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The first part of this project was pretty easy. Just paint a canvas in any way your heart desired.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCil8Cphq1hCa0ZFe06D7HVOL3BUryWQoI5luZ-SBrgqlFUb93PrzrXpT2wx04iQUJN3blhiq51GLkFE7rvoUP6t14jG7IJ6PJa1yaOoWs-j2IKGZmtkhHw3LD4Ad5PqbBOIq8_tbqQbY/s1600/2013-02-15+23.13.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCil8Cphq1hCa0ZFe06D7HVOL3BUryWQoI5luZ-SBrgqlFUb93PrzrXpT2wx04iQUJN3blhiq51GLkFE7rvoUP6t14jG7IJ6PJa1yaOoWs-j2IKGZmtkhHw3LD4Ad5PqbBOIq8_tbqQbY/s320/2013-02-15+23.13.36.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The next part took the most time. I cut pieces of painter's tape into 1" by 5" pieces. It took a lot of pieces. I had to cut more two or three times. One they're cut, and the painting is dry, put the tape on the painting in a herringbone pattern. I had the inspiration painting open on my screen so I didn't mess it up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFjnvbzEL5Iyn1IYEeyEgtadlvXlUBW9AGeVWw-b9uMj44dBaapiXD7AYn1_exGpen88NvZnrAH2MmXk5w08R1UJLie-jlP4mOsY2465XVjLhzBUuM7axa-y2rLieS12phz5l_oCUiJY/s1600/2013-02-16+00.25.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFjnvbzEL5Iyn1IYEeyEgtadlvXlUBW9AGeVWw-b9uMj44dBaapiXD7AYn1_exGpen88NvZnrAH2MmXk5w08R1UJLie-jlP4mOsY2465XVjLhzBUuM7axa-y2rLieS12phz5l_oCUiJY/s320/2013-02-16+00.25.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then, easiest of all, cover the whole thing in white paint. No need to make it look nice, just cover it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOP0M8jemaFZ1Hf0e7BtyjqnMm8lZqy1mnyigiQsAZbA-1iFStAIfe4GGzdt4bXfeDUapkhPngwXnXUPRzhVA3yaCS0aNkl9ICll0dOhTY7IgLKvetmfKTGKNuPG4uiqzqMiqOJRW49s/s1600/2013-02-16+00.36.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOP0M8jemaFZ1Hf0e7BtyjqnMm8lZqy1mnyigiQsAZbA-1iFStAIfe4GGzdt4bXfeDUapkhPngwXnXUPRzhVA3yaCS0aNkl9ICll0dOhTY7IgLKvetmfKTGKNuPG4uiqzqMiqOJRW49s/s320/2013-02-16+00.36.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Let it dry a couple hours or overnight and then peel the pieces off. I left a couple on just for effect. And ta-da!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zKFXd4P3UFCtNPfyw8MPBkJ1yz7A05HT4YFk67l8-mNZ-CZudx1jwlCjfiuKJlPxVL2z5C1etXoUEVXAXT4sbnJ821G1ajgYv3WJRwleE8JXWWLhxhnmZqZzpTTDtax3PqHgvNbt_vU/s1600/2013-02-16+14.04.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zKFXd4P3UFCtNPfyw8MPBkJ1yz7A05HT4YFk67l8-mNZ-CZudx1jwlCjfiuKJlPxVL2z5C1etXoUEVXAXT4sbnJ821G1ajgYv3WJRwleE8JXWWLhxhnmZqZzpTTDtax3PqHgvNbt_vU/s320/2013-02-16+14.04.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now I just have to figure out where to hang it.<br />
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AND, this project knocks another thing off my <a href="http://8kindsofawesome.blogspot.ca/2010/02/30-by-30.html">30 by 30 list!</a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074959594029105716noreply@blogger.com1