A Year After....

A year ago I made the move from Monterey, CA to Seattle, WA. In celebration of the move Monico, Melissa and I went to eat to the Crab Pot in Bellevue, WA. We ate there last year with my friend Tim before we took him to the airport. Last year it was raining all through the night. But Saturday night and Sunday were very nice. The funny thing about yesterday was that it was very cold and snowing as we looked outside the window. As I thought about it it made me think of how really things have changed in a year.

When I prayed about what I should do, I received a strong confirmation that Seattle was the place I needed to move. I was very excited about the move, I would be near family, be in a city that I really liked, so what could go wrong? Well it seemed that everything did, I found work but then left it because, well lets just say I didn't feel safe. I just didn't seem to find my groove and in this time I found myself asking "Is this really where I'm supposed to be? Did I make the right choice?" And in the Lords wonderful way I was reassured that yes this was were I was supposed to be and things would work out. I decided to be Monico & Melissa's roommate so we moved into a house in April. The summer came and we were all unemployed! Although EVERYTHING seemed to be completely off I have never been so happy and relaxed. People were asking me to move back and go back to my crazy work schedule but I knew this is were I was supposed to be. I found a temp job at a warehouse but then the Lord blessed me with the job I have now.

Some relationships changed completely and I have to admit I am still dealing with that but as I sat at church today I just thought about how blesses I am to be here, to have this gospel in my life, to be who I am and to have the people I have in my life. I know I will still have days that I will ask the why or are you sure? But I am so happy to know that I will always get an answer from my Heavenly Father to those questions. There is no greater feeling in the world to know that you are loved and to know who you are.

Last year was a year of changes, challenges, growth & some set backs but it was a great year. I hope that I can continue to see the hand of the Lord in my life and be in the place he wants me to be. I don't know what the Lord has in store for me here in WA or for how long I will be here but I look forward to the experience and growth he has in store for me.

A week of First

One of the things I am really enjoying about living in Washington is having four season in the year. This year Seattle has had snow which from what locals say doesn't happen every year.

Yesterday I shoveled snow for the first time. I was excited at first but then I just kept thinking "How do people in the East Coast do this every Winter?" I am perfectly OK with not having to shovel snow again :-) Its like eating snails. You want to try them just for the experience but are not planning on adding them to your weekly meal plans.

Today was another first for me, my car door was frozen shut! I went out to try to get into my car and could not open that door for the life of me. Melissa tried to help but that sucker would not budge. She told me not to pour water because it would only make it worse. Did I listen? Of course not. I got some warm water and poured it over the door only to see the water freeze immediately. It was not the smartest move but it was AWESOME :-)

I hope these are all the adventures I have with Winter this year. I am very much looking forward to Spring and Summer.

Bucket List: Attend a Hockey Game

I believe we all have a "Bucket List" and if you don't you should. I have always believed that there is so much to see and experience in this world and I want to do it all. Some things on my list are simple and some not.

As most of you know I grew-up with 4 brothers and due to that I love action movies, find fart jokes funny and as my sister-in-law Melissa says "know way too much about sports for a girl". With that said I love baseball and last time I visited my best friend Elisa in NJ her husband Jason (Boston Fan) and I (Yankees Fan) went to go see a NY vs Boston game in the old Yankee Stadium. Let me tell you it was AMAZING!!! It was the ultimate experience for a fan. After that I started thinking about other sport events I would like to see and hockey went on my list.

When I moved to WA my sister-in-law mentioned how next year (this year) we should really go see a hockey game. So last week I got an IM from her asking if I would be interested in going, ummm yeah!!! We attended the Seattle Thunderbird's vs Portland. The game was so good, unfortunately Seattle got their butt kicked but it was so much fun.

I loved seeing how the Lord has truly blessed his children with so many talents. If you know me, you know that I can't walk with out running into something or triping so to see how those players skated so smoothly on the ice and were able to play this game was great. I am officially hocked :-) It was a great experience so thanks Monico and Melissa for making it happen. I had so much fun.

In a world were things are moving and evolving so fast I hope we can all enjoy the simple things. May we never loose that child-like curiosity and continue to try new things and make more memories.

Happy Valentine's Day

So my friend April is the one that got me into Twilight and so after that I have been hooked so I hope my friends find the humor in the picture above. In Mexico February 14 is called "Dia del Amor y la Amistad" The day of love and friendship. For that reason I have always loved Valentines Day because it has been a day to celebrate friendships but I have realized that not too many people feel that way. People I have spoken to recently have mentioned how much they hated and how it just reminds them that they are either single or have to go all the way out to impress their significant other.

This was the 1st year I did not spend it with my friends and it sucked but it also made me think of the amazing friends that I have. My friends are all over the place literaly. They live in Hawaii, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, California, NY, S. Korea, Germany, and Portugal among other places.

A few years ago I went home and my Dad gave me some great advice about friends he said "A true friend will bring out the best in you and you will bring out the best in them." I love that advice because as I think of all my friends I realize how I am the person that I am because of them. They make me better and when I am not being my best self they tell me.

One of my favorite musical is Wicked. The musical ends with the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch singing a duet and these are my favorite lines:

It well may be That we will never meet again In this lifetime So let me say before we part So much of me Is made of what I learned from you You'll be with me Like a hand print on my heart And now whatever way our stories end I know you have re-written mine By being my friend... Because I knew you I have been changed for good

So to all my friends I hope you had a wonderful Valentines Day wherever you are. Thank you for making me a better person and for your amazing friendship and love. I hope that you continue to touch the lives of people in your part of the world as you have touched mine. Love you lots and miss you.

Happy New Year 2011

Well it's mid- February and Im FINALLY posting my New Year post, not bad. OK so it is pretty late but luckily not being a procrastinator is not one of my goals this year. I think being a procrastinator is one of my many charms, or so I keep telling myself.

Well 2010 has come and gone and I don't know about the rest of you but it sure flew by. My 2010 started with a move to Washington State and many adventures in the employment field. As part of the year I was able to see and enjoy this beautiful state and enjoy being near family. And the year ended with three weddings of dear friends. I actually welcomed 2011 with a cold, so I hope that wasn't a sign of how my year is going to go :-)

As I reflect on 2010 I can see how truly blessed I have been. I have grown and have definitely been tested but all the while I have felt the Lord near me letting me know He is aware of me and that all would be well.

Now time to think of goals for 2011 and to be honest what 2010 has taught me is that we sometimes need to go back to the "Basics" in order to progress. For 2011 I have decided to keep my goals simple but yet they are things that I have neglected. Here they are:

1. Focus on my studying the Scriptures
2. Work on my relationship with family and friends
3. Attend the temple more
4. Be healthy

The reason I decided on these 4 goals is because I think I began to just read my scriptures just so I could check it off as done. In doing so I did not really ponder and feast on their words. In regards to my relationship with family and friends I have seen how easy it is to take things for granted when we have them near and even more when they are not near. In the past I will admit I let me work get in the way of that. I have realized that I have amazing friends that were VERY understanding. My family lived 8 hours away and even after I would go and visit them I sometimes took work with me so I was there physically but not mentally or emotionally. Going to the temple makes me so happy I just feel whole, and having the Seattle Temple so close why wouldn't I go? And last I have neglected my health and I don't like it at all, so this year is back to the basics and that is starting with my health.

I hope you all had a wonderful 2010 and that 2011 is an amazing year that brings all you need to be the person you were created to become.