I Have Moved!

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to let you all know that I have moved my blog to this new site! :) Hope you'll all follow me over there!

Hello Finals Week

Sarah, Stephanie, Mika, and I out Black Friday shopping.

Somehow, finals week is already here. In this past month, school has been crazy with all the final papers and end of the semester finals. It was great to be able to go home for Thanksgiving break and spend it with my family. And yes, I even went out to go Black Friday shopping at 11 PM Thanksgiving night with my friends from church. However, it was definitely our last year as it was freezing and we are well, getting old. (I normally try to be in bed between 11 and 12 pm!)

Morgan and Kate visiting Heidi and I
at Celebrate Christmas!

Somehow, I ended up celebrating my 21st birthday. I felt as if my birthday had just snuck up on me. I legitimately did not realize that it was my birthday until my friend reminded me a couple days beforehand. Normally I'm all about celebrating my birthday. I ended up being stuck in the car driving back from Northern California back to Los Angeles for 8 1/2 hours. Normally it takes me about 6 hours, but of course with the holiday traffic, it took much longer.

All last week, it was crazy with Celebrate Christmas rehearsals, but overall, the performances this past weekend were great! We had 3 concerts and although it was tiring, it's hard to believe that it was the last Celebrate Christmas concerts I would ever be a part of.  Celebrate Christmas is probably my favorite choir concerts of the year.  My family comes from out of town to hear us all perform and the production is something that you would not believe!

Before I close out this post, I just have to share 2 things! This weekend when my family was all in town we headed out to Little Tokyo in Los Angeles to go to the Japanese American National Museum where a couple of my relatives work. It was really cool going through the exhibits and hearing my own relatives talk about their experiences.  While we were in Little Tokyo, we were able to go walk through the little shops and we came across a Macaroon shop! Look how beautiful these are!

Via Instagram

Oh, and can we talk about how awesome this birthday cake my family got me?!

Via Instagram

Exciting News!

Every May, Bel Canto goes on a music tour.  This year we will be going to Northern California (the day after I graduate!) and we will be there for almost two weeks.

HOWEVER...

I am so excited to say that we have officially announced that Bel Canto will be going to Poland on a Music Missions Trip!  Myself and some AWESOME ladies will be leading the choir on this international adventure.  I am so excited to see what God has planned for us as we begin making plans and get all of the logistics together.

So, here's a few basic facts about Poland to give you an idea about the missions trip I will be going on.

• 97.8% speak Polish
• 89.8% Roman Catholic (75% Practicing)
• 38,383,809 people in Poland (38,041,430 people in California)
• Members of the European Union: signifies political and economic stability

Bel Canto will be partnering with Next Generation Missions.  This group takes choirs to Poland, Jamaica, Scotland, and across the USA.  Their desire is to help students see the mission field and to allow students to deepen their understanding of God's calling for their lives as musicians.

Vera Bradley

It's no secret to my friends and family that I have a love for Vera Bradley products.  I just love the bright colorful patterns, and flowers are my favorite! Some of my favorite VB products are the large duffle and the Grand Traveler weekender bag.

This summer I went to Boston, and they had a VB store there! Let me tell you... I was in heaven!! (We have a VB store in my home town, but now that I'm out here in LA, the closest one is about an hour away, and then you have to factor in the LA traffic.)

Vera Bradley store in Boston
Via Instagram

Now that the holiday season is approaching, I'm beginning to get a lot of emails about their sales and new winter patterns coming out! Definitely need to make sure I only look at the website instead of spending all my money!

**What are some of your favorite brands??**

Hello Fall!

Here in LA, our fall starts a little bit later than most places.  This weekend, it was in the 80's and I was wearing shorts. However, fall has finally arrived and it is raining and everyone has taken out their boots and scarves.

For me, this means breaking out the crock pot and enjoying a delicious (and healthy!) home-made meal.  (For what I'm making tonight for dinner, check out this earlier post with the recipe!)

At times, I wish fall would look something like the east coast, or my house... the leaves changing colors and falling, the cold brisk air starting at the beginning of October, and everything decorated for fall.  But I do love living in LA.  Where else can you go to the beach at the end of October, and we do have Disneyland and many other things.  But in all honesty... I just can't wait for Thanksgiving week to arrive. Then all of the holiday festivities will have officially started.

**What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?**

Top 5 of October

This month has just flown by! I honestly can't believe that November begins this week.  This month was full of lots of papers for school, multiple choir concerts, and me finishing my senior thesis paper! Well... almost.  Although, throughout the midst of school and choir, there were a lot of fun times.

Since I am not able to update my blog as much as I would like to, I'm going to start doing "Top 5's" (in no particular order) for various things going on in my life and it's also just an easy way to do a quick, but informative update.

Via Instagram

1. By the end of this month, I will have all the parts of my "Intent to Graduate" form filled out and turned into the school! It's hard to believe that these 4 years at APU have flown by so quickly.

2. Bel Canto performance have begun for the school year, and I am so blessed to have these ladies in my life.  It's so great to be able to worship and minister alongside them, as well as the other 40 ladies 3-4 times a week.

Via APU Bel Canto Facebook

3.  Like mentioned already, Bel Canto performance have begun! Be sure to check out our Facebook to see photos, upcoming concerts, and much more exciting information about our plans coming soon!  

4.  Meet Jen! We've had the opportunity to take at least one class a semester together, however this semester we have 3 classes.  It's been great getting to know her even better and I'm so excited to live with her after we graduate!  

Studying at Starbucks on a Sunday afternoon
Via Instagram

5. In the program that I am in at APU, I have been given the opportunity to overlap a little bit of graduate school with my undergraduate work.  I am so excited to be starting this next step in my journey and get started on doing what I want to do... which is teach little children!

Surviving

People always say that senior year is always the best year. You plan your life so your senior year is always the easiest. However it's always the busiest in the sense that you are on a deadline for everything. From making sure you graduate on time and have enough units and you've taken the right classes to making sure you have a plan for after graduation, whether it be a job or graduate school, to where you're going to live, it all comes down to surviving and getting through it all.

I always seem to bite off more than I can chew.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love everything I am doing.  I wouldn't be happy if I wasn't busy doing what I am doing.  From working on Bel Canto (BC) things to going to class, taking my online classes, and making sure I still have some time to breathe and relax a little, it's still a lot.  But I still love it. And in all honesty, I'd rather be super busy all the time and enjoy it, rather than having a lot of extra time on my hand and not use that time wisely.

Now that I'm onto my 4th week of school, I am slowly but surely, getting into the swing of things and just my daily/weekly schedule.  I honestly wouldn't change anything the way this semester is going for the world.  Even though I glance at my monthly calendar on my wall and start having mini panic attacks...

I know that through it all, God is going to help me get through it all, no matter what. Even if things don't go my way. I just have to remember to trust in Him.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will direct your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Jack Rogers

This is the pair I got off Rue La La

For the past few years, I've heard and read about people who love wearing Jack Rogers sandals.  Of course I had to know what they were talking about and so I had begun to research about them and loved the Navajo sandal.  Unfortunately, being a college student and not having much money due to paying bills and things like that, I held off for a few years on buying them.

Well, I began to subscribe to the website Rue La La, which has wonderful deals for 2 days from many different designers and companies. I had seen Jack Rogers show up on Rue La La a few times, but didn't like the color that they were selling. Well, this last time, they had a pair of pink plaid Navajo sandals, and I had to jump on it! (Especially since Rue La La had given me a $30 credit!)

When they first arrived in the mail, I was kind of annoyed because they were so tight and I had to break them in, since they're leather and hand made. After a day of wearing them though, they are seriously one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own!  :)

School Year Goals

There's a weird feeling after venting and crying and letting everything you're stressed about, out. This week has been one for the records. Well, maybe the past 3 weeks?

Every year, it seems as if school starts earlier and earlier. This year, I got an email from one of my professors saying that we needed to have reading done before the first day of school. And after that, paper after paper was due, even on the first full week of school.  It seems as if things have become never ending.

With all the stress from school, and trying to figure out about applying to graduate school, and where to live, and who to live with, and how to somehow come up with the money to live on my own, I just needed a break. Oh, and did I mention I have a final tomorrow for one of my online classes??

This school year, I am trying something new. I am doing my very best to get as much homework done on Saturdays so I don't have to do anything on Sunday. They call Sunday the "day of rest" for a reason; so why not actually follow it? After coming home from church in the afternoons, there is something wonderful about eating a light lunch, and then taking a Sunday afternoon nap. Or watching a movie or just hanging out with friends, imagining what our lives would look like, if our Pinterest boards were our real life.

So as this school year progresses, my goals are to:
1) Not stress out TOO much
2) Take time for myself to just RELAX
3) Enjoy the moment. Enjoy senior year. Enjoy my friendships and continue to grow in them.
4) Oh, and of course, GRADUATE ON MAY 3, 2014!

Baseball

People believe that Baseball is the "All-American Sport", and that's definitely true since Baseball has such a rich history.

Well, remember when I told you that I'd be posting on a spontaneous adventure that my roommate and I created? Well now that's time!

Here's the story: I was just relaxing in my room working on some homework and talking to my roommates. My other roommate, Amanda, rushed into my room on Thursday of last week and asked what I was doing on Sunday. I replied that I had no idea. She then continued to tell me that there were Giants vs. Dodger tickets on sale for $10. (For those of you who don't know, they are HUGE rivals!) Well, of course we had to go if they were only $10.

Yesterday was so much fun. 4 hours of sitting in the hot blazing sun, watching a great game. Bottom of the 9th inning, Dodgers had the bases loaded, and the Giants were up 4-3. And... THE GIANTS WON!!!

My roommate Amanda and I

Oh, did I mention Shawn's a Dodgers fan?!
(via Instagram)

The 3 Giants fans: Daniel, Amanda, and I

Room Organization

I am the kind of person who at the start of the school year must ALWAYS have everything and organized in their place.  If things aren't in their place when it comes to school, I feel like I'm losing my mind.  I have changed a few things that I am doing this year, which is starting by ALWAYS making sure that my desk is clean and my bed is made. Last year, my bed was in this weird position where it was hard to make it everyday.  This year, I'm able to make it very easily and it also helps knowing that when people walk into my room, it's one of the first things that they see.

I also added curtains right above my windows, just because the blinds don't do a very good job at blocking out the sunlight if I am sleeping in on the weekends. It also helps when it is hot and it keeps our room much cooler.  I keep my "regular" bags hanging right on my bedpost and keep my laundry under my bed where I store my suitcases and things.  My dresser as well as one of my roommates is also under my bed as well.

Next to my bed, I have my desk area.  My roommate found this great little bookshelf that we share. The top shelf is mine, and it houses all of my textbooks and library books that I am using for my senior thesis paper (Ethics & Education: Music in the Elementary Schools).  I also have one of our 4 lamps on the bookshelf and a photo of my family, a clock, and other random things that I just happen to use all the time.  I also have my wall calendar, class schedule, and other things up on the wall.  I'll go into detail more later on how I stay organized more specifically!

What are some ways that you keep your areas neat and organized? I always love hearing different tips that other people have!

Welcome to the School Year

After a very busy summer and taking a break from blogging, I'm back!

This summer was great! It was busy, productive, and fun.  In a nutshell, I was able to do summer school, go to Boston, New York, cabin lead at camp again this year, go down to LA a few times, and I also got to work.

Being back here at APU is somewhat unreal for me. I know I'm a senior now, but it still hasn't fully hit that it's my last year here.  It's hard to believe how fast it's gone by. Now with choir camp all over and a whole week of school under my belt, I have finally gotten into the swing of things. I've created my schedule for everything and I am really enjoying the classes that I am taking this semester.
I am excited for this year, and I can't wait to see everything that happens!

P.S. Keep posted for a post coming up about a little spontaneity! 

Junior Year Comes to an End

There's always a huge weight lifted off my shoulders whenever I walk out of my last final.  I'm done. I have nothing to worry about until the fall, and it's summer break!

With all the craziness going on with dead week and finals, I feel like my life was in complete chaos.  From studying and packing up the apartment, I had no idea where most of my things were.  In the midst of packing up things to go home with my parents a couple weeks ago, packing up things to go into storage, and things to go on choir tour with me, I felt lost.

Luckily, that's all over now and I can focus on one thing: CHOIR TOUR. I am seriously so excited for it. It's going to be so much fun. We're going from California to Texas, and back. I love all of these girls so so much and I can't wait to spend the next 2 weeks with them, hanging out, singing, and not worrying about what paper is due at 8 in the morning or what tests I have that week.

There's many things that I've learned this past year, as a junior in college. I honestly loved every bit of it. But now comes the time when I really have to wake up. 4 summer school classes this summer and a job (hopefully!).

Then, when I get back to school in 3 months, it's back to the craziness. Yet more.  Yes, I've already filled out my planner for next semester... and into March of 2014. Just thinking and knowing that I have to fill out my "Intent to Graduate" form, apply to graduate school, and everything like that, just makes college seem like it's gone by so quickly already. I'm growing up, and there's nothing that can stop it.

I'm excited for this summer, even though it'll be my last one at home.  I'm ready though. I can't wait to enjoy every moment of it. Lots of fun things will be happening, like going out to Boston, cabin leading at camp, and a possible family trip to Lake Tahoe!

So I'm excited to be done. If you can't tell already. But if you have any fun summer ideas for me, please tell me! I love doing fun new things. :)

Take time to Relax

For some reason, this semester seems as if it has been more stressful than other semester.  While trying to get papers done, studying for tests and quizzes, other homework assignments, getting work done for Bel Canto, as well as trying to make time for myself where I can relax and hang out with friends, the time has gone by very quickly.  It's like this semester has been squished into one month of craziness. Except for the fact that the semester is practically over.  

I've been trying to figure out ways in which I can make myself relax so I can make it through whatever is going on in my life.  In my Psych class last week, the whole class period was devoted to making us relax and not think or worry about school.  At the beginning of the class period, my teacher collected all of our phones.  We watched a video and closed our eyes and just listed to music.  She then sent us outside to not talk to anyone and just sit for 20 minutes. Or walk around.  Lastly, we came back in and she had us lie down and just meditate and relax our bodies. I honestly fell asleep.  

This semester I've learned how important it is to 1, have a bedtime and actually get a good amount of sleep. 2, to make time for yourself to just sit and relax without everything running through your brain.  3, the importance of being patient and not worrying so much.  4, time management is EXTREMELY importnat, and lastly, 5, Downton Abbey is a great show! Seriously, you all need to go watch it.  

Zack and Zach Take LA

So here's the deal. You need to check out this video. It's a new reality web series.  My friends are trying to make it big. So watch this video. Share this video. Let's make this happen! Click the link for the video!

The Magic Pillow Case

Like I said in my previous post, during spring break I was able to just relax and hang out with friends and family.  During that time, I also pulled out my old sewing machine.  I've been missing doing crafts like that and so I decided to make myself a new pillow case.  Well, 10 pillow cases later, and spring break was over.

If any of you want to make your own pillow case, you should really follow this pattern: The Magic Pillow Case.  It's a very easy pattern for a beginner sewer.  I know that when I get home, I'll be back to sewing.  I am hoping to find some more simple projects that I can make and use as gifts.

The new pillow case I made for myself!

4 Weeks Left

It's kind of scary to think that 4 weeks from now, I'll be on a bus full of girls for our choir tour.  School will be over. Finals will be behind us. It's amazing how fast this school year has gone by.

Spring break was wonderful. It was a very much needed break.  When I went home, I took no school work with me.  I just really needed a break where I didn't have to think about school. I did do a little choir work though. But that's always fun.  I was able to catch up with some old friends from high school and some friends from church.  I was also able to enjoy a nice week at home with my family.

Baseball season started, which means talking about the Giants and the Dodgers has become an every day conversation topic.

I've been back to school for a week now, and it's taken me a little while to get back into "school mode".  Luckily, I've been able to get all my work done on time and some papers have even gotten pushed back!  However, with only 3 weeks of school left and 1 week of finals, there is still a lot of work to get done.

Go Giants!

Hello Spring Break!

I've come to realize I'm a lot like my mom. I know I've said it before, but as time goes on, I'm realizing it more and more. 

When I was little, my mom used to always clean the whole house top to bottom before we left on a vacation. I always wondered why.  And she used to always say that it's because if something happened to us or if someone broke into our house, it'd be nice and clean. And well, who doesn't like coming home from a vacation to a nice clean home.

Well, I've carried that with me to college.  Every time I leave for vacation, before I can even pack, I have to clean as much of my apartment as possible.  By the time I've packed and I'm heading out the door, my bed has to be perfectly neat and so does my desk and closet.  It's a weird habit, but I really do enjoy coming home to a nice clean area.

And when I get back home after vacation, all my laundry has to go into the hamper and everything has to be put away by the time I go to bed. Call me crazy, but that's just me.

As I've been packing up for Spring Break (officially started the second I bolted out of my seat at the end of my last class, which ended at 5:40 PM) I've noticed that I'm slowly getting better at packing.  I've always been that person who overpacks. I'm always holding my breath as they weigh my suitcase at the airport. And even a couple of times, I've had to unpack it and put things on my carry on.  However, this year, I've been much better about it, and I'm even only taking one suitcase and one carry on!

All to say, I'm SO ready for Spring Break and 10 nights at home.

Dress Up

I know that I posted photos on Instagram and I tweeted about it, but Saturday night was seriously so much fun. Despite knowing that my alarm was going to be going off at 5:15 AM the following morning for choir.  

It was my friend Kate's 23rd birthday party, and it was seriously a blast hanging out with some of my closest Bel Canto friends. My whole D-Group was even there! LOVE THEM! <3 

So I thought I'd just share a few photos with you, just for fun!  Enjoy!

The Birthday girl herself!

C.H.A.M.P.

As a part of my Diversity in the Classroom class, we are required to work with 4th graders once a week for 8 or 9 weeks.  Through this program called C.H.A.M.P. (College Headed and Mighty Proud), I was able to have a small group of three 4th graders.  I enjoyed learning more about them and teaching them about college, picking a major and a future career, and helping them to write an essay.

It was a great learning experience working with three separate students, who were all at their own "academic level".  It definitely taught me a lot about how to manage a setting where you have one student who is completely independent and another student on the other end of the spectrum where you have to point and feed them word-for-word when they are writing.

Anyway, I had a great time hanging out with them. Look how cute they are! Anyone would enjoy hanging out with these three.

A future lawyer, artist, and doctor!

I seriously can't wait to officially be a teacher and have my own classroom and set of students!!