happy anniversary

As of Tuesday, June 9, I have been working full time for one year. It is hard to believe that it was just over one year ago that I graduated from college. I love that one year later, I am still enjoying my job, still learning and still "molding" my position.

One thing I've learned since I've been in the work force is not about work at all, but about life - it is constantly evolving. When in the academy, everything is based on the academic year, holidays and breaks. Although I am still on a similar schedule because I work at a university, my life no longer revolves around the academy. I no longer have a schedule for my life in terms of school. I have no idea what the following year will hold or where I will be. Yes, I plan on staying at my job, but essentially that could change in an instant.

The wheels in my mind are constantly turning to what is next (something I am always keen on) and now in the work force, I have the resources to take action on many of the actions those wheels "turn out" and the time. With that, my life plan is always changing as I take action on new ideas and happenings. I no longer have a planned academic year. My life is mine, well God's - to do with it as he guides. And although, this was the case when I was in college, I am now much more aware of it.

So Happy Anniversary to me and another year of learning, loving, and taking action - in life and at my job!

goodbye house

Last Sunday, we sadly said the last goodbye to "our house." Of course, we couldn’t drive off without taking a snapshot of the place we lived in for the past year. However, we left ourselves out of the photo seeing as we had just driven 4 hours from the mountains and looked wretched. Here is where we lived. See why I’m sad to leave?

moving week

It's that time of year again. I am moving. This year I am saying goodbye to a house that has been extremely good to me. And for the first time, I will be living in an apartment. It will be odd moving from a house with 9 girls into an apartment where there will be 4 of us, but I am excited about more fridge space and granite countertops.

things I will miss:
- living with so many girls, surprisingly it is a lot of fun to live with so many people (esp. coming from an only child's perspective)
- the sea of green outside my window in the current house, we were so blessed to live in such a gorgeous house and location this year
- living with more of my best friends than I knew what to do with
- usually there was always at least one other person home (this may not change)
- my commute: right now, it is a mere 5 to 10 min. drive with only two stoplights to work = amazing
- having a CVS, gas station, Starbucks and grocery store a very short distance away
- living in a house in general, i think an apt. will be an adjustment in itself with living so close to other people
- and last, but not least, megan, who is moving and who i have lived with for 3 years..i could probably write a whole blog post on this one :)

things I look forward to:
- more fridge space and still living with friends
- the coy pond and waterfall outside our patio
- living somewhere brand new and right off the 5 will be convenient
- living closer to my parents' house
- the extravagant pool and fitness center at the apt.
- having fun in a new place and getting to decorate!

I'm excited for the transition, even if it does mean some goodbyes, it also means some hellos.

reaching out

My night was going to be restful — eat dinner, relax and turn in at a decent time. Most importantly, I was making my night free by skipping Bible Study. I called my friend Erin to let her know I was most likely not making the drive to Orange County for small group that night. She understood. But as I talked to her, I realized it wasn't rest I needed. It was Jesus.

Sometimes I want God to meet me in the place I am without doing any work. I want him to just keep reaching out to me. However, until I reach out to Him, my relationship will be hindered. God loves us more than we can imagine, however, until I reach out to Jesus, I will continue to seek rest as false hope. Resting in Jesus is the most strengthening rest we can achieve. Sometimes that is as simple as going to Bible Study when we'd rather stay at home.

attempting to fly

I recall sitting in a class and my professor asking me to write a piece for a book she was publishing. It was a compilation of different student’s life lessons learned in their time at college. I contemplated the idea and was frankly excited. 

I don’t believe I ever turned in a final article.

This last Fall, the book was published and of course, no article by me was written in it. However, the 60 entries published written by students from more than 20 universities are an insightful look into college life. 

This leads me to ask a few questions. What is an opportunity if it is never taken? What is the path not taken if it is never really taken? And what is the point of networking if you never really use your network?

With that said, I’m applying. The fingertips of my mind have found different paths laid out in front of me and I decided to not only be excited about the fact that there are those paths, but to actually apply myself and take one. Because really my main excuse for not doing things (busyness) is a horrible one. And an endless one at that.

So I had my year of restoration. It was a year of transition, a year of challenges and new adventures and figuring a little bit more about life. I think each year will be similarly a time of transition if I really do embark upon new things and take up these opportunities. But that is exciting and I am embracing change.

With that, I’m applying with courage (and a touch of nervousness) to Biola’s Institute for Spiritual Formation. They receive approximately 80 to 90 applicants and accept approximately 30 so my chances are slim. Therefore, my trust is in God in this process. And if I am not accepted, at least I applied and trusted.

Like I said, what is an opportunity if it is not taken or attempted. And what is a path not taken if it really isn’t ever taken? 

out of my league

As I walked through the baby aisles and counted the number of different types of bibs, binkies and blankies, I realized I was way out of my league. I know nothing about babies — at least not much in comparison to the average woman. 

My eyes scanned the cute little shoes, but I was perplexed. "Would a one-year-old wear size 1,2 or 3? Or are these way too big in the first place? Will a one-year-old even want a pair of shoes? Am I getting them more for the cute factor than for her? It's not like she will remember what I gave her." 

I called my mom. "What do you buy a one-year-old?" I wanted to get something for her she would like, not just something I thought was adorable. "Well, a baby would want a toy most likely." I agreed. 

So at Kylie's first birthday party, she received a toy, bubbles, butterfly sand molds and a book. I wrote an inscription in the book so one day, she may know I gave her a book at her first birthday. Although I really wanted to get her those cute shoes, I think she'll have more fun with the toy...And I really have no idea what size shoe a one-year-old wears. 

twenty.three

I turned 23 last week! TWENTY THREE! Still sounds slightly old (remember, people, I work at a university with youngin's), but I'm getting used to it. I had a fantastic birthday. Things like this amazing J cake made my birthday fabulous! 

Lehua was the creator of this creative, beautiful J. And she gave me the pretty vintage cake platter as my present! Such a fun treat for when I came back to work after I took my birthday off.

(Also, Lehua does more than make cool cakes in her spare time. Check out her website and hire her for your wedding invites or photography! *Bonus points if you find me on her website.)