adobe abode.

Getting used to our new place.  So far Santa Fe is exactly the opposite of Chicago. Dry, quiet, small (but geographically expansive,) slow and hot.

Of Course We Crash Before New Mexico.

Okay okay, so it wasn't really that big of a deal, this crash.  We are very lucky it wasn't worse.  Anyone who has driven on Lake Shore Drive, and more particularly, the "S" curves around the Gold Coast/Streeterville area, knows how dangerous it can actually be.

We were on our way home from a lovely outing with some of my coworkers on Devon St.  We had eaten delicious Indian food, snacked on bite-sized Indian desserts, gawked at the majesty and detail in tradition Indian costume and even mixed with the locals at an Indian market.  It was delightful to get out and see a smidgin of what Chicago has to offer.




As we drove home we planned the naps and homework our afternoon would bring us.  We came to a stop at about 1000 N on Lake Shore Drive in the right center lane and were chit-chatting when a black SUV came careening into the driver's side of the car, ripping our side mirror from its roots, scraping the body of our little civic, then moving on to the Mitsubishi Eclipse in front of us.  The Eclipse got some pretty good body damage on the back left portion.

We all pulled over to a side road.  I called 311, the "non-emergency" number.  The operator told me that as long as everyone was okay with it, we could just exchange our insurance information and license plate numbers then file a report at a police station on our own time.  The driver of the Eclipse called the police though, so we all waited around.
Then it started pouring rain.

A police man showed up eventually and did all of the paperwork in about 30 minutes.  We got home 2 hours after we left Devon St, a 25 minute drive.

We are very glad no one got hurt, especially because John and I suspect that the 17-18 year-old offender was possibly texting, though he wouldn't admit to as much.

This comes at a not so awesome time though.  We are driving almost cross-country to Santa Fe, New Mexico in less than two weeks.  We will need to get our car fixed and everything taken care of in the meantime.  Wish us luck.

The good news of yesterday is that we actually found a place to live in Santa Fe!  Yay!  After much searching, calling around, shocking rental quotes, etc. we found a home to rent in a quiet family neighborhood. It has recently been renovated and has a green backyard with large trees.  We will not be saving any money on rent this Summer however.  Santa Fe in the Summer is apparently is somehow just as much as downtown Chicago.  At least, in our case.

I am excited to explore what Santa Fe has to offer. I have learned that there is a world-renowned opera there, a Spanish Festival in July, and of course, the Georgia O'Keefe Museum.

It's That Time of Year. It's That Time of Life.

A few text message conversations and thank you cards later, I'm doing one of those "how did my life get here, and where is it going?" reality checks.

I knew this was coming, it always does, ends of school years, beginnings of Summer plans.  I kind of just thought that it would get easier by now.  Why is it so hard to say goodbye to the past and hello to the present?  To let cherished friendships sleep as you take a step toward a friendless place?  And why, why why why why why, can't I seem to figure out what to do with my life?

For years I thought of myself as this hopeless romantic.  Not about men, or women;) but about art.  I would see pictures and hear stories about artists that would die for their cause and I thought: "that is SO me."  I never saw myself as doing anything other than art.  Nothing would stop me.  Not even a horrific car accident that would render me bedridden.

So now that I am almost 27, married and it's been 5 years since I graduated with my BFA, you would think I'd have it figured out by now.  Well, no, I don't. I wish I did, but I don't.  Where do I fit in in this thang called life?

I still long to be creative. Though much of my "nothing's gonna stop me" attitude has been stifled, the need to create is still there. I feel a surge of it every now and then, especially after I spend too much time watching Project Runway, Ace of Cakes or Property Brothers.  And I want to.  I want to be creative.  But the trifles of how to get there have been my stumbling block.  How does anyone get to do what they love?  Or maybe I should be asking, why is it that certain people get where they want to be?  What is it about them? 

I have come to one conclusion over the years:  Being born rich does not hurt.  

When I was a senior in high school I was a top ten contestant statewide for the Deseret News Sterling Scholar award for Visual Arts.  No doubt I worked my butt off when it came to art, I gave back to my community, blah blah blah.  But I'll never forget what if felt like to learn that the little lady who was chosen as the state Sterling Scholar was just a little bit rich.  And that her father was a successful artist to top it off, and she had shown at his gallery by then already. Barf.

Another conclusion, and heck, I just realized this the other day: I am too afraid.

For some reason I am so worried about everything! I can't get myself to go for things because I'm so tewibwy wowwied somefing bad wiw happen.  Should I go in and try to talk to the manager?  What if they don't like me? What if no one likes me? WHAT IF I FAIL??

I obsess and worry till there is no point, the cons outweigh the pros. I cripple myself.

Last conclusion: I am too busy waiting around for nothing to happen.

I keep thinking, "Welp, I just gotta wait for someone to somehow discover my undiscoverable talents and I'll be set."  This point was particularly rubbed in the other day when I stumbled upon (and by stumbled upon I mean I googled this person) the website of a college classmate.  She is an artist living it up in NY.  Her work is advanced, interesting and she is showing.  Like, actively living the life of an artist.  Right after undergrad she went to grad school, made amazing connections and used her artistic talents, as well as her sweet, charismatic attitude, to move forward with life.  This is one of her pieces:

Well my friends, I still have hope. It can still happen, it's just going to take a little more work than I thought.  There is also the comforting fact that it's more important to be a good person than a successful person.  A good person IS a successful person.  My life's work may not consist of epic paintings and pretty cakes, but hopefully it will be filled with lives bettered because of me. 

Decision Time

HI

For y'all that don't know or don't care, John and I have been in the process of MBA applications, admittance and acceptance for the past few months, er, longer.
Remember when he broke his arm before our wedding?

Yeah that was for an MBA application. So basically ever since then we have been pondering the next phase of our lives, i mean, besides the marriage part.

John only applied to two schools: UCLA Anderson and University of Chicago Booth schools of business.

First he was admitted to his dream school, Chicago, and after a positive experience there when he visited campus for an interview, we were pretty positive we would go there.

Then we got a couple notifications from UCLA. A. He had gotten in. B. He got a fellowship, allowing us to be able to come out of an MBA debt free, and I probably wouldn't even have to work.

So we decided we needed to visit the campuses.

UCLA Anderson School of Business

Beautiful campus, 70 degree weather in January....

Tons of Asians. Tons.


University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Prestige.

Architecturally incredible building.

OK, OK, there was more to each campus than the before mentioned.
But what you need to worry about is where we will be living come Fall. And the answer to that my friends, is Chicago.

Just a few wedding pics

These are for any of you that so longingly desired to attend this blessed event. I wish you were there too. Hopefully this smattering of pictures will give you a little taste of the day.
My internet is terrible at my apartment, otherwise I would post a buttload more.
Givin' it to my husband good.

Cake on a stump.

Centerpieces

The lovely Katie Brandeburg on acoustic guitar. She did beautifully.

Polaroids and note tags instead of a sign-in book



My freezing friends.


I like this shot of John's boutineer (sp?) I hand picked all of the flowers and my mother arranged them. Not bad eh?
Yes there was a blizzard on the wedding day of the one who desperately wanted to be married in warm weather...

Honeymooners

Here are some pictures of our honeymoon. We got sick on the boat from all the rocking and rolling. All we did was eat and sleep the whole time we were on the boat. Then for the meager few hours we had on land we loved the beach and wandered around. Then I convinced John to go to Disneyland. YAY. It was all decorated for Christmas and the Haunted House was remodeled to be the Nightmare Before Christmas. We really like the Buzz Lightyear ride too. John said Disneyland was the highlight of the honeymoon. I liked it too.

6 Weeks

johnhayley.com

November 12, 2011
Salt Lake Temple

There are a mere 6 weeks left before John and I tie the knot.
Things are progressively busier busier busier.
We've made all the major decisions though.... save flowers.



Centerpieces


Noah's for the reception

Cake-a-licious lace cake



Bridesmaid Dresses


DIY crepe backdrop. I'm going to make this backdrop. We've already got the polaroid camera.

The invitations are being designed by my brother in a twenties style with natural papers.

The luncheon will be at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. Chances are, if you are reading this, you will be invited to that.

The reception is being catered by Kneaders.

My photographer is Jonnie Hartman. Check out her blog. My engagement pictures are supposed to be ready to view online on Friday.

My dress is currently being altered from 12 to a 0....:) pray that it turns out.

John and the men are probably wearing a darker khaki suit with a jade green tie.

Anything else?