HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

I wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!  You are such a great dad!  I love you very much.  Thank you for taking good care of your family, and for being such a strong foundation.  You're like the white version of Rev. Run with your Provers you send to me and everyone on your phone's contact list...and that's too cool :)   In the words of Nacho Libre " Little hug, little kiss, big hug....XOXOXO"  Today, you can put on your stretchy pants, "just for fun".

India, concerts, jobs and keeping up with life :)

Okay...so I realize that I have been not so in touch to the blogging world.  Sorry about that.  I have noticed recently that lately I have been getting really preoccupied with work and tutoring and life that I have gotten behind with things like texting people back!  It's definitely not like me...I'm very punctual and like to respond quickly to people.  Anyway, that's a little digression.  So, the Molly Jenson concert is August 15th!  I'd love it if you could be there; and here's the promised link to the e-vite and eventbrite.com ticket information: http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=CHNIPNAEZABOSAYZMCQI .  So, this week has been quite crazy...I found out that the physical therapist office had already picked the person they wanted (and yet the neglected to call the other people whom they interviewed as well to inform them of their decision).  But, the good news is that babysitting has been happening a little bit this week, and today I started a temp job at pretty large video game and entertainment company.  And it's for a whole MONTH!  Praise the Lord!  I must admit that I feel that it's hard but when you lean on the Lord he is good and he answers.  (Because this month long job is nothing I could have gotten on my own).  Another thing keeping me really busy is interviewing people for the India trip.  I am officially a team leader and get to interview the applicants and help decide on the team.  It's going to be an exciting and great trip and lots of amazing people who are applying!  YAY!  Well folks, it's definitely late.  And you know, I'm a 9-5 kind of girl so I must get to bed :)  Love & peace to you all! 

Exciting announcement!!!!

So, I have an announcement!  It's been in the makings for a little while now but it's been quite the busy few weeks for me...dogsitting, temp jobs, tutoring and babysitting, and car stuff!  Anyway, I am going to be going back to India in Decemeber!   And, I am also going to be having a house concert to help benefit the trip with none other than Molly Jenson!  I'm very excited!  So, tomorrow I pinky promise to get an e-vite out and set up ticket info...but until then please mark your calendars for August 15th!!!  I would love for you all to be there!!!  And to be honest I feel like I am going out on a limb here to do the concert and I want it to be beneficial and really helpful for the trip.  So please plan on coming!  More details to follow very soon!  Oh, and if you could all be keeping me in prayer...I've got a 2nd interview coming up for a job at a physical therapists office. :)  Thanks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRISTINA!!!

Happy Birthday sis!  Here's to 24 years of living! Geez we're getting old...remember the days when it was just me and you, and when mom would dress us alike?  And remember the times we shared a room together?  With the Little Mermaid Poster?  And me and you hanging out with Mark, Ryan, Robbie and Marcy?  Wow!  Or us driving down PCH in the BMW in high school?  And Shirley's Bagels before school?  Well, now we have awesome new chapters in our lives and  I am so proud of you and the beautiful woman you are!  You are a great sister!  Love you mucho!
(I know you don't like the picture of us in Sedona, but it's one of the only one's I have of us...and it's not that bad  :) ) 

Whole lot a shaking going on

That is kind of the phrase I can think of that describes how I feel and what's been happening lately. Some good and some bad "shaking" to be honest. Babysitting is picking up and I'm tutoring four kids during the week. And I also have a temp job set up for a few days next week (for the job where two employees kindly made a great impression on my first day of work.) I am also working on a few other job opportunities. I am so very thankful for all of these especially because I am getting my car fixed and it's a lot of money (and considering the circumstances it's rocked me). I can honestly say that in the later part of last week these jobs were not even in place and I was definitely stressing about it; but I made the decision to really lean on the Lord and call on Him and say "this may be tough but I choose to have faith and cast my burden and cares unto Him in ways I never have before". It is definitely a testimony of His power, grace, love and care in a very personal way for me. I am also very excited because it looks like I am going to be able to go back to India in December and an extremely awesome part about it is I have a concert at my house lined up with Molly Jenson that will help go towards the trip! (She is really awesome!) I am so excited! Anyway, I will leave y'all with an awesome picture of me and my little bro at a recent family beach trip (picture thanks to aunt Cathy, or Caca as we've called her lovingly for many many years). I love my bro (I call him my Bubba). And let me know if any of you would like to come to the concert (you can do so by posting a comment-- seriously, the more the merrier)! (BTW, can you say twins in this picture...and we're 11 years apart! Hello!)

Drum roll please...here are the Switchfoot pics!

Without further ado, here are the Switchfoot pics! They put a smile on my face :)

"This is home"

So, yesterday was the big, anticipated Switchfoot concert!!! It was definitely something that I felt was getting difficult to manage because at first I planned to go to the concert in San Diego and stay there with a friend (Jen) for the weekend. We were going to go to the Switchfoot all day surf competition (which benefits the local organization "Stand Up for Kids") and then after they had a concert with Fiction Family, Molly Jenson, Tim Curran and much much more. A really amazing weekend! Then, silly me got asked to babysit and didn't realize it was the same weekend. Problem. So, I was going to stay until the latest possible time in San Diego to be able to take part in as much of the festivities that I could and then come back home. I compromise I accepted. Then, about 3 days ago I'm driving my car and it starts to make a not-so-good grinding type of noise and it felt like it drove kind of weird. Problem. Take my car to two different mechanics because it turns out it required a transmission specialist. The transmission guy says I need a new transmission that's a minimum of $1200! What! Oh, and I shouldn't drive the car or it will cause more damage which will cost more money. So, needless to say I didn't have a car to get me to do all the fun things in San Diego. However, my very very good friend Stephanie was going to the concert with me and generously picked me up to go to the concert and drove me back home late in the evening. (Because she wasn't able to stay overnight in San Diego or go to the Bro-AM surf contest).
However, the concert itself was amazing!!! Before the concert Steph & I met up with Jen. It was a blast. Jen is just awesome! (And if you all could keep her in your prayers. She and her boyfriend are going on a missions trip to the Congo in 2 weeks and are having trouble raising money.) And at the concert we had stinking amazing seats! Right level with the stage (because the general admission area that was standing only was actually below us. Nice!) And we met wonderful people at our same table at the concert who flew in from Florida for the weeks Switchfoot festivities. They are even sending me a DVD of the concert that they recorded! And we also sat next to Tim & Jon Foreman's grandparents (who, at the last song, stood up and clapped). Then I had passes to the meet and greet and got to meet with the guys!!! So exciting! They're so cool! There are going to be pictures to follow once I get the transferred. Just thought I'd share. After a pretty long and challenging couple of weeks, it's been nice to feel like blood is flowing through my veins again...like "my heart's still beating" (in the words of Switchfoot). Rock on!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

I have a pretty awesome dad (or fasha as I call him...this Austin Powers for that one). Anyway, I am so thankful to have a great dad, on top of a great Heavenly Father! Love you!!!!!! (basically, I don't think I have any pics of just me and my dad, so I'm just posting a couple pictures of my dad in action as a father instead--one of the pictures is with his own dad too, so that's fitting :) ...will have to change the fact that we don't have any pictures on my computer of the two of us).

June-tastic (June crazyness, that's all I got for a title..boring I know)

Lots has been going on around here...I've had quite a week. I've worked this whole week at the temp job and had my last day Friday. I worked a total of 56 hours simply alphabetizing, filing and making labels. But I am so thankful to have had the work. Everything continued to be fine after that first day. lol. On top of that, I've been babysitting a few days after work; I also took my brother to California Advenuture after work to utilize his birthday ticket! And, I've also been blessed to have time to drive Suresh (the pastor who I stayed with in India) and his wife around a little bit. They are quite an amazing couple, as well as individuals. My dad also had lunch with us and has been able to help Suresh get plugged in to several men prayer group to speak and spread the word about Harvest India. They are becoming sweet friends. Needless to say it's been a crazy week. I'm having difficulties dealing with managing that schedule and being in between taking in as much babysitting as well as managing temp jobs. However, this upcoming week has no temp job thus far, but a few extra babysitting gigs and hopes of a permanent part time job (which would be quite nice). The big news is that my baby sister has now graduated high school!!! I am so proud of her!!! Next stop, Chico State!!! It was great to be with family to celebrate with her! Kori, I pray that the next four years are full of focus, protection and blessings and that you would have a safe and great college experience in an environment where you excel to the fullest!!! Other big news is that my older sis is moving to Sacramento on Monday!!! It's crazy!!! I'm going to miss her being so close but I know that she will visit and I'm determined to make trips to visit her as often as possible. We are all growing up! (here's' me and my mama, Kori and Chantelle, Kori & Grammie & Susie, Kori with the cake I made her; yeah, I also somehow had time to make her a cake!)

Go Steph, it's your burfday, we're gonna party like it's your burfday!

This post goes out to one of my best friends, Stephanie. Thank you for your friendship and many fun and memorable times together! You are an amazing person! I'm so proud of you for the strives that you've made personally. I pray that this year has many more blessings, closeness with our Father, and personal growth! Love ya!

An already eventful week

This week has definitely been interesting to say the least. I don't know where to begin...Well, a praise is that I have been able to get a lot of resume's in to several companies and have also been in contact with several of my former employers and things are moving. This is a great thing! Another thing is that I have managed (or rather my body has managed) to get sick with some sort of sinus thing (and I have a very raspy/sexy voice...lol. jk. I always have to put some Friends reference in, right?). It's been a few days and it hasn't gone away but it is getting better. Another thing is that I have a temp job for 4 days this week! And I'm getting in more babysitting! But, something very bizarre happened on my first day at the job. I had reported to the job at 9, so I was going to stay later. When the person I report to left she informed me that two people would also be staying to work. I had to go to the bathroom and the guy and girl who were also "staying late" were kissing in the guys office. They were deep into the kiss and the way they were facing I don't particularly think they thought I saw them but the guys office is close to the door so I made sure to let it shut loud. I am walking to the bathroom and thinking "WHAT THE HECK, did that really just happen???!!! Are you kidding me???!!! Am I imagining things???!!!" I get back from the bathroom and the guy is working and the girl left. Thank goodness it was just a few minutes before I was going to leave. Can you say awkward? Needless to say I came back the next day to work and I think that the two of them were embarrassed and ashamed to have gotten caught so I think they are going to be a little more cautious about there make out sessions...which is I guess is all I ask. Anyway, more news is that Suresh from Harvest India & his wife (Christina) are coming into town Saturday and I am so excited to get to see them! They are having a welcome get together Saturday night; and I was asked to drive Suresh & Christina to a scheduled meeting on Monday, which I am so excited about! I get to drive them like they did for me & I get to hang with them more! YAY! Anyway, that's all I can think of right now. Love you all!

Baby Lily!!!! (and Disneyland again!)

Some exciting news is that my bff Lauren is now an aunt to a beautiful 7 lb. 11 oz baby girl as of last Friday! Laur's sis was a trooper and after 25 hours of labor ended up needed a C-section. But I am so excited she's here and she really is the cutest baby!
Now I have to say, thank goodness for my Disneyland pass. I just love Disenyland! And this week I was able to go two days in a row with two different friends (we didn't go until later on each day so I was able to get my job searching done and all the things a person needs to accomplish in a day). I had a good time...except for when the ride "Tower of Terror" stopped in the middle of our plunge because of someones cell-phone; but you can definitely tell that it's summer because "D-land" is getting much more crowded. Anyway, my bro & I have plans to go to California Adventure to finish off the last day of his birthday ticket. I'm excited for that! Well, other updates are that I am working hard trying to find full-time employment because babysitting has pretty much come close to a stand still. I think it will be a great opportunity for me though to have a steady job, and be able to save and have more structure. So, if you all could be praying that God aligns me with the right job and the people reviewing my applications see my strengths. Anyway, that's really all that's been going on.

(Here's a picture of me and Steph on the Astro Blaster ride...notice the score anyone? lol.)

Molly Jenson Concert was t(witt)erific!!!

So, thanks to Twitter I had the opportunity to meet with one of my favorite artists...Molly Jenson. I am not continuously on Twitter, but on Tuesday of this week I check it mid-day and what do you know, Molly Jenson had literally just sent at tweet saying she needed someone to help sell merchandise at her conceret at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, and you could also get you and a friend in to see her concert. Of course I replied right away! Heck, I love things like that. And what do you know, I was the first one to respond (truly had to do with the timing of it all since I'm not on twitter all the time) and last night was the concert. I was excited because my roommate Kristi and I got to meet her ahead of time, watch her perform and then sell merchandise. She is a great singer and she is just so sweet and cute in person. It was my fourth time seeing her, so it was neat to be able to talk to her about that and how I actually won tickets last year from her by being the first to respond to an e-mail she sent out on her e-mail list about free tickets she had up for grabs. Lol. Moral of the story: 1) promote your local artists 2) twitter is good (along with e-mail and technologically savvy forms of communication--that's right, I said savvy. Sounds very Jack Sparrow from Pirates. lol)

An add on

Two things that I forgot to mention is how cute my brother is...he was such a trooper at Disneyland, managing the crowds and all that. The funniest part was that when we got into the parking lot and he was enthralled by the five story elevator in the parking lot. He wanted to ride it so bad, it was as if he would be completely happy to just go on that and call it a day. And then when it came time for dinner I wanted to let him choose where we'd eat, and he said "I don't know, I just want Italian". I know that I went on about the Space Mtn. experience last blog, so sorry :) Hope you all have a great Saturday! :)

Fun times at D-land (aka, the Happiest Place on Earth)!

So, I have decided to post about my D-land trip with Brad on Saturday :) We had so much fun!!! As I woke up that morning I realized that even though we live about 15-20 minutes away from D-land, he hasn't been since he was about 4! So, needless to say he didn't remember a lot of what D-land is like so it felt really fun to have what felt like a first D-land trip for him :) I call it our "Disneyland maximization celebration" because I was determined to maximize our time there & make the best of the day. We got there & had to stand in line for his free ticket, which took a while. But, even though the ticket line was long, I knew it actually pretty much always is and nothing else looked too bad so far. Were able to go on all the "big rides" & utilize fast passes for rides that had the longest wait. He was confused about the whole fast pass thing and maximizing that for the rides with the longest wait, but I said "just trust me, I'm an annual passport holder". We didn't have to wait very long on the rides & I remember I prayed about the busy-ness of D-land on Memorial Day weekend and that God would provide and really, He did. Rides that were usually long seemed to have 1/2 the wait time from the board on Main St. in D-land that tells wait time. Anyway, the only bummer was Space Mtn; We waited to get a fast pass for it until before we went to dinner (because we had one for Indiana Jones & then Splash Mountain before that). However, at 5:50, the next Fastpass time was at 11:30pm!!! Heck no, I said. Brad agreed, so we went to Splash Mtn & then dinner; we came back & the wait time went from 50 min. to 70 min. But Brad & I both said "oh, it doesn't look that long" & we waited. About 30 minutes into the wait the ride breakes down & they say it's 1-3 hours fix time. So, we go on It's A Small World, watch fireworks, and go back to Space Mnt. and it was closed still! Sigh! We waited about 20 minutes because I was so hopefull it would open & Brad was getting really bored so he asked if we could go on the Matterhorn and we did and we go back to Space Mtn and it's open!!! YAY! But the wait was 70 min. because of all the people who had been waiting so long too. It was 10:15 at night and we were tired and both said heck no, but I said "let me try to smooze the Fast Pass people" and they said we couldn't get in without the pass even though we were in line when it shut down :( So, Brad still hasn't gone on Space Mtn but I am determined to get him on it someday soon because it would probably be his most favorite ride in D-land! We had fun!!! 12 rides in about 10 hours, including dinner & lunch!!! Love you Brad!

Happy Birthday Brad!!!!!

Happy 12th Birthday Bro! I know I've said it before, and I will say it again; you are the coolest brother. I am so proud of you for being so great at everything you do, and for being such a strong young man. I am really excited to see all that God has planned for you! I can't believe that you're already 12! I remember the day that you were born (and how you were two weeks late) and how Nina, Kori & I use to call you "Hercules" as a baby because of your big (chubby) arms...or the sweet tooth you've had since you were a baby...and how you've always been so athletic and definitely the boy of the house (but still always hug your sisters and say I love you). I love you very much!!! Today is going to be so much fun at Disneyland, and can't wait for more fun times spent together. (Just promise me you won't tackle me anymore when I'm trying to leave mom & dad's.) I love you lots and hope for many many more blessings on you!


Here's Brad surfing in Oceanside, and me and Brad being goofy (I think trying out some model poses. lol).

Growing up!!!

So, yesterday I allowed myself a study break & had lunch with my very best friend Lauren. We've known each other since freshman year of high school & have remained close ever since. (This includes me taking three trips to New York to visit her...I know, the things I have to endure. lol) Anyway, She's been back in CA from school in New York for a year and a half now & I've mentioned before she got engaged on her & her fiances 5 year anniversary in October (Halloween to be exact). Knowing that we are best friends I kind of assumed I'd be in the wedding but she's been quiet in telling me who's in the bridal party & never actually asked me. Well, yesterday I got the official ask. She's so sweet & sent her bridesmaids a cute card that asks "Will you....be my bridesmaid?" I love her planning & thoughtfulness. She's great at things like that. Which is why I know the wedding is going to be off the hook. So, she is the first friend of mine to be getting married & with that brings a lot of excitement for me. It feels like my friends & I are growing up and creating our own lives. It's another new experience & it's pretty cool. First wedding &  for me the first time being a bridesmaid! Another first is Lauren's going to be an aunt at the end of this month. Her niece Lily is expected on May 30th. Yesterday I also got to see Lauren's sister & her growing baby in her belly. You know that you & your friends are close when your best friend & her sister get their hair done by your aunt. Lauren's sister said "I love your aunt!" & I had this feeling of how amazing it is to be so close with so many loving people who truly care about me & there is no questoin about it. And Lauren's sister said "Brittani, it's so hard to find a nanny! Can you just watch Lily for me when I need someone!".  It was too cute & I think it is pretty special to be in a type of community where we all help each other & are basically apart of each others family.  Laur & Kyle, it has been a privilege to watch your relationship grow (I even went on the first date with them--it was a football game).  I pray for stress-free wedding planning, a blessed marriage & a wonderful life together, for your closeness, unity and for your future.  I hope that I will be grow even closer through the planning process and that I can play a helpful role.  And I pray for the Coopers & for a healthy baby Lily and a blessed life for her.  Ok, I'll stop with the mushy. :)  I have my last final of the quarter today so if you all could be praying for me!  XOXO

here's the card:

Just Because

just because I felt like sharing my beautiful shoes with you all :) and because I needed a little study break

Shoe therapy!!!

So, here's a little update. I have been in the mood to wear my kick butt high heel shoes lately. Last night as I was falling asleep I even thought about these shoes my aunt bought me that I wore to graduation from UCI and what I could wear them with again. I'm not even talking about retail therapy, but I'm daydreaming about shoes I own that I don't get to wear often because they're not conducive to running or playing baseball or soccer or walking to the park while I babysit. To be honest, there's not a whole lot of these types of shoes in my closet, and it's definitely not like me to think of clothing/fashion like this which is makes it all the more random. I will admit this is probably induced by the alternate reality of studying that I'm in. But it is also because I got to wear a pair of them on Mother's Day and got complemented by numerous family members (my dad included, which tells you something about how maybe I really should wear these rockin' shoes more often). Other forms of therapy for me include listening to Jon Foreman, Switchfoot, Fiction Family, Molly Jenson and Jack Johnson...oh, and eating madeline cookies! So yummy! Anyway, I'm having fun typing this on my iPod as I walk to go pick up the kids I'm babysitting for today, which makes it rather convienent to blog. If you all could be praying for my studies, my family, test taking skills and my attitude/perserverance. I honestly haven't babysat in a couple days so I've been cooped up studying and that's not been doing well for my mentality after a few days. Thanks you all and love you!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

Just wanted to say HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to my mom!  Love you!  (I know it's not the most flattering picture because we were camping, but it's still cute I think)