My San Diego Year in Review

So much can happen in a year. So much. That is one thing I know to be true in this life. Last year on today's date, December 5th, I arrived in San Diego after driving three and a half days from Virginia. One year later, and here I am, homesick for California as I live the gypsy life (Just kidding. Kind of.) bouncing all over the Eastern seaboard while I work on my life coaching certification. A lot has happened since I arrived in San Diego last year. A lot.

Let's take a trip down San Diego Memory lane, shall we? I've picked out a few main events during the past year. Click whatever tickles your fancy and enjoy the ride :)

I finally made it to my dream city and wrote an early move reflection.

But some days are harder than others. A lot harder.

Luckily, randomly running into this guy put a giddy grin on my face. (GO NATIONALS!)

I dated a guy who taught me one of life's raddest lessons!

I spent my birthday in my favorite little town, Laguna Beach.

I grieved my mother's death after one year.

And gladly chopped my hair off in her honor!

I played tour guide when someone very dear to me came to visit.

Had my first-ever official show for my jewelry line (that I am not currently selling)

Spent a blogger friend's birthday in the desert & had a Palm Springs girls weekend!

Went to the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach!

I made a trip up to Los Angeles to see Dane Cook & eat yummy vegan food!

Here's a glimpse into My California Home.

And lastly, a montage of My San Diego Story.

It was the greatest year of my life thus far and these posts begin to explain just why. Live your dreams, my friends, and be open to all the wonderful opportunities that are out there just waiting for you.

Peace Out, California Love

I can't believe I used to live in San Diego. I can't believe it's a thing of the past. A story to tell. Memories that I made.

Last Monday, I drove away from my house in San Diego and headed East toward my new journey. Soon, I'll share some pictures and stories during the cross country trek but for now, here are some memories from a few of my last moments in SD.

Wonderland. The most perfect place on Earth.

Wonderland is an "ocean pub" in OB that has the most stellar view in all of San Diego, if you ask me. Some people like their fancy schmancy places. I prefer a laid-back, fun environment like this one. This place is so cool that they even do a nightly "sunset toast" and on this night in particular, we toasted to the mermaids. Sigh.

I will miss Wonderland, OB, and this view.

It's no secret by now that OB [Ocean Beach] was my favorite spot in San Diego. It's edgy, eclectic, and has my favorite sunset at the Pier. So, I had to make a few more stops prior to leaving. OB also has the best spot for tacos! South Beach Grille.

I had my first and last California bonfire [until I go back!] My friends kept asking me what I didn't get to check off my list while living there and having a bonfire on the beach was one of them! So, a wonderful farewell bonfire was had and it was everything I dreamt of and more :)

I had never felt so torn leaving a city before. I invested so much of my heart and soul into San Diego. I had no idea that the Universe would have other plans for me. I left San Diego with so many wonderful, everlasting memories and friendships. San Diego helped me realize what I need in my life and what kind of people I want to be surrounded by. The pictures above encompass all of those things.

Until next time, San Diego.

World Peace & California Love.

Always.

My San Diego Story: A Montage

A couple days ago, as I started packing up my place in San Diego, and saying my sad goodbyes, I started looking back on the months and months worth of pictures I had taken during my journey in Southern California. I wanted to document the joy, lessons, friendship and everlasting memories that this wonderful beach city has brought into my life. Join me while I look back :)

Song: "I Lived" by OneRepublic

Thank you, San Diego and Southern California for the most memorable journey.

I lived :)

Follow me on Instagram [@chelseasunset] to see my journey cross country as it unfolds, starting today!

To Relive A Day With Her

When asked to choose a memory I'd want to relive, the only person I can think of reliving a moment with is my mom. I wouldn't even be picky about which memory, as long as it was with her.

It's weird. Now that she's gone, I miss her during the tiniest moments. Every. Single. Time I am in DSW or TJ Maxx, I lose it. Yep, there's Chelsea the girl with tears in her eyes trying on shoes in the middle of a DSW aisle. And the second I hear a girl in the TJ Maxx fitting room say, "Mom, what do you think about this?" yep, I tear up.

My mom and I didn't talk much about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. We bonded through running errands together and dancing in the car. Going to Barnes & Noble, grabbing a Starbucks, and browsing the aisles for books was our thing.

So, as much as I'd want to pick the first time we went to Disney World or our annual Virginia Beach vacation or that Christmas that I got my pink Barbie Corvette, I think I'd choose a day of errands with my mom. And then we'd come back home and [just to please her] we'd lie on the couch in the living room while she'd replay that day's episode of Oprah, Dr. Oz, or Dancing with the Stars for me because I "just had" to see it ;) Oh, Mom.

I swear I miss her more as time passes...

Four Words I'll Always Keep With Me

August 17, 2011. 6 days before I would leave Utah for the last time, saying goodbye to my home and the life I had created there. 6 months and 6 days before I'd say goodbye forever to the person who told me these four words I'll never forget:

"You are so strong."

It was written by my mom at the end of an email from a long chain that had been going on as she provided her support all the way from Virginia. She would email me to check up on me, wish me sweet dreams, and remind me of any last minute loose ends to tie up as I prepared for my trek back home to the East Coast.

But on that day in August 2011, I had no idea just how important those four words were going to be for me 6 months later and again today, as I live without my mom.

This past week, I felt anything but strong. I felt small, I felt hurt, I felt discouraged, confused, and taken for granted. But deep down, I knew that I've conquered so much more compared to what life's been handing me lately. And so, I asked myself, "What would Mom be telling me right now?"

She may not have told me often but those four words above are a constant reminder from her that I am strong. That I can conquer the detours and disasters and doubts and disappointments that get thrown my way. I can.

Memories of Virginia Beach

I remember it so vividly. I'd wake up early in the morning, swing my little feet over the edge of the bed and onto the carpet. I'd see my dad sitting at the table with his cup of coffee from 7-Eleven and a newspaper. I'd grab a chocolate Entenmann's donut and quietly pull the sliding glass door to the side, stepping out onto the balcony.

I'd immediately feel the warm, August morning sun on my skin and hear the soft crashes of the waves in the distance, the seagulls as they swept through the sky just several arm's lengths away, and the clink of bikes as the lifeguards rode in for the new day. It was a typical vacation morning. Just like the vacation mornings the year before, yet, it never got old.

I still remember the peace I'd feel as a young girl - just me and the sights and sounds of those August mornings. Eventually, I'd hear the glass door behind me push open and I'd look to see my mom's sleepy smile as she came out to say good morning to the coast. My brother would soon follow to sit in the morning sun. The three of us would watch as the umbrella and chair rentals were slowly set up and beach-goers started to fill the sand.

Then, it was our turn. After finishing breakfast and throwing on our bathing suits, we'd all walk down to the beach with our arms full of towels, coolers, bags, and chairs... ready for a full day in the sun. My brother and I would throw our stuff down and race into the warm salt water, seeing who would fall first into the sea. It was tradition :)

After that point, it was just me and the sea. I'd flick my hands back and forth through the water, ride the waves in until my knees were scraped up from the ocean floor, and spend the entire day in my favorite place - the ocean.

At night, after getting showered, and going out for dinner on the boardwalk, and walking "The Strip," my brother and I spent hours out on that balcony watching the evening crowd walk, jog, and sit on the boardwalk below us. It was our happy place, our way to re-charge, our time to be a family :)

I'll never forget our family vacations. I'll never forget these Virginia Beach memories from years ago. They hold a special place in my heart and now, whenever I return, my heart is full of all of the above.

All pictures were taken during our "half family" vacation when I went to Virginia Beach with my brother and his little family this past September :)

A Laguna Beach Birthday

This birthday was a different one. It was obviously the first birthday of mine since my mom passed away so I was rather apprehensive about January 7th approaching. Yet, the day arrived and I had some great plans ahead.

When I turned 20, my family was actually in San Diego, visiting my brother who lived here at the time. The Redskins were playing that day, so my brother and dad headed to watch the game at a local spot while the girls drove up for a daytrip to Laguna Beach. I decided I'd keep the tradition going and headed up there the morning of my birthday this year.

It was a perfect day. The temps were in the 60s, not a cloud in sight. The first stop was La Sirena Grill for lunch. I'm a pretty avid Yelper so I took the advice of the reviews and ordered the Calamari Burrito. It was one of the greatest meals I have ever had! It's a quaint little spot with all seating outside. I later spotted this place on the first episode ever of Laguna Beach. Even Kristin and Talan liked it...

After lunch, a walk over to Muse, a super cute boutique, was necessary. Although they were under a little construction at the time, all the ladies that worked there were so sweet and we had a good time chatting for a while. I got two new sets of earrings that I just adore :)

Next, was Heisler Park. It's another Laguna Beach favorite of mine; perfect for a leisurely walk and where I've taken some of my best pictures ;)

There's something incredibly special about this little spot. Especially on a Monday afternoon in January. It's tranquil, yet, you can look up and see all the beautiful homes nestled into the hills. It's peaceful, yet, you pass joggers, moms, tourists, couples cozied up on a park bench, and people just like you, yet with a different story.

You have all the perks of a small town - cute shops, dynamite eateries, winding streets, and all the quirks that come with a little place - yet, you're right there in the middle of it all. Standing in Heisler park, looking out at the blue Pacific, you have your back to one of the most beautiful places in the world [in my opinion, the most beautiful] yet you're still surrounded by pure and fresh nature everywhere you turn.

There are several different spots throughout Laguna that I love exploring and walking down to the tidepools is always a real treat. I took it all in. The sights, the sounds, the fact that I was one year older and hopefully wiser ;) But, wow, what a year. 

And to sit there and digest the fact that, here I was, only a short drive from my new HOME. My dreams were coming true. Right before my eyes.

I could have stayed there all day. However, the sun would be setting soon. There was one more stop before heading back down to SD. I needed cupcakes.

[Not pictured: One Cupcake]

So, off to Casey's Cupcakes we went! I'm thinking a review of this place is in order. Just so I can go into greater detail and make you all crave a cute cupcake. I mean, can ya get any cuter? After that, we cruised past my favorite Laguna home high up on a hill, and coasted down Highway 1 just in time for the sunset.

I've always been a water baby. A beach girl. The ocean is my home.

So, to return to this special spot on my birthday sure was a lovely treat. I feel so blessed to live within driving distance of Laguna Beach. It's the perfect little reminder of just how beautiful this world we live in is.

And as for you, California, I love you :)

Thanks for another amazing birthday.

The Days That Are Harder Than Others

11:28 on a Friday night.
The night started off with an hour phone conversation with Dad about careers.
Then I had leftovers and one of my cupcakes from my birthday.
I painted my nails a shimmery shade of maroon as I watched re-runs of Say Yes to the Dress.
My mind couldn't help but think forward to the day when I will pick out my [second] wedding gown.
I texted pictures to my mom back in 2010 of the dresses as I tried them on and she was there in 2011 to lace up my dress and hug me tightly.
One year and exactly one month from my wedding day, she was gone.

She won't be there next time.
I can't look to her for approval and to see that little smile of hers.

[Exactly two years ago today, watching me get ready]

As the sadness began to overwhelm me, I reached down onto my coffee table and started re-reading a book from my dear friend Shayna called Motherless Daughters.

"But wherever I traveled, I carried within me a sadness I couldn't leave behind, no matter how forcefully I tried. Someone dies, you cry, and then you move on: This was no mystery to me. Far less clear was how the effects of this loss were likely to appear and reappear throughout the rest of my life."

I bawled.

I sat there on my couch on a Friday evening, sobbing.

Unable to control the sounds from my mouth and gasps for air.

I just need my mom.

I needed her when she lay there helplessly and hopeless in the hospital bed.

I needed her the week before she went to the emergency room.

I needed her when I took her back and forth to her doctors' appointments.

And then I suddenly became a 26-year-old woman, still trying to heal from my own heartbreak when she, my mother, my inspiration, my best friend... was taken from me. Never to give me a word of advice again.

And that became my life's biggest tragedy.

This is on my heart so often.
Learning how to live without my mother.
How to continue growing on my own as a woman without the one woman who was always there to guide me.

I know I'll never stop needing her.
I know her presence will always be missed.
I know my life has been forever changed.
I know the effects of this loss will appear and reappear throughout the rest of my life.

Missing My Old Home

There are things I miss about my old home. Salt Lake City. The great Western state of Utah. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and next week you’ll find out why. I think once you’ve been somewhere for a while and when things get tough, you sometimes lose appreciation for the little things. Which is what happened to me the longer I lived there.

I left Utah on horrible terms. At that point, I was ready to leave and didn’t take much time {or any time} to say goodbye. While I can’t say that state was the greatest match for me, it became my home and I definitely miss it now, looking back.

Salt Lake City and the surrounding area {aka beautiful Park City} are known for their snow. I couldn’t get over how much it snowed last year. It started in October and lasted through April/May. I was told it was “dry” snow which, yes, does make it much more pleasant to deal with than the wet snow we get here on the East Coast. However, when it snows that much and you’re not used to it, it gets pretty overwhelming.

Example #1: Chances are, when I walked out to my car in the morning to go to work, this is what it would look like:

I quickly learned that snow is not as dreamy as it looks while falling and that literally digging your car out of the snow every morning gets old. But, I still miss how beautiful it was and how at almost any point of the year, you could always look up at those mountains and find snow.

Even in the middle of Spring while at a baseball game…

Regardless, I still miss it. Mainly because I miss putting on all my snowboarding gear to go make snow angels.

I miss the sights. One of the things I loved most about Utah was the scenery. I could never get over the mountains.
It’s funny… when I first moved out there and told people I was from the DC area, they’d say, “Oh, it’s so beautiful out there with all of the forests!” The forests? I just call them woods. I could have gone on to tell them how the “forests” are all being cut down due to over-population and the demand to build more homes and the government taking over the entire area and all the wildlife being forced out of their natural habitats but instead, I’d just say, “I think it’s prettier out here!” :)

Not having trees everywhere resulted in the most gorgeous sights of the lights in the valley every night.

And I can’t even tell you how many rainbow pictures I have. You’d think I lived in Hawaii!

And do I even need to say how much I love sunsets? :)

I miss the close-proximity of everything.
I could walk to my gym, grocery store, movie theatre, church, and Target, Home Depot, Barnes & Noble, and everything else were within a two-minute drive.
Park City was twenty minutes from my house.
And, if I wanted to, I could drive 4-5 hours south to the beautiful red rock of Southern Utah or go a little bit further to Vegas.

Park City on a quiet weekend morning

Speaking of Park City, I miss Furburbia – the animal adoption center that we fostered animals for. It was one of THE most amazing experiences of my life to take Bronson, Kip, and Lani, Kiki, and Pearl into my heart and home until they eventually found their forever homes. They blessed my life :)

I miss the sushi.

The only sushi I had eaten prior to moving to Utah was the kind you buy at the grocery store. Then, I was introduced to real sushi. Along with coconut and pineapple, I could eat sushi 24/7. Sushi out West > Sushi back East. Proven.

I miss the Utah Jazz. The Jazz are my team. You see, in DC everyone claims to be a “Redskins” fan or a “Nationals” fan. While, yes, my family was born and bred to be Redskins fans, I’ve never been emotionally invested with them year-round like I was and still am with the Jazz. Going to games, going to the NBA Draft Party, meeting players, and running into them at the movies and restaurants – it was an amazing experience. Not to mention, our arena is known to be the loudest arena in the NBA. Bam! Just sayin’…

There are other things I miss as well and I’m sad I didn’t truly say goodbye to Utah. But, maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe that means I’ll go back someday, even if just for a short visit.

I think wherever we live, we leave a big part of our heart there and we become forever changed by that place. Utah changed me, and I’d like to think it was for the better :)

This Time of the Year

I can’t stop reflecting back on time lately. This year has truly been a whirlwind for me. Time has breezed by me faster than I ever could have imagined. It’s sad to think where all the time went.

One year ago I was driving to San Diego from Salt Lake City for a long weekend with my then-fiancé to meet with all of our vendors and put many of the final touches on our wedding.

Viewing the lawn where I would later walk down the aisle

My favorite tree-lined street in the world

After my wedding hair trial with zero sleep.

Pacific Beach kind of day

Crystal Pier at sunset {my favorite time of the day}

La Jolla at Christmastime. Outside of the greatest sushi place that has ever existed – Tadashi

I look back at that weekend and those times – all the excitement, all the stress, all the newness that was just around the corner, all the “love” and it’s bittersweet. It’s a time in my life that I’ll always look back on. Those last few weeks leading up to the wedding hurt to think about now and I’m sure they will for some time. I was preparing for what I thought would be the beginning of my forever. I put every little bit of my heart and soul into that wedding. While I’m growing and moving on, this time of the year is a bit painful for me. It was supposed to be a time of celebration and love.

Luckily, I also have this time of year in 2009 to look back on. In case you didn’t know – I’m an event planner and with lots of patience, I eventually landed my dream job out of college here in DC doing event coordinating for a large organization. The attendance of our holiday party totaled over 4,000 people. Here’s a little of our party two years ago that I had the opportunity to help plan :)

One of our spaces during set-up

 
After an early morning and long day of set-up, we got to enjoy the party too :) Here I am with my mom! {My parents were lucky enough to get an invite} ;)

We went all out. Best Holiday Party ever. It was held in not one, but TWO buildings {we had an underground tunnel to get back and forth}

This week of December for the past two years has been pretty full of adventure! It’s crazy to think about. This year I’m not planning a fancy holiday party for 4,000 colleagues nor am I planning a destination wedding. Right now, I’m just planning my life. I’m searching out what the Universe has in store for me. I can look back and see all the change that has occurred within the past two years and I trust that today I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.