Our Odyssey Together
Our Odyssey TogetherGratitude
Today John and I went to church together.
It's a new church for us (and new kind of church) and although we have not decided if this is the one we will settle into I think it was a great one to start with.
We went to the early service so we are going to try the later service next week. It's not a very large congregation so we are thinking perhaps there might be more people that come to the later service.
The Minister was very nice and had a really nice, clear, confident and kind voice so it was very easy to feel comfortable and at at ease during the sermon.
It felt really good to get up to go to church this morning and I am really hoping that we will continue to attend.
Today's sermon was about gratitude.
It was a very meaningful thought to start off the week with and one I will try to remember as we go through our own personal struggles.
As I reflect upon our last week however I can think of a few things I am thankful for.
Socrates had two teeth removed and was very groggy and in pain for about 2 days. It was quite scary but necessary to do and I can tell he is so much happier now that he is no longer in pain.
Even though John and I still have not found jobs yet I am so grateful that he is by my side and that we can encourage each other to stay strong and persistent.
I am so grateful that I have a son who is healthy and bright and very thoughtful and kind.
I am also incredibly grateful that we are surrounded and loved by our family and friends and that they continue to support us in all our endeavors even though they might not always agree.
Our House Talks and goes BUMP in the night
It's been a full two weeks since we have moved into our house. Sure, it's new to us but it's an old house.
I've done just the tiniest bit of research on the house and it looks like it was built in 1914. We are in a sub-division called Adam's Point and it includes the historical Grand Lake Theater and Lake Merritt.
It's a nice diverse area where we have been approached by neighbors to introduce us to their dogs and a guy who saw me struggle helping John bring in heavy furniture and offered his time and strength. I have gone out two mornings in the bitter cold for a walk around the 3 mile long perimeter of the Lake.
It's been quite nice but...
I hear scurrying around the house or creeping up stairs when it can't possibly be any of us (including Socrates).
John and Socrates will be in the back room whereas I will be in the front part of the house when suddenly I hear an animal (like a dog or cat) scurrying around me but only for like 5 steps. When I turn in the direction of the sound it has disappeared and I called out to find out where John and Socrates are.
The other night John was out with friends and Socrates and I were snuggled up on the couch watching movies on the tellie when I heard steps sidle beside the couch and I jumped up thinking an opossum snuck into the house. There was nothing there.
One of the earlier occurances was in the dead of the night. Socrates and I both heard something creep up the stairs (from the basement where there is only our laundry facilities) and on high alert Socrates started growling while I was busy elbowing John to wake up. The steps were deliberate and slow as if someone was trying to be quiet and taking their time to take each step up. I was certain someone was breaking into our house. John turned on the lights and stomped around only to find that the door downstairs was still locked and nobody was there. Even still, Socrates was in full protection mode and barking wholeheartedly for another 2 or 3 minutes before John had to come back and reassure him that all was well.
Truthfully, I originally wanted to convince John that the culprit was in fact the mischievous looking cat that hangs out around the house, but I lost that argument a long time ago when we realized there is just no way that the cat could come in and out of the house. Also, the footsteps we are hearing are too heavy handed to be a cat. Infact, in order to calm me down he took a flashlight and climbed up to the attic and claimed that there was a mouse and some old animals droppings. The next day he climbed back again with rat poison and strategically placed them, confident that we have solved the problem.
So now we come to last night where I finally think I might have John as perplexed as myself. Although he won't admit that it bothers him I am sure it is lingering in the back of his mind.
At exactly 3:30 AM, the computer in the next room turned on by itself. I heard the Windows start up sound go off loud and clear. Socrates and I both woke up and was on high alert once again. I fought the urge to wake John up but found my elbow jerking him awake with my eyes glued to the door. At the same time there were creaks and groans surrounding us and John immediately said that it must be critters on the roof.
"Did you hear that?" I whispered.
"Yeah, it will take time for the rat to eat the poison and then die."
"Huh? I mean your computer just turned on." I said as I was overcome with the tension I felt as I realized that the scampering sounds was not stopping.
Sleepily John shook himself awake and shook his head in disagreement.
"No, that can't be. I turned my computer off before I went to sleep."
Even though I was half terrified I found I suddenly had to go to the bathroom and couldn't hold it. I gathered all my courage to cross the room I heard the computer turn on. I climbed out of the bed and practically ran to the bathroom but couldn't help but to look into John's designated office and found that the green light indicating that the computer was indeed on and shining brighter than ever in the darkness of the room.
Thankfully John verified the same when he also found himself needing to visit the bathroom after myself. Somehow we both fell asleep and today we are both confused and unable to answer what is going on in this house.
So far I only know that the previous tenants were two men who seems to have had a moving out sale back in September. The house was built in 1914, and our landlord had lived here for a decade, although I'm not sure when that was.
Somehow, the fact that our landlord had lived here with his family for over a decade is comforting but I want to ask him if he has experienced the same things while living here. Would that be weird?
There is definitely something here that goes BUMP in the night...
Happy Valentines Day
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| Happy Valentines Day |
Today was a perfect day.
The weather was perfectly February where the air was crisp and the sun bright.
I took a break from my day and took a walk around the lake.
I hope you get a feel for how beautiful today was.
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| From John |
We Moved!
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| Before |
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| After |
It's been a bit nerve wrecking and it feels like we are starting all over, nearly from scratch.
We have decided to settle back down in Oakland and it's so nice to be back. It feels familiar even though we are in a different part of town and though we miss the southern California sun, luckily we are in a part of the Bay Area that gets plenty of sunshine and warmth.
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| John in front of the new place |
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| Weird allergic reaction every night |
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| We left for a bit and came home to find him here |
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| Socrates feeling sad and lost |
Trying to get Socrates acclimated has been a challenge as well but it's been nearly two weeks in and he seems to be getting used to us and living with us again but now he has to get used to the landscape of our ever changing layout of the home. Since we barely had any furniture, we have been adding and moving things around since we got in. I am sure it is stressful enough coming into a new space but it must be harder for being old and blind.
He seemed a little lost in the first week but now he is zipping around and loving his new home.
Wrist Injury update
I have healed nicely. I have been told to prevent discoloration from the scar using honey so I think I am going to try to complete my healing process using honey.
I will update the progress as necessary.
As for now, here are some side by sides. (Apparently I have tanned since the injury)
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| Before |
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| After - 2 weeks later |
First Injury of the Year
I sincerely hope this is not an indication of what is to come.
Fortunately, although it looks pretty bad, it didn't bleed much nor did it really hurt much.
As I saw my skin rip apart so easily it did remind me of skinning raw chicken.
So, many of you may wonder how an injury like this might occur. I was simply rinsing out a coffee pot unknowing that there was a chipped piece in the lip. I sincerely thought that the coffee pot lid was incredibly sharp until John found broken glass in the sink.
I think I will consider this a lesson to wear gloves when washing glass object. Big and thick Korean ones.
Happy New Year LAST TIME
I swear!
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Happy New Year 2012
Me and Socrates
As I sit on the first day of the new year I am thankful for the amazing 2011 that we all bid farewell to.
I feel blessed and wanted to record the 10 most memorable things from 2011.
Top 10 Memories from 2011 (Not always good)
1. Climbing the Great Wall of China
2. Randomly stopping our car to pet horses along the streets of Connemara, Ireland
3. Sharing a night with new friends on Halong Bay, Vietnam in a junk
4. Spending the one day we had in Venice fighting over going on the Gondola ride or not. (John won, we didn't go)
5. Having spent TWO WHOLE WEEKS in CLASS in Thailand - courtesy of Mom and Dad Park
6. Spending two wonderful weeks in Buisson, France courtesy of Mom and Dad Lofton
8. Camelback riding in the Sahara Desert in Morocco
8. Eating the BEST Falafel Pita I have ever had in my life in Paris, France
9. Spending 1 unexpected night in Hamilton, NZ (Clearly, John doesn't mind)
And finally 10, making new friends and traveling with our best man.
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Happy Holidays!
Or like they say in the South, "Merry Christmas!!!"
Happy Holidays 2011
Happy Holidays Everyone.
Click here
Notable in SC
Some things I have seen while in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
2011
Uncle Ray's
Whole Frozen Frogs
Since when is mac and cheese and rice and gravy a veggie?
Moving around
We aren't settled yet. We are spending Christmas in South Carolina again this year so at least we don't have to worry about where we are going to live while we are here. At least for a couple of days.
We'll start worrying about it in a few days....
At least socrates is in good hands with my folks although I have been sneaking him away when I could.
We'll start worrying about it in a few days....
At least socrates is in good hands with my folks although I have been sneaking him away when I could.
Happy Thanksgiving 2011
Yesterday was our 2nd Thanksgiving as a married couple and it was really nice.
Being back in Southern California afforded us the ability to spend it with my immediate family and it was a real treat since we haven't done that since I was very young.
I feel really grateful that my Grandfather is still healthy and vibrant at 93 years old and that we were all able to get together with him. He was happy all night long as well. I will remember asking him how he was and his reply was simply that he was so happy that we were all together again.
Happy Thanksgiving!
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
One of the best things about being in Southern California is the weather. We are well into November and it is still bright and sunny outside barely over 68 degrees on most days and I love it!
We started out the house with the intention of doing a nice drive along the beach but since we are close enough to drive around the peninsula we picked up Socrates from my parents and headed out to my old stomping grounds!
Then we headed over to Wayfarers Chapel as we passed old memories from high school. I surprised John with a mini-picnic of Hawaiian Sweet Potatoes and Korean satsumas but I don't think he enjoyed it as much as Socrates and I did.
Hawaiian Sweet Potato
Satsuma
Outside of Wayfarer's Chapel
Finally, we headed over to Redondo Beach Pier to see what cdrab season was going to look like and to my surprise the old Fun Factory arcade is still down there at the Pier! I remember going there as a young child all the way through to high school so it was real treat to see it still there and looking better than I remember it!
John is unaffected at the mountain of seafood that the people behind him are devouring. Meanwhile, I was foaming at the mouth.
I'm coming back for sure! Man, I love being back home!!!!
Getting settled in
John and I haven't settled in completely. We are still in the sublet, using someone else's kitchen, sheets, towels, couch, etc. I am ready to move into our own place and feel settled in. We are still waiting to find out where John will find a job and in the meanwhile I have been busy starting a business. It's been a lot of work but tons of fun and I'm learning so much along the way.
One of the nicest things about being back in Southern California is that I have been able to reacquaint myself to old friends and family. I have not been around really for at least the past 16 years. All my cousins have grown up and have become adults while I was gone. It's so strange to see how they have grown up and have turned into themselves. Since I am one of the older cousins I have distinct memories of them when they were born and what they were like as little children.
I am having a great time reconnecting with them all. There are still so many more as well! I am trying to pace the introductions to John since he seems to be a bit overwhelmed with the sheer number of cousins I have.
Pumpkin Patch
John and I went to visit our friends in the Bay Area this weekend and it was such a special treat!
We got to celebrate our friends getting married and one of my closest friends daughter's 2nd birthday!
We got to celebrate our friends getting married and one of my closest friends daughter's 2nd birthday!
It was a beautiful weekend and I was sad to see it end. As I get older I appreciate my relationships so much and I am so grateful for all of our friends.
Moving into our own sublet
After imposing on family for over a month we finally moved into a sublet. Long Beach is a beautiful place and we lucked out and found a great space to tie us over for now.
The best part is that we are walking distance to restaurants, the water, the pier, a movie theater and bowling alley. Its been fantastic to exercise outdoors everyday, since it hasn't home below 75 degrees here yet. Its pretty awesome.
The best part is that we are walking distance to restaurants, the water, the pier, a movie theater and bowling alley. Its been fantastic to exercise outdoors everyday, since it hasn't home below 75 degrees here yet. Its pretty awesome.
John getting settled in
View from Living room
Lunch Combo from Taco Beach
Joshua Tree
John and I made a small trip out to La Quinta, Ca in a small celebration of reuniting after being apart for the past month. Although, we did see each other a couple of times during the month it was nice to know that we didn't have to be apart any more.
It sort of feels like we are still newlyweds...
It sort of feels like we are still newlyweds...
John likes the heat
The desert sky
We made it to the entrance only
I was pretty excited to show John the Joshua trees from here but the roads were closed due to flooding! WTH? Flooding in the desert? We are going to have to make another trip out to explore.
The cuteness that is Socrates
Spending time with Grandma
It's nice being back in Southern California because I finally get to spend some quality un-rushed time with my grandmother, mother and sister.
La Quinta, California
Its pretty hot out here but we have a nice pool to cool down in.
Making kimchi
I finally learned how to make kimchi and I cant wait to try it out!
clean and then wilt napa cabbage with salt and leave overnight
Add salt, garlic, ginger, scallions, red pepper powder to julienned white radish
Mix vigorously
Combine radish mixture to each leaf of cabbage and then pickle for at least 3 days
Socrates
Socrates loves being outside.
Rose Bowl
Today we trekked out to Santa Barbara and got to stop by my cousins midway for a fancy brunch and to play with her two beautiful children. Now that we are ready to have kids I seem to be surrounded by them constantly which confirms my belief that John will be an awesome and patient father.
Yes, we are trying.
Taos Pueblos, Mesa Grande, and Grand Canyon
We have visited FOUR World Heritage Sites in FOUR days!!!!
That's craziness.
First, we visited Carlsbad Caverns in Carlsbad, New Mexico. - This is a first rate site and well worth the dollars spent here. John and I thought ahead and got the annual pass for a one time fee of $80.00 and now we can go to any National Park in the country using the pass with no extra fee. AWESOME!
NO PICTURE
Onwards to Mesa Grande in Colorado. AMAZING! We were able to visit with our annual Park pass which makes it even sweeter. The pueblos of the Anasazi are here from A very long time ago and considering how old the ruins are, it is beautiful and amazing that they are in as good condition as they are. This site is truly worthy of being a WHS and I highly recommend that you visit if you ever make it out this far.
Finally, the most spectacular WHS we have visited during this last burst of adventure was The Grand Canyon. this is truly one of this planets most incredible and inspiring places. Although I am not a religious person, I find that it is impossible for me to doubt the existence of that which is so much greater than me, when I see before me vastness, the beauty, and then depth that the Canyon so generously offers up to it's visitors.
Our trip is coming to a rapid end as we descend on the California border sometime this weekend, most likely tomorrow. I am exited and hesitant. I am anxious and reluctant. I am ready for what lies ahead.
I had a wonderful journey and I am grateful and happy that I was able to share this with my husband and best friend. It has been the most exciting thing I have ever done and I will forever be envious of these last several months, constantly daydreaming of the days past and memories made.
I love my life.
