Pay It Forward

I was recently invited on facebook to 'Pay it Forward' on Wednesday, December 1st. This entails doing at least one random act of kindness or good deed for someone in hopes that they will share the kindness and spread some joy to someone else. A random act of kindness really does go a long way, and this is the perfect time of year to do so. It really is amazing what one small gesture can do. I am proudly joining the 301,868 participants paying it forward tomorrow. It doesn't really matter what day you do this, but I just think it's very important to pay it forward. After all, you may be a recipient of this kindhearted act one day when you need it most.

Thanksgiving

It was just as great as I anticipated! Here's a few pictures from the fun-filled weekend.

Thanksgiving dinner. Yum!



Dad and his favorite daughters (and me sporting my new hair color... what do you think?!)



My sister is hosting a tacky holiday sweater party this upcoming weekend, so we were trying on some of the sweaters.



Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was just as good as ours! Love, love, LOVE the holidays!!

Black Friday

I know you get the best deals and all that, but I just don't think it's worth it! I think I've went shopping on Black Friday maybe twice in my life, and it was such a horrible experience that I refuse to go again. It is just insanity! As a middle-schooler, we made a fun trip out of staying the night in the Walmart parking lot (in a car, but moved to the front of the store as a line was forming at 3 am). That experience with my cousins and aunt was a fun one, but the shopping itself I wasn't a fan of. As a young girl, I got pushed, shoved, hit by shopping carts and nearly trampled. People just go crazy over sales! I cannot stand the ridiculously large crowd and the long lines. But good luck to those brave enough to endure this chaotic shopping day. While you're doing this,



I'll be relaxing with my family, eating leftovers and drinking some wine :)

Pure bliss

I simply cannot express how excited I am to not only being spending Thanksgiving with my family, but have nearly an entire week off of school and work - yes with absolutely nothing to worry about! It's like I'm living in a dream, I forgot what this whole free time thing feels like :)

I am so excited about this upcoming week's festivities! As a new tradition that started last year while I was gone, my sister is hosting Thanksgiving here in Sac. My parents will travel down on Wednesday, staying at my place until Sunday. I'm so happy to host them! And we have a fabulous few days planned out.

Wednesday - Happy hour with the parents :) followed by pie night at my house. Two of my most favorite things in one day, drinks and pie... it will obviously be a great time!

Thursday - Thanksgiving! The whole family will go to my sister's house for the day, where we'll enjoy her fabulous dinner.

Friday - Relax/Family bonding sesh/Game day. We'll probably head to my sister's place again to hang out all day with no distinct plans.

Saturday - Wine tasting with the fam!

Now if all that doesn't sound like a great time, I don't know what does! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thankful

Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner (which btw, I am SO excited for!), I thought I'd mention those things in my life that I am most thankful for.


FAMILY - I absolutely love my family, and couldn't have asked for a better one! I have more of an appreciation for them after being so far from and not seeing them for an entire year. I am so thankful that I am able to spend the holidays with them this year. Even though last year was fabulous as I spent Thanksgiving in an Irish pub (okay not that great) and Christmas swimming in the ocean and on the beach of the Canary Islands in Spain (yes, that great!), nothing can beat spending quality time with those you love during this time of year. I wouldn't trade this Thankgiving or Christmas for anything!


FRIENDS - I have the best friends! I have a variety of great friends that are all so different; I have old friends, new friends, friends that live close, friends that live on different continents, friends that I see on a daily basis, friends that I see once a year, friends with personalities just like mine, and friends that differ from me tremendously. Even though all my friends are different and unique in their own special way, they are all amazing and I'm so lucky to have them. The older I get the better I am able to distinguish the acquaintainces from the friends and the good friends from the great friends. And I wouldn't trade them for anything.


MY EDUCATION - There is a high possibility that I am thankful for my education because I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I am, nonetheless, thankful for it. In my five years of college (ahem... yes, super senior over here!) I have gained an unmeasurable about of knowledge in not only that which I study, but in life as well. Not only am I better prepared for the workforce and life in general, but I have grown to enjoy and appreciate learning. It was just the other day that I sat in class thinking about how I was going to miss my favorite classes and how much I learn from them every day.


OPPORTUNITIES - "A window of opportunity won't open itself."

I have had so many opportunities and as I am nearing graduation, I am so thankful for all of the opportunities ahead of me. Right now my biggest challenge is finding out what type of career I want to pursue and where. Even though this is a huge decision ahead of me, I am truly lucky to be facing this positive stressor. I honestly believe I will find the job that is perfect for me. I have confidence that within the next few years I will be successful and happy with whatever I choose to do. I do believe that all my hard work and dedication over the years has led me to these opportunities, but I've also been fortunate enough to have a good support system along the way. (Let's hope I maintain this optimism throughout this recession and discouraging application process)

Warning for Sac State Women

Five women have been sexually assaulted on the Sacramento State campus this semester. The police have only identified one suspect and have little knowledge in the remaining four cases. Most of these assaults have occurred in parking structures throughout the school. Be alert and aware of your surroundings, and make sure that there are always others around.

:(

Today is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day :(



Let's hope for a better one tomorrow!

She really gets around

While reflecting on my college years, I realized I have moved to a different city every year for that past five years. In those five years, I lived in four cities.

1. Redding - I spent my first year of college living in Redding, about an hour north of my hometown. I attended Shasta College while playing basketball for the JC.

2. Corning - I moved back to Corning, my hometown, and commuted to Shasta my final year while working at a local store.

3. Sacramento - I moved to Sacramento, about two hours south of my hometown, after transferring to CSU Sacramento. I went to school and worked at a nearby restaurant.

4. Dublin - I studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland, across the United States, Atlantic ocean and about 5,300 miles from my hometown. I spent the year attending DCU and traveling Europe.

5. Sacramento - I am currently back in Sacramento finshing my degree and working at the same restaurant I was at before.

I absolutely despise moving, but I firmly believe experiences are vital to growing and learning as a person. And I feel I have discovered new things and learned about myself with each location I've lived. I am 85% sure that I will move to yet another city after graduation. I do have some particular ones in mind, but I am I open to pretty much anything. I think I could move to any city, any state, any country or any continent and be happy. Over the years I've realized that it doesn't really matter where in the world you are, you make that place home and whether you are happy or not is entirely dependent on your attitude. Even though it is a pain to move so much and the adjustment period isn't always fun, I feel it is completely worth it. I love that I have the opportunity to move and experience so much, as this is the perfect time in my life to do so. I honestly have no clue where I'm going to live for the majority of my life, or even where I'm going to be next year. But not knowing is part of the adventure and I believe that life is about the journey, not the destination.

Thank You

Happy Veterans Day! I think everyone needs to take the opportunity to appreciate and thank those who have or are risking their lives to protect our country. It doesn't matter if you agree with the war or not, these men and women deserve our acknowledgment. Thank you for all that you do!

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

... no it is NOT too early for this!

My roommate went shopping today and told me she found the most adorable Christmas decoration. All day I was looking forward to seeing what she got. I was definitely surprised!





She had this adorable ornament made! If this doesn't scream heterosexual lifemates, I don't know what does :)

This ornament definitely got me in the Christmas spirit! We are so excited thinking about how to decorate our apartment, and plan to do so immediately after Thanksgiving. I love the holidays!

Halloween Pictures

... they are finally here!


Stewardess & Betty Boop



Cali Swag doing the dougie



we were impressed with my Betty Boop eyelashes



In celebration of the Giants in the World Series (one game before they won), Ashkon also appeared at the club singing this now very popular Giant's 2010 Anthem, "Don't Stop Believing." It was a great atmosphere and such a fun night!

♥ ♥ ♥

One of my friends is going through a difficult breakup and I looked through my quote book in order to find something to comfort her. I know it doesn't really help, but I came across this quote that I find to be very true...

"Love has its ups and downs, its twists and turns. Love leaves you pain, teaches you until you learn and even if love takes you so long, it always takes you to where you belong."


I love you BL ;)

I hate being sick!

I rarely get sick, so I am a big baby when I am. Well this cold was bound to come. My throat has been bothering me for the past two weeks and I kept stocking up on the vitamin c and trying to get a lot of rest, but here I am... cuddled up on the couch with my sweats, tissues and medicine. Although I'm not complaining that this gives me a nice excuse to lay around and do nothing, which I rarely have the opportunity to do. I'm lucky to have those around me to take good care of me. My roomie made sure I took all of her medicine; dayquil, nyquil and theraflu. And my sister made me take some more medicine while I was at her house before sending me home with some of her amazing homemade minestrone soup. Thanks girls.

Halloween Weekend in SF

I requested a a well-deserved weekend off of work to spent Halloween in San Francisco with one of my best friends who lives there. It was my first time seeing her new place in the city and it is absolutely gorgeous! The location is ideal and she's on the fourth floor, where you can see a beautiful view of the city and bay bridge. We intended to go out Friday and Saturday night, but decided on a girls night in on Friday since we were both suffering symptoms of a cold and wanted to save our energy for Saturday. We had a girly night in pampering ourselves. We did each other's nails to go with our costumes, ate candy and caught up on our lives. We also managed to each take five packets of Emergen-C that night, which ended up being a very wise decision! We felt better Saturday after sleeping in, and started getting ready for the Halloween festivities! Her mom graciously bought us tickets to 'Nightmare on Van Ness,' where Cali Swag and Far East Movement were performing. If you're not familiar with the names (like I originally wasn't), you may be familiar with these songs:

'Like a G6'



and 'Teach me how to dougie'

The club was three-stories with a ton of different rooms and music. We had so much fun dancing and checking out all the costumes. The club was packed and we had such an amazing time. Definitely a Halloween I will never forget!

S. dressed up as a Stewardess & I was Betty Boop... pictures to come later :)