continued from yesterday

side swept

full
patio set

On house and hair

This week has been huge! And wonderful.

We moved.

We are now located in Solana Beach, California. I love the apartment. Remember how I hated it before? And  was a huge poop for complaining and making Conrad feel sad? Well that's over.

My two brothers stayed with us for a few days while my parents were in Omaha, and we ended up having a lot of fun with them. They helped us move, and we watched a few [probably 30] episodes of Pushing Daisies/30 Rock].

Conrad's parents also came and helped us unpack, and his sister/my sister-in-law/bffffffff (really?) visited. its only been three days, and we're almost completely moved in. There are only a few bags of stuff left to unpack, and a few pieces of furniture that need to be rearranged.

Today I worked out. For 25 minutes. I ran 2 miles without stopping [on the elliptical]. YES it took me almost a half hour to do what almost anyone else could do in half that time. But I did it, right?

Also, I bought an amazing patio set. It's kinda shabby chic/vintage-ish looking. I'm really excited about it. I finally have a patio that I can put furniture on! Our apartment is actually much bigger than we thought it would be.

Remember how my hairdresser was the devil? I finally got my hair FIXEDDDDD. I went to supercuts, thinking I would get a cheap, semi-bad haircut, but left $75 down and really satisfied. I was willing to risk another bad cut, considering my then-current one was so bad. anyway, I'm all better now, hair and emotions.

Pictures to come (of house and hair). 

MISSING MY BOO, BUT GETTING IT DONE

Conrad left for San Diego last night, and it was the first time since we've been married that we spent the night apart. I've gotta say, I don't love it.

But what they say is true: distance makes the heart grow fonder. I feel like we're dating again! I've been thinking about him all day.

So I've kind of decided on this new attitude of being happy no matter what, and being more fun and easy going. Ironically, the day after I pitched my new 'tude to my dude, I locked myself out of my house - for the first time ever. So I called Conrad, and he was luckily on his lunch break and only 5 minutes away, so he drove home and let me in. Then last night, I locked myself out of my apartment again. Only, Conrad was in San Diego. And I don't have my landlord's number (who I wouldn't call, even if I did). And I didn't even have a bobby pin to try and break in with. So I knocked on one of my non-mean neighbors to borrow a bobby pin. She gave it to me, and I pretended like I knew how to pick a lock.

There's always a bright side. My brother Ryan and his friend Zac were sleeping over, and they both had cars (and keys). Even better, Zac had a truck, so we drove to La Verne, got a big ladder, and brought it back. zac did the honors of climbing up, slitting the screen with the bobby pin I had borrowed, and climbing into the apartment. in the process, we woke up DIABLA - er, I mean, Maria, the heinous neighbor - with our giggling, ladder banging against her wall, and screen slitting. She was mad, But I apologized really nicely before she could say anything. She tried to be mean, but I killed her with kindness and she had nothing to say.

After we got my keys, we went to Denny's and got some dinner/breakfast. At this point it was midnight. I'd just like to thank Denny's for being there on nights like this.

The amazing part of this was that I never - not once - felt frustrated. Or upset or flustered or negative in anyway. It was fun. I have to buy a new screen, but so what? This new attitude is working for me.

Today I dropped my parents off at the airport, and am now the temporary guardian of my two brothers. I am also finishing up the last of the packing, and trying to eat the rest of our food, even though eating out is way more attractive most of the time.

Dinner tonight was chili on rice. So good, right? I don't know how it took me 20 years to discover.

Just for the sake of positivity, here are a few things that make me happy:

- my hair is getting nice and long (considering dying the bottom half a wild color, most likely blue. Any thoughts?)

- chili and rice

- warm weather

- I'm soon going to live at the beach

- getting to know myself in the short amount of time my husband is gone (not to sound like I'm glad he's gone, though)

- museums, gardens, and nice buildings

- new music

- wrapping presents (I consider myself really good at it)

- breaking into my own house

CONFESSIONS OF A NEWLYWED

Sometimes I'm selfish and switch pillows with Conrad when he's not looking because he always gets the good one.

Sometimes I tell him I didn't spend any money that day, even if I did. Then I feel guilty and spill my guts.

Sometimes (actually, every night) I hog the covers. And the mattress. And the pillows. He never says a thing about it.

Sometimes when I'm mad, I threaten pregnancy.

Sometimes I dream about running away and going on a vacation by myself, then realize how boring it would be without my love.

Sometimes my mom butts in and tries to give me marital advice. Then I kill her.

Sometimes I do stupid things to get Conrad's attention. When he's gone a lot, I tend to pick fights, get overly emotional, or make a mess, just so he'll pay attention to me more. [as if he completely ignores me]

Sometimes I think I'm the only woman on earth who ever questions her choices, or fights with her husband.

I love surprising him with a clean house at the end of the day.

Sometimes, I get a sexy-little-something for myself, and say it was a present for him, even though it really was mostly for myself.

Sometimes I feel like nothing is mine, and like I should keep a secret from him, but I know that would distance us and cause a problem.

When Conrad says "don't get me anything," I hear "get me tons of awesome stuff I don't need and didn't ask for." Then I get mad when he doesn't JUMP for freaking JOY.

Sometimes I'm an outrageous wife and get offended when he suggests "lets work out," when I know he only wants to go have fun together on a bike ride.

He's so good though! Why am I ever mean to my husband? He massages my legs when I get shin splints. He hugs me when I'm throwing a tantrum (I am only 20, after all). He says I'm pretty when I [and every one else] know[s] I look haggard. He never makes me do dishes. Am I the only one who thinks this way?

Grades posted!

Spring 2010
Academic Standing:
Subject	Course	Level	Title			Grade	Credit Hours	Quality Points	Start and End Dates	R	CEU Contact Hours
ANTH	210	CR	Intro to Cultural Anthropology			B	3.000	9.00
ENGL	262	CR	Intro. to U.S. American Lit			B	3.000	9.00
ENGL	293	CR	Children's Lit			A	3.000	12.00
PHIL	101	CR	Great Religions of the World			B	3.000	9.00
Term Totals (Credit)
				Attempt Hours	Passed Hours	Earned Hours	GPA Hours	Quality Points	GPA
Current Term:				12.000	12.000	12.000	12.000	39.00	3.25
Cumulative:				48.000	45.000	45.000	45.000	133.00	2.95

B's get degrees!

Conrad's Graduation

My beloved has finished school!

His whole huge family came, and we screamed our happy hearts out when we saw him. i almost cried when they announced his name, I was so proud.

After the graduation, we went to a party at my parents' house, where we swam and BBQ'd and had so much fun. More pictures from that to come.

Above: Conrad and his thrilled wife at his school.

Below: Conrad with the Institute director and secretary. he graduated institute also.

living the good life

Today was a good day.

I washed my sheets at my parents house so it didn't cost any money.

I got a massage with my mom.

I dropped off all my old clothes at Salvation Army, and they are out of the house!

I had a delicious sandwich.

I called the Braille Institute in San Diego and talked about volunteer opportunities.

I helped my mom do dishes and make her lunch.

I got to visit some doggies at the groomer when we picked up Jasper from his appointment.

I have no more school.

I picked up my last paycheck from work, and while I was there I dropped off my key.

I put new cushions on the kitchen chairs.

Tonight I'm gonna watch Dexter with Conrad and remind him how much I love him.

only one more final

Today I had my American Lit final, and it went surprisingly well. The teacher held a study session on Monday, and I was one of 5 people who showed up. It helped a lot more than I thought it would. I know I got every question right on the "identify the author and work" section, and I did pretty good on the essay portion (compare Death of a Salesman to Fences), considering I didn't read either play. I got an essay back that had a beautiful red B+ penned on it.

Tomorrow is the killer. Religions of the World. I'm a little nervous. Of course, I am blogging about it rather than studying, so it is my own fault if I don't do well.

Conrad got an email today. It told us that we got approved for the apartment! I guess its official now. We will soon be San Diegans.

apartment browsing

Over the weekend we went apartment browsing in San Diego and we found where we want to live! It's in Solana Beach, like a ten minute bike ride to the beach/downtown! This is the floor plan.

Also, Conrad got a surfboard from his parents for graduation! It's a really beautiful board. More pictures later.

So, I finally found my paint. While I had left them at my parents house, someone used them. That would normally be ok, but whoever used them didn't rinse the brushes, so now I have to buy 20 new brushes. How do you use every single paint brush and not think to wash them?

It's ok. It's nice and June-gloomy today, and I have plans to do laundry, study for my final tomorrow, go to the Relief Society activity tonight, and buy myself some good brushes to get started on my Australian Aboriginal painting! And maybe pack a few more boxes. I'm slowly checking off my to-do list (even though it feels like I'll check off one, and add three).

Conrad's Hair

It stood up straight when he styled it, so we decided it was time to go.

He jumped in the bath tub, started buzzing, and I noticed it was a little uneven.

He's awesome.

Also, it's finals week. I should be studying...

Unfocused in Sacrament

An Evening Out With the Frames

The four pictures of Tess's life: love, anger, addiction, wishes

JAREW

This weekend we went to Palm Springs [yum... desert] for some intense celebrating. Zoe and Wilbur Rohner have been married for 50 years, and all their family and friends came to congratulate!

We got to see Garrett and Kate in all their newlywed glory, and I'm really glad that I'm no longer the ONLY outcast [er...I mean in-law] anymore. Kate and I got along really well, and I'm glad we'll be able to creep out together at family gatherings. We baked in the desert sun and swam with our hubbies, somehow developed several inside jokes in only 3 hours, and played with Hank, the long-haired bunny. I guess HARE is a better term. Ugh, I crack myself up.

After the party, the four of us went bowling! It was really awkward, as there was no music playing, and no one can bowl. Nevertheless, total party.

Our names typed in to the computer screen really badly: COB (Conrad), TTSA (Tess), GAARETT (Garrett), JAREW (Kate). It was all giggles after Jarew. Seriously, how do you pronounce that? like Ja Rule with no L? Or like Jew with an R in there somewhere?

Then there was this guy wearing a hilariously tacky shirt (that totally matched his disgusting personality) who kept yelling over at our game trying to coach us...? or something? Hey fat, red, beer drinker, I'm not impressed by your t-shirt or your overwhelming ambition for your six year old daughter to succeed in bowling.

Also, I snapped my thumb nail off (my real nail, by the way) in a bowling ball.

I'd say this holiday was a huge success.