Vacation time!

As some of you may already know, I got to go to Denver this past weekend for my bestest cousin, Brooke's birthday.  She had no idea that her husband and I have planned this since November which made it the best surprise I could have asked for.  We got to relax, hang out together, eat some great food, and enjoy each other's company for the WHOLE weekend! It was nice to see her, but I realized how great of a relationship we have because we had nothing to talk about and it felt like I was just over while Ryan was at work! We talk on the phone/text almost everyday and she knows everything that goes on, so there was no need to catch up. This made the trip even more enjoyable.  The biggest shockers were that her 4 kids are growing up so quickly.  Even though it has only been 7 months since we last saw them, they seem like totally different kids.  I am proud of each of them for all their accomplishments and intrigued by the fact that they each still have the same little quirks they always have.

While I was in Denver, I told Brooke that I was not really missing Ryan.  Seems like a terrible thing to say, but its the truth.  We spent so much time with each other over the last two months that I have been going crazy.  By Sunday, I was eating my words.  I had started to miss him and actually could not wait to come back to our home.  Times like these make me realize that as long as we are together, we will always have "home".  It also didn't hurt that he had flowers and tickets for a movie I really want to see waiting for me when I returned! He's great :)

Now, we are planning our next vacation! Ryan's next work trip is in Dallas, TX the week of his bday (March 2) and we bought an extra ticket for me to go spend the weekend with him too!  It is a little pricey, but we will need a vacation by then anyway!  More details on that to come....

City Livin'

SO, I had this huge post all typed up about our weekend and every little detail--then I pressed some stupid button and it deleted!!!! I took it as a sign that none of you wanted to read that crap anyway, so here is a better, more thoughtful post!

I had an interview today for a job and went to an insurance company to find us some new car insurance (expensive by the way!??!) and as I was driving, I was thinking about how much I loved our new big city life.  When I tell people where we are from and that neither of us has ever lived in a city with a population over 20,000, I get some very surprised looks.  Naperville is one of the biggest cities in Illinois (number 3 I think) and the valley area we live in has over half a million residents!!!!

When I travel, I like to keep a journal of everything I did on a daily basis, funny things that happened, and MOST importantly cultural things that "shocked" me.  I decided today that I already have a list of shocking things I did not expect to become so mainstream in our new lives.  Here is what I have compiled so far...

1. We have to leave earlier than ever to get places.  And do not even think about timing "about" how long it takes to get somewhere.  Luckily, there is a lot of stuff near our house so we do not have to venture too far, but when we do go somewhere, we have to leave SO much earlier than we ever would have before--just in case its busy!

2.  Stores are everywhere--and in multiple locations! Like I said, we never have to venture too far because there is a lot around our neighborhood.  So, if we are heading in a different direction than, say, Meijer, we just turn the other corner--AND BAM! There is another Meijer!  Or Super Target, or Whole Foods, or Shopping Mall! It is amazing and so convenient.  The store that is easiest to avoid because it is not close?! WALMART! We do not mind one bit because we have had our share of that store!

3.  Rush hour and quiet cars.  Twice this weekend, I went into Chicago by train.  Twice this weekend, I returned at rush hour! I might be crazy!  Actually, the fastest train back to Naperville is only at rush hour (a half hour trip compared to hour and ten minutes) so it the most convenient.  There is also this crazy rule on that train about being quiet in certain train cars! And both times, I found the quiet cars--on accident.  I now know to check for QUIET DURING RUSH HOUR signs!

4. Things are more expensive, and they like taxes!  Tax rates are higher here--quite a bit higher. But, do not ask me how much because we still have not figured it out. I think they have different tax rates depending on the item, and Chicago has its own rate altogether.  Also, we have noticed simple things in grocery stores and at chain restaurants are more expensive by $1-2.  Good thing Ryan has a big boy job!

5. People lock up everything!  We took a little time getting used to locking our doors because we never have really had to before and my truck as manual locks.  Now, we have our bikes, house, vehicles, mailbox--you name it, it's locked!

One thing has not changed--people here are SO incredibly nice.  They all want to know why we are here and all about my Master's program and our future plans.  It has made us feel so welcome, even though we are not used to this living at all--and for that, I am very thankful.

Hope this post was a bit more intriguing than hearing all about our weekend! :) <3

I could get used to this...

So, I have complained enough about being bored. Everyday that goes by leads me to find something else to fill my day, and we are both getting quite comfortable here.  Lots of things have happened since I last wrote...

**We joined Lifetime Fitness--the Taj Mahal of gyms.  There are two pools, two waterslides, two hot tubs, over 100 bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals.  Plus, all the fitness classes are included. I already did a cardio kickboxing and a pilates class.  I am going to Zumba tonight.  There is also a SPA in our gym where I got my hair trimmed today! I also had a fitness consultation this morning where I learned what my strengths and weaknesses are fitness-wise.  I am going to talk to a nutritionist tonight for more free advice.  It is really a great place.  Ryan and I are both hoping to slim down a bit--we think this place will help!

**Ryan bought a new car on Saturday. He bought a 2008 Nissan Maxima.  It has everything--heated seats and steering wheel, crazy lock and key system, and a whole bunch of amenities that we are not used to.  He gets most of it paid for through work, so we had to pick our car based on their standards.  Because it is a 2008, we will have to pick out a new one in a couple years (it will be too old for company standards), but then we will probably just hand it down to me!

**Joleen (one of my bestest friends from college) came to visit this weekend.  OUR FIRST VISITOR! We loved having her and showing her around our new home.  We laid low and relaxed since it was her first week of school and Ryan's first week of work and neither of them really wanted to do a bunch of stuff. We found some great outlet stores near our house and had some amazing Chicago style pizza! It was so fun and we were thankful to finally get to show SOMEONE our new life.

I think....that is all! I am working on my thesis right now (after a much needed skype distraction with Kellie Bright) and I am going to apply to some jobs!

Thanks for reading--we are taking reservations for the upcoming weekends, so let us know if you want to take a vacation! :)

PICTURES!

 This one is the front of our apartment.  We live in the bottom part (with the bikes).  We thought first floor would be easiest to move into--especially in the winter. As you can see, this area has not seen snow in awhile!

 This one is from inside thee door you see above off the patio.  Our living room/dining room.  When we moved here, the only furniture we had was a bed! I think it came together nicely!

 This is the kitchen. If you know Ryan and me AT ALL, you know that this kitchen would NOT work as a lifetime deal. We barely fit in it together and love to cook together! Doesn't work out too well. There is also not a ton of storage :(

 Our bedroom!!! It is pretty good size and the closet you can see right here
<----------------- is perfect for all of our clothes and makes up for the lack of storage in the rest of the apartment!

This is the view of our room from the closet side.  We have a big window that overlooks a little yard and more apartments! Woohoo city life! It isn't ideal to put our computer in our room, but it will work for now!









SO, now you have a sneak peek of the new place! If you want to see more--COME VISIT!  Here is a picture from downtown Naperville...I didn't take it, but I think you get the idea...

 I also am looking avidly now for a job, as this stay at home crap is wayyyyyy overrated! I got a callback from a chocolate cafe place that sounds amazing! I will keep you posted!

It's a START...

So, here I am...in a coffee shop in Naperville, IL (our new HOME!)  We do not have internet in our apartment yet and I am trying to work on my thesis so I kinda need some internet source! As you can see, I am not getting any homework done,but when there is no internet available for a couple weeks, I find it easy to get distracted once I actually have access!

We love our new little life together in Naperville.  It is THE perfect city to live in after only knowing small towns our whole life. Our apartment (pics to come soon) is in a neighborhood of other complexes and pretty nice houses.  There is a school and two churches very nearby so we feel pretty safe.  Our complex has a pool, hot tub, little workout room, and internet cafe.  It is pretty nice.  Our apartment is super cute! It is perfect for our first place.  There is a fireplace, huge closet, and new appliances.  We have already noticed things we will look for in future houses though--like more storage, more bathroom space, and better lighting!  Overall, we love it. 

Naperville is this busy, corporate world happening around an adorable little historical town.  It has everything that we could ever ask for.  Ever store and restaurant we have ever heard about Chicago having, is here too! And, if we don't have it, we can find it within a 20 min drive.  (Chicago is about an hour away by train.)  Everyone has been so nice and welcoming. 

I am going to use this blog to show off some pics (hopefully entice you all to visit!) and keep everyone updated on our new life.  I am hoping it will help me stay in contact better and keep me from getting too homesick.  So far, this stay-at-home-while-the-hubby-goes-to-work deal is BORING! I have had a super productive day, but I am worried there will be nothing to do tomorrow! I DID get a library card today, so I will have to explore!

Thanks for reading! I will post pictures SOON!