T-Minus 11 days. Crap.

Can you believe we leave in 11 days?! Oh my, people! We both are a mix of stress, excitement, and overwhelmed with the current to-do list. I mean, let's be honest, we are slackers! We have been trying to enjoy the company of those we won't see for a long time and the list is just getting l o n g e r and l o n g e r.

But it's okay.

Miraculously, we have managed to really help each other out with out biting each others heads off. While still trying to finish summer school and his last week at work, we've made a great team. On Saturday, I took my Praxis 2 test which is my last and final test to receive my license to teach. This gentleman woke up at 5am just to make me breakfast; it was his day off, too. It's been a nice and fairly smooth planning process. We are 11 days away. Yes, our journey across the world for 5 months is 11 days away.

All of this has brought us so many new topics of discussion. When I was planning my trip to Africa, it was a solo endeavor. Now, I'm expected to share an agenda? YES and I'm happy about it! It's been a research project, duo style. We both are very excited not only to grow and experience as individuals, but as a young couple c r a z y about each other. It's not everyday that you get to wake up and anticipate the unknown. It's enigmatic. Each day closer I get stronger butterflies, only because my life is about to change...considerably.

We've sat down and jotted some goals; a mission.

Here's a glimpse, only a small excerpt.

Pray continually.
Spend an entire day, with out knowing the time.
To smell fresh, Italian homemade bread from a tiny cafe and write about it.
To sip wine accompanying random people in Barcelona.
Skydive over the Swiss Alps.
Meet a Liechtenstein fellow.
To be indiscriminate.
Plan to be unsystematic (oxymoron, perhaps?)
Devote an entire day to hearing.
Fight, and make up.
Savor a pint at Oktoberfest in Munich.
Flirt in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Fancy a stress-free day.
Enjoy the scene of our favorite European futbol game.
Indulge in café au lait.
Write. Read. Sketch. Get lost.


"We seek to delve into the world unknown; The foreign physical latitudes alongside the foreign conscious. We carry ambitions to grow individually and as two people devoted to our adoration. Above all, we desire a shit load of fun."

Our apologies, although were promising to share MOST of our life with the world, some stuff is better kept unpublished. Not in a perverted context. Rather, a camaraderie, esoteric kind of manner. It keeps us fun, fond, and guarded.

We will continue to post our adventures packing and preparing. As of now, we really should attempt getting some rest.

If anyone has any tips or places that are a "must see" please let us know. We are walking in blind and totally open to all suggestions. Keep checking back for updates!!!

Cheerio!

K
&
L

har-de-har

This weekend was too good to pass up writing about it. It was spent in the company of my family in San Diego. Melody and I planned this weekend some time ago when we were looking at each other teary eyed on her couch, missing our family. Since our parents moved, the city of bright lights suddenly grew extremely dark. We booked our flights and long awaited Thursday, July 15th flight number 2274. Now, five days later, I'm sitting sunburned on a half deflated air mattress listening to Alan Jackson's Precious Memories feeling extremely blessed.

Lets be honest here. We all know I'm a creature of many emotions, one that thinks deep and feels deeper. Obviously, after months of being away and one weekend to make up lost time, it was inevitable that I was going to feel... with a heavy beating heart. Oh friends, I feel restored.

Immediately after class on Thursday, Mel and Fred picked me up the from beautiful UNLV campus and we headed straight to the airport. After Southwest seemed to lose my reservation, they recovered my existence and gave me priority seating. I was so excited to board first after business class; I was lucky enough to snag the very FIRST row. Well, big mistake. My giddiness was about 5 steps ahead of any logical thinking because there was so room to store my luggage, or my sisters. I embarrassingly had to work my way through the next 15 aisles, annoying every sweaty passenger, just to find a place to stow. Then, complete the walk of shame and return to my first row...against traffic. The oh so pleasant flight attendant gave me a look, I smiled and felt my face get hot. The worst part is I knew my sister was going to have to repeat the exact process when she stepped on board. Watching her was quite amusing. We giggled and enjoyed a nice conversation with the professional single woman next to us. Needless to say were almost the last ones off the plane due to our predicament; I took the blame. The adventure was a great start to the appealing weekend ahead.

After a lovely greeting on Thursday, we woke up Friday feeling the fresh salt water air consume our lungs. We wanted to see the beach and enjoy the fresh air considering we were practically dried up from the Vegas inferno. We strolled along, windows down, aviators on, enjoying every bit of the peaceful drive to La Jolla Cove. The weekend before I had made a short trip with Luke to San Diego. We ate at this comforting, delicious, elegant joint called Cody's. My mom had the bright idea to order Cody's togo and park our rears on a bench, above the crashing La Jolla waves. We scarfed and were pleased with our dining affair. We broke a sweat as we walked around the cove taking in the beauty and magnificence of God's handiwork.





That evening we went to the Padres/Diamondbacks game. Who can deny that beer, dogs, excellent weather, and 7th inning stretch doesn't set the stage for a happy night? The only thing that was missing was our loves. We missed our boys but it was refreshing being with the original 5 family members prior to wedding rings and prego-ness. It was eventful for all participants.










Saturday was captivated by a family of beach bums. We packed our picnic, squeezed into our bikinis and set sail for Moonlight, maybe Moonlit, beach in Encinitas. IT WAS PACKED. Jared attempted to surf, my pops and I made it to 48 playing shuttlecock (why do they call it that? I mean, REALLY), and we all just chilled. Oh, I also peed in the ocean...twice.





Following the swell day we repeated our windows down, music up, kind of car drive back to La Jolla Cove to watch the sun set. There was an energy at the sea that day. Maybe it was my own childish manner but I was happy to be at that place at that time. Again, I was missing Luke, but the love and presence of my family was overwhelming.







Sunday was a day I knew Jesus loved me. Don't get me wrong, I know everyday, but it was a special day that my heart needed. We attended Kelly's church FLOOD bright and early on Sunday. Getting ready to praise God with your family is a very cool and special bond. The comedian Michael Jr. was a guest that day! OH people, he was HILARIOUS; he created a har-de-har in us all. He made me laugh like a little kid with no worries. It was the first time in a long time that I felt bricks come off my shoulder one by one. Jesus was patching my stressed heart and my soul was rejuvenated. I watched as each member in my family welled in tears at one point or another during the service. It was very real; we all felt very alive in our own way. Thank you Lord, for all your blessings that day. Following the service, we strolled the Hillcrest farmers market. By the time I left you could have rolled me out! The edible material available, blue-grass live band, and the zest among all the vendors made for an accomplished Sunday afternoon. The only picture I took was of a bucket of flowers. It's a shame I didn't capture more but I assure you, my taste buds were capturing much delight. Following the market we rode bikes along Mission bay for nearly two hours. It was a bit hectic at times considering the tremendous amount of tourists but it was still fun to frolic along the bay.

Today, my mom and I had a girls day out. We talked and talked about fun stuff while exercising on the sand. Then we went shopping because I needed some goodies for my approaching Europe trip. We also ate at a secret cafe. Literally. It was called The secret Cafe in Del Mar. Excellent choice. Then we had a girls date with Gamma and my sis to watch the Bachlorette. We are all totally and embarrassingly hooked. It was nice to spend time with the ladies, especially my sister Kelly.

Now, I'm exhausted. It's been quite some time since I really wrote, more like pressed away on my keyboard. My contacts are nearly stone and they hurt. Nonetheless, I'm glad I shared my weekend. Tomorrow will be a sad farewell but I will see my parents again at our Bon Voyage party next weekend.

Holy crap we leave in two weeks and two days!!! Eurotrip, here we come baby!

ciao ciao from the sunny San Diego!!!