hey, just thought you should know.

modernCIA hip-hop dance team. sometimes i think i'm crazy to stay on this non-competitive hip hop dance team for a full four years of my college career. why? what good will being on this team do for my future? why invest my time and heart into such an organization? will "dancer" really enhance my resume? what's so great about dancing in a structure until 5 am? why put up with the frustration, the drama, the sweat, the exhaustion? what's the point? mcia has definitely taken a lot out of me over the years. there were several times where i questioned my choice to come back year after year. then there were the thousands of times where i thought those questions were just silly. i come back because of those individuals that are right there with me, going through the same emotional rollercoaster, the same changes, the same struggles, the same experience of falling in love with the team over and over and over and over again. God wasn't ready to let my passion for dancing slide after high school and so here i am, half-way through my fourth year on this team. i can't even begin to explain my gratitude to YOU mcia-ers for being my outlet to this crazy world. it's highly unlikely that the 100+ mcia peeps who i've had the blessing of dancing with will read this post. but hey, just thought i'd share how i feel or at least begin to try.

this is what keeps me here. my happiness. you ask why i stay? because of the many beautiful people i've shared these four wondertastic days (nights & early morns) with.

because every day on mcia is the BEST.DAY.EVER. :)

nutshell version of disney day of fun.

^ ate gen's birthday celebration
& sabrina's first time visit to disneyland!
^ the barretts
(and new baby barrett on the way!)

^ oh yeah, and that julian leong guy was there too.
sabrina and i both think he's pretty cool.
i'm pretty sure she likes me more though. ;)
^ the camera loves this little lady...

...because she's so fun!...

...and she's stylish too!

and this guy ain't too shabby either. :)

heavy heart

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into his grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us"
[Romans 5:1-5]

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day of babysitting fun.

The bfriend and I had the wonderful opportunity to spend the day, babysitting his goddaughter, Sabrina. At first, we were a little nervous, considering this was the first time she’d wake up without her parentals.

Would she cry? Would she freak out? Would we know how to handle this?
We were definitely excited for the challenge,
maybe a bit unprepared…but excited nonetheless.

Thank God Sabrina was more than cooperative. The day went pretty smoothly. We changed her, fed her and had our share of playtime with the little lady. Watching morning kiddo shows, reading kiddo books…and a little bit of Price Is Right, which is apparently one of her faves. Jurr and I pulled together as a team and were quite proud of ourselves for a problem-free day (despite an initial diaper malfunction).
God’s really throwing a bunch of different events our way to grow us in our relationship. This day of fun was particularly noteworthy! It definitely beat playing house with a plastic kitchen set and stuffed animals.
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On another note, congrats to julian for officially making Mavyn Entertainment Company!! He worked really hard for a spot on the team and clearly it paid off. I’m proud of you jurr!

nutshell version of wedding shower

the sisters of the future bride & groom a VIP movie-themed wedding shower. plenty of family and friendsies packed into a clubhouse for lots of foooood and funsies.
sweet movie posters made by Miss Maeden herself, the photoshop genius

snazzy VIP passes made by Jason Su. centerpieces by Miss Michelle,
pictures of the lovebirds & popcorn to munch on.
this silly duo...hanging out by the food..naturally.
the cowsins..not even close to being complete.
Praise God for bringing my entire family together for the celebration. <3

in one month, my sister will be Mrs. Anda and i'll have a new brother-in-law! i guess after 10 full years of being together, i'd say it's about time.

undeserving

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32-33

He provides ALL good things.
family, friends, time, money, energy, LIFE.
receive it. accept it.
be thankful for it.

beginning.

I had a long-overdue reunion with miss michelle juanengo for lunch at tgif’s. We discussed the usuals, catching up on school, work, family, relationships and everything in between. I heard her exciting plans for the upcoming year as she’s about to graduate and become even more involved in her church. I felt so comfortable to talk about my spiritual growth. We cheerfully shared stories and tidbits of testimony, huge smiles during our time together as we stuffed our bellies.

After we devoured our buffalo chicken sandwiches and fries, (then after I clumsily dropped the box of leftovers all over the floor), we decided that this dialogue was nowhere close to being done. Our craving for something sweet led us to Borders for some coffee and conversation. We plopped down in a cozy corner of the children’s section as we sipped on chai latte and peppermint mocha goodness. She reinforced my never-ending trust in God and directed me to the hope that I thought I lost. She also reminded me of the power of prayer, which was probably the most valuable point of our little end-of-the-year chat. I could see that God is working on her in so many ways and I’m so grateful that he brought us together now more than ever.

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The final 2008 night-time festivities included me on one couch, my brother on the other and nala on her comfy bed, watching various new years eve TV specials (miley cyrus scored her own show?! seriously?!). 2009 rolled in with a relaxed start. happy new year! woot.

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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart"
(Jeremiah 29:11-13)

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I feel like ginormous things are going to happen this year. I can’t wait!

nutshell version of friendsies Christmas Cardy Party

^ reunions. ^ presents.

^ characters.
^ secret identities.
^ games.
^ prizes.
^ friendsies. love you all! til next year!