Stay Classy San Diego

It's been a fun trip so far. Here are a few photos and some information about our time in San Diego.

My Mom, Tess and Penelope dropped me and Grant off at the airport on Saturday morning. Penelope cried when we got out of the car. It was so sad! She tried to get us to take her with us by jumping into our half packed suitcase with no luck!

We went to check our bags and were told that our bag was too heavy...so we put 8 pounds of shoes into our carry-on in order to avoid the $25 bag fee for bags weighing 50+ pounds.

At the gate they made an announcement that our plane had some cracked window or something and that we'd have to wait for them to locate another plane for us to take. Knowing that we only had a 45 minute lay over in Houston, I knew we'd miss our connecting flight. Luckily there was a plane headed to San Diego flying through Birmingham and Phoenix in the next gate over. We jumped on that flight just as they were about to pull away from the hanger. However, our checked bag did not jump with us.

We arrived in San Diego around 1P. I was hoping to get our rental car quickly and head to get a drug test done for my new job before the clinic closed at 2P. That plan quickly changed when it took us 2 hours to get our rental car. The line was crazy long and then our first car had a flat tire. Good news is that we upgraded for free from an Impala to a fun Eclipse...that doesn't fit all of our bags in the trunk...but at least it has a back seat!

The timing worked out after all because Kayla got off work at 3P. We drove out to Coronado and met up with Kayla at her place. It was so cute!! I LOVE Coronado.

We went to lunch at the Village Pizzeria and then Kayla took us on a walking tour of the downtown and out to the beach near Hotel Del Coronado. The hotel itself was BEAUTIFUL. It looked a bit like the Grand Floridian at Disney World, but bigger and more authentic. Inside it had an original Thomas Edison elevator still taking guests to their rooms.

While on the beach I was able to put my toes into the Pacific Ocean for the first time! It was pretty chilly and full of seaweed. Just 15 miles South of San Diego is the border to Mexico. You could actually see Mexico from the beach on Coronado Island. On the way back from the beach we went to a bar with some of Kayla's friends from Cross Fit. We learned a lot about Cross Fit. It is a pretty interesting gym that Kayla and her friends are quite obsessed with...in a good way!

That night we were exhausted. We had to run back to the airport to pick up our suitcase that didn't make it out on the flight we took. When we got back to Kayla's she had made us homemade apple pie. It was the perfect way to end a great day in Coronado.

On Sunday we got up early and headed out to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. We got to the park at around 7:45A and were able to see the amazing rose gardens and cacti. It was a real taste of the Southwest.

We arrived at the zoo just minutes before it opened at 9A. We only had a few hours, so we walked fast and saw the entire property before noon! It just started getting busy as we left. The Pandas were super cute, but lazy! They didn't move one bit. Our favorite animals were the hippos, the tortoises and the polar bear who acted just like Penelope. It was a fun morning.

We drove back over to Kayla's just in time to have some of her famous Monkeybread for lunch. It was SO good! After we ate we walked to the Coronado Island ferry to take it to downtown San Diego to see the Padres face the Reds. The ferry ride was really pretty and downtown San Diego was very nice and very clean. I was really impressed. Next time we come we'll have to spend more time down there. There was a lot to see and do. We walked from the ferry stop to Petco Park. Petco Park is located in the heart of downtown San Diego and is surrounded by hotels with rooftop viewing areas. It was a beautiful ballpark. The game was tied going into the 11th inning when we left and I predicted the game would go on for 18 innings...later that night I found out that my prediction was correct!!

After the game Grant and I headed to Old Town to meet up with my friends from Nashville who recently relocated to San Diego. We ate at an authentic Mexican restaurant - a must while your in Southern California.

We got back to Kayla's at around 9:30, packed and headed to the City of Angels.

An end and a new beginning

Just after Nick's graduation PLAYERS week was upon us. THE PLAYERS Championship is one of the best golf tournaments on the PGA TOUR and takes place right here in Ponte Vedra. This year it was a bittersweet week as on Monday of PLAYERS week the announcement was made and it was officially my last PLAYERS week as a TOUR employee.

Given that it would probably be the best opportunity for me to snag a photo and meet my favorite golfer, Camilo Villegas, I spent every free moment on the course before play started on Thursday. On Wednesday I found saw him practicing his putting near the clubhouse. I patiently waited for him to finish and walk towards the clubhouse. When he left the putting green I made my move. I walked up to him, introduced myself and asked if I could get a photo with him. I tried explaining how big a fan I was and that we both went to UF. I probably came off completely ridicules, but he stopped said hi and I was able to get my photo and, in turn, leave the TOUR knowing that I had met him.

The week was crazy busy in the office. Grant had a few friends who came to visit. We had a great week. By Saturday night I was EXHAUSTED. We all went out, but I had to leave early fearing that I would fall asleep out at the bar. Sunday morning I took my Mom to Mother's Day brunch at the clubhouse and we were able to catch Camilo finish up his round on 16, 17 and 18. It wasn't his best tournament finish, but it was nice to see him finish.

I came back later in the day to see the end of the tournament and spend time with some friends. That night my brothers, Tess and I took my Mom out to dinner. It was a fun Mother's Day and PLAYERS Sunday.

Now back to the part about me leaving the TOUR...I've accepted a new job as a sales rep for Eli Lilly. My territory will be Jacksonville and down South towards Port Orange/Sanford/Deltona. I am really excited about starting something new and different. I cannot wait to learn about a completely different industry, one that I never really thought I'd work in. I think it will be a great opportunity for growth. I start for Lilly on June 6th, leaving 2 almost 2 weeks for a break in between positions. Grant and I already had a trip planned to California and then decided to add on a few days in Vegas to celebrate the new job. I am very excited about our vacation, but I know we will both miss Penelope very much.

Graduation

There is not much better than Graduation Sunday in Gainesville. Gainesville will always be a place that I hold near and dear. I spent 5 and a half years there, met and fell in love with my husband there, met some of my closest friends there and so much more. I think in a way I discovered who I was there. It is a great town with a great university and wonderful people and now no Zaccardis. Nick graduated from the University of Florida's College of Journalism on Sunday, May 4.

Let's start at the beginning...


In the early morning hours on Sunday I was out with Jordan and Marin at a fabulous restaurant in Chicago called Carnivale. We had a great time chatting over amazing food and drinks. Jordan and I got back to her place around 1:45A. I went to pack my things - trying to fit all that I brought and all that I bought (a couple suits at the Limited, 2 pairs of shoes and goodies from Kirschbaum's) into my one carry on suitcase and shopping bag. It was quite a feat once I got it all to fit. We got into bed around 2:30A.

Just as soon as I laid my head on my pillow the alarm went off at 4:30A. I brushed my teeth, washed my face and we hit the road to the airport. At the airport I grabbed some breakfast and boarded my 9:35A flight to Jacksonville. We stopped in another one of my favorite cities, Nashville, on the way to Jax. Too bad I didn't have a few days to spend there! Instead I arrived in Jacksonville at 10:30A. I was so excited to see Grant as he picked me up to take me straight to Gainesville.

We drove the 1 hour 45 minute drive through Baldwin, Starke and Waldo to Gainesville and arrived at around noon. Graduation was at 2P. Perfect timing for a quick bite to eat. We snagged a spot at the bar at Ivey's Grille - one of my most favorite breakfast spots in Gainesville. After brunch we went to the O'Connell Center for Nick's graduation. Luckily my family saved us seats.

Before graduation I spoke to Nick on the phone. I told him that he should put something on his graduation cap so that we could find him in the crowd. I suggested an "I" for his favorite college, the University of Illinois - Champaign Urbana. I noticed that he took my advice and his hat was decorated with a large "I" fashioned from masking tap. Other interesting decorations included the always popular "Thanks Mom" and a very unique Chicago Cubs graphic/logo.

After the ceremony the family (me, Grant, my Mom, Dad, Aunt Diane, Uncle John, Nick, Mike, Zack and Tess) walked over to the College of Journalism for an after party. Somehow in the madness of hundreds of graduates and family members we lost my Dad, which, in turn, made my Mom get very stressed. That is never a good thing. Grant and I decided to leave the after party to guarantee a table for a celebratory dinner at Carrabba's, Nick's choice for his family dinner. On the way back to our car we ran into my Dad in the parking lot. I called and told my Mom so she could stop stressing and enjoy the afternoon. We took my Dad to Carrabba's and got a table for the group. Dinner was had, presents were given and then we drove back to Ponte Vedra Beach. At this point I was pretty exhausted, yet still lasting with just 2 hours of sleep. What kept me going was the fact that I'd get to see Penelope when I arrived back home and boy was she excited to see me!

It was the longest day ever, but I was/am so proud of Nick. He did amazing things during his time at UF both academically and socially. However, most importantly, he became a very amazing young man whom I am proud to call my brother.

Comings ang Goings

Let's start where I left off. A couple of weeks ago I went to Chicago to visit my Aunt Dorothy who is sick with stage 4 colon cancer. I arrived in Chicago late on Wednesday night. On Thursday and Friday I spent most of the day with Do, going to lunch and to the mall while she napped. She was in great spirits. We spent a lot of time talking about everything. There were many moments when I was fighting back tears, knowing that this could be one of the last times I am able to spend quality time with her. I was able to help her do some laundry and other household chores. I also went to the store to pick up some food for her. On Friday we even went for a short walk together. It was the first time she'd been outside for a walk other than going to the car to go to the hospital or doctor's office in weeks. It was a blessing to see her doing so well.

While I wasn't with Do I was able to spend much needed time with my best friends. Jordan and Marin were there to cheer me up and help provide some balance to the trip. We went out to eat, shopping and just enjoyed being together.

On the plane ride home it really hit me that I might not see Do again or be able to hug her. I know that on one of my next trips up I'll be going to say my final farewell to Do. I am not sure how to prepare for that...but I know that I'll be surrounded by my friends and family and so will Do and that is all I can really ask for.