Stories on the Ranch: Episode 4

BONUS VIDEO:
The first night we heard coyotes outside, we took a video to capture the sounds of their howling. So if you wanted to know what coyotes sound like, here you go!

Stories on the Ranch: Episode 3

Stories on the Ranch: Episode 2

Stories on the Ranch: Episode 1

Here in San Jose!

We are now in the new home that we will be staying at for a little while. We moved in on Monday. I drove to San Jose with my mom and brother on Saturday. They wanted to drive with me so I wouldn’t have to drive by myself the whole way and so my brother could finally meet his brother-in-law Ricky. We had planned on stopping in Reno and finishing the drive on Sunday, but decided to just go all the way on Saturday. We were tired and ready for bed when we finally arrived. After a long day of driving, I laughed and then cried when I finally saw Ricky after 19 days apart! Ricky questioned why I was crying. "I missed you" I replied. He said, "but I'm right here." We all laughed.

On Sunday, we all went to the ward that would be Ricky’s and my ward for the next month or so. We went to all three hours. It was a really friendly ward, and I really liked it. I’m excited to be a part of it for this short time. After church, we moved Ricky out of his dorm. It’s so nice he was able to stay in the San Jose State University dorms, even with being married and not even going to school there. He also didn’t have to do any cleaning when he moved out, which was nice! He just gathered up his own belongings and turned in the key.

Anyways, after we moved Ricky out, we went to Jack-in-the-Box for lunch, since we don’t get it in Utah. We then went to the municipal rose garden, which was a nice Sunday activity and so pretty! After that, we went to the Winchester House, which Ricky had heard about and thought might be neat. Our tour guide was great, and it was so interesting to see and learn about it. We finished off the day by relaxing in the hotel hot tub.

We woke up early Monday morning to take Ricky to work in Fremont (his first day at the client) and then to go to the house so my mom and brother could help me move in. The couple was very nice and showed us around a bit. After moving in, I drove my mom and brother to the airport for their flight back to Utah. It was such a short trip for them. I broke down and started crying as I was dropping them off. I was worried about driving around this place I didn’t know and living with these people I didn’t know. Plus, I always get emotional with change. After saying bye and calming down, I drove back to the house and waited anxiously until I could pick up Ricky from work.

Since Monday, I have felt more comfortable here. Getting around has been fine (thanks to Siri), but I don’t even get out of the house much. Ricky takes the car around 8:30 am usually to go to work and doesn’t get back until around 7:00 pm. I have started doing laps in the pool for exercise, as well as lifting some weights I found in our room. I pass the time by reading and practicing my piano skills on the grand piano. It has been a nice routine, and it feels like summer now with no responsibilities and all this time to myself.

On the plane

I wrote this on my plane ride to San Jose in June. My editor just barely finished working on it today. Enjoy!

Today I am flying to San Jose. It will be strange to be away from Brooke for so long. It also is going to be weird living in a dorm with some dudes.

The experience really reminds me of my move to Provo. I remember moving into an apartment with a bunch of guys I didn’t know. When I moved to Provo, I also didn’t have a car, so I wasn’t sure how I would shop or other things like that. Fortunately in Provo, I had friends and made friends that I went shopping with. Maybe if I am lucky that will happen again.

I also had to check a bag for the first time in years. I feel like I fly and go to the airport all the time. Like just a month ago I was flying home to San Diego. But my suitcase still had my tag from when I came home from my mission, which was nearly 4 years ago now.

Living on my own seems so strange now. I wonder what I will eat and cook. I also hope I can wake up for work ok. My old job in Provo replaced me 2 weeks before I left, so I have been unemployed long enough to develop a terrible sleep schedule. Perhaps gaining an hour will help me though.