La Vita E Bella

I don't want to do this!

I have this phobia. I am very lucky to have the opportunity to work for my dad doing marketing and business development. I have been here a little over 3 months, and enjoyed every moment. I thought I’d hate a 9-5, Monday-Friday job, but surprisingly….I love it. I am doing things that are new, and challenge my newly gained “University” knowledge. It’s a position that makes me feel needed and part of a team that is helping to build a business. I have been organizing our corporate structure, recreating our appearance, policies, and designing a whole new branding system. It’s a very rewarding experience to watch your ideas appear, and people actually recognize the concepts. But here is my phobia. One of the part of my job description is to visit new prospects, past adjusters and agents that we have worked with, and any one that has been recommended to us. I have been on a few outings with another gentlemen that works for us, but never on my own. Well, I was approached today with about 30 names of people that I need to visit, and I DON’T WANT TO!!! I have never thought of myself as being shy, but the idea of going and talking to these people is frightening. Maybe it’s my fear of rejection. “Salespeople” get such a bad reputation for being annoying, and although I know I’m not really going to “sell” them something – just to remind them of our company and the services we render – I still hate the idea of visiting with them. What if I’m annoying them? For awhile we were seriously thinking of hiring someone else to go out and make the sales, so ofcourse I was stoked. But, we went to this meeting the other day – with a bunch of other marketing guys, and you know what their number one suggestion was? Send a woman in to talk to them!!! That means me. I’m trying to put it off as long as possible – but then again that’s my job! My dad and everyone in the office expects it of me. BUT I DON’T WANT TO DO IT! Well, I was hoping that would make me feel better. We’ll see.

Me

Random Thoughts....

I'll be spending Wednesday thru Sunday with Trei's family in Palm Springs - have I mentioned that?? I am excited to be with everyone, especially since his parents and sister (in the picture above) live in Reno. We'll drive to see my family in Chino on Thanksgiving for a few hours - but then head back to Palm Springs. I'm excited for the rest of my family to meet Trei. They are all anxious to meet him, and get a chance to talk to him. I think it will be enjoyable. Have I mentiones that Trei's sister Karissa, was recruited to ASU for gymnastics?? She was their #1 Recruit. I am so excited for her. She is a great young lady, and extremely talented. What a wonderful experience.

I downloaded the coolest thing today - i Tunes - by Mac. It's available for windows now. You pay for the music you download, but it allows you to listen to a song before you download it. You can buy one song ($.99) or buy a whole CD ($5-$9) and have it downloaded right to your computer. I bought Sarah McLachlan's Afterglow CD - and I highly recommend it! Her absolute best so far! Every songs is amazing. I am so glad I made the purchase. I also bought Jessica Andrews Now CD - Also very good! I love her, so that helps, but this CD is also one of her best. I thought she's have a hard time showing up her last CD "Who I am", but she did an amazing followup. Definitely glad I bought this one too. I'm also looking into buying Sevendusts new CD, but they don't offer it through i Tunes, so it's off to the store.

Well, my uncle got into town today. My dad was very happy to see him. I haven't seen him in a long time, so it was good for me to see him also. But especially for my dad. He misses his brother (he lives in Oregon). They are close, and enjoy playing music, listening to the Beatles, and laughing. It makes me happy to see my dad enjoying someones company so much. I'm glad he's here.

Today I spent the morning sleeping - I've been battling a cold - then did homework. Trei came over and we went to Linens n Things with my mom and I. Eventually we met up with my dad and Kyle for dinner. It was really nice. I really enjoy the time spent with my parents. They are great people, and I am lucky to be their daughter. I hope that Trei and I have half the marriage that my parents have had. I would be so lucky! After dinner, we watched family videos. Probably one of my favorite things. Watching things from my past make me very happy. I had a wonderful childhood - it makes me all the more excited to have children.

Those are my thought for the day -
Lord, thank you for everything you have given me. My family, boyfriend, and friends. They are the people that make me happy.

And if your reading this - I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Until Next Time,
Me

Today was a GREAT DAY!!

Last night was a very difficult night for me. I had been praying long and hard for the Lord to show me things - and VOILA, there they were, and boy, was I not prepared for them. But now that things are in perspective - I am so happy for them. I have realized the trusting God is the best thing that I can do. Every aspect of life needs to be sacrificed to God.
If I want my relationship with Trei to amount to anything I need to hand it over to the Lord - and thats exactly what I did last night. I gave it to God. Suddenly I feel a million times better. I can't really put it into words, but I feel like everything is working out perfectly - I'll try and explain it all later. All I know - is that God has blessed me with man that love and cares for me. Thank you Lord, I am so grateful.

Kyles band played tonight at the Cobalt - they were very good. I am so proud of my brother for working so hard to make his band happen.

So Much On My Mind...

Saving Grace

Night and day I seek Your face
Long for You in the secret place
All I want in this life
Is to truly know you more...

As the waters cover the sea,
So Your love covers me
Guiding me on,
Roads unkown
I trust in You alone

CHORUS
My Saving Grace
My endless love
Deeper and deeper I'm falling in love with You
My one desire
My only truth
Deeper and deeper I'm falling in love with you

BRIDGE
And I will rise on wings of eagles
Soaring high above all my fears
I rest in Your open arms of love

Almost Thanksgiving....

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this season?? It is wonderful. I love the smell, the weather, the anticipation, the food, everything!! It's going to be a very busy few month - but I am extremely excited.
My dads brother and his family will be in town for a week and half. My dads sister will be here for a week. I'll be in Palm Springs for 4 days visiting Trei's family. My moms parents will be in town for 2 weeks around Christmas, and my best friend Trevor from Missouri will be visiting me from Jan 3rd-11th. I think this will be the best Thanksgiving and Christmas thus far. I am so happy to be back home - had I still been living in Newport - I would have missed out on all the hustle and bustle. I just with I could spend Christmas with Trei. I am pretty sad that we won't get to spend Christmas day together. Of all the people I mentioned above, I would most love to spend the day with him - but I guess it's all relative in the scheme of things. Next Christmas will be our first as a married couple...so I guess I can try and get through this Christmas and look forward to the next. :)

Well, off the USC v. UCLA Volleyball game. FUN! I'll write more later.

Till Then,
Me

My Beautiful Sister

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

My sister is awesome. She reminds me of a quote that says

"Friendship cheers like a sunbeam; Charms like a good story; Inspires like a brave leader; Binds like a golden chain; Guides like a heavenly wisdom".

Katy is my sunbeam, a good story, a brave leader, a golden chain, and a heavenly wisdom. There is not much about her that doesn't amaze me everyday. It's wierd to go from a "feuding little sister" relationship - to that of "best friends". Especially when you feel like you'll never relate. Back then I had no idea that we would grown to admire, respect, and inspire one another. Katy and I are very different from eachother, but somehow that doesn't seem to matter - well at times it does. She can make me very mad - but I know the feeling is mutual. All of that aside, she has a precious and delightful spirit. And not to mention SO Beautiful!! I enjoy talking to her about everything from boyfriends to shopping; friends to God. She has many things to say - and many of them very right on. I was praying for her the other day, and the Lord gave me this verse, he said

"I knew you before I formed you in your mothers womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman for the world" - Jeremiah 1:51

How true is that about my sister? Her life and actions are a testament to the amazing work of God. I am thankful daily for the blessing she is. I am excited to watch the rest of her life unfold - every little detail that God has in store for her. I love her so much - and am lucky to be her sister.

The Love of my Life

Since I was a little girl, I dreamt of the day that I would be married. I don't know what the fascination was or why I was that way - but I planned and dreamt and waited for "the day". The day meaning the day I knew I was in love, the day I got married and the day that I had children. I was always quite nurturing growing up. I loved dolls and babies, and the idea of being a mom one day. I was the queen of playing house. I remember being enthralled with anything adult like involving marriage and family. As I became a teenager, ofcourse I grew into other things - my interests were not solely love, marriage and kids - but deep down it was always my #1 desire for my future. When anyone asked what I wanted to be when I got older - my answer was always - a wife and mother. How old fashioned you might say. Why not a career woman or a traveler. Well....because thats not what I want to do. I want to be a loving wife, and a dedicated mother. When I first met Trei - I didn't think we could be more opposite. He grew up in a Christian home, but took a different "route" growing up. He danced on the edge of danger, and defied every "no" that he heard. He played his cards the way he wanted to. I on the other hand, grew up in a Christian home, but took a "route" of predictability. Ofcourse I disobeyed the rules (lied about where I would be), but for the most part - I walked the straight and narrow. I honestly wasn't in the market for a boyfriend - and DEFINITELY not one as wild as Trei. I mean, what would I tell me parents? What would I tell my friends.

Home Sweet Home

So we (my dad, fellow employee Dean, and myself) left Chicago’s O’Hare airport about 3 ½ hours ago, and are about 40 minutes outside of LA. Let me just say I am EXHAUSTED!!! This has been a busy and very very tiring trip. We left home yesterday afternoon (Sunday) at 3:30pm for the airport. Our plane took off from LAX at 6:00, and landed 11:50pm (central standard – 9:50pm LA time). By the time we got our luggage, hailed a taxi (by the way…our taxi driver to the hotel was an American woman – polish to be exact – and I don’t know why I felt so bad for her. It was 12:30am and she was all by herself driving this taxi – she was pretty shy, and seemed a little sad. Her husband worked for the same company. The had been married for 2 years. her family was all in Arizona and she missed them, but her husband didn't want to leave IL. I don’t know why I felt so bad for her – but I did), drove to the hotel and were in bed it was about 2am. I slept okay – the room was freezing cold, and ofcourse I woke up several times because I had moved, and alas, that part of the bed was freezing.

Such an Exciting Day!

Today was my brother Kyle's first homecoming (he's pictured with his girlfriend Stephanie). It was at Birminghan Highschool - and they had a great time. It's really wierd to see him as a "teenager". He still seems like such a little kid. He is very handsome though, and and one of the greatest kids you could possibly meet. It was a very exciting night to say the least.

Along with helping Kyle off to Homecoming - I helped Trei and Michael (my brother) unpack their new apartment. It is sooo nice, and a very exciting "next step" in their lives. I'm glad that Trei and my brother are living together. I think it's going to be a very wonderful experience for them.

Well, it's almost 2am, and I am exhausted - LOOK for tomorrows entry - it will probably be from my hotel room in Chicago.

Until tomorrow,
Me :)

Things ya gotta love about life....

Isn't this girl beautiful? I had a wonderful conversation with her last night. She is such an incredible person and I really am so lucky to have her friendship. I'm not going to reveal the details of our "girl talk" but I will say that it was such an enjoyable, open, and laughable conversation. One I miss having on a daily basis - but I realized last night how much more I appreciate them when they are few and far apart. She is a very wise, and inuitive individual, which is why so many people are drawn to her. I wish I had those qualities sometimes. The type of personality that people just get addicted too. That would be a fun quality to possess. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with who I am, but I know that I'm not an addictive person - eventually people are like "Get away from me!!". My only consolation is that I have other qualities that people could be drawn to. I can't be that crazy - though sometimes I feel that way. A need to constantly change myself in some aspect. But I really am crazy about that girl.

DON'T YOU JUST WANNA SCREAM?!

So, being in the room right next to my parents can really be a catch 22. Let me explain. Trei and I had a little tiff last night - nothing important, just an small argument about something I had done. Well we both become pretty passionate during our "tiffs", so my mom same to my door and told me to quiet down. This morning around 7:30, she came into my room to "discuss" the argument with me. Describing the entire second part of our argument. She told me that she sided with me, and Trei didn't know what he was talking about, and blah blah blah, so I thought "Wow, I like this. My mom hears my arguments and sides with me! VERY nice". So I continue to vent with her - agreeing with what she said. I fell back asleep until 8:00, and got up to get ready for work. As I was doing my hair, my dad walks in and says "So, I can see theres a little double standard in the relationship". Assuming he was talking about Trei's double standard, I begin to tell me side of the story, and defending him a little bit, because I don't want EVERYONE to be against him - until I realize that my dad is talking about ME!!! His little baby daughter. He disagrees with me. He then reiterates the entire first part of our argument, and says that I have a double standard, and i need to understand where he's coming from, etc. The I think "Geeeez, thats the last time I argue right next to my parents room! I can't believe he's siding with Trei!!!". Well, Dad is stuck in his ways, and mom comes in. She then begins to argue with Dad about why I am right, and he starts arguing about why Trei is right. So I came up with this idea....anytime I want to argue about something I'll do it in front of my mom, and anytime Trei needs to argue about something, he can do it in front of my dad, except I won't be there ;)