Catching Up

I know it has been awhile and expect it to be like this for the next five months. We left off at six days before my grandma came to California and now she has been gone for two weeks. Her stay was amazing. It was nice to see her and get some quality time together. We went to Palm Springs, saw movies, and just spent time talking. It went too fast but that's how it always goes. Time flies when you are having fun. 

I am now in school, my new school. I just finished week one at Cal State Fullerton. I am very pleased with my decision on going there. The moment I drove into that packed parking lot I knew I was where I belonged. This school is a great fit for me and my hectic schedule. All my classes are going great so far. I know this semester and all the more to come are going to be tough but I can handle it. I'm taking fifteen units this semester and according to all the counselors out there I should only be working a maximum of ten hours a week. Yeah right... There is no way to live and go to school full time if you only work ten hours a week. Unless daddy and mommy pay for everything which is not the case here. I'll be working twenty-five hours a week this semester and hopefully I don't burn myself out. Somehow I always make it to finals week and get good grades. I beat the statistics I guess. 

School and work are keeping me busy but what gets me through the day is the upcoming events in my social life. I get through the day knowing that I get to see my girls on Wednesday nights or that I get to go out on Friday with Mike and hike on Sundays. The simple things in life keep me going and that's all that matter right now. Of course you also have the big Britney Spears concert coming up in less than three months!!! That's a big thing that keeps me going. Just to think that by the time I get to that concert I will only have a month left of school. Woohoo. All in all, I am pretty busy but I don't mind. This blog is suffering from my lack of time but hey, some things are more important. 

On a lighter note, tomorrow is Superbowl!!! I want Arizona to win because I hate the Steelers. :] so we will see how that goes. Well I guess I have procrastinated long enough on some reading for class. Catch you later.

<3

Six Days...

...until my grandma arrives in California! I am taking three days off next week to spend with my beautiful grandmother. Life will be good :-)

It will also be nice for her to get away from the ten degree weather in Illinois. It's a win-win situation. I pick her up from the airport on Sunday afternoon and my mom is planning a huge dinner for the family. What a good way to start off the year! Oh yeah... Happy New Year!

<3

Delicious December Days

This Christmas was all I could ever ask for. My family of five, plus Mike, headed down to Palm Springs for the festivities this year because my uncle is renting out a house there until the remodeling on his house in Hollywood is done. It was fabulous just to get away and have three and a half days to ourselves and family. The house was great, filled with games galore and Troy even heated the pool outside (which costs about $60 a day to do) for two nights and we went swimming all weekend. Words can't describe how much fun we all had but it was terrific. Here are some pictures of opening presents. 

We all got a designer something... of course what else would we expect from high roller uncle Troy? I am  also grateful and thankful of how much my parents did for this Christmas. Thanks mom and dad! The gifts were great but it was apparent that the love in our family is strong. Now, we are all counting down the days until the last piece to that puzzle arrives from snowy Rockford. Fourteen and counting...

Where Did The Year Go?

It's amazing how fast 365 days go. We have all heard someone say "time flies" but is it really true or do we just assume that time is going by quickly? For a calendar year I would say I accomplished a lot this year. If I wrote all the things I wanted to accomplish in the near future and told myself that I would do it in a year, I would be surprised. Time may feel like it goes by quickly but it is what you do with your time that truly counts. Quality over quantity. 

I feel like this year has been very eventful. Things come to mind like school, trips, birthdays, anniversaries, parties, and work. One of the best things about this year was I finished my sophomore year in college! I am officially a junior and ecstatic about starting at CSUF next semester. I am so fortunate that I have a job that allows me to make my own schedule or else I wouldn't be able to attend school the way I do (which is full time and intense). I still can't believe I am half way done with my bachelor's degree (boy how time flies). It's all down hill from here, well kind of... I have many papers and exams ahead but I am so ready for them.

Another big adventure this year was our (Mike and I)  first big trip. We went to Chicago together for a week to visit family in Illinois. It was amazing and just great to get away from "SoCal" and experience another world practically. I got to see my grandma and loved every minute I was there. Thankfully she will be visiting us next month because I won't lie... it's been hard without her in California. I miss her so much some nights it's unbearable at times but I understand that she has to do what she has to do. I'm just glad she is in my life and can impact me even over our one hour phone calls one a week. I love her dearly.

A current milestone that is bound to happen frequently was a friend turning 21! All my friends are starting to hit their twenty-first birthday as I slowly wait for mine at the end of next year. At least I can go to a bar for mine because all my friends will be legal by then. 

Sarah was the first in our group of tight friends and she, well, got wasted. What else were you expecting? It was a blast though and it's pretty much a friend every month for the next year and a half which can get a little pricey. I should start working overtime for all these dinners and shots I will be forced to buy. All in good fun though. And to think that we were all just seventh graders not to long ago (boy how time flies).

Christmas is just around the corner, seven days to be exact, and I love shopping for other people. Surprisingly, it makes me feel better than actually shopping for myself. Shocking, I know. I am so thankful my uncle isn't on the other side of the world this Christmas and we can spend time with my close knit family. This end of the year couldn't get any better.......

Until..... Jessica and I bought Britney Spears tickets last night!!!!! We are so stoked! The concert isn't until April 20 but it is so something worth looking forward to. Britney is my dirty pleasure and Jess and I are going to have so much fun. I suggest buying tickets for something four months in advance every four months because then you always looking forward to something. It will be amazing... even though she isn't the best singer in the world, she is an amazing entertainer and she is back! It seems like yesterday she was shaving her hair off and hitting cars with bats (boy how time flies).

Quick facts of the year:

-I turned 20... no longer a teenager!

-I lived through a historical election.. first African-American president (but aren't all elections "historical").

-Mike and I celebrated our five year anniversary.

-I saw a baby be born... my god daughter Jennie.

-I got straight A's!

-I lost weight then gained it back!

-I got a Macbook (thanks for the loan Tony... 2/3 paid off!!!)

-Saw a million movies in the theater... great year for movies, finally.

-Made my friendships stronger and rekindled some!

-Went to San Diego for my first non-relative vacation ;-)

-I voted NO on prop 8... too bad it didn't pass.

-Grew as a person... sounds cheesy but true nonetheless.

-Got a raise!

-Fell more in love with the man of my dreams... if that's even possible.

With all that said... I need to blog more. I got so busy during the end of the semester that blogging was always second in line to school and working out. Sorry blog... will you forgive me? Okay good. It's settled then... more blogging it is, at least until the new semester starts :]

<3

At Peace

Alas, peace... for now. I always get into these weird moods where I get super anal about where my life is heading and how I will achieve everything. I set these huge goals up for myself and strive towards them... for a couple of weeks. Then tiredness, work, lack of time, or laziness kicks in and I forget about the so-called huge goals I set for myself. Not this time though!!! I laid out a plan for my life not including anyone else and I am extremely happy with the path it has taken me and I am excited for the near future. I will be starting at CSUF in January and I am for one really thrilled that I know what I am doing with my education and now there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It may be a long tunnel but there is still a glimmer I can see. I have decided that I am double majoring at CSUF because I want to give myself more options when I finish my degree(s). I will be majoring in Sociology and Psychology (90% sure) so I will have more opportunities for graduate school. This path will take me a semester longer in school than I had hoped but who cares. If I get a whole second degree out of my basic education then it will be worth it. I am excited for this decision because I know I have the disciple to stay focused and succeed in doing so. 

The education aspect of my "plan" is just the beginning. I have been thinking a lot about life in general and we are all alone. As "emo" as that may sound it is true. We wake up alone, we work alone, eat alone, and sleep alone. Even though people might be in the room, conversation, or bed with you... you are still living alone. This has made me realize how much time is in a day and how much a person can take on. I can do so much in a day and why not live it up? I only have this one life to live and I need to make it the best I can. I am so lucky that I have people in my life to share these experiences with. 

I have also come to realize how important exercise is to my overall being. I haven't worked out in two weeks and I feel like I am going to bite some one's head off. Not only is it good for the body, it is good for the mind. I usually do some form of physical activity four times a week and it keeps my mind sane. I am relatively a happy, optimistic person and I believe cardio has a lot to do with that. (I guess I could just be a happy person but I tell myself that so I work out). 

Lastly, I have realized what each and every one of my friendships mean to me. All my friends hold a special place in my heart and even if we only see each other once a year or once a week, you are still special to me and serve a purpose in my life. Relationships are hard to maintain and I am not the most perfect friend but I truly care about people and their lives and I hope that all my friends know that. 

Overall, I have so many things on my mind but in a refreshing way! I want to do so many things right now but I know time will bring them to me. I need to take one step at a time and I will eventually achieve everything I want out of life. I think I am finally maturing and becoming a responsible little adult. :-) That's exciting news because I need to eventually grow up. I feel like I want to do so much that I am never going to have time for a family or for kids. It's weird because when I was in high school I always thought I would just get my degree done, get a job, and have a family. My views have changed so much since then and now I am thinking... will I even have time for a family? I hope so.

<3

Another Year Down

I'm two hours away from another birthday and I feel a little different than usual because, well, it is different. I am an adult and have technically been one since my eighteen birthday but I think it is finally kicking in. My birthday this year at home had no steamers, balloons or extravagant cake but it was simple with family and a good dinner courtesy of my mommy. Don't get me wrong, my birthday dinner was excellent but it wasn't the same. I have finally realized that I will not have a "twelve year old birthday party" anymore and coming to grips with that is a little disappointing. A part of me wants to still be a kid and have a fun vivacious party but then a part of me wants to grow up and hang out with the adults and have interesting, intelligent conversations. Can't there be a middle ground? I hope I can find it because I think inside I will always be a kid. 

This week will be jam packed with two tests and a paper due but it is also filled with birthday plans as well. I think I have three dinners this week alone with people I love and I am so excited to see the ones I haven't seen in a long time. I love birthdays because it brings people together. I have already received a few gifts from a few special people and you know who you are! Thank you so much for your kindness and love! I don't know why I always feel guilty on my birthday when I get stuff... it's weird. I feel like you shouldn't be getting me something this great if anything at all. I guess I would rather give than receive (that's what she said) but it is nice to have a day all to yourself. I hope this week goes smoothly and I get enough sleep! Luckily we put the clocks back this past weekend, maybe that will help my cause. Hope you all have a good week. Don't forget to vote on Tuesday!

<3

A Whale's Vagina

I headed out to San Diego (a whale's vagina for all you Anchorman lovers out there) this past weekend. Adrienne works at the Woodfin Hotel in Cypress and gets discounted rooms on all the other Woodfin Hotel locations so we decided to make a trip down to San Diego before she quits next month. We got a two-bedroom suite, priced at $429 a night, for $99 a night. Split that price four ways and you have a cheap room for a great bargain! We had a full kitchen and living room with two complete separate rooms. It was an amazing room despite the fact we were about fifteen minutes away from all the happenings of the weekend but who can complain about a $99 room? Not me. 

That Friday we left around 1:45 pm and got to San Diego around 3 pm that afternoon. We got situated and did a quick grocery store stop because we had two boys in the room who get hungry on the hour, every hour so we needed food in our hotel room at all times. Later that night, we made reservations at an Italian restaurant, Acqua Al 2, at 7 pm and it was named Best Italian Food in San Diego for four years. I thought it was delicious. Adrienne and Justin weren't as impressed but they ordered simple meals that would not be extravagant otherwise. Mike and I, on the other hand, loved our meals. I had stuffed shells filled with ricotta cheese and spinach then baked in red sauce topped with cheese. It was the best baked pasta dish I have ever had. Delicious! The hot waiter straight out of Italy didn't disappoint either. M-E-O-W. It was overall a good first night and relaxing... Justin even reminded the waiter that it was my birthday (even though it is still a week away) and we got a free dessert.

 Good night.

The next day, Saturday, we headed down to Pacific Beach after a long night of sleeping. I slept so good the first night, I need to get curtains that block out the sun for my room so I can sleep like a rock every night. Pacific Beach was fun, it was shopping galore. The boys hated it! The little shops had some pretty good finds. Adrienne and I spotted a store where almost everything was $5 and a few fancy things for about $15. I spent a good amount of money in that store but left with a ton of stuff. While the girlies were shopping the boys went down to the pier and spent their bored hours walking around. I felt bad for them because there was no real "man shopping." One thing I noticed about San Diego is that it is normal to start drinking at 11 am in the morning. People are just drinking their Coronas at sports bars on Saturday in the morning. I was like, huh? After the long hours shopping, which is tiresome, we decided to head back to the hotel and go swimming and have a little fun. The two nights went by so fast and it was weird waking up Sunday knowing we were leaving in three hours. 

Sunday morning was relaxing because there was no set agenda. We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant, then got packed up to leave. On our way back from San Diego we stopped at the Carlsbad Outlets and shopped, again! That outlet center was an excellent find and would recommend it to anyone living in the San Diego/Orange county area. I bought a few things from the Banana Republic outlet and saved about 40% off on all the things I bought. I had to drop everyone off when we got back home and I pulled into my own garage around 5 pm. I was exhausted and needed to study for a test that I thought was going to be today but got pushed back to Wednesday. Tonight has been my recuperating night and I am going to bed a little early. 

I also had my CSUF orientation on Friday morning and that went beautifully. It was a long morning though. Check-in was 8 am and I didn't get out of there until 12:45. I got some good information about my general education and transfer units and all that. Luckily, all my UCI classes transferred perfectly and all my units are being counted towards something. I am currently a Sociology major with a Deviance/Social Problems concentration but I am seriously considering a double major option or at lease a minor in either Psychology or Criminal Justice. We will see what happens after I get in there and start taking some of those classes. It may take me a semester longer but I think it would be well worth it. 

This weekend is Halloween and I will be with Jessica and the babies, Colin and Jennie, to take them trick-or-treating. It should be fun because it will be Colin's first time out and about and he has no idea what is in store for him. He is gonna have a blast! Then Monday is my birthday and I only have one week left of my teenage-hood. Sadness... it is a big milestone. I hope all of you have an excellent Halloween! Be safe and have fun!

<3

Columbus Day

I wish everyday was Columbus Day. The freeways were amazing today! I got to school in no time and I got on the freeway from work at 5:15 pm and there was no stopping, even at interchanges! It was definitely a good day on the roads.

Busy, Busy, Busy

It seems like the days are slipping away from me. It is already almost half way through the month of October and I have still not bought a Halloween costume. It still feels like August, or at least the weather does in Orange County. 

This past weekend was a busy one with volunteer work at my sister's school. My sister is in color guard and their school was hosting a band competition this past Saturday. I decided to volunteer along with the parents and help with concessions. It was fun and I got to meet some of the students and they were super nice. Band kids are smart and fun to talk to and these were not geeky band kids like media makes them out to be. The whole day was fun but tiring. I was in charge of the hamburger line... haha and put in a total of seven hours. If that was a day at my job I would have made a good amount of money! It was nice to donate my time though. 

After the volunteering I did, I got home and started studying for some classes. I am half way through my last semester at Cypress College and trying to soak up all the last moments there with friends. In a couple of months I will be off to a new adventure again and have to adjust to a new school. I am used to this considering I have been to a total of seven schools in my sixteen years of education (including pre-school) and I am off to my eighth school. My orientation for Cal State Fullerton is next Friday and I'm excited to get the information I need to be a success and get my bachelor's degree as efficiently as possible. Good stuff. Until then I am focusing on finishing off my Cypress transcripts with all A's. This semester has been a relatively tough one though. Oceanography was nothing I was expecting and rocks are definitely not my thing. All my classes are going well and I am learning a lot so that is good. I technically only need C's in all my classes because I am already accepted to a university but if you know me... that is not acceptable. 

Other than school... I am going to San Diego next weekend for a getaway with Mike, Adrienne, and Justin. It should be true fun. We got a two-bedroom suite for real cheap because Adrienne works with a hotel chain that has a property in San Diego. It's an amazing deal and we all are excited to just get away from all worries. School, work, and parents. ;-)

Three weeks until my birthday. What are you getting me? I actually don't need anything but stuff is always nice. I just wish my grandma was here for my birthday and my uncle Troy. I feel like my whole family is gone. Grandma is in Illinois but will be coming out to California soon. Troy will be in New Zealand directing a show but that's okay, it will still hopefully be a great birthday. 

Halloween is just around the corner and I think I might be a bumble bee. I found a non-slutty one on Amazon and hope I can buy it soon. I need to get paid first. It's real cute and I have been wanting to be a bee for quite some time. We will see.

I guess that is all for now lovelies. Here is a picture that Mike and I took this past weekend. Don't we look smart? I think it's the glasses.

<3

Homecoming

Tonight was the lovely night for my brother and sister. It was my sister's first homecoming with a date and the whole day consisted of hair, nails, and makeup. On the other hand, Josh got ready in about thirty minutes. Kendra got her dress from Macy's and luckily my mom and I work with a lady who works part-time there and let us buy Kendra's homecoming dress with her employee discount so we got it for almost half off. It was adorable. Since we are trying to save money in all ways possible... I did Kendra's nails (which looked fabulous) and makeup and Adrienne did her hair. Salon quality at no cost. Pictures are worth more than words so I will let the pictures do some explaining. 

Lovely Adrienne with Kendra's mop of hair which included red and brown homemade extensions. Voluptuous.

The bottom curls.

Look at the nails!!! Courtesy of Tanya.

Final product. Doesn't she look beautiful? All grown up.

First big occasion sporting the braces.

And of course... a blast from the past. It has been about three years since my senior Homecoming and here are the pictures of my night. I loved that beaded dress. Got it off Melrose St. in Los Angeles for $40. What a bargain. It's still hanging in my closet. 

<3