Last night I was with a few of the guys. We watched Predator, then at midnight, we decided to go on a hike.

We packed our things, and left up towards Auberry.

It was awesome. We hiked for some time, found a clearing, laid out our stuff, and slept under the stars.

I loved that it was so spur of the moment, but what I loved even more was just getting out in nature.

I left my phone behind, and it was kind of nice to be disconnected for a while.

These days it is so easy to get caught up in everything.

Remember, we need to take breaks. Turn off your phone and take a trip

It’s beautiful out there.

Dude. Sitting here. In a coffee shop. Earphones in. Coffee in front of me. No rush to be anywhere.

BLISS

So I’m on spring break. This break, as compared to some of my recent breaks, has been tamed way down. No big and crazy trips. Simply, sticking around Fresno, hanging out. I would have much rather gone on a trip and done something crazy. A few friends and I had a Mexican Riviera Cruse lined up.. but finances didn’t allow.

sucky.

However, break has still been good. Monday I went home and spent the day with my Mom. She made me a bomb Portuguese breakfast. Then went to Grandma’s house. We had another bomb Portuguese lunch. Then went back home and dinner with Mom and Dad. We just relaxed. Was nice to go home. Ha, my mom even has a new sign-thingy hanging in her kitchen that reads, “good food. good friends. good times.” I’m especially a fan of that sign, because I’m prettttty sure I’ve used those words numerous times as status updates.

Hrm. Seriously. Can I get paid to sit in a coffee shop, listen to music, and blog? I’ve got a summer’s experience. I’d like to think I’m good at it. And, it just makes me really happy. I’m pretty much on cloud nine right now. I’m a huge fan of these little cubicle-area-things over here at the Revue. Kind of wish they had a curtain, though. I would close it and take a short nap in here.

*shrug*

Today, several opportunities became available for me. One of them has always been an option, but it wasn’t today that I started to take it to heart. I’m not really sure what struck the thought today – but now, I’m gun-ho about getting my masters degree. I’m so tired of homework and studying, yet I feel I should keep going and do it while I can. And I’m going to get it from FPU. That’s all I know.

And then, I became aware of another job opportunity. This would make two that are in the works. I’m not going to say what they are yet. Mostly I don’t want to jinx them. Graduation is coming up quickly. I’m hoping something works out.

A verse I’ve been constantly reminding myself of is Jeremiah 29:11. It reads,

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’“

I know he has a plan for me, but I’ve got to my part to. So I’m going to take the initial steps in a few different directions – hopefully one being in the right way – and trust that one of those directions will be the right way, and he’ll close doors in the other directions.

More like SuperEat Weekend.

This past weekend I ate so freaking much. But it was all delicious. And I have no regrets.

Saturday, a friend of mine cooked dinner for us: Steak with a cognac sauce, and these bomb potatoes, annnd I made blue jell-0.

I really, really like blue foods and drinks and the color. Always have. Prolly always will.

Sunday, pretty much I never stopped eating. I went to Mr. Papaya’s Thai Kitchen at the NE corner of Kings Canyon and Winery — hoooooly cow. Really good Thai food for really cheap. After that I went to a Superbowl Party at FPU (right after lunch, mind you) and I ate a stinking frito boat … and then candy.. and then they ordered pizza. and I ate pizza!

Then we came back to my apartment. I’ve been craving frozen yogurt for days now (I’m like a pregnant woman, I guess). So we were going to go up to Shaw to get some from Tutti Fruti. But then I decided that Doghouse Grill sounded better. Me, Eli, Jeremy, and Sister Melody went to Doghouse. We all ordered a tri tip sandwich. And washed them down with a nice cold beer. De-freakin-lish. To top that off, my roommates and I came home, and we were in bed by 11pm.

Glorious.

That’s what it was, glorious.

Anywho, I’m sitting here finishing my glass of wine, and then I’m gonna head to bed. Yeah, I’ve been on a wine kick lately. However, I know nothing about wines. All I know is if I like the taste or not. But yeah. I thank God for all he has provided and continue trusting in that he has a plan for all of us.

Over & Out.

welp.

I’ve been on this random energy-high. Honestly, I’ve actually been pretty obnoxious lately. But I’m okay with that.

Had a good weekend.

Thankful for great friends.

My family rocks.

Classes are going alright.

I’m graduating in a matter of weeks.

Future outlook is looking promising.

Not saying much, though.

Just praying a lot.

God is good.

He’s def been challenging me.

But I’m okay with it.

I’m really excited for this semester. year. the future.

… I’m also scared at the same time.

*shrug*

One of the things I’ve been learning lately – life isn’t about the materialistic things.

Relationships and who you surround yourself with makes life worth living.

Fun fact: I’m in class right now.

The class is debating about a tangent gone way wrong.

I’ve checked out.

Actually caught myself in my own world and whistling in the middle of class.

(again.)

Haha.

These are my thoughts for the moment.

I’m out.

AAAccctually, jk.

I want to share this piece that I made yesterday:

The picture is of a man who died in Haiti. I found it in the newspaper. It moved me. So I turned it into something.

K. Bye.

I went to bed a little over an hour ago. Was playing on my phone, as I always do before going to sleep. I found myself reading through my blog – like my older entries. I don’t know exactly what happened, but my blog has definitely lost its charm lately. My posts haven’t been as happy-go-lucky as they were in the summer. I think I was forcing them too much. Like I wanted them to be deep and meaningful and serious. That isn’t me, though.

I mean I’ll have an occasional good and beefy one.

But those are usually times when I just need to get something off my chest or am passionate about something that day. I’m definitely a fan of my original ones. The random thoughts that I’ll blabber on about. Ha. Like here I am now. I couldn’t sleep. So I’m writing, blabbering on about how I couldn’t sleep and have these thoughts running through my head.

But, back to my past few blogs – I also have some hunches as to why they were so blah. Last semester was plain and simple a crappy semester. Granted, good stuff did happen, it was just all around rough. And I think my posts reflected that. This semester’s been off to a great start, and I’m definitely back to my old self. All is right in the world. Or my world, at least.

So here’s to  less-trying-to-be-something-else and more-of-my-real-self-and-light-heartedness-coming-through-in-my-posts.

Deal?

Deal. Done.

Adventures.

The word is part of the title of my blog. I use the word a lot. It is a loose term.

Anything can be turned into an adventure. Life is more fun when you make everything an adventure. I’ve been doing this a lot lately. I think it roots from this being my last semester. One of my goals has been to make the most of every opportunity. This first week has already been a blast. This weekend alone, I already encountered many adventures.

- We got attacked by a tumble weed.

- I went to a Portuguese Pig Killing

- My car died and I was stranded in Tower.

Anywho, yeah. I’ve decided life is a lot more fun when you make everything an adventure. Try it out. You won’t be disappointed.

Welp. We’re in 2010.

Yesterday had I wrote, my only thoughts would have been: “Happy Hangover New Year!”

Today, after much needed sleep and a ton of mom’s bomb food, I’m feeling much better. The words are also flowing a lot better. My new year’s celebration was grand. I got to spend it with so many friends through the course of the night.

However, my biggest celebration of bringing in 2010: it has been one year since I have stopped smoking. Qutting tobacco has been one of my biggest and only real new years resolutions that I have actually followed though and made a reality. So I was pretty stoked. Not gonna lie, though, I had my moments of weakness when just one cigarette sounded mighty fine. But I said no. And here I am.

One thing’s crazy, though. Since Jan 1, 2009 I have been tracking the year marking my progress of staying away from ciggies. Because I was celebrating with each month, I was actively watching by how fast the year really goes by. That was really an interesting way to have lived this past year. I had never really tracked the months and weeks as they have gone by before, but doing it for a whole year really changed my perspective on things. Like, it made me realize how fast time really does go by — and especially how it gets quicker and quicker each year.

Alas, this year should be grand. I’m going to graduate in May. Annd that is about all I’ve got goin for me so far. But I’m okay with that. I’m taking it one day at a time and enjoying the ride, and hopefully will find some guidance to keep me on the right path along the way. So, Happy New Year to all, and to all a good year

Hey! Remember me? I used to write of adventures in Nashville and other random thoughts.. Yeah, I’m still alive. Kind of barely, though. This has been an extremely demanding semester. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically.

I miss my blog. I feel like it is a neglected little child. Christmas break is coming up. That means I will have free time again. Next semester looks quite promising, too.

One: it has been forever since I have published anything.

Two: I do miss writing on here.

Three: FPU takes over my life.

Four: I am writing today for several reasons, so enjoy the ride.

I’m nearing graduation. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot. Trying to set goals, figure out where I’m going to be after I graduate. That type of stuff. To be completely honest, I have no clue what I am going to do or where I will be when I graduate. I’m not too worried about it either. I have an odd peace about it. So I am not worrying too, too much.

I do feel though, as if I was born to lead. To be a person of power influence. Thinking back, I’m able to see that. In high school, by the time I graduated, I was very, very, very much involved in Leadership. So much so, that my principal deemed me (unofficially) as Assistant Activities Director. I became really close with Debbie Acosta, my AD. I’m extremely thankful for her and glad I was able to be one of her students.

I used my leadership skills that I had learned in high school, and took them to college with me. I came into FPU knowing not a single person. It was one of the hardest and tougher times I had been through. I would go to class and to the cafeteria to eat, and spent the rest of my time in the room. I became aware of a leadership opportunity as a Freshman Senator, applied and got elected! I honestly don’t know how it happened, but it happened for a reason.

By the end of my sophomore year, I had been elected student body president for the next year. So, my junior year, I was president, and now my senior year (because of several factors which won’t be discussed now) I have kind of let go from being a ‘leader with a title’ and am enjoying my senior year, just being a student.  Being in leadership, I have been able to meet a ton of people, and hopefully been able to be a positive influence on their lives.

Now that I’m graduating and leaving Pacific, I think I have my next target area identified. I want to be an active member of the Fresno community – I want to be a Fresno area name. I feel I was able to contribute to my high school in little Riverdale. I feel I was able to contribute to the Fresno Pacific Community. Now I want to move on to the greater Fresno area.

This is a little bit of what’s been on my heart. At The Well (the church I am a part of) we have been in the book of Nehemiah. In going through Nehemiah, we’ve been talking about a holy discontent. What is it that is sitting heavy on our hearts that we would love to see changed or done? I know God is tugging on my heart and preparing me for something – I just still don’t know what it is. But I do have a feeling that it is going to involve the Fresno area. I say this just because of opportunities that have been presented to me, and contacts which I’ve been making, and relationships that are happening. So, I’m just waiting for that something to happen.

I’ve been also working on the idea of the ‘personal touch’ — I first learned of this in my first marketing class. The professor said that some of the best marketers are able to touch people. Of course, me and my high level of maturity giggled every time he said this. But, this idea of a personal touch really is an effective one. I made this realization during this past summer.

First, let me explain my concept of personal touch. Pretty much, I see it as making an individualized effort to reach out to somebody and to put your mark on something, so that it makes the relationship formed so much more genuine and meaningful. For example – a very literal meaning: at the end of last semester I was putting a resume together. To throw on my own little personal touch, I put a subtle monogram on the background. It really made my resume pop.

Another instance of personal touch – I practice at work. I work in the Advancement office at FPU (church, donor, and alumni relations), and we always want to ensure that we individualize as much as we can when we are dealing with constituents. Also, over the summer while living in Nashville, Dave was applying for jobs. A lot of these job applications were online. I was always encouraging him to follow up his submission with a phone call to talk to an actual person and introduce himself.

I don’t know – it is just little things like that. I am a people person. My number one strength (according to Strengths Finder) is empathy. So even in the simplest of things – when meeting new people, I always try to remember names. I am great with faces and almost as good with names – that is something I’m proud of.  Pretty much, you just want to make people feel good. It’s being able to get emotion happening in a relationship, that people become really engaged and involved.

But, yeah. I’ve began to blabber, I feel like. These are my thoughts. Random? Maybe.

…yeah. I’m done for now.