Mayan Sacrifice.

Can you think of a better idea to celebrate our return home, the Kentucky Derby, and the start of summer than a Mayan Sacrifice themed party?!


The official kick-off to the party was a Mint Julep and race track betting. (Unfortunately, my horse did not win)


The DJ arrived just in time to start the real party!


There was plenty of food, friends, and of course, fun!


It's unbelievable how many people are ready and willing to do crazy flips and tricks off the diving board.


Say Cheese! :)


A few seconds after this picture was taken, the hula-hooping contest began!


Did they purposely coordinate their outfits?? We'll never know for sure.


Kind of a cool picture, right? I think so. It pretty much summarizes what most people remembered (or didn't remember) from the all day, all night party.

Chicago.

Since I hadn't seen my family in over (6) months, Joseph and I drove the 4 hours to the Chicago-area to visit my mom, dad, sisters, and friends.

The weather was odd while we were there. One minute it was bright and sunny, and then cloudy and humid, and finally a huge storm rolled through!


We just kind of hung-out, grilled, and shopped. It's always nice to visit there.


One of my favorite people in the world: Becky! We can sit and talk on the phone or in person for hours on end. We've been friends since our Freshman year in high school and haven't stopped talking since. She's one of my best friends. (Those are my glasses she has on!)


My little sister is kind of a rebel.
Random piercings? Check.
Fire Red Hair? Check.
Multiple tattoos? Check.

But I love her all the same.


And this little guy? My god-son!
Isn't he so adorable? I always have to pay him a visit and when I drive out to Chicago.


Not a very flattering picture of me but still cute all the same.

Diego to Des Moines.

After a three day stretch of non-stop driving, it was nice getting "home" to Des Moines. First thing we did? We went straight to Lucca for dinner in the East Village with Joseph's mom and to visit Sophie too!

The next morning, I continued my daily routine* of a morning run (2.2 miles) and oatmeal for breakfast.

(*for those of you still wondering, yes, to date I have lost about 14 pounds since leaving San Diego. Hard to imagine right? Ugh. It feels good being right back where I was three or four years ago)

The next couple of weeks consisted of visiting our local hot spots. Carl's Place? It may be a total dive bar, but a lot of Des Moines' trendsetters pay a routine late night visit here.

Martini Night? Yes, please. Wednesday night is The Lift's weekly hot spot because of their 2-for-1 Martini's.

I made a new friend at The Lift for Cinco de Mayo: Scott! He's in a band, no big deal ;) His girlfriend Kristin is really sweet too!


First Farmer's Market of the year? DEFINITELY. I have yet to visit a Farmer's Market better than Des Moines'. Not even San Diego's Little Italy Mercato stands a chance to ours here! (Although, it my favorite in SD)

Packin' It Up.

Working until the very last minute (seriously, until the day we left).... probably not the best idea!

10.) Packing and Saying Our Final Goodbye's


As we started to pack the first and even the last boxes, it still hadn't hit me that we were leaving. I just thought in my head that we were moving to a different apartment or going on a long road trip that for some reason required we bring all of our stuff with us.


Still, looking at this picture, I can't remember feeling sad, just ready to get on the road. It didn't phase me that we were moving ourselves and all our of belongings across the country. Looking back at this picture, I really miss it. I miss our old apartment, our old/new friends, our old hang-out spots, and my old job. There's something about Des Moines that hasn't filled that void yet, but I am determined to find it :)

Oh San Diego, how I miss thee and all of the people, places, and memories that are still there too! I can't wait to return and relive all of those experiences. Until then, farewell and thank you.

As I have always said, I am terrible at Goodbye's, so we'll see you later ;)

Farewell Party.

There's nothing better than throwing a big party and having all of your friends come... but it if its a farewell party, it isn't quite the same.

9.) Throw a Farewell Party @ Nunu's (For old times sake)

A little part of The ExDes Group. What cuties, eh?

Sarah & Joseph.


A little part of the Sushi Deli crew.


Awwww, Shannon! She's always there to party ;)

Of course, our last rendezvous had to be at Nunu's with these three!


Classy to Trashy.


I wish Erin and I had more time to become closer, but I'll await her arrival to Des Moines. Yes Erin, I am expecting you to make the trek out here, there is a lot going on in Iowa :)

Favorite Places & Things.

I do believe that we take things for granted. Whether the things that we take for granted are tangible or not.... we forget to be grateful, we forget to appreciate, and overall forget to enjoy.

8.) Enjoy my Favorite Places, Things & People.



What would I do without these two people in my life? They help balance all aspects of my life. Not to say that I don't have other close friends in my life, but Jessica & Lourdes mean the world to me. I love them, and know that they love me too.


Our pool at our complex. Something about it was so inviting and comfortable. I loved the pool, hot tub, and fire pit areas. I felt at home here.


Our weekly home-made meals. I think it's important to splurge at least once a week on good food, good wine, and of course good desserts ;) What's life worth without splurging? We work hard to splurge once in a while, right?


I'll miss all of the amazing foliage. Before we left, Joseph was able to pick out all of these succulents and arrange them beautifully. Love it.


The awesome "regulars" at my job. Sheila, if you are still reading my blog, I miss you and am so grateful to have met you. Let me know when you roll through the Chicago-area. The champagne was amazing. Thank you!


Walking around the East Village after a fabulous meal at Cafe Chloe ;)


Going out with friends downtown. I still haven't been anywhere that compares to the nightlife in San Diego. I love and miss it already.


The caviar custard at Cafe Chloe. Uhhh, SO delicious.


Ok, fine. EVERYTHING about Cafe Chloe ;)

Sheila. Thank you for the weekly bouquet of "Just Joey" roses from your garden. They were so beautiful and fragrant. I have yet to find a Just Joey bush, but when I do, I will be sure to buy it and blog about it :)

The Beach.

Living in San Diego, you would think that we'd be going to the beach EVERYDAY. It may have started out that way but it quickly faded (for me anyway...) You get caught up in work and your every day routine that you forget to make time to get out there.

We lived within walking distance to the San Diego Harbor so we never forgot the water was there but you get used to seeing it everyday and forget to really stop and appreciate it.

7.) Go to the beach... one last time.

Del Mar Beach

I personally had never been to this specific beach but my friend Erin from work would always come here and wanted to us to go. It was a beautiful day... so why not?!

I really like the natural beauty of this picture... maybe its the bright color of the moss against the cool slate color of the sand?


Joseph really is a great photographer in my opinion, but I guess my opinion is skewed. I wish he could see how good he is at it.


Snapshot: Friends.


We've grown a lot together...


San Diego and California, in general, has a lot of natural beauty... but I guess every place does.


Joseph, always trying to explore new things!


We walked and walked until the sun was about to set. It was quite beautiful.


As I sit here today, putting together this post, I am reminded of how much I secretly loved San Diego. Yes, I bitched and moaned about how expensive it was and how far away all of our close friends and family were... but I made some life-long friends in San Diego and had my own little version of a "family"... yes you all know who you are :)