Off to Tahoe!

I'm heading out to Tahoe in about 5 hours so I don't have time to do a Travel Tip Thursday -- I promise I'll resume next week!

I'm skiing at Northstar and Alpine Meadows with my Dad for 2.5 days! Just a little Daddy-Daughter Weekend... heheh. And the weather is going to be clear and warm! Spring skiing in January. I love CA!

So looking forward to this...


Have a great weekend everyone!

Our Wedding Day - Part One: The Ceremony

It's true what they say about your wedding day being a blur. Let me just say that I'm SO so happy that we got a videographer and a wedding video. I love that we have a video of our entire ceremony, because it was such a wonderful ceremony.


{click to enlarge the ceremony collage}

We got married in San Diego, CA on Mission Bay at the Mission Bay Hilton Resort. It was a beautiful, hot August day and the sun sparkled off of the bay and across the lawn where we wed.


I'll never forget how it felt walking down the aisle with my Dad. The beauty of the setting, the stringed trio playing the wedding march, the love I could see on the face of my husband-to-be, the support of friends and family. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.


Our Pastor did an amazing job officiating. He was funny, well-spoken, and delivered a beautiful message about God's plan for marriage and what biblical love looks like.

Our families are very important to us, so we had my Mom and his Dad do a reading. My Mom did a medley reading which included words and poems from Kahil Gibran, The Velveteen Rabbit, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Jerry Maguire, Robert Munsch. It was amazing. I've posted it here.


And The Mr's Dad read from Romans 12, our favorite Bible verse.


We chose to our own vows. The Mr's vows were truly amazing. I laughed, I cried, I loved him.


After the vows Dad played the guitar and sung a song which was soooo special.


He sung "The Wedding Song" while we did our Sand Ceremony (in lieu of a unity candle). After the Sand Ceremony the Mr and I went aside and prayed while my Dad continued to play. It was such a sweet and intimate moment for us.


The the Pastor pronounced us husband and wife! And the Mr. definitely "kissed the bride."


We'd selected "All You Need is Love" by the Beatles as the recessional but I was so excited I didn't even hear it.


After the ceremony was over we couldn't stop laughing and kissing. Looks like the paparazzi caught us!


I should also take a minute to say how much I loved our ceremony decor.

I loved how the turquoise and tangerine elements looked against the backdrop of the ocean, I loved the pencil starfish everywhere, and I loved the beautiful flowers.

Weekend Recap: Party on the Queen Mary

The biggest event of the weekend was the Mr's Annual Company Party. This year the party was on the beautiful historic ship, the Queen Mary. The best part is that our condo is about one mile away from ship (in fact we can see it form our balcony).

The view of the Queen Mary from our Condo:

So since we live so close to the venue we had a pre and post party at our place for the Mr's co-workers.

I got one of his co-workers to bring my best friend as a date so we got to hang out! Here we are at the pre-party:


The party on the Queen Mary was SO fun! We ate, drank, and danced the night away. The DJ was great and my feet still hurt from dancing.

Here we are on the boat outside of the ballroom:


Hope you all had a great weekend!

The Hilarity of Google Analytics

I was messing around on Google Analytics the other day and looked at the "keyword" searches that brought people to my wedding blog. HILARIOUS! Why are people do random?

So I created a list of the "Top 10" funniest google searches that took people to wedding blog (with my commentary below in italics)

#10: a good life journey message for the wedding couple on their wedding day
Um, I’d like some clarification on what exactly “a life journey message” is and what would be make it good?

#9: “wedding uplighting uplights kirsten”
Specific, yet random.

#8: “fiesta theme bridesmaid dresses”
Dear gawd, I hope they didn’t find these. Ew.

#7: ingraving on tums
Huh? Does “tum” mean stomach? If so, do not “ingrave” (sic) your stomach. I’d opt for a tattoo.

#6: “are tungsten wedding bands dangerous?”
No. It's a ring, not plutonium

#5) “avg wedding gift for good friends”
I’m guessing that “avg” stands for average. To which I’d respond: if they are really your good friends, I would recommend that you not get them an “average” gift. That’s not cool, bro.

#4) candid bachelorette party photos
Not funny unless you think about what this person was likely really looking for. Pervert.

#3) weird engagement invitations pictures
I’m confused as to which thing is weird? The engagement? The invitations? Are you inviting people to your engagement with a weird picture?

#2) day after wedding brunch stupid
If it is so stupid then why are you googling for it?

#1) “i saw a ring with a turquoise starfish”
Um… cool… good for you? (WTF?!)

Happy Friday everyone!

Travel Tip Thursday - the Kickoff

Hi everyone! Work's been craaaazy this week so it's only fitting that I write this post from the San Jose Airport.

Today's Travel Tips have to do with quite possibly the MOST aggravating part of traveling for many people... getting through the security screening checkpoint.




Here are my tips to "fly" through airport security:

• Make sure you follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids in your carry-on bags: 3 oz or less containers of liquid, all contained within a 1 quart-sized clear bag. If you can't get all of your little liquids in there, then check your bag (that means NO water bottles or big shampoo bottles or anything much bigger than a small hotel-sized lotion)
• Dress the part! Don't wear large metal belts or jewelry
• Be sure to keep your boarding pass IN your hand when you go through the metal detector. Don't ask me why some airports/checkpoints check this and some don't (sometimes the only consistency is inconsistency)
• You'll have to take your shoes off, so wear ones that are easy to get on and off (I prefer flip-flops)
• Take your laptop out of the bag and put it in a bin by itself (don't put your shoes or jacket in that same bin with the computer)

I started with this topic because as a weekly traveler, I can get really annoyed with clueless people at security.

Stay tuned for upcoming weeks! I'm going to talk about: how to save serious $$$ traveling, earn free stuff, fit two weeks worth of clothes in small bag, and get the best accommodations.

See you in the friendly skies!

I Had to Post On This Historic Day!

Update: 11:00 AM PST

Wasn't the crowd amazing?! It makes you proud to be an American!



And fashionistas out there ... what did we think of Michelle's outfit?




-----------------------------------

8:00 AM PST - I'm watching the inguaration covertly online at work. Sneaky sneaky.

Political opininons aside (I'm trying not to be too political here), today is a historic day for America!

Today I am praying for Barack Obama and the first Family. In this tough time for America and in the tough roles the Obamas are about to step into, they need all the prayers they can get.



(Isn't it kind of exciting to see little girls moving into the White House? First children and first ladies have always fascinated me.)

On a personal note...

8 years ago President Bush took the Oath of Office. Since then I graduated High School, graduated College, started a job, got engaged, got promoted, bought a house, and got married. I've lived my whole adult life in Bush's America. It's amazing to look back and see how much life can be lived in just 8 years.

What will Obama's America bring to me in the next 4 (or 8?) years? New career opportunities? An addition to our family? Whatever the future brings, today I feel hope for our future in America.

PS- Right now Rick Warren is speaking! Love him! So happy he's doing the prayer!

Weekend Recap - Life in Long Beach

Hope that you all had a great weekend (and for you lucky few of you, three day weekend)!

Here's a little recap of our weekend:

1. Friday night we spent the night out on the town in Long Beach (details below). Such a fun night and did I mention it was 70 degrees at night?!
2. Saturday we went on a shopping spree at Home Depot with a $200 gift card. We bought a sweet new shower head for our Master Bath and the Mr. got a drill (which would have been nice to have a couple months ago - huh babe?)
3. Saturday night we went to the Mosaic South Bay Service. (See prior post on Psalms).
4. Sunday we went to a Mosaic Small Group Leaders meeting
5. Sunday evening we went to an Orange Country Children's Theatre Production of the Wizard of Oz that had the daughters of a family friend in it. It was actually really good! And then out to dinner with the family.

Our Friday Night on the Town featured a restaurant/bar crawl through Downtown Long Beach...

• Sevilla for appetizers - mmmm ceviche!
• Smooths for Happy Hour - vodka tonn!
• Casa Vino for some wine specials and "dinner" - delish cab!
• Sgt. Pepper's Dueling Piano Cafe for a great dueling piano show - Don't Stop Believing!

The best part was that we could walk from our condo to all of these places and back!

The Newlyweds Next Door at Sgt. Peppers

How was your weekend?

The Power of Single Act

Last night at our Church, Mosaic, we kicked off the new series on Psalms which I think is going to be great! The whole series is going to be about pausing and listening to what God wants from your life.

This week they talked living your life with intentionality and as part of that they played this awesome video called, "The Power of Single Act" that someone at Mosaic created. It's really worth a watch:



Isn't that inspiring? It really got me thinking about what I can with a single act, a single prayer, or a single moment.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite Psalms that we talked about last night...

Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

Pray for Harper!

I can't believe this even as I type it...

My VERY favorite blogger, Kelly's new baby Harper is in critical condition.




Please pray for Kelly, Harper, and Scott. We know God hears our prayers, so please take a moment to pray for them.

If you check out Kelly's blog you will see she is one amazing Woman with such a strong faith in God.


"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:5


We love you Kelly.


PS - Also please pray for Jenna and her baby Brayden. Jenna is Kelly's friend and, oddly enough, Brayden is also currently in intensive care.

It's Hot

I know the rest of you are freeeeezing right now -- but it's 72 degrees in Long Beach, CA and 77 degrees inside of my Condo. I even contemplated putting the AC on in the Condo while I work from home today, until I realized that I was JANUARY! This. Is. Crazy.

Road Warrior Heading Home and Launching "Travel Tip Thursdays"

I am a Road Warrior.


Three nights a week I sleep in a Sheraton. The people at Avis know my name. I eat all of my meals out. I know what LAX looks like before dawn at different times in the year. I have travel secrets.



Why do I leave Los Angeles at the crack of dawn on Monday and come back Thursday evening every week?

Because I work as a consultant for a Large Consulting Firm (LCF). My job requires that I be at my client 4 days a week.


Now I'll answer the questions that many people ask...

Q: "But you're a NEWLYWED! Don't you miss your husband? Your home? Does your husband care?"

A: Yes. Of course we miss each other. I don't think he's thrilled that I'm gone a lot, but he knows I love my job. And its only four days/ three nights week. Sometimes I think absence does "make the heart grow fonder"and when we are together on the weekends we have real quality time.

Because of my extensive travel experience, I'm launching a new series called: Travel Tip Thursdays.

I promise it will be informative and entertaining. Stay tuned for next week!

Weight Watchers Wednesday -- Working Toward Lifetime

Hello to all the WW ladies out there! How was your week?



I went to WW last night and I'm down .5 lb (so basically no change but at least no gain). I skied a lot for exercise this week, but also ate at lot at Breckenridge. So that makes sense.

The meeting leader last night talked to me about becoming a WW Lifetime Member. In order to become lifetime, I only need to lose 5 lbs! So exciting!

Is anyone else a Lifetime Member?

UPDATE: Back from Breck!

We're back from Breckenridge and we had a wonderful time! The weather was good (a bit cold for this So Cal girl) and the skiing/snowboarding was awesome! We had a great time with my friends at the ski-in/ski-out rental home and enjoyed the town of Breckenridge a lot.

Here are some pics from the slopes

View from Peak 7


The Mr. on Peak 8


Me on Peak 7


Hope you all had a great weekend as well!

We're off to Breckenridge, Colorado!

Tonight we leave for a three day ski/snowboard trip with friends in Colorado!

Check out the picture of our ski-in/ski-out cabin! SO excited for the fresh powder! For those who don't know, I LOVE to ski.



Talk to you all on Monday!

PS- Here's a little treat for you all -- 7-year-old me crusin' down the slopes in Utah...

Weight Watchers Wednesday

So after some holiday binging, I'm jumping back on the "fit train" and doing a fun thing called Weight Watchers Wednesday that some other bloggers started.

Here's my Weight Watchers weight loss story:

• Summer 2007: Weighed the most I've weighed in my life. Started Weight Watchers online.
• Spring 2008: Down 22 lbs! Woo Hoo! No more WW for me.
• Summer 2008: Maintained weight, got married.
• Fall 2008: Gained 4 lbs.
• Christmas 2008: Gained 4lbs.
• January 2009: Up 8 lbs since reaching my goal weight. Re-joined Weight Watchers with a co-worker. Went to my first meeting on Monday!

Here are a couple of great Blogs for those looking for Weight Watchers Inspiration:

• Founder of Weight Watchers Wednesday, Mrs. Mojito
• Weight Watchers Changed My Life

Have any of you done Weight Watchers? Do you have any success stories? Failures (hopefully not)? Tips?

New Year, New Look!

So I gave the blog a lovely makeover today -- backgrounds, colors, layouts. What do you think? What would you change?

San Diego Super Chargers Heading for the Super Bowl!

Despite JUST getting back from San Diego -- we just couldn't stay away and headed back to my beautiful home town for the Chargers vs. Colts Playoff Game on Saturday.

We scored some free tickets from a family friend in the FIRST ROW of the Charger End-Zone and the winning touchdown made by Darren Sproles was scored right in front of us! It was an AMAZING game!

For those who don't know, the Chargers won the game in overtime and now have a chance to go to the Super Bowl after a very mediocre early/mid season. As one SD U-T Reporter said, "We can start by saying the Chargers’ ridiculous season has become harder to kill than the hardiest cockroach to crawl the earth."

Some pictures from the game:

The Charger Girls!


Game Winner Darren Sproles (note: this shot is not of the winning touchdown)


The Mr. and me in our seats. It was COLD (well, cold for San Diego).


The sold-out stadium


Now the seemingly-unkillable Chargers have to get past the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 11th. Go Bolts!!!

Who do you think is going to be in the Super Bowl? Does anyone want to bet on the looooong-shot Chargers with me?

I Heart 2009 - Rose Bowl and NYE Recap

Happy 2009 everyone!




We started the New Year off right by watching our USC Trojans destroy the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Rose Bowl!!! Go Trojans! In Pete We Trust.

Side note: Seriously, enough of this controversy, USC and Texas are just as good at Florida and Oklahoma, let's have a PLAYOFF already!

The game was a blast! The only bad part is getting to and from the Rose Bowl (for those who don't know, the Rose Bowl is UCLA's home stadium and USC plays at the Colosseum). I feel bad for the Bruins who do that commute 6 times a year.

Here are some pics from the game.

The start of the game


Me in our alumni end-zone seats


The Post-Game Celebration!


Also New Years Eve was fantastic. A really fun and pretty perfect night. We walked to the Party on Pine Street in Downtown Long Beach. We had drinks at Smooths and an amazing pre-fixe dinner at L'Opera. There was also a band at L'Opera, so we did some after-dinner dancing and surprisingly ran into an old sorority sister of mine and split a bottle of champagne with her and her boyfriend. We then went outside to the town square of the big NYE Countdown. It was a great way to start our first full year as Mr & Mrs.

Some pictures:

The Mr. and I at home leaving for the Party on Pine (I wore my new Red Coat for the outdoor festivities)


At L'Opera with my sorority sister.


Hope you all had a great New Years and have a divine 2009! It's been really fun getting to know all of you out in the Blog world, and I can't wait to connect with you all more in 2009!