Still can't believe this is where I live.....

So I have been out and about good old San Diego the past few weeks and have really started to realize how lucky I am to live here...I visited Mount Soledad and got an amazing view of all San Diego, went to Shelter Island and boated around the bay for a day, went to lunch in Coronado where I got to see some amazing ships and sailboats and an AMAZING view of downtown. I feel like there is a million more things for me to do...and trust me I will!!
It is amazing to know I can take a book to the beach for a few hours and just relax and the weather remains calm and cool. I can take my lunch during the work week and eat at picnic tables with views of the ocean that are so peaceful and expansive it makes me never want to go back to my desk. I have eaten at some of the most incredible places including The Marine Room (the waves crash on the glass walls while you eat), The Spot in La Jolla with the best deep dish pizza ever, and the Ruths Chris Steakhouse in Del Mar with my law firm where the ocean view is breathtaking and the crab cake sandwich is delicious!
I got to do my first poker pub crawl in Pacific Beach two weeks ago for my friend Jen who is a bartender at the Tavern and we had a great time going to all the local bars on Garnet and raising money for her due to a shoulder injury she had surgery on.
I feel lucky that I know a few locals around here that have shown me a good time...now I need to find someone with Chargers tickets!! The next on my list includes swimming with the dolphins at Sea World, going to the SD Zoo, and learning to surf. I have posted pics from Mount Soledad, the Bay and the pub crawl!

It's really Happening!!!!

So the letter came two days ago that I have been nominated for a project for the Peace Corps and will be leaving roughly around July 2009 for a Sub-Saharan region in Africa that is French speaking. The project is Community/Municipal Development which is right up my alley! They don't give you an exact location till you receive your invitation (which is the last step). The Peace Corps generally gives you about 8 months to a year after your nomination for various reasons; to pay off your debt, save money, figure out your financial obligations, fulfill medical requirements, and to start learning your new language.
I am sooooooo excited for this opportunity. I can't wait to really begin getting my life in order as far as bills go and just getting that debt completely out of my life. Two of my student loans have peace corps deferment plans and one of them does not so I will have to figure that out (Stupid WellsFargo!!!). I would like to buy a laptop too to take with me for communication purposes. I am going to look into some Community College classes for French and go from there with the language learning process.
I am nervous as well, I didn't think I would get nominated so quickly and I am still feeling out the waters on this...there is always an opportunity to say no, but from what I have read and heard, the peace corps could be the greatest adventure and mission for me to really jump start my life. I am ready to do something that will show that not all Americans yield guns and are ignorant towards other peoples cultures. I want to bring some culture into my life as well....I feel so sheltered because I haven't really seen any other parts of the world. It's going to be hard to change my lifestyle into something completely different than what I am used to (working a 8-5, fast food and tons of partying)...I am ready for this task though I feel like something is telling me this is the opportunity of a lifetime to get to see the world and actually do something to help people.

The toughest job I'll ever love.....

Well guys, I have submitted my Peace Corps application and it was approved, and I have my first interview this coming Saturday to go over my school transcripts (there are alot of them, I think I attended almost every college in AZ!!). We will also discuss the deferment of my 3 student loans and decide how I am going to take care of the rest of my financial obligations if I was to go in the next 4-5 months. If that interview goes well, then we plan the next and I also begin all my medical obligations for the Peace Corps, they want to make sure they aren't sending you to another country with a disease or an ailment that they cannot accommodate in that country.
The Peace Corps is a 27 month commitment and I am sooo excited and ready for the challenge. My roommate Natalie actually has a brother who is in Africa serving right now and he has been a great help to me with some of my questions. I have been looking up different stories and blogs from people that have already served and most of their stories are incredible! I can't wait to be apart of something so much bigger than myself. I am looking forward to this opportunity because I really feel as if I am stagnant out here in San Diego, I really enjoy it but I want to see how the other side of the world lives. I want to learn about another culture and literally become apart of it. If I am accepted, I would do 3 months of cultural training (learning the language, customs, and healthcare issues in my host country). While going through the 3 months I will live with a host family that will help me acclimate to the country. I then will be given my job and living arrangements and begin my journey. I am so excited to see what the next 2 years brings. I am nervous but I have a feeling that I am making the best decision for me and that is all that matters!

Kickball isn't just for school kids anymore!!

So I joined a kickball team with Julie when I first moved out here, and it is AWESOME! I play with a group of people Julie worked with at Tavern on the Beach (a very popular bar in Pacific Beach). We play every sunday for a league called Vavi. We are actually not very good and we lose alot but we have so much fun doing so that no one really cares. We have a few players that get really into it and they have almost fought other teams!! I have made some great friends on the team and it takes me back to when I used to play competative sports. We all have nicknames for eachother (mine has to do with my chest...of course) and usually hang out after the game is over for what we call "sunday funday" which usually involves margaritas, lunch and then taking our beach cruisers to Mission Beach. It's funny because everywhere you go in PB everyone knows about the kickball teams and some of the teams we have actually become friends with. It is nice to have something so fun and active to do on sunday's and I love the fact that I making new friends and becoming a better athlete while I am at it (hahaha)...here are some pics of my team, we have been together for two sseasons and hopefully there are more to come!!

Terminology and Rules of the grand game of kickball:

munt = a man bunt...very girly but will get you on base

safety base = the orange base beside the regular base that the runner is supposed to tag so not to hurt the other player

ball = instead of a stike if the big red ball bounces in too much it's ball

game face = the face Victor (our coach) wants us to use when we go up to kick

You can throw the ball at someone while they are running and if you hit them they are automatically out.

If you kick the ball and it fouls out over the fence you are automatically out.

If you kick the ball foul three times you are out.

You can drink in the dugout if you conceal it (trust me their are alot of people drinking mimosas/tequila sunrises out of a gatorade cooler at 10 am...they are the best teams to play!!)

The umpire and half your team are usually hungover at the game so it can make for some interesting calls....

Take me out to the Ballgame....

Well since I have moved here I have already been to 3 Padres games thanks largely in part to my boss Jeff who gives me his tickets whenever he cannot go (awesome seats too by the way) and my good friend Andi. I have to say that even though the Padres are the worst team in the MLB at the moment they put on some great games! I was at the game that they went 18 innings against the Reds, the dad behind us was hilarious, giving his sons tips on how to play ball and just teaching him about all the players. Makes me want to bring my little cousins here! Their fans are amazing and there is a ton to do in the park. Not to mention that after the game there is so much going on downtown you'll never wanna leave. A favorite place of mine is Fleetwood it is literally right outside of the park and has killer calamari and great drinks! I have to admit I have already purchased a Padres shirt and hat (thanks Andi!!) because as you all know I am a spirit freak and love to show team pride. Now that I am a San Diegan it's time to show it off :)

I will always have a place in my heart for the Diamondbacks though because I have been a fan for a good 5 years now and been to a TON of games with great friends and family. I will always love the original purple and teal diamondbacks jersey and of course my original first baseman Travis Lee....man that guy was handsome! Here are some pics of me and my girls at the different games and last but not least....GO PADRES!!!!

First time for everything....

Hello to all my lovely friends and family! I decided that since I am now the grand old age of 25 I should keep everyone in the loop about my amazing life here in San Diego....I live in La Jolla with two great girls, Allie and Nicole and my complex is literally INCREDIBLE!! I work at a corporate law firm called Gunderson Dettmer in Carmel Valley (near Del Mar) and can see the ocean from my desk...can't complain one bit about that! I am a secretary at the moment but looking to work with the county or the city as soon as possible and begin my real career. Everything about San Diego blows my mind...I still can't get over the fact that I live where people come to vacation and get away for a weekend. I am going to continually update this blog and keep you posted on what's new, when I'll be in AZ for visits and just about how I am doing in everyday life....