Something Crazy Happened

JOSH PROPOSED ON MONDAY!

It was such a normal day. I went to work, walked home, got a text from Stacey saying that she and Alex couldn't make it to pub trivia. So Josh suggested we have a date night and see The Great Gatsby. He said it was playing at the same theater we had our first date at, so I asked if we could go to the restaurant we had our first date at, Flowers. But he was like, "nahhh," which was very irregular... He's a very "go-with-the-flow" kind of person. So we went to Chipotle instead. Which we love, so it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. 

After dinner, we started walking up the street to theater, and we passed Flowers. I looked in the window, because they have huge windows facing the street, and saw a lot of familiar faces, and balloons... "Josh..." I said. He tried to distract me, but it was too late. I thought that it was a going-away party, but all of the sudden, Josh got down on one knee, right their on the sidewalk, with passers-by watching. I started crying. I was completely shocked. Just earlier that day, I had been thinking that I would probably have to wait until next summer to get engaged because we were so busy. But no. Josh had a speech, but I can't really remember it. I even asked him to repeat it, but it's still all a blur. When I said yes, people on the street cheered. 

Leslie took the pictures above. We went into Flowers, where our good friends were waiting for us. Champagne was on the house. Stacey bought a coconut cream pie from our favorite pie shop. 

My ring: Was made by Moorea! I started crying all over again when she told me. It's an emerald cut diamond with a rose gold band. I love it so much. It's totally my style and it's even more special because my best friend created it.

So that's our story. Oh! Josh was going to propose in the theater, but because I saw everyone, he said "to hell with it" and did it right there. I'm so impressed with him. He's an amazing fiance. Ahhh!

Life Changes Are So Scary

But necessary. Especially if you want to live an interesting life. So a few weeks ago, Josh found out that he got into the design school he kept saying he would never get into. Typical. It's in the Netherlands, so that means...

I'M MOVING TO THE NETHERLANDS!

For one year.

So effing crazy. 

Then, we talked about it, and decided it would make more financial sense for the two of us to move to New York, where he'll be doing a program this summer, and then from there, go to the Netherlands, so that means...

I'M MOVING TO NEW YORK CITY.

In one month.

So so so so crazy.

But exciting.

But also REALLY sad. Because we'll be leaving our friends, and our beloved pup and cat behind. My heart is especially breaking over Slugs. Her situation will be really ideal -- she's going to live on a farm in British Columbia with a wonderful couple who take in small, special-needs dogs -- and we have the option of taking her back when we're done with our year of travel, but still. She is my baby, my sweet, silly baby dog. It will be really hard. Lots of tears.

BUT --

Let's not dwell on the sad stuff, shall we? A few of my lifelong dreams/goals are coming true. I'll be living in magical New York City for a good little run. I can't wait to feel like a New Yorker... That will be a pretend feeling because I'll only be there for three months. And THEN I get to live abroad for a year! What?! We'll be in the Hague, which is 45 minutes from Amsterdam. It's an interesting-sounding place, and I can't wait to explore. We've already begun learning Dutch (thanks, Rosetta Stone!).

So that's the end of my life update. Please, readers, pass along any advice on these two locations that you might have. And send positive vibes as we pack up our life for the time being and hit the road!

Cookie Monster

First fact: I am very bad at baking. Second fact: Josh is not. He's actually very gifted at it.

He made these lemon crinkle cookies (from the LDS Living site ... ain't no thang!) and they are SO GOOD. They rival the Girl Scout lemon cookies.

Try 'em out!

Port Renfrew and Victoria, B.C.

The anniversary weekend started off with two dozen roses from the boy. 

We took an early ferry from Anacortes to Sidney, B.C.

We had lunch in Victoria at Pig, a great BBQ place.

The surprise destination was Port Renfrew, a two hour drive from Victoria up the west coast of the island. We stayed at the amazing Soule Creek Lodge. We were their only guests that Saturday night, so we were upgraded to a nicer room. My favorite part was the bathroom. Woohoo!!!

And since we were the only guests, we basically had our own personal chef make us dinner that night. 

Some of the best salmon I've ever had, caught fresh down the road that day. Accompanied by a vanilla bean burre blanc sauce. Smashed potatoes, a few shrimp, and veggies.

A little dessert sampler platter, with house-made ice cream, cheesecake brulee, apple tart, and flourless chocolate cake. Freaking awesome.

After dinner, we watched the sun set from the hot tub :)

Port Renfrew is a beautiful area. The most amazing place in my opinion was Botanical Beach. The tidepools are some of the best I've ever seen. We were hoping to spy a baby seal, but no luck. I did see an otter from far off, which was pretty exciting.

Conquering the tidepools!

Lunch at the Port Renfrew Hotel restaurant. Great view and a few bald eagles soaring around. 

Half crab! Noms!

This guy is such a keeper.

Back to the wilderness... We tried a trail called Mill Bay Trail, but it was overgrown AND we saw super fresh bear tracks on the trail so I started getting a panic attack and we had to turn around :D

So we went to Botany Bay. More ocean views and pretty scenery.

Sweet potato fries at Coastal Kitchen.

You know how to spend a sexy night with your boyfriend? Play Trivial Pursuit! I WON.

Yesterday we headed back to Victoria and spent a couple hours there before catching a ferry. We waited in a half-hour long line to get some grub at Red Fish Blue Fish. Popular for a good reason. 

Joshua, Joshua

Dedicated to my man.

This Weekend

Josh and I are not quite the typical Northwest outdoorsy types (no NorthFace backpacks or Nalgene bottles clipped on to speak of), but this weekend we had some beautiful weather, so we picked out an easy hike up at Granite Falls called the Lime Kiln Trail. We saw lots of slugs, a snake, and frog! The river was gorgeous, and although it was an "easy" hike, we definitely were sore by the end, and earned a big Mexican food lunch.

Awwww.

Lo Fi

Josh and I went back to the place we first met on Saturday night for my friend Jessica's birthday. They have a photo booth, so naturally we made use of it. I need to work on my kissing pose... I am totally laughing. Josh is a pro.

Sunday Morning

SO MUCH LOVE FOR THESE TWO.

Christmas Date

Dinner at Cornuto last night with my main man.

Romaine hearts with Caesar dressing, croutons
Bufalina pizza with mozzarella di bufala, tomato, olive oil, basil
Veal meatballs, tomato sauce, grana padano
Mezzaluna (Nutella calzone)

The food amazing... The service and ambiance, not so much :(

A Bit of Silliness

Sorry, the last two are pretty frightening. I love Josh's face in the first one. LOL. I think we were both going for lovestruck.

We took these while waiting for an appointment at the Apple Store. I think that the Photobooth app on Macs is one of the greatest inventions of all time, y'all. Hours of fun.

Happy Birthday, Boo!

This song is dedicated my main man, who's turning the big 2-8 today. We both love this song because it's similar to us... we are opposites in some ways, but it brings a good balance to our relationship. We also enjoy wearing tie die outfits.

Happy birthday, Joshua! I think you are the bee's knees.

Pumpkin Patch / Golden Gardens

Thankful for beautiful weather and handsome boyfriend (I mean, check out that wheelbarrow shot!)

Tuesday Thoughts

I really like the above person on the left. Those are his real glasses; he has bad eyesight and a big noggin so apparently those hipster specs are the only ones that work for him. I don't mind, I really like them. This weekend consisted of a nom-nom fest at Red Mill Burgers, an autumnal walk through the Phinney Ridge/Greenwood hoods, naps, TV shows like "New Girl," "The Rachel Zoe Project" (both my idea), and "Storage Wars" (his idea, although now I'm sort of hooked.) We also gave his doggie, Slugs, a bath. It was totes adorbs:

Other things on my mind

...I am very sore. I've started doing circuit training twice a week and it is kicking my ASS. But as long as it's kicking my ass in a way that makes said ass look more toned, I am ok with it.

... Tonight I'm having dinner with my friend Jessica. Also known as J Bozz. I am looking forward to this because a) she is a treat to talk to b) we are going to the People's Pub, which serves delicious German food and strong well drinks. High-fiving a million angels.

... Have you entered my little giveaway???