San Diego and Saudi Arabia

Mike made it home from his annual trip to the middle east. I can't say it gets easier... but I don't worry as much as I did the very first time he went. He said he won't be going back next year. (But that's what he said last year... so I'm not counting on it) I try not to watch shows like 24, or turn on CNN. I pretend he's in Florida.
I learn a lot about myself when he's gone for long periods of time. I realize more of my shortcomings, and surprise myself with some of my capabilities. I get scared of what my life would be like if I ever lost him. There's that thought in the back of my mind that thinks "maybe I won't see him again" or "What if something happened?... would I feel like I made the most of our time together?" I realize that I take him for granted. I also gain a great respect and appreciation for the wives and mothers who have husbands gone like that a lot. I feel blessed that he doesn't travel too much anymore.
In the month of January he was gone more than he was away... which is hard on him, but I got to go with him to San Diego for a few days before he left for Saudi. Thanks to my Mom, who came up here and stayed with the girls... I got some R & R while Mike worked. I looked at the ocean every morning I woke up and every night as the sun went down. (and multiple times during the day) The view of the Bay from our room was beautiful. Our hotel, the Omni was amazing. Funny thing... there was a club in Provo called the Omni. It was an interesting place, and I have some pretty crazy memories from there... so I had to giggle a little every time I would say it.
The minute we walked off the plane I felt the humidity as I breathed... I looked at Mike and said "THIS is the type of air I am meant to breathe!" It was an amazing 72 degrees, one day we had a little chill, but nothing like Utah.
Our hotel was incredible! We had some type of gift in our room every night. A plate of fruit and cheese, chocolate dipped strawberries, one night we came home to a bottle of nice wine. The service was great, the sheets were high thread count, and the bathroom was very modern. (I love hotel rooms that have cool bathrooms... don't know why, but I do!)
That first night Mike took me to an amazing place for Indian food in the Gaslamp District, called Masala. It was delish. I'm a little obsessed with Indian/Nepali food and culture at the moment... not sure why. (Mike's co-worker from Nepal had our entire family over for dinner recently. His wife made some incredible dishes. I was proud of my kids for trying everything... they surprisingly liked most of it. Indian and Nepali food are very similar... but Indian food tends to be spicier)
The next day Mike and I went to the USS midway. We had fun on our little self-guided tour. My Grandpa is a Sonar engineer and inventor, he spent a lot of time on submarines... I can't imagine living in such close quarters... It makes me nauseous just thinking about it! Mike couldn't stand up in any of the rooms! He took 80% of the tour bend over. I couldn't even stand up in many of the areas. The jets were really my favorite. I think we just were happy for some alone time together. We started thinking... and the last time we spent ALONE time away from the kids was our trip to Miami Beach/Mexican Cruise we took in March 2010. It kind of seems like a lifetime away. We ate dinner at a nice Piano Bar... good music and good food.
Mike had to start working the next day... so I explored the a little more. The Gaslamp was right out the front door of the hotel. There were fun shops and boutiques. Of course I made it over to Horton Plaza... the best mall.
Tuesday I took a bus up to Old Town. I heard great things about the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center... and boy did it live up to the reviews. It was incredible! The missionaries were so cute, and the history was really enlightening. Even if you are not LDS, it is a great part of Western US history! I walked up to Heritage Park and went into a really cool old church. I did a little shopping... found a Buddhist jewelry shop. I got a dorje pedant, and some OM symbol rings. The jewelry came from India, Nepal, and Tibet. I took myself to a fabulous lunch at Casa de Reyes then headed back to the hotel.
That night we went out with Mike's co-workers. I was the only spouse... but it wasn't too bad.
I spent the first day exploring the Gaslamp District, that's where we stayed... so it was easy access. It was fun, with lots of little shops and fun restaurants.
I found a PM school and scheduled an appointment with a Phase 2 student. It was fun, and nice to talk with someone who knew PM education... she did a great job!
That night Mike's event (PCMA) actually closed down Gaslamp's 5th Avenue for a party and concert! All the restaurants had free food along the street. There was an amazing ice bar with oysters. I tried so hard to get Mike to eat them... but he wouldn't. Darn allergies, I totally would have tried it! The concert was Kool and the Gang, a little too old for me, but the atmosphere was a ton of fun! I got to hold a wicked looking python, Mike doesn't like it when I do that stuff... but it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.
The next day we went home. It was an nice trip... and so good for us to spend some time together. Mike really is my best friend, and trips like these always make me look forward to growing old with him.