Changes...

Okay, so not really a lot of changes, but one big change: I just started a new job. 

I had been working as a planning intern at the City of Downey.  Which made sense at the time I started.  It wasn't too far from West Hollywood (where we lived) even though the traffic was pretty bad.  But if you are familiar with Southern California, you know that when Sam switched jobs and we moved down to Lake Forest, we were no where NEAR Downey.  I spent over 2 hours in the car 3 days a week to get to work.  I loved the job, loved the people, but it just wasn't working anymore.  I began looking for jobs and hadn't even gotten an interview for what seemed like forever.  And just when I decided to stop stressing about it and find something else to do with my free time (volunteering)...TWO job opportunities popped right up.  Isn't that just how it is: as soon as you let something go and turn it over to God, that's just when he gives it to you.

It was quite the story and quite the decision, but I'll spare you the details that are boring to everyone except me.  Long story short, I ended up taking an (almost) full-time job as a planning intern at Laguna Hills.  It's very similar to the job I was already doing. You know, except an entirely different zoning code, different permits to issue, and different procedures for EVERYTHING.  But it is 10 minutes away from our house and is almost double the number of hours I was working.  Plus since it's closer, if the opportunity comes along for a more permanent position, I'm in a much better spot to take it.  So, we'll see what happens with that. 

My last day at Downey was Friday and I started Laguna Hills on Monday.  So it's been a quick transition, but so far so good.  I already have several cases to do while I try to figure out...everything else about the job.  But it's only day three.  Things are already getting easier.  My computer usually works, I have a phone on my desk now, and I have a little electronic name badge thingy so I don't get locked out of the conference room anymore. 

Oh and there is another change: the time change!  LOVE IT!  Who cares if you have to get up in the dark if you can come home from work and still have daylight to enjoy? Plus, now that I'm working closer to home, I don't even have to get up in the dark anymore!  Yay! I like change...this time anyway.

A month later...

So I'm a little behind.  But luckily my life's not that exciting so I really only have to recap on our Valentine's/President's Day weekend.  Just like last year, Sam and I went to Mammoth for the long weekend.  But this time we went with friends.  And we did not get a flat tire.  We got Friday off work so we could leave in the morning...which was such a good idea.  It was so nice to get there early so we could get all settled and pick up my lift ticket and snowboard rentals for the next day.

I took a snowboard lesson ALL DAY Saturday.  Such a good and bad idea all at the same time.  I never really got good at snowboarding and was at a bit of an impasse so I decided that if I want to be able to enjoy the mountain with my husband, I had to bite the bullet.  They placed me in an intermediate class (whose idea was that?) which, of course, meant that me and one other woman were the only people over the age of 15.  All the older people were in the beginner class.  So I'm sure it was good and it pushed me, but man did I want to be in the class with all the older people (and by older, I mean post puberty) who had the fear of falling in them.  At any rate, I made it and can fairly successfully navigate non-steep terrain.  However, I have never been in more pain in my life.  Seriously. 

Anyway here's some of the fun everyone else was enjoying while I was incurring multiple minor injuries:

There was a video of the tubing but it was taking too long to upload.  I assure you they were having a lot of fun. 

Sunday, equipped with my newly acquired skills, Sam and I went snowbarding with Ben and Kalyn.  I of course seemed to forget everything that I learned the previous day, but Sam quickly jogged my memory.  The guys spent the morning with us on Schoolyard Express (no joke, that's what it's called) and then after lunch they hit the big boy slopes and Kalyn and I hit the lodge to lick our wounds (well, me anyway; I guess I should speak for myself). 

The weekend was great.  Perfect weather, great friends, and a much needed break from the real world. 

On the glass

I don't mind hockey, but in general I could take it or leave it.  But when you get to sit on the glass, I turn into a die hard fan.  It's a totally different experience - and a totally awesome one.

One of my father-in-law's co-workers gave him 4 tickets and Sam and I were lucky enough to get to go with Sam's brother Ben and his girlfriend Kalyn.  Aside from the great view, another advantage to those seats is access to the club level.  This is important because they have better food and cleaner bathrooms with no lines.

The downside of sitting so close: we got an up close view of Teemu Selanne getting his jaw broken. Ouch. 

Here are a few photos of us soaking in the evening.

One Year of Marriage Down...

We've been married one year now.  To celebrate, we decided instead of gifts (since we just had Christmas) we would go out and enjoy a nice dinner together.  We love Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fierri on the Food Network and had just watched a Christmas at Disneyland special with Guy Fierri that highlighted the Napa Rose restaurant at the Grand Californian hotel.  So when Sam asked me where I wanted to go, I told him it would be fun to go there.  And there we went.  It was so nice.  The food and service were totally worth the price.  Plus, you get 5 hours (5!!!) of free parking at the valet for the hotel when you eat there.

 

He cleans up nice doesn't he?

  

  

We ordered the "World's Best Hot Chocolate" for dessert.  And let me tell you: they aren't kidding.  And the homemade doughnuts that go with it are to die for.  They even dressed it up for our anniversary and gave us a box of truffles to take home as a gift.

I love the lobby of the hotel.  So pretty and just a nice place to be.  Plus the Christmas decorations were nice.

If you get the chance to to, the two must orders are the scallops appetizer and the hot chocolate.  Both of which are also served in the lounge (if you want to keep it on the cheap).  I still dream about those scallops.  The sauce on them was so good I used the bread to soak it up.  I told Sam that if it weren't such a fancy place I would've licked the plate.  True story.