Goodbye office...Hello Cruise!

TODAY IS MY LAST DAY AT THE OFFICE!

Today's schedule:

-Last day at work
-Rush home to finish packing
-Flight to Florida to board the cruise at 10:30PM!


I have mixed feelings now that it is actually here. I am BEYOND excited for my future plans, but still trying not to let change scare me too much. I have been working here for the last few years and have grown so close to these people. They are like a second family to me. Well...technically we are family because I work for my uncle! Plus my Mom worked here for 16 years before she left for her own adventures. We are celebrating our last day together with chocolaty chocolate cake from, Icing on the cake of course! They even all got together and signed a card for me, wishing me the best on my journeys this year. One note reading "I hope you look good in a hula skirt!" My co-worker Holly left the office only two short weeks ago. It seems like we just had a going away party, but this time the tables have turned and I'm the one leaving. Before we all scattered, we called ourselves "the 4 hot tattooed foot paralegals." I will always remember this time in my life, and the girls that made it so special. Sharing life stories daily, and struggles we might be going though, I honestly don't think I would be the girl I am today without them. With their blessing, I am prepared to go out into the world and explore for myself.

To add to this exciting day, we are leaving for the cruise!! I just printed out out boarding passes, and preparing for our flight. I still have some last minute packing to do. Then Liz will drive us to SJ airport! This day kicks off the start to my new life, and all of the adventures that 2010 brings.

As the hours pass until the cruise, all I can do it practice over and over the song I plan on singing for kareoke, and prepare myself for hoe many times I will hear the "hot hot hot" song on the cruise. I swear that is the Carnival cruise line theme song or something!

Goodbye Todd Rothbard Office! you will always have a place in my heart. (ok that was cheesey, but I couldn't think of anything better!) and Bon Voyage San Jose!!!

Love,

Elise Diane

Peas in a pod

Daniel's off at a hockey game, that means blogging time!

It's been awhile since I've blogged...I started to feel the "blog guilt," you know the feeling...when you are looking at pictures you have taken recently... and know you should post them for those daily blog checkers that MIGHT stumble upon your scarce and barren blog.

This past weekend my Mom, Jon, Hannah and Bella came down for a visit! It was a bittersweet weekend with them, knowing this will be the last time I see my Mom and family for awhile. The move is approaching fast, and I won't be able to squeeze in a Tahoe trip before I go. Saturday night, Daniel and I met them at Jon's Dad's house before we left. Tony, Jon's Dad passed away recently, so it's always a little sad being in the house. One thing I will always remember about Tony is his love for healthy food. He even had a nice array or trees and plants in his backyard that were now becoming ready for eating. My Mom and I strolled around the backyard for a moment and came across these yummy snap peas before we all left on our way to Fresh Choice.

On a side note....I needed a new point an shoot camera for my everyday photography (my old one decide to quit on me.) Can you believe the quality from this little $99 Walmart camera?! I am still blown away....

After we ate at fresh choice for dinner, we went down the road to CHUCKIE CHEESE! I did not expect to have that much fun on a Saturday night! Just seeing my sisters running around, exploring this paradise of rides and excitement, Daniel and I were caught up in fun. We found ourselves cashing in dollars for tokens to play one last game of air hockey (which was so small we have to play on our knees!) I won all 3 games....
I even got to ride a giant horse ride with my sisters. They thought it was the best thing in the world.

The following day, we all went to a park in Santa Clara with my Grandparents and Aunt. It was wonderful having everyone together. We talked and spend the afternoon swinging the girls on the swings. Hannah is graduating from the kiddie swings to the big girl swings. I am so proud of her! We also played in the sand and chit chatted about summer plans. My Mom is planning a DISNEYLAND trip for her, Jon and the girls!! If you don't know, I am a maniac about Disneyland, and made my Mom promise me I'd be there for their first time there...unfortunately I won't be able to go because I'm moving. So they better invest in a good web cam, because I will be apart of this adventure through, web chat, and many many annoying phone calls :) I am so excited foe this fun trip for them.

Heading to sleep, only 8 more days of work left...it's getting exciting!

Elise Diane

Mob

Happy Mother's Day Mob!



No It's not a typo, that's actually what I call my Mom....Mob. It started a few years ago when I had to retaliate for the nick name she's given me my entire life...BOB. It's a long story that I WONT be explaining on my blog. sorry. The names are now a common greeting for us, Hi Mob, Hey Bob!

My Mom is my closest friend. She's more than a wonderful, great, loving Mom, she's like a best friend. We tell each other everything, talking at least once a day. Over the years I have lived mostly long distance from my Mom rather than in the same house, but we have maintained a very close bond by our daily phone convos and updates on life. It will be nothing new for us when I move to Hawaii with Liz. Soon our daily talks will be while I walk down Waikiki beach, and shes drawing in chalk and blowing bubbles on the driveway with the girls. I know we will be just as close are we are now, even though an ocean will separate us. From early morning calls grabbing my non-fat caramel machiatto talking in the Starbucks line and speeding to work, to my late night meltdowns after a recent twenty one year old "crisis." Shes always there, with a listening ear and a patient heart.

Mother's day means card making time. This card was especially made for my mom! I also made one for Daniel's mom Julie (and tried to convince everyone Daniel had made it!) We got them both Tommy Bahama sandals... in hopes that will give them both excuses to plan a Hawaii visit :)

For nineteen years of my life I grew up as an only child, and nearly three years ago, our family was blessed with a sweet beautiful little girl, my sister Hannah. Shortly following her addition to our family, came my second sister Bella. I am so greatful to share with them such a fun, determined, selfless, energetic mother.

Thank you Mob for everything you have done to contribute to me becoming the person I am today. You inspire me to be a better person, and a great mother someday. I love you.

Bob.

bright pink suitcases

Aloha!

My new bright hot pink Diane Von Furstenburg luggage arrived! The days are flying by and all I can think about is...do I have everything? Bathing suit, suntan lotion, sunglasses, sundress, sandals....chocolate... and I think I am ready to MOVE TO HAWAII!!

Most of you already know about the plans to move, but for those who don't, here's the scoop. My BFF Liz decided to transfer from her work at Lululemon in Santana Row to the store in Waikiki, Oahu. Of course I was excited for her, but sad at the same time when I heard this news. A friend living in Hawaii isn't the worst case scenario, but when it is your best friend, that you do everything with, it is a huge deal. I immediately started crying at work, and wondered how I would survive without her. I started thinking about it...and realized that when in my life am I going to get an opportunity to move away into an apartment with my Best Friend, and HAWAII of all places! I discussed it with family and friends, and the response I got was almost unanimous...and sounded something along the lines of "You're young! Do it!" Now here I am, moving to Hawaii in June.

This week I found out that my close friend and Co-worker Holly is leaving the office too. On top of our daily girl chit-chats, there is such much more to talk about with our new exciting plans. She is going to be moving to Lake Tahoe, which happens to be where my Mom lives. I know I will still get to see her often. She promised to come visit me in Hawaii, it wasn't too hard to talk her into coming!

2010 brings so many new experiences and adventures. Liz and I are bursting with excitement. New jobs, new scenery, and a new home. Daniel is already planning a visit to come see me! He is the most supportive and loving person I have ever met. Long distance is going to be a challenge at first, but we know we will be together regardless. He knows exactly how to calm my fears of going....and is already expecting to get 5 calls a day when I move. "babe, how do I start the washer?"...."babe, I have no food!"...."babe, how do I put gas in my moped?"....

On the carnival website it says only 23 days until we cruise! My last day of work is May 28th, and we fly out on a red eye flight that night Caribbean bound. The whirlwind of events is about to start. I couldn't be more excited for this next chapter in my life with so many supportive family members and friends.

Bon Voyage!
Elise Diane