SAN DIEGO for Lauren's wedding October 15 2009

Lauren, Newbie, and I at their wedding reception.
WOOOOOO LAUREN GOT MARRIED! Holy moly one of my closest friends got married and I was honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. I jumped on a plane and got to San Diego the Thursday before the Saturday wedding. The plan, show up, settle in, bachelorette party, help prepare for wedding, wedding! It was nice to fly somewhere for once instead of drive.


When I landed in San Diego I had to make my way to Encinetas. This means a bus, a train, and a bit of a walk. Good thing I only packed a backpack. The public transportation system was super easy to manuver and the train, the Coaster, was just lovely. You could compare it to Salt Lake City's "Front Runner". I sat on the top deck and was blessed by a lovely view of the coast along the way. Thus the name "Coaster".




After seeing a surfer moon the entire train and walking a little around downtown Encinetas I made my way the half mile to the hotel and checked in. There was going to be 4 of us staying in our room so I was happy to see two queen sized beds. Lauren, her sister Lillis, Briana (lauren's cousin) and me. Yes that's right ladies I was the last person to share a bed with the bride before her wedding! haha. That thursday night we batchlorette partied it up. Sorry, I cant say what we did...


The next day was a serious prep day with Lo's family. Her mom and dad came from the Congo and her sister Lillis came from Kenya so it was amazing to spend time with them and a rush to get everything done.

They don't look like they're from Africa at all ;) I love them.

We had the rehearsal dinner and I got to know some of the other people involved in the wedding. Good times. Good peeps. The rehearsal dinner was beautiful. It was a warm warm day and the evening was still 70 degrees or so. Our main light was candlelight and I loved hearing what everyone had to say about Lauren and her (then)fiancee Newbie.






So Newbie was like the total bomb. He was personable, good looking, and he seemed patient and honest. What he said at the rehearsal dinner was lovely and very insightful. I got to know him a little better Friday night after the rehearsal dinner. They opened up their new apartment to us all and we played guitar and sang and chilled. It was so refreshing! I am so proud of them and so happy that Lauren has such an amazing (now) husband!!! AHH! It's just crazy. Anyway..

The wedding was beautiful. It was on the lawn of their church that overlooks the city and the weather was hot and perfect! Lauren had us dance down the isles with our groomsmen and mine dipped me! We were for SURE the best dancers ;) well maybe. lol
I almost cried a million times during the ceremony. It was perfect. We decorated the whole place with wild flowers and there were butterflies everywhere. One even almost landed on Newbie during the ceremony. My fav part was that they wanted to do communion before they had their first kiss as husband and wife. That meant a lot to all of us. It was perfect!!!!!! Good job you guys and thank God! Lauren's brother who was stuck in Texas due to flight problems even made it JUST in time to see the ceremony. Praise God!





After the wedding we cleaned up and headed to a park for a potluck reception. It was perfect... except for the BEERLYMPICS going on right next to us. lol it turned out to be a good thing. They even provided the music for the first dance. I can't wait to get all of the pictures (not sure how to get them). We decorated Newbie's truck and sent them on their way. Ok, so, no joke, the second they left FOG rolled in- SO BAD that you could bearly see 10 feet in front of you. Good weather for the whole thing and the second it was over FOGGY- so much fog that when I finally made it to the ocean it was bearly visible! haha. So much fog that all of our flights were delayed HOURS. The night before, though, I meandered into a free concert at a downtown coffee house and there were peopel from the wedding there! I chilled with them then went out to pizza with some more of the wedding party. Lauren, your friends are the bomb.
Next day I made it home on time even though flights were delayed. What a wonderful long weekend.

Lets do it again!
We could be closer than you know,

San Diego, CA- 01/24/08

San Diego, CA

I woke up yesterday morning at my girl Lauren's house in San Diego and man I felt horrible. Thanks Glass House for keeping the doors open throughout the show keeping the whole place freezing cold and damp. (the temp was low and it rained all night) There is a bug going around and every body's band has been effected. I guess it was my turn. I had a fever and couldn't get very far without feeling very week. I sucked it up anyway and went with Laurena and Lydia to take Lydia to the beach for the first time in her life. She had never seen the ocean!!! That was a fun experience... except afterwards I felt like crappp. We stopped to meet one of Lauren's friends on the way back to her pad but by the time we got back I thought I was going to die.


SO- when everybody else went to the show, I stayed at Lauren's house to sleep. Thank GOD we were staying there for two night in a row or else I wouldn't have been able to do that. After sleeping almost all day except for the few times I ate, and listened to The Rock pod cast, and talked to my wonderful boyfriend, I felt a lot better. I slept all night and now, the next morning, I at least have enough strength to chill with everyone and push forward to the next show. This was a day of much needed rest.


My best sick pic
We just ate like the best breckfast I've ever had (including the worlds most amazing bacon!) and I'm ready for the rest of the day. Don't get me wrong, though, I think we are all going to try to take it easy for a few days. xo

We could be closer than you know,
Chelsea

San Bernardino & San Diego, California

Guess where I went this past weekend (well not this PAST weekend but LAST weekend)?

That's right... CALIFORNIA (my favorite state... not).
This past weekend I decided to go to California and visit my most awesome friend Lauren Weeks! She's been in the process of moving from the mountains near San Bernardino to San Diego so I thought what the heck why not lend a helping hand and help her drive her stuff the two hours south. Lauren had been working at a Christian Camp for the last, well, over a year now, and now is feeling called toward other opportunities. I love the girl.

The drive there was something amazing. It took me just about 9 hours to make it to San Bernardino and then it took us another hour and a half to two hours to go from SB to San Diego. I drove it alone in my little Subaru (naturally) and, like any other kid who has never seen the desert or any rocky mountains other than those I have here in Utah I was freaking out at how strange the terrain was. I took a million pictures for those of you who have also never experienced the "wild west". Here you go: (scroll down if you want to just skip them and continue reading)

Utah on my way to California



















Arizona ( There was only about 20 minutes of Arizona to drive through but it was my fav part!







































Nevada
















































California

































When I finally got to Alpine, where I was meeting Lauren, I got a chance to hang out with my friend Chris. Lauren still had a bit of a drive ahead of her so I chilled with him and talked music for a bit. I really missed that kid. I met him last year or so when I went to Alpine and stayed for a few days during spring break. I got a chance to snowboard there and write a little
music all the while enjoying free food and houseing thanks to the awesome people who work there. They are truly followers of Christ. Chris and I became friends right away because, I think, not many others working at the camp appreciate the same kind of music that we like haha. ANyway it was killer to spend some time with him. He is one of the coolest guys I know and gives me hope and a little reminder that there are amazing good Christian men everywhere- you only have to find them:)




I got to spend a ton of time with Lauren. She is so amazing. I always learn so much when I hang out with her. Lauren is like the definition of "Roll with the Punches". That girl is on fire for the Lord and I can only hope that some day I can be as much as an example for the Lord as she is. I love her so much and I miss her even more. She was already living 9 hours away from me and there I was helping her move 2 hours further away. Oh well. She's AMAZING. That's all I can say- here, see for yourself!

Lauren introduced me to many cool people (as always). I'm so glad I got a chance to spend some time in California. Yes I know I know... I always talk about how much I HATE California. Technically I do dislike California but let me tell you, Lauren and her friends shed their light on everything they touch, see, smile upon. California isn't that bad knowing Lauren and her people are there.

She took me to a Church called Tiphany. It was amazing. She used to call it her "Hardcore Church"... only upon going to it with her did I understand why. All of a sudden I found myself surrounded by tons of rock and roll kids in a crawlspace that looked more like a venue than a church (i later found out it was used as both). I got a chance to listen to one of the most passionate ministers speak about the future plans for his family and his church. His name was Tommy and he started the church a few years back not even knowing he was starting a church. He began just by ministering to the lost and broken kids who felt uncomfortable at their parent's church. Next thing you know the kids are calling his weekly ministering their church and it all sprouted from there. He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders and the best part was he was a "hardcore kid" haha. No joke, the man started hardcore dancing during his lesson that night to explain something he had said. I was like YESS! haha.

As it turns out I ended up at Tiphomy at the strangest time. See, Lauren and I weren't even going to GO to that church until something happened with Lauren's ID and she couldn't go to work on Sunday. When we were discussing what to do with the new free time we were facing since she coudln't work she jokingly said "we could drive back to San Bernardino and go to my hardcore church." I just couldn't let it go. I was like yea dood what is 2 hours right? She had to go to the dmv up there on monday anyway and I would seriously rather leave from SB than from SD because it would shave 2 hours off of my trip home on monday. We figured we were crazy but we went anyway. What a good decision.

I guess Tommy and his wife Krissy were announcing to the church that night their plans for the next couple months. They have decided that they should move to Salt Lake City because Tommy has a daughter that was born many years ago that he wants to take responsibility for. They told the church this past Sunday about their plans and about what they will be doing the next few months before they leave (they are moving April 1st) to secure good leadership for the Church. We prayed over the new leadership team and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. It was strange.

OK, wait... SALT LAKE CITY?! These amazing Christ-loving people after my own heart are moving to SALT LAKE CITY!!??!??!?! Ok let me tell you, reader, real quick HOW GOD WORKS:

When Tommy's wife, Krissy was up talking infront of the church about the plans and how she is supportive it was aparant that she was a little nervous and scared. California has always been her home and she is moving to support her husband. She is in school and doing other things with the church and I could tell she was a little freaked out. I talked to them and some of the other leaders afterwards. I just wanted to pump everyone up about how cool SLC really is and how much I love it. I told Krissy that I would prepare a place for her and maybe even build her a bicycle. Everyone freaked out. They were like "huh? YOu are here? AND today? This is cool!" I had a few kids come up to me who were very close to Tommy and Krissy and tell me that they were praying about me in hope that someone could be their connection. I guess they don't know many people in SLC- especially people who want to get pumped up and involved. They all thought my being there was a sign that everything will be ok. How crazy. I love how God works things out!! THANK GOD Lauren went to that church! Now I have something exciting to look forward to in April. Tommy is also in a sweet band- check them out- they are called Sleeping Giant. Yea, Facedown Records, no joke.

Let me just add one more thing in there. I have been praying to get some answers for the music side of my company Veritaz Productions. Nothing seems to have been adding up latley. After I met Tommy I think more things will be adding up. We will probably be shooting a video for their first show in Utah in early April after they move. This will provide us with an example of our work for our music festival tour this summer. Until now I didn't have a plan or the right band for that. I didn't want to use an unsigned band but at the same time I didnt' want to use a band that had been signed for a long time. His band has JUST been signed to Facedown so it would be the perfect example. Now I just have to raise a little money to get the crew out here. I'm so excited. God does things so well... even IF it's all in HIS time. haha.






So ANYWAY.. That was my trip in a nutshell. The only other things that happened were I got to meet more of Lauren's friends... Davey and his boys ruled... that's him to the right huggging Lauren. One of his bandmates starts his "car" with a knife. haha...I saw a snail for the first time and dood those things are huggeeee and they have the coolest eyeballs of the animal kingdome (if you can even call those things eyeballs). I ate at this rad 50's diner on my way home and had a King Kong Club sandwich.. (one wonders why they don't continue with the K motif and spell club with a "K" until um.. you write it out... and um.. nevermind haha). I bought my house mate Jenee a bullett keychain and drove on a road called "Ghost Town Road"... enjoyed more of the desert and made it home in one piece. Werd up. Long enought post right? Ok I'm done:) Just scroll down and see the proof of my writings hahaha.