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. 

Weekend Update

Well,

as always, 

this weekend FLEW by. 

It doesn't help that we've been trying to squeeze in all the "us" time, 

that we can. Since Mike leaves -tomorrow-.

Friday

I had taken the day off work to help pack, 

and pack we did. 

Mountains of clothes..

Car tetris begins. 

Shiva went out to potty. 

I realize this isn't an event. 

As she does this multiple times a day. 

THIS TIME, 

she brought herself back a toy. 

Beer case? / Toy? No discrimination here.

Saturday

The morning was spent prepping for Leslie's baby shower. 

Decorations, paintings, cupcakes, etc. 

The afternoon was a little busier. 

We hopped from a brewery tour at Big Boss

just in time for Harvest Time on Draft. 

 over to Boylan Bridge, 

smiles

then to The Pit for dinner. 

 Afterwards, 

we met up with some friends for bowling, 

and birthday cake.  

 Sunday

Another packing day, 

with a side of finishing touches. 

Then, twas baby shower time!

(post to come)

DIY onesies. Guess which one Mike did and which one I did. 

 Before we left, Leslie sent us off with the most ADORABLE favors, 

(see the cute chevron bags with polka dot ribbon)

(girl is after my own heart, SERIOUSLY)

and a super sweet hostess gift. 

Love Them All. 

So, now, I'm settled in, drinking my wine, Mike's car is fully packed, 

and we're trying to celebrate our last few hours living in the same house. 

For 2 months anyway. 

Cheers to the weekend. 

Linking Up with the Ladies, as always!

                                       

Raleigh Beer Week (And G'bye Flying Saucer!)

 

If there was ever a bar that was near to my heart, 

it's Flying Saucer. 

3-22-10, I met a guy there for the first time. 

"Super Casual, for a beer and some trivia"

That night I had the best first date of my life, 

followed by the only first kiss that I still remember. 

Fast forward 2.5 years, and those two kids are heading to San Jose. 

Anyway, Wednesday's  are "Keep the Glass" nights. 

Some are cool, some are generic, 

but when there are major events, say

RALEIGH BEER WEEK, 

There's always a specialty glass that Mike and I clamor for. 

 

This one seemed more bittersweet. 

It's a great glass with Raleigh, NC

and "America's Smartest Beer Drinking City"

on the side.

I know we can come back whenever. 

(Mike does have 15 more beers before he hits 200 and gets his plate)

There's also direct flights from SFO to RDU,

 but for some reason. 

Last night seemed like a nice goodbye to the place that brought us together.

Friday Favorites (and a letter or two)

I really don't know where to start this post. 

The overwhelming support from both IRL friends, blog friends and Facebook friends about our little announcement Wednesday has been fantastic. I so greatly appreciate it. Monday/Tuesday I was feeling very dark and low about the entire move and quite lonely, but it's the little high-fives that make this process SO much easier. 

Cheers to you, from NC to CA!

I'm currently hosting my first giveaway here, sponsored by Julep, and I happen to have heard that the winner might get a little extra somethin' somethin' from yours truly. Sooo, check it out, and enter. 

Favorite Activity around Raleigh

Definitely Cow Spotting. 

It's ridiculous, but so cool! 

I love that this little art installation is here during my last weeks.

Favorite Perk of Moving Away.

 

Being perfectly allowed to make plans with someone every night. 

Favorite New Productive Place

a Pint + a full set of list making and sketch drawing. 

Holy productive hour Batman!

Favorite Way to Day Dream

I'm obsessed with planning things. I love lists, plans, schedules and a concrete idea of all the little elements of life. That includes outfits, music, books, and what I might do in a random hotel in Tulsa.
This week's Friday Fancies was "road trip" -fitting, eh?-
and I'm definitely pouring over these posts to get inspiration for the road trip, and our Euro Trip

Favorite Nighttime Ritual

Cocoa Puffs + Milk.

Need I say more?

I promise to get a bit more time this weekend (ish) to get this blog back to where it was before this whole moving thing. 74 73 days and counting and I fully plan on sharing every little second with you, plus, we have a lot to catch up on. Have a great weekend loves. (and go score yourself some nail polish!)