Lots of new things

So many new things! Last weekend Gregg and I drove to Sierra Nevada Mountains near Fresno to attend African Drum and Dance camp (Camp Fareta). It was absolutely amazing / relaxing / inspiring / peaceful / etc, etc, etc. Only further encouraged our impending move to Berkeley, CA.

Why Berkeley? As many people seem to be asking me this as asked "Why Utah?!"

While we IMMENSELY enjoy owning our own home (and paying a mere $730 a month in morgage) - we have evolved in ways that don't seem to be easily supported by the communities we have met here. We seem to be leaning further and further left every day (which is always frustrating in THE reddist state in our fair union).

We have been rabidly educating ourselves on food, nutrition, and the politics of food. That passion has driven us to try to eat as local and organic a diet as possible - something that isn't always easy here in SLC.

I think the biggest factor is that we aren't meeting enough people here that really drive and inspire us, that we fit in with. I feel like I am constantly making excuses for the weird stuff I eat, or the excessively liberal politics I believe in.

I also want more opportunity, more diversity. I want to have more options - higher quality options for education. I don't want to notice every time I see a black person, because it's been so damn long since I have seen one!

So we head out August 26th on our new adventure. We are renting out our house for a year and trying it out. We will GREATLY miss being close to the mountains, and may never get used to the greater distance. The Tahoe resorts are a mere 3ish hours away, and hopefully that will keep us satisfied.

Although packing up the last 3 years of our life, the house we put so much time and money into is hard - But I am so excited about this move - I just cannot wait.

Getting closer to livable - new floors and one less wall!!!

These are actually outdated even as I post this - more to come soon!!!!

Teardown!

DUST!!! MY NEMESIS!!!

Textured Ceilings!! My OTHER nemesis!!!

At it again, the tear down before the new reno!!! (they call it reno instead of renovation in Australia, I like the nickname!)

Newest House Reno

When we arrived home from Australia, within minutes of being into out home, we noticed mushrooms growing out of the carpet. Just a few hours later, carpet, wall and tile were ripped up, and we got site of the water damage. Over the next few months, we tore out walls and replaced surfaces - trying to fix and improve upon our house on little money.

Initial tear down within hours of getting home

Initial tear down within hours of getting home

Home and Married

Gregg and I decided to get hitched in Reno on the way home from Australia! Here are some pictures!

The hike before the big day with the doggies, Kevin and Denise.

The party hike the night before the big day!!! Denise and Kevin suprised us with wine and blingy rings.

Gregg's unofficial proposal.

Me, Gregg and the Justice of the Peace, Dave

Justice of the Peace Dave signing the Marriage Certificate

Standing up, ready to take the vows.

Right after the vows.

Waiting to get married

The delicious after party at El Adobe in Reno.

The delicious after party at El Adobe in Reno.

The delicious after party at El Adobe in Reno.

Hanging out with friends on the Wedding Night

Me, Gregg and Denise on Wedding Night!

Fiji / New Zealand / Australia

Gregg and I will be traveling through Fiji, New Zealand and Australia (where we will live in Melbourne) until late 2009 -
Please follow our travels here!

http://www.samanthafarbman.com/Journals/australia/Intro.html