Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sometimes, you just have to laugh about life

My life has seemed even more busy and full lately.  Here are some things that are either funny, crazy or caught me off guard...but in life, you have to laugh things off and deal things with a smile.  Some of those things are: not having an ATM card for about 2 weeks now...yeah, that's fun.  I've learned a lesson that you can be much happier with your car if you get regular scheduled maintenance done.  Also, I am cat-sitting my friend's (LoLo) cat (because she's on her honeymoon) and the other night I ran out of contact solution at her house but it was late & I didn't want to go to the store so I used my re-wetting drops and kept them glass cups because I also couldn't find my contact case.  It all worked out and my contacts didn't bother me the next day, so you just gotta laugh :)  And the next day I had to buy contact solution, a case, and more eye drops.  Currently, the cat (Piper) is snuggling with me on the couch my the computer because she thinks my computer "pprrs" a little bit.  She is such a funny cat...she'll snuggle with me, when I wake up she'll come over to me in the bed and nose nuzzle me, and loves playing.  I know, it's weird for me to be talking about a cat (because I'm a more of a dog person) but if I had to choose a cat as a pet, I'd want one like Piper :)  Well, I will leave you with a picture of Piper and something funny a little girl said to me this week.  A 5 yr. old girl I sit for was jumping on her trampoline and tells me she can do a backflip (I knew she was making this up, but I was supportive with a "really? that's great") and then says she's gonna show me a jump and asks "will you tell me if I fall?" (and I'm thinking, you'll probably also know if you've falling.  Silly girl :)  And here's the picture...I call it "Cat & (computer) mouse"

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Moneywise

So, I started to write this blog about 2 weeks ago.  I know it had been a while since I last blogged... to be honest, I felt like I was so overwhelmed with babysitting and all the things going on I didn't have it in me to blog.  Because of that as well I didn't have inspiration about what to blog about.  Then, when I sat down to blog yesterday a flood of ideas came in.  Funny how that works, isn't it.  In the past 3-4 weeks I have: bought (a roundtrip) ticket to Washington D.C. (woot woot!), bought Switchfoot concert tickets for their hometown (San Diego) concert, finally bought a nice replacement straightening iron, and I actually moved into my new place with my own room!  Phew.  That's a mouthful, and a lot of expenses.  Seriously crazy.  However, that's all paid for with cash.  I know that some of those things aren't necessary, but they're things that I've been waiting (and waiting) on.  I've just been thinking about my expenses lately, and how I'm blessed to be able to save some money lately in preparation for all these things.  And, of course, I've had a lot of work lately.  It definitely isn't not easy to manage finances...it takes work and planning.  But i find it very valuable for me to balance my checkbook and also plan ahead to see what babysitting jobs that are in the future and the amount of work I have lined up.  I've prayed that I can also get some rest and feel refreshed, because I have definitely been feeling bogged down/tired because I've been working more than usual.  And I feel that this past weekend being with some lovely friends and having a big 'ole celebration has brought me lots of joy and a renewed perspective (albeit, even if I didn't get much extra rest in...but that's okay).  This might be a random post, but my purposes are to simply open people up to spending within their means and being accurate with the money they are keeping.  It can definitely be worthwhile.  (and, isn't my post title fitting? right?...moneywise...being wise with money...no? maybe it's just getting late...haha)  :)

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Update...the good life :) (stream of consciousness post)

It's been too long since I last posted...and that seems to be the way that I have been starting my posts lately. My bad.  I really have been super busy.  I really feel like I am so blessed though, and have a wonderfully amazing life.  But, I thought I'd give a short update & also let you know that I have two (maybe 3) new posts in the makings (and let me tell you, they are good posts if I do say so myself) :)  I was in my best friends wedding this weekend.  (you know, the one where I posted about it here)  Anyway, it was simply an amazing wedding!  I seriously get a little choked up still when I think about it.  My best friend is now married!  Crazy.  She honestly stole the show with how stunning and absolutely gorgeous she looked.  And she threw an amazing wedding.  It was simply breathtaking, and at the end of the night she even said that it was way more than she expected/hoped for/anticipated.  All that to say, I know it wasn't easy for her to plan it so kudos again to you LoLo.  And congrats to you and your hubby!  I don't have any pics yet because I really didn't take any at all...because LoLo's sis was taking a good amount, there was also a professional photographer there, and also because my 3 year old not-top-of-the-line Canon Powershot battery displays a low battery warning after taking about 2 pic and I have to take the battery out and put it back in (and I believe the battery is newer).  Anyway, I digress.  I will share pics as soon as they are available to me :)  But, the memories of getting to spend the entire day & a half with LoLo before her wedding, the getting ready for the wedding, seeing her & her hubby's 1st glance, the ceremony, the kick-butt reception with amazing food/cake, fun dancing, a tasty candy station, and witnessing the love the couple have for each other and the love so many people have for them, and truly enjoying being a bridesmaid with LoLo's sis and a longtime family friend (who are both intelligent, funny & lovely women, and great company) is still fresh in my mind.  I still haven't heard anything from CBU, so I am going to contact them tomorrow...hmph.  Will update as soon as I know stuff too.  Oh yeah, all that in between working full time and cat sitting for LoLo while she's on vacation and a million other things :)  Another post I have in mind is sharing a photo of LoLo's cute cat Pipper.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

A Bucket List

I was having a conversation with some friends from the India team a few weeks ago about things I want to do here on Earth.  It got me thinking about what I want to do with my life...thought I would share and I'd love to here any of yours! :)  I think it's cool to be able to come up with something tangible to get you thinking, as well as see the ways that God can bring the things you hope to see/do/accomplish to fruition.  It also reminds me of the movie "A Walk to Remember" where the character Mandy Moore plays has her own bucket list (one of which is getting married in the church her mother & father got married at...how sweet)


  • become a nurse
  • see a miracle
  • take up surfing
  • own a dog of my own
  • purchase a house
  • travel Europe
  • be married
  • adopt a child
  • run a marathon (or half)
  • learn how to play the drums
  • go to New Zealand & Australia
  • actually go through with getting the tattoo that I've design for myself (it's a cross that is written with words from Psalm 139)
I'm a simple girl, and am just beginning to scratch the surface of realizing some of my own hopes and dreams :)  

I also want to say Happy Easter to all of you!  I hope that you can take the time this weekend to either read some of the Easter story in the Gospels and to also think of the tremendous victory that God made for us some 2000 years ago, and the significance of our Saviors death.  I am taken aback when I think of it, and I know I cannot even fathom the full extent of the significance and victory.  Many blessings!