Of Padres and Palm Trees

So I mentioned that Zach and I took a trip to San Diego. Did I mention that I am moving there next week? At least, in my dreams, I am. I've been there once before, but it wasn't until this vacation that I believed all the things I had always heard about the place. It is gorgeous, and really, really difficult to leave. Difficult to the point where Zach had to ask me on more than one occasion to stop crying. Here's a little pictorial recap:

We stayed at the famous Hotel Del Coronado. It was absolutely gorgeous, and it felt so historic. It was built in 1888, after all. Our room was cute and antiquey, and the grounds were so nice that I wanted to just hang out there all day.

On the first day of our trip, we toured Petco Stadium - home to the San Diego Padres. It was a really nice place, and very cool to be able to see all the parts that are normally off-limits at any stadium. We got to go on the field, hang out in the press box, and sit in the dugout.

After we left the stadium, we went to the world famous San Diego Zoo. I have never been a huge fan of zoos, so I didn't find it especially exciting. The animals were cute, though; I loved the koalas! And we got to take a double-decker bus tour through the zoo.

Old Town was one of the highlights of the trip. There are a bunch of really cute shops and old-timey places to visit, and we ate lunch at a cool place called the Coyote Cafe, where they serve like 500 different brands of Tequila.

Later that afternoon, we drove to La Jolla and found this hang-gliding cliff. It was awesome to see all the hang-gliders take off and land, and the view was breathtaking.

This is how I spent two entire days. My life was complete with my iPod, books, magazines, and of course, sunscreen. I was happy that Zach lasted at least a couple hours both days, but he's definitely not a pool rat like me.

We spent some quality time on the beach, as well. Mostly it consisted of Zach taking pictures, and me serving as his model. A job I didn't mind too much :)

When all was said and done, we had over 400 pictures documenting our 5-day vacation. Every time I look at them, it makes me nostalgic and I can't wait to go back. But alas, I must look to the future...which consists of only 23 school days until summer break! Not that I'm counting, or anything :)

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In No Particular Order

1. Just returned from San Diego. Amazing trip. Recap and pictures coming soon.
2. I love my new house. Coming home every night makes me happy.
3. Lots of ideas in my head, all fighting for my attention.
4.You should watch this video.
5. 80 degree days coming later this week. Too excited for words.
6. Only 5 full weeks left in the school year.
7. Not loving the cold I have at the moment.
8. This weekend is going to be very busy.
9. I want an iPhone for my birthday.
10. I promise my next post will be much more interesting.

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"The Glow"

Yesterday, my mom turned 50. 5-0! Unfortunately, instead of a beautiful day on which she could ride around in her convertible with the top down, she got snow and 30-degree temps. But we did the real celebrating last Saturday at the Alamo, where all of my mom's family and friends gathered to eat, drink, and be merry :)
I performed a few songs at the party, and then at the end, I surprised my mom with a special song I had written just for the occasion. It's called "The Glow".



There’s a light, it’s shining bright.
No matter how dark the night should get
It makes everything alright.
And I feel it every day.
I don’t think you need another clue,
That light is you.

Oooh, I want to celebrate you,
And tell you just how great you are.
Why you’re a star.
Ooh, I want to celebrate you,
‘Cause I appreciate you, oh.
I hope you already know,
So just bask in the glow.

Ask anyone, they’ll say the same.
They feel the warmth at just the mention of your name.
Look around, at every face.
Each one reflecting your loving light
And your never-ending grace.

Three hundred sixty-five,
Of every year I’ve been alive,
You’ve been my tireless tower of strength.
You held my hand along the way,
You made me who I am today,
For me you went to every length.

You are loved, beyond compare.
And I’m happy just to know
That when I need you you’re right there.
So make a wish, and blow the candles out,
But your light will always shine beyond
A shadow of a doubt.

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Rachology

Sometimes I feel like blogging, yet I have nothing to blog about. I could tell you all about my ideas for decorating, or the fun I've been having in my new house, but that category has been maxed for the time being. So instead, how about a little schooling in the subject of Rachology?

FOODOLOGY

What is your salad dressing of choice?
Zesty Italian (the Good Seasons kind)

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
PF Chang's

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Homemade Chex Mix

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Sausage, but only if it is in little pieces. I hate the big chunks.

What do you like to put on your toast?
Peanut butter and honey.

TECHNOLOGY

How many televisions are in your house?
4, but one more is on the way.

What color cell phone do you have?
Red.

BIOLOGY

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Left, which means I'm always smudging. This drives me insane, the perfectionist that I am.

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Not yet.

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A huge bag full of stuff from our old kitchen yesterday.

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
Not that I can remember.

BULLCRAPOLOGY

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Absolutely not.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I wouldn't. I love my name! Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Right now? Yes! Buying a house = bye bye, money.

DUMBOLOGY

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
Probably about 10.

Last time you had a run-in with the cops.
Probably when Zach got pulled over a couple summers ago.

Last person you talked to?
Ryan (a student at school).

Last person you hugged?
Zach.

FAVORITOLOGY

Season?
Summer, hands down.

Holiday?
Christmas, hands down.

Favorite day of the week?
Saturday, hands down.

Month?
June, hands down.

CURRENTOLOGY

Missing someone?
Yes.

Mood?
Anxious...for the weekend.

What are you listening to?
The sound of my typing.

Watching?
My computer screen.

Praying for?
Nothing in particular right now.

RANDOMOLOGY

First place you went this morning?
Mom's house, to lend her coffee.

What's the last movie you saw?
Rachel at the Wedding on Netflix last night.

Do you smile often?
Yes!

Sleeping Alone Tonight?
Nope.

OTHER-OLOGY

Do you always answer your phone?
No. I sort of hate talking on the phone.

Its four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
No one I know.

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Brown is fine with me.

Do you own a digital camera?
Yes. I am currently on my fourth.

Have you ever had a pet fish?
No.

Favorite Christmas song(s):
Far too many to list, but if I had to choose one - "The Christmas Waltz" from Carpenters' Christmas.

What's on your wish list for your birthday?
Maybe some new music therapy instruments, or a Wii, or a TV for my office.

Can you do push ups?
Yes.

Can you do a chin up?
Probably not!

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
Excited.

Do you have any saved texts?
Tons.

Ever been in a car wreck?
I have rear-ended and been rear-ended.

Do you have an accent?
I don't think so.

What is the last song to make you cry?
Whatever song was playing on Grey's Anatomy last week.

Plans tonight?
Teaching piano lessons, making dinner, and then maybe some recording.

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
No.

Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
Actually, nothing. I'm so proud of myself!

Have you ever been given roses?
Many times.

Current worry?
I'm always worried about several different things.

Current hate right now?
Crappy weather.

Met someone who changed your life?
Several.

How did you bring in the New Year?
In the Chicago 'burbs with some friends.

What song represents you?
"Blessed" by Martina McBride.

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
As long as I could come right back when I wanted to.

Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
Only my husband.

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
Only my ears.

Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now?
It will almost be my first wedding anniversary.

Does anyone love you?
Of course.

Ever had someone sing to you?
Zach sings to me every day. I usually have to beg him to stop after awhile.

When did you last cry?
Probably yesterday. I cry a lot.

Do you like to cuddle?
Yes!

Have you held hands with anyone today?
Yes, one of my students held my hand while I was working with him.

What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school?
Amy Grant and Wilson Phillips.

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Mostly old.

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
Yes.

What is something your friends make fun of you for?
Photographing my life and displaying it on Facebook.

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