Busy Weekends

I have been busy every weekend since I started school and there is no indication that this busyness will slow down any time soon. It has been wonderful! I spent one weekend here in Fresno when I first moved and since then I have been up and down the mountain or, once, down to San Diego.

First, I had wonderful Country Fair weekend. It was wonderful because my mom was the boss of getting all of the ladies in camp to make baked goods. It was crazy the night before the fair as all of the women pulled through and brought tons and tons of sweets to our house. In the morning when we took all of the snacks to the boutique I thought the gift shop ladies were going to have a heart attack. I don't think they were expecting so much. I was so excited for my moms success! Then Emma and Cody showed up! They weren't really planing on coming so it was a big surprise and treat to see them and spend the day with them. Last but not least, a pine cone fell out of a tree and hit me!!! It hit the back of my head pulling some of my hair out and then hit my shoulder. I had a big bruise!

The following weekend I went to San Diego to see my darling Katie Wood! I took the train which is one of my all time favorite things to do! I met an old Japanese woman at the train station before I left. We talked for a long time before my train arrived. She told me all about her family and meeting her (red headed) American husband during WWII when he was stationed in Japan! After this I sat with an old man who ignored me and tried very hard to make sure our arms did not touch (very funny). On the last leg of my journey south I was in a section of the train that seated four people and can I just say that I don't think there are four more different people. The conversation we had was AMAZING! When I arrived in San Diego I had the pleasure of spending a much needed weekend with Katie doing what we do best, talking. While I was there we got to see Little Shop of Horrors which was great. The weekend ended to soon as always and I had a quiet ride back to Fresno.

This past weekend I went to Hume and finally worked (I have been slacking). I feel like I never have enough time when I am home. I always feel like someone gets neglected because I just don't have enough of me. I wonder if I could design a me robot so I could be in two places at once.... Anyway, I loved seeing several friends and having some great conversations while also making a little money (very little) and spending some time with my family. It was a long weekend and not at all restful but that is ok. Oh, and I signed up for the Michael Buble fan club which I know is lame but at his next concert I will have better seats than you. ;-)

This wonderful weekend that is coming up is going to be one of the most fantastic weekends of all times. Emma is coming and we are going to watch all of season 5 of Grey's Anatomy and eat lots and lots. We will be lazy the whole time except when we dress up on Saturday evening to take Katie out to dinner. I cannot wait!

I feel like my life revolves around my weekends right now but really most of my life is spent here... at school. This is the pink and green room I was talking about. Isn't it great?

Finding Joy in the Little Things (and the big things too)

As I was anticipating heading back to school I was finding myself very discontented. I do not like living in Fresno and as much as I enjoy learning I don't really have much love for this school. I had been struggling, trying to remind myself that I am doing this in order to be more effective (hopefully). I have been trying to remember how important prayer in and trying to foster determination to be a light this year at school. I met with Bunnie just before I left home and she challenged me to be in prayer more.

I headed down the mountain with my heart breaking (I love my family and my home) but determined to make the most of this year and come out of it with a broader and deeper understanding of God and who I am in him. As I drove the air turned from the cool refreshing mountain air to the oppressing thick valley air. I was feeling more and more sad and losing focus when all of a sudden I came around a corner and a cool breeze made the warm air feel welcome. The sun was reaching its orange glowing fingers through the trees and touching my hair as it whipped around my face in the wind. At that moment a song by Augustana that has a beautiful piano introduction came on. It was the perfect driving music. In that moment I saw the little thing that God was doing to make this transition less difficult. It was a perfect drive.

I am determined that this year is going to be wonderful. I will apply myself and come out changed for the better. I will lose focus but in those moments I am praying that God will remind me of my drive and all of the little blessings he has given me. That is my story, the thing I wanted to say.

Something to say

I have something to say tonight. Nothing exciting, just a story. But I don't have the energy to make it sound nice so I will just wait until tomorrow. Good night world.

Obsessions

Emily and I were discussing things that we love and at times have even become obsessed with. These are some of my favorite movies, tv shows and books. I could watch and read all of these all the time no matter what.
I believe that I have already established that I really like Grey's Anatomy. It is a new favorite but it successfully kept me and Emma connected and sharing our likes and dislikes so that makes me like it even more.
I love Jane Austen more than any other author! I love each of her novels and I read them over and over again. I never get sick of these stories. They are full of romance, silliness, sacrifice and family.
Friends is probably the most feel good show in the world! I love the silly witiness of the characters and its short shows make it ideal for watching in between doing other things. I love it!

Gilmore Girls is my favorite tv show ever! I watch it over and over again from start to finish. When I finish the seventh season I just start watching the first. It never ends for me. I love every one of the characters and I identify (to and extent) with Rory and Lorelei's relationship because it is a lot like mine and my moms! Love love love this show!

Harry Potter are fantastic books! They are well written and easy reads. The stories are entriguing and my whole family enjoys them so they bring us all together. I am currently rereading this series and I am loving it once again.

Meet Me in St. Louis is my all time favorite movie. It has been since I can remember. My sister and brother still grumble about the fact that I used to insist on watching it everyday after school when I was in kindergarten. I still would watch it every day if I could get away with it. It is all about family (which I think I have established is important to me) and sticking together no matter what. This family looks out for each other even when they are upset with each other. I love it so very much.

So, that is all I can think of. If you haven't seen Meet Me in St. Louis then you should. That is all I am saying. ;-)

Buck Up Tiffany

I have felt very whiney lately. I just feel like whining about everything. I am usually a very optimistic and joyful person, and I still am, but everytime I go to write an email or blog or something like that all I want to do is whine. I should be kicked. I have a new goal to try and be more happy, even in my writing. I am going to try and think of all of the wonderful things in my life and be grateful for what I have. I am enormously bless and I should not be complaining. Aha ha ha! I will win!

Weddings and other fun things

This is a fun season of life where it feels like there is a wedding or a shower every other day. This past weekend we celebrated the marrage of Brandon and Jessica Setter. I grew up with both of them and it was a joy to have all of our old friends back together to enjoy their marriage! My brother was in the wedding which made it extra fun. This weekend I have the priveledge of attending Erin Schlegels bridal shower which is going to be the bomb diggity because her sisters are the best party planners in the world and I am super excited! I love this part of life and I will be sad when it ends, just as a usually am when I realize I am to the next season of life. Ah well, such is life I suppose. Anyway, here is my favorite picture from the beautiful wedding day!

Freaking Summer

Summer is always crazy. It is less crazy for me this summer because I am working in the office instead of being a boss in food service. Less responsibility means fewer hours and a little less stress. Also, I am not running all over camp all the time so I am far less physically exhausted. Highlights of my summer so far are my morning walks with Alex Tilley. We walk around the lake almost every morning and while I know that the exercise is good for me the thing about it that I really enjoy is the fun talks that Alex and I get to have. It is a pleasure getting to know Alex again now that we are older and I am not her boss. Another fun thing that has happened this summer is that the Lilley girls all came up to visit! They were here for Jessica Daniels bridal shower (which was fantastic) and it was amazing getting to see them and spend a little time with them! I look forward to getting to see all of them several more times throughout the summer. My mom and I went to Fresno last week and she paid for me to get acrylic nails (because I don't work in food service) and we saw UP. So freaking fun!!! I love my mom. And last but certainly not least, my dear sweet Katie Wood called me two days ago to inform me that she is ENGAGED!!! I am so excited for her and Justin and I am praying that their life together will continue to be a blessed one!!!! Well, that is all. That is my summer in a nutshell so far. I hope you are wonderful! Love Tiffany