Relocation preperation - bittersweet

For those of you just catching up with this blog, here's my history: I've lived in Escondido, in 10 places now, in my 31 years of life. I've traveled all over the world - England, Australia, Mexico, etc - but I've only lived in Escondido, California.

There are some great things about growing up with a town. Escondido is FAR from the farm town it was when my parents moved here. I've seen things grow and change over the years. So saying good-bye isn't the easiest thing in the world. It's odd to see a poster for some summertime event and think "I won't be here for that."

But at the same time, the new life and new town that awaits my exploration is deeply exciting. Instead of spending precious time moping about what I'm leaving behind, I'm looking forward to getting settled in the new place.

I'm making a to-do-upon-arrival list to help me keep looking foward:
* Find a gym I like.
* Find a coffee shop.
* Locate Farmer's Markets
* Locate health food stores
* Locate pet stores that carry Clydas' food (my dog has some allergies)
* Find a movie theater
* GET A MOUNTAIN BIKE! (This one is pretty high on the list, since its the perfect way to get around and get to know a new town.)
* Get Clydas an orthopedically awesome bed so his old joints will be eased in the cold.
* Find a browsable book store
* Invest in sweaters and nice thick socks and jeans.

Anything else you guys can think of? I'd love some insight! The new place has some hiking trails I already can't wait to explore.

Expecting something deep and insightful?

Well, you'd be out of luck today! Filling out moving paperwork (application for the new place), running errands, working out, and suffering from a very work related headache has given me the urg to blog - about nothing.

Since I haven't done one of these in at least 2 years - here goes!
A - Age: 31! Yes, I survived my 20's with my sanity intact!

B - Birthplace: Oceanside, CA

C - Cookie(Favorite): Snickerdoodle

D - Drug of choice: Does a Disney fix count?

E - Essential start your day item(s): Hot Tea and breakfast food.

F - Favorite color: Purple

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 5' 8" ish

I - Instruments you play(ed): drums, my vocal chords.

J - Job title: Medical Coder, Contributing author for Celebrations Press

K - Kid(s): Just 1 fur kid

L - Living arrangements: Condo with 1 roommate (often my roommie's girlfriend) and my dog

M - Mom's name: BJ

N - Nicknames: J

O - Oreo cookies(how do you eat them): I discect 'em (and avoid 'em!)

P - Pet Peeve: People who don't know how to act appropriate to the situation.

Q - Quote: "Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you, but always dress for the hunt!" - (Thanks Paul Barry and the Adventurer's Club)

R - Right or left handed: Right

S - Siblings: 1 legal, 1 biological (no, they are not the same person)

T - Time you wake up: 7ish

U- Underwear: I wear it everyday. So should everyone.

V - Vegetable you dislike: Eggplant (unless it's just right)

W - Ways you run late: Oversleep.

X - X-rays you've had: Just my knee and my teeth

Y - Yummy food you make: I bake like a fiend.

Z - Zoo favorite: African elephants.

The Disneyworld Hangover and a Birthday report!

 

For my 31st birthday last weekend, My Sailor and my folks collaborated and gave me a great gift! My folks sprung for airfare as my gift, and My Sailor sprung for Disneyworld tickets and hotel! Several other gifts came my way that made the trip possible - and AMAZING!

So amazing, there here it is, almost a full week later from our drive to Disneyworld, and I am STILL recovering (almost back to normal though).

Here was our whirlwind birthday weekend:

Thursday - I flew in (many hours in airports). I picked up the rental car, we grabbed dinner at Ruby Tuesday (YUMMY salad bar and soup) and spent some one-on-one time together.

Friday - My Sailor had class in the morning, so I spent the day napping in his room until he got out. We picked up My Sailor and the other couple and took the nearly 4 hour drive from the Submarine base to the Condo we rented for the weekend. Topping off the evening, we had a few beers at Raglan Road, the Irish Pub (with live music and step dancing) in Downtown Disney.

Saturday - First day in the parks! We did EPCOT in the morning and The Magic Kingdom in the evening. (I got a free Dole Whip for my birthday, and we got free dessert in Tokyo Dining as well!)

The only guy I'll share a Mickey Bar with!

Sunday - Hollywood Studios (which was fun, but PACKED) we hit the headliners before taking a walk to EPCOT and the Coral Reef for my birthday lunch/dinner. Afterwards, we checked out some pavillions we hadn't seen yet, had a few more treats, and got a premo viewing spot for Illuminations.

It was during Illuminations that Sean popped the question!

We both knew this was coming in some ways. We knew that when/if we ever managed to try being in a relationship, things would either quickly fall apart, or solidify the feelings we've had for years. Over a decade of beings best friends has made being together something completely natural, and I couldn't imagine spending my forever without him in the picture. So there was no hestitation in saying yes.

Since I've been home, we've been spreading the news, planning my Big Move (which will be happening at the end of March - out of state - though the destination is a bit hazy at the moment as we're not sure where he'll be getting stationed just yet.

No date is set yet, or is a location really narrowed down. A lot is depending on the budget, his deployment schedule, and other key factors we don't know yet. First thing's first - gotta get the move done and get acclimated to a new place.

Whereever this new adventure takes us - it's gonna be "Fully awesome!" as Rhino would say.  

For those of you unfamiliar w/ Illuminations - here's a a taste of the music and some of the spectacular fireworks.

Interesting places, airports

Over the last couple months, I've spent a lot of time in airports. Interesting places they are. Definately one of the best places for people watching.

Across from me sits a girl who couldn't be more than 18. She's wearing brown leather boots that come up to her midcalf with blue jeans tucked in. Her strawberry blond hair and pale skin work well against the white pleated shirt and dark green cardigan. Moderately dressed, she picks at a scone from Starbucks, observing the people around her, but being careful not to make eye contact with anyone. A bit of a nervous traveler, she checks her shirt several times for crumbs before giving up on the scone all together.

The blinds close behind me as the warm San Diego sun threatens to blind those inside the end of this terminal.

Two seats down from the girl in green is a young man, appearing a disshevled mid 20's, his navy tshirt and black jeans have been washed one too many times and his baby blue backpack looks like something out of the 80's. He's barely awake. Ruffled brown hair makes me wonder when the last time was he showered.

The announcer states that the flight is completely full. In fact, it's oversold and they are offering to check bags for free. I'm seriously considering taking advantage of that...

It's now about 30 minutes before boarding. Time to jump on board.

Thank you, Dad for being my ride and thank you family for the plane tickets!
Thank you, my Sailor for the trip to Disneyworld! I know we'll have a great time.
Thank you, BoxerBabe for being the friend that you are! I know I can count on you to help roomie out with my sweet Clydas.

Much love all!
- JD.

Time Changes Everything - Welcome 2011

"There is no such thing as happily ever after, because nothing ever ends." - The Last Unicorn

Today, while typing in a date on a work productivity report, it sank in that it's 2011.

At first, I thought there were far too many ones in that number for it be correct. I even double checked it against my calendar. But here it is, 2011. Wow.

When I think of where I was 10 years ago, 20 years ago, and yes, even 30 years ago (though I don't distinctly remember being 1 year old), I am astounded on how life changes us.

In 1981, my parents were probably getting use to me and figuring out how their family of 4 is going to work. They were probably looking into the buying the house I spent most of my childhood in.

In 1991, I was 11 years old and just dreaming about the freedom of high school. Creatively stiffled in a fairly strict k-8 school, I struggled with how to balance being a social outcast and yet deeply wanting to fit in, with my own personal values. It was the begining of the darkest time of my life. Though I was already overweight, I played every sport I could get my hands on to the best of my abilities. I found peace in things likes horseback riding, climbing trees, and writing stories and poetry. By the time I turned 16, I'd have been published a couple times, and had over 300 poems to my credit.

In 2001, I was celebrating my birthday with my family and then-fiancee. My world was being transformed into that of a married woman with no other real goals other than to be married. Oh, I had dreams, but no real plan on how to attain them. I'd written and recorded a few songs and been rejected from a few community theater productions. Life wasn't at an all-time low, but I was too blinded by wedding this and wedding that to see anything beyond that. The marriage wouldn't even last 5 years, but the ending of it would prove to be one of the biggest turning points in my life. I learned that someone you love should be part of your happiness, but not the only thing in life that makes you happy. I learned that there is a difference between active and passive support. I learned if someone can't keep their word about the little things, trusting them with big things is foolish. And most of all, I learned to trust my instincts. Saddly, I also learned to second guess myself, something that it's taken a long time to make peace with.

And now I'm here in 2011, about to celebrate my 31st birthday. Now, I'm an ambitious, strong, independent young woman who is surrounded by people who know me and love me for who I am, not what I can offer them. Old friends that have knonw I am a published author with a regular column in Celebrations Press Magazine. I'm following my passions. They are taking me places I never expected - like a probable move out of state come late March. As scary as stepping into new frontiers can be, I find that any adventure is worth the risk.

Life has taken me places I never expected, and back again. And ya know what? It's not a bad place to be.

This will probably be the last blog entry before I leave for my birthday trip to the East Coast tomorrow.

While I never expected that life would take me to where I am, I couldn't be more appreciative for the ride.

"She will remember your name when men are fairy tales and books are written by rabbits."

Remember this?

Oh yeah... this is me right now! One more week until I get to spend join My Sailor and some of his friends for a weekend in Disney World! This is a first for me!

Yes, I've been to Disneyworld several times before, but it's always been during the first or second week in December. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE going that time of year. Everything is decorated for Christmas, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party is going on, the crowds are non-existant, and the value season is going on so things are cheaper. But this time I'm going for my birthday! It's bound to be more crowded than my other winter trips, but I've never been for my birthday before!

I definately have to admit, I live a semi-charmed kind of life lately. Sure, I have my stressful days at work and the prospect of moving away quickly approaching is a bit daunting - but it's a good kind of stress.

There are lots of good reasons for not sleeping - but being too excited to sleep is probably one of the best reasons.

31 is a little over a week away - and I'll be spending it at EPCOT. If you had asked me this time last year if I'd be in this position, I would have said, "I wish!"

The reality is definately better than the wish.