Thursday, November 29, 2012

California vs Carolina

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I've now been living in Cali enough to start noticing differences and similarities. 

Did you know San Jose is the 10th most populated city in the country? COUNTRY. Not state. Raleigh was the 2nd largest in the STATE. There's always a crowd out and about. I've traveled through all of the major interstates and people seem less likely to honk at you or stay on your bumper, but more likely to just speed up and fly around you. Of course, I havent driven during rush hour yet, so I could be way out of base. I went to Target one morning at 8:15, right after it opened, and still had to wait in line to check out with three lanes open. ALL THEY PEOPLE! 

Yes, people are very nice here, but, no nicer than they are in North Carolina? Maybe.. Cashiers/clerks/waiters are all very nice and friendly, but I'm chatty so I normally always ended up striking a conversation and thinking "awe, they were so NICE!" and it's the same here. 

There's definitely a different break up of demographics. Raleigh is listed as 57.5% White, 29.3% Black, 11.3% Hispanic and 4.3% Asian, meanwhile San Jose is 28.7% White, 2.9% Black, 33.2% Hispanic and 31.7% Asian. I'm definitely learning how to hear different dialects and have conversations anyway, and people are generally very friendly. San Jose is also the HEART of silicon valley. Google, Zynga, Facebook, eBay, and even NASA are in my back yard. It's neat. 

SIDE NOTE: Can someone please tell me how to meet people when you no longer go to school and don't really hang out at bars anymore? 

I have two favorite perks so far. 

ONE is the orange tree in my backyard. 
yes!

We originally thought that sucker was a lemon tree, but nope, I walked out yesterday and picked myself a snack and a fresh lime to use with dinner. PRETTY AWESOME if you ask me. 
There's also a rosemary bush and a large pine tree, both of which Shiva loves to run next to, so she always smells awesome. The Second Perk? A bottle of wine that I normally bought in NC for $17.99 is $5.99 here. Wine is CHEAP this close to wine country, and I am happy to help with the overstock. 

Speaking of grocery shopping, you know that you're in Cali when there's 6 different "off brands" of granola and dried cranberries but none for Poptarts and Coke and treet meat is no where to be found.

I'm adjusting and learning and I think in time, I'll feel right at home here. 


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Pinspirationally Crafty

I've definitely had the "itch" to do more craft projects. 
But..which one?


maybe curlyque swizzle sticks (and garland)
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a ornament for Shiva?
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coasters of all our travels?
I mean, I've GOT to do something to remember everywhere we've been. 
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speaking of special occasions..
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or maybe just some pretty art?
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I dunno what..and I dunno when I'll get to, but I really miss being crafty and having projects. 
Time to get back into the swing of it. 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

We're going on a Road Trip!

Well, actually, we went on one. 
But, the above title should be said as if you were "going on a bear hunt."
If you're still lost, let's just move on. 


Mike and I,
along with Shiva, Olive and Oi, 
drove across country one week. 
It sounds hectic, crazy, terrifying and intense, 
but, aside from our attack on Donner Summit,
it was nice. 

Here, in all it's glory, is our 5day, 3000 mile trek. 

Leaving our Home in Raleigh
0 miles. 
Saying goodbye to North Carolina
Saying Hello to Tennessee. 
Nashville!
Illinois!
Sleepy Shiva
Kentucky rest stops are weirdly decorated. 
Kentucky. As far as you can see/drive..just Kentucky

They did this the -entire- time.
St. Louis!
I-40, somewhere...
Kansas City, here we come

We watched Monday Night Football with takeout pizza and local beer... in our hotel. 
Pretty fabulous choice for our only pitstop if you ask me. 
Windmills in Kansas
Great Plains sunset.
Celebrating the election in Golden, Colorado. 

Colorado. 

Idaho Springs
No Name, Colorado. Yes, it's a real place. 

Somewhere on 1-70, I hit a milestone with Bella.

heading into Utah

Whotah? Utah?
Utah
Black Dragon Canyon
Not hiking..this time. 
Black Dragon Canyon

Mike took a quiz somewhere along the way...

Shiva kept the troops entertained. 

Classic car spotting for Dad. 
Eureka Nevada!
Nevada Dust Storm
Dust storms aren't fun..
Mike will never trust Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives again. 
our first attempt to leave Nevada
Blizzard Traffic. See those trucks? GOING 50. I was going 20 and scared-crying. 
Turning around
Our car back at the Reno hotel. 
Take 2 to make it to California. Note the SNOW in the background. 
Men who put the chains on your car. 
Donner, party of 5. I will Hike this pass one day. 

Shiva was not concerned with death. 
The chains came off!
and down the mountain we chugged. 
We chugged. Shiva chewed. THROUGH MY SEAT BELT. 
CALIFORNIA!
Into San Jose, now!
Home.
3109miles. If you can't read it.