Emuzines

…is a big one!  We’re moving on Thursday.  I have been slowly getting ready (physically and emotionally, I guess) for awhile, so I’m pretty prepared.  Although…I have to admit I’m still half in denial, and half excited.  I think I listed random things that I’m excited about in another post…it’s the little things that get me happy.  I am also pretty hopeful about fall being a pretty season up there, and Nik said that he’d instruct JoJo to bring Mommy some pretty fall leaves home from her walks.  I want to do lots of fall-y things, not only because the fall scrapbook supplies are so cute (…), but because I loooove all things fall.  I already picked my pumpkin soup recipe.  So…I’m excited about a lot of things.  I’m actively ignoring the things I am scared about…and focusing on happy things and on planning things to look forward to.  We’ve arranged the move so that I get to come and see my Aunt Sharon next week, before out second trip up to Davis.  She’s always a ton of fun (i.e. human pyramids, rolling on pool tables, Scooby Snacks, and Twister) and will be in LA for just a little while for her friend’s wedding.  Hopefully, I’ll also be able to fit in some more birthday celebrations for Mandi (Disneyland!) and as much more fun as possible.

So here’s our adorable new front door.  I don’t know what it is that I like so much about it.  Maybe the turquoise frame (which sounds terribly tacky until you see it).  The apartment complex is beautiful and in a great area, and…it has a washer and dryer in unit–my greatest selling point which Nik was pretty neutral about.  I like to wash one shirt at a time…they’re delicate…  We’re within walking distance of downtown Davis and lots of restaurants, but far enough away that it’s very quiet and secluded.  We’re also a short jump on the freeway away from downtown Sacramento, where I’ll be working and which I fell in love with on my first trip up there.  It’s a really cool downtown.

Speaking of which, with all of the preoccupation regarding the move, I’ve barely thought about or prepared for what this is all about…getting my Ph.D.  When I think about that I am extremely excited, especially about where I’ll be researching, at the MIND Institute (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders–http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/MINDInstitute/).  This place is the reason that I chose UC Davis.  It is the top-notch research institute for autism in the world, and I can’t believe how lucky I am to be able to work there from day one!  My Memere says that they’re lucky to have ME…but seriously, this place is incredible.  I can’t wait to start there and to find a cure for autism.  That is what this is all about…

I’ve got to admit, I’m surprised that Nik’s got me beat 3:1 in amount of posts, as I usually grab onto new fun things a tad obsessively.  I am really excited about this new space, and will love it even moreso after we move and are updating everyone about our new home, how JoJo does without a backyard, working through a Ph.D. program, living near cows, etc., etc.  Hopefully we’ll also be able to post a lot of pictures of our new place and the area, which is really a very cute, quiant little town very close to the pretty darn cool downtown Sacramento.  I want to thank Nik for all of the great work he’s done on this site and, especially, for surprising me with a Scrapbook section (check it out, it’s fun)!

We leave in 6 days and I have been pretty productive in getting ready.  I’ve packed a lot and have arranged PG&E, furniture delivery, etc.  Nik and I are very different in that I want it all done BEFORE we get there, while he wants to do it WHEN we get there.  I’m not sure if we compromised or if he gave in, but I feel very satisfied in how we arranged it all.  Many things are done…but once we get up there, there will still be just enough to do to keep us busy but not overly stressed out.  I’m excited to get our new place set up, so that we can cuddle with supersoft blankets on the (not yet found) couch and watch (found) Sex and the City, make fondue in our new fondue pot (thanks to Melissa and Jason), take Jo to the dog park, sleep on fancy and soft sheets, and…oh yeah…start working on that Ph.D…

Nik taught me tonight that “blog” is short for “web log.”  I’m excited because this “web logging” seems like a fun way to keep track of what is going on in this point of our lives, to share it with our friends and family, and to look back upon these times later.  We’re in a transition period right now, getting ready to move up to Davis in about a week.  We’ll have a lot to report in the next few months!  Glad to share it with you.