Our First Date

In honor of Disneyland's 60th anniversary (which is today if you haven't noticed all over Instagram, Facebook, network news, etc.), the first of my memory posts is at this beautiful place.

17 December 2008; Glen and me at Disneyland in front of Small World on what would be recognized as our first date. We look adorable, I know. I was eighteen and Glen, twenty-three. It was off and on rain all day which means the most magical time to be at Disneyland because others won't endure. 

Glen's mom dropped us off and his sister signed us in (free dates have always been the best). We spent all day there. I had Ritz cracker packages in my purse for snacks and we went on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride about twenty times because of the part where you drive through 'hell'; the heat was marvelous. We were soaked through to skin and dying from the cold (but we were dumb and happy -- kind of like now).

As evening was settling in, we were still getting used to the changing temperature and decided to hit main street for some hot chocolate. I hate hot chocolate. Hot drinks in general really make my head hurt, not sure why. But I was so cold and it really helped that Glen wanted some. We sat in the store on the edge of main street on the castle end, shared a cup, and played checkers on one of the store's tables with balled up pieces of the two straw covers we acquired. I can't remember now how we differentiated the two sets of pieces, oh well.We watched the fireworks and probably rode Indiana Jones three more times for good measure before heading out. 

Thinking back on that day makes me feel grateful and happy and joyful and blessed. We had a fun day together and Glen wanted to hold my hand the whole time but never summoned enough courage. Poor guy :) I wish I could go back as a bystander and watch us jump over railings, run from Thunder Mountain to Space Mountain just because, laugh, talk, take pictures of each other doing dumb things. Although, I probably wouldn't be able to see most of it because I'm such a crier now.

So, happy birthday, Disneyland -- you money-sucking, magical place, you. I'll love you forever.

The Next Step

Fullerton Loop Trail

We're settling in to our California lives day by day. It's much different than our short vacations here over the last few years and from the lives we led previous to our life in Hawai'i. We had a ton of school and work before and now we're taking it easier than many probably think is necessary. We aren't sitting on the couch eating popcorn and cookies all day. Although that sounds pretty good in this desert heat of a week. We're still figuring out what exactly we are to be doing at this time though.

In the past, this has been a place for me to tell my Grandparents what's going in my life (through the pictures because they can't read this font size) without having to call because I'm really bad at it. I also just enjoy writing in the first place; this wasn't apparent before I began, but it has become a part of me that I'm just not willing to let go of yet. Maybe ever. So, that leaves me with a dilemma of what to do here. Continue telling my family what they already know because we're a mile apart or find something new.

What I would like to accomplish with this blog -- now that it's purpose is kind of up in the air -- is a journal of life. All of my life; not just the future. I love what my present and future are, but I'd like to keep memories that are fading with the years (dramatic much? but I'm serious, so just pretend it's okay). There will be a distinction between what is happening now, someday, and before -- but the posts will not necessarily be in chronological order mostly because I just don't remember.

I've missed writing and have been thinking of how to fill this space with something meaningful for me and my posterity and maybe others. I'm excited to begin although I don't know which year I'll start with yet. Which memory or hope for the future to divulge will probably come to light as I begin typing these next few days.

And now, I just want to say I love my husband and his support is unmatched. He believes in me and I believe in him; we're going far, us two. We just don't know where to steer quite yet.