Since I've been gone for two weeks now, I thought I would give you all a little update on what's been going on in Pennsylvania. It seems crazy that I've been here that long already! The pictures above are some of the highlights from my trip so far.
During the week, I have the first half of the day to myself. That's when I write, work on music, etc. I'm kind of surprised to tell you that I have been spending more time with my ukulele than the guitar. I will be honest and say that part of the reason is simply that it is much easier to transport. Regardless though, I'm excited to be breaking into some new ground with the uke. I'm working on an interesting cover, that is a bit more challenging instrumentally. I think you guys will really enjoy it!
The last half of the day, I'm either with Connor (The fiance) or Sabrie (The sister). It has been so refreshing to be able to spend time with them. I haven't seen Sabe since December, and Connor since the beginning of January. If these last two weeks have taught me anything...it is that quality time with the people you love is so important. I can't explain to you how significant the difference is between talking to someone face to face and Skyping/talking on the phone is. Going on real dates is much more fun than trying to watch the same movie at the same time from half a country away.
Story time:
1. Connor and I went to take my engagement ring in to get resized because it was too big. When I had someone size me in Oklahoma, she told me I was a size 5. (But for whatever reason, the place in OK would not resize my ring down to a 5....but when Connor talked to the place he bought it from in PA, they said they could do it no problem!)
So, when Connor and I went in to the jewelery store, the lady asked me what size I wanted it resized to, and I told her. She offered to double check and resize me again, and so of course I said yes! You can never be too sure with these things. She tells me that really, I'm not a size 5...I'm actually a size 4 1/2. I think both Connor and I had a little bit of doubt, but neither of us said anything to her. She is the expert, right?
Well, a few days go by, and Connor gets a call saying that the rings are ready early! So, we chugged our coffee (because naturally we were at a coffee shop) and half ran/half speed walked to the car so we could go pick them up before dinner with his family.
When we got there, I was so excited and weirdly nervous as if he were asking me to marry him all over again. I tried them on...and I could get them on my fingers, but I was so excited and nervous that when Connor asked me if they fit, all I could do was say "Of course they do!" Well...as we were leaving the building...and walking away...it became apparent that I may have spoken too quickly.
The rings were too small this time...I don't think anyone in the history of engaged couples has had this much trouble getting the ring to fit. So...yesterday, Connor lovingly took the rings back to the shop and sent them in to get resized...to a 5. Imagine that!
2. (Not really a story but....) Most of the time spent with my sister this trip has been spent simply talking. We are 5 (the magic number) years apart. So, when we were growing up, we weren't really all that close. When she was 15...I was 10. When she was 18...I was 13. It was always a weird age gap. The one thing that really came out of the weird age gap is that I went through my "teen angst" phase when I was 10...because I wanted to listen to the same music she was listening to. Haha! But anyway, as we have both gotten older, we have also gotten a lot closer. Now, she will be 25 with year, and I will be 20, and I think we are both in a lot better places than we used to be. I think we are both starting to figure things out, and I'm really thankful to have a woman like her in my life.
During the week, I have the first half of the day to myself. That's when I write, work on music, etc. I'm kind of surprised to tell you that I have been spending more time with my ukulele than the guitar. I will be honest and say that part of the reason is simply that it is much easier to transport. Regardless though, I'm excited to be breaking into some new ground with the uke. I'm working on an interesting cover, that is a bit more challenging instrumentally. I think you guys will really enjoy it!
The last half of the day, I'm either with Connor (The fiance) or Sabrie (The sister). It has been so refreshing to be able to spend time with them. I haven't seen Sabe since December, and Connor since the beginning of January. If these last two weeks have taught me anything...it is that quality time with the people you love is so important. I can't explain to you how significant the difference is between talking to someone face to face and Skyping/talking on the phone is. Going on real dates is much more fun than trying to watch the same movie at the same time from half a country away.
Story time:
1. Connor and I went to take my engagement ring in to get resized because it was too big. When I had someone size me in Oklahoma, she told me I was a size 5. (But for whatever reason, the place in OK would not resize my ring down to a 5....but when Connor talked to the place he bought it from in PA, they said they could do it no problem!)
So, when Connor and I went in to the jewelery store, the lady asked me what size I wanted it resized to, and I told her. She offered to double check and resize me again, and so of course I said yes! You can never be too sure with these things. She tells me that really, I'm not a size 5...I'm actually a size 4 1/2. I think both Connor and I had a little bit of doubt, but neither of us said anything to her. She is the expert, right?
Well, a few days go by, and Connor gets a call saying that the rings are ready early! So, we chugged our coffee (because naturally we were at a coffee shop) and half ran/half speed walked to the car so we could go pick them up before dinner with his family.
When we got there, I was so excited and weirdly nervous as if he were asking me to marry him all over again. I tried them on...and I could get them on my fingers, but I was so excited and nervous that when Connor asked me if they fit, all I could do was say "Of course they do!" Well...as we were leaving the building...and walking away...it became apparent that I may have spoken too quickly.
The rings were too small this time...I don't think anyone in the history of engaged couples has had this much trouble getting the ring to fit. So...yesterday, Connor lovingly took the rings back to the shop and sent them in to get resized...to a 5. Imagine that!
2. (Not really a story but....) Most of the time spent with my sister this trip has been spent simply talking. We are 5 (the magic number) years apart. So, when we were growing up, we weren't really all that close. When she was 15...I was 10. When she was 18...I was 13. It was always a weird age gap. The one thing that really came out of the weird age gap is that I went through my "teen angst" phase when I was 10...because I wanted to listen to the same music she was listening to. Haha! But anyway, as we have both gotten older, we have also gotten a lot closer. Now, she will be 25 with year, and I will be 20, and I think we are both in a lot better places than we used to be. I think we are both starting to figure things out, and I'm really thankful to have a woman like her in my life.