Saturday, November 14, 2009

Dogs, Dogs Everywhere

San Diego is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country. People bring their dogs everywhere. They push them around in their carts at Wal-Mart, they bring them into Walgreens, they tie them outside restaurants and go bring them food. We've even seen someone bring their dog INTO a kabob restaurant and let it walk around to everyone's table. And last week, while eating cupcakes on the outdoor patio at our favorite coffee shop, someone's dog urinated right on the brick patio. (The owner, at least, was rather embarrassed.)

I love this picture, taken at the Padres game (because, of course, a stadium called PETCO Park HAS to have a bring-your-dog-to-the-park day!) I'm pretty sure these people think their dog is a person.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Things Josh Didn't Know About Me #1

When you get married, you think you know the person you're marrying pretty well. However, you immediately start finding out all these little things that you didn't really know about them. Josh and I were talking about this the other day, mostly because of one of the main things he didn't know about me...and he was probably scolding me for it.

I am very responsible...when it comes to work and, well, responsibilities. I always have homework done on time. I'm always thoroughly prepared for presentations (ok, KIND OF prepared). I turn things in on time. I generally respond to work emails on time. If I'm responsible for some type of social or work event, my tasks will be done and done right. I pay bills on time and mail off the rent check well ahead of the due date. I get my oil changed on schedule.

However...when it comes to day-to-day items that aren't exactly what I call "important," I am much, much, MUCH less likely to do them in a timely manner. Meaning, I likely won't do them at all until I really have NOTHING else to do...so I won't be doing them. Examples: I have been saying I will wash may car for about 3 months now. I have been saying I will take a check to the bank for about 5 weeks now. I put laundry off for a period of time which I will not even admit. I have a Wal-Mart return in my car that has been there for over a month. (Once, I returned something after almost 2 years. The store took it back!--further justifying to me that this behavior is okay.)

I think my husband really just does not know what to do with me. Humorously, he is EXTREMELY responsible with all these little chores. When he says he has something that needs done, he usually does it, like, that day. It's crazy! And quite admirable, I suppose. He had his car registered and his driver's license changed in the first month we were here. (I, however, am still sporting my Iowa plates, and no one can ever find my birthday on my still-Iowa ID. I don't have time to go sit at the DMV for 4 hours! Are you kidding me?!)

So, Josh can't take my perpetual non-action on all the things I consider non-vital to the success of my day, and he ends up doing most of them. He goes to the bank and the post-office for me. He does the little things around the house that I will never get around to doing. He was on the ball with taking care of our broken refrigerator situation. (But I'm the one that cleaned out that disgusting fridge! It's not like I do nothing...)

I'm pretty sure, though, that he is silently refusing to let me con him into getting my car washed for me. Darn it.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

The Corn State

Following is an excerpt from a Fanhouse article on Hawkeye football, sent to me by Christina. This quote has nothing to do with football; I just found it funny.

"When you're from Iowa, you learn early in life that your home state is going to get ripped on by everybody. You can expect to hear the same stale cracks about corn, pigs, flatness, and winter within about 15 seconds of meeting a new person who discovers you're from Iowa. Unless you're talking to one of those indier-than-thou types, of course; they'll just bring up Slipknot and crystal meth. Eventually you realize that people are actually amazed you're wearing shoes, you use words with two or three syllables, and you haven't urinated in the houseplants."

I do often hear about corn, flatness, and winter. They left out the Field of Dreams. No one seems to know about Iowa's meth problem, however.

Although, as much as Iowans make fun of Missouri, we probably deserve everything we get.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Commuting Craziness

We went to Pacific Beach Alehouse to watch the Hawkeye game tonight. (YEAH HAWKS! Last second win! You can't DO that to me!)

Anyway, we sat with some other Iowa fans that live in Orange County. One of the girls is a PA at a hospital in LA, and she drives TWO AND A HALF HOURS ONE WAY to get to work. What?! For real?! I've heard of people doing that, but I always thought that maybe it was a rumor. I have never actually MET someone that does that. Crazy! That's over 20% of your day driving! I am simply flabbergasted.

Her new husband wants to move back to Iowa, but she doesn't want to because she's from California. If moving to Iowa meant I didn't have to spend 5 hours driving to and from work, I'm pretty sure I'd move to Iowa.

Go Hawks!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

About Loss

I lost my grandpa last weekend. He had been battling heart failure for a while and had recently been put on hospice, so it wasn't completely unexpected. The news still came as a bit of a shock, though. I'm not sure you can ever REALLY prepare yourself for the death of a loved one, even when you know it's coming.

It was definitely difficult to be so far from home during this time. I felt very guilty about not being able to be home supporting my family. I very much look forward to going home for the holidays to give everyone a big hug and bring some closure. My cousin Jennifer tried to keep me as involved as possible by giving me a daily play-by-play of what was going on back home during the visitation and funeral. I am so thankful for her. At the funeral, they played a recording of a song that I wrote about my cousin that died 9 years ago this month. I wanted my family to know that I love and miss grandpa and so wanted to be home with them all. I hope they understand.

I have gone through the passing of some friends and family during my life, but it has always been either sudden and unexpected or someone that was much, much too young to be at the end of their life. It has always been an extremely mournful affair. It was a totally different experience losing someone who had lived a good, long life and who had been physically suffering. Grandpa had come to terms with the fact that his time had come to leave this earth, and he was eagerly awaiting rest from his sufferings. I'm not sure I quite knew how to feel. I am very sad for our family's loss and especially for my grandma, but it is also a relief to know that he is now in a place where there is no more pain and no more tears.

I am so grateful that my grandpa knew Jesus Christ. He had invited the Lord to be the King of his life, and he was visibly filled with a peace that can only come from our Savior. He knew he was going to heaven, and he had nothing to fear in death. We shouldn't be sad for him, but it is still hard for the rest of the family to move on. I would appreciate your prayers for our family and especially my grandma, that they would be given peace ad comfort during this time and that Jesus will use my grandpa's death to bring others closer to Him.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Excuse me?! I have MAD parallel parking skills

People have always thought I am an excellent driver.

Due to 1 or 2 completely random, questionable incidents, apparently people here think I am a "crazy driver."

I am rather offended (okay, extremely offended.)

Josh says I shouldn't take things so personally. I should work on that.

And Californians should learn where the cruise control is.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

TV Time Nonsense

So, I always thought that when a show time said "8:00, 7:00 central," it meant that it was on at 8 eastern, 7 central, 6 mountain, and 5 pacific. (though I wasn't really sure how THAT worked either...) But APPARENTLY, it means the show is on at 8:00 EVERYWHERE and at 7:00 only in the central time zone. Weird!

BUT, if it is something that is live and it says the time is "8:00 eastern" and doesn't mention central, then it means 8 eastern, 7 central, 6 mountain, and 5 pacific. Which is why I have to get up way too early on Saturday mornings to watch my Hawkeye football games and stay up way to late to watch Conan.

So confusing!