February

The month where I am dying for a break from the cold and snow. The highlight of the month was Mr. Bluth's birthday, but we still have yet to celebrate because we have spent the month busy doing many other things. Mr. Bluth spent most of the month preparing for a competition over his birthday weekend in DC. His team argued quite well; the case was about some international water rights issues and he returned home just in time for me to leave to San Diego. My work was kind enough to hold their annual conference in San Diego. So off I went to spend five days in the most beautiful city in the US. I ran almost everyday along the water and I had forgotten what it is like to run without wearing five layers. Let's be honest: This negative degree weather and icy sidewalks has detoured me from running at all. (Another brutal winter in our books is making me appreciate even more that I got to serve my mission in San Diego. Everyday I ask the Mr. when we can move there and I don't think he really understands the seriousness in my question.) I worked during the day and then had time in the evening to visit with some of my favorite people. It was magical and San Diego is probably the only place that I can go and be okay with being separated from the Mr. for five days or more.

I threw my bags down as soon as I checked into the hotel and walked right back out the door and went for a walk. I sat down by these trees and looked out into the ocean and completely lost track of time. Mediation/technology free time/pondering, whatever you want to call it, is so good for the soul.

The hotel was on the waterfront and next to downtown so I continued to walk all over those streets. Thanks to Chicago, most downtown areas seem so small to me now, but I still loved every street and building that I saw.

Saturday I had a break from my conference in the morning so I ran to the BEST and most legitimate Mexican taco shop. I had 1.5 hours until I had to be back so I put my running shoes on and hustled over in my dress. The place was just over a mile from the hotel. I arrived at 9:20 and the line was already way out the door. A line coming out of the door is actually the only way that I have seen this place. Everything about this establishment makes my heart want to burst; from the very elderly lady working the cash register who only speaks Spanish, to the pigeons that have flown into the building, to the fresh tortillas that were just cooked in lard. Is your mouth watering yet? As I was leaving with a very full belly, it started to rain. It turned into a downpour and there I was running without an umbrella as I had to get back to the conference. And getting soaked, it was still completely worth it. The rain did stop before I made it to the hotel and the sun came out to help dry me off a bit. 

My last night I rode the train to Old Town (that ride alone could be its own post). I walked around and saw everything that I saw everyday during my mission because I lived in Old Town the entire time. I loved walking around the square that I used to run in the mornings, including passing the court house we would go clean while wearing our period style clothing and bonnets. I got some more Mexican food for dinner and then met up with some friends at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. I arrived early and sat on the porch in the rocking chairs. I rocked in a chair and wanted to cry as I remembered so many details about my mission that I have not thought about for a long time. We went on a tour together (not the rocking chairs, my friends and I) and it is still hard for me not to get up and start giving it as that tour is engraved in my mind and heart.

The best part was going to church right before I left to fly home. I sat in between two individuals that I had tried my hardest to serve, but in the end they did so much more for me. Between all the Mexican food and seeing so many friends who have continued to progress and follow the example of Jesus Christ, I was filled to the brim.

Oh, and the work conference went well.