numero uno

I really suck at this whole blog thing. Especially on keeping you all updated on my Hawaiian adventure like I said I would.... whoops :o/


Tuesday October 21, 2008

My flight departed from LAX at 8 am, but getting there was a another story! My friend Aimee drove me to the air port which was very nice of her, except that she didn't want to leave until 7 am, while I wanted to be at the air port by 7. LAX is not that close to school it's actually probably 40 minutes without traffic, but being that my flight was pretty early in the morning everyone was trying to get to work causing the traffic that we had got stuck in. I arrived at the air port and checked my luggage just in time to catch my flight. My flight was different, to say the least I flew to Phoenix, Arizona.... I had a layover and then boarded the airplane that took me to Hawaii (Big Island). My mom and aunt were there awaiting my uncle and my arrivals. We then proceeded to meet up with the rest of the gang at the beach. After a little while of swimming and relaxing we headed off to my Aunt's house in Waimea, where we staying. We showered ate dinner hung out for a bit soon it was off to bed.



To Be Continued....
also pictures will be posted later :)

ALOHA

Tomorrow morning I will be boarding a plane, because I am going to HAWAII! I'm meeting my family there. I'm taking a week off of school and getting the heck out of dodge. I'll keep you posted on what we do while there, I really don't know what is planned, but I do know we're going snorkeling and we will be at the beach!

I'll keep you posted!

My yesterday :)

Yesterday was nice. I didn't have to go to my firsts class; it was test day and all tests are all online. Cool, I got to sleep in some. I checked my e-mail and found out my other class was canceled. AWESOME! A day to myself get things done before my escape to Hawaii. :)
Later, like around 5p.m. Liz and I were getting our i.d. cards to get some dinner with our friend Rob, when my R.D. Jonny saw me and was like "I was just going to find you! You're getting a roommate." I wasn't going to get my hopes up like the 5 other times, so i just went on with my day. After dinner I ran into my R.A. Kyle who told me that my new roomie was going to be stopping by my apartment to get my signature on a paper later that night. So, me looking at my apartment in disgust, midterms, research papers, figuring out my schedule for next semester was being displayed throughout the whole apartment. I frantically started to clean, I didn't even get to my bedroom... when I heard knocking on my door, it was Ally my new roommate and Kyle.
She's going to be moving in sometime today and I'm at peace about it all. Everryone is shocked that I'm so OK with this happening 2 months into school but there is something about this situation that I'm at peace.

God has really been using me these past 2 months. I may not know what the purpose of it all until a later date, but I'm glad he is using me. I have really been struggling down here and I feel I'm supposed to be here now. I'm hoping this feeling will last for the rest of my school career.


I just thought I would update you all... please pray for me.

Tag you're it!

Rules: go to your 6th picture folder and select the 6th picture and then tag 5 people... I really don't want to tag other people so this game of tag is ending here... SORRY!!!






This is of a family friend Ron and his granddaughter Sadie Rose at Oktoberfest quite a few years ago... this is also the Oktoberfest that Sadie took her first steps...

Ode to Paige

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAIGE!


This street sign is on 99 south in between Fresno and Bakersfield
I see it every time I'm on the road either to or from school.

I think we're at Universal Studios waiting in line

Today is my sister Paige's birthday. She is is 17 months older than me. I'm really happy that it's her birthday (my birthday is in February and I'm turning 21 you figure out why I'm excited). I dislike the distance that's between us... you know the 200 plus miles apart... which makes the drive just a little under 4 hours... yuck!

Paiger, I love you and hope that today is an amazing day!

Allergies...

Last summer I found out that I am allergic to kiwi. OK, cool, whatever, I had never been allergic to anything before. Like really allergic: itchy throat, swollen tongue, trouble breathing, blood shot eyes, an itchy feeling all the way to the inside of my stomach. I'm used to the seasonal stuffy nose and watery eye thing, that's nothing compared to my newly found allergy. Today, I found out that I am allergic to more than just kiwi... I am allergic to yet another fruit which happens to be one of my favorites; crenshaw melon. You see I could care less that I'm allergic to kiwi. Why you ask? Because I never liked kiwi to begin with, but this melon is my favorite of all melons!

What does the fruit have in common? Well, kiwi, crenshaw, cantaloupe, and honeydew all have the same enzyme. I just happen to be allergic to that enzyme. Lucky me! Strange thing is that I haven't had a reaction to cantaloupe or honeydew yet but to avoid in itchy swollen innards and throat and tongue, I now have to avoid eating more fruit... Do you know how hard it is to always be checking juice labels to see if if you're allergic? It's a pain in the hiney!!!

My thoughts

I told Walker that I don't feel the same way for him. Somehow he convinced me to go to The Music Man and so I'm not sure if he thinks that it's a date... I really don't want to lead him on, but I don't think he realizes that me being nice and a friend just means that I want to be friends... He's never had a girlfriend, or even told a girl that he like her. I don't want to hurt him, but I don't want to hurt myself either. I feel pressured by not only Walker, but also my friends. When I asked them what to do they said "date him, give him a chance." I just don't want another clingy relationship; Walker seems dependent, whereas Adam is very independent and I'm attracted to Adam's independence. I just don't feel the chemistry between Walker and I as much as I do between Adam and I.




I've been trying to get a hold of Adam to tell him that I like him, or that he needs to stop sending mixed signals if he doesn't feel the same way towards me. So far no luck. By the end of this weekend I'm going to talk to him about it!

Say it isn't so

So Walker called me up and wanted to hang out today. Cool, so I thought... He was really nice and asked me how things were going with Adam, I laughed and told him he was opening a can of worms. I told all the recent news about Adam, I how I've tried to not like him and all the crap that's been happening. We got on the subject of if someone were to like me if I would want them to tell me, I said yes like a dumb shit... Walker confessed that he likes me and wants to take me out on a date, and how all the talking of me liking Adam is really hard for him. I had an inkling that Walker likes me I knew it deep down, I just hated telling him that the feeling isn't mutual. BUT, because Adam is a LOSER, we are going on a "date"-ish thing... we're going to see the school's production of The Music Man on Saturday. I guess I'm just going to see where dating Walker goes? I'm not too sure about this whole thing, actually I'm really feeling awkward.

I still like Adam a lot, and I'm planning on telling him that I do like him and that how he acts around me is sending me mixed signals and if he doesn't feel the same way his actions are showing, then he needs to just STOP!

No matter what I want to keep the friendships that I have with these two men (boys?) it's just figuring out what my heart truly wants and whether the feelings are mutual between both the guy and me.

That is how my weekend is starting off....

Dream Wedding

This is a narrative that I wrote for my English class. I'm told that it's good, but I'm not too sure. Tell me what you think.

P.S. You will probably want some Kleenex close by...

Dream Wedding

It was a cold October, the day was supposed to be perfect, but there was a storm rolling in. I was nervous and had butterflies in my stomach; it was half an hour before the ceremony would begin and the guests were already starting to arrive. I was able to see those that were coming in from the room where I was waiting. I saw many of my friends, even my youth minister from my high school days.

My wedding was supposed to be outside, but with the unpredictable weather we rushed to the closest indoor location. There was an old rustic barn that happened to be on the same property as where the ceremony was originally supposed to take place. What a blessing that I noticed the bard during one of our walk-throughs at the venue. With a little magic and a lot of help we could turn the old, rustic barn into one of the most romantic ceremony sights I have ever seen. It hit me, this is where I’m going to get married, in front of friends and family, to the man I love and want to spend the rest of my life with.

We had white candles leading the way to the altar. Christmas lights and Chinese paper lanterns were hung from the rafters and beams. It looked like a fairy tale, my very own fairy tale that only I could have dreamed of came to life; it was so romantic.

As I stood waiting in my dress I reminisced on what it took to find it. I had gone shopping with my mom, we visited three stores and I tried on close to thirty dresses. But when I slipped this one on, I just knew it was the right one. It fit like a glove, like it was made special for me. The dress only needed one alteration to the hem. It was an A-line (Princess) silhouette, with a Basque waistline, and a Sweetheart neckline. The color was a crisp white, with a satin ribbon that tied around the waist.

My hair was pulled back in a chignon bun surrounded by perfectly, smooth curls. Tucked on the right side of the up-do was a white phalaenopsis orchid. That particular kind of orchid was symbolic because it was my grandmother’s favorite. This is my way of remembering her on this special day; and the orchid placed on the right side because that's the side that faces the audience from the front of the altar when I face my groom.

I was almost ready to be given away, when my Dad, my strong tower, gave me one of the best father daughter talks I could receive on my wedding day. He said, “You will always be my little girl, but today I will be giving you to a young man who loves you almost as much as I do”. My Dad was a strong masculine man who very rarely showed any emotion, but as he was talking he started to get choked up and teary eyed. As he fought back the tears he spoke softer saying, “Darling, you aren’t going to need me to fix your car or come to save you when you’re in need. You will have Eric to do all those things for you. I won’t be your hero anymore, he will, but I will always be your Daddy, and I will always love you. Now go and make me proud, get down that aisle and say “I do.” As I dabbed at the tears welling up in my eyes I told my Dad that I loved him and that no man could ever get in the way of that. He smiled and asked, “Well, are you ready kid?” and with a nod we proceeded to the barn.

I stood at the end of the line. First my bridesmaids walked down the aisle. Their dresses are perfect; each dress style is different for each girl. Some are short, some are long. Some have sleeves, some are sleeveless. But all of the dresses are a gorgeous shade of sage green. Each girl has her hair done differently, something unique to their individual personalities. The florist did an excellent job on their bouquets. Deep colored sunflowers, with a lot of foliage, very simple. One by one my girls are walking down the aisle. One by one it gets closer to my turn. Closer to my future.

There goes the flower girl, my niece. She wanted to make sure that she sprinkled the petals just perfect. So cute. She practiced a lot according to her parents, my brother and sister-in-law. It has been such a job watching her grow up the past five years.

My future stood waiting, Eric, was a mess of nerves; the anxiety had built up from all the hustle and bustle of getting ready just for this moment. When the doors had opened for my entrance, he was the first and only person I looked at. Butterflies had started to flutter in my stomach, not out of nervousness, but out of excitement to start a new chapter and life as Mrs. Karen Johnson. His face in awe of my beauty, he couldn’t take his eyes off of me. It was the reaction I had always dreamed of; it had sent chills up and down my spine that made me more anxious. I felt as if I were the only person in the room. The butterflies had grown bigger with each step towards him. My grip to the bouquet of cal lilies grew tighter and my palms clammy as I reached my Prince Charming. When my Dad had given my hand in marriage I knew that this whole “dream” really wasn’t a dream. Our childhood Pastor, Reverend Brad Smith, talked about watching us grow up, and how to keep our love strong long after the wedding. We wrote our own vows, with words of love and hope of a great future. My sister was my matron of honor; she read a passage from the bible about how love is always patient, kind, never boastful, or full of pride. Our mom’s got up and placed a combination of flowers in a vase to unify our families. Eric wrote a song for me; about his undying love for me, he sang with what came from his heart while my brother played the guitar. Our uniting kiss was magical as if it were straight from a fairy tale. I will never forget the day that I declared my love by saying “I do”.

So what do you think? Leave some feed back. :)

Advise From a Guy

So, during brunch yesterday with Walker, somehow we stumbled on the conversation about who we like or more towards who I like. Even though I'm pretty positive that Walker wasn't/isn't the best guy to be getting relationship advise from he is well a guy so I kept it simple, didn't mention any names, and well asked him solely because he is a GUY! I asked and he listened, thought and responded. My questions really were simple like "If a girl liked you would you want her to tell you?" or "Do guys want as to be a "chase" or simply be tangable?" even "If a girl were to tell you she likes you how would you want her to tell you?". Simple as that, he answered all of my questions, (don't worry he would respond by saying Adam's name, so he knew who I was refering to. He wasn't thinking I like him(Walker). Anyways something that he said really struck me as good advise, "...If he isn't initiating anything he's probably not interested... although he could be shy around girls he likes even though he doesn't seem like he would be, but he easily could be shy". Walker also quoted the speaker from chapel on Friday she said, "You are significant with or without another." Her whole reason for saying that is because in this world, and in our culture it is very uncommon to not be engaged or married, but if your purpose for engagement and marriage is to have a social status then you are in it for all the wrong reasons. Love is to special and important to waste for status. So, "You are significant with or without another" really puts in perspective on how God looks at us with or without a significant other.

Today, being a typical Monday, I went to class, walked to chapel, saw Adam and talked with him for awhile, later in the day get text saying "it's One Tree Hill night and I still have your plate come over" so around 9 go to Adam & Karl's apartment watch OTH and hangout. So, taking Walker's advise from yesterday, that Adam's probably just not interested, this made me utterly confused! Adam came and sat down super close to me, was totally flirting with me, he was even interested in what's been going on in my life. AGH! Right when I was trying not to like him, right when I was set on nothing happening between us, right when I was just going to be friends; he starts the whole process over again.

I really wish I can say that I'm over him, I wish that I can only see him as a friend, but why is it right when I decide that it just isn't meant to be he starts to initiate things?

I'm back to where I started CONFUSED. I really think that he's not worth all of this thought and confusion, this game, and this frustration.

Quote Of The Day

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'." I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When Isay... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that that I'm weak and need his strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches so I call upon his name.
When I say "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

--Maya Angelou--

Only a Week? Really?

So I have officially been living here for a little over a week actually closer to 2 weeks. It's been a crazy week too! Let's see, well I moved in last Friday and had no electricity until Wednesday. I had to register for classes on Tuesday when classes started Wednesday, so I didn't get all of the classes I would have liked to be in and at what time. Oh well, I'm enjoying the classes that I'm in so that's what matters right? Adam and Karl live diagonally and across the lawn from my apartment. Adam is a whole different story that I'll get into a little bit later. I've been living on my own and today I found out that a girl who also lives in my court but with 4 roommates has been approved to move in with me! YAY I get a ROOMIE!!! I've made quite a few friends some who are commuters and some who live in my court who are also transfers. Also, my bestest friend in the whole wide wolrd since 4th grade is going to fly out and visit me in October! So much has happened I just can't think of it all... sorry.

So you open my front door and this is what you see. My living room.

My Dining Area.

My Kitchen.

Half of my bedroom.



That is a brief tour of my apartment I left out my desk and the bathroom... oh well!

I went to buy some of my books today, which my luck was only 2 of the 7 books were in stock, but the bookstore did have this super cute backpack and camp pretty much distroyed my backpack trust me it has seen better days! So, I bought a new backpack and it's really nice, it has a special pocket for sunglasses, and a insulated pocket to put cold sodas in... and it can carry my laptop which is what I need since all my classes allow them.

Isn't she a beaut?

Now for Adam. Well, I didn't really see him in the beginning of moving down here but lately I've been seeing him around more, and not like passing him on my way to class its like stopping by my apartment to hang out. But, I still have no clue what we are... if we are anything...

Do you want the good news or the bad news?

Good News: I'm living on campus
Bad News: Don't have a roommate yet and I'm not sure if I'm getting one until Spring Semester.
Good News: Living in the apartments... the same court as the boys!
Bad News: I have no electricity or gas until Tuesday/Wednesday


I'll take pics. to give you a tour of my APARTMENT!

Time Flies

Time flies when you least expect it!

Change of plans for the BIG move. We are no longer leaving Friday afternoon with Courtney, we are leaving tomorrow right after I get home from some appointments... crazy huh? So all the time that I wasted by sitting and relaxing from my exciting/ exhausting summer, I should have been packing everything up.

WOW! This summer seriously flew by... Where did it go?

OK. So, I know I should rely on God for a few things such as where I'm living, what courses I will be taking, and who my friends/ roommates are, are they going to be nice?


TRUST IN GOD IS ALL I CAN DO....

Wish me luck!

I'm Home!

So, I'm home for a week before I go and move away for college APU here I come!
My last week of camp was emotional but so fun! To start off with the fact that I had met 2 of my campers earlier in the summer (that made some things easier), Zan "Avocado" turned 21 on Tuesday so on Monday at midnight a few of us snuck out of our cabins to celebrate with sparkling cider and breaking in the kitchen for some cookie dough and chocolate ecairs, on Tues. I played a little soccer with some campers and injured my big toe, Wednesday went to Urgent Care to see why my toe was still swelling and bruising found out that it's shattered like a piece of glass, the start of staff leaving for home/school. It was hard to leave but, I can say that this summer I have grown up and grown spiritually.


I'm Glad To Be HOME!!!

Staff Banquet

Saturday, August 9, 2008 was the Staff Banquet. It was so much fun! We took pictures, had dinner, the girls wrote a song for the guys and gave them gifts and visa versa, AND then we DANCED the rest of the night away. Which by the way I made Adam jealous by dancing with one of the other guys which was so much fun he twirled me and dipped me and he actually knew how to dance but like half way into the song Adam and the girl he was dancing with decided that they were going to cut in and so she danced with Paul and he danced with me!


P.S. I had kept my dress a secret from all of the guys and the majority of the girls... I was told that I was a KNOCK OUT!!! You tell me...

Adam and I.... (I'm wearing high heels... I barely make it to his shoulders... lol)

Just A Few Of The Girls

ALL OF THE GIRLS ON STAFF (minus some of the 1st half L.I.T.'s)

My "D" Group (small group)
"Tropicana" Kaitlyn, "Totally Awesome" Shannon, "Buns of Steel" Corey, "Sweet Pea" ME, "Jumper Roo" Alyssa, "Rica Suavecita" Johanna, "High Five" Angela

Home Sick

Have you ever been home sick?

I have... well I am it's almost been 3 months of me not living at home... and well I just miss it.
I miss my family, my bed, not living out of a suit case, home cooked meals, my friends, my MOMMY (everything about her. Her hugs, kisses, conversations, cooking, even being embarrassed by her....)

This is definitely the longest I've been away from home and it's starting to really show that I miss it. I know I've gone home twice while living here but it's not the same and not nearly enough time. The next time that I go home, which by the way is in 2 weeks, I will be packing up for college and I only have a week to get the fulfillment of my family...

Here's a Little Something to Look at

Michelle "Cliff Hanger" was leaving and I couldn't resist to take a funny Picture.

The first half L.I.T.'s I miss them!
(Orbit, Luchador, The Temp, Tinkerbell, Electric, Dinkydoodle, Rip Tide, Handshake, Duct Tape, Shaka, Jackpot, The Barn, B.O.S., & Cliff Hanger)

Week 7 Girls!

Me at mini bikes before I crashed....

"Nirget" (Eli), Me, & "Orange Crush" (Jodi)



These are just a few pictures from the last 3 weeks, so I hope you enjoy!

Don't Know Where to Begin

So, I know that a lot has happened since I last wrote. What has been happening in my life you may ask? A LOT!!! Ok so, I went home after being on rotation, I was only there for 1 night not even for 24 hours. I filled out lots of paper work stating that I will be attending APU this fall, and where to live STUFF! I then went to get my car SMOG it failed so in order to get back to camp I got to barrow my mommy's car!!! YAY! So then I had to go back home to get my car once it was fixed (the next weekend). In the meantime of having my mom's car I was counseling, it was Christmas in July week... and it was my worst week EVER!!! This last week I was also Counseling and it was besides the fact that they were 9th graders and my all time favorite cabin It was my best week!
My girls although I tried to hide the fact and act as if nothing were happening they figured out that I like Gumby.... They didn't let me live it down either!!! They teased and pestered me about it the whole week! But, he didn't help the fact I'll explain later...



Anywhoskies, Abby is possibly coming to visit this Friday/ Saturday. Val and I are going to the beach in 25 min. (it's my day off!). And this Saturday is the Staff Banquet at 6:30p.m. and I found the perfect dress (it only cost me $10)!!!


I'll fill you in later!!!

Who is he?

Ok so they aren't good clear pictures of him but the mysterious guy in these pictures is Adam Lofgren a.k.a. "Gumby"



I hope this helps put a name to the face or how ever that saying goes....