Back to school

So, it's been a very long time. I don't know whether anyone is still reading my blog. If you have been hoping for an update, well, here it is. I have just one more year of school! I love my new apartment and my 3 roommates. God truly blessed us with a wonderful apartment which feels and even looks like a mini home. It is a lovely layout and in a great neighborhood. I hope to enjoy some more walks and runs on the paseos in the area.

We had a housewarming party last Monday and invited many friends over facebook and more. It was a great time to talk and meet my roommates friends. Most of them hailed from the college, so we were familiar with each other.

As for the rest of life, I am working as the Office Manager/Assistant and Accounts Receivable clerk at a Recreational company. I love my job. I am enjoying being a full-time student while working. It keeps me busy and on task...well, for the most part. : )

A few photos of our new place:

Fall Thing

Definition: A social event for college people to spend money on a fancy dinner, dress up for a Masquerade and hang out. In other words, the question to be answered is what do you do at a banquet type gathering with college students when you are not allowed to dance?

Well, I'm not much of one to dance, so it worked out great for me. I wore an old maid of honor dress from my cousins wedding, and got all fancied up. I also decorated my own mask! And....it was Sadie Hawkins (girls ask guys). I refused to give in to the idea of asking a guy because I though it was ridiculous to have girls ask the guys. Eventually, I got suckered into asking the RA on the 1st floor of the guys wing in my dorm (I'm the 1st floor girls RA too). He is just a friend and was the only person I could think of to ask that wouldn't be akward. So, we went as a group with another couple and one other girl and we had a blast. Afterwards, we drove (20 minutes) down to Diddie Reese (known for their famous icecream sandwiches) in Westwood (just west of Beverly Hills/Hollywood) and walked around in our fancy dresses and ate our delicious icecream sandwiches.

WOW Week!

Week of Welcome-for the new students at the college to get to know the area, play games, meet other freshman and the student leadership staff, be wild and crazy, listen to seminars about the vision of the school and be totally exhausted by the end of the week. I did survive my second WOW week, two weeks ago, it was also fun being on the returning student side rather than the new student who knows nobody and doesn't know what to expect for the week. It was fun getting to know some of the freshman and some other returning students who I never met last year. I am now officially a Resident Assistant over a wing of 25 other girls. God has given me a great opportunity to grow, learn, encourage, build relationships, be vulnerable, be a servant, and love when I don't feel like it. I am learning to be bold, fear the Lord and not to fear man in any circumstance. I did not step into this position thinking it would be an easier year, but obeying God and knowing that He has purposed for me to be His vessel to these girls. Please pray that I would be willing and humble for His glory. We just had our first week of classes. It's going to be a challenging year of work.

Some more pics of the week

ONE BIG WEEK...

On the 14th of July my mom, sister-in-law, niece and two nephews arrived in Southern California to visit me for a week. We went to Sea World, Ventura beach, my church, a tour of the college, some good "city-sized" malls and much more. Some highlights of the week were the kids enjoying the ocean for the first time, trying to catch lizards at the house and just some fun games that I usually play with the kids. Here are a few pictures to give you a glimpse.

OH, the joy of friends getting married!! It's a joy and a sorrow, cause I know things won't be the same, but I am so thankful that my old roommie from this past year is now married to a great godly man. It was a sunny day and a simple, yet, elegant wedding. Just to explain one of the pictures: the picture of me and another girl is Amy. She was my wall mate (lived next door to me) at school this last year. She always adds spice to my life and a good laugh. Oh, Amy...what a great friend you are.

Graduation Party

Today was a blast!! Between eating, laughing, watching boys do ridiculous games in a pool while hurting themselves and their brothers, relaxing in the sun and pool, holding a baby, playing games and just enjoying my day with the Wright family and Patanae's....it made for a great afternoon and evening. We all celebrated Jane and Michael's high school graduation and it was so nice to be with people who feel like family even if they aren't by blood. Here is the whole group (minus Paul who is taking the picture).

AFTER MY VICTORY WIN AT THE "NAME GAME"

The goodness of God

God is good all the time.....All the time God is good! I know this sounds like a typical churchy saying, but it is so true! God is good when...
it's raining
you're sharing in the joy of a friend's new exciting blessings
life is unsure
you get a card in the mail just because someone loves you
getting to the top of a huge roller coaster and anticipating the fall
you let Him take control
hanging out with old friends and enjoying the moment
you get a friendly email
you're missing home and want to be around family
no one knows you and you feel like a stranger
sitting on your bed and soaking in His nourishing Word of Truth

Yesterday, in church, we sang a song that was taken from Psalm 19. It went something like this: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, pleasing to you.....You're my rock and my redeemer.....and I long to be a blessing in your eyes

Now those are some words to think about! Are all my thoughts and meditations pleasing to the Lord? How many times in the day do I choose not to please the Lord in just my thoughts and meditations? THIS is why it is so important to have His Word ingrained in my heart and to meditate on it day and night! Soak in His TRUTH....Dig deeper when your emotions don't feel like it. Let the Word of God transform your mind and thinking.

School's out for summer!

I finished my last final today. It wasn't the greatest, but it's over! The next few weeks and days will be pretty crazy and filled with many transitions. I will finish packing all my stuff to move into another dorm for two weeks of summer school. The last week in May I'm not sure where I'll be and then for June and July I will be staying with a family.

Life has been pretty exciting around here these days. So much going on and lots of new changes. God is great and so faithful even amongst so many changes.

I will get to see the my long lost roommie from 5 years ago. I can't believ it's been so long. Sara, I am so happy you are coming to see me! We will have a blast!!!

California Summers

It's official! Lord willing, I will be spending my summer in sunny California. At least, that's to say that I have a place to stay for free (along w/working 12 hours a week in exchange). I do, however, need to find a job. Any ideas? I know the places that I don't want to work (food service, lifeguard and all the typical high school jobs). I wouldn't mind working at a hardware store like Lowe's, but I'd also like to get some experience in my college degree. I switched my emphasis a couple of weeks ago from Bus. Admin. Management to Bus. Admin Accounting. I hope this is a good switch, sometimes I doubt my choice, but if nothing else I can always do something else with my degree. The nice thing about Accounting is that it gives a person good background that is useful for many positions.
I also recently switched churches. I loved my old church, the people and everything, it was just too big and I found it harder to get involved. My new church is quite small (around 150 people) and is only a about a year old or so. We meet in a high school and will soon have a building in May.
This last week of lectures is kinda crazy. I can hardly believe my first year here is over. Only a week and a half left! I'm also taking an intense summer course immediately after for two weeks and then I will be officialy done.
God Bless everyone! I am pressing on to the end and making the most of every opportunity.

Quick Update

School, Study, Eat, Sleep...That's about what I've been up to lately. Life has been pretty normal around here. I am going to visit my Aunt, Uncle and cousins for the weekend! I have only seen them once before about 10 years ago. I'd have to say that I'm pretty excited to visit. It will also be nice to get out and also have a home cooked meal....really exciting!
I have a test to do. How about everyone that checks my site leaves a short comment. Sometimes I wonder all the people that I'm writting to. So, if you will, please leave a comment. Have a glorious Resurection Day!

Spring Break Review

I've had a great break...finished a big history powerpoint project, went to Ventura beach, visited the animals at the LA Zoo and did a little shopping. I knew I wouldn't accomplish as much as I'd like to in the homework/study realm, but I did get a little bit accomplished. It was nice having a break and just relaxing in the quiet dorm. Here are some selected pictures from my break.

Random Selections

Happy Belated Valentines Day! This rose is from dinner at the Cafeteria. Each girl received a rose as we walked in and the tables were decorated with fun music playing in the background. We (Jess, Kaitlyn and I) ate a steak, potato and dill carrot dinner. It was all pretty good, except for the overcooked baked potato. I also received Valentines from my niece and nephews which now cover my shelves.

Lastly, I have more of our garbage center share-center. I tried to resist the temptation at 11:30pm when these were left out for grabs. I had two donuts. By early morning, the cake and donuts were gone. We are literally scavengers around here. People see free food and all of the sudden it's gone overnight or within minutes.