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!