It's been so long since I've updated so I apologize if this entry is a bit long. We have a lot to update you all on. It will be best if I make a list of everything, because I like to make lists.
1. We have a home! Or a place that we will live for just about 2 years before heading back to NoVa. It sort of feels like that sometimes. It's a really nice attached condo in a gated community .5 miles from the beach. Yup, it's at most a 10 minute walk to the beach from our front door. Alas, we haven't really spent too much time there yet but we definitely will when it stays in the 70s and 80s for longer periods of time.
2. Our place is really nice. It's a 2 bedroom/2.5 bath place with an office/loft and a master suite. We have a little patio that overlooks a stream that runs throughout the complex. It's big, because of the vaulted ceiling, but still cozy. We never have to run our air and it rarely gets over 70 because of the breeze that comes off the Pacific. And that second bedroom is ready for guests so please come visit!
3. I'm back to work. Not sure how exciting it is since I continue to sit in my office 40 hours a week plugging away. The job is a bit more tedious when it's sunny out and you actually want to be active. Ah well.
4. Everyone here is super nice. I know more of my neighbors here than I ever did living in Virginia or Maryland. Seriously, the East Coast is full of people who would like to do nothing better than ignore the person right next to them. However, this has been a bit of an issue for me who is a East Coaster and has issues talking to strangers. Chris is way more friendly than I am, but I'm attempting to work through it and be a nicer stranger. A lot of our neighbors are older, but there are a few young couples. And everyone has a dog.
5. Hank is 90 lbs and growing. We've found him a vet, a dog park, and started training last week. He's taking to it quite well and is slowly taking to the kennel as we attempt to crate train him. In a few months, I may be able to get a job outside of the house and we could possibly go to a happy hour/date. *fingers crossed* However, he's had his moments of destruction: he flipped over an entire glass of wine when he fell head first off the couch; he ate up my Oakley's; he tore off part of Cotswold's horns; destroyed a contact case (but no the contacts) and proceeded to have the runs for a few days; and sort of damaged my Garmin GPS watch. He really tries your patience.
6. Huntington Beach is sort of dog friendly. They have a dog beach, but you can't attach your dog to any of the railings near restaurants downtown. There is one dog friendly restaurant near the dog park, but it's only open for breakfast and lunch. Thus, we haven't really eaten out at many restaurants and I can't give you much of an update on the food culture. Chris, however, eats Mexican food for lunch several times a week and assures me that it is fantastic. I can tell you that we found the greatest sandwich shop ever and if you come visit, we'll definitely take you there.
7. Things are a touch more expensive here than they are in DC. Beers are $7 at bars and since I don't know any of the bartenders, it's not as if I'll get a free one here or there. I haven't really purchased gas, but it's in the high $3's and often over $4/gal.
8. People don't wear shoes? We've noticed this a lot, but it could be because we live in Surf City, USA. It seems shoes are an option here, or at least in downtown HB. Speaking of people, everything you've heard is true. Everyone seems to surf; people totally roller blade; and most guys qualify as bros.
Well, I think that's the gist of it. We've spent the last month or so getting everything unpacked, buying more furniture, and setting up the house. We've met the Chelsea group here, but the bar is a good 20 minute drive away and the games can be at awful hours (4:45 a.m.) so it can be a bit difficult to make it out there.
I'll update again when we do something exciting!
- Kate
