This past week my family came into town to visit us! It was my whole family (sadly minus Zac and Allison) Jill's Family, and my Grandma and Grandpa. It was so nice to see everyone and we had such an awesome week.

We went to Six Flags and I was so proud that I was able to drag Jordan onto all the rides! Yes some were very reluctantly but he did it! We also spent the day at a beach on Balboa Island called the Wedge. Very big and crazy waves but we had a blast! We were all so sun burned after but lucky for me it has turned into a nice tan.

Being able to see my family like that makes me feel like I haven't lost anything by moving to California. I am still able to see them and that brings great comfort to me. I will be going to Utah in July for a quick weekend and it looks like Zac and Allison will be coming down to visit us in September. Lots of good things coming our way!

California Adventures

It has been a little over a month since we moved to California. It feels as though we are finally settling in. Jordan is loving his job and the project that he is working on. I am working at Nordstrom and seem to be doing well. I wish the hours were a bit better but beggars can't be choosers!
We have been able to take two little "trips" on Sundays when I have been off work. We went to San Diego 2 weeks ago and this past week we went to L.A. to see the broadway musical "Chicago".

Balboa Park in San Diego:
Mission Bay Beach in San Diego:
We went to Thai Town when in L.A. where we found a little bakery and bought some..ahem.. interesting little treats. Let's just say that one of the desserts had corn in it. Yup corn.


The Thai restaurant we went to was called "Palm Thai". It is now for it's 'Thai Elvis'. Apparently during the dinner hours there is an actual thai elvis who comes out and sings to entertain. I was very disappointed that he was not there while we ate, however we did get a picture of his likeness.


"Chicago" was so much fun to see live on stage. It was really interesting to see the inspiration behind the movie. It was also interesting because the part of 'Roxie' was played by Michelle Williams, who was a member of the singing group Destinys Child. Very fun. There were aspects that I was a bit disappointed in, particularly the part of Matron 'Mama' Morton. Maybe Queen Latifah spoiled it for me because I thought she was SO good in the movie. But it was still really fun to see. Jordan and I have had the songs stuck in our heads all week!


And yes, LA traffic is as bad as they say. We've decided that we don't need to back up there anytime soon. We had enough of the traffic to last us quite awhile.

The other day I was working and I met two really incredible ladies. They were sisters, in their early 70's, born 13 months apart. The eldest sister was getting a facial done by someone else in the department so while she was doing that I got the chance to talk to her younger sister. I had heard them mention the hospital earlier so I asked if everything was okay. The younger sister (I really wish I had gotten their names) told me that the older sister had been on dialysis for 7 years awaiting a new kidney from the organ transplant list. It was because of a hereditary kidney disorder that 3 of the 4 children in the family had been diagnosed with including both of the sisters.

The younger sister told me that the disease does not usually manifest itself till much later in life, but the older sister had had breast cancer in 1980. Because of the radiation and chemo it had greatly increased the process of the disease. The sister I was talking to (the younger one) also was on the transplant list for a new kidney, although she had not yet had to go on dialysis. However one of the early effects of the disease can be a stroke. Which she had had 2 years ago.

So here are these 2 women. One had breast cancer, was on dialysis, and was awaiting a new kidney. The other had a stroke and was also awaiting a new kidney. Yet these women seemed so HAPPY. They were out shopping, getting facials and their makeup done, and obviously having a great time. I told the younger sister how much I admired their attitude. She told me that she had discovered many years ago that there was no use in being bitter. It does nothing to change the situation and in many circumstances it can only cause harmful effects. She quoted the beginning of a bible verse to me. Philippians 4: 11b ....I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I wish these women knew how much they affected me that day. It made me so grateful for everything that I have including and wonderful husband and family. Sometimes people can touch your lives with just the simplest conversation. But I will always remember these two wonderful sisters, trying on pink lipstick and giggling about getting kisses.

Tomorrow will be 1 week since we have moved to California. We are completely unpacked and I have several leads for a job. It has for sure been an exhausting week though. There was a misunderstanding with the movers so we didn't end up getting our stuff until Tuesday. Which meant we slept on the floor for 2 days before breaking down and buying and air mattress the third night.

Also a lovely little surprise on Easter Sunday...an earthquake!

An 7.2 earthquake struck Baja Mexico in the afternoon and traveled far enough to be felt in Southern California. We were just sitting around trying to decide what to do for dinner when our entire apartment started shaking. We ran outside (which we have since learned was a bad idea) and waited till it was over. In the grand scheme of things we felt relatively little. There was no damage or anything like that, just scared us!

We are looking forward to our first free weekend in California and hopefully will have the chance to explore our new home and it's surroundings.

We had our 'Goodbye Utah' party last night. It was so nice to see people and get a chance to say goodbye to them before we take off to California on Saturday. Thank you so much to everyone who came! We had a blast!
We have also added a new member to our little family! Toady is a 2 year old Pomeranian / Yorkie mix dog who was looking for a new home. We adopted him and are having so much fun getting to know him! He is already house and crate trained so that has been a huge help. He is such a good little dog. He loves to play fetch and lay in the sun. We took him for a long walk today and he loved being out in the open air. The previous owners shaved off his hair for the spring but once it grows out he will be a ball of fluff! He really hasn't struggled at all with adjusting to a new family. He is pretty attached to me and Jordan but he will lay with anyone who will hold him.

California here we come!

At last! 2 years later Jordan and I are finally off to live in the land of sunshine and beaches! Jordan has been offered a job at a studio in Aliso Viejo California called Carbine. He will be working on an unannounced MMO that he is extremely excited about. We feel so lucky that this chance has presented itself to us.

We have so much to do before we leave. We are going to be flying to Orange County on Tuesday and spend a few days there doing the great apartment hunt. Can you say expensive?!?! But we are still very excited. The studio is located around 2 miles from the beach and there are a ton of apartments in that area. The thought of being able to go to the beach whenever we feel like is so exciting! We need to report for duty on April 5, one month from today. So we are planning on leaving early early on the 3rd. We of course have to be here on the 2nd because we would never miss Austin and Ray's wedding! We are so looking forward to being able to spend some time with the Pack clan before we take off.

Sadly for me, I will have to take California State Boards. From what I've heard they are also a lot stricter on their requirements. Boo. So hopefully I will be able to get over there and get my license as soon as possible.

We would love to have a casual party / get together before we leave so we can have one last chance to see everyone. Please let us know if you'd be interested in coming!

With the holidays and everything I have been slacking on the posts.

Happy New Year anyways! The holiday were wonderful. The Packs all came to Utah this year for a fun filled week. It was great to have everyone together again especially with the newest addition, Austin's fiancee Ray! Hopefully we will get the chance to know her much better.

We also got the chance to go skiing with the whole Gorringe Family! It was a great day and so fun to have all of us together beating our bodies to a pulp. I hadn't been skiing in about 3 years so my legs felt it in a major way. We had a great time anyways.

I have now started work as well. I am working at Salon Valentina in Sugarhouse. It was my first choice salon so it felt great to be fortunate enough to get the job that I wanted. I've been there about 3 weeks now. It is definitely a new challenge. Being straight out of school I do not have a clientel, and I work on commision. Thus there are actually times (take last Friday night) that I work for free! How fun! I am lucky though because the Salon is actually really good about trying to give you as many walk ins as possible. So everyone should walk on in! Haha.

So if anyone is needing a haircut or color let me know. Also any referals are greatly appreciated! ;)