ryan found us the perfect apartment...it fit both of our needs really well...and the girl who saw it after him wrote a check on site before he could get ours to the guy...meh! so, the search continues unless her check bounces. meh!

there's a lot of other, good news, but it's really not appropriate to blog about..just know things are looking up. :) and that'a wonderful feeling.

Today I went out to lunch with my Nana, which was great. She's one of the people I miss the most when I'm gone. I also got to see my other grandparents, which is a mixed experience at best, but it's always good to see them. They do so much for me, and I feel like I never have enough time to say thank you. When we come back in August we'll be staying there, so I'll get to spend a little more time with them. My grandma bought me pants without holes in them. Yay! I'm apparently going to see my Uncle Nick in a little bit when he returns my father. Woo!

So that's that...
in other news...I need to find my iPod....severely.

also..it's interesting to see how people in other countries perceive the mormon faith. there are a lot of misconceptions just in the US, i can't imagine how it comes across to people in other countries. thoughts?

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today so far
My dad and I decided to go on a walk this morning. Despite popular belief, there is still some open land here in San Pablo/Pinole. The view from the hill is amazing...a full 360 of Pinole, San Pablo, the bay, and Vallejo. After the hill my dad took me over to see the new bridge in Old Town Pinole, and we came across a small dachsund wandering down San Pablo Ave. We tried to call the worn number on the tag, but I got an answering machine. The animal shelter confirmed that it was the correct number and Mia the wiener dog is now in their care until her caregivers are home from work/school. I'm glad we found her when we did. There was a water crew digging a large hole, and she was headed straight towards the busy intersection. Who knows what could've happened to her! Creatures big and small. After lunch at Jack in the Box (a tradition every trip because I miss it) we headed home so I could further deal with this apartment fiasco.

Ryan saw an excellent place this afternoon right on Ridge across from Superfresh. The pros? It's a good size, affordable, there's Superfresh, we'd get a storage unit and $100 off the first 3 months, and they accept dogs. The main cons? It's a bus not a train to the city unless I want to walk down Ridge...either way it's an extra 20 minutes, and it's one of those complexes with windows only on one side of the building, which means a dimly lit apartment. I was so happy that the place on Chelten had windows all over. He really wants this place. A morning shift most of the months would negate the bus issue, which is fine, I'd just like to get a few more in our sight first. He's right, I'm being picky, but the second place I sent him is cheaper, has lots of window, and is gorgeous. Is it so bad that I at least would like him to take a look at it? He went over and couldn't find the guy who said he'd be there, so he went back home. He's hesitant about going back, but he agreed to try. He's not really interested, though. His issue is that it's close to a CVS and that's it. True. That could be an issue. I'd still like him to take a look. Apparently he's got a few more to look at also. It's frustrating to be away from the whole process like this. I wasn't going to come, but I'd had it planned and he told me to come see my family. I can't express how much I appreciate him picking up the slack on this one, but you all know how I like to retain at least slight control on things. I feel helpless here, but he's taking care of it. I have to have faith in him to make the right decisions for us, as he has in me. That being said...argh! I really just want to know where I'm going to be living next month. His mom is helping us out a tremendous amount, and it's a huge relief to have help on both sides.

anywho, my grandma and i are going to the Cerrito Speakeasy Theatre...sounds like fun...report later. :)

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So I've been in four cities in two days....It was 70 when I left Philly, 40 in Chicago, 90 in Vegas...and now its somewhere between 58 and 60 in Oakland. I'm done! Anywho, it was a long weekend and it went like this...

Friday I got off of double shift number two (which I will never do again) and we headed out to Ryan's mom's house for pizza, drinks, and pool that eventually turned in to basement wiffle ball. The next day Ryan got on his way to school and I slept as long as I could before being roused and carried home where we prepped for the day of many parties. First there was Erich's BBQ, which was a good time with good food. It got started a little late, and we almost opted out of party number two, but Carolanne twisted my arm ;) so we headed out to Emily's in Colmar. We had a great time out there, ended up spending the night, met a bunch of new people, saw a bunch of people I haven't seen in a few weeks. All in all it was a good time with smores and football for breakfast. Sunday we had a good day together. Went to Rich's for a little while, then headed home to spend some time together before my flight out Monday. "Some time together" lasted til 2 hours before we had to leave, but it was indeed a fantastic night, and sleeping is what the gods made airplanes for.

Monday I got to Chicago early, which turned out to be a blessing. The nasty ladies in the BSO sent me to the wrong place on the wrong shuttle. The People Dept looked at me and said, "It's good to see you..but why are you here?" Luckily the wonderful people from the Hilton were willing to pick me up at the Business Center and I was not, in fact, late for the luncheon. At the luncheon I got to sit and eat at a table with Colleen, which absolutely made my day just being able to sit and chat with her like old friends. I got a (fuzzy) picture with her, and went about my day. After the luncheon I headed back to MDW and onto the (correct) trolley to the hangar where I got to meet and hug (but unfortunately not get a picture with) Herb and see the unveiling of the Illinois One, which is a gorgeous plane. Ran into a couple people from work, but still felt a bit alone in the crowd. I miss my hubby =o(. I opted out of the Message because it was a good hike from the airport and I was afraid I'd miss the last flight to Vegas, so I caught a plane and slept until we landed. It was great to see Lauren's happy face at the airport! I missed her so much! We spent a good few hours catching up and plotting the next visit (with boy in tow). This morning I woke up and spent some time reading, meditating, and playing with the kitties until Doug got home to drive me back to the airport where I BARELY made my flight to Oakland because my pump set off the metal detector and they had to wand me. I ALWAYS get wanded when I really have to pee! But I made it! It was great to see my dad and grandparents. Unfortunately my other grandparents are in Arizona. Hopefully they'll be back before I leave. Otherwise there's next time.

I head back to Philly Friday. I'm sure there will be more updates. I've got a few interesting dreams/meditations to update about later...but for now...I'm thirsty...

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This weekend was well...full.
Friday night the boys and I met up with Eric at a bar he frequents. There was good music, strong drinks, and a pool table, so we were happy. Eric's good company, and he and Ryan seemed to have a good time shootin' the shit. We got up nice and early with the intention of getting our fencing authorizations out in NJ. A flat tire and a long ass registration line later it was too late, so we drove the 2.5 hours back home unauthorized then off for another 2.5 hour drive! The drum circle was amazing, the group fantastic, and the conversation lasting through parts of the next day was amazing. We didn't want to leave but there were chores on both sides of the conversation and I was feeling kinda sick from being so upset and freaked out the night before. (Jenn does not do well with the informed knowledge of the presence of venomous spiders roaming free in the house...especially one with so many nooks, crannies, and potted plants.) Waffle House and sleep on the way home, along with some interesting conversation I'll get into later.

Today I got the OK to go back to work....Huzzah! *ding* We're both very excited about this. He's making pretty good money, and I'll have my check coming in...fantastic! We might even have money to save at the end of the month once we're all paid off! I'm going to see an apartment in the city tomorrow, and the landlady for the place near Rich's sounds optimistic about our paperwork. I also got word today that I may have my first gallery showing in 4 or so years! There's a split gallery in downtown West Chester I should be showing in through the month of August! Now to think of what I want to hang for it? Any modeling volunteers?


So now for the serious stuff...
We've been having the "where will we eventually settle down" argument since the beginning. If we have one serious issue, that's it. City mouse with no license and a crippling fear of motor vehicles marries a country mouse who really isn't happy being away from the natural energies and you can guess where the conversation goes. He doesn't want to be in PA forever, and neither do I. However, he'd like to move to Montana where I'd like to return to California. I know he's hesitant about leaving his home. I've done it, and I know how it feels to pack up and leave. What are my concerns about NOT moving back? I miss the Bay Area, I really do, and I've always wanted to raise my kids for at least a part of their lives there. I also miss my family, and they're not going to be there forever. My grandparents are getting older, my dad's getting older, and in 20 years I don't want to regret not being around more. If I go inflight, I can solve some of this anxiety for me, but what about my children. Will they ever get to spend Christmas with MY family since we're supposed to be here with Ryan's? Will my dad be able to fly to see us ever? I do have my issues about being away from the city. I enjoy the culture and life in a city, but as long as we're not 4 hours away I can deal with the distance. Ryan assures me we'll still do things and go out, that we can still spend time in the city. To be honest, I wouldn't mind the change of pace one I can get over this fear and get my license. So now we're talking about joining this group of people, talking about making it a serious part of our lives. He's hesitant because he's afraid it'll give him one more stress factor about leaving here. He's worried he'll get involved and attached,, so he's letting it give him hesitation about being involved at all. My concern is..what if we never leave? And we're STILL not involved? We could go through this every year and never take either action. Even if we did move, I don't want this to be a point of regret. More importantly, I don't want the next step in our journey both together and individually to be stunted because we're afraid it might be an important one. I'm concerned about cutting our paths short for a long time and not being spiritually fulfilled because of what may or may not happen. I understand his concerns, I really do. I just don't know that we should limit ourselves because of this. I think for now I've convinced him to see it through, especially until we see about this inflight thing. It may never happen either. then we'll have a completely new set of decisions to make. Ah the joys of decisions that effect more than just me.....

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this makes me sick to my stomach
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/parents-pick-prayer-over-docs-girl-dies/n20080327145609990008?ecid=RSS0001

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finally a pic of my tattoo!



23 eggs to learn how to put em in the basket...


1 to learn there's candy inside!

tada!
enjoy

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