Even after all this time...

Everytime he says my name, everytime he calls, everytime he holds my hand, everytime I catch him looking at me, everytime I see him perform, everytime I hear his laugh, everytime there is a knock at the door, evertime I think of him... I still get butterflies.

Dragon Boat Festival

Baba and I finally went to the Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan's Lake this year. It was so much fun, especially since my dad could explain to me the why of everything that was going on. Stories from his childhood were inspired to surface, as well.

It is a traditional festival that has to do with a dragon that would wreck ships and eat the people it was carrying, but a man eventually sacraficed himself to the dragon in order to save the remainder of the people and ships.

Anyway, there are dragon boat races where rowing teams are lead by a drummer at the front of the boat who keeps time for them to stroke to. It's actually pretty exciting to watch.

There were also several performance from various Chinese dance studios. Many of them were very little girls, and they were so stinkin' cute. Our favorites, however, were the hula dancers-- I'm going to learn how to shake my booty like that some day.

Anyway, it was an absolutely beautiful festival with beautiful people. A truly unique experience.

Watching the family grow...

Dinner tonight was perfect. Thanks for your performance, Erin and Kasia, that gave us the excuse to come together.

Side note: you both have amazing husbands. I'm claiming them and brother-in-laws :-).

Movin' on.

The test has been completed, and now I'm off to the practice room!

I am quite grateful for the high ceilings, nice views, and for the fact that I am not a percussionist who cannot enjoy such lovely ammenities as these.

I'm running a race Sunday. I decided this today, which means that I have not been training, and there's no guarantee that I'll do well.

Who cares? It's for a good cause will be a lot of fun :-).

Hard work pays off.

Allow me to brag, for a bit, about Michael (because we all know he won't do it himself).

He has spent the past three years working his little hiney off becoming a better percussionist. He gave an absolutely phenomenal junior recital, and is now preparing to go to Denmark for the next few months to study in Copenhagen with Gert Mortensen.

He is going into his senior year, and thus has to be considering where he will be attending grad school. A top choice of his has been Cleveland State University where Tom Freer (percussionist for the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra) teaches, and he has spent the last two days in Cleveland taking lessons with Mr. Freer.

The week and a half leading up to these lessons I saw very little of him because he was spending 5 and 6 hours a day in the practice room. I honestly don't know how he does it. Anyway, Tom was impressed with his playing (who wouldn't be?) and has invited him to come and study with him after he graduates. It is an incredible honor, and I'm not sure I can think of anyone who is more deserving.

Well done, sir :-).

Monkeying Around

Have you tried doing the monkey bars recently?? I mean, as a grown adult. Kids are always boasting about overcoming the feat of swinging across the monkey bars, and seldomly are we very impressed.

But I dare you: the next time you're at the park, try them out. You'll have to bend your knees to keep your feet off the ground, and you will be suddenly aware of the weight of your body.

Never again will I brush off a child's announcement that he/she has conquered the bars.

Best Boss Ever

My boss is absolutely amazing. I am so fortunate to be working for her. All I do is help her out with her teenage daughter since she is a single mom, but they have really taken me in as part of the family. Knowing that I've been struggling financially, she offered me a place to live. Recognizing that I have a big test coming up, she gave me less hours with the same pay so that I wouldn't be stressed. Acknowledging that this is my only job and that I've been a hard worker, she gave me paid vacation--how many nanny's get that??

I have been so blessed by this job, and have learned so much.

Misfit

I don't fit in. I fit myself in. Or at least it certainly feels that way.

T minus three days and counting

My test is Saturday! I've been studying and studying and studying, and will be glad to be done!

Kasia's is the 30th, and she's been doing what I have to the tenth degree. She'll be REALLY glad to be done :-).

If only I didn't have to drive to Laramie.... Haha. Oh well, I'll make a mini-vaca out of it.

Kunundrum

I don't know if that's how you spell it, but Kasia says that I am a medical kunundrum. The doctor doesn't know what's wrong with my, but gave me antibiotics anyway. Incidentally, they are making me more sick than I was before.

So, I wake up in the mornings, study for my test, then spend some quality couch time with chocolate milk and "What Not to Wear."

Under the weather.

I've been on the couch sick today. I have been somewhat productive, but on top of not feeling well, it has just been really hot.

Something weird is going on in my throat (it looks like my tonsil is growing bleu cheese) and it's pretty nasty. Haha. I've tried all sorts of thing to kill germs back there, but have been unsuccessful. So, I'm giving in and going to the doctor tomorrow.

Maybe I'll have to be like a seven year old and get my tonsils out.

Galatians 1:10

"Am I still trying to win the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

God is so good.

Bummin'

I'm sad tonight. More sad than I've been in quite sometime...

I'll be glad to get to go to church in the morning.

Whew!

Putting this recital together is a lot of hard work! I'm just so thankful for the air conditioned practice rooms on these hot afternoons :-).

It's the little things.

A few of the little things that bring me such joy:

Seeing a rainstorm from afar.

Watching sun rays peek through the clouds and onto the mountains.

Mountain streams.

Swimming.

Playing frisbee.

Dogs.

Running.

Coming home after a long day.

A good book.

Coffee.

Chinese tea.

My favorite pillow.

Chacos.

Chipmunks.

Cheesecake.

Home sweet home.

I got to move into my new apartment yesterday :-). It's actually Shazia's apartment, and I moved in with her. I am so excited to be here!! I sat down and looked out my window to see ducks swimming down the creek this morning. So sweet.

Getting in here, however, was quite the adventure. My mom drove up with a trailor and her and I moved my stuff in while Shaz was at work. We live in the top corner apartment, and when we arrived we realized that the elevator wasn't working. Perfect. So, macho mom and I carried all of my furniture (thank goodness the dresser was the heaviest thing) up the tight staircase--what a sense of accomplishment! Anyway, it was 92 degrees out and it took hours longer than we were expecting, but Michael showed up to to help just in time, as we were getting exhausted quickly.

A cold beer was much appreciated by the end of the day.

Now, I have a sweet little room that is my dream room complete with colorful curtains and a fun desk. All that hard work makes me appreciate it that much more.

Thanks for all your help, Mom!!

*Deep Sigh*

I am excessively frustrated today because of my dad's "my way or the highway" mentality. Sometimes, I just really wish that he would open his mind--just a little!

My, my, Michael

Let me introduce you to the reason why I wake up each morning feeling like the luckiest girl in the world:

He is extremely handsome,

he is a good dancer,

he is a Martian,

he used to be blonde,

he fits in tiny spaces,

he is an incredible musician,

he loves to laugh (loud and long and clear) Jk,

he loves playing on this amazing playground we call earth,

...but above all he is my best friend, and he loves me.

Baba and Benny

Baba and I took Benny on a nice walk around the neighborhood. Wow, did that bring back childhood memories!

Us laying in the middle of the road. Ha.

View of Pike's Peak from their yard.

Benny sprinting to me :-).

View of the peak up the street.

My family's home.

Baba and his Benny

The best part is that my dad new exactly which mail boxes we had to stop at for Benny to "mark his territory."

What a sweet little addition to our family this silly guy has been.

Fare-thee-well, Hizzzouse

You will not be soon forgotten...

Apples and Jenae-naes!!

My Nae Nae and I have been friends since age 3. It was love at first sight--no question about it! I taught her to tie her shoes (bunny ear style, which she still uses), and she taught me all about space. We've had each others' back forever, and regardless of how far life has tried to take us from each other, we've always managed to rekindle.

I had the sweet opportunity of living with her for a year, and of all the life we've shared, these past four years have proven to hold some of the most significant growth experiences.

She'll leave in 17 days for Argentina where she will study for a semester, but her heart won't be far.

Come home soon and safely, but not before some serious "delta" change! Love you baby!

GURL!!!

Laurie has taught me to fully embrace the moment and to give life my all while reaping from it as much joy as possible.

She is an incredibly hard worker, a beautiful person inside and out, a loyal friend, and a sincere listener. She is preparing to study in Thailand for a semester followed by a possible internship at an elephant sanctuary. What an opportunity and adventure!!

I'll miss you Laurie, but promise I'll continue to just have fun. Love ya, gurl!!

What a day!

Today I made Chinese pancakes with my dad, took my sister's surprisingly strong dog for a run, enjoyed the sweet environment of her home, attended church with her, Tony, and Shazia, prayed over Shazia as she confessed Christ for the first time IN FRONT OF THE CONGREGATION, enjoyed a sweet lunch with Shaz and squirt, studied science (in the most general sense of the word) for two and a half hours, played the piano, read my book, hung out with Baba, and trained Benny.

It has been a sweet, sweet day, and there are still four hours left-- I can't wait to see what they bring!

Happy 4th!

It is the rainiest fourth July I have ever seen.

I received my acceptance letter to the graduate teaching program at DU and couldn't be more excited! The only thing is that I have to pass the PRAXIS II test on the 25th (which-- I'll have you know-- I have to drive to Larimer, WY to take). Anyway, I have been studying all afternoon because I am not about to mess this up.

Besides that, however, my dad and I have been hanging out listening to the rain and hail while making awesome food, playing with the dog, and enjoying incredible music.

It's nice to have some "daddy and me" time--after all, I am his little mei mei.