Vera Bradley

So, this past week and a half has been a crazy week trying to get everything organized for the school year and really getting my routine solidified. Well, anyway, last night I was reading one of my favorite blogs, The College Prepster, and started getting ideas of how to organize my life. I somehow ended up wandering onto the Vera Bradley website and found out that they have a 50% off sale on one of my favorite patterns! So, if any of you like Vera Bradley or don't even know what it is, go look at her website! She has some of the cutest things.

This is the laptops sleeve that I ended up getting for $19.99.
I'm so excited for it to come in the mail.
It's cute, it's my favorite color, and there are little flowers on the inside. 

The Vera Bradley duffles have been standing out for years!
Now that it's in a pattern that I love and it's 50% off, I'm really debating on if I should just get it or not.
It's a great price on sale...

So what's your favorite brand that you can't pass up on when there's a huge sale?

Moving Back to Azusa

I'm a JUNIOR now! What is this?! I know it's been awhile since I've done a post, but then I realize that it's been awhile since I've really done anything on the computer. The past two weeks have just been full of craziness.  The first week, I was slowly moving into my apartment with my roommates and we were trying to figure out where things would be going. (I must admit, it did take us about two weeks until we finally did get everything cleaned up and put away.)  This past week, has been keeping me very busy. Thanks to choir camp, which I loved, I was getting up about 6:30 AM and coming home around 10 PM and falling asleep around midnight.

I loved getting to know all the incoming freshman that would be in choir and I loved just being able to sing with them all for the very first time.  My voice now, is completely tired and I know for a fact, that I am fighting a cold. Or a sore throat that has now turned into a cold.  School is starting on Wednesday, so I am trying very hard to take it easy and drink lots of fluids and get a lot of rest. However, my body just won't let me sleep in past 9 AM.  I guess that's a good thing since I will be having 8 AM classes every single day this semester. However, I am kind of bummed out when I look over my shoulder to see both of my roommates fast asleep and it's after 10 AM, and I know they won't be getting up for another hour and a half.

I am hoping to post some pictures of my apartment soon, but right now, as my apartment is for the most part dark, and everyone else is sleeping, I can't even take the pictures. So for now, I'll just include some of my favorite photos from this past week of choir camp!

95% of the returning Bel Canto ladies
(Photo Taken at Huntington Beach)

End of Choir Camp Redneck BBQ dinner at our directors home

I am really hoping that I will be able to update you more as this school year continues! Until then, have a wonderful day. :)

At a Bookstore

I started writing this post as I was sitting in Barnes & Nobles at the Pruneyard. However, I am posting it a day later. Hehe, whoops!
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There is just something about being inside of bookstores that calms me. Maybe it's the fact that bookstores are quiet and you can actually hear yourself think.  I love just wandering through every aisle of the bookstore, even if nothing really ever changes. I love looking at all the different sections and seeing if a book pops out at me.
The two sections that I stop and look at, without fail, are the Christian Inspiration section and the Children's Section. I love seeing if there are any good Christian books that I think I would like to read and I also love looking at picture books. In my room at home, I have a huge bookshelf, just of picture books. I don't look at them often, but when I do, they smell the way I remember them smelling as I was a little kid and they bring back memories of my mom and dad reading them to me. Some of my favorite picture books are Miss Bindergarten Goes to Kindergarten, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Love You Forever, Jesse Bear, and so many other ones. I think that if you haven't heard of these or read them, you have to go to a bookstore and just sit there and read them. They are just wonderful children's classics!
What were some of your favorite children's books while growing up?

Feeling Good with my Summer 2012 Playlist

Have you ever woken up just not feeling like you can take on the things that life throws your way? I know that I personally learned that I have to have my morning routine to make sure that I have a good day. I learned that this past year, it can be hard to feel good and also be productive if you don't look like you can make it through another day. I can totally see a difference in the way I feel and act if I don't follow through with my morning routine.  

1. Get out of bed (Probably the hardest thing to do!)
2. Shower
3. Put on a cute outfit that makes you feel good. 
4. Do your hair and make up
5. Put a big smile on. A smile can make your day as well as someone else's day even better. 

Oh, and of course, you can't forget about the music! I love music. I always have to have music playing in the background while I'm doing homework or just cleaning up my apartment. I have to have music when I'm driving around in my car running errands. It's just something that makes me feel good and happy.  I love all different kinds of music. From Christian Worship music, to Pop Music, to Country Music, to Soundtracks. So, what's been on my "Summer 2012 Playlist"? 

Some of the songs that have been playing nonstop on my computer and iPhone are the ones listed above. Now, when I find a songs that I just absolutely love to listen to, I listen to them nonstop. I'm pretty sure that whoever is around me, gets tired of my music. I will listen to one song on repeat until I get tired of it, which usually won't happen until about a week or so later. (My poor roommates who have to deal with that!)  

So what songs have been on your Summer playlist? Any good songs that I should listen to? Maybe add them on since summer doesn't end until school starts! And what things do you do to make sure that you have a good day? Any tips? I'd love to hear them all!

Packing Up

I've come to the realization that packing is just so hard for me. And I guess it doesn't help that I have a lot of stuff too.  However, I've come to realize that while packing up to go back to Southern California for college, there are some things that I just can't live without.  Of course, I'm a girl, and I've got to have my clothes and shoes and purses. But office supplies is something that I just can't live without.  I've always been that girl that loves back-to-school shopping, just for the school supply shopping. I've always loved just wandering down that section of Target or going into some office supply store with my parents.  So, I've decided that I would make a little list of some things that I see as 'back-to-school essentials'.

1. A Planner
All the time, I am trying to become more and more organized.  But let's face it, it's not easy.  I always have to have a planner. One that I physically can write things in, and yes, people have told me that it's 'old fashioned' to actually use a planner that you write in. But I like to see all my assignments written out.  I also tend to use my calendar on my phone, but I know that I need to start just using one. I love going to Barnes & Nobles or Target to get my planner. This year, I got mine at Barnes & Nobles. It's not too big and it's not too small. It's big enough to write out my assignments, but it isn't as big as a notebook. Which I love, because I know that I can fit it in my purse (Yes, I do carry a large purse. I call it my 'mom bag'.) but it will also fit with all my school things.

2. Bright, Colorful, Fun Pens
What is more boring, than looking through your notes as you're studying for a test, than seeing your notebook full of just black/blue pen and pencil. Don't get me wrong, I love using black pens, but sometimes it is just nice to add some color to my notes. I love boxing important things my professor says or writing the title of the lesson with colorful pens in different handwriting than I normally would use.  I love using the Pilot Gel G2 (05) pens. I used to use the (07) ones, but somehow I would always end up smearing the ink and it would just get all over.  Plus, I like how it makes my notes look all clean because it is thinner.

3. My North Face Backpack

I am not a backpack person. I love being able to have different totes that match my outfit, but I have come to just LOVE my backpack. Yes, North Face backpacks can be fairly pricey. Well, North Face is pricey in general. However, this backpack is the perfect size. It has pockets for everything I need, and it manages to do the job by carrying my books, binders, notebooks, and anything else that I might possibly have to carry around with me.  Plus, it even has a buckle that goes around your waist which I love to play with as I am walking to classes or just standing and talking to friends. Yes, it does start to drive my friends crazy, but playing with that buckle is just so much fun!  So although North Face backpacks can get fairly expensive, depending on the one that you get, you have to remember that North Face backpacks have a LIFE TIME GUARANTEE!  Now, I'm the kind of person that had always gotten a bright colorful backpack, but this time I got black. And I love that it does match with everything. And plus, by having a back backpack, it made me feel just a tad bit older. It was like I didn't need that bright colorfulness. But, I do have a little color on there still, anyway. Now, I've had my backpack for a few years now, but as I was looking online for a photo, I noticed that they have all these different colors! Now I kind of wish that I had a colored one... But hey, now I match with all my friends who have black North Face backpacks.

So I've narrowed my list down to 3 things. But believe me, there are so many other things that I can't live without for school. But for now, those are my top 3 things. Oh well, and of course my phone, which is attached to my hand at all times.

For style advice, and to know if your closet is "Trendy or Not" for this upcoming school year, check out my friends blog, called "Trendy or Not".  Believe me, she knows what she's talking about when she talks fashion.

Summer 2012

JEMS Mt. Hermon Inter High Staff

This summer has been crazy, to say the least.  I don't think there has really been a moment where I've been able to just sit and breathe and not have to worry about anything.  However, this summer has been one of the most exciting and rewarding summers I can remember.  Through working, helping out with the Junior High Youth Group at church, Vacation Bible School (VBS), cabin leading for JEMS Mt. Hermon at Inter High, and catching up with friends, I must say that I am looking forward to returning back to Azusa.  Luckily the week before returning to the crazy world of being down at school, I'll have a nice week to relax with family in Lake Tahoe!

I thought I would take some time, as I'm sitting in the nice air conditioned library to reflect on everything that has gone on this summer. And let me tell you, it's been a crazy few months.  Looking back at my last post which was at the end of May, I had just reflected on the past school year and I hadn't even really started my summer break, aside from talking about the choir tour I went on.  So, here we go... if you dare continue to read on. This is my warning: THIS POST COULD END UP VERY LONG!

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings!

My parents and I at a wedding in May

Well, here is something... not so new.  This summer, again, is full of weddings. If anything, I believe I went to the same amount of weddings last summer that I did this year.  This summer's total: 3.  My cousin got married on Memorial Day Weekend and that was a beautiful wedding. I loved every part of it. Next week, is another wedding for a good family friend. I'm looking forward to that one, as well as my other cousin getting married towards the end of September. You could still call September summer, right? After all, officially Fall doesn't start until October I think? I love going to weddings. They're so happy and it's great to see two people unite together. The hardest part is always finding a dress to wear to the wedding though... I guess that's one thing that us girls will always have to deal with. 

Youth Group, Church, VBS
Well, what more is to say about youth group, than the fact that it's youth group? From crazy games, to hyper junior highers, to attempting to stay up at the all-nighter (Which didn't happen... I left at 5 AM.)  it's been a great time. They make me feel like I'm getting old because I can't believe that some of them are going to be starting middle school.  But, what can I say? I love working with them and getting to know them.  It's great seeing them first start off in youth group because I know by the time they graduate high school (Oh gosh... then I'm really going to feel old!) they will have made some great friends through it all.  

"Sing and Play" at VBS!

VBS this summer was great. I wasn't expecting to be as involved as I was, but it was still great. Seeing children worship God, have fun, and just being crazy is so exciting for me.  What is wonderful is that all of the kids who attend, for the most part, do not even go to a church!  Overall though, it was a great week, despite the fact that I went home every day feeling exhausted and then had to run straight to work!  But it was a great week, and somehow, those VBS songs randomly will get stuck in my head...

JEMS Mt. Hermon Inter High 

"For the Lord will be your confidence

    and will keep your foot from being caught."

Proverbs 3:26

The Lovely Ladies of Cabin Seven

10 days being with an awesome staff. 7 days being with some awesome and crazy incoming 8th and 9th graders. And one AMAZING cabin full of 8 incoming 9th graders.  Gosh, this year is just indescribable.  So many great things happened.  I got to experience my girls in my cabin becoming close with one another, being real, praying for one another, and even had one girl accept Jesus into her life! Seeing these girls really grow throughout the week was just so exciting for me.  All the late nights and early mornings and not sleeping during chill out time was totally worth it, and I can't wait for next year. 

Friends

In Santa Cruz with Shawn

Being home has given me the opportunity to catch up with friends that I don't get to see or talk to on a regular basis.  I got to have brunch with Mika before she left on her missions trip to Mexico, I got to go bowling and have some great meals and laughs with friends from church, and I got to catch up with Annie, who has practically been my sister my entire life.  But the one special visit of the summer was when Shawn came up for 4 days to visit! Being able to see him after not seeing him for about a month and a half was wonderful.  We got to go to Santa Cruz, Monterey, and he got to know my parents even better.  It's hard to believe that the day school starts, will mark 4 months of us being together, yet we will have seen each other maybe a week and a half total.  

This summer, I've also gotten to Skype with friends from school and just keep in touch with them. I think that's the greatest part about friendships.  Today with all the technology, even if you don't see your friends on a regular basis, you can still keep in touch with them and know what is going on in their lives.  

Upcoming
Well, in exactly 4 weeks from today, I will be moving into my apartment back down in Azusa and it's hard to believe that the year will be starting. The utilities are all set up and Bel Canto things are being taken care of.  Choir Camp preparation is in full swing and it's so exciting to think that I'll be meeting a whole new group of young women and I'll be able to sing with them and minister and serve with them this year.  I'm excited to meet all of them so soon!  It's hard to believe that just 2 years ago, I was just starting college.  I can remember very clearly everything that happened that first week and a half of Freshman year. And let me tell you, that is quite a story!  But I won't go into that.  

I'm excited to see how everything works out this school year. Granted, it will be a lot of work and this semester, I will need to focus a lot more and work a lot harder. But I'm excited for the challenge and to see how God is going to work in this next year! There is still a lot more things that need to get done before I can get back down to Southern California, so it will be busy. But I know that these last few weeks will go by so quickly and I won't know what happened to the time. 

Camy and I at the youth group all nighter
eating our Spam Musubi Which was falling apart

Well, this has become much longer than I thought it would, so I better get going.  For those of you who read until the end, WOW! I mainly was writing just so I could have these memories written down.  But hopefully this school year, I'll be able to do a better job at doing updates.  

Anyway, I hope you all have a great day, and you all get your daily dose of Vitamin D!

Update Time

At Knott's Berry Farm

I know that this post is very long overdue, but the past couple of months has just been a crazy whirlwind of all these different events happening.  Since Spring Break ended (and that is when I last updated this blog), I have gone on many different adventures with my friends. We ended up spending the day at Knott's Berry Farm, going to an Anaheim Angel's game against the Oakland A's (yes, I was happy that the Angel's won!), had a future roommate photo shoot, and also ended up going on a little adventure to Venice Beach.  Talk about some interesting people there.  I was also able to go on tour with some of the most amazing young women I know.  We went to 7 different states within 16 days. If we calculated, that is approximately 3,005 miles that we drove. So now that you have a little idea of what has been going on in my life recently, let me break it down for you all and go into a little bit more detail. 

Future Roommate Photo Shoot

Knott's Berry Farm, Angel's Game, a Photo Shoot, and Venice Beach

Shawn and I at Venice Beach
(Plus our official "Third Wheel")

My friends and I have really enjoyed getting to know each other better day by day.  We enjoy just hanging out and playing games to sitting around eating a meal together. Eventually we make it off campus to go on a little adventure. We had a great time at Knott's Berry Farm riding all the different rides and also just having a great time. That even included watching a show about some cowboys! Yes, you can bet that Megan just loved it. 

As I look back, I realize what a crazy busy weekend that way. The next day we went to an Anaheim Angel's game to celebrate our friends birthday. Yes, the Angels won, and I was very glad because they were playing the Oakland A's. Coming from a San Francisco Giant's family, I wasn't going to root for the A's. It was fun being with friends and enjoying the game while snacking on some very yummy hot dogs and peanuts!

The following weekend, was again, another very busy weekend. My future roommates and I went on a photo shoot just so we could have photos we could have printed and the put in our apartment. Plus, we needed a reason to hang out and get dressed up. Let me say, although it was awkward at times because we didn't know what to do, the photos are hilarious! 

Link for the edited photos from the Photo Shoot: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150843649217792.469144.678167791&type=3&l=4e0cf0258f

Link for the unedited photos from the Photo Shoot: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150843658817792.469147.678167791&type=3&l=29d971eb93

The ladies who kept me sane over Tour

That same day, we decided that we wanted to go to the beach, so we all adventured over to Venice Beach. Now here's a funny side story. It was so hot in Azusa that we thought it would be the perfect day to go to the beach. Well, so did everyone else in the Los Angeles area. It took us almost 2 or 3 hours just to get to Venice. And by the time we got there, it was cloudy and starting to get a little cold. It was okay though because we still had a very good time tossing the frisbee around on the beach. 

Bel Canto Women's Choir Tour 2012 #bcTUBE12

53 Women, 16 days, 7 states, and 3,005 miles later, we had finally completed our tour. Now don't get me wrong, we had a great time and it was so much fun being able to get to know all of these young women so much better, but 16 days with all girls is a little long! By the time we finally were able to get off the bus when we arrived back in Azusa, I was so happy just to see other faces! 

It was wonderful being able to meet so many different host families in all of the different states we traveled to and it was also great being able to minster to many different groups of people. We even were able to go to the Mormon Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. While in Utah, I even got to float in The Great Salt Lake! It really does work. You don't have to try at all to float. I even managed to somehow float on my stomach. That was also quite the experience.  But overall, it was such a great two weeks and if you want to see photos and get an idea of what tour was like go to Facebook and like our page: APU Bel Canto Women's Choir!

Shawn and I after my final concert
(Sorry it's a blurry photo)

We had our final concert in Azusa, and it was great seeing a good amount of my friends show up. We had a potluck dinner and we got to share about what tour was like and share all of our favorite songs from choir with our friends and family.  At the end of the concert, all of the members were acknowledged and were given either a flower, journal and flower, or mug depending on how many years they were in choir.  The graduated seniors also got a special necklace. It was definitely a night full of tears, but also happy tears!

Oh, and how could I forget!? 

With my roommates after they got Baptized!

Both of my roommates got baptized! And let me tell you, I was one happy roommate that night! God has been so good to me this year by blessing me with wonderful friends and roommates. I don't know how I would have survived this past school year without every single person that I interacted with this past school year. 

A Look into this Summer!

Well, this summer is going to be quite a busy one for me, and hopefully I'll be able to update this blog more often.  I am currently working, and I will also be cabin leading at Mt. Hermon, as well as going on vacation to Lake Tahoe with my mom's side of the family.  With all this going on, there are also a few family weddings getting thrown into the schedule as well as me trying to schedule time in to see all of my friends from home, as well as hopefully getting some visits from friends from school! 

So keep checking my blog for more updates from me!