Blessings

It has been incredible to see the love and support that both myself and my family has received. I'm so thankful for my friends, both long-time friends and new friends. Between a support system at work, at home, with my boyfriend and his family and my incredible friends, I'm truly blessed. It's weird how situations can turn around, and how surrounding yourself with people you trust and respect, can make you see the positive in any situation.

The challenges I'm faced with have also made me extremely thankful for the sisterhood I joined in college. I believe a sorority is more than events and boys - it’s the friendships you hold on to after you've left college. Our Mystic bond stands strong.

I love all of you - and thank you to everyone who has reached out with phone calls and emails. I'm so blessed and lucky to have you people in my life.

My dads role

"People aren't even candidates for Stem Cell Transplant if they don't have a full-time caregiver in their lives," Dr. Nadie said. I glanced over at my mom, raised a finger and pointed it directly at her. What would this situation be like if my parents didn't have each other to lean on, to support each other and to help push on? It's a weird, surreal situation having a family member sick with cancer. It's the rollercoaster of emotions, feelings, numbness and ideals of being "sick."


I stared at my dad the entire duration of the meeting with Dr. Nadie. He looked healthy, fit, handsome . . how can those enlarged lymph nodesbe so harmful? Be so corrupting, such a slap in the face. Take them out . . right? That was my first reaction, not so simple.


Then I said, the tumors are shrinking, done, good, wash our hands clean and move on. Live our lives. Not so simple either. Doctors had failed to mention previously the cancer is"low-grade" and will return. Chemo isn't going to fix it, will only suppress it.


So my dad's options we all asked - - eyes glazed off into space. Wait for the cancer to return, because it will, and have a 10-20% success rate of successfully getting ride of it (temporarily of course) or a Stem Cell Transplant. So that's the answer - the choice me, my mom and my sister choose. But it's not our body to choose or make that decision. Unfortunately, there is only a small time frame to make the decision, but I think I know what decision my dad will make.


His life filled with surfing, friends, VDub buses, my mom, vacations, two daughters, three sisters, painting, keeping our house immaculate and loving everyone in his life unconditionally; is not over. He has daughters to watch get married, become a grandpa, celebrate a 50th & 60 wedding anniversary and celebrate his existence. Because at 52 years old, my dads place on this earth is a the only way things make sense. In a current world filled with struggles and disappointments, he is my family's rock in a hard place. Our strength. Our family.

Can't wait

For the 4th of July weekend - fun in the sun & a 3 day weekend.

Going to:

• get my tan on


• my grub on - bbq & beer


• my outdoor exercise on


• friends & bf on (that sounds bad, not what I mean)


• beach on


• sun on
  

So excited. Let's all cross our fingers for a slowwww weekend!

Have fun - be safe - thank our troops!!!!

Birthday Hero

At only eight years old, Sam is out to change the world, or at least Orange County.

His soft brown eyes and huge smile lit up the room as he walked into Orange County United Way, proudly carrying a check for $280.00. “It’s my birthday money,” Sam said.

Even with the distractions of watching Star Wars movies, playing dodgeball and reading Goosebumps books, Sam was able to realize well before his 8th birthday that there are “less fortunate people in our world” and he wanted to help them. So placed inside his birthday party invitation, Sam’s mom helped him slip a note that asked guests to donate money instead of bringing gifts; and as Sam’s friends arrived, they placed the donations into a box and then enjoyed the birthday celebrations.

“When we came home and opened the box, we were so surprised to see all the money we got,” said Sam. “I felt very proud and happy.” The family took a trip to Orange County United Way to personally drop off the donations and was greeted by several employees who were thrilled to see such an intelligent and big-hearted individual. Orange County United Way was the chosen organization to receive the gift because Cristine, Sam’s mom, knew the dollars would stretch the furthest and make the most impact on people’s lives.

Sam learned that giving back was important from his mom, who was in tears when members of the United Way staff handed her son a teddy bear and high-fives for his thoughtful choice. “I was overwhelmed by their gratitude and generosity,” said Cristine. “You have certainly inspired us to do more.”

The future scientist, he wants to discover bugs, is also an older brother who wants to help teach his brother Jack to give back. “I’ll say Jack, we have a lot of stuff, money and toys, so we should help people who are less fortunate,” said Sam.

Though we see him as a young hero, Sam says he’s not. “I’m doing what’s right. I hope other kids will do the same thing on their birthdays. We can help so many people – a million!”

Sam left the United Way offices with a bear in tow, and pride to last all year. He left the United Way team with the encouragement and amazement of what a small gift like Sam’s can do for our community when we all recognize our daily gifts, and chose to give back.

Beagle of the Month

Has changed:

This month the featured beauty is:

Cassie Cruiser

Likes: Chasing butterflies with her two pups

I wish I had the picture of her on my office door - but this one will work instead :) Enjoy

Guess it's sports week

So cool! Yesterday I got to go down onto the Angels Baseball field and help hold cue cards while Mike Scioscia filmed a PSA for our upcoming walk! At the end of the PSA, all the players came out and started warming up. It was sooooo cool!!!! Then I got to enjoy the Angels game with good seats :)

Yah for putting me in a good mood!

Anxiety Galore

I've never been so anxious before and, unfortunately, this feeling won't be going anywhere, anytime soon. All I can control is trusting God & using prayer.

Thank you Lord for providing me with You - all your strength and wisdom, even if I don't fully understand it.

One Event Down . .

Work event went pretty well last night . . Met some NFL players & coaches (Terry Donahue, Coach Robinson, Mike Salmon, Danny Farmer, Pat Harlow, Rob Johnson and a few more)! Extremely glad it's over with - and now only 2 minus 2 weeks from today till WPF Breakfast. Ahhhhh - should be working on that now instead . . :)

Until I get one . .

I want a beagle pretty badly - but I'm not ready to commit to a dog yet. I feel as though it's like having a child, and you have to be mature and ready - and have the money.

But, in the meantime, I've taken an adorable Beagle poster that the great bf gave me and put it to good use! Starting this week, I'll take one beagle photo at a time, post it on my office door, give it a name and a hobby.

This month is: Dover Dave. Likes: tracking down birds

It's been a great hit :)

So until next month . . .

The Power

It all started coming together for me these past two weeks. .

The church sermon I heard two Sunday's ago explained that no matter how much we love & trust God, we will never fully understand Him and His capabilities. At that moment, I didn't realize how important that message would become to me that next week. And, this past weeks sermon talked about connecting with God in small ways, throughout the day and becoming His friend. Because, "if you don't have faith in the small things, you won't be able to have faith for the big things."

Faith has really made it's purpose clear to me - it's always been there, but the importance of connecting and having faith in the small, daily moments really stuck for me.

I think we're given warning signs from God that will play a large role in our lives at some point. Mine happened to come rather quickly, but I'm thankful for the voices He put into my head before hand, because it gave me the strength I needed to get through these last few days.

<3 It comforts me knowing I can never fully understand why some things happen, but that there is a meaning and purpose behind it. Amen :)

Yesser

Finally going to Walts Warf tonight with the bf for a nice birthday celebration - I've been wanting to go for so long!

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes - my friends mean the world to me and I love you each very, very much <3

Here's to bowling tomorrow night!!!

Sold Out?

Wow - Okay. I created and manage my works Facebook Causes, YouTube, Twitter and Blog but now I've moved on to myself . . .

And it's wayyyy harder! Now with Twitter I feel like I've totally sold out - but there are so many business people to communicate with. A true-to-date professional needs this stuff right?!?! I just hope it doesn't take over my life!

WALK UNITED with Me!!!

I'm getting way stoked for WALK UNITED at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 7, 2009. This walk is a partnership between Angels Baseball Foundation & Orange County United Way to provide Orange County families and individuals with essential needs items including food, shelter, medical care, etc.

Times are tough, I know I not only hear about it, but I experience it every day at work. It's important that we all take one day, and $25 to support this walk. And besides - it's going to be awesome and will support over 100 local agencies!!!

The top team and individual will win VIP tickets to an Angels game and all WALK UNITED participants will receive a free T-shirt. Also featured will be kids zones, entertainment and community vendors with free samples and information.

Register with me at www.WALKUNITED.com!!!
Get excited - I know I am :)

Getting Older - Not Old

My 23rd birthday is a mere 3 weeks away and my emotions haven't quite figured out how I'm supposed to feel. Yes, I do work full-time and I did finished school, and I'm aware that there isn't too much more I can possibly doing right now - but I don't know HOW successful I feel.

I do believe it will be an exciting year, and it's one year closer to growing up and enjoying life with the people I love. It's just weird . . . how am I 23!!! Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!

Guess it's one step closer to the life I've always dreamed about living :)

Wine-O

I'd like to give myself credit for a brief moment, applause not necessary, for venturing out and purchasing two new types of wines. I'm learning the "art" of the wine culture (at least acting like it) - which requires me to move away from the typical drink of choice. The first red I have ever bought and I liked it - finally!

I also sampled a new favorite last night at the Twisted Vine called Albino Armani Soave. It was tasty!

Until the next wine experience . . . !

Glad to be in Cali

After an extremely quick trip to DC & Virgina, I realized how thankful I am to live in California - and how much more I need to travel. Getting a sneak-peak of other states, districts :), and cities is always an experience!!

But the 75 degree weather in Caliiii beats the 25 degrees of snow in VA any day :) :)

Out of my frustration . .

I've learned that people get very stuck in their close-minded ways and my always optomistic personality just won't cut it for some of these individuals. Unfortunatly, it sucks to admit that when it's blood.

A Taste of A Bear's Life

Sister and I on the Eifel Tower








Mom and I in Switzerland

Chris and I in Palm Springs

Roomies for Life

Friends for Life

So Santa Cruz

Note: This story doesn't have anything to do with bears/attacks. 

With a full week off and a lot of motivation to drive the coast of California, I ventured up to good ol' Santa Cruz to visit the aunt and cousin. The trip was relaxing and rejuvenating, as she lived 2 blocks from Steamers and the Lighthouse - I found myself easily escaping busy city life. 

To my surprise - the hustle and bustle of city life was replaced with the [Santa Cruz generation] . . . . . . 

The moment I arrived in SC, my aunt took me to the coast to watch the sunset. We hit a nook in the road filled with parked cars/RV's and numerous music playing "free spirited" individuals. As I walked, I smelt something that took me back to my college days (you know, all 9 months ago that it ended) of walking by dorm rooms yelling "don't get caught." It was "grass" - and I realized in that moment, what everyone says about SC really is true. You can sit along the coast and do illegal substances without getting in trouble - my eyes were really widened, though my un-interest in the matter remained the same. 

The amount of homelessness was also shocking to me. As someone whose daily work entails figuring out how to secure these people's lives - I first felt for each of them. After a run down to the boardwalk, I was suddenly surrounded by them in the fullest and was intrigued. One man began following me as I walked, and his female friend yelled, "Get back here, don't make me take out your leash." I was scared, but liberated (as odd as that sounds) just being somewhere different then the comfortable, safe and wonderful Costa Mesa. 

Anyway - my point to this random Santa Cruz adventure is: 

Being somewhere totally different/better/worse is totally needed in the fast past world we live in to be able to slow down and take in someone else's culture/experiences. I don't think I could ever live somewhere so liberal, just because it's not quite me, but it was fun to place myself into it for the short-term. 

Santa Cruz thanks - and to all of you reading this - sorry it's so long.  

Welcome!

Welcome to "Bear Attack." Soon enough I'll figure out exactly what I'll be talking about. That's all.