Travel with the Family

Jason's family was kind enough to extend me an invite to join them on this family trip to San Francisco, CA. My first thought was how incredibly sweet of them. Second, can Jason and I even go. Third, was my love for this city. I had the good fortune of visiting ole San Fran, with my child hood best friend back in 2005. I was there for two weeks for work, she came up to visit me and we made a vacation out of it. I had fallen in love and could not wait to go back. 

Can you guess the picture that was taken in 2005 and then again 2012? Negh, I did not think so. Ha, it was great to be back. 

We flew Virgin America and that airline has certainly grasped the new age of flying. They have purple LED lights throughout the plane. There is a digital flat screen on the back of each seat, just a few touches and you have order placed, and delivered. They were having a special promotion and we got to have free Wi-Fi and use the Google chrome notebook they were handing out. I found humor in watching the hesitation and caution in people at the terminal to go check one of the computers out when they used the "it is free" to promote. We learn quickly in life that nothing is ever free, but this really was. Everyone was settled on the aircraft, seats were comfy and a flawless flight to start the trip off with. Jason's nieces were 100% set with all this to keep them busy for the next three hours. Every parent wants air transportation like this when traveling with the little ones. We were good to go. 

It always amazes me when you visit a city again and again and you did as much as you possible could the first time, but you go back to almost the exact same area and see how much you missed and get an entire new experience. This is the beauty in travel. I usually scan over my pictures and or credit card charges to figure out where all I went on a trip, however one of the biggest lessons I learned from this trip is that when you travel with family you are not exactly as in control as you may normally be. I know I do not have every place listed that we ate and visited, but this is the majority of the for a first time for sure.

• Caffe Puccini - Little Italy -sidewalk with heaters, J was kind enough to take an hour to pick out for our last lunch, I wanted just the "right" place
• Ghirardelli We went twice, once for shopping and looking - Second to get some sweets
• Cellar 360 -Wine tasting in Ghirardelli square
• Fishermen's Grotto #9 -Lunch with a view
• California Academy of Science -Amazing
• @ Far East Cafe -China Town 
• Buena Vista - Irish coffee's and delish lunch
• Jacks Pub - making friends with fellow travelers
• Fisherman's Warf - Finally got to see the famous Sea Lions
• Alioto's waterside cafe - Our first stop for some much needed lunch and seafood 
• Trolley - got passes and rode them all over the city

The weather was beautiful definitely a lot cooler/windier than it was in October when my first visit occurred. I got a little glimpse of what family travel can be like. There is one thing you are guaranteed when traveling with Jason's family. That is that you will have some yummy food and that we did for sure. I am more in love with this place than I was before and cannot wait to go back and do more new things. 

2011 was like Heaven

I don’t think I have ever felt as much peace with myself as I did chiming in to 2011. It truly was magical.  Jason and I packed our bags left the city and headed to the lake house. We planned on spending the next 4 days, cooking, being lazy, putting a puzzle together, taking some walks, popping some fireworks and just have fun being together. This is exactly what we did. It was wonderful.

I read over my blog from 2010 before I started writing this one. I noted that my hopes for 2011 were to get a permanent job, to be more physically fit, to have that last little debt paid off, to be more involved in church (or at least going more regularly), to be active in my sorority alumnae group and to take a vacation like I never have.

I was overwhelmed with happiness when I realized how well I did. I got a permanent job; my first day was October 31^st with Worldwide Express. Jason and I joined a gym and work out at least 3 times a week if not 4. It was just this past Sunday that we walked 2.1 miles to get to Harry’s and 2.1 miles to get back home. It was great fun. I did not get that last bit of debt paid off, but that is only because I took a vacation like I never have and I am okay with this. At least I did not accrue more debt and have almost got the other paid off and will for sure have it gone in 2012. Jason and I did go to Church a lot more, we have been I guess you would say Church shopping.  Looking for one that we both enjoy has been a bit of a challenge since we would prefer to just have one and go. Finding different ones that are close in distance, but represent our religion beliefs is important. We did however get a couple Angel’s off the tree this year and I was very happy about that. Not only was I more active in my sorority I was on a committee for Cookies and Castles at Scottish rite’s Children Hospital. I also joined a book club with the alumnae group. Costa Rica for the vacation was more than I could have ever imagined for. 2011 you were really good to me and I am so thankful for it.

The things that stand out to me the most about 2011 have been captured in a blog I am certain. I kind of figured out that I like to share monumental moments for me with everyone else. Therapeutic I think. However, if I did not read back and just went over the year in my head my highlights over all verses specific would be that we are always looking for new things to try, places to go and foods to eat. I am so happy we do this. I created a dining out club that we eat out some place new the first Friday of every month. I have built of a nice clientele of babysitting clients, enjoy it and think it will only grow to as much as I want it to. Donating 14 inches of my hair was a good deed for sure, but I hate it being short and I am not sure I would ever do it again. I do not regret doing it. Being more involved for Christmas. It was not bad at all. I got a Clarisonic for my face for my birthday and I am in love with it. I think every girl should have one.

On a personal note I have realized that my wants for happiness have changed a bit over the past year. I think it may have something to do with the beauty of that thing called age. Finding my best friend in Jason caused a lot less hardships on the friend o meter this year. Rather it was him or growing older I do not care I am just happy the drama is out of my life. I have a close and secure net of friends. I love them dearly and know how lucky I am to have them.  There have been some friends from the past that have become better friends and that is exciting, but over all I have a happy medium and that makes me feel blessed.

For 2012 I pray to get that debt paid off, be in better shape, and have fewer vices, yard sale, to have found a church (or going to ONE more regularly) and to do a little more with my apartment. I always want for good health and love in my relationship as well. If 2012 gets any better than 2011 I cannot possible imagine what it must feel like. I smile with anticipation.

 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.