2010--In Photos

From marrying the love of my life, to traveling the world, road tripping, watching friends get married, finding a place to live, finding jobs, celebrating reunions and holidays---2010 was absolutely the best year of my life.  And the best part, is I know it's only gonna get better!

Snow and Such

It's coooold here in the Pacific Northwest!   Last night Andy and I had a friend over and we were playing cards at the kitchen table when all of a sudden the sky just dumped snow and hail for about 10 minutes.  In just a few minutes the streets were blanketed in white, so we ran outside to play in it for a bit!

I know it looks like that snowball is coming towards me...but I actually was throwing it!

We're having a low key New Year's celebration...dinner at a friend's place, games and a sleepover! 

What are your plans?

I hope 2010 was all you wanted it to be, and 2011 brings you even more joy!

Modern Family

 We couldn't physically be there for the family photo...but thanks to Skype we were "there" Christmas morning.

Not What I Imagined...

It's Christmas Eve and I'm sitting alone in my living room.  It's not quite how I pictured Christmas Eve to be; Andy is working...but it's given me time to reflect on how thankful I am for this past year.  From marrying the love of my life, to traveling the world, to finding a place to settle down...it's been an unbelievable year.

I've found myself complaining a lot lately...I've been in some sort of funk.  But some quiet time this eve of Christmas has been what my soul has needed.  I'm amazed by God's perfect timing and how he answers prayer.  I hear church bells from down the road as I write this (seriously!)  and I'm overwhelmed with peace, joy and contentment.

I pray you too are experiencing peace, joy and contentment.

Merry Christmas!

On Gaining Weight

This morning when I sat down in my car my jeans split along the back of the thigh.  

I say screw dieting...I'm buying bigger jeans and I'm going to be OK with it! (At least for now).

Creating Holiday Traditions

Andy and I spent a day last weekend volunteering at the local Rescue Mission.  It was fun, overwhelming, hard and worthwhile.  This week we are buying Christmas presents to anonymously drop off at a couple of our neighbor's doors.  We wanted to incorporate volunteering and helping a couple of folks in need to our holiday traditions.  Hopefully every year we can do just a little bit more to help out.

What are some things you're doing to give back this time of year?  I'd love to incorporate some new ideas!

Holiday Par-Tay!

Have I mentioned how much I love my job?  I've been back and forth to DC 3 times in the past month and a half....these are a couple of pics from my training group as we got a tour of DC.

And most recently I was back for our national sales meeting that ended with an amazing holiday party at the Mayflower Hotel. 

 Our incredible CEO Tim O'Shaughnessy. (He's only 29!)

 Obama!  Only kidding...but he was a great impersonator!

 I was a fan of the dessert bar.

Some of my fabulous teammates!

Unplanned Reunion

I'm back in DC for LivingSocial's national sales meeting (and can't sleep because of the time difference).  Anyway,  the most awesome, random surprise occurred.  I checked in on Facebook at the Mayflower Hotel and a few minutes later I got a message that said, "Are you in DC?  I'm just a few blocks away from you!"  It happened to be from the wife of a couple Andy and I met while we were traveling through Cambodia.  This wasn't just any couple...they were the first couple we really hung out with and toured with on our trip...and they were simply awesome.

We met up in the evening and it was so fun to catch up and learn she was 4 months pregnant!  I love that we were able to catch up and reminisce on our travels. 

Have you ever had a random run in on your travels?

Open Door Policy

After our meet and greet we found our neighbors were often knocking on our door to stop in, say hello, and chat for a bit.  We loved it...and now it occurs on a daily basis.  We love that people feel comfortable enough to stop by and just hang out.  Is it inconvenient?  Sure, but this is how I always wanted "home" to be.  I want our door to always be open...I want people who need company to stop by; I want our future kids friends to be in and out of our home all the time.

I feel so blessed to be with someone who is as comfortable as I am with just leaving our front door open so people always know they are welcome. 

Itchy

Winter and my skin are not friends.  I want to bathe in a vat of olive oil. My standby products are Eucerin Calming Creme for my body and Vitamin E oil for my face.  They used to work well in San Diego winters, but the Pacific Northwest is laughing at me.  Anyone have moisturizing secrets they want to share?

Not Yet...

I have an above average fear of children.  I know this sounds crazy, but I think the last time I held a baby was when I was a teenager.  So you can imagine how I felt when I was asked to volunteer in the nursery at church.  I really have no idea how to interact with kids...fortunately the group I had to take care of were from the ages of 1 month to two years old.  Watching the infants sleep and playing with blocks wasn't too scary I guess.

Andy walked by while I was holding one of the babies and said, "Maybe we should have one..."

An hour later we went to lunch with our pastor, his wife and their three kids ages 4-8.

It was a good thought while it lasted.  Sorry mom.

Some Like It Hot

 

Just a few of our condiments we use regularly.

Are you and your love compatible when it comes to food?  I still can't believe my husband loves spicy food as much as I do.  We both have adventurous palates which made traveling abroad so much fun when it came to eating out.  But the thing I love most is that I can cook  a meal and not worry if it's going to be too spicy for him.  Growing up my mother almost always had to make two different meals because my father couldn't tolerate spice, but we loved it! 

Do you like it hot?  How about your partner?

On Making Friends As An Adult

It's hard.  I'm a very social person.  I meet people everywhere and I would say even though I'm new to Tacoma, I've met and know a ton of people.  Developing deep friendships however I find very difficult at certain stages of life if you are new to an area...and married.  I also find that 20-30 somethings are very transient which only makes it that much harder to get to know people.  My very close friendships are unfortunately spread across the US...and as distance and time grows between us, I find myself missing a good group of girlfriends. 

Anyone else feel this way? 

Court

I should have posted this blog a couple of days ago to ask for advice...oh well.  As you are read this I am probably in court fighting a stupid parking ticket.  I have no clue why I got a ticket...I purchased time from the meter--unfortunately I threw away the little sticky thing you leave on your window that proves I purchased the time!  Argh.  At this point I kind of just wish I paid the $39. 

If you are reading this before 10am PST and have any advice I'd appreciate it! 

Jet Lag

I've been in D.C. training for my new job at LivingSocial...this is my 5th flight in 5 weeks with one more to go in 2 weeks.  Two out of state weddings to attend around the holidays makes a very expensive November.  I'm officially over flying.  I fly back Friday evening and I'm excited to have the weekend to snuggle with my husband. 

I have to say, I can't remember when I've been so stoked about a job.  If you haven't signed up for LivingSocial in your area...I highly recommend it!  If you're in the Tacoma area...feel free to let me know about your favorite places--I'll try to sign them up!!

Do you love your job?  What do you do?

Our Christmas Card

 

They're already in the mail!