Keeping Up With Kirsten

I know it’s been a few weeks since my last blog post, and I’m sorry for that. I have been so busy that my brain has failed to recognize the fact that I am neglecting to post. So this will be a Keeping Up With Kirsten post (of which I am only led to assume there will be a few more of in time to come).

Washington and Oregon Road-trip Continued...

A few weeks back I had mentioned that I was heading up to Washington to move my brother into his new home and get him all settled in for college. I followed up by posting a few photos from the road trip and the events as of that moment in time. Now, clearly it is past my trip and I have a lot to tell you.

photo courtesy of Google

The first day there was rather short. Since my father and I left our home in California around 7am we arrived in Washington at 10:30pm a mere 15 & 1/2 hours later. Yuck! I love road-trips, but that was the longest one I have been on to this day in my life and let me tell you... by the time we arrived you would have thought I ate some rather special brownies (of which I did not) because I was delirious and full of laughter. Ten-thirty at night felt like 2am and IHOP was clearly the only place to dine at that time of night. After food we met up with some family friends in order to borrow their blow-up mattresses since there were no beds in the house yet. A few episodes of F*R*I*E*N*D*S (sorry I had to type it like that) later and I was sound asleep.

I will not bore you with the hour to hour activities of the next few days because I don’t want to put you to sleep. There was a lot of painting, feng shuiing, patching holes, dusting, and just overall a lot of maintenance and repairs. When we first arrived at my brother’s place I have to admit I was nervous and a little hesitant of the place, but in the end once his stuff was all unpacked and the minor and major problems were fixed I was so excited for him and his roommates to live in such a cool home. 

This trip made me so ready for my big move from Northern California to Southern California. Even though my move is not as far, it is just as huge and life changing. I am so nervous to move, but ready to start a new adventure in my life. I am proud of my brother for moving to a place he has never lived with people he has never known prior. 

Congratulations on your new home Garrett!

Visiting My Friends, University, and AOll Sisters

On August 31st I drove to Sonoma State University of which I have now decided to transfer out of. It had been almost a month since the last time I visited my friends Aimee and Elisse and that stood for means of a road-trip. I drove up to Sonoma from my home on Saturday and spent the Labor Day weekend with them.

Over the few days I spent with them I was able to not only see their new apartment of which they share with each other, but also stay there. We had late night Walmart runs which consisted of me riding a bike around the garden section in order to test out the control of this adorable cruiser Aimee was looking into buying. 

http://www.verybestbaking.com/Toll-House.aspx

The next day we woke up and went straight back to Walmart to buy the bike. We brought some tools with us because we knew we would most likely have to take the front tire off in order to fit the bike into Aimee’s car. After about 10 minutes of trying alternate ways of fitting the bike into the car sans taking the tire off, as well as attempting to allen wrench the front wheel off, we decided we needed assistance. A lovely man from Walmart brought out some more tools of his own and after another 15 minutes of prying at the tires he was able to disjoint the front wheel from the rest of the bike. After that it was as simple as lifting the bike into the car. 

Once we dropped of Aimee’s new bike at their apartment we decided to go play some tennis. It was a lot of fun and sort of a biannual tradition for Aimee and I. Although after what felt like a lifetime in the hot sun (really only 30 minutes, haha) we decided to head back to her place to get ready for the Labor Day College-Style BBQ we were hosting. With burgers, buns, chips, cookies, and drinks in tow we started home. Now the reason we call this a College-Style BBQ is because Aimee and Elisse do not own an actual BBQ, so instead Aimee masterfully cooked the burgers on the stovetop. Needless to say everything was wonderful. And if you are ever looking for some easy 10 minute cookies that are to die for then I suggest you buy the Nestle Toll House Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough packages (pictured) from the store (we bought this as Safeway).

This trip also allowed me to visit my Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi which was going through Fall Recruitment’s Bid Day. Nerves were kicking in because I had not seen any of these women in over three months and was no longer a part of the chapter (I am an alumna) as well as the fact that they all had matching outfits and well... I was wearing the stark opposite. I walked up behind all of my sisters while the big reveals were happening and I tapped a sister on the shoulder. As soon as my sister turned around I got the biggest warmest hug ever. She screamed which drew attention and soon enough I was in a non-stop cycle of hugs and warmest welcome-backs. I was so happy I could have cried. Even though I was only gone for a few months they treated me like a sister still and that was the greatest feeling. I was able to receive a shirt and help set up some of the Bid Day festivities and meet some of the new sisters. Overall this night was a blast and I love and miss every one of my sisters. Alpha Love.

snapshot of my drive

It’s been three days since this trip ended and I miss Aimee and Elisse already. The late nights of nails, movies, popcorn, girl talk, boy talk ;) and Law and Order SVU was wonderful and I cannot wait until the next time I get to visit my friends and sisters up in Sonoma.

As For Now...

Now that we are up to date on my life I have one more thing to share. I am going on ANOTHER road-trip!!! Starting today... September 6th, I will be driving down to LA with my mom for a bridal shower for my cousin Rebecca. The theme of the shower is Pink and Bling, so of course I did my usual last minute shopping and found a shirt to wear for this special occasion. (I’ll post photos later of the entire pink/bling outfit) But of course no trip to Los Angeles is complete without Disneyland and the occasional random distraction of the city life.

Love Always,

Kirsten Nicole