4th of July 2011

Last Independence Day as a free woman....just kidding! :D

This year, 4th of July actualy FELT like 4th of July. In contrast to last year's 60-something degree, overcast day, this year we were given a bright, sunny day with highs in the mid to upper 80s. Now that's summer!

Our family invited the Jennings family over to swim and enjoy dessert and the Westview fireworks. It was a pretty good show. We joined our neighbors at the end of the street to watch from the comfort of our own neighborhood.

On the actual Fourth of July, Tad drove up in the late morning to hang out. We worked on some wedding plans (specifically the seating chart) and went swimming in the afternoon. My grandparents and uncle Jeff joined us for a bbq dinner. Tad and I were the only ones up for fireworks (since my family had already seen some on Saturday) and set out a bit early to pick up some snacks.

Tad had brought chocolate covered cherries with him, and we picked up a couple apple pies and a smoothie from McDonald's on our way to the Mira Mesa fireworks. We had to park a few blocks away, but arrived in the grassy park *just* as the show started. It was a beautiful show, especially since it was our first to watch together :)

We rounded out our night by dropping in to see Raelene at work and chatted with her for a bit while she started closing up.

To Grandmother's House We Go

Twas time this year to make the trip to the Hastings family Christmas at my grandma's house in Nevada. As per our usual, we had Christmas at home, let Mom enjoy her birthday (12/26), and then hit the road on 12/27. It was a slow ride thanks to tons and tons of traffic. I passed the time by trying out the knifty knitter my mom bought me for Christmas, napping, and listening to my MP3 player. We arrived in Boulder City just before dinner time, which allowed us to check into the Boulder Dam Hotel before meeting the rest of the clan for dinner.

12/27 is my AuntDiane's birthday, and she likes to go out for dinner on her birthday. So we ate right across the street at the Big Horn Cafe. Our nuclear family got to meet Diane's boyfriend Steve and Courtney's baby Michael. Dinner conversation centered heavily on wedding plans and preparations. It was fun to get to fill in the family and family friends who were there. For dinner, I enjoyed chicken parmesan and a tomato, lentil soup. Since we had two birthday celebrants, they gave us several baklava, two slices of cheesecake, and two slices of chocolate cake.

We spent a little time after dinner at Grandma's getting caught up with Diane and getting to know Steve. He was very sweet and brought each of us a scratcher as a gift. I think between the four of us we won $5 lol. Back at the hotel, we had an interesting "The Middle" esque incident before heading off to bed. Let's just say, it's a good thing we had two bathrooms.

The Boulder Dam Hotel provides a full breakfast now, which was fantastic. Tuesday morning I had juice and french toast with bacon. After a leisurely breakfast, we set out for the day. One of the family friends is an executor for people's estates, and wanted help moving some furniture. THus, fisst stop was at the estate. It was a little house built int he 50's. There was some very crazy wallpaper and an old dial phone.

The afternoon was spent at Grandma's, playing games and chatting, oh and playing with the baby! Mom made a roast for dinner and we enjoyed a round of The Game of Things over dessert. Our evening was made complete by stopping by a house with most Christmas decorations I've ever seen! They had lights EVERYWHERE!!! We took quite a few pictures and then retired to our hotel.

Wednesday for breakfast I had some very delicious blueberry pancakes. My aunts and cousin had left for home early that morning, so it was just us and Grandma for the day. The four of us drove out to see the new bridge over the Colorado River from Hoover Dam. We had pizza lunch in town and did a bit of shopping. Quite luckily, we happened across some very cheap bridal shower supplies and stocked up on plates/cups/napkins, balloons, invitations, and thank you cards.

We ate up the leftovers for dinner and played some more games. Though there weren't new ones on, we watched a couple episodes of teh Middle and Modern Family. Thursday morning we had breakfast, said our goodbyes to Grandma, and were on the road again. We stopped at a Krispee Kremes to fuel up and got a dozen donuts and tasty coffee drinks. The way home held much better traffic. The only excitement we had was seeing a jack-knifed semi, and seeing snow.

Boulder City doesn't have much excitement, but it's always nice to see family and celebrate the holidays together :)

Independence Day 2010

4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I'd say it's tied with Easter and closely followed by Christmas. I am, always have been, and probably always will be insanely patriotic. Add on that it's in the middle of the summer, and fireworks are just amazing, and you have a winning holiday for me.

With exuberance, I finished my final for my dysphagia class 5 pm Wednesday. Tad picked me up and we were off for a night of "Summer Camp" at Mission. Tad insists that it's different from VBS, which it is in a few ways (it lasts the whole summer, one night a week, there isn't an overarching "theme", etc), but that's basically what it is. There are between 30 and 40 kids each week, and they're divided into 4 equal "teams" by colored bandanas. They get to play with water games in the parking lot for a bit, then head back for "camp challenge".

Camp Challenge is some sort of ridiculou game that has nothing to do with anything, it's just for fun. Wednesday night, the two selected kids had to eat through two cans of whipped cream to find the piece of bubble gum in the bottom. When they found it, they had to blow a bubble before the outher team. Quite silly. After Camp Challenge, the kids gather and are introduced to the night's message and memory verse. They split again into two groups and go to the rotations, where there is a lesson, and then a silly game. At the end of the night, they're divided by age group and gender into small group time.

Tad is the designated photographer, so as I was getting a feel for the program, I followed him around all night. I ended up getting to do some guide dog education with the younger boys. After explaining what Valencia does, I was asked by one little boy "Can you not see because of those 'context' in your eyes?" lol, kids are cute. I'm looking forward to helping for the rest of the summer.

Thursday I had a bit to do on campus in the morning. I met Tad at his place, we did a few quick errands, and then met Raelene for lunch at Sushi Diner. Yum! I sure love that restaurant. The 3 of us shared a California Roll, a Philadelphia Roll, a Tempura CA Roll, a Shrimp Lover's Roll, and a Caterpillar Roll. Once full of delicious sushi, Raelene drove me home and Tad headed to work.

Friday was my family's 4th of July celebration. My cousin Kim, her girls Jordan and Maddie, and my grandparents arrived in the afternoon. We enjoyed the nice weather for swimming. While in the pool Jordan, my mom, and I experienced the "Spa" and then Jordan took me on a cruise on the floating raft. My dad bbqed hotdogs for dinner, which we ate with our baked beans, watermelon and potatoe salad. After dinner, Jordan and I passed the time until the Westview fireworks by reading some of the Beatrix Potter books.

The fireworks were great, but not quite as fun as watching Jordan and Maddie enjoying them =)

Saturday my mom and I got to shop the presale items at Nordstrom. We picked out matching cardigan sweaters, and I got a new clinic jacket.

On the 4th itself we went to church in the morning, and then hung out at home. It was too cloudy and dreary out to swim. We had an early dinner and then went to see Toy Story 3, very cute!!! And now I've returned to the condo to prepare for the last few weeks of clinic.

Car Trouble

There are times in life where everything is going well and all seems right with the world...and then something happens to shake things up.

Last Friday after a meeting on campus, I went over to Tad's to spend some time hanging out. We played some wii, watched a little anime, and then set off for dinner. I recently signed up for a bunch of birthday club things at restaraunts online (I am prepared for lots of free food in a couple weeks, haha). Joe's Crab Shack sent me a coupon for a free appetizer just for signing up, so Tad and I decided to treat ourselves to that for dinner.

We had a lot of fun. We arrived early enough to beat the Friday night crowd, shared delicious crab jalapeno poppers and mango jalapeno chicken. I even splurged and we shared a virgin mangotini. Tad and I talked abotu fun lighthearted things, and then proceeded down to Tad's car to get groceries and then call it a night.

To our surprise and dismay, nothing happened when Tad put his key in the ignition. The engine didn't even turn. Hmm, this is worrisome. Tad being somewhat knowledgable about cars, popped the hood to take a look at things. He deducted that it must be a blown fuse and set about trying to find which one it was.

Shoot, he decided it was one of the relays, which he didn't have spares for. So we called my family and my dad offered to get one for us. Shoot again, the car parts place was already closed, hmm. Tad tried rearranging fuses to see if we could get the car started...nothing.

Finally haven given up for the night, we set about moving the car to a spot to leave it overnight. Given that it was dark, and I wouldn't trust myself to steer a car even in daylight, I had to be the one to push the car. Fortunately for me, the car was on a bit of an incline, and a couple of girls helped me. Also fortunately, we happened to be at the Hazard Center, which has a trolley stop. We caught the trolley back to my place and Anja's fiance James was kind enough to drive Tad home.

Saturday morning, Anja and I picked Tad up, brought him back to his car and we tried to jump it, to no avail. The engine was at least turning, but not starting. Tad had the car towed to a dealership nearby and we picked hime back up. Unfortunatley he had to wait until Tuesday for them to look at it, since it was Memorial Day Weekend. Turns out, it was the battery, it was just very dead.

The weekend in between was enjoyable. Saturday was Raelene's graduation party. She and Nate picked me and Tad up from my condo and took us back home. It was a fun party, I got to meet Nate's sister and brother in law, and adorable niece and nephew. And I saw one of the teachers from my elementary school. Sunday, my mom offered to pick Tad up so he could spend Memorial Day with us. He stayed over Sunday night and Monday we had swim time and a bbq with my grandparents.

Tad was just thankful to have his car back before his trip home, and to not have to pay too much for it. And hopefully now it won't need repairs for some time, knock on wood

Nine Highlights from '09

I may have stretched these *a bit* to make them fit into nine...but just a little :)

Interterm at Biola

This one started out as a bit of a sore spot for me, thanks to the whole "my family's on a cruise and I'm not" thing, but it ended up being a good month anyway. I took my stats class, which I really enjoyed thanks to the professor. When I wasn't doing stats problems, I was hanging out with people in Hart having family dinners and making Berry Cool runs. Tad visited me for the last week of interterm, and we enjoyed watching movies, hanging out at Berry Cool, wandering around Brea and Fullerton with Christine, and exploring new areas of campus.

Enjoying Olive Grove Park on campus

Hart Events

I absolutely LOVED living in Hart, no joke. The spring included '50's and "Funkship Cruise" all halls, HUOD/HUB sister floor "Spa and Dessert Night" Valentine's party, HUOD floor retreat to Shanelle's house in Valencia, and two girls' nights out to Cheesecake Factory.

looking nifty, fifties style :)

awesome HUOD girls on floor retreat

Funktastic friends with our funktabulous party drinks, at the Funkship Cruise All Hall, funk yeah!!! (oh how I love Ryan Low and the Hart Res Life staff xD)

Cheesecake Factory #1 for Raeleen's bday

Cheesecake #2 for Amanda's bday

Clarinet Club Events

Clarinet Club was one of my favorite extracurriculars at Biola - good friends, being nerdy about clarinet together and having fun. We had a Valentine's party at Amanda's house, hosted a concert by the LA clarinet choir, held a fundraiser for the Romania team, and put on an end-of-the-year recital.

About to watch Sleepless in Seattle

the Clarinet Club seniors after our last recital

Missions Conference

Missions Conference on its own is a delight, but it's even better when it's accompanied by a Tad visit. Tad was here for the St Patrick's all hall (mentioned above), all of the conference, and a really fun double date night with my friends Dave and Amy (who got married 10 days ago).

My love and me at the all hall

"it's a small world after all" kinda

Walking the Hermosa Beach pier

Final Days at Biola and Graduation

The last month of my time at Biola was filled with fun, including Comm Disorders dinner, Winds banquet, and of course graduation. I graduated magna cum laude and my family and Raelene were ther to celebrate with me.

Seniors at Comm Disorders dinner at El Torrito

The Romania clarinet section, at Winds Banquet

Communication Disorders graduating class Spring 09!

Mi familia y yo

Best friends since 2nd grade, this may it'll be her turn to wear the cap and gown :)

Romania

The Biola Romania tour was an incredible experience. I'd never been on a missions trip before, and this was certainly a wonderful first experience. I fell in love with the kids and people there, and I hope to return someday.

staying dry in Roschiori :)

our whole team, behind the team house

this sums up my trip

Summer Fun

This was quite possibly the best summer I've ever had. I spent my birthday at Disneyland with Raelene and Becky, played in the North County Community Band, went to California Adventure with Amanda, visited Tad and his family for a week, taught a group of Kindergarteners during VBS, and moved into my condo.

my super fun birthday/graduation party

Birthday, Disneyland style :)

California Adventure with Amanda <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbckf4htpkWtYPJtRx4lvS0ObUDowyLnf0kNAlLOR0WofvGFqUYSMBZKwhAkfjAE79pp8Tb7WafVUICG7cFhtmRGQzlEW6SQkx-pi31MgA5nTWMpEVWRC3rNxfgmCoNlr4uJDhN_DJr8Q/s1600-h/summer2.jpg">SonRock Kids' Camp VBS

Always delighted to see my love

Wicked at the San Diego Civic Center with the roomies and Raelene (and the fam)

Grad School

My first semester was killer, but I managed to find time to still have fun with friends.

An afternoon at Bates' Nut Farm

I helped Raelene put on her parents' surprise 50th birthday party

On a Biola visit weekend :)

December Nights in Balboa Park

a few of the ladies from my program, at my house for a Christmas party

Holidays with Tad

I spent Thanksgiving with Tad and his family. I was in Washington for half the week, and ont he Oregon coast for the other half. It was great getting to spend time with him, and get to know his family better. We were also blessed to get to spend New Years together, as Tad is now a San Diego resident :D

Hanging out in a Krispy Kreme in Spokane

Happy 2010!

Happy Halloween!

I am presently dressed as a fairy xD

I'm more excited about Halloween this year than I have been for a while because I get to spend it at home with my family. This has not been a possibility since high school. Halloween fell on weekdays my first 3 years at Biola, and I had a clarinet club party on Halloween last year.

But this year, it is a Saturday, and I am still in San Diego, so yay that!

Kind of funny though, most of the girls in my program are either going downtown, or to Monster Ball in Balboa Park, or parties, and I'm just excited to be home passing out candy. I seriously feel like my evening is more fun though. :)

This morning my mom and I went to a fundraising event for GDB at an assisted living home in PQ. Valencia went dressed up as a hippie, complete with tye dye tshirt, peace sign button, and headband, and Nigel went as a king. They served a very nice brunch complete with pie for dessert, and had a doggie costume contest. They gave Valencia a prize for being the only working guide there. It was a really fun event, and the residents loved seeing all the dogs.

Presently I am *supposed* to be working on homework before my grandparents come for our traditional chili and cornbread dinner.

And then, trick or treaters!

Hope everyone else is having a fun Halloween :)

Edit: After the trick or treaters

Tonight was a lot of fun. My grandparents came for dinner, which was yummy, and we had pumpkin pie to celebrate Steve's birthday (which was Tuesday). We finished dinner just in time for the trick or treaters to start. Favorite costume of the night was our adorable little neighbor Stephanie (not quite 1 and 1/2) whose mom made her a Mary Poppins costume, complete with crocheted scarf and carpet bag. Toddlers are absolutely precious!

I spent the time in between groups of kids working on my clinic case summary, which prompted my favorite quote of the night from a kid in a box with a helium balloon...I should've asked what he was..oh well

"Whoa! A fairy on a computer!"
"A fairy with homework...unfortunately"
"Cool, a fairy that goes to school"
"Happy Halloween"

Oh kids, gotta love 'em. Also gotta love daylight savings time :)

Settling In

I'm in the middle of my second week of fall classes and starting to feel comfortable with my routine. Mondays and Wednesdays I'm home all day working on homework or tidying up until I head to campus for class from 5-8. Tuesdays and Thursdays (starting next week when clinic starts) I'm on campus all day (8:30-8). Fridays I'm on campus from 9-3, and the weekends are spent doing homework and hanging out with friends. It's actually rather manageable, so far.

Thanks to bootcamp, the building is already starting to feel like home, though I still miss the Biola clinic workroom. The condo is definitely home, I just need to do a better job of getting into this thing called "cleaning"...yeah, about that...

I still miss Biola, but I do love San Diego so much, it's good to be back, and there are always weekends. Speaking of which, I am spending my entire Thanksgiving break with the Tildens. Thanks to university furlough days, I don't have class at all that week, and I'm off the Friday before. I'm really excited to get to spend another week with Tad's family, and to get to meet his extended family. It will be interesting to experience a holiday with a different family, hopefully it won't be too traumatic :o)

I best start getting ready for class now. If I get ready soon enough I'll have time to get a pumpkin spice sweet cream at Starbucks beforehand!

Top o' the Morning to Ya!

Happy St Patrick's Day! A day originally to celebrate St. Patrick chasing the snakes out of Ireland, now a day for Americans to celebrate *something*, wear green, and in secular culture, go drink at a pub. Gotta love Americans :)

I am very excited about my plans for today (no, they do not include a pub, thank you very much). Tad is currently in Seattle waiting to catch his plane to LAX. Knowing this will make it very difficult to sit through Spanish Literature this afternoon. Raeleen agreed to take me to pick him up. He's flying in just in time for our "St. Patrick's Day Funkship Cruise" All Hall. Have I ever mentioned that I love Hart?

Tad will be here until next Monday. He really enjoyed Missions Conference two years ago when he came, so we thought we'd bring him for it again. Other plans for this week include an interview at Chapman (hopefully on Thursday, that's been a little bit of craziness) and hanging out with Amy, Donna (the yellow lab) and Dave at the beach on Friday. I still have a lot of homework looming over my head, but I can take a couple days off to not think about it.

Anyway, I'm off to enjoy corn beef and cabbage or "Luck of the Irish Green Mac & Cheese" in the caf. God bless