“Maybe that’s what it all comes down to. Love, not as a surge of passion, but as a choice to commit to something, someone, no matter what obstacles or temptations stand in the way. And maybe making that choice, again and again, day in and day out, year after year, says more about love than never having a choice to make at all.”

-Emily Giffin

Goals...

Seeing as it's going to be 97 degrees outside this Friday, I think it's safe to say that summer is starting.  Weee!

My first two goals for this summer 2012 are as follows:

1.  Getting more consistent in the Word and spending time with God...D.I.S.C.I.P.L.I.N.E.  As always when life gets busy and crazy--especially in getting a job recently--I find myself failing to spend a lot of time and commitment in my relationship with the Lord, in comparison to how I can usually spend time with him.  Praising God today that he is constantly faithful to me even when I am not faithful to him.  It's such a bummer to have to say that I have been letting life get in the way of my time with God and growing my relationship with him.  It's embarrassing to have to say that and definitely humbling, it's so not where I want to be.  But I mean, praise God that, while we will never live up to the standard of perfection (and I have definitely fallen short) He still loves us and chose to save us and come into our hearts.  Living in grace is my world.  Taking today, brushing the dust off, and getting back up.  So, in short, my goal is more spiritual discipline.

2.  Getting just a couple of days off of work...one day a month is my goal!  My new job is awesome and I absolutely really enjoy it.  However, I am the single full-time worker for every weekend, both Saturday and Sunday.  Which means that, between the two of us, Rick and I do not have a single day off, to go away, have our fun adventures, etc.  I would like to hopefully get maybe one day off a month just simply to go into the city, or go to the beach, or anything of the sort.  I am really hoping I do not end up feeling resentful of my job simply because of our conflicting schedules, that we do not ever have a day off for the both of us.  Definitely going to be praying that this does not happen and that I can remain as positive about it as I am now!!

I'm not sure what else this summer holds so far but that's what I know right now is important to me!

Also--happy (belated) Memorial Day from Sheba and us ;)  Honestly praise God for our military and the sacrifices that they make.  I'm really thankful!!

-Samantha

Birthdays, life lessons, and the greatest hubby ever.

So...it's my birthday this week.  I'll be 21, yey!  I've never really been one at all to make a big deal out of my own birthday.  It just never seems like a big deal to me, but I'll definitely always be cool with the fun shopping money and all else that my mommy wants to lavish on me this month :) (love you moo!!)

However, when I saw the adverts in January for the San Francisco Ballet's production of Don Quixote--and then found out that the program was happening the week before my birthday, I not-so-subtly hinted to my husband that tickets for this incredible show would be the PERFECT way to celebrate.  Hehe 0:)

So, in the greatest-hubby-ever fashion that Rick is so good at, he followed through with awesome seats to the ballet (we were in the very front of the first balcony, right above the boxes--so worth the money).  On top of that, he planned out a whole day of adventures for the weekend, for us to have birthday fun in the city!  His work and school keeps us way too busy during the week, so the Saturday before was our solution.  And I have to say, it was pretty adorable watching Rick try to follow directions all by himself to keep our destinations a surprise...usually it is a team effort 0:)

We left bright and early (well, for me it was early--8:30 is sleeping in for him...) and started our day at our very favorite restaurant in the whole world--PLOW.  It is this tiny little breakfast/brunch place in the Potrero Hill neighborhood, and is literally the greatest.  Ever.  So we stuffed our faces, spent time talking to each other about how much we love Plow, and left feeling about 10 pounds heavier.  It was pretty perfect. ;)

Perfection on a plate.

After leaving the neighborhood with some yummy coffee, I was taken on another fun drive to an unknown destination!  Down the highway, along the beach and AMAZING ocean waves, and I finally saw a sign that said simply "zoo -->"!!  The San Francisco Zoo, that is :)  My hubby and I enjoy freaking out over animals' cuteness together, so we had a wonderful afternoon cooing at the snow leopards, bears, and specifically a baby gorilla who was learning to do somersaults!<3  BUT.  The highlight of the visit was still to come...

Fact about me for those who do not know: goats are literally my favorite animals on the planet.  I think they're the cutest things in the world and I just want to hug them all.  So, as we were entering the "children's zoo" area, I told Rick multiple times, "I wonder if they have a petting zoo.  I would literally die."  So, imagine my surprise when we made our way to the Family Farm, a FREAKING PETTING ZOO with the cutest little goats ever.  From a distance I could see people standing in there and petting the goats, and I literally doubled over and started crying for a second (a la Kristen Bell and the sloth coming to her birthday party).  No shame!!  Rick bought me a ton of petting zoo food, and I got to hang out with the goats and hug them and pet them and take pictures with them, ya know :)  It was awesome!!

Besties, you know how we do!

I was then taken for some time to relax, dog-watch (another of our favorite activities), and shop in the adorable Hayes Valley neighborhood--and eat cupcakes at Miette.  We shared a chocolate cupcake with strawberry buttercream...it was an unlikely combination but still delicious.  I refuse to get the same thing twice at Miette until we've tried them all, so I've still got a few more visits to go :)

So yummy!  Miette never disappoints.

Finally, we headed to my most anticipated event of the day...well, the only event I anticipated, since it was the only part I actually knew about ahead of time, haha!  We headed to the San Francisco Ballet for very last evening performance of Don Quixote.  It was absolutely A.MAZ.ING.  The main part of this Don Quixote story, which premiered here 9 years ago, revolves around two different characters (less important in the original version) and their love story; Don Quixote and Panza stay around more as supporting (and extremely comedic) characters.  It was so light hearted and fun, full of cute comedic moments and totally beautiful Spanish music and costumes.  The orchestra was absolutely divine and Ludwig Minkus's Spanish-style score was literally perfection.  And, of course (as it is the SF Ballet) the ballet company was absolutely incredible.  To someone like me, who is not actually skilled in it, the dancing looked literally perfect.  I was just super happy and transfixed the whole time watching it!!  Rick honestly enjoyed it too, which was definitely a good thing, considering the amount of money we spent on tickets ;)

Such an amazing performance!  Vanessa Zahorian © Erik Tomasson.

We like dressing up nice :)

With that lovely final act, we concluded our day of adventure!  We drove home and fell asleep within five minutes of getting home...tell tale sign of a long and successful day :)

So, life lessons learned this weekend:

1. If you can afford it, more expensive/closer-up tickets are definitely worth it for the experience.  (In all my past years as an orchestra/theatre/ballet/opera patron, I'd never followed this lesson before this past weekend...I think I've seen the light.)

2. My husband is the greatest.  For real.  He knows my heart and he takes advantage of it to the fullest :)

My new favorite things: Travis AFB edition.

I CAN'T BELIEVE it's already May and we've been here in California six months. Time has gone by so crazy fast.  It's crazy to think we'd already be over halfway done with our time in CA if Rick's orders hadn't changed...thank goodness for that!  I'm sure Mississippi is great, but we sure love it out here and are super excited to stay here a few more years :)

Rick and I share a car, so whenever I need to get somewhere, I come with him to the base, drop him off at work, and then go where I need to.  So I've spent quite a bit of time just hanging around on base, waiting to pick him up from work or PT.  And from the time that we've spent out here, I've fallen in love with a few different aspects of Travis.  Here's my top three:::

I am currently writing in this blog from my favorite corner of my favorite place around...and that is:

1. The Starbucks on base!  I've camped out in quite a few different ones around the area and this one's pretty much the greatest around.  It has 13 comfy chairs spread around (yup, I just counted), and it's totally chill and quiet all the time (that is, until retreat at 4:30).  And my chai is de-lic-ious.  I.love.it.so.very.much.

2.  The commissary.  We usually just do our grocery shopping off-base, since we live off-base.  And I thought we had a great-priced grocery store that we usually went to.  HOWEVER...last week I started going to the commissary for our groceries, and was pretty much just astounded by the amazingly low prices.  It's absurd.  Everything is cheap and nothing hurts (hahaha).  On Monday I bought a week's worth of dinner groceries, including a big package of chicken (which is pricier because I refuse to buy bone-in chicken), for $15.  Well played, commissary, you've earned my loyalty.

I got this 17-pound bag of cat food there for $10...when I had already been spending $7 on a THREE POUND BAG from our nearest grocery store to our apt.  Okay, commissary.  You win.

3.  Also--retreat itself.  For anyone who isn't familiar, at 4:30 (or whenever the end of duty day is on a base) retreat plays over the speakers, and then the national anthem.  And servicemembers salute, civilians stop and hold their hands over their hearts, and cars come to a stop on the road.  I just really enjoy it.  I enjoy the fact that no matter what busy day everyone is having, whether they are rushing somewhere or whatever--that for those 2 or 3 minutes, everything stops and respect is paid.  Yeah, it's the rules and you have to do it, but besides that, I just enjoy the way that everyone just stops no matter what and honors the flag, our country, each other.  I like it a lot.  Also--one time I was pulling right up to Rick to pick him up, then retreat started playing, so I stopped the car and got to stare at my sexy husband, looking so very ~military~ (haha) at attention, saluting in his blues ;)  So yeah, that was definitely the highlight of my week.

What are y'all's new favorite things lately?