Monday, August 16, 2010

i'll be the perfect girl; the center of your world

I know exactly what you're thinking. "Whatever happened to that list of yours, Wendy?" Well, no fears, my dears -- I've got a list update for you. Let's jump right into it:

  • build an igloo (pictures here)
  • go strawberry pickin' (pictures here)
  • make tofu
  • write a lover letter to each other
  • don't eat processed food for 30 days
  • read a book together and talk about it
  • make ice cream
  • try a new restaurant (we hit up the Red Lion Grog House in Fountain Square - yum!)
  • pull an all nighter
  • color a picture
  • grow a garden
  • buy a bike and ride it
  • go to a museum
  • host a dinner party
  • pay off a credit card
  • buy something at a farmers market
  • go fishing
  • go to a music show
  • go to noraebang (karaoke)
  • make wine
  • shadow a beekeeper(pictures here)
  • walk in a park
  • go bowling
  • no technology for 3 days (including phone, computer and TV)
  • draw on the sidewalk with chalk(pictures here)
  • go to a festival (any kind)(we went to the Indianapolis Brew HaHa!)
  • go camping w/ no whining from wendy
  • make homemade ravioli from scratch (pictures here)
  • take a road trip(pictures here
  • try a restaurant from diners, drive-ins and dives (pictures here)
  • take a class on whatever
  • go to the indy 500(no pics! but it was fun. :P )
  • practice our german and spanish
  • bring food to our neighbors
  • buy a $20 lottery ticket (don't judge)(that was an unfortunate $20 down the drain!)
  • try miracle fruit
  • make our own pizza from scratch
  • go to the zoo
  • go to a place that makes cheese (pictures here)
  • go to the shipshewana flea market
  • volunteer somewhere (animal shelter?)
  • move out of the state(pics here!!)
  • have an international skype party
  • make a play jungle for goguma and lamia
  • have a picnic with wine/cheese
  • go a week without air conditioning in the summer(brutal, but glad we did it before we moved to Phoenix. It is HOT here!)
  • have a dance party
  • take a nice picture together
  • repurpose a piece of furniture from flea market/garage sale/craigslist (picture here)
  • don't drive for 1 week
Wooo hoo! What do you think of that? We have 27 more things to do, but a lot of them are simple, easy-peasy as pie "to-dos" and the others are fun. There are a few I'm unsure about, but the world won't end if we don't get to them this year. :) Right?

Anyway, while I'm here, I figured I'd do a regular update.

This past Saturday marked our 2 week anniversary of being in the grand city of Phoenix. So far, so good! It's really strange how easy the transition was. Still feels a little strange sometimes and I occasionally get a heart pang when I think of Indiana's towering, lush trees and the beautiful fall season that's rapidly approaching (tear!), but then I remember the awful humidity and freezing weather that follows Autumn and my heartache subsides a bit.

To celebrate our full fortnight in the desert, we decided to make a full day of it. The day began with a wonderful cup of coffee (so good I had to mention it) and a trip to the antique shop. If you know me, you know I love all things vintage/retro. That's why we had to stop by the antique mall that I'd passed about half a dozen times before. I'm seriously surprised I lasted as long as I did! My heart sung upon viewing aisles and aisles of vintage things from all over the place. Some a little over priced (compared to what I'm used to), but lots and lots of great deals!

After a few good hours, we ventured to Papago Park. Along the way we randomly happened upon MacAlpine's Soda Shop, est. 1929! The retro furniture lurking near the doors lured me in. The divine soda menu and to-die-for interiors kept me there! I'm now convinced that a)I need a vintage milkshake maker and b)a dill pickle milkshake may not be that bad. Yes, I said dill pickle. :)

Pics:
MacAlpine's Soda Shop on 7th Street, Phoenix

MacAlpine's Soda Shop on 7th Street, Phoenix

MacAlpine's Soda Shop on 7th Street, Phoenix

After eating, we ventured to Papago Park.

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ
cute? :>

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ
A wee Jurassic.

DSC_2208

Fortunately, we got there just in time to watch the sun set over the mountains/city. We climbed up this rock formation called "hole in the rock" which is exactly what it sounds like. A hole. In a big rock. We watched the sunset from inside said hole. :)

What's that? You want to see pics? Okay.

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ

DSC_2217
Try to spot sir David.

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ
!!

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ
gawkers, we are!

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ
see the city skyline in the distance? And the mountains on the other side?

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ
warning: stud muffin pictured!

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ

Papago Park, Phoenix AZ
favorite shot of the day. I could really get used to these sights.

Okay...one last thing before I sign off. This past week the Perseid's were in town and, naturally, David and I decided watching them would be a spectacular way to spend our evening hours. :)

Watching the Perseids

Watching the Perseids

Watching the Perseids

Goodnight!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

You and I were born to roam

Welp - we made it to the grand state of Arizona! The drive was definitely a long one, but we had a heckuva lot of fun along the way. :) We ended up taking a small, 5x8 trailer from uHaul. The trailer turned out to be a bit of a headache, but we managed to tough it out. David drove (literally) the entire way because I was too freaked out by the idea of wielding such a weird contraption. And it didn't help that my tiny car wasn't really made to haul heavy things (and we were truly pushing the weight limit...oy!). Pics of how much stuff we crammed into the thing:


UHaul - Indianapolis
We obviously didn't waste any space. :P

UHaul - Indianapolis

Despite any minor glitches we encountered, the overall trip was a fantastic one chock-full of gorgeous views and friendly folks. I didn't take a ton of pictures while on the road, but I do have a few. Enjoy a mini version of our journey:

St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri skyline

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Texas
Windmills in Texas

Texas
Flat, flat Texas

We ended up stopping at Cadillac Ranch right off historic Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas. I actually wrote a small blurb about it for Gadling.com (AOL's travel website), so I was super excited to actually stop and check it out with my own two eyes. Definitely one of the cooler roadside attractions I've been to.

Amarillo, Texas - Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo, Texas - Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo, Texas - Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo, Texas - Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo, Texas - Cadillac Ranch

And...after a good 20 minute stop, we were back on the road!

New Mexico
Pretty New Mexico -- this was when the scenery really started to change. :)

New Mexico
The oldest gas pump I've ever seen/used. Also in NM

New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Right outside of Albuquerque, where we stayed for an evening.

New Mexico
Near the boarder of AZ and NM

New Mexico


And then...we entered Phoenix! :) I was actually too excited to take pictures. I wanted to absorb everything I saw without looking through a lens, so sorry for the lack of pics! :D You'll get some soon, believe me!

Our first night we stayed at my grandparents house (where they live in the winter) and then met up with my Aunt Clara/Uncle Roger for some delicious Chinese food at a nearby place! The next morning we hauled it over to our new apartment and signed the lease. Unpacking the uHaul was a long story, but it entails a few emergency phone calls to uHaul, 3-4ish hours and the assistance of Aunt Clara/Uncle Roger.

Shortened story: piece of furniture got stuck on the lip of the trailer door and we couldn't open it. A series of tools, huffs, injuries and passers-by offering help later, it busted open. All this just as uHaul roadside assistance were on the road to come tear the whole thing apart!!

Alas, we finally got all our belongings inside of our new apt. The following Tuesday, we were pretty much unpacked. I still have a bit of decor to do and we need to find a few accent chairs to fill out the living room, but it feels homey. Pics:

LIVING ROOM
DSC_1945
BEFORE

DSC_1954
DURING

AND....AFTER!
Our new digs! :)
The 4 pillows are from Goodwill at around $3 a pop, rug/coffee table are from my grandparents (graduation gift a few years ago), orange lamp from Ikea and the the couch was a steal on Craigslist for a modest $125! :D All the little trinkety/vintage things are from Indiana.

Our new digs! :)
Apothecary bottles are a gift from momma!

Our new digs! :)

Our new digs! :)
Ahh...I love that globe! And the old, non-functioning radio. :D And the red oil can is from a place in Missouri we happened upon on our drive-- $6!

Our new digs! :)
I'm sort of proud of myself for my random idea to make a "wrench bouquet." How cool is that tool box/Indiana license plate, too?

Our new digs! :)
Old heater (hiding cords!) from Trader Baker in Franklin.

Our new digs! :)
The poison pharmacy bottles are a gift from mi madre.

BEDROOM
DSC_1949
BEFORE

DSC_1950
BEFORE (check out that massive closet, though. :P )

DSC_1955
DURING

AND...AFTER!
Our new digs! :)

Our new digs! :)

Our new digs! :)

Our new digs! :)

Okay...now the rest still have quite a bit of more work to do, but I'll show you anyway. :)


BALCONY/PATIO
DSC_1953
BEFORE

AND...AFTER
Our new digs! :)


Our new digs! :)

KITCHEN AREA
DSC_1948
BEFORE

DSC_1959
DURING

AND...AFTER:
Our new digs! :)

Our new digs! :)

BATHROOM
DSC_1952
BEFORE
(loving that double sink)

Our new digs! :)
AFTER


Whew...hope I didn't overload you with pictures. I actually have more from around the complex, but those can come another day.

Peace,
Wendy