Sunday, February 20, 2005

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Tonight is the eve of my 21st birthday. Yes I am turning 21, can you believe it? I sure as heck can't. I have been looking forward to this day for many years. Watching my brother and sister turn 21 and all of my cousins, now it is finally my turn.

I have this feeling of: now what do I do? I am not really sure besides drink some alcohol. Is there really anything special about 21? Hmmm, let me think........oh ya, drinking........umm oh and I can legally drive a rental car.....WAHOO!!! I don't know, I am just being stupid.

I am really excited, my boys and I are going out for my bday. I am glad to have friends that I can get drunk with that I know will take care of me and watch my back. I love you boys, and Nicole too. I can't forget about my roomie who threw some saltine crackers at me while I was puking my guts out the first time I got drunk. Thanks Nic. The anticipation is killing me. I want to know what is going to happen tomorrow night. Am I gonna get sick, silly, or sloppy? Not quite sure, but I am sure I will have fun no matter what happens.

I am most looking forward to this coming weekend, when John, Nicole and Andrew all go with me to Vegas for the weekend. We are going to be meeting Mom and Dad, Kim and Donnie, and hopefully Ted and Ann if they can make it. It is going to be crazy fun. Don't ask me how it was because you know, "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!" Just kidding, I am sure I won't be able to not tell what happens. Good times. Alright, well I am going to get some sleep, I am super tired from the long weekend. Later peeps.

Today I am thankful for the gift of life.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Am I drowning?

Lately I have had this feeling like I am falling behind in everything. Basically I think I am just getting overwhelmed with the schoolwork. I have so much reading and so much to think about and do for my interpreting class. It is only the third week and I feel like I can't stay on track with everything. It is not that I am not trying, believe me I am. I am reading and doing the assignments, but I still feel behind. I feel like things are just piling up in front of me. Maybe it is just because I have so many other things on my mind (such as my birthday). I am not really sure what is going on, I just hope I don't run myself ragged too soon. I know it will happen eventually.

Oh well, back to the studying and reading.

Today I am thankful for an awesome philosophy teacher.

Saturday, February 12, 2005

It's that time of year...

All I can think about is my birthday (which is coming up quickly). I am so excited, I can't wait. I am mostly stoked about going to VEGAS the weekend after my bday and meeting up with my family and just having some good ol' times in Sin City. Although I am kinda nervous because I know how crazy my fam can be, I am sure that they will take care of me though.

I am really getting sick of this whole reading and homework situation. I was on target and now I just can't seem to catch up with any one subject. It is really discouraging considering it is only the second week of school. Oh well, that means I need to go read some more. What a wonderful Saturday night. Later.

Today I am thankful for hot tubs and friends. G'nite.

Friday, February 11, 2005

"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day"

It is humorous to me how quickly the weather changes. A few days ago it was bright and sunny and comfortable. Now, today it is raining, and raining hard.

I am not complaining by any means, I am just making a statement. Don't get me wrong, I love the rain, I grew in Washington, I have to like it. I love sitting in my room, specifically laying in bed and just listening to the rain pour down on the roof, and whatever lies below.

I am off to class. Today I am thankful for the rain.

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Lent, not lint

So the lenten season has arrived. I can't believe it is almost Easter. It feels like yesterday was Christmas.

I have never really observed lent until I started attending First Pres. So this is somewhat new to me. Last year I decided to give up caffeine, namely Pepsi. It was so hard for me, and hard for Nicole having to live with me and deal with my bad attitudes. I went through withdrawal symptoms (such as migraines) and got really tired all the time. I was not a happy person for those 40 days. It was definitely a challenge for me, but I was successful.

This year I have decided that I am going to give up television in all its forms. I am not going to watch movies, dvds, tv, nothing. I think this will not only help me to focus on God and His Word, but also on my studies. Many a nights I sit in front of the tv thinking to myself about all the homework I should be doing, but am not.

In other news, I recently became a junior high school advisor at my church. The group is called S.U.R.G.E. (serving under a radical God everyday). So far so good. The first night some people thought I was actually in 8th grade, so I played along, and then when I was introduced as an advisor, they didn't believe me. I guess that is what I get for being short and young looking, and playing along with the joke. I am very surprised at the girls warmth and welcoming. They have all made a good effort to introduce themselves to me and really enjoy me being there. It is a lot of fun getting to know the girls, and the guys as well.

School is in full swing and I am already feeling the effects. This semester is going to be a doozie. I am taking western civ which explains everything. I hate history and reading and that is what this whole class is. I got my first job as a sign language interpreter at the school. It is a volunteer position, but I consider it a job because of the benefits I get (learning the setting, etc.). Today was the first day and it was intense. I am interpreting for a water skiing and wakeboarding class. I know I know, poor me, I get to be out on the lake everyweek. But it is hard work, there are more terms than I expected and they don't really have any signs so it is difficult. I am working at it and I think it will turn out fine in the end. I am just a little nervous, and hope that the two girls are getting everything they need. Not only do I have 16 units, jr. high advisor, and this interpreting job, I am also still working at the coffee shop.

If you think about it, please pray for strength, endurance, perseverance, and peace for the semester. Thanks to all.

Today I am thankful for the gift of sign language.

Friday, February 04, 2005

Its college

I am really getting frustrated with this school but more specifically my department. The deaf studies department has been unorganized and not helpful from day one. It is so hard to be a student and try and get help from them. So I recently wrote a dilemma I am having trying to get into a class. All I have to say is it is a good thing I didn't drop my other class, because I can't add the class I need to. If the teachers would just check their emails on a regular basis, maybe I would be able to add that class, but no, I had to wait an extra long time to even get a first response. So now I can't add the class and have to keep my class on fridays at 1. Not a big deal, I really like the teacher and the class is pretty interesting.

Not only am I having problems with that dept., I am also having problems with the University Corporation. Every semester we are supposed to receive these cards that say we are employees. The cards help us to receive 10% off on bookstore purchases as well as getting faculty parking passes. So I went upstairs to the offices and asked for a pass. They told me they were out. So then I asked for my employee card and the woman said she had already given them to my boss. So I went back downstairs and asked for it, and he didn't have one for me. So now I have to wait another week for them to get me a card so that I can go to parking services and get myself a parking pass. I hate being tossed around from place to place, and person to person. People need to get their s*@! in order and have it ready for people. I get so sick of it, and it seems to always happen to me. Lovely. Needless to say, after finding all this crap out, I had to work and was in a horrible mood. I was so upset.

Oh well, it is friday night and I am going to go enjoy myself and have some fun tonight. Doing what you ask? I have no idea. Later.

Thursday, February 03, 2005


The O.C. (original crew of Discovery Elementary). Heidi, Sarah, Me, and Lauren. I miss these girls:( We have been friends since 3rd grade, love 'em. Posted by Hello

My sweet neice wearing a Cougar hat....this pic makes me smile every time I see it. Posted by Hello

These are a few of my girls that took care of me on New Year's Eve. (Heidi, Krystle a.k.a. Watson, Lauren, Me) Posted by Hello

This is my neice Erika (15 months) on our Christmas Eve family trip to downtown Seattle.  Posted by Hello

Where'd they go?

With all of the travel and flying I have done in the past few years, I have met quite a few people. Some more interesting than others, but none the less I have met them. On this last flight from Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Burbank, I met one in particular. Here is the story.

I was in line to board the plane, and being a girl I was watching and looking at other people and noticed a pretty cute younger guy behind me. Of course after that I was wondering if he was going to sit near me or not. I was pleasantly surprised when he was sitting in the row in front of me. Hmm, this could be chance to talk to him. The plane was not even close to being full. In fact, almost every person was able to have their own row, very comfy and relaxing. So he was looking around before he sat down and made it a point to look at me and make direct eye contact and smile. Cute smile. So he sat down and didn't say anything during take off. As soon as we were up in the air and the flight attendants started their beverage service, he turned and started making conversation. We talked for almost the entire flight (probably about 1.5 hours). We talked about school living in California, versus the northwest. He is from Idaho. Conversation was easy and he was very entertaining, an interesting character. Then we landed, got our luggage and headed outside. He went to the shuttle area and I stayed by baggage claim and waited for my ride. As he was getting on to the shuttle he yelled across the street to me to make sure that I had a ride before he got on his bus to get his car. Such a gentleman, but John pulled up right then.

Basically, where I am going with this is: I can't help but think about what he is doing now. Where is he, does he remember me, does he think about me? I find myself thinking about random people I meet and never see again. Do they think of me, what are they doing now, where are they? Then there are those people that you don't really like, but they never seem to forget about you, and you wish they would forget you and move on. People are interesting and I find it interesting to meet different people from different places, and the airport is good for that. Maybe that is one positive of living in two different states half the year.

Also, there are those random people that capture your attention when you meet them through friends or at parties, or where ever, that turn into great friends, and possibly a significant other, under the best circumstances. I am very interested in studying people and learning about different people from different cultures and different backgrounds than mine. Maybe I should become a sociologist instead of an interpreter. Hmm, things to think about.

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

The year

I know I have been a bad girl and not posted for awhile, but it has been a crazy week or so. First off, I am now back in sunny California! YAY!!! Although it is a little chilly with all the wind.

Second, I started school this past Monday. It is already overwhelming. I am starting my interpreting classes and they are not what I expected, but hopefully I will survive. I am frustrated with the Deaf Studies dept. They told me I need to take this individual skills class but they didn't tell me until school started and I had my school schedule arranged with awesome teachers. Now I have to drop my good philosophy teacher and hope that he teaches again and that they offer it over the summer. Then I am trying to add this stupid class, and I can't get a permission number because the teacher is unavailable. Teachers nowadays are not responding to phone calls or emails. They tell you the best way to contact them, but it doesn't work. I hate it. Whatever, enough ranting.

Not only did I start back to school, but that means I also started back to work at the coffee shop on campus. JOY!!! Not only am I starting all these wonderful things, but I am also starting to be an advisor for the junior high group at my church. That should be fun, I hope. At least interesting and a change of pace.

Enough for now, peace.