This girl in a different city

I had a really great week in San Francisco. Our work meetings were challenging and exciting and I got to learn so much about my co-workers. We each have a deep passion for what we do, which makes my job and my company so unique-- and I LOVE it! What a unique opportunity to work together to see the success of this company grow. I feel really blessed to be a part of it. (Note: I work for a company called Executive Networks, based out of San Francisco. Its a small company that operates peer networks for HR Executives of very large companies. My job is to recruit new executives to participate. Its an amazing company and I love it!)

It was also a great trip because I got to see some of my favorite people who live in the SF area. I went to dinner with Spencer Starley, Katie Forrest, Dave Dickson and Ryan Wells. I love friendships that are just effortless and that's the best way I can describe these friends and this dinner. It was so fun to catch up and joke and laugh and support each other at this stage in our lives. It was fabulous! Love you guys!!




I also met up for dinner with my girlfriend, Lindsay Fife. (Linds why do we have this new habit of not taking pictures together??) We have been friends for a number of years now and I love that our friendship survives the distance that I put between us! (First, when I moved to Utah, and then Minnesota and now Chicago). Linds is amazing and I love our chats and inevitable window shopping that we do while we're together! She also knows the best places to eat, no matter what city we are in.

Another reason I loved this trip was the gorgeous weather I was able to enjoy in The City. I was a little worried when I saw that it was going to be in the 60's in SF, but I came prepared and was able to enjoy beautiful clear skys with the bright SUN. It was amazing. If any of you have been to SF you know how rare these clear days are. I could see the Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz from the hills of Nob Hill. It was incredible. Here are some photos.








I also love SF is because of the great memories I have visiting The City with my family. My dad used to work in the city, so my mom and I would occasionally meet up and hit up Macys, Betsey and BR, among other shops. On Wednesday while I was working, it was my mom's birthday so I decided to send her e-cards with photos of me in our favorite places. This is what she got:









I also LOVE LOVE LOVE Pac Bell ATT Park It is my favorite stadium (I'm going to leave it up to the BoSox to change my mind) and when I found out they were playing the Dodgers on Wednesday night, I had to go. I met up with our long-time family friend, Rick Meyers, VP of Guest Relations for ATT Park and we caught the end of the game together. When Rick was sitting with me he asked:

Rick: "So, are you here with clients?"

me: No, I just came by myself.

Rick: "Did you take a cab down here?"

me: No, I walked. I was just in Union Square (about a mile walk).

Rick: "Oh. Wow."

A little bit later:

Rick: "These are great seats, how'd you get these?"

me: I scalped it.

Rick" "wow, you are quite the sports fan!"

I like to think he was a little impressed with my skills. :) You can't keep me away from a great game!






Me and Rick.




The game was really fun, and in the end we won. When I told my dad that he said "who's we?" Oh, the Giants of course. I decided I'd side with the home team this time-- sorry Dodgers!!! Who can blame me when the crowd is constantly chanting "BEAT LA, BEAT LA" -- the rivalry is quite strong. But I did wear both orange and blue to represent both teams :)


My last day in SF may have been my favorite. I was actually only in the city until about 9AM, but I got up early and went for a little jog. I was exploring and wanted to go to North Beach, so I ran from Nob Hill down to Washington Square. I decided to keep going, so I ended up running to Fisherman's Warf. As I ran out on the pier, I smelled the sea salt and it brought back a feeling of "home" for me. I love California and the ocean smell. I listened to the sea otters welcoming me to their home and I looked out over the bay. To my left, was Golden Gate Bridge, to my right, the Bay Bridge, and right in front of me was Alcatraz. I wish I could have stayed there all morning and watched the locals fish, and listened to the sea otters, but I needed to get back.

Washington Square


The cute old Asian women exercising in Washington Square:


My Run:


Coit Tower



My first glance at Alcatraz from a mile away:



Out on the pier






On my way back, I noticed a street that looked familiar -- Lombard.



So UP I went, up all the hills I ran down to get to the water. Back up to Nob Hill ... feeling refreshed and satisfied and ready to get back to my new home, and to my husband.

SF Hills and Corn Fields

This week Ryan and I are both away on travel -- my job took me to San Francisco and Ryan took off to the corn fields of Indiana. I think I got the better end of the deal ... but that's just me!!

Needless to say there will be less blogging this week as I am traveling and in lots of meetings. But I wanted to share a few pictures of this beautiful city. Each time I come to San Francisco I feel like I have come for the first time. I am mesmerized by the beauty and character -- I just love San Francisco. I could definitely live here. And, let's be honest, it just feels good to be back in California!! :)

Here's my husband as a farmer:


And here are my views of the city:

One Year

I can hardly believe its been one whole year since we were married. If I could go back in time somehow and relive that day, I would do it over and over again. It was one of the best days of my life. To be surrounded by our closest family and friends in the St. George Temple, where we were married and sealed for time and all eternity. I have never felt a greater joy.

Since then, I have enjoyed some of the happiest days of my life. Marriage is so wonderful. Each day brings a new adventure and my sweet husband always knows how to make me smile and feel so special.

I have learned so much this past year; about myself, and about Ryan; and about us. It's amazing how much love continues to grow, when you feel like you already love someone so much. Ryan, you are my everything, and I love you.

Moving

Moving is hard. It's also exciting. There are many pros and cons. I am a very positive person and I think there is a lot to be gained by moving frequently and learning to appreciate different areas of the country, or even the world.

However, there is one big con of moving. And that is having to find a new:
Doctor
Hair Stylist
Esthetician
Dentist
Jeweler
Make-up consultant

It's not only a hassle, it's time consuming!! Not to mention finding your new favorite grocery store, boutique shopping, sandwich cafe, the list could go on and on. Some of these can be nerve-wracking to try (Doctor or Dentist especially!) and I even had a dream right after we moved to Chicago that I went to get my eyebrows done, and the lady waxed my entire right eyebrow right off!! I was sobbing in my dream and it made me realize how traumatic one false move could be.

Places like yelp.com and Google reviews can help you avoid the pitfalls of trying a new place, but nothing is fool-proof. Wish me luck today, I'm trying my first new place in Chicago.

Long Weekends and Great Friends = Love

Our good friends from Minnesota decided to take advantage of the long weekend and drive to Chicago to visit. It was so fun to have them here with us and to take them around to some of our favorite spots, and to explore a few new things with them. They are such a fun adventurous couple and we had a blast!! It is so wonderful to have such incredible friends in our lives-- to be excited for us and support us through this move! We love you, Samuel & Eliza!!

Here are some photos from our weekend.

We started off with breakfast at Lou Mitchells (of course)!







Next on the list was the Art Institute-- since Ryan and I just went, we dropped them off, and took a stroll through Grant Park.









We stopped by the Jazz Festival and listened to a great 1920's Jazz Band. I love music from that era!!





We met back up and walked up State street-- only to find an incredibly fantastic Tina Turner...



We also saw TONS of wedding parties, all throughout the day! The thing to do in Chicago is take your wedding party around in one of these:



And take pictures in front of the Bean, of course.


One of the coolest things you can do in Chicago is the Architecture Tour on the Chicago River. Chicago has the most amazing architecture, and what better way to learn about it than on a boat at sunset?? Samuel captured some great photos:


























After the tour we headed over to Willis (Sears) tower for the SKYDECK. In case you didn't know, the Sears Tower was once the tallest building in the world, and is currently the tallest building in North America. The SKYDECK takes you up to the 103rd floor!! The view is amazing, and they even have these glass boxes you can step out into, so it feels like you are floating above the city.





After the Willis Tower, we went straight to Giordano's for deep dish pizza. We were so hungry we didn't even take a picture of our pizza.


After church on Sunday (a momentous Church meeting for Chicago Members) we packed a picnic and headed to Grant park for to listen to some jazz at The Chicago Jazz Festival and relax in the park. It proved to be the best idea ever.












Please come back and visit soon!!!