Friday night paaaaaaartay!

Hmmm..... 
Some dear friends are throwing me a belated birthday party tonight.  
I don't know what to wear!?! 
I know my hair and toenails look cute....


....now to figure out the inbetween.


But I KNOW I'll be happy, two of my favorite people will be there and that's good enough for me.  


♥


............
4:08pm:
Ok, I know what I'm gonna wear! I found some cute grey ballerina flats while out shopping today and I have a deep purple top that I never wear, matched with jeans and I think I'll be good.  I'm stoked cause I'll be able use my CUUUUUUTE birthday purse too!  
I really want to get ready right now!  
STOKED & a lil nervous......


I guess I'm nervous because I have a like/dislike relationship with being the center of attention. I mean, I know I won't be the center of attention the whole time, but it's a party for me & my birthday.  I rather just shrink away in the corner talking to a close friend or holding BabyChleo that I LOVE so much.  You have no idea how touched I am that someone would want to throw me a birthday party.  This month has been the BEST birthday month ever!! I feel like I'm constantly getting birthday cards/greetings/gifts every other day from loved ones.  I couldn't be more grateful to be surrounded by such heartfelt love.  My cup runneth over.....

Thoughts on a Thursday: Friendship.

For once, today doesn't feel like a Thursday. I'm kinda bummed about that.  Usually, I can FEEL it. Today, not so much.  I wonder why?

I've been thinking of friends and friendship.  

I am sincerely grateful for family and friends who know me so well.  I'm thankful for those who understand what comes out of me, when sometimes I have no explanation.  

Yesterday, a new acquaintance "noticed" some things about me and my personality.  It surprised me and gave me things to think about.  I didn't think his assessment was completely accurate so I talked to Mr. Red about it.  He reassured me that I wasn't off in thinking that assessment and my personality weren't aligned with one another.  Then I started to think of my friendship with him.  A couple weeks ago, we talked about how well he knows me. I said, "I think you could possibly know me the best, at church." [amongst friends who've known me for years and some, since high school] He confidently replied, "I do know you the best."   Part of me was a little terrified because of his bold declaration. But it's true, he's right.  
I have some reservations about trusting people and "letting them in".  I don't trust easily because I hate being hurt. I'm grateful for loved ones who just get what I'm saying and sometimes, see beyond that and hear what's not being said.  

After our conversation, I sent him a text: 

"I'm very thankful you speak "Ehu" and that you just get me."  

I don't do so well at always communicating what's on my mind or in my heart.  I'm scared to get hurt.  But I'm thankful that he gets me, that he listens to what I say and especially to what I don't say and in the end, tolerates my idiosyncrasies.  (Heaven knows I have a lot of them!)  

I'm thankful for all my friends who speak "Ehu" and  when I rarely have to explain what I mean, because they know me.  

What's cookin', good lookin'!?

I started reading "Like Water for Chocolate" last night.  I've always LOOOOOOOOVED that book!  I'm 70% done with the book. Oh Tita y Pedro...

But now I just want to make everything under the sun!! 

I've been craving my Peruvian bean & chicken soup.  I NEED to make that.  Oooh I miss it so! I feel like it cures a sad heart and cheers a good day.  Yup, it's really that good.  

Oh I don't know what I want to make...but I feel like I want soup. However, I miss eating soup with Mama McK's homemade bread.  

In essence, I miss Mama McK.  I miss her a ton.  Oh my heart could use one of our wonderful Tuesday conversations in the kitchen.  

But for now, I will attempt to make my soup and send good thoughts her way.  I miss her so. 

Did you know that today's Tuesday?

S t u f f  o n  m y  m i n d....


-I bought two books today. Thanks for the birthday money, Mom & Dad, this is what I used some of it for.  I feel like these two books are complete opposites, but I'm SUPER stoked for both books! Oh I LOVE Like Water for Chocolate!! It's filled with such passion and delectable meals! LOVE IT!!

-Hung out with my niece today. Tons of fun, singing in the car to Glee, eating our Polish dogs at Costco and just chillin'.Goooooood times. I feel so blessed/spoiled that my niece WANTS to hang out with me.  How lucky am I?! :) 

-Can't really think of anything else right now.........  


-Oh yes I can.... I CAN'T wait til Friday!! I get to see BabyChleo!
-Citizen Cope & hoodie sweaters make me happy.
-I think this is gonna be yet ANOTHER epic weekend!! Can't wait!
-I've been listenin' to a lot more classical and opera music.  I forgot how much I LOVE it!!  It just feels like I'm listening to REAL music, REAL singing and REAL talent.  It feels like the purest form of music.  Much more relaxing! 
-My niece was talking to me about wanting to learn the violin.  I have a violin and know how to play it.... so maybe I could give her lessons.  I want her to have music talent, since it thrives in my family.  I don't know where to start, since it's been 23 years since I took my first violin lessons.  We'll see....

Scenes on a Sunday

1. BabyChleo, Oh I LOVE that baby SOOOOOOOOO much!!! She lights up my Sundays!!

2. I'm so grateful for Mr. Red!! :)

3. My lil missionary!! I'm gonna miss this girl!

4. My niece's cool Panda hat! I LOVE pandas!

5. Tui and an adorable half Tongan/Caucasian lil boy! 

I think I just caught a glimpse of my future kids ;)

I'm gonna miss this girl!!

This is my friend CC. 

She's been called to serve a mission for The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, in Denver, Colorado.  She's looked forward to her 21st birthday since...the womb.  I'm so excited for her and will miss her dearly!! She's been a wonderful friend and will make a spectacular missionary!  

This is my friend Dixie (no, that's not his name, it's his g-ma's name that always popped up on my caller ID...so that's what I've been calling him since.)  I haven't seen him in FOR.EV.ER!!! I've missed him so much and couldn't be any happier to have him here in town this weekend!! 

Temple time!

I got to go to the temple today with my nephew, Sim and our friend Ras.  It was wonderful.  I forgot how much I enjoy and NEED the peaceful, spiritual atmosphere.  It was GREATLY needed.  I just needed to get away from the world and focus on the eternal nature of life and its purpose.  While pondering and meditating, I couldn't help but feel a longing for the temple. I forgot how much I MISS working there on Saturdays.  I missed all my friends and dear sisters that I got to know and love.  

Serving at the temple was one of my favorite callings.  I think I say that for every calling I have--that's what happens when you pour your love and devotion into service.   

All in all, it was very wonderful being at the temple today.  It reminds me of how much more I need to go, how much I need to meditate and how blessed I am to be found worthy to attend.  I love the temple! 

A 2am Quickie.....just how I like 'em.

SO. MUCH. ON. MY. MIND.!!!

-My talk: I haven't really started it.  I don't like writing down talks word for word anymore.  I'm an RM, I shouldn't have to.  Besides, my topic is fairly easy.  I'm not nervous, but I feel a lil unprepared.   The part that makes me nervous is because this is a topic that Mr. Red and I have gone back and forth on.  I'm not gonna lie, I'm fascinated and intimidated by Mr. Red's intelligence.  If all else, I can bear testimony of what I know to be true--that is something that no one can dispute.

-It's 2am. I need to wake up in about 5.5 hours and I still need to shower from after Volleyball.

-My hair's getting long!! :) :) :) I love it!!

-I spent the evening with Mr. Red, a couple nights ago.  It was enjoyable, as always, and he made dinner--unexpected.  We talked and it was lovely, most especially since he had classical & opera music playing in the background. Oh I LOVED LOVED LOVED that!!  Such a splendid evening of stimulating conversation!  

-Sim & I are going to the temple tomorrow (aka: 6.5 hours from now).  I'm so stoked! I love spending time with Sim! He's more like my 21 year old kid brother than my nephew.

-I have a headache.

-I wish I knew how to de-clutter my room. I mean, it's clean...ok, I mean, it's on it's way to being clean. I'm 75% done, but had to leave to go do Visiting Teaching. But seriously, I'm tired of the stuff I hold on to.  Sometimes I think it's so unnecessary to hold on to stuff for nostalgic reasons.  I'd love to get to the point of owning just enough stuff to fit in my car, that's it! That would be AWESOME!

-I've got a busy weekend ahead of me.  Temple tomorrow morning, then missionary farewell party at night, with a Mexican Independencia party afterwards til 11pm'ish.  Saturday; church cleaning, funeral for a Relief Society sister's stepdad, possibly squeeze in some time at the Pacific Islander Festival and then a stake service project, dinner & general Relief Society broadcast.  Sunday; my talk, more visiting teaching and stake choir practice.  Oh man....hello Monday!

-I'm lovin' Les Miserables!! Oh and I'm lovin' the music as well!!! The book is just so wonderful! I love the priest!

-I can't believe the end of my Relief Society calling is right around the corner. I'm sad, but happy.  Not happy that I'm leaving it, but happy to know that I did my very best! 

GIDDY x a THOUSAND!!!

My birthday gift from "Stein" arrived today!!! :)

I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT!!

I never thought I'd be that kind of girl who got giddy over a purse! 

A PURSE for crying out loud!!!

...but I am!

((opening the box was fun in itself!))

She's so pretty!!!  I loved her from the second I laid eyes on her! 

I know the color's kinda hard to tell, but it's more like dark salmon. Oh I love it!! I've been wanting an orange purse for a while and couldn't find one that was 'me'.  This one's perfect!! Thank you Stein! 

Amazon!

I have a love/hate relationship with Amazon! Every time I'm on there, I just wanna buy EVERYTHING!!!  So for now, these are on my wish list..... 

(yes, some of them are children's books, but I've never read them all the way through but always heard so much about them.  I especially love the Shel Silverstein books!)

"Good reading can become a love affair" -G.Hinckley

What's on my night stand right now....

Lately, I've rediscovered my love affair of reading.  I finished, The Traveler's Gift, and LOVED it!!! So much good food for thought!!  Last Saturday, I spent sometime talking with Mr. Red about his favorite book.  I've been trying to read it since March. I talked with my friend FishLips and he suggested I try again.  I did.  Les Miserables is so wonderful!
I've been reading, Standing for Something, off and on since last week. I love the virtues that Pres. Hinckley speaks about.  They're a good reminder of what I need to do to improve my life.
The Te of Piglet makes me love Piglet even more.  I love the philosophies that are presented. Such good food for thought.  I like reading this book when I just need to clear my mind and not really concentrate on remembering different characters.  So good...can't wait to start on The Tao of Pooh.
My sister LOVED Eat, Pray, Love so I figured I'd borrow it from her.  I started to get into it, but misplaced it.  I found it recently and thought I'd try it again.  Every time I read it, I just want to take a trip to India, Italy & Indonesia!!

As I sat in a waiting room yesterday, reading Standing for Something, I came across two great points:
-"We must not rest in our personal development--development that is emotional and spiritual as well as mental.  There is so much to learn and so little time in which to learn it."


-"Indeed, the schooling of our spirits is as important as the schooling of our minds, if not more important"


I don't know where this resurgence of learning and reading came from...but I'm grateful for it. I have so much more I need to learn and read, life is short!

Beautiful words.

I was over at Mr. Red's tonight and we got talking about his favorite book.  I'm TRYING to read it but keep failing at it.  He shared some quotes with me, from the author, that makes me want to read it even more now!

"The glance has been so abused in love stories that we have ended up discounting it.  Hardly anyone dares now say that two beings fell in love because their eyes met.  And yet that is the way you fall in love and it is the only way you fall in love.  The rest is simply the rest and comes after. Nothing is more real than those great seismic shocks that two souls give each other in exchanging that spark."

&

"All of us, whoever we may be, have beings we breathe in like air.  If they are lacking, air is lacking, we suffocate.  Then we die.  To die for lack of love is appalling; the suffocation of the soul."

I feel like those two quotes are so simply beautiful.  It makes me ponder, to depths of my being, if I've ever experienced such feelings.  I LOVE love. I love being in love.  I love everything that relates to it.  It's such a powerful feeling to allow yourself to be open, giving, trusting, and vulnerable with someone who loves you more so, because of it.

Thank you, Victor Hugo...via  Mr. Red. 

Forgiveness.

Last night, as I was reading, "The Traveler's Gift", I learned more about forgiveness.  

My mind was flooded with those I should forgive in my life, right now.  I thought about my talk with Mr. Red the other night and the grudge I hold against some of my immediate family members.  Several years ago, I held a grudge against a brother  and that consumed my heart.  After we forgave each other, I felt like I could breathe again and not have to carry that load on my shoulders any longer.  

From The Traveler's Gift:

"The unmistakable truth about forgiveness is that it is not a reward that must be earned; forgiveness is a gift to be given.  When I give forgiveness, I free my own spirit to release the anger and hatred harbored in my heart.  By granting forgiveness, I free my spirit to pursue my future happily and unencumbered by the anchors of my past.  And forgiveness, when granted to others, becomes a gift to myself."

"I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it.  By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts.  I give up my bitterness.  I am content in my soul and effective again with my fellowman.  I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.  I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly."

Forgiveness is hard.  I was debating the positive sides to forgiving certain family members.   I want to but at the same time I don't because I'm afraid it's just going to set me up for future hurt.  However, I can't stand the negative feelings that cloud my heart and obstruct it from freely giving more love.  I think forgiveness is a process.  For me, it's stopping those feelings of hate, then growing up to apathy and indifference and finally to a point of being open to the idea of liking them again, with the hopes of love in the not too distant future.  I don't know what it's going to take, but I know it's going to be worth it in the long run. 

Thoughts on a Thursday.

Since yesterday, I've been reading, The Traveler's Gift.  I stumbled across it while at a friend's house and thought I'd check it out.  I looked at it before, but I was really drawn to it yesterday.  Now I know why! I can't put it down!! I just want to continue reading it but there are so many GREAT points to ponder.   I'm about half way through and hope to finish it off by tonight. 

I didn't really read the back cover or see what it was about, nor did I read the subtitle; 

"Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success".  

I would have thought this was a 'self-help' book and disregarded it. So far, it has a vibe like, The Alchemist.  

The Traveler's Gift is about a man, David Ponder, who was once a successful executive that lost his job and basically all meaning to his life.  Things take a turn for the worse when his 12-year-old daughter falls ill and needs medical help.  In the depths of despair, willing to give it all up while driving recklessly on icy roads, he suddenly finds himself on an incredible journey through time that helps him discover the 'seven decisions that determine personal success'.  

Some of my favorite lines from the book so far;

• "Challenges are gifts, opportunities to learn"
• "I am where I am today--mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially--because of my decisions I have made"
• "Serving is a way we can place value on one another. A wise man is a server."
• "He who serves the most grows the fastest"
• " I will become a humble servant.  I will not look for someone to open y door- I will look to open the door for someone.  I will not be distressed when no one is available to help me-I will be excited when I am available to help."

Seriously, I cannot wait to continue reading this book tonight!!

Sunsets with Mr. Red.....

Hung out with Mr. Red at the beach last night, during sunset.  It was so lovely.  

The sunset was so beautiful.  I couldn't help but want to take a picture of it.  The first picture was without a flash because I thought I could capture the red sky.  Not so much.... just blurriness. 

 But then I got exactly what I wanted.... this is the sunset that we were blessed to see.
I love the red sky! This is EXACTLY what my name is.
"Ehulani" translated from Hawaiian means, "red mist of heaven (sky)"  

I LOVE watching the sunset at the beach!

One of the MANY perks of living in San Diego.

Birthday Blessings!

I have NEVER felt so much love and admiration on my birthday before in my life!  My heart has been SO FULL that it could burst!! 


Wish #1: Some of the things I wanted for my birthday was to have my dear friend, PajamaPants attend church with me. He has such a BEAUTIFUL voice and I've longed to hear him sing the hymns again.

When I saw him in the chapel at church, I wanted to run up to him and give him a huge hug. I would have cried, but I had to sing a song in front of my ward, so I saved the tears til later.  I can't express my feelings of happiness having him by my side that day.  I asked him if he ever got nervous before he performs, he said, "EVERYTIME!".  It made me feel SO much better!  Oh I love my friend PajamaPants.  

Wish #2: I asked Mr. Red if he could go to church that day, on my bday.  I started to grow a lil worried that he wasn't going to be there, since I didn't see him minutes before it started. I happened to look across the chapel and there he was! It warmed my heart! I wanted him there because he has such a calming presence about him (even though I still get a lil nervous around him, sometimes).  I knew that I could look at him during my song and not feel so anxious, and also that he wouldn't judge me too harshly afterwards.  I'm so grateful for him and the close friend that he's become. 

I didn't really have any other expectations for my birthday, since they've usually been downers.  But any expectation I could have had, would have been blown out of the water! Like I said, I have never felt so much love in my life, on my birthday.  I wanted to cry tears of gratitude for all of my beloved friends who made my day extra special.  I've never received so many birthday presents in my life. They were all so special and I know they were given with so much love.  I counted each of my friends as a birthday present that I'm blessed to have each and every day.  

I loved the surprise of having a dear friend join me at church that day. Even as I type this, tears are streaming down my face.  I couldn't have been more grateful to sit next to her at church.  I have been blessed to get to know her and become closer friends with her.  She gave me such a sweet present: make up brushes. I  know that came from the heart because she knows my lack of make up skills and this will help encourage me to learn a lil more, and turn to her when I fail miserably trying :) Thank you Izzy. I love you so much! The card was endearing and I loved the cute bag as well!!  

I know birthdays aren't about presents, and honestly I wasn't expecting ANYTHING.  But I'm just so humbly grateful for the presents I received because they were from friends who know me and so I felt like they were giving me a token of themselves to me.  I love the earrings that my friend CC gave me.  They were her earrings that I've had my eye on.  She's going on her mission and can't necessarily wear them.  I asked about them once, but she told me her sisters already staked claim on them once she died.  DANGIT! Adios earrings.  So glad I didn't open her gift at church, I started crying when I unwrapped the tissue paper and realized what was inside.  I called her up immediately, sobbing.  I thanked her so much because I felt like she was leaving behind a part of herself as she embarks on her mission. Her card was enough, but her earrings meant so much more. 

 I got to hold Nash's baby girl, BabyChleo, during Relief Society. Oh I LOVE her SO MUCH!!! I steal her away from her parents every chance I get!! I think she spits up on me every time I hold her, but I never mind.  I love holding her and sometimes rocking her to sleep. I love her so much because I love her parents just as much. They mean so much to me and I love their lil family.  Oh this lil girl.... she has me wrapped around her heart! I will miss her the most when I leave my YSA ward.

I had such a FUN and emotional day because I just felt so much love from everyone that I came across.  I loved the red velvet cupcakes that my dear friends made for me.  I loved the cards with words full of love and friendship. I loved the birthday greetings and hugs that were given to me.   

I had dinner with the family and close family friends back at my house.  

GOOD food + GREAT company = HAPPINESS!
Hung out with some of my friends kids! I love them so much! I can't believe they're growing up so quickly! They gave me such a thoughtful gift, a Disney Princess puzzle.  Bless their hearts! I told them I'd come over to their house so we could put it together, together.
I LOVED all of my birthday, and even the days leading up to it.  Seriously, this was probably my best birthday ever! I think I say that every year.  But what touched me the most, was the card I got from my niece and nephew.

From Novee: 
Oh Just Ehu, Luv ya. Happy Birthday first of all. You are so awesome. You are the best ant in the world, thank you for everything. 

From Sim:
Hey "A-Who?"! So, I read your blog today. I am so touched that you see us 4 that way and can only say, if we were angels sent to bless your life, then heaven must've hand picked you to be our aunt, cuz not just anyone gets to host angels.  Thanks for being the world's greatest Aunt!

For a birthday that I wasn't too thrilled about, it turned out FAR BETTER than I could have ever imagined.  Thank you to everyone who made me feel special in every way possible. I hope that I can return the favor in any way possible.  My cup runneth over...

Ehu Eve!

For now I'll post the GREAT part about "Ehu Eve"! 
Seriously, I LOVE "Ehu Eve" as much as my REAL birthday!! (I'm a 'birthday whore', I'll admit it)


I went out with Ras tonight.  We went to Extraordinary Desserts! SOOOOOO GOOD!!! They ran out of my beloved Viking Cake.  I'm not gonna lie, I was BUMMED! But I had a back up plan and it was alright.  LUCKILY, Ras ordered the Chocolate Criossant Bread Pudding with Dulce de Leche ice cream. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD!!!!! I really did want to trade with Ras, but I had to be nice about it since he's not a fan of guava. I ordered the "Shangri-La": Heavenly. White chocolate mousse, guava mousse, fresh strawberries and whipped cream are layered between vanilla cakes moistened with kirsch.  It was nice, but seriously, it wasn't my BELOVED Viking.  (Can you tell how disappointed I was?!) It was a lil awkward to go back and forth from Ras' dessert because it was just so drastically different.

You can kinda see Ras' dessert, in the top left corner.  And this one was mine.  It was nice. 

Afterwards, Ras & I went over to Balboa Park and walked around.  We tried tossing coins onto the lilly pads at the Botanical Garden pond.  I forced Ras to make a wager if either one of us made it.  FUN TIMES! :)

 My whole reasoning to going to Balboa Park was to hang out at the fountain.

I LOVE the fountain there. It's so pretty at night. During the day, it's nice but it's so full of people and kids running around. At night, it's like a whole new world. I love it.
Had fun talking with Ras!! Wait, I take that back I had a BLAST talking with Ras.  I'm glad we're friends. I like the fact that I can be myself around him and nothing really changes our friendship.  He's a really TERRIFIC guy.  I'm so grateful for his friendship, especially as of late.

Had a WONDERFUL night.  It was fun, chill, relaxing, hilarious and involved chocolate!! I think those always make for a GREAT date! :)

Birthday weekend!

So I only really had 3 things planned for my birthday weekend.

Friday: Go to Tijuana with two friends for a wedding. 'Brown' weddings are my favorite! {Good food + Great music = AWESOMENESS}

Saturday: Dessert date with Ras, to Extraordinary Desserts.

Sunday: Family dinner for my nephew's homecoming.

But now it's a lil changed......

Friday (today): 
-Made breakfast for the family. I'm glad my family likes my "Cinnamon Peanut Butter" oatmeal.
-Cut Ras' hair :) He looks SO MUCH BETTER!!! Love it!
-Found out that one of my RS sister's step-father passed away, so I made homemade creamy Chicken soup.   {I know it's summer, but I think soup is such a nice comfort food}

Saturday:
-Chapel cleaning, RS is in charge.
-Funeral services that my BFF's dad asked me to play the organ at.
-Date with Ras & introduce him to my Viking.

Sunday:
-Singing a duet with Joz, my 1st counselor. I've been wanting to do that for a while, so I'm stoked.
-Get to see PajamaPants, who I've missed for so long! 
-Family lunch for my birthday & nephew's mission homecoming.
-(Maybe) Charades down at the beach.

Up the I-5 North to....

This is me.

I went here....for about a day.

With my very BEST friend, Bugs.

This was the view from our hotel window. I loved the beauty of this tower.

 This was my FAVORITE block, because I love Adam Sandler, but also because his shoes weren't boring--like most other blocks. (DC shoes imprint)

But I couldn't help but love Will Smith even more.

Inspiring.

And I loved the hope of Marilyn's quote.

"It really meant to me that anything is possible...almost."

(Marilyn made me think of my friend, Izzy.)

Hollywood, you were fun.  A lil overstimulating at times, but NEVER boring.

See you again in a week!