July Photo Dump

It's that time of the month where I haven't blogged in a couple weeks and I look at my phone that now has more than one post worth of pictures stored on it. 

So here it goes. 

Pictures for you and some words to connect the dots. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

1. After graduating from UCSB with my master's degree...

Master's Graduation Ceremony!

2. I traveled to and from home on the weekends for some family time and relaxation

I ventured home to find a room waiting for me. My grandma is precious.

3. After church one Sunday my Aunt, Uncle, cousins and myself decided to try Cafe Rio. They just opened up one close by and I would definitely recommend this place.  Great atmosphere, quality food, spot-on prices, and a great portion size. Win, win, win, win....if you ask me!

My Salad :) With fresh-made, hand-made tortilla

Sweet Pork Barbacoa was SOOOO good

4. And back in Santa Barbara I have been keeping busy outdoors. Just the way a summer should be spent. 

Hiking in SB...gotta hike UP to see OUT. So incredibly worth it.

5. And getting back into a workout routine...

Bikram Yoga for the first time!

6. And working. Duhhh. Bills don't get paid on their own. It does help when your work has "recess" with a bounce house, ice cream sundaes, zumba, and a variety of other fun activities -- like UCSB! 

Bounce House at Work :) 

 7. One last picture from the lagoon on campus today. That's the pacific ocean just beyond the lagoon. Our afternoons have been glorious!

SB Gorgeousness and "Gaucho Recess" activities on the right!

done. Done. DONE!

Hello friends!

I don't know how to say this because I am so giddy with excitement and I could not have done this without all of you supporting me... but here it is: 

I AM DONE WITH GRAD SCHOOL!!! 

I cannot say hallelujah, praise the Lord, or amen enough times to really get my point across. This school year brought more work at work than ever. Additional responsibilities that I was not expecting. Family trials. And time management skills that I had not yet perfected. But, through it all, I took it day-by-day (and sometimes minute-by-minute) and did it!

I am proud of all of my work. My comprehensive exam was turned in on-time. I never had to pull an all nighter. During late night paper writing sessions, I tried new flavors of tea and discovered that the $0.99 cent store has fantastic teas...and they're less than a dollar! I have made new friends and forged lifelong relationships. I used the same schoolbag from day one. I've conquered APA format. I've illegally walked across the street to the Education building more than 100 times. However, I never lost my mind. For these reasons and so many more, I am proud, thankful, filled, encouraged, and happy. 

In three statements, here's the wrap-up: Papers are complete. Classes are done. Summer is here!

Celebrations are as follows: 
Mimosa Monday
Tequila (margarita) Tuesday
Wine Wednesday
All you can eat Thursday (Lenny's graduation)
Department Graduation on Friday
Whatever comes my way Saturday
UCSB Grad Division Commencement Ceremony on Sunday!
Relax and enjoy life Monday-->eternity :)

I'll be watching tv without being forced to multi-task for the first time in 9 months. And I can't wait. 

Pics will come shortly of my life lately. I have found some time for fun and relaxation lately. 

Now, this is THE life. 

Songs: music for the heart and soul

My go-to songs of the moment are the following. As you may know, Gospel music is my favorite. These goodies have hit my fancy and I can see them in an album on repeat in the near future. 

These songs have hit home, provided strength and motivation, and most of all, comforted me in times of need. Click, Watch, Listen, and Enjoy!

Fantasia Barrino - I Believe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gfBMrgBa34&feature=player_detailpage

Yolanda Adams - Never Give Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUXN0KXBunI&feature=player_detailpage

Fantasia Barrino - I'm Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HIbgFc9TLaY

Ruben Studdard - Flying Without Wings
http://youtu.be/bD4rmB1shsk

Ricky Dillard - God Is Great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V9I6QZVJ0s

I think I can, I think I can...

Spring quarter is half way over. Which means that I am FIVE weeks away from graduating from grad school. 

I can hardly believe how fast times flies (but then I remember each and every day of my hard work, late nights, early mornings, headaches, and sacrifice). 

Today, I celebrate being half way through my last quarter. 

Today, I recharge for the next five weeks ahead. 

1. This is a great quote for me right now. I am strong enough to get through work, school, and life's responsibilities. 

2. I decided to try Track and Field, try driving, try cooking, try working in Athletics, and try going to grad school. These decisions were not an accident. They are well thought out, conscious decisions to try something new. 

3. SO true! I am going after what I want. I like that, "I am stepping forward so that I will not always be in the same place". I am stepping forward.

4. Perseverance - enough said. I haven't had to persevere like this in a long time. My patience has been tested. So has my mental capacity. And my time management skills. As well as my desire to earn this degree. But, I will persevere and produce a great work. 

I am happy, excited, relieved, anxious, nervous, and ready. 

Bring it on, school. 

SOOO Much Good Stuff!

Life has been busy. Really busy. Between school and work, I have had little free time. 

But that's okay. There is always a bright side. 

In no particular order, here are the things of greatness in my life as of right now....

The Canon Powershot is A-OKAYYYYY!!!
And this picture is living proof (excuse the mess, tonight is self-manicure night)

Health and Happiness. I've got family and friends who are alive and well. Everyone has a place to sleep tonight. And food to eat. Life is good. 

Bye-bye Blackberry. I'm getting an iPhone. And joining the 21st Century. Finally. 

BE THE MATCH

It's official. I'm official. Yep, that's my donor registration card!

Living quarters are clean, squeaky clean.  

Laundry is done. 

My car is (finally) washed, should have been done 5 weeks ago. 

Grocery shopping for the week is done.

I've finished 3 weeks of school, only 7 more to go. 

Now all that needs to be done is:

Read for Education Policy - due tomorrow

Read for Organizational Change - due Wednesday

Again...

I'm spending my nights researching, writing papers and creating presentations. This is nothing new. Week 10/Dead Week/Finals Week all runs into the same mesh of "I-have-a-lot-to-do Week". But, I will get through it. 

One cup of tea at a time. 

One hour at a time. 

(One mini-nap/rest-my-eyes sesh at a time.)

One assignment at a time. 

One day at a time.

One class at a time. 

Don't you worry, there's good news. 

This will all be over and done with come next week.

Just in time for my flight to Vegas, trip to the Grand Canyon, and vacation in Arizona with the best sister on this side of heaven.

Amen to that!

Finally...

I'm back blogging. I have been thinking about this post for a couple weeks now but just haven't had the time to write. You see, I have been busy with school (which kicked my butt this quarter) but now I am done and can breathe again.

In the midst of it all, I managed a weekend away with my friend Christina to go to Joshua Tree National Park and visit friends in Palm Springs!

Canon Powershot self timer at work..works like a charm & never fails!

Christina and I went on a couple "hikes"

Peace Sign! The universal, "Hi Mom" pose

And we got to spend some time with our friends Susan and Renee in the desert! We experienced a little bit of their Desert Princess life, not a bad way of living :)

At the Clubhouse after lunch at Leon's

Group Shot: Downtown Palm Springs

We saw Marilyn Monroe's underwear ;)

Christmas:
I have purchased zero Christmas gifts thus far BUT I received one today!! Thanks to my favorite sister thinking oh-so cleverly about what to get me for Christmas, I found a little package at my doorstep this evening. And it couldn't be more perfect for me. Included in my box: Sample perfume, nail polish, face mask, super cute travel ziplock,  eye shadow and gift card to rent the runway . 

My First Birch Box. 

FABULOUS!!

Work/School:
This combo gave me a run for my money this past quarter but I survived and couldn't more happy about it. My first quarter is officially done. I am 1/3 of the way through grad school. I have a three week break, which I will soak up and savor each and every lazy day, early night in and pressing of my snooze button. 

Oh yeah, I'm praying all of my hard work pays off with straight A's. I already have one on the record (which I called my mom about with pure excitement!). 

Super Busy, Super Tired = My Life

My days this past week have been a bit cray-cray and I couldn't be more happy that tomorrow is Friday! The following is a combination of old/new pictures to illustrate my day-to-day life this past week. 

1. Wake up 

2. Go to Work

 3. Go to Class 

4. Work Some More 

5. Eat Dinner 

6&7. ..while watching Revenge

8. Bed

1. Taken after just waking up on an all night sleeper train in China

2. Taken after work one random day (just ignore the lil bro and his thin self)

3. Taken last week on the morning of my first day of graduate school

4. By this time in the day, I hardly know what emotion to feel/think and look a little something like this...

5. Dinner at my friend Esenam's house in Ghana (with her parents)

6. Cast of Revenge

7.  This show is INTENSE!! Watch it, pause it if you even have to sneeze. There's so much going on. My eyes are glued and my mind is working. Great show, none the less. 

8. Pretend sleeping at The Shorey Cabin in Montana

And then...9 hours later, my alarm goes off and I do this all over again..and again..and again...

One More...

"For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness!"

This fancy, yet oh-so simple quote comes from a friend via facebook! I like love this one because you can replace "angry" with any emotion (bitter, mad, hostile, etc...). I absolutely LOVE this quote because it is SOOO true! I adore my family, friends and, well, life itself! I have the ability to create my own destiny, so that's what I'm doing. If there is something that you want to accomplish, do it. Find the things that make you happy and get so involved in them that time passes without you knowing it. If there is a goal that you want to reach (whether it be weight loss or earning a master's degree), find supporters, mentors and a team of folks to rally behind you. Don't forget about Jesus! He has the power to feed the hungry, supply clothes for the naked and a way of making us feel comforted and loved each and every second of the day.

So, "Don't worry, by happy!"

Have a great weekend! When life gets you down, find something (or someone) to help you pick it back up.


P.S. While I'm here and thinking about what makes me happy, I will post some song lyrics for you all to read. You should also listen to the song here!! The whole song is awe-inspiring and can be a tear jerker. I know that I have had some jam sessions in my car to this song. It was also my warm-up song when I was competing in college. I knew that I was there for a purpose. I had worked hard. I trusted my coach. Perhaps I had a stumbling block here and there, but I wasn't going to let that override the determination and God given gift that I have as an athlete. There was definitely something inside of me telling me to keep pressing on, and I'm glad that I did!

Keep the dream alive don't let it die 

If something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop 

And never give up, don't ever give up on you 

Don't give up 

Every victory comes in time, work today to change tomorrow 

It gets easier, who’s to say that you can’t fly 

Every step you take you get, closer to your destination 

You can feel it now, don’t you know you're almost there? 

To fulfill divine purpose, you gotta answer when you're called 

So don't be afraid to face the world against all odds

Major Relief ;)

For the past month I have been planning for an event at work. The event was today and it went as well as well can go! Planning a breakfast, 4 presentations at different locations around campus and a bbq lunch for 600 people isn't easy. I am relieved beyond belief and can now switch gears...to thinking about how I start GRAD SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!

Anyways, as I sit here browsing the internet/facebook, I stumbled upon a couple quotes that are fun and motivating, to me :) Here they are!

"Dream of life until life becomes a dream"

Whether you write it down or scream it from the rooftops. We create our own destiny. Dreams can come true!

"Name it and Claim it!"

We use this phrase in my family and I love it because I it can apply to anything in life (goals, relationships, finances, etc). If having your name on a hollywood star will signify "you've made it," then I'm all about it. Go after something, name it (the goal) and claim it (as though you've already conquered/achieved it).

"Another Day, Another A"

My roommate in college taught me this one, and it's a true gem! I'm trying to be like this little guy right here, with some A's on my academic record at the end of the quarter. Wish me luck...I've been out of the classroom for over a year now!

I love school. I love preparing a school bag. I love bringing a lunch (or dinner b/c I'm taking evening classes). I love sitting in class with my friends. I love learning. 

I will most likely want to take back each of these phrases at least a handful of times over the next 9 months. But hey, at the end of it all..I'll have a master's degree!!!