California and Work

So, Brad is in San Francisco today for work and I’ve got the day off, go figure. Our arrangements of work and school never seems to coincide how I’d like them to. Actually, I don’t really like it when he goes anywhere without me... Right when we got home from our honeymoon, just the fact that Brad left for work each day didn’t work for me. I was a big sap that first week and wanted to cry every time the door shut in the morning. Luckily, I got past that, but I do hate sleeping alone. I hate it, so I will reminisce and blog till I feel better. I am trying to remind myself that we did get 2 weekend trips to California together in the Fall. California really is a beautiful place. Our first trip was with my family at Newport Beach:

The Yummiest nachos and Pina Colada ever- Las Brisas.

Then Brad had to leave for work before we could go to one of the most magical places in the world, Disneyland. (Note to self: We are grateful for work. We are grateful for work, really we are.) So our big family group of 21packed up and headed for the Park.

The Haunted Mansion was decorated like the Nightmare Before Christmas.

Space mountain is my favorite ride, I went on it 3 times. (no lines on a Tues in October!) My mom loves it too.

Don't Worry, I don't know those people behind me. You can tell this ride is in my comfort zone. The Tower of Terror on the other hand, was not: (notice how everyone else is smiling and I'm screaming bloody murder) I'm not normally into big falls, but my brother Aaron convinced me to go on this, and I actually had fun! This was my first time going to California Adventure, and I thought it was pretty awesome.

These pics are poor quality; I like taking pics of the screen with the picture so I don't have to pay for it. :)

Our second jaunt over to California was a work-related trip to San Francisco: We didn’t really take pictures or do anything touristy; but we ate the best pizza I’ve ever tasted and I window shopped as we ran through the streets of San Fran till our feet hand blisters.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I get frusterated because when I have breaks, brad is working. When he has trips, I'm in school. BUT...I'd now like to give a shout out to work, without which, no trips to California could be made (with or without me). So, in the end, I'm glad for that love-hate relationship I have with work. Thanks for working Brad, and thanks for letting me be a sap sometimes. Life can't be all play, and maybe when I quit paying to work myself and actually get a paycheck, I'll like work even more. Maybe. :)

Resolutions. It's not too late, right?

Those Darn Resolutions. I almost decided not to worry about it this year. (I already broke my first one...how can I exercise when I'm sick?) Yet, there is always appeal in the idea of becoming better. Every year I make big plans, and I think I fulfill *most* of them, but I’m not really sure because I’ve normally forgotten what they were by the end of the year. For example I could say that my goals this year were to:

1. Be accepted and half way complete an accelerated nursing program.
2. Travel to an awesome country illegally.
3. Discover how I look with a rasta style hair-do.
4. Find a husband and wed myself to him.
5. Ride a camel with this man in an exotic land.
I would have completed all of these goals, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t set any of them (except maybe the nursing one). This is my public record that I can look back to so that I can remember those things I’d really like to improve in my life and see how I’m doing with them. Ideal me is telling me how to make life a little more ideal.

My Resolutions for 2010:

I will find a way to enjoy nursing school and actually try to be a good student.

This year I will successfully earn my BSN and pass the NCLEX.

I will exercise 3-4 times a week (basically every other day) and memorize how to spell the word “exercise” without spell-check.

Treats will be had in my home on no other day but Sunday. (and special occasions)

I will not forget about fruits and vegetables. (avocados and mangos don’t count)

I will stay hydrated by drinking water frequently. (my favorite, easy healthy thing to do)

I will learn how to use that awesome camera Brad got me for Christmas. I'm gonna make videos AND learn how to edit them!

I will try to keep better track of my keys and cell phone so as not to cause frustrating situations for me or my husband.

I will finish (and will also need to start) my mission scrapbook. That was definitely a goal from last year.

I will open up my machine and sew again, make at least 1 quilt.

I will learn something about politics and government. (I regret never taking a class, anyone know any good books?)

Obvious things that will make me better that are sometimes forgotten: Read in the scriptures every day, attend the temple at least once a month, be more purposeful when I fast, and try to think of others more.

That’s it for now, wish me luck!

The Hagens and their First Crusade

Essauira, Morocco- sea breeze, camels, grilling meat, endless maze of shops with silks, spices, wood carvings, carpets, lanterns. It took a while to get to the quaint little beach town for our honeymoon but it was worth it. We had a day layover in Spain and visited Toledo on the celebratory day of the patron saint of Toledo. We drank the holy water, entered the cathedral, and got interviewed by a news team about our views on kissing the statue of the virgin and spreading swine flu.

Getting to morocco was quite the adventure in itself; Royal Air Maroc only had one plane going from Spain which we discovered is notoriously late. We arrived in the mystical, magical land- the air was warm, new spells were in the air, Arabic writing was everywhere. Walking out of the airport there was a large crowd of people in veils and draped clothing that we had to walk through. We arrived for the President’s feast day celebrated with food and concerts, and left during Ramadan making it difficult to find food during daylight hours. Our hotel in Casablanca had marble floors, beautiful chandeliers, and detailed design. We slept in and with some difficulty, (no one spoke English) found a guy to drive us to Essauira the next day. It was an interesting drive with changing landscapes. The “4 hr drive” turned in to 8, and we eventually arrived at our destination.

Our hotel, the Sofetil, was beautiful. Right next to a beach, with a beautiful pool that had outdoor couches and beds to lounge on. The town was exotic and charming; it felt like a mix between Aladdin and Indiana Jones. Plenty of shopping from craftsmen and fishermen in the markets that wound through the maze-like streets of the medina. Yummy grilled meats and delicious magnum doble ice cream. Lovely mild temperatures.

When we didn’t want to relax and just soak it all in, there was always adventure waiting around the corner. One day we rode camels that seemed to start in the middle of nowhere desert, then after coming around a large dune ended up on the beach. The wind was blowing like crazy and I had no idea I’d be up so high and bouncing back and forth so much. It was crazy and fun. We spent our last couple nights in Marrakech, a larger, more famous town in the desert. It was hot, but our hotel was amazing and had little pools by all the rooms that you could jump in and cool off. The trip went by too fast and before we knew it we were on a sweaty train ride back to Casablanca, no more snake charmers or camel rides, back to real life.

Seal the Deal!

We were engaged for 3 months which sometimes seemed like forever, but actually flew by pretty fast. I was living at home in Bountiful, Brad was living an hour away in Provo. He was busy with work and I was busy in my first semester of nursing school. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t too crazy of a bridezilla, but am still glad Brad and my family were understanding during a few stressful moments. Somehow we found time to plan a wedding, buy a house, and continue to help our relationship grow as we prepared for marriage. Luckily our family and friends were supportive and helpful. My brother-in-law Adam designed our invitations, my sister-in-law Wendy made my wedding dress, my parents and family all worked on our backyard and all the reception details to get ready for the reception. One morning I woke up and realized that evening was our wedding dinner and we were getting married the next day! It snuck up so fast. The dinner at Magleby’s was delicious and so fun to share with close friends and family. The next morning I had my hair done and met brad at the temple. It was an incredible experience, there were some butterflies and some of it is kind of a daze now, but it was the best day of my life. A spiritual high in the temple being sealed to my best friend, a big party afterwards with all our friends and family, and everything turned out perfect. It was such a fun day, I wish we could do it all over again. (The memories will do!)