Ten Highlights of 2010

I feel like I was just writing one of these posts for 2009. I certainly have years that are filled with fun things and changes. As fun as it is, I won't mind when grad school is done and things are a little more relaxed in my life. Here are some of my favorite things from the year. :)

Family Cruise in the Caribbean

At the very beginning of 2010 my entire family took a fantastic vacation to the Caribbean Islands of Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, and Aruba. We had a week onboard the Caribbean Princess. My favorite part of the trip was seeing the joy on Valencia's face on our catamaran ride in St Thomas.

First Valentine's Day Spent with my Love

This was very special to me. In the 3 and 1/2 years we had been dating, Valentine's day had never been a convenient time to be together. Now that Tad and I live int he same city, it's usually convenient to be together. Tad planned a very sweet surprise date for me. We made a cherry vanilla cake, and then re-created our first date by going to Boomers for mini golf and go carts. After which we got our favorite appetizers at Applebee's.

On the ferris wheel at Boomers

Spring Break with my Biola Girls

For a fun change, instead of visiting my Biola girls (Becky and Krista), they came to me. We spent a few fun days catching up and exploring San Diego. We watched Walk the Line, had Rubios with Tad, and spent a day in Seaport Village. I sure do love those ladies!

The hat shop in Seaport Village

Mother-Daughter Trip to SF

In April, I happened to get a four day weekend, which happened to coincide with the California Council of the Blind convention in Burlingame. We flew up and enjoyed a long weekend of relaxing, shopping, and seeing old friends. We ate out at an old favorite Chinses restaurant one night, had dinner with friends from church another, and got to see my friends Amy and Dave as well as Valencia's puppy raisers. Oh, and I went to some convention related things lol

In front of our hotel

Elizabeth & Matthew's Wedding

My friend Elizabeth got married on April 24 at the Grand Tradition in Fallbrook. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding. It was also another fun excuse to get to dress up and go to a party with Tad. We enjoyed spending time together, meeting some new friends, eating some delicious food, and celebrating Elizabeth and Matthew's marriage with them. :)

Birthday Weekend with Becky

Becky's and my birthdays are 2 days apart and we have found a way to celebrate them together every year since we met freshman year at Biola. This year was no exception. I did the train ride up to Fullerton and had lunch with Becky at The Olde Ship (a pub!). We had our birthday dinner at Red Robin, and Krista and I watched Becky perform in the orchestra pit for Biola Youth Theater's production of Cats!. It is good to have a birthday buddy! =)

4 Year Anniversary

This was only our 2nd anniversary actually spent together, the 1st being our one year. Like Valentine's Day, Tad planned a surprise date for me, which consisted of a delicious Round Table pizza and a movie night in with mocchi to snack on. By dating anniversary 5, we will be married!

Family Summer Vacation

Our week of family vacation kicked off with a trip to the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Bowl concert. We went with the Biola Alumni Association and enjoyed a spectacular Tchaikovsky concert complete with fireworks. Several days later, we embarked on our trip to Cambria. It was a relaxing week of tidepooling, shopping, farm exploring, Hearst Castle touring, and Olallaberry pie, yum!

On the farm in Cambria. This is the next picture I'm going to submit for the GDB calender.

Sharp Community Re-entry Internship

This fall I had my first off campus clinical experience. And I loved it. I became a part of the family at the day treatment program at Sharp Memorial. I learned a lot, met some very cool therapists and clients, and became very confused about what I actually want to do after graduation.

Me with my supervisor Joann

Engagement

Probably the happiest day of my life to date - on November 23, my sweetheart asked me to be his wife. I am thoroughly enjoying being able to call him my fiance and enjoying planning my wedding. This highlihgt to be continued in 2011 ;)

Thanksgiving Day at my parents'

Looking back, 2010 has been a wonderful year with progress made towards my Master's degree and plenty of time spent with my love. 2011 can only get better from here!

Tribute to a Childhood Friend

It's not easy being a kid. There's so much to learn, and i don't jus tmean book learning at school. You have to learn how to deal with your needs, your emotions, other people. In short, you need to learn how to live. Most kids manage to find ways to make the learning easier, one of which is through the support of friends.

Friends come in all shapes and sizes: neighbor kids, cousins, school classmates, imaginary, stuffed animals, canine, and feline. The particular friend in question falls under the last category.

My family's cat Simpkin (named for the cat in Beatrix Potter's Taylor of Gloucester) was a part of the highlight of the summer I turned 7. We had had various pets--fish, frogs, a parakeet, even a puppy for a week--but nothing furry due to my parents allergies. Circumstances changed this when a black,female cat started hanging around our cul de sac. Mom, having grown up with cats, felt sorry for her and began offering her pie tins of milk. It was while I was away at camp that my mom noticed the cat was pregnant.

Shortly after I returned home from camp, my mom announced that we were taking her in, and naming her Maggie. We had Maggie another 2 or 3 weeks before she delivered 7 healthy kittens. Simpkin was the first of the 7.

He was a spunky, mischievous kitten who lived up to his namesake. That was an incredible summer. I have many memories of cuddling with little kittens, playing string with them, and watching my 3 and 1/2 year old brother give them rides in his toy dump truck. As the kittens grew big, it came to time to let some of them go. Much as we loved all of them (tabbies Simpkin, Samuel, & Rocks, tuxedo cat Beau Mittens, black-like-his-mother Blacky, half tabby half calico Hannah, and calico Patches), there was no way we could keep 8 cats at our house. 5 of them went to pet shops, my grandparents kept Beau Mittens, and we kept Simpkin.

At least twice in elementary school, I got to bring Simpkin in for show and tell. In second grade,my mom happened to mention to the class that he liked to catch mice, and one of the girls in my class was so traumatized that my mom called her house to apologize and bought her a stuffed mouse.

Simpkin certainly was a talented hunter. At different times, he brought mice, lizards, birds and rabbits into our house, most of which were still alive. We knew from the beginning that he was a smart cat; he understood many words, and even learned to say "no" "mom" and "ouf" (for out). He found his way into much of Stephen's and my schoolwork. Stephen wrote a story about cats being the best pet "even though some kitties are naughty and pluck the rug" and I wrote a poem for an arts contest that got selected to be displayed at a district wide fair.

My family jokes that by the time Simpkin was 4, he had used half of his cat lives. At 1 1/2, he went missing for a few nights. My mom feared the worst, that he had been eaten by a coyote, but on the second morning we found him in his usual plac ein the garage with a broken leg. He must've been hit by a car and dragged himself home. Several years later we nearly lost him when he had urinary tract blockages. Since then he has fortunately been healthy.

It scared me when he got sick, I couldn't lose my friend. Any time I felt sad or lonely, I could find Simpkin and just sit and be. He didn't ask questions or judge, just loved me back. I know most people think of dogs as doing this. They do. I find the same comfort with Valencia. But not many people realize that the same companionship can be felt with a cat.

Simpkin turned 16 several weeks ago. According to the chart at our vet's office, that is about 90 and is labeled "geriatric". He certainly has aged greatly over the last year. Even more of his day is taken up with sleeping, and though when he's awake you can still see the same spunky cat inside, he moves much slower. At his last teeth cleaning, our vet told us that Simpkin's jaw is now too thin for him to be eating dry food, and since being put on the wet food, Simpkin has dropped from 21 lbs to 14.

This saddens me, but not as much as I would expect. I wondered about it for some time and then it came to me. As I've seen the spark and youth drain from him, I've slowly been saying goodbye. He barely resembles the cat he was 10 years ago, and as I've watched him grow more tired, more thin, more senile, I've said goodbye. I know it will still hurt when he finally passes, but it would hurt even more if I hadn't already started my goodbyes.

My mom reckons he's got enough spunk in him to last him a few more years. I don't know if he will, a part of me hopes he does, while another hopes he doesn't. All I know for sure is that all I can do now, is continue to love on him like I have for the last 3/4 of my life.

Buffy (top) and Simpkin (bottom) napping together

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!

Wrapping up a Decade

I'm never really "surprised" by the end of a year. A lot has happened in 2009. I am, however, surprised by the end of a decade. I still eel like it just recently turned 2000. I was 12 (and a half) at the turn of the century, thus I didn't have exquisitely clear memories of the entire 90's decade. So in a way, this is more first real closing of a decade.

Looking back, it's easy to see how much happens in ten years:

2001
Career day spent with a speech language pathologist
Graduated from middle school
Moved out of the house we'd lived in since I was 5
Started high school, and marching band, which ruled my life for 4 years
Moved into the house we live in now

2002
Mom started Mary Kay
Started playing percussion during marching season
Family trip to San Antonio

2003
First almost kinda sorta, not really boyfriend
Band trip to Australia
Began looking at colleges

2004
Spent 3 weeks in norcal at the STEP (Student Transition Education Program, I think) program at California School for the Blind
Family cruise to Alaska
Began applying to college

2005
Decided to go to Biola
Band trip to Hawaii
Graduated from high school
Started my college education at Biola
Met some of my best friends ever :)

2006
Interterm at Biola
Winds tour around OC?LA county
Family cruise to Mexico
Added my Spanish minor
Met Tad
Started dating Tad
Moved into Horton with Krista
Tad meets my family over Christmas

2007
Interterm at Biola
Met Tad's family over summer
Moved into Welch apartment with Krista and Becky
Started Clarinet Club with Becky
Family trip to Maui with Tad

2008
Biola Centennial
Winds tour to NorCal
Tad graduates from NNU
My 21st birthday
Valencia and I are paired and train for 4 weeks at Guide Dogs for the Blind
Becky, Valencia, and I move into Hart
Applied to grad school

2009
Interterm at Biola
I get accepted to SDSU for grad school
I graduate from Biola
First missions trip, to Romania with Heart 2 Heart International
22nd birthday at Disneyland
I move into my condo in Mission Valley
Grad school
Thanksgiving spent with the Tildens
Tad moves to San Diego!

I'm very excited for all that comes in the new decade :)

Bye Bye Biola

Oh goodness, I created this entry about 3 weeks ago, better late than never though right?

I spent the entirety of finals week trying to blog, but time did not permit. I ended up journaling this by hand after my computer (and the rest of my stuff) had gone home after graduation. The first chunk is just the events, the second is thoughts and reflections. Because of length, I'm making them two separate posts. Here we go!

"I'm writing this from the inside of my wardrobe. Kind of random, but it's silly, so I like it.

I've been trying to blog since Sunday, but never found time. Honestly, maybe it's best I didn't. I've been all over the place: both excited and anticipating graduation and dreading the closing of this chapter of my life. Being my last week as a student here, however, I have not been lacking in fun events.

Last Thursday was the Comm Disorders dinner. Teri spoke about professional, personal, and spiritual advice she wanted to pass on, and Krista and I shared an amazing flan

Friday night was senior dinner. My parents and grandparents were able to come, which was great, especially since my grandparents weren't able to make it for graduation. Fred Sanders, professor of the year despite being on sabbatical, spoke, and it was a great final dinner on Metzger.

Saturday morning we put on a Clarinet Club End of the Year Recital with solo and ensemble performances as well as a few original compositions. That evening I went out to dinner with Ally and Sara to Pizza Z to catch up on life before we all scattered after graduation.

Sunday morning was my last service at Redeemer. I'm so thankful I found that church, even if it wasn't til the beginning of my final year. Teri had the girls from her classes this semester over for dessert in the evening. She had this amazing strawberry pie, chocolate cake, and coffee. We played Pass the Pigs and wii bowling. I pwned at wii bowling, I was pleased. It was nice getting to spend more time with her and get to know her husband Jacob a little. They're a great couple.

Upon returning to campus, I scurried down to our check out all hall. Hart has a tradition of praying over the seniors at the end after they share what their plans are for next year. Immediately after we went to study break.

I had my last final Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday evening was Baccalaureate. It was a beautiful service. Dr. Corey spoke about moving through chapters of life and how even though it can be hard, God always has us where he wants us. A number of seniors shared about how God had worked in their lives in their time at Biola. Then we walked from Calvary Chapel to the belltower through a path of luminaries as bagpipes played Amazing Grace. Under the belltower we took communion and sang Be Thou My VIsion. This was particularly meaningful because we began our Biola careers with a communion service under the belltower at the end of move in weekend with our families.

Wednesday I hung out one last time with Kathleen at Golden Spoon. We walked around Toys R Us, and I bought her the Star Wars action figure she picked out as an early birthday gift. That evening I got ready for Winds banquet with Becky, Jen, and Justine and rode out to Downtown Disney with Amberly, Erin, and Rachel T. Banquet was really fun as usual. I sat with Becky, Jen, Justine, Matt, and Mark. Mark kept us thoroughly entertained prior to dinner. One word: "fail!" The senior tribute was really nice, and much to my delight, even though I missed one semester of Winds, I received a Senior Service Award.

I came back with Becky, Jen, Dorothy, and Casey and Becky, Krista, Jen, and I watched Amazing Grace. Thursday afternoon I got to meet up with Emily Joynes at Commons to chat, and in the evening I went to a double composition recital for Kenny Lindsey and Dave Martina. Friday morning we sat through 1.5 hours of graduation rehearsal. Slightly ridiculous, but we got our Biola Alum license plate holders and Bye-ola tshirts. I had rehearsal and then played my (hopefully) last graduation ever.

The craziness began Saturday morning. Becky and I got up at 7 to get ready. We found her family and they fed me breakfast and took pictures. Soon after I found my own family and went to line up. I discovered that when they said it took 45 minutes to line everybody up, they really meant it took 45 minutes for everybody to show up.

The ceremony was nice, a bit long though due to the combination of hot sun and 606 graduates (only 26 more than my high school class). George Verwer gave a nice message, nothing too insanely memorable. I enjoyed it more than my high school graduation. High school was very focused on the past, while this was focused on the future. After the ceremony I made a quick stop by Calvary Chapel for a few band hugs and then made my way to McNally for the Comm Disorders reception. Raelene got to meet a lot of my Biola friends and my parents got to meet my professors.

The 6 of us had lunch at Woodranch Grill and I opened my cards and presents. That was some very good food. Mom and Raelene helped me pack up the car and then they and Valencia went home. It was really hard watching her go. We've never been apart for more than 6 hours at a time.

We had one final Hart BBQ for the people who were staying over Saturday night. I finished up my Romania packing and checked in. On my way back to Hart, I stopped by the fountain to just sit and think for a while."

Stayed tuned for the second half, and so much more :o)