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.

Sunday, February 10

CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

Oh yeah

I can't wait

It's my favorite holiday!

Helloooooo chopsticks!

NYE!

*My youngest nephew, Kalanster, and his band performed at the House of Blues last night.  I was so proud of him.  I know he had a good time and they've come a long way.  Good for them!   

*Tonight's New Years Eve and my family & Levi are going out to dinner.  We're going to an ol' family fave.  It's pretty good Chinese food, but nothing like my beloved Wing Wah.

*Last night, on the way to Kalanster's gig, Levi & I were caught in the rain.  We were trying to locate Nicky Rottens, but ended up going to Panda Inn because of the rain AND it was A LOT closer.  I wouldn't have minded walking to find it, but barely getting over a cold and walking in the rain, doesn't make for a good combination.  I REALLY like Panda Inn.  Just walking in made me remember our Halloween date, when we ate there in our panda costumes.  Oh such a splendid evening, which makes me like Panda Inn more!  Besides, the food is SO good!! 

*I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty ecstatic to finally have my first NYE kiss at midnight.  It only took 32 years, but I'm excited.  

*Joz, my friend and previous Relief Society counselor-turned RS President, got her mission call to Florida.  I'm so excited for her.  I know that she will be a wonderful and uplifting missionary!! I will miss her greatly! 

*We went to watch Les Miserables.  I was a lil hesitant to see it because I had dreamed of finishing the book beforehand, but if its taken me a year and a half to try, I guess it would just be better to watch it.  Oh man, I wanted to cry.  Everything that Mr. Red had told me about it was true, it was beautiful...captivating and marvelous.  I loved it.  I wish there was more on the priest, because I loved reading about him, but Jean Valjean was magnificent.  I loved him.  All the songs make more sense and mean more now that I know the stories behind the songs.   I think the song I love the most is "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables".  When Marius sings it, you can just feel the loss and hurt in his voice--or maybe I can hear it more in the musical soundtrack.  I love that song, but I also love "Bring Him Home"!  So beautiful.  All in all, such a beautiful soundtrack! LOVE IT!!!!  I can't wait to finish the book now because I know there's so much to the story than what we saw in the movie.  

*Watching Les Mis made me miss Mr. Red.  I haven't seen him since my birthday and soon enough he'll be moving.  I miss our talks.  I miss hearing his enthusiasm for Les Mis.  Since Bugs has been extremely busy and I haven't seen her since summer, he's been the closest thing to a best friend.  I just miss having someone I can talk to about everything and anything, and knows my heart w/o any explanation.  I wish I knew what was going with Bugs.  Kinda sucks.  

*I'm excited for the new year.  I'm excited for a fresh start.  I've been thinking about a word/motto that I can focus on, for 2013.  There's some changes in my life that I need to make, things to improve and enrich my life.  I'm still deciding on my 'focus word', but whatever it is, I know it'll help better my {daily} life.  I'm optimistic on the good that this new year will bring.  

In the works......

*I had an interview for an office manager position today.  I hope I get it? Yes, that's a question mark. I also applied, tested and currently in the background check process for a position with the Sheriff's department.  I wish the process went A LOT faster.  I'm afraid to accept this office manager position and then a week later be notified for the Sheriff's dept.  I'd hate to leave him in a lurch.  Don't get me wrong, I'm truly grateful for both job opportunities! Oh to be an adult and "get to" make such grown up decisions!

*Church.....  I'm not feeling this new ward that I've been attending since October. I feel out of place and like a constant visitor there. I don't feel at home there.  Whenever I visit ANY of the wards of my home stake, I'm welcomed with hugs and warm greetings.  Plus, I'm tired of driving 20 miles, one way, just to go to church.  I think a possible ward change is in the works.... Also, as I've been working with the YW from my home ward, during their Volleyball season, I can't help but want a calling in YW or Primary.  I miss having a high demand calling. 

*Today is Chinese New Year.  It's my FAVORITE holiday!! Seriously, I love this day!!

Enjoyed a delicious Chinese dinner with the family and traded lil red envelopes.

*Life.....is hard!  I am realizing that more and more.  It feels like constant "sink or swim" moments. I've come to learn that as long as my nostrils are above water, every so often, I'll survive.  Breathe, Ehu...just breathe.

*I want a bike.  A cool beach cruiser bike.  Please & Thank You.  It would come in handy....especially after last Tuesday night....in which I'll blog about later.

*And I joined Pinterest....we'll see how long that lasts.

OBSESSED!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE PAPER LANTERNS!!

It just makes me want to have a party!! It'd be so festive and FUN!!!

I love the simplicity and beauty of these paper lanterns!!

Plus it makes me think of Chinese New Years!

{my favorite holiday}

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

Thursday's wrap up....

Yesterday was FUN FUN FUN!!! I had a wonderful lunch with Mamacita and got to visit with all of my ol' co-workers. I got to see Mr.NY, and he's just as handsome as I last remember him. And his eyes were just as beautiful as well. I don't think I'll ever get over that man, he is just too hot for words!! It was so lovely getting to catch up with my dear friend. I've missed working with her! We got along so well, except for one terrible incident brought on by a stupid co-worker. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed working with her and spending time with her warm family. It was a great lunch!

Had dinner with my family at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants. It was nice, but I missed my nephews there. Sometimes it's lonely and too quiet when they're not around. I don' t know how I'll ever be a Mother someday. I'm going to suffer terribly from "Empty Nest" syndrome. Had a great dinner with them, the food was so delicious. I love Chinese New Years!

Went to class and got to hang out with some of my friends. Sat next to "Boots" and that was fun, as always. I like "Boots", he's a really nice guy.....but he's engaged to be married. Somehow I always end up in the 'friends zone' with men, one way or another.... Anyways, Boots had to teach class last night and it was a pretty cool class. Afterwards he came to watch me play Volleyball. He sent me a text this morning saying that I take Volleyball way to seriously and I looked intimidating..... a compliment for sure! :) Had a great game of Volleyball last night. FUN TIMES!

All in all, it was a VERY WONDERFUL Thursday :)

Hey everyone! Meet Randi......

Just thought I’d take a quick break from reading to do a lil bloggie schmoggie….

*The Temple was pretty good today…er, I mean it was “fantastic”. (My niece always worries when I say ’good’ instead of “fantastic”.) I’m glad she notices the difference, it makes me appreciate the opportunity to spend my day at the Temple. It'll be closed for the next two weeks...HELLO 2 FREE WEEKENDS!!

*I got to see Pythagoras & his blue watch today. I was too nervous to try to sit next to him…well, not exactly. I was afraid if I sat next to him, I would have tried to talk to him about “Lost”, which wouldn’t be entirely appropriate for the Temple….which would probably lead to him being annoyed with me again. Didn’t really want that reaction…so there I sat, on the oooooooother end of the pew.

*I went out to lunch with Eidde on Friday. Filippi’s, in the Little Italy district, has THE BEST Antipasto salad! OH my gosh, SUPER GOOD. So far, I’ve gotta say that I really liked the pizza there. I was hesitant to try it since I MISS my beloved Pie Pizzeria…which ironically, I happened to be wearing my Pie hoodie yesterday. Nothing even compares to the greatness of the Pie. I’m thinking I need a Utah roadtrip here soon. I need some Pie Pizzeria & Saratoga Hot Springs in my system, ASAP!

*Goin’ back to my lunch with Eidde….It was EXACTLY what I needed. I received some news the night before which weighed heavily on my mind Friday. It brought me to tears several times. I couldn’t have been more grateful to be out with my best friend, who knows me and knows my heart. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful, dear friends who know my heart and who love me so much.

*I get to give a talk in church tomorrow. I LOVE speaking assignments! I’ve been asked to speak on “Service”, which is my FAVORITE topic!! Luckily, I gave a lesson on it a couple months back…so I’m already done with my talk! :)

*Chinese New Year is on Monday. I’m so dang excited!! It’s one of my FAVORITE holidays!! (It’s right up there with 4th of July). I can’t wait to wear red, pass out red envelopes & oranges and eat Chinese food with chop-sticks!! I love Chinese New Years, it reminds me of my dear Tutu (grandmother). Yep, I’m actually Chinese...who would have thunk it?