Vacation Time!

As many people know, our lives are super hectic (and if you didn't know, then that obviously means we are too busy to talk to you long enough to tell you that, but that doesn't mean we love you any less). Jesus is a branch manager, who even when at home, is doing something related to work. I work two jobs, working 60+ hours a week. Talk about busy. I have come to realize that what William Hazlitt said is true, 

"The more we do, the more we can do; the more busy we are, the more leisure we have."

The past weekend I took work off and we spent our leisurely time with my dad in San Antonio. Our weekend consisted of walking everywhere (we only drove the car once!), eating all different kinds of food, walking the River Walk, and going to the Tower of the Americas. We gazed longingly at the homes of the King William District, went to an art gallery, waited 1 hour and 45 minutes to eat at the Guenther House Restaurant, went swimming and hot tubbing. We even ran into fellow Californians and had a nice chat with them. It was a blast being able to experience this with my father, who researched where to go and what restaurants to eat at.

The Guenther House, where we had a great breakfast! Well actually, for how long the wait was, it was more like lunch instead of breakfast.

The Tower of the Americas, where Jesus suffered from vertigo.

It was also a great vacation because we left our little puppy doggy with our friends who were so gracious to dog sit. After dealing with the anxiety of leaving our perky pooch with someone other than ourselves, I think that we will now be better able to deal with leaving our future children with a baby sitter. But who knows? After all....an actual baby is a bit different than a little dog. Just a bit.

And to make the vacation even better, on our way home from San Antonio we were able to stop and visit our bestest best friend, Lianna!!! (She got a job in Texas going door to door selling pest control products. I told her it sounds like she's a missionary, spreading the good word of pest control to the unbelievers.)

(This is what Lianna will look like. Instead of saying, "You wanna buy a sundial?" She'll say, "You wanna buy some pest control?" And whip open her jacket revealing pamphlets of the prices.)

It was also Jesus's birthday on Sunday!!!! Happy 29th!!!  Ah, the joy of growing old together. We celebrated his birthday dinner at Boudro's on the River Walk and the food was delicious! Mmmmm. 
After a family/fun/food/friend filled weekend, we are now back at home and back at work. Life is pretty darn good. 

Things I've Noticed

I realized that I haven't written in a while so here is a quick update:
1. Jesus and I are finally beginning to feel settled in!
2. We have met people around our age and have made friends at last! (Which is really good, because although Jesus and I love spending every freaking second of the day together when we are not at work, it is fun to hang out with people that we are not married to.)
3. Our dog can balance on her two front legs and do hand stands--without us holding her. Yeah. It's pretty awesome that we have such a talented dog.
4. I learned how to make meatloaf and how to make pot roast in a crock pot! YUM! It was so good. Mmm.
And that's pretty much it for the update.

Anyway, lately I've been noticing a lot more stuff of what people say. For instance, I always notice old people saying things like, "I can't believe I'm this old," and they say it with a disgusted tone. It baffles me because shouldn't you rejoice in being that old? Because lets think about it, if you weren't that old, you'd be dead. And on that note of being dead, the other day someone told me, "I hope you never get as old as I am," (the lady is in her 60s) and all I could think was, "What a jerk! Are you wishing that I'll die?! Rude." And compared to a 100, being in you 60s isn't that old. Old people also lament having birthdays, and once again, dumb old people, be grateful you're having a birthday, otherwise you would be DEAD! And then instead of birthdays you would have deaddays. Just sayin.

I have also noticed how incredibly gullible people are when it comes to religion. When the girls realized I was a Mormon, they had the funniest questions. For instance they wanted to know if we can wear makeup, nail polish, or perfume. (I would like to mention I had on all three. And just so you know, YES, we can. Don't worry, I'm not breaking a commandment by wearing nail polish.) Anyway, it reminded me of an incident with a friend of mine, who asked how Mormons can have "intimate relationships" if we always have to be modest. Hahahaha so I made up this huge tale of how men and women have these special nightgowns with holes in the bottom, that way we can reproduce (to take over the world) and not have to witness our spouse in their nakedness.
...And she believed me!!!! I was laughing soooo hard on the inside! However then I went back to her and told the truth, that yes, we can indeed be naked with our spouse and have sex, because I didn't want her to go the rest of her life believing that. Although it would've been pretty darn hilarious. Really, some people are dumb. Super dumb.

I would also like to point out that Jesus and I have noticed that Texas is a pretty big let down. We came here thinking we would see cowboy hats, cowboy boots, big belt buckles, and women with a whole can of Aqua Net sprayed into their hair. But let me tell you, those movie producers in Hollywood are not correct when they portray Texas in their movies. The residents here have hardly any accent, and not only do women not spray Aqua Net in their hair like they are walking down the red carpet, their hair is generally, for the most part, not even good! Hair here is just...blah. That's the only way I can describe it. When I asked Chris (my amazing hair guru from Fresno) if he knew any good salons in Dallas, he said no, and then added that I should just pay attention to the women's hair at church or at work, and if I see a style I like, ask them where they got it done and go there. Well. That advice (while it is smart advice) has failed me. I haven't seen anything I like. Oh well. Maybe I'll see something I like someday.

Wellll that is it for now. I miss you California, with my family, friends, and better hair styles!

2011

Well, it's the New Year!
"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." -Hal Borland
I have no idea who Hal Borland is, but I saw that quote in my daily planner, and I like it so I put it on here. Haha. But yeah, anyway, Happy New Year!

Since Jesus and I have no family and no friends here yet, we spent our Christmas Eve at the movie theatre, went Denny's, then we went home and watched Christmas themed movies. Then on Christmas Day we slept in, kissed a lot, then went to Dona Lencha, a mexican restaurant. (They have the best tacos that I have ever had!!! And we now go there once a week.)
We realized that Christmas really isn't too fun unless you have family in the area or unless you have little kids. And we have neither, so it was pretty boring. However, our hearts were filled with joy because of Christ. But yeah, besides that, it was pretty boring.

Then for New Years Eve Jesus let me know that we would be sleeping on the floor in the living room. Why? Because it is tradition for his family. Why is it a tradition? Well apparently when he was young and he and his family lived in the really ghetto, dangerous side of town, they would sleep on the floor because everyone in the neighborhood would be shooting their guns and they didn't want to get hit by flying bullets. Great tradition right?! Haha anyway, it turned out to be pretty fun. It was like we were camping! (However, in the morning Jesus was a little disappointed because no guns went off.) On New Year's Day we went to the gun range and did a little target practice which was pretty fun.

Basically we have discovered how tedious life is without family around you. We miss our family so much!!! Jesus and I both got teary eyed when we were talking about our family traditions.

Tomorrow I have both my job orientations, one at 4 AM (crazy right?!?! 4 AM??)and the other at 6 PM. It seems as though it will be a busy day. Hopefully it will go well!

Watch out you kids!

So in case you haven't already heard, the place we ended up renting in Texas isn't the best. It isn't the worst either, but yeah, not the best. The apartment complex is pretty nice, it's the people that are the problem. Actually, it's the kids. 

I have such a huge issue with kids. Not all kids, just annoying ones. You know, the kind of kids that think they can get away with anything, have horrible behavior, get into everything, etc. It also really bothers me when kids run up to our tiny dog, pick her up, and start bouncing her like a baby. It doesn't bother me just because she gets so freaked out and tries to run inside, but I think it's irresponsible of parents to let their kids do that with dogs, because that child doesn't know how that dog will respond. For instance, certain dogs would attack kids if they did that. So this is what I have started to do with the neighborhood children. Whenever Texas and I are outside and a kid comes out, I pick Texas up so the kid can't grab her. Usually the kid will come over, look at Texas, and ask what kind of dog she is. Texas is a long haired Chihuahua, but looks more like a rat. Anyway, I have started telling children that she is a puppy wolf and that she might attack them if she feels threatened. Hahahahaha. The kids eyes get so big, like saucers. Then really cautiously, they take a step closer....slowly hold out their hand for Texas to sniff...then pet her. If Texas moves at all, they immediately jerk their hand back. Hahahahaha oh kids.

Anyway, I guess the message has spread to the other neighborhood children that our Chihuahua is a puppy wolf because the other day a little girl, who looked about 4, was outside with her dad and when she saw Texas, she ran towards her dad screaming, "It's gonna get me, Daddy! It's gonna get me!!!!"
I don't think I have ever laughed so hard (but I laughed on the inside, because I didn't want the dad to think I was making fun of his scared daughter).

I am a firm believer that you shouldn't punk kids (they're kids after all) but my excuse is that I'm doing it to protect these kids from vicious dogs they may encounter in the future. Now they might think twice before running to  dog, picking it up, and bouncing it, because now they'll wonder if the dog is a wild, puppy wolf.

Anyway, here are pictures of our pride and joy! She isn't ferocious at all, contrary to what we tell people, and she doesn't even bark. She is soooo friendly and loves to cuddle.

She eats bad spirits for breakfast. So watch out.

Isn't her sweater just adorable?

Gosh I love her, the ugly little thing.

So much for southern hospitality.

Many things have happened in the last few weeks so here is the quick update!

1. I got a job with H&R Block as a CSP. I went to the training last Saturday, and let me tell you, there were many quirky people there. For instance, the woman I was sitting next to is so antisocial that she purposefully drives a tiny car so there is no room for other people to ride in her car. Hahaha I thought that was the funniest thing. Usually when people pick a small car they do it because they want to be more economical or because it's a hybrid. You don't really here people say, "Yeah I bought a small car so other people can't ride with me." Oh man. Haha.

2. Because we are really tight on money we made our own Christmas decorations.

3. Jesus had to call the apartment police (twice!!)  on our neighbors because they blast their music sooooo loud that it vibrates our walls. Seriously. They have such an amazing sound system and we want one like it! But come on, be considerate of your neighbors and don't have it so loud that it vibrates our walls.

4. We found out our dog is racist against black people. No joke. When Texas sees a black person, or they walk up to her, she starts barking and them and then runs away. I thought this was pretty humorous. However, when I told my mom she said that she thinks Texas acts that way not because she's racist, but because maybe her previous owners were black. (For those of you that don't know, Texas was abused by her previous owners.) Anyway, after mom said that, it's not so funny. It's pretty sad now when we see her bark and run away from black people because now we think she is reliving her memories of abuse. Poor puppy!

5. And here is top and worst news update: My wallet got stolen (at my job training!!!) and our bank accounts were emptied when the jerk went on a spending spree. I have never had so many cuss words and murderous thoughts run through my mind at the same time. I feel like it's even worse that it was stolen at my job training, because that means that either someone who works there or who will soon be working there is a thief. It will be harder to start a relationship with any of those people now because I will be stalking them to find out if they are the person that stole my wallet. And it was my favorite wallet!!! My mom gave it to me as a gift and it was so lovely!!!!!

New people, new places

Obviously with moving to a different state brings along not only a new place to live, but also new people. That is usually pretty exciting, however, people in Texas don't really understand my humor. It's quite a shame. For instance, we had Thanksgiving dinner with people in our ward that had also moved here, so it was a bunch of family-less people gorging themselves together. Anyway, one lady had a newborn and his name is Oliver. Jesus and I like that name, we think it's so cute for a little boy. A conversation happened about names and what we would name our kid and I said that if we have a girl I want to name her Olive. They asked why and I said, "Because I think it would just be soooo funny if when she grows up and a boy comes to the door for her and asks, 'Hi, is Olive here?' I can say, 'Yeah, we have a whole jar in the fridge!'" Hahahaha oh my goodness. Ok well, I think that is pretty clever and hilarious! But yep...they all just kind of stared at me. Oh well. My humor is wasted on them. I still want to do that though.

Speaking of humor, I found this list on someone's blog and I thought it was pretty funny so I decided to post it on my blog as well. It makes me laugh when I read it, so hopefully it will do the same for you! It's called the Truths of Life.

 Truths of Life

1. I think part of a best friends job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is a great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet???

6. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

7. Obitaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

8. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

9. Bad decisions make good stories.

10. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work (school) when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

11. Can we all just agree to ignor whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection....again!

12. Was learning cursive REALLY necessary?

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - Ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? dang it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings 9 times and goes to voicemail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. what a waste.

17. I keep some people's numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

20. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

21. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

22. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

23. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile becuase you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

24. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

25. Shirts get dirty. underwear get dirty. Pants? pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

26. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

27. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

28. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet that everyone can find and push the snooze but from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!!

It's 10 times worse when you're naked. No joke.

This morning I realized that there are certain things that are 10 times...no, 100 times...worse when you are naked. And as it happens, it happened to me this morning. Let me tell you what happened.

This morning I woke up nice and early to get ready for church. After pressing the snooze button about 7 times, I finally got out of bed and into the shower. Everything was going great, the nice hot water was relaxing my muscles and my freshly washed hair smelled amazing. After I massaged the conditioner into my hair and scalp, I reached for my Bath and Body Works body wash. Yummm smells so good! (P.S. I Love You is the best scent.) Anyway, as I reached for it, I noticed something crawling. Something big. I mean, ridiculously BIG! Like the size of a 50 cent piece!!!

(This wasn't the bug in the shower, but I swear, this is how big it was. No exaggeration) 

Abruptly I started screaming and jumped out of the shower. Jesus, hearing my screams, runs into the bathroom. Just a side note....our bathroom is one of those half bathrooms, where the toilet and shower are in one room, and a sink is in the other. Meaning that there is hardly any room in the toilet/shower room. So as I was cowering in the corner screaming because I believed that the thing crawling on the shower liner was a HUGE 50 cent piece spider, Jesus rushes in, making me squished between the door and the wall. Super comfortable. Um, no, not really. I quickly tell him what I saw, and he attacks the creepy crawler, and as it turns out, it was not a spider. We don't know what it was. It was like a mix between a June bug, cockroach, beetle, and a deer (because of the size). Stupid Texas and their bugs that I've never seen.

After that episode I crawled back into bed, needed to reset my heart rate. I was thinking about what happened and realized that if I had seen that bug while I was fully dressed instead of in my birthday suit, I don't think I would've been so freaked out. I mean, I would be plenty freaked out, but not as much. I figured it's because when you are naked, as opposed to dressed, you are more vulnerable. What if that bug had been a flesh eating bug?! Well it would've made things so much easier for that bug to eat me, with there being no clothes in the way. Soooo I think I am going to start showering with clothes on. Or maybe never shower at all. Except...I don't think Jesus would appreciate that too much.

How did that stupid bug even get in there?!?!?!?! That is what is freaking me out now. I have gone on an apartment bug hunt, to see if there are any holes in the walls where bugs could crawl in and out of. Ick, ick, ick, ick, ick. Things like that should never happen while in the shower. It is just wrong. And it goes against showering nature!!!