Dominican Republic!

I got the chance to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with an amazing group of people from our church. There were about 20 of us and it was the first mission trip for quite a few of us.


It was just an amazing trip, when I think back about it, nothing but good memories come to mind. We had an interesting time just trying to get to the island, but after some delays we all finally made it there. By that time we were exhausted but so excited to finally be in that amazing country.


We stayed in a missionary compound in the middle of Santo Domingo. The first day we got a chance to take a city tour and be immersed into the culture. The next few days we were headed out to a small community named Cotui, where we bonded with the families and helped construct a playground for the school. It was amazing at how excited they were to see us. I also don't think I've worked so hard at something. I just kept feeling like I am only here for a few days and I just want to give them everything I have.




After Cotui, we headed back to the city. We spent our next few days visiting a children's hospital, an orphanage and a leprosy center. Again the will for life in such a trying time astonished many of us.


We paired up with a church, El Circulo, and helped them put on a concert in a park. It was christian concert and we were there to minister to the public. Our group wound up walking around the various squares and inviting people to come to the concert. It was a hard rock concert and we did get our fill of mosh pitting. (No one got hurt!) Our group was asked if anyone would be willing to step up and share our testimony. I felt that I should share so I volunteered. It was great for me because I saw how God can work through me even though I may be nervous. When I got up, I felt comfortable and my words were received by the people.


We attended church at El Circulo on our last day there. It gave us a chance to say good bye to everyone that helped us out on our journey. It was such an incredible trip and I really hope to go back there. It was a beautiful country and the people are amazing. They have nothing yet seem like they have everything. It reminded us all of how fortunate we truly are, no matter where we are at.


Thank you to everyone that kept me in their thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate it and could feel the love thousands of miles away. =)

Train ride to Oregon!

It was our plan to come back and visit friends, see Oregon again, and just enjoy our families. But with Stephen's new job it just didn't allow us both to go. I had a summer break from school, and since its most likely my last, I bought some train tickets and off I went to Oregon.


The train was so much fun, the whole 29 hours of it. I met some great people and heard some amazing life stories. Plus the scenery was incredible and couldn't be beat.


It was great to be home again and see all of my friends. Since I hadn't seen our families since Christmas, it made it especially sweet to see them. Like always I rushed around trying to see everyone I possibly could. I think I was successful but wished I could have spent more time with each one.


I headed back down to California to spend a few days with the hubby and then off to the DR.

January - June 2008

Oh man.... so here's my next try at being good at blogging. Guess my New Year's resolution didn't kick in until June, that's alright! Maybe next year...



Lots has happened, as always. Stephen and I have stayed extremely busy. For me, I am still in school at the Art Institute of Orange County, actually all of my finals are due next week for the end of this quarter! That leaves me 4 more quarters, can't wait until I've finished. I am still working at Gettys, the hospitality design firm. My hours are limited since I am taking 6 classes a quarter now, but I am currently helping out with designing our new office.

Stephen left AXA and joined back up with the partners of Starbucks. There were just various things about his previous job that he and I both felt wasn't the best fit for him. He is an assistant manager at a store in Laguna Beach. It has to be the most ideal location for work, he sits across PCH from the beach and water. I can't tell you how many text messages I have gotten from him showing his excitement of seeing dolphins playing in the surf and whales surfacing further out. (This would be Tessa jealous) But I love to visit him, plus its a spectacular drive out there. Stephen is playing on the worship band for church. He is fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a rockstar! I have heard from numerous people, that play with him or hear him play, that he is so great! I just smile and say 'Yup!'.



We went to London, as most of you know, for spring break. We originally went to visit Stephen's parents while they were there for Stephen's dad's job. That job ended earlier than expected which meant we had plane tickets with no place to stay. Stephen and I found a hostel to stay in and went for an adventure. And that it was... It was abnormally cold, snowing the first 4 days we were there. We were in shock from leaving 75 and sunny to about 40 and snowing. It was so much fun and we know that it is just the beginning of our many travels.



Deka, our little kitten, is no longer little. She is a ball of energy and at times keeps Stephen and me laughing our heads off. Lately she has been very rambunctious at night which keeps us both up. I put my ear plugs in and can usually drift off to sleep, until one night she decided to steal an ear plug out of my ear. I couldn't believe it. Stephen is usually awake to her so he gets joy out of squirting her (used for training purposes only). That didn't deter her from just messing with anything she could get her nose into. Well one night, she was messing with things (I was asleep but Stephen wasn't). I wake up the next morning to see her harnessed and tied to her scratching post. She had the most pissed off look on her face that I have ever seen. I just looked at Stephen who had this satisfied, conquering look on his face. I lost it, I was laughing so hard.... Good job, Stephen, at being smarter than our cat!

We have moved again, (I know, again??, yup) We moved in with a married couple that own a house. They were needing some help with their mortgage and we were needing help with cheaper rent. It is working out great, our schedules are pretty much opposite so we usually have a 3 bedroom house to ourselves. It is located in a new city that is quaint, quiet, and beautiful. Lots of jogging trails as well as pools. I have taken up lap swimming and hiking. I like being near the outdoors again.

Well that is a quick summary of January until June. This summer will bring more adventures. I am taking the train to Oregon mid-June to visit family and friends. I return and then head out on a mission trip with my church to the Dominican Republic for 11 days. Stephen will be working hard back home. I already know we are going to miss each other dearly! Time apart can only make the heart stronger...

Ugly Sweater Party!

I have posted other fun activities involving my work, but I think this was probably the most silly! We decided to have our first annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party. Oh it was fun! Everyone had baked/cooked something to bring for our potluck lunch.

The food was delicious and we all had a good laugh. The best part was that we took pictures of everyone, including overall, hair, and favorite accessorie. We then sent the pictures to our Chicago office and asked them to select the winner for each catagory and then send it back to us.



Yes, I was the official winner for best hair! Rock on 80's! Look for more next year!

Finals!

So fall quarter, I worked myself to the bone. I was working and going to school full time. Since starting at the Art Institute, Interior Design skills have come easily to me but the school work builds up. This quarter was espcially hard because I had a portfolio review that makes sure that I am still a good fit for the school. I had to create a portfolio of my work that I had completed up to this point.
After I had stressed out and pulled multiple all nighters, everything was turned in. I got my grades back and a glorious 4.0 stood at the base of my grade report.
I was so happy, all my hard work had payed off. So Stephen took me out in Huntington Beach in celebration. The picture at the top is the Huntington Beach pier which was just beautiful with the Christmas snowflakes that were up, which was as close to snow as we saw this year.

O Christmas tree!

I must say, this year was quite an experience getting our tree. We are so used to pulling on the rain jackets and boots, bogging through the mud, to find the tree. But this year was a balmy 68 degrees, so a pair of shorts, t-shirt and flip flops would do!

Thanksgiving

I am really far behind on my blogs! New Years resolution: be better at blogging =)

Stephen and I love the holidays! All of the cooking, baking, good smells, and of course, the family. Since we were taking time off to go to Oregon for Christmas and New Years, we knew that we wouldn't be able to make it up there this year for Thanksgiving. So my mom and step-dad, Ron, decided to come down and stay with us. We were so excited to atleast see some of our family. Plus, I was going to be put to the test regarding my cooking and baking skills.



I pulled it off, with lots of help from my mom. We had a delicious turkey dinner with all the fixings! Not only did we have a good dinner, we had a wonderful time with my parents.




They stayed with us for a week, so we got to go to Cirque du Soleil, the Getty museum and Boomers (a family fun center). Mom and Ron were very good at go karts, but Stephen and I wouldn't let them win. Although we did cause a few accidents out on the speedway. Leave it to us to mix things up!




It was hard to say goodbye, knowing that we only get to see them every so often. But we were headed up to Oregon in just a few weeks.