Introducing Ms. Ruby Red!!

I GOT IT!!

I was "APPROVED"!!

I'm going to pick it up right now!

I'm so nervous!!

AAHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Monday's Mumblings....

-Man! I don't know where my camera cord is so I can upload my photos from Saturday night! UGH!!

-I didn't go to the Temple on Saturday. I wasn't feeling well on Friday. I didn't get to see my Temple friends or talk to Berkeley--who, thank goodness, is like a breath of fresh air on the men's side. I can't wait til Saturday!

-I had A LOT of FUN Saturday night! I was a lil apprehensive about going to a club...in Hillcrest, since it's a predominantly gay community. (Worries: "Does it say 'Mormon' across my forehead?", "Am I pretty enough?"--I think I've watched too many "Tori & Dean" episodes) Well, I was nervous anyways, since I'm not the biggest club hopper out there and I wasn't sure what to really expect. I'm really glad I went. I had a lot of fun dancing! I would most definitely do it again...maybe next time somewhere where I'm not checking out a guy, who's also checking out a guy.

-Dinner's not ready. UGH!!

-I'm talking to a new guy, "Viper". It's still relatively new. He's nice and good looking. Eh, we'll see how this pans out. If anything, what's another friend?

-Sometimes I feel like I'm not really interested in dating. It's too much effort, like a job interview over and over and over.... I know a couple of guys that are truly wonderful, but when I think of dating them...it's like, "Do I really want to?" Am I afraid it'll lead to marriage? or another disappointing heartbreak? I'm kinda tossed about this subject. Gosh, I wish I lived in India...I'd probably be in my 10th year of an arranged marriage by now. So much easier!

-I'm stuck between a rock and a hard spot. My Mom's birthday was this past Saturday and she wants to celebrate it this Thursday with our family and several close friends at one of her favorite restaurants. BUT! A month ago I RSVP'd for my company's "Appreciation Dinner". Next to our company's Christmas party, this is a big deal. EVERYONE looks forward to it! I know I've been lookin' forward to it since December! My Mom kinda sprung this up at last minute and when she told me last week, I kinda mentioned having a 'work thing' and she said, "If you have to go, you have to go...". I felt a little bad, but I've been really looking forward to this dinner. UGH!! I don't know what to do....dangit!!

-Tomorrow I'll find out some big news. I'm excited and a lil nervous. If it passes, then that's a GREAT thing! If not, then "oh well". We'll see...cross your fingers!

Happy Birthday Eidde & PJ!!

Tonight (Saturday night) I went to Universal for two of my besties bdays! Oh man! SO MUCH FUN!! LOVED IT!! The music was terrific and the company even better! It was so nice to get out since I wasn't feeling well.  I love these two friends and I'm glad I got to party it up with them!

Pictures to follow....

It tastes a lil like....

I tried to make Jamaica/Hibiscus drink right now and it didn't come out so well. I'm kinda bummed about it :( I added too much sugar! Dangit! Mamacita brought in some to work yesterday and it tasted so good!! I thought I'd try making some myself. One lil mistake of too much sugar and it's ruined. My Mom was a good sport about it. She said I could just have people drink it over ice. Thanks Mom :)

Which reminds me of an incident last night. I was invited to have dinner with a newly married friend and her husband, at their new place. I was asked what I'd like to drink along with my dinner. I chose Lemonade. It was her first time hosting a guest over for dinner since being married and she wanted everything just right. Upon tasting it, I could tell that a lot more Lemonade concentrate was needed. The color was right on, but it honestly tasted like water with lemon. Not a big deal since I like that anyways. My friends kept asking how the lemonade was and I said "It's fine to me. I'm good". My friend's husband finished his drink, mentioned that he was going to have some lemonade and jokingly said, "Now I'll be able to tell if you were lying to us". I was nervous. I started to feel bad for not being totally upfront about it. I mean, I was okay with the drink. It didn't bother me that it tasted more like water than lemonade. I kept my eyes low and focused on my plate. After he drank half of his lemonade my friend asked him how it tasted. He chose his words wisely and was gentle with her feelings. I can just imagine them working together on perfecting it, in time. It made me reflect back to their temple sealing and everything I've been taught about how spouses should treat each other. What a wonderful evening and display of love and respect.

Such a WONDERFUL weekend!

Saturday: Wow! I met a great, funny & super friendly guy at the Temple! FINALLY!! I mean, it's not like we're going on a date or anything...it was just SO NICE finally meeting a guy from the shift that's single and NOT SCARED TO TALK TO A WOMAN!! He's the son of one of the sisters from my shift. He spends every Saturday in the Temple while his Mom's working there. While I was assigned to the Baptistry yesterday (for the first time), I noticed him down there as well. Come to find out, he was finally called to be an ordinance worker. We got to spend some time together and talk...which was so super fun!! I loved it!! He's tall, cute, FUNNY, Spanish speaking RM and a Berkeley Law graduate. We had a terrific conversation and I look forward to talking with him again! We had some down time so Bro. Broadbent (who was subbing for the day and also new to the Baptistry) came over to talk with us. Upon meeting us the first thing out of his mouth was, "The best place to meet your spouse is in the Temple!" and then continued on this piece of advice. It made "Berkeley" and I laugh. Not because we were mocking him, but because of the awkwardness of barely meeting just moments before. Bro. Broadbent shared with us his story of meeting his late wife. It was so touching. It brought tears to all of our eyes. Even though I just met Bro. Broadbent, I love him dearly. I'm glad to have met him.

My lunch ended up being scheduled so late in the day, so we were all worried that I'd have to snag lunch out of the vending machines. I was bummed because I LOVE the Temple's cafeteria food AND I had no cash on hand! (AAAAAHHHHH!!!). Bro. Broadbent pulled out some money and gave it to me for lunch. I told him it was okay and I would be fine. He said "Of course you will be! Now take this and go eat!". Berkeley thought he'd chime in saying, "Are you going to deny him blessings of service?" So of course, I had to take it at that point. Bro.Broadbent said that instead of paying him back, I should repay it towards the Missionary fund for my ward. WOW! Can I just say I LOVED my time in the Baptistry yesterday!! I'm SO SO SO HAPPY I had that wonderful opportunity to serve there yesterday!!

((sorry that was so long...and that was only one day, so far))

Sunday: Stake Conference was AWESOME!! I LOVED IT!! I don't know if it was because I had comfy seats and was so ecstatic to be singing with the choir or...no wait, that was exactly it!! The talks were equally awesome too!! Bro. Mask spoke for 45 minutes and it went by like mere seconds. He shared missionary themed stories of his Mexican heritage. It was wonderful to listen to, especially since more than half of my stake descends from the same culture. "Iré y haré" or "I will go and do" was something his faithful Abuela taught him while in his youth. I loved it!! The stake choir sounded terrific!! I am TRULY GRATEFUL for the chance I was given to sing with them. It's been a magnificent blessing. My friend Nefi came down with her adorable lil boy to hear me perform. I love her so much for that sacrifice. It was a lovely opportunity to spend a few moments with her and her lil boy who is too cute for words!!

Tomorrow: I kinda made a pact with my friend/Visiting Teachee that I would go to the gym and read my scriptures more, this week. I'm kinda stoked for it and kinda not. I'm nervous as to how my ear will feel while I'm working out. I'm not trying to find a cop out reason, but I'm pretty sure I've come down with Tinnitus (I've got the "whooshing" sound type). I don't want it to get worse while I'm working out. But oh well, we'll see.... Here's to the gym and scripture study!

Called to Serve!

Weekend Update.....sans Jimmy Fallon

(I'm currently at work...so I have no pics with me to post)

Saturday: Awesome, fun, spiritually filled day!! It was so wonderful having so much family and friends around to celebrate my niece's baptism. It was great, but sooooooooo tiring!! I still can't believe she's 8 years old!! Time seriously flies by!! My brother smoked some beef, pork and turkey. Oh man! I am now a fan!! Mom also made her famous Potato Salad....Oh man, I don't know if I was hungry or what---but EVERYTHING was so good!! I made Mom's fruit salad, and we had rice, green salad and someone cut up fresh fruit. DELICIOUS!!! What a great way to celebrate a baptism!! WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!

Sunday: I was able to attend church with my family, at their ward. It was so nice...but sooooooo loud! I forget how noisy it is at a family ward, til I'm actually there!! AAAAHHHHHHHH!! The weather was so beautiful yesterday....I'm so glad it's Spring. We went out to eat for Easter--since we were all so tired of cooking from the previous day. I love Ol' Spaghetti Factory!! I'm so glad it's back in San Diego!! Everything tastes the same like before. The lasagna was great! It was so nice being out with my family and just enjoying each other's company. When we got home we had our "First Annual FLUFFY BUNNY Contest". TOO FUNNY FOR WORDS!! I NEVER want to eat another marshmallow again!! I'm sure I either have a cavity now or diabetes....probably both.

All in all...it was such a great weekend!! The only downside was hearing about the passing of a friend's husband. Bro. Moon passed away before they left San Diego from their mission to go home to Utah. I feel so sad for her. In the last conversation we had, she asked me how she would adjust to being home from her mission. I told her that she was fortunate to be going home with her companion (husband). She was lucky because she'd be able to reminisce with her husband of all their mission experiences. I'm sad for her now, because not only will she have to adjust post mission life....but a life without her husband. I will definitely keep her in my prayers.

R[and]om.

-Wednesday night I had 3 hours of sleep. Last night I got 4 hours of sleep. So I'm hoping to get AT LEAST 5 hours of sleep . I look forward to the night I get a FULL 8 hours. I'm surprised that I'm able to function with this much sleep. But I think it's starting to take it's toll on my face because my eyes aren't lookin' all too great.

-My beautiful, wonderful niece will be getting baptized tomorrow. I'm so excited for her. It'll be a terrific day for so many reasons. Other than the obvious one, it'll be a blessing to have family and friends in town for it. I can't believe she's already 8 years old!! I guess the time's flown by because I was off on my mission and away for school during her younger years. Wasn't she just blessed yesterday during Easter weekend? How do 8 years fly by? Well heck, my oldest nephew is awaiting his mission call....I remember when he was blessed and baptized. I feel old, without actually being old. Does that make sense?

I'm really stoked to be giving my niece her first set of

scriptures and this adorable scripture bag!! I wish there were cute scripture bags like this, when I was her age. AHHH!!! I'm so excited for tomorrow!!

And that's all I have on my mind right now...... I'm tired and it's definitely time to hit the sack.

Audacity.

One thing I dislike about myself is that I don't defend myself as much as I should. I'll defend everything and everyone else...but when it comes to myself, I'm terrible at it. I wish I had a reason why I don't do it, unfortunately I just don't do it. That's not good. I think it's because I hate having to have a reason behind everything. I don't think someone should have to defend themselves against family and close friends. I should know better. I should know not to easily trust everyone and anyone--close friend or not. Yet I still do it. Why? But you know what the funny thing is... I know this friend. I know that I'll always have to defend myself on something. "It is what it is" apparently has no meaning. Even though I try to change the topic, it comes back around to it and there I am, defending it, defending myself.

Enough is enough.

So to this friend I say, if you wanna run your mouth with all your opinions--go ahead! I'll give you a piece of my mind from now on, about the same exact things. Like what I really think of your girlfriend and her eyebrows or your favorite Michael Crichton books. You ALWAYS say that you're not going to "say anything about that"---YET YOU STILL DO!! RIGHT AFTER YOUR DISCLAIMER!!

Thanks friend.

To spite Peej...

I like this youtube video! (and the fact that I can post it on my blog--muahahaa!!!)
I wish we had a song like this in Primary to help remember all the Apostles.

(Posting videos on blogs: copy the entire "Embed" code [It'll be pretty lengthy] from video website source and paste on to blog. Simmer for 1 minute and enjoy!)

The April 5th Blog

1. What a greatGREATgreat weekend!! It felt 'full', not because I had a lot of things to do but because I could do whatever I wanted. I had the ENTIRE weekend FREE!! The Temple was closed and there weren't any church services due to General Conference. Conference was spectacular, I loved it and I can't wait to receive my May Ensign!! I love Pres. Monson!

2. I loved hanging out with my family this weekend. It was so much fun getting pedicures with my sister-in-law and niece. It was nice not having to rush off anywhere. Last night our family went over to my cousin's house for dinner. Delicious food, great company and many laughs!! So much fun!

3. My niece will be getting baptized this Saturday. I'm so excited for her! I can't believe she's 8 years old already!! Where has the time gone?? I'm excited for all the family and close friends that will be in town.

4. I have so much on my mind.... General Conference has really made me think about a lot of things. Well, since last Sunday, my Bishop's words have really stuck in my mind:

Good, Better, Best

Never let it rest

til your good is better

and your better is best.

I don't know....I don't really want to divulge it all here, right now, but all I know is that I've gotta stay true to 'best' choices instead of just 'good' choices. I'm happy, but I know I can be happier. Also, I'm undecided as to whether I want to transfer back to my family ward or not. I've been feeling the age difference in my YSA ward for several weeks now. I feel a lil out of place, ward wise....well, in life actually. It's awkward to look around and see A LOT of my friends married and even married with kids--while I'm 0 for 2. I'm starting to feel the sting of my age a lot more these days. I don't necessarily wish I was married, but at least if I could find a guy that I could be remotely interested in--and vice versa--that would be nice. Eh, oh well....

5.

I want to move to Coronado. I love that town. And I love this house, because of the porch...and it's in Coronado too!! However, It reminds me of Sister Nelson's place back in Florence, NJ and the rocking chairs on her porch. Oh I miss it so! Anywho...Coronado's so beautiful and it's pretty central, without being in the middle of everything. I feel like hangin' out there this week.

A good ol' dish of Humble Pie, please.

Wow. Last night was the first night of stake choir practice. I felt very humbled. I kept thinking of the words found in the Book of Ether and by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"...for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

.....and.......

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier - not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do has increased."

I felt like it was one of those times to depend on the Lord. It reminded me a lot of this past Summer, as I was learning my new job in the legal world and my calling at the Temple...feeling so out of place and inadequate! I'm sure, like my job and calling, it'll become easier in time.
This is the song we're going to sing:

It gets pretty high and I'm learning so many new things about music! I love it! But man, I feel like I really need to step it up. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. This is something I've wanted for such a long time, since I was about 11 years old. The one thing I have trouble with is becoming emotional over the lyrics we sing. They're so beautiful and touching, I just hope I don't start bawling while singing--AAHHH! However, I feel so blessed to have been invited. I hope I can just do my best and make my Mom proud. I'm so grateful for growing up in a home filled with music...my Mother who sang all the time and allowed me the same privilege , for her enrolling me in Violin lessons in grade school and for my family enduring my endless amount of mistakes while teaching myself to play the piano. Thank you Heavenly Father for these wonderful blessings :)

Glad I took lunch today....

I didn't plan on taking my entire lunch break, but I was tired and figured I'd just hang out in the breakroom. Glad I did...

Half way through lunch, Mr.NY came down to get a snack. Before I knew it, he was sitting across from me and we were talking about all sorts of things. It was cool just to chill and chat with him. He has 3 older brothers and MAN! I would love to see if they're HOT like him...or even hotter?! I bet those are some good genes. He's thinking about leaving the company sometime soon because he's tapped out. (NOOOOOOOOOO!!) That totally bites!! Oh well, guess I'll have to make the time count now.... All in all, it was a good day....well, it was a great day. ANY day I get to gaze into his beautiful green eyes is a GREAT day! Gosh he's beautiful.

Trippy Tuesday......

I held a dog tonight....and LIKED it!!

I'm not the biggest fan of dogs because I think they can be a lil dirty. Yes, I'm OCD about germs and my hands being dirty. However, I had to pick up this cute lil puppy from being manhandled by 3 children. The puppy seemed grateful and soon fell asleep in my arms.

I've always wanted a German Shepherd named "Dude"...

However, I think I may actually want this lil puppy in the pic. It's a girl. I have no girl dog names, so I'm going to have to really think this one over. I always figured I'd get a dog once I had a house of my own. That, for me, would feel like the cherry on top of a 'Success' sundae.

Oh well, we'll see what happens!?