i want to feel like this all the time

that would be pretty sweet.
however, i am content and can't complain.

come out & support pleeeeease

MCIA'S CRAZY WELCOME WEEK

MONDAY, 9/22
performance @ Anteater BBQ
Aldrich Park, 1:45 pm

TUES. 9/23
performance @ AV bball courts, 1 pm

WED. 9/24
FUN-raiser @ SOUPLANTATION!!
* 5-8 pm. please come, it's yummmmmy!!

THURS. 9/25
performance @ Student Center Terrace, 12:30 pm

SAT. 9/27
performance @ UCSD hip-hop culture night, 6 pm


please cooooooooome! ill love you even more than i already do! <3

the explanation to the madness

why we do what we do.

- because you are driven by passion

- for the love of people

- to help others

- because it’s just the right thing to do

- to better ourselves

- because it’s new and different

- to keep yourself busy

- because it makes you happy

- for the unique experience

- because you won’t get this chance again

- to defy all expectations

- because it’s fulfilling

- to gain another perspective

- because you have faith

- just for kicks

- to do what you love with the people you love

Thank God for blessing me with these rare opportunities to interact with such amazing people,

to experience life's challenges and joyous moments, to live love learn.

and oh man, it's so worth it.

"oh my,
justifying reasons why
is an absolutely insane resolution to live by" -jmraz

Life’s little tidbits of joy

• Inspiring/eye-opening blog entries from friends…and strangers
• Hearing my teammates cheer after successfully running through a piece
• AGT’s
• the guys’ imitations of youtube favorites
• “I miss you” texts and IM’s from sd friendsies
• [taps mic] hello? Party of one?
• Making my own moola
• Helping people with whatevs
• Reminiscing
• Comparing new and old pictures
• 90’s classics, fun facts and serenades
• Lunch/dinner dates
• Good jokes/stories
• Sleeeeeeeeep
• Yogurtland
• Pleasant surprises
• Reading old writings
• Phone calls from my family
• Praying before each meal
• Good conversation
• Chalks
• Learning from my mistakes
• Learning from others’ mistakes
• My sketchbook, happy book, life list
• The fellowship and people at cfbc
• Running my daily 4 miles
• Reading the Bible and writing in my devotional book
• Family, friendsies, SPlovers, MCIA, 198, jurian
• ....and everything else, good and bad
  

====================

What did I do to deserve such goodness despite my many faults?

Nothing at all...and that’s how I know God is good…oh sooooo so good.

He provides. He comforts. He forgives. He loves.

God is good.
Acknowledge your blessings.

my first trip to paris

On Saturday night, I took a trip from Irvine to Walnut then headed over to Paris for Faye’s surprise birthday dinner! Jigger amazingly transformed his house into “La Café de Faye” with a Parisian casino theme. He is a party planner genius with the help of a wonderful group of talented individuals. I was in awe of how creativity and teamwork produced such a beautifully intimate dinner party for friends. Classy table settings, delicious food, rich desserts, and even a snazzy game of Fayepardy!

All of this without ever forgetting to thank God for bringing us together in celebration.

I really am blessed to be welcomed into such a compassionate and faithful group of friends.
I had such a lovely night of fun and fellowship among these new friends.

SPONTANEOUS SEPTEMBERRRR

You have to stick your head in a bucket for 30 seconds.
Choose its contents: fish guts, horse urine or roaches.

You just moved into an apartment with extremely thin walls.
Choose your neighbor: a bass player, a sex addict, or a parrot breeder.

=====================

We’ve established a new post-practice tradition = cha talks = CHALKS. Our teammates reunite at cha amidst the lit trees, metal furniture and over-priced boba drinks. We happily unwind together after intense practices, allowing the conversation to take its own twists and turns. Tonight, some topics included barguments [a new personal fave] like the one above, college choices, SAT scores, and more storytelling. I really love the ambiance of CHALKS being enveloped by friends/family, being more of an observer and listener, being comfortable in your surroundings.

Then randomly, the topic of food provoked an instant craving for croissants! We stand up on a mission and embark on our first spontaneous “let’s just do it!” adventure [which will hopefully become another frequent activity…Erika, you pinkie-promised me!]. We arrived at our destination of Newport to partake in those delicious croissants as we sat along patreezy’s beloved “ebb tide”, devouring the warm tastiness of our midnight snack. All that goodness really did hit the spot. More conversation and, of course, more pictures…

Due to a restricting gate and an awkward encounter of a couple’s intimate moment, our plans to walk the pier were ceased. However, soon after the coast was clear, the couple left, so we strolled along the pier until the gate. The boys did the usual dancing as the girls initiated a little chit chat about relationships and such. Then…

Pat: “Let’s have a deep conversation guys”

And so we do. We talk about life…the common topic of such times.

In addition to swapping stories of awkward roommate stories, we also discuss how time flies…how our first year was such a blur…how people change…how some people don’t change at all…how we’ve changed and how we wish people from home would acknowledge that. I remain relatively quiet as I force my attention to the events happening right in front of me although my mind is elsewhere. Despite the racing thoughts in my mind, I try not to lose focus of “the now”.

During the remainder of the conversation, I am content. The waves are crashing, I am in a close circle of friends I’ve known for years, speaking intently about the ups and downs of life.

Thank God for dance that brought us together,
thank God for moments like these that keep us that way.

wedding bells..ding ding ding!

...well not until February, but still.

After a full 10 years of being with the love of her life, my ate mae is finally tying the knot! Their wedding date is set for their actual 10-year anniversary. But first things first...the bridesmaid took a little trip to santee in search of our dresses. We were shocked to see that a majority of the stores were closed! Fortunately, there were a handful of stores that were still open. With God's grace, we found the perfect dresses...and were able to bargain and score a sweet deal. The ladies were all surprised that we successfully reached our goals early as we headed back to Irvine for a long-awaited lunch.

7/9 of the bridesmaids after a successful day of shopping

After lunch and lounging at Ate's place, we satisfy our sweet tooths and head to Mochilato! To our lovely surprise, some relatives meet us there to participate in the desserts.

Everyone devoured their treats including my amazing grandma.

while Naomi [aka baby melody] naturally modeled for all the guests.

Another blessed day with family.