An update
So we're all moved in. Wow, that took longer than we expected... but, at the same time, I realize that we came out here on June 2 with one car, JUST enough money to get by, one job, and a hotel for 2 weeks. Today, 2 months and just under a week later we have 2 jobs, California licenses and a shared bank account [and we've closed our separate accounts, finally], 2 different cars [from the one we came in], a gorgeous, 900 square-foot apartment with a large patio, ALL our kitchen needs (minus 4 low-bowls that somehow never got ordered off our wedding registry ***note to self: order those**), and I'm finally thinking about ordering the wedding photos. WOW! I look and see what we've done on our own and I'm actually SUPER proud of myself and my hubby... Now if only we could get that gas-grill we want?
Alex's birthday is this Saturday. I'm excited--- I got him a great present! Problem is, I slept through my alarm clock, and so was forced to get ready in 10 minutes--- and that's why I forgot the 3 pieces of music I needed today to rehearse with my boss for this week's Offertory... so I definitely asked my hubby [who got up while I was in the shower to make me breakfast... AWWW!] to drive down to Berkeley for no other reason than to drop off the music I left at home. In the car I was thinking it would be SO great if his package came by then so I could give him his gift early as a thank you...? But, I guess it wouldn't really matter since it's his BIRTHDAY present, and not an actual thank you gesture.
So, what's REALLY exciting about Alex's birthday is that we're having FRIENDS over. Yeah, ya heard it. WE HAVE FRIENDS!!! (I didn't even know that.) OK, OK, they're Alex's friends from undergrad-- but they're non-work-related, non-relative acquaintances who are going to spend an entire day with us this weekend! **See why we need that gas grill?!** I'm SO thrilled with my co-workers who all are super social and SUPER cool and have invited us out [even though we're saving money for the next month, and so we had to postpone...], but this is actual LIFE now! I thank God every morning for my good fortune and all these blessings of my life.
I'm finally going to change my name the week of August 20. Why this deadline? Well, the important question is, "why so motivated?" Well, when we made the trade for my new car the dealer couldn't understand why I was so adamant about Alex being on the financing papers--- they said: "He's not your husband." Wait, WHAT?! Isn't it 2007-- the year when only 60% of brides change their names anyway [even though I was not planning to be that way for the long-haul-- only until we could afford it/I had the time]? I finally just got fed up with it. So, after flashing our wedding rings around and threatening to bring in our marriage license they agreed to allow Alex on the loan. Finally, I got so heated that I walked into work the following week and told HR I was going to change my name as soon as possible. Actually, I was expecting difficulties since that would require all these kind people who JUST learned my name to learn a new one; and it would mean having 2 email addresses for a period of time before people grasped the change. But, all was well! So, I walked back to my desk and researched the costs.
On a side note: I'd JUST been through the costs of changing titles, registrations, new driver's licenses, and the like; and I found that it's REALLY expensive to get all these documents... We'd JUST paid for them. So, I was expecting to have to save up all that money again. Much to my surprise, however, it costs NO money to get a new passport, social security card, change of names on titles, registrations, driver's licenses, or leases when it's a marital change. BRILLIANT!
So, why am I waiting for this odd, seemingly-random date of August 20? Well, Alex has to go down to Southern California for training (AWWW! ***only because I can't go!***), and so I'll likely need something to do to keep my mind off the loneliness of the big ol' apartment I was just talking about. Granted, I do work full-time, so I don't think it will be all that bad, especially with this extra task on hand. I think I'm just going to be so happy to get it done!
Well, I feel like I could keep writing my thoughts forever--- and I'm at work--- so I should probably pause for now. It felt really great to put in writing my achievements thus far, though; I'm really happy!
Alex's birthday is this Saturday. I'm excited--- I got him a great present! Problem is, I slept through my alarm clock, and so was forced to get ready in 10 minutes--- and that's why I forgot the 3 pieces of music I needed today to rehearse with my boss for this week's Offertory... so I definitely asked my hubby [who got up while I was in the shower to make me breakfast... AWWW!] to drive down to Berkeley for no other reason than to drop off the music I left at home. In the car I was thinking it would be SO great if his package came by then so I could give him his gift early as a thank you...? But, I guess it wouldn't really matter since it's his BIRTHDAY present, and not an actual thank you gesture.
So, what's REALLY exciting about Alex's birthday is that we're having FRIENDS over. Yeah, ya heard it. WE HAVE FRIENDS!!! (I didn't even know that.) OK, OK, they're Alex's friends from undergrad-- but they're non-work-related, non-relative acquaintances who are going to spend an entire day with us this weekend! **See why we need that gas grill?!** I'm SO thrilled with my co-workers who all are super social and SUPER cool and have invited us out [even though we're saving money for the next month, and so we had to postpone...], but this is actual LIFE now! I thank God every morning for my good fortune and all these blessings of my life.
I'm finally going to change my name the week of August 20. Why this deadline? Well, the important question is, "why so motivated?" Well, when we made the trade for my new car the dealer couldn't understand why I was so adamant about Alex being on the financing papers--- they said: "He's not your husband." Wait, WHAT?! Isn't it 2007-- the year when only 60% of brides change their names anyway [even though I was not planning to be that way for the long-haul-- only until we could afford it/I had the time]? I finally just got fed up with it. So, after flashing our wedding rings around and threatening to bring in our marriage license they agreed to allow Alex on the loan. Finally, I got so heated that I walked into work the following week and told HR I was going to change my name as soon as possible. Actually, I was expecting difficulties since that would require all these kind people who JUST learned my name to learn a new one; and it would mean having 2 email addresses for a period of time before people grasped the change. But, all was well! So, I walked back to my desk and researched the costs.
On a side note: I'd JUST been through the costs of changing titles, registrations, new driver's licenses, and the like; and I found that it's REALLY expensive to get all these documents... We'd JUST paid for them. So, I was expecting to have to save up all that money again. Much to my surprise, however, it costs NO money to get a new passport, social security card, change of names on titles, registrations, driver's licenses, or leases when it's a marital change. BRILLIANT!
So, why am I waiting for this odd, seemingly-random date of August 20? Well, Alex has to go down to Southern California for training (AWWW! ***only because I can't go!***), and so I'll likely need something to do to keep my mind off the loneliness of the big ol' apartment I was just talking about. Granted, I do work full-time, so I don't think it will be all that bad, especially with this extra task on hand. I think I'm just going to be so happy to get it done!
Well, I feel like I could keep writing my thoughts forever--- and I'm at work--- so I should probably pause for now. It felt really great to put in writing my achievements thus far, though; I'm really happy!