'Bout My Where Abouts.

I'll have to skip all the chaos that was my journey to California. Packing up was stressful and tiring. Steven and I came close to biting each other's heads off.

Good thing we didn't take it that far.

Fastforward past the 8am flight, the shuttle driver who wouldn't help us lift our luggage into the van, the delay in Chicago due to heavy winds in San Francisco and, um, the barf bag usage during the hour-long "descent" into the Bay Area.

This morning, after unpacking the few suitcases and boxes that have already made it to Petaluma, we embarked on our "relaxation days" at "Camp Getaway." Steven's folks own a small cabin-esque home in Guerneville (sp?) on the Russian River and it really does live up to its name, Camp Getaway.

We stopped by a quaint [do Californians use the word "quaint"?] produce stand to pick up some oh-so-organic shiz for our meals in the next few days.

Then we drove on into the valley, passing the Korbel vineyards on the way. It was amazingly surreal. "Um, Steven, is that THE Korbel winery?" "Yes, and there's the Kendall-Jackson vineyards too." "Oh, ok... cool. Dang."

Now we've just finished a ridiculously tasty organic and gluten-free meal and are settling in by the fire. I helped cook the pork chops. Yes, it's true, I'll be top chef before you all know it. Except without the bad hats and cliche apron. Hey, I might even come back to Georgia a little pudgy. Heck yes.

Today I tasted two new things: 1. Mochi, a rice-ish delight, very tasty when drizzled with organic [key word] maple syrup, and 2. gluten-free, dairy-free bread [not all that tasty]. Oh, and 3. purple potatos. Very good!

Jet-lag is still kicking my butt, but that's ok - there's a cozy little queen-sized bunk waiting for me here at Camp Getaway. It's the best thing to be able to cuddle up with Steven without the "man... this won't last long because we have to leave each other soon" thoughts bubbling up in my mind. We still have a lot to learn about each other, but now we finally have the time to fight and make up and figure out how to express ourselves without worrying about disappearing sand from an hourglass.

To all my Georgia friends and family: though I'm happy and looking forward, I miss you all already and have thought about each and every one of you a dozen times.

Love bunches,

Jen

AT&T Commercial

Everytime I see the AT&T commercial with the little girl and her lost dog, I cry. I actually break down into sobs.

When she sees her little terrier at the end of the commercial and starts running to her, yelling, "Sarah! You're HOME!"... I lose it. It's the desperate joy in her voice that gets me.

If I saw Gertie on my doorstep when I came home, I'd shreak with joy. Uncontrollable, pure joy.

I miss her so much that I think the hole in my heart is actually growing... if that's even possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEInSyTHcpc

I quit.

Seriously, I quit my job today.

Well, actually, I informed my boss that I was quitting about four weeks ago. But today was my last day at work. I cleaned out my cube, threw my belongings in a box and walked out.

The more emotional side of the story involves taking photos of my best friends, my family, Gertie Girl and Steven off my bulletin boards... and throwing away the clepto-esque concert posters I had collected and brought in as 'show and tell' after crazy fun weekends out on the town in the last few years.

I threw the keys to my file cabinets at Shane (my boss) in a melodramatic "We're through! You can have your keys back!" manner, and I hugged my favorite co-workers (minus two - Erin and Kellie were out of the office today).

Ah, but it's OK. I'm far too close to that group to lose touch with them. And there's still that get-together at TAP next week to look forward to.

So now on to the rest of my life. Tomorrow I have the dreaded swimsuit shoot with a completely new photographer - never worked with this guy before. Its not that I look bad in a bikini, it's just that I'm never completely ready to see the contact sheets and hear the "oh, we shouldn't use that one... it makes her stomach look weird." Or worse, "Ewww, bad angle."

At least, on this occasion, I'm not walking a runway in a two piece. I prefer to do that completely clothed.

Sunday my parents are driving up to secure my antique dresser and a few odds and ends that I can't make room for in Petaluma or Girona. It'll be good to see my folks, but I have to convince myself to get more organized/packed in my apartment before then - so my dad won't shake his head in the way I imagine most military dads shake their heads in disapproval. "I love you, Daaaad. Don't worry, I'll get it all cleaned up. See look - I made a spreadsheet and a list of exactly how to execute this move across the country."

Hmm... on that note... I should get a few things done around here before going to bed.

El fin de semana esta aqui. Esta bien, mi amigos.

Tumultuous

June 25th? Really? That was my last post.

Tumultuous.

The last two months have been nothing short of tumultuous.

In August, our dear golden retriever, Gertie, got sick and was unable to recover. We let her go on August 31st - less than two months shy of her 10th birthday.

It was miserable and I doubt any one of us will ever let a day go by when we don't have her on our minds. It's been a month and I still cry about it every day. Is that terribly sad? If so, I don't even care. She was my unconditional companion, my protector and my secret keeper. She was an angel.

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." - Kahlil Gibran

Ah, dry the tears...

The good part about the last couple of months is my decision to move to California to be closer to my boyfriend, Steven. I'm perfectly aware that there are people in the world that just quit their jobs, sell their belongings and move away from their friends and family - without a second thought. I, however, am not one of those folks. So it was a really big deal for me to make the final decision. It was absolutely the right decision to make and now I'm getting on a plane in two weeks with a couple extra suitcases and going to live in Petaluma, California. No more long distance, worrying about when we'll see each other next and for how long we'll be able to stay for a visit. I'm so ready for that stress to be gone.

What am I going to do while living in California, you ask? Did I get a new corporate job? Am I going back to school?

I don't even know the answer to that yet! A Master's degree on an MBA are definitely possibilities - but I had a rough time concentrating my way through undergrad, so there will be a lot of deliberation before pulling the trigger on that new endeavor.

For the most part this winter, I plan to continue volunteering - just as I have been here in Atlanta. I'll be working with a Golden Retriever organization called Canine Companions. They train aid dogs to give to people with disabilities.

Then, as usual, I'll be on both sides of the camera - photographing whatever I can photograph and also taking modeling assignments in the San Francisco area.

ANNND, I'll be running around all of Northern California with Steven. We have so many adventures planned - we don't even know where to begin! Well, ok, actually, we're starting with a hiking/camping trip into the Hoover Wilderness. But after that... who knows. :)

For now, I'm fighting off a stomach bug and a bad cold/cough at the same time. Let's hear it for green tea and echinacea.

Time for bed and hopefully getting through one of my last days at the office tomorrow without getting sicker.

xo,

Jen

the untweet.

If I was a twittererer, these are the kinds of things I might tweet:


- Tour of Missouri dresses are in. Hopefully we'll win in round one. If only Erin's bubbies will cooperate. [hint, hint: the dresses aren't blue this year...]


- I hate Brittney Spears. And I hate anyone who thinks she's worth a crap. [who, soapbox...] Why does she talk like she's trying to squeeze one out? Sorry to be crude, but honestly...


- I downloaded "Battlefield" by Jordin Sparks this morning on itunes. True story. I know, I know, hate me for it.


- Uneaten bananas do not offer a fresh aroma for cube life. [Erin's voice in my head... "then eat the damn banana."]


- Its amazing how happy I am this summer as opposed to last summer. Let's hear it for amazing friends, an incredible boyfriend, and some much-needed common sense that showed up a little too late last summer.

Girl Crush

I have a new girl crush in the world of cycling.

Erica Allar.

I have serious envy for girls who can smash a race, throw on a cap and still look feminine and purdy on a podium.

Now I will proceed to learn more about her to make sure this crush is legit.

Yep.

Summer Skin

Time flies when you're having fun.

Has it really only been 5 days since I returned from Spain? It feels like weeks already...

I fell in love with Girona. The air, the history and the lifestyle lured me in and with charasmatic Steven at my side, I was at the mercy of the city.

There's no point trying to describe those 10 days. Words would fall short of the beauty - not just in the city or the language, but in the way I grew as a person and in my relationship in such a short time.

Anyway, now I'm back and up to no good - as usual. Erin and I have been invited back onto the podium for Tour of Missouri ambassador duties. We're happy to take the work and to work with such an incredible organization. What color should our dresses be this year? I've worn red once and blue twice. I wonder if only the Credit Leon girls get to wear yellow...

Activity Line-up:
Fun Friday Lunch :: tomorrow :: Lauren and Sam! Yay!
Better Than Ezra :: this Sunday :: con Linz y Eric
Warner Robins :: Father's Day weekend :: everyone will be home :)
Northern California sweep :: 4th of July weekend :: Cozzas and Russian River Cabin festivities
Back to School Classic :: Mid-August :: 5k run to benefit a scholarship in my grandmother's name