Hump Day/Valentine's Day Eve Randies....

*Man, I own A LOT of stuff. Seriously, it's almost just too much STUFF.  As much as I love all my picture frames, I either need to hang all of them or take the photo out and just put 'em in photo albums.  I look around and I just feel like it's a bunch of clutter.  When my cousin Andrea & her husband came back from Fiji, they got rid of A LOT of their stuff because they felt like it was just TOO MUCH compared to what Fijians had.  She was so glad for it, and since then I've tried to have that same mentality.............but I feel like I'm failing at it.  Try again, Ehu, try again.

*Last night, at Young Womens Volleyball practice, I ended up playing a 2 vs. 6 game.  One of the girl's Dad offered to team up with me to play a game against the girls.  I wasn't really expecting to play a game, but man, it felt so good!  He's a strong partner, which makes a world of difference!  We were dominating over the girls, and as happy as I was about that, I was also worried about how the girls were playing.  Their first game is in a week and a half, with one more practice next week.  We'll see how it all pans out....

*Man oh man, I am ECSTATIC for Valentine's Day!  I'm so excited that I'll be able to see Levi, after his class, since we'll be going to our favorite Chinese restaurant for dinner.  We LOVE Panda Inn, so we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day as well as Chinese New Year that was this past Sunday. All in all, I'm just over the moon to see my sweetheart. More so, it puts me one day closer to see my Valentine's Day gift that he's been working on for the last several weeks.  I'm not the most patient person, so I've been trying to egg him on in telling me what it is!  He knows me too well and NEVER falls for it. {darn it!} I'm also super stoked to give him his Valentine's Day gift on Saturday.  YAY for Vday weekend celebrations! 

*So after FHE on Monday, two friends complimented me on how well I conducted FHE.  Honestly, I get so dang nervous having to conduct that meeting, so I told them, "I would rather sing a solo in church than have to conduct FHE"....and then it happened.  No more than 5 minutes later, I found myself talking to the music chairman/ward organist, offering to sing a solo, since she was out of options & pianists (and was going to sing a solo herself, but the accompanist wasn't going to work out).  I said to her, "If you're REALLY desperate, I can sing a solo, of a song that I've sung at church before" and she quickly accepted.  Suddenly conducting FHE didn't look too bad anymore..... man, I'm a lil nervous.  Ok, let's be serious here, I'm WAY nervous.  Whenever I've had to sing at church, I always hope to have a friendly face to focus on, because it makes it a loteasier to feel relaxed.  Plus, it's always been reassuring to know that at least that one friendly face will still love you in the end, in case I messed up.  When I had to sing this song for the first time, back in CVYSA, I had Mama McK, Mr. Red & my entire family there to support me.  I was so nervous, and due to the beautiful lyrics of the song, I was overwhelmed with tears after I sang.  It was nice to look up and see such warm and friendly smiles from my loved ones, as well as reassuring texts.  I'm just really nervous to be singing a solo again.  I hope to have at least one reassuring face in the congregation that'll still be my friend in case I butcher my song.  Sometimes, ok, maybe all the time, my nerves get the best of me.

The Five Love Languages

Last night's FHE about "The Five Love Languages" was GREAT!!  This is the biggest turn out to FHE that we've had since I've been in the ward! I'm so glad that so many were able to make it.   I've come to learn how powerful publicizing it can be! I'm so glad we had enough refreshments because I got worried half way through.  Thankfully we didn't have to take advantage of WalMart that's a mile away. 
Anyways, back to the Five Love Languages (by Gary Chapman), I think it's such fascinating topic.  Once, I had to teach it for a Family Foundation class for Pathways, and I couldn't be more grateful for it!
The Five Love Languages are:
Words of Affirmation:  Hearing "I love you", unsolicited compliments and kind words mean the world to you.  Insults [can leave you shattered and] are not easily forgotten.
Quality Time: You need full, undivided attention.  Distractions, postponed dates or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.
Receiving Gifts: Thrives on the thoughts & reasons behind a gift.  A missed birthday or anniversary or a hasty/thoughtless gift would be disastrous.
Acts of Service: Eases the receiver's burdens of responsibility "Let me do that for you" speaks volumes.  Laziness, broken commitments & making more word for them tells them their feelings don't matter.
Physical Touch: Very touchy! Appreciates hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, face, etc.  This shows care, concern & love.  Neglect or abuse can be unforgivable & destructive. 

I really like learning about the love languages.  I think there's so much to learn about it and how different people in our lives "communicate".  I've come to understand my parents a little bit more because I think I've figured out their language.  Before my love language was "Quality Time" which made sense as to how much I desired and thrived on time, spent in person, with my family and friends.  A few months ago my 'language' changed to, "Acts of Service" and I could see how that applied to my home life.  These days, my 'language' is "Words of Affirmation" and I would never have thought that would ever be my 'love language', but it somehow is.  Reflecting back on the last few weeks, I can see how it's developed into that.  Nothing makes me feel more special & loved than when Levi compliments my straight hair, or cuteness or just whispers, "I love you"....I LOVE that oh so much!!!!! I also love when my niece and sister notice and compliment something I'm wearing or something else special about me.  I've also noticed how much I like to sincerely tell others how I feel about them. As nice as that is, I need to observe what their love language is and communicate accordingly.
Learning the love languages takes time, but applying them to personal relationships can be so worth it! I suggest you try it!

ONE WEEK!!

Ok, seriously, it's one week away til Valentine's Day! I'm glad that the present I have in mind for Levi isn't anything I need to stress over.  Easy peasy and fun waiting to happen.....however....
I just realized that I have to have my Vday gifts for my friends at church, ready this Sunday.  Jinkies!  I'm not ready!! NOT. READY. AT. ALL.!!! Even though I've been planning it for a month! Seriously, how did time fly by so quickly?? Dangit!  Plus, I fell asleep before I could even start on it, like I was planning on! Ayeyiyi....

I need to get cracking.  But man, am I excited for Valentine's Day week to start! Luckily, it starts on Saturday with my ward party! I'm excited! Then FHE will be a missionary couple teaching us about the Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman.  Seriously, I'm excited for all the love in the air!!!  How fun!

FHE Monday & Free Tuesday.

I'm really starting to enjoy my ward, more and more.  I've made some great friends in the last year and FHE has been more enjoyable.  This past Monday night, we played Family Feud: Battle of the Sexes.  It was rather fun and I was grateful for all the friends that came out!

Especially this friend....he's just so dang cute!

I'm also really glad that Mac is back in town and HOPE to have him back on my FHE committee.  He's just such a fun cool guy and he also gave such a wonderful lesson on Family.  Towards the end of his lesson, he gave us two minutes to text or call a family member.  How neat is that?  I texted my Mom to thank her for the dinner she sent me to FHE with.... and in the meanwhile got a sweet text from Levi.
After FHE, there was basketball practice and some [double dutch] jump roping going on...

I think the reaction on his face is the BEST part! 

I'm so glad that I stuck with the ward.  I'm grateful for a Home Teacher that advised me that "the more I put into it something, the more I get out of it"--it couldn't more true for my ward and the friends I've made.
Luckily, Levi had Tuesday off, so we were able to spend the day together.  Since it was Tuesday and Balboa Park has certain museums that have free admission for SD residents, we cruised on down to the BP and had some chill time....with a lot of other SD residents.  We went to the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Museum of Man and Mingei International Museum. It was fun being a lil more cultured.  The weather was just right and it was fun being together mid-week, during the day.

Afterwards, we went to Fuddruckers for linner {lunch + dinner}.  Growing up, we use to go there all the time, but I never really enjoyed it.  It was only after I was with Levi, did I realize that greatness of the Swiss Melt burger and the joy of jalapeno cheese on fries.  Oh man, do I love that place now!! Sooo delicioussssss! All in all, it was a pretty fantastical day!

Calling.

I have no idea what to do for Family Home Evening, this Monday!  I'm out of ideas!  I need to figure out a way to better plan and carry out all FHE's...and share the responsibility more amongst my committee.  I'm a lil tired of so many ward members continually telling me that I've got "one of the hardest callings." I didn't see it that way, until recently. I feel like I'm gettin' burnt out.  I think I need to reassess and reorganize certain aspects of the committee and maybe even have some committee members released.  It's definitely something I need to think over...  

to end on a lighter note....

happy saturday! 

p.s.

I've had the greatest morning and it's not even 9:30am! :)

Familiarity & Future Families...

Today, I went to my ol' family ward.  Man, it was just so nice to be amongst familiar friends.  I love familiarity, it's just so comforting.  I felt like I was going "home".  "Home" has been such a distant, unfamiliar feeling these last couple years.  


As I was sitting in the 3rd hour class, the topic of the hour (as well as Sacrament meeting) was "Families & Family Home Evening".  Since I was amongst the few, probably the only single adult there, my mind wandered.  I looked around at all the married members of the ward, at all the married couples....especially those that were my age and younger.  

"Should I have married Jake?" 

"Could it have worked out?"

"I'm sure I would have been able to make things work"

"I wasn't really that bored with him, was I??"

"I could be a Mom by now, pregnant with our second child by now"

"Marriage is work, so it would have been hard anyways."

"Why didn't I just marry him??"

These questions were swirling inside of my head during that last hour.  I couldn't help it.  Everything was focused on family and I sometimes wonder about my own future family.  

I wonder what pregnancy will feel like.  Will I rub my stomach a lot, as I try to connect as much as I can with the wonder that it growing inside of me?  Will I sing and talk to my unborn baby? I'm pretty sure I will.  I imagine myself rocking my baby to sleep, in the middle of the night, and taking sweetness of my baby wonder.  What will my babies look like?  Will they have my nose or my husband's smile?  I love to wonder what my babies will look like.  

Across the aisle, there was a Dad sitting with his baby boy and I just wanted to hold that baby.  I miss holding babies, so much.  I miss kissing their hand as it grabs on to my finger.  I see baby feet and I just  wanna kiss them.  Oh and I love their sweet aroma of baby deliciousness!! 

I sincerely hope and pray that someday, maybe someday in this lifetime, I get to experience the joy and wonder of motherhood. Oh how I would love that so much.  I hope I would never take that for granted or later complain about how tiring it is... I mean, I probably will, but I HOPE that I will always see the glass as being half full and always give thanks for the opportunity to witness the miracle of life.  

A July Quickie....

*Oh I love me some wedding blogs: http://ohdarlingwedding.blogspot.com/

*My Meniere's has been kicking my arse more than ever.  Seriously, it sucks.  My head feels like it's in a constant tailspin. I feel like I have to be constantly moving, to fight against the Vertigo that sets in.  I'm sure to those around me, it looks like I can't sit still.  If I try to sit still I feel like I'm gonna fall out of my seat.  Stupid Meniere's Disease!

*My nephew Bub has been here for the last week and it's been so wonderful having him around.  I've become so accustomed to him not living here, which is a good thing because I tend to hold on too tightly to my nephews & niece.  What can I say, I love them so much!  Bub leaves for his TWO YEAR mission in about a month.  Man, I'm not ready to not having him a phone call away.  

*My niece returned back to school this week.  Time flies by so quickly!  I like when kids are out for the summer because I feel like they're able to just be kids and carefree.  Sometimes I think the world asks them to grow up too quickly.  

*My calling at church has been getting better.  I'm the Family Home Evening Committee Chair (I think that's a stupid name since I'm obviously not the "Chairman".....can't I just be the "FHE Prez" or the "FHE Mama"?) and I've finally added to my committee.  I finally got smart and added some friends to the committee, which makes a difference.  Sometimes the call feels a lil daunting since I still don't know the ward as much as I'd like to.  I just want everyone to come out to FHE and have a great time.  

*I don't know if much has improved since laaaaaaast Saturday.  Sometimes, I want to go out of my way to help my Dad with a particular task, but then I don't want to become a doormat later.  I was talking with my Mom today, but I made sure not to say too much.  I've always wished I had the type of Mother/Daughter relationship that I could openly talk and share my thoughts & feelings with.  Sadly, I don't and I need to be on guard of the things I share with my parents because it'd be like giving them ammo for later.  When I was dating & later broke it off with Morgan, I thought I could share lil things with my Mom....you know, how most Mom & daughters talk.  It didn't matter because she ended up using it against me in an argument.  I've learned a lot from my parents, both good and bad.  My heart will forever long to have a ideal relationship with my parents. I don't think this will ever happen. If ever I'm blessed with the opportunity to be a parent, I hope my kids will trust me enough to talk and share their lives with me.  I hope they'll know how much I'll love them, by word and deed.  

*I started to talk to Logan again, thinking we could try to be friends....  He's TOO hung up on the fact that I'm Mormon.  He continually compares me to the Mormons he knew up in Utah.  It's like I have to prove to him that I'm not like that, nor am I your typical Mormon.  He thinks I know nothing about the Catholic religion, that ALL my time is spent on church stuff, that ALL my friends are Mormons and basically I have no life outside of church.  I just couldn't do it anymore. I hate when I have to prove myself on anything, it means that someone's not believing me....as if I'm lying.  Grrr!!  So yet again, I've said good bye to Logan. This time it's for good.  GRRR MEN!

*Oh speaking of which... I didn't go to Pride.  My Meniere's was a huge factor in it.  I just couldn't handle the dizzy head and didn't want the lack of sleep and extreme sun to add to it.  I'm kinda bummed, but there's always next year.  

Two days...

Two days of heart warming awesomeness!!  

I went to my ol' YSA ward's "CVYSA Has Talent" FHE, tonight.  Oh man it was nice to see so many dear friends again. It was at a family friend's house, where I had birthday party, last year. I had a great time! I forgot how much FUN FHE is!! So many great laughs and wonderful talents were shared tonight.  Sim and I were called up on the spot and we sang, Country Road by Paula Fuga & Jack Johnson. Man, I was nervous.

 There's so many new CVYSA members, which made me miss some of my ol' YSA friends who weren't there tonight.  A friend happened to be wearing the same cologne that Mr. Red wears, which brought back so many memories and made me miss my friend.  

My sweet friend Tui, who happens to work at the church bookstore, embossed my scriptures for me.  I've been wanting my name on them, and she thought it'd be cute & cool to emboss them like this --->
I love them!! "Ehu Girl" happens to be the name of a cute lil song from a Hawaiian band.  I love my mini-scriptures!  I scored them at the DI for $2.00 and they're practically new.  The funny thing is, the previous owner, Duncan McKenna had a Hawaii phone number because it's written inside the front cover.  Small world.

Anyways, yesterday and tonight have been tender mercies!  I couldn't be more blessed to have such wonderful, heaven sent friends.  

In about 34 hours my wonderful friend, Hermanita, will be home from her mission!! Oh I cannot wait!! I've missed her so!!  

Sensitive Sunday.

Yesterday, I took my friend Darci to church.  As always, it's nice to have a friend to sit with at church.  Since we both play on the same Softball team with Sonny, she wanted to go over and talk to him (to give him a hard time for a bruise that happened at our last practice.)  I wasn't really in the mood to talk to him because I was still embarrassed from our game, the day before.  However,  I did need to talk to him in regards to next week's Family Home Evening, since we'll be playing Softball.  {I just can't escape this game! I'm gonna improve one way or another!}  He started to stand up as I was trying to tap on his back....which ended up inches above his butt.  He turned around and looked extremely pissed.  I started to regret tapping him...or even being near him, for that matter. I tried to keep it short and asked if I could talk to him after church.  He mumbled something in agreement and walked away.  I felt stupid for even bothering him, but yet I couldn't help but wonder why he looked so annoyed.  Darci said that others around him also looked annoyed.  Really?? Annoyed at church...what's up?!
I couldn't shake the thought during Sunday School, so I turned to Facebook and changed my status to: 

"I wonder why some people look and act annoyed, at church :(" 

Maybe I've become extra sensitive now, since I like Sonny.  After church, as I was walking out of the women's restroom, (Darci was in front of me, and Ame was still at the mirror)  I turned and saw Sonny at the end of the hallway. I tried to sneak back into the restroom.  I didn't want to talk to him anymore, not at all!  I couldn't sneak back fast enough and he called out for me.  I was timid and could barely even hear my voice.  I just wanted to be anywhere but in that hallway.  I tried to make it quick, but it wasn't working.  However, he maintained eye contact a lil more than usual.  I was practically eye to eye with him, since I was wearing wedges. It ended up being a decent conversation and he was nice again.  At one point, when I changed the topic from FHE to our Softball team, I grabbed his arm {bicep}.  Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE it when you touch a guy's arm, and then they flex a split second later!  I can't help but chuckle because I always feel the difference between a flexed and unflexed arm.  So obvious!! Well, Sonny happened to do that and MAN OH MAN, his arm was so big!!!  I mean, it was big already, but once he flexed it, it was HUGE!!! And SO defined!!!  My face was so warm, and I'm sure I turned red!!  Oh my gosh, he suddenly got a million times hotter!!  I have no idea how I finished that conversation because my mind was racing and thinking how hot this man is!!  

On the drive home, Darci told me that she commented on my FB status as well as someone else....

"Sorry Ehu, it was probably me. I always look intense when I'm at church. But I normally have good intentions. :)"  

It was from Sonny.  I kinda felt bad that he caught that, because I didn't think he read things on my FB.  Yikes.  But I'm glad he felt the need to apologize.  We'll see if I talk to him again at church.  I really don't want a repeat of his "intense" look again.  I just wish I knew him better.  With that said, I'll be seeing him tomorrow at Softball.  Wish me luck.  

((Ok.....now for my friend Ame....))

I went on a date last night (Sunday night).  It was with this guy I've been talking to.  We'll call him Pokemon.  Well he told me he was a nerd, but I didn't realize how literal he meant it.  Just because he's into comics, Sci-Fi movies, Comic-Con, & Halo, didn't exactly mean that he was a nerd, right?  Wrong.  That's basically his whole life.  In fact, he's already planning his Pokemon Trainer/Ash Ketchum costume!! He was so proud of the Pokemon catcher he made, that he brought it to our date, last night.  Oh, have I mentioned that he's 26 years old and never been kissed!!   He wasn't exactly my type...no I take that back, he wasn't my type at all.  I couldn't turn down his request of a date, I would have felt terrible.  Well, I had to push the date back by a half hour and figured I'd go ahead and eat dinner (thinking he'd do the same, since it was past the dinner hour).  Well, he didn't eat, so while we were at the Coronado Ferry Landing, he went ahead and bought himself some food.  I thought it was a lil rude that he didn't offer to at least buy me a drink, when I insisted that he eat, even though I wasn't going to.  Was I wrong to think that?  Nor did he offer to let me taste it.  Maybe it's just me, but I would have offered it to him, if the roles were reversed.  His jokes were LAME!!!  I couldn't pity laugh anymore, I was socially exhausted.  He told me he was nervous, but I tried to put him at  ease.  While he was ordering his food, I looked around and saw a movie poster for, Goodfellas.  I asked if he'd ever seen it and he quickly said, no.  Then with a self righteous tone, he asked me if I'd ever seen, Deep Space Nine.  I said, "no", and he snapped back saying, "See, same difference!!"  I was beyond myself....who the hell acts like that?!  I was just trying to make conversation.  It was obvious that he was socially awkward and it was going to be an odd night.  The only thing that kept me sane on this date, was thinking of Sonny's arm, from earlier in the day.  It was like pulling teeth trying to talk to him. On the phone, it was great, but in person, it SUCKED!!!  No personality at all.  I feel sorry for the guy.  I think he needs a Hitch in his life, someone to coach him a lil about the ins and outs of dating & women. He was kinda nice, but just very inexperienced, he was like a boy in a man's body.  I hope he gets kissed soon....26 and a VL....poor guy.  

March 12 = My Sister's birthday!

*Yesterday, was my sister's birthday! I took her to lunch, in Old Town.  Unfortunately, the Chilean/Latin restaurant was closed, so we went to Old Town Mexican Cafe. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good!!! I had a VERY enjoyable afternoon with her! I love her so much! She's one of my most favorite people, in the entire world.  I couldn't be more blessed to have a sister as awesome, amazing, kind, loving, intelligent, warm, beautiful, funny and genuine as her!

*I LOVE Mariachis! Seriously, I think they're just so delightfully beautiful. I remember my friend, Ana's wedding reception and how wonderful it was to have a mariachi go around to each table and take requests! Growing up in south San Diego, it wasn't uncommon to have a Mariachi serenade someone at their home. My best friend, Liz taught me that it's a big deal when that happens. I hope I'm serenaded by a mariachi, someday. While at lunch, I had the mariachi sing, "Cielito Lindo", one of my favorite mariachi songs.
*Last night, we played "Newspaper Hockey" at FHE. Ok, I should have done more research on that before I threw it out there as an activity (I'm the FHE Committee Chairman/Chairperson/Whatevers).  Some people showed up with their hockey sticks made and some we had to make on the spot. Some of the hockeysticks were falling apart and hitting people in the face. It was all TOO funny!

I couldn't stop laughing!! Probably one of the best laughs I've had all year!! LOVED IT!! 

A 6am Quickie...on Dec. 14!

-This past weekend wasn't ANYTHING like this weekend....

-My [home] stake choir did well on musical pieces.  I LOVE singing with the Chula Vista stake choir. I LOVE watching Hermana R lead music.  She's graceful in the way she moves her fingers, hands and arms.   Yet it's also powerful the way she a choir and accompanists at her command.  Love it! Love her!

-Work... Oh, I LOVE work!  Work is wonderful! Even when it gets close to being 'stressful', it really isn't. Sure, I felt a lil overwhelmed yesterday but I didn't feel stressed or upset about it.  Gotta love 'To-Do' lists.

-This past Monday was my first FHE in my new FHE Committee chairman (chairperson? woman? whatevers!).  Can I just say, I'm glad I have a committee.  I'm glad to know that there's a lot of good help available.  I can't wait to meet them all.  And with that said, I need some good, inexpensive, and fun FHE activity ideas.  Now when I say, "inexpensive", I mean 'free' because I don't feel like forking over my paycheck every other Monday.  Oh yeah....and it has to be approved by the Bishop first.  My thoughts on that later....

-Had a very enlightening & emotional conversation with Mr. Red the other day.  I'm so thankful that he 'gets' me, that I don't have to say much (or even anything at all) and he senses what I'm feeling and thinking.  I'm eternally grateful for his friendship.  

-I've got my work meeting today with Mulligan.  Oh man... and in the meanwhile, Oeste will be at my office for a meeting.  Fortunately/Unfortunately I've gotta go up to my office after my meeting's over.  I only say "unfortunately" because...

-I'm tired of commuting in the rain.  What usually takes 20 minutes to get to work now takes over an hour.  Dang drivers who don't know how to slow down when driving in the rain.  That is my ONLY complaint about San Diego---we don't know how to drive in the rain.  GRR!!!

-ok anyways... I've gotta get some work done before work.  Happy Wednesday! And my nephew Bub comes to town today! Happy day!