Spring Flingin'!

*Today's the FIRST day of Spring! Oh yeah! I LOVE IT!!  

*I feel so "weather spoiled" living here in San Diego! One could have sworn that it was Spring since about December. 

*Tonight my friend Dixie flies into town.  I haven't seen him in over a year.  I've missed him living here in San Diego because he's such a chill friend.  We'll be going on a "midnight taco run" tonight with Hermanita....I can't wait!

*I'm really enjoying the office I work in.  Most especially since all the fountain drinks are free! HOLA AQUA FRESCAS!!! I love the ice chips too!!!

*I've had cramps pretty badly today.  Seriously, Aleeve has helped, but not entirely. Even my lower back hurts with it....arg! Speaking of "arg".... AntiBacterial gel splashed onto my eyelash/eye today.  I have no idea how it happened, but man, I had to squeeze my eye shut so it wouldn't seep in.  It made me chuckle a little, just cause that's never happened before.  

*Last weekend was absolutely WONDERFUL!!! Levi & I had a fun time using his new camera down at the Coronado Ferry Landing.  Saturday was my Dad's birthday and it was WAY fun playing Tripoly with Kalanster & Levi for the first time.  Levi ended up winning!  I have no idea how he ALWAYS wins!! Seriously, how did the competitive girl end up with the guy who wins almost everything?!?! Sunday was nice reconnecting with Ame and having a blast at ward potluck.  Everything about this past weekend was just all around GREAT!!

*I'm LOVING the Mexican food here at work.  Seriously, it's fantastic being able to have huevos con chorizo, arroz,frijoles y tortillas for breakfast! I LOVE IT!!! 

YW Volleyball 2013

This is my lil Young Womens Volleyball team.

They won half of their games, this season. 

I couldn't be more prouder of them and their team work. 

I'll miss them and look forward to our season, next year.

Good, Bad & Ugly: Weekend Edition.

Good: Had such an awesome weekend with Levi.  I love nothing more than just spending time with him.  I was able to have a "Ladies Day" with my niece & sister.  Ate at the new Filippi's restaurant here in town.  We also hit up Oasis Ice Cream, because honestly, that's the BEST ice cream here in town! There's just something so lovely about spending time with female relatives. I enjoyed a dinner party at Ame's and it was fun hangin' with the Peebs {some PB ward member friends}.  Plus my Young Womens Volleyball team won BOTH of their games on Saturday! Oh I felt like the proudest Mama ever!  They were excited and I think that was a terrific way to start their Vball season! Can't wait for their next game this coming Saturday.

Bad: I missed going to my ward on Sunday, thus missing Ame's talk.  I was rather disappointed about that.  Then I was even more upset that I was an hour late to the dinner party.  Don't even get me started on the overflowed toilet....FML moment, for sure.

Ugly:  Got into an argument with my Mom, late Saturday night/Sunday morning.  It's just so emotionally and mentally exhausting.  After a late night of arguing and hurtful words that were exchanged, I had no desire to go to church that next morning.  

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.

Young Women's Volleyball

I just got home from coaching my ol' family ward's Young Women's Volleyball team.  My sister and I were trying to figure out how many years I've been doing this, and to be honest, I'm not exactly sure.  I know I've been doing this every winter/spring since I was 19, with the exception of my mission and school in Utah....so about 10-11 years.  Some of the girls from my earlier teams are now married with about 2-3 kids.  Wow! I just can't believe it... I feel a lil old.  But then again, those girls were just a few years younger than me, so it not that odd. 
I love coaching the YW.  I have so much fun with them.  This past Sunday, when I saw a few of them at church, they were so excited to have me back to coach them.  I don't know exactly why they enjoy it so much.  I guess cause I tease them and try to be more of a friend than a leader, but I'm also serious about the game of Volleyball and it shows.  I love the YW.  Some of the girls I'm now coaching, were ones that I babysat as a teenager.  Oh wow... I'm making myself feel older and older.  
As I was cleaning out my closet, I found my "Coach of the Year" plaque from 2000 and my framed & signed teamed photo from 2011.  It makes me a lil nostalgic.  I miss some of those older YW, they've become close friends.  I'm always elated when a YW comes back and tells me they decided to join their school team, after playing church Vball.  I make it a point to go to at least one of their school games, because my heart is just filled with so much love and happiness that they've come to embrace this sport that I love so dearly.  
Who knows what this season of church Vball will bring.  I know, that in the end, it doesn't matter how many games they win, but if they felt like they truly tried their best. That's all I can ask.  

Today, Tonight & Tomorrow

*Today, I...
...spent time with my two youngest nephews.
....was reminded again of how awesome my nephews are and blessed to have them more as younger brothers.
.....found the coolest pairs of Vans! {for the low price of $32 for BOTH! Score!}

*Tonight, I...
..got to see Houston for about 15 minutes and I enjoyed every single second of it.
...couldn't finish this day without hearing Houston's voice. As busy as he was writing up evals, we talked.  He makes me laugh and smile and anticipate the next time I'll see him (HOPEFULLY on Wednesday, which isn't soon enough!!).
....fell in love with this photo (a cell pic from my cousin):

*Tomorrow, I....
...get to have Volleyball practice with my Young Women. Oh I love those girls.
....have to start thinking of my big date with Houston on February 29. I'm SO excited! It has to be extra special because it is a leap year day.
......will be celebrating Jonah's birthday.
........grow giddy til I get to talk to Houston.

Talks, Bread & the New Ward.

Well...my talk was pretty good.  I was happy with it.  Speaking for 20 minutes is a lil daunting, but I think I did well.  I actually like speaking, it's fun...it's just everything that leads up to it, that makes me crazy/scared.  Not to be confused with 'psychotic', as in 'crazy & scared'....ah, you know what I mean.  Anyways, I did well and I was pleased. I'm so glad that I had a friend there in the congregation. It meant a lot to me.
I made Mama McK's bread today. I was so ecstatic! I've been wanting to make bread lately and I've been missing her....so it was a nice solution.  Dang, I'm starting to crave some now!! It was my first time making bread (from scratch, without a bread maker--by hand, baby!) and I'm pleased as punch that it came out well! My family loved it! I can't wait to try her Cinnamon rolls this weekend! :( Now I miss her even more!

I'm liking my ward more and more. (I think I say that every Monday, but it's true).  I like that I'm making friends with more people each time.  I went to FHE tonight, since we were going to be playing Volleyball. Had a GREAT time! I saw Favre on my way in, but I guess he was leaving as I was arriving.  Oh well....  However, I got to play with "Oeste" tonight.  Oh I think he is so cute! And he's funny!  I think what I like about Oeste is that he's not SUPER hot or gorgeous, not like what I'm use to....but his friendly, funny spirit is so attractive. I like that :)

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! 

Saturday is [sometimes] a special day....

It's very rare when I thoroughly enjoy a Saturday. I'm ok with Saturdays, but it's Thursdays that I love.

Today happens to be that exception.

I saw Captain today. My gosh, that man has a body worth worshiping. Oh how I love firemen! :) Anyways, talked with him for a bit which was a nice surprise at today's Volleyball game. My "adopted" Mama & Papa came to the game to support me and their daughter--who happened to coach the team we played today. I love Mama & Papa McK. They are so very dear to me. After the game I went over to my friend CC's for brunch. Oh her lovely Nana makes such DELICIOUS Mexican food!!! Chorizo con huevos, tortillas, jamon & pancakes. YUMMY YUM YUM!!! It was just a chill afternoon with her and her family. Came home, took a nap and then went grocery shopping with my sister. I love hangin' out with my sister. She's the best. My friend Mr. Beautiful called me up asking about a town here in SD, since he's thinking of attending school here. Wow, that would be sweeeeeeeet. He's funny, easy on the eyes and really fun to talk with. We'll see how that all pans out. Hmmm...and I'm stoked about tomorrow. Oh, it'll be a fun day. Happy, very very happy.

p.s. and why the hell am I looking at engagement photos when I should be doing my homework that's due in 2 hours?!? (answer: because it's fun to daydream sometimes)

"You look tired."

That's not really flattering to hear, especially when you're not even tired.

Last night, my sister-in-law said that to me. I wasn't tired at all...but man, had she waited 24 hours to say that, she would have been right on the money. I feel like my eyes are super droopy. I'm glad I haven't really had to drive today. Luckily, due to the demand of my job, I don't have a free second during the day to be tired. I like that part of my job. Fortunately/Unfortunately, I've got Volleyball tonight. I hope I survive.

Yesterday I had something important that I needed help understanding. I couldn't quite ask Turtle and Mamacita, so I figured I'd ask Mr.NY. I'm grateful that he's very trustworthy and ALWAYS so willing to help me out. Plus, HELLO! Any chance I get to gaze into his blue/hazel eyes is GRRREAT!! *sigh* I totally like his skin complexion. His cheeks look and feel so soft. Wow.

But then again...I can't wait til Saturday. I love Temple days, Pythagoras is so cute!

Alrighty...gotta go eat dinner and then off to Volleyball.

Two things.

1. Today, I seen a lot of people (myself included) wearing:

Shorts & Slippers---Summer's right around the corner! YAAAAAAAAAY!!

2. Went to my nephew Kea's Volleyball game. An away game at a different gym. Walked in to the gym behind my sister-in-law and niece...tripped on the rug/mat. Walking in front of the bleachers--BARELY missed gettin' hit by someone's "kill". Started to walk up the bleachers--tripped on the first step in front of Kea's teammates. All this in less than 2 minutes. It's a wonder I made it out alive.