I Think I Leveled Up in Pinterest

I Think I finally feel like a true 24-year-old woman in 2013. Meaning, of course, I did something amazing I saw on Pinterest.

Now, I've baked cookies, cooked burgers, changed up my ab workout, efficiently cleaned my house, and made decorations for a party, but that was all small beans compared to the real stuff you see on Pinterest.

But I'm not small beans anymore.

I give you, this:

That's right, I turned an out-dated old dresser into a bomb.com TV stand. I don't always gloat, but I'll gloat a tiny bit about this one, only because I am so proud! 

It started out simply. Simply ugly, that is. 

We took it apart. 

Filled in parts of the doors to they didn't have drastic crevices in them. 

Primed with a special primer- 1-2-3 Bulls Eye for glossy surfaces. Worked great! 

We painted it a nice shade of cream- a color I hope to paint more pieces of furniture. 

Added new hardware- thanks Home Depot! 

And moved it in our apartment! 

BAM! TV Stand. I think I leveled up in Pinterest. 

A Fresh Start

The last time I updated this blog, I was counting the days until our move up north. Clearly, I have been too busy to even update this blog- it's been crazy!

Let's start with the move. I believe I will go into detail of the move in another post, but just know that due to my Type-A personality, it went incredibly smooth. We were packed up sooner than planned, and headed out a half-day early, giving us a night at my Grandma's house. Who doesn't love a night at Grandma's house?!

Once we made it up north, Jake started his new job. Like the day after we moved he started working. No wiggle room there, but I was on summer vacation and had time to do whatever was needed. As any new job goes, he was the quiet observer learning the ropes. He has since fit in quite nicely there! He enjoys his coworkers, and really does like the work he has to do. He's looking forward to moving up with the company!

While we were settling in, I was looking into subbing in the District where I grew up- a step in the direction of getting a contract there. This, of course, was the original reason we decided to move up north, and it was seeming to come along nicely. Meanwhile, our living situation wasn't exactly what we thought it would be, and we were getting restless (and uncomfortable).

After a crazy series of events, we were suddenly unpacking (again) in a new apartment (emphasis on the new) with my brother, Daniel. Turns out he needed a place to live and some roommates, and Jake wanted a particular apartment with a fantastic kitchen that just happened to be 2 bedrooms and slightly out of our price range. But, more unpacking... boo.

While unpacking, a funny thing happened. I got a call from the School District. Was I still interested in getting hired? Of course! I wanted to sub every day if I could! Interview 3 days from now? No problem, I could handle that. I said I would be there, and they started to explain the job... the full-year job. What was I interviewing for now? Oh, I was sure I'd get clarification on the interview.

And that I did. The job is for the whole year, they said. I had a fantastic interview, thanks to my extensive practice during grad school. Or was it because I was clicking well with the interviewers? No matter, I thought, I'm sure there are a dozen people interviewing. I thought I was a long shot, and that I would have a week or so to think about it.

I was wrong.

I got a call the next morning offering me the job, in too many words. I accepted. Then I freaked out for accepting. What was I getting myself into? I wasn't ready! School had already started without me!

Well, it's been 10 weeks and they haven't given me the boot yet. I'm enjoying myself, as much work as it is, and I'm fitting in well. My apartment may take a year to fully come together, but I am a real teacher. And you know what? Every doubt I have had in the past 10 years about becoming a teacher has faded. No matter how much my kids misbehave, roll their eyes, or fail their tests, I know that I am where I'm supposed to be.

It may not be a glamorous job, but it's my calling. I amy never become rich, but I bet I will have more funny work stories that most rich people out there.

Now I get to act like a teacher and count down the days until Christmas Break.

49 days you say? I'll take it.

Summer Time is Mighty Fine

Oh, how I love summertime (and Kayla's awesome art skills).

The weather is nice, the fruit is wonderful, and it always brings about incredible changes.

Last summer, Jake and I moved from Huntington Beach to Irvine- a change we wish had come sooner.

The summer before that- our favorite one- we got married. Jake finished his BA, and we both celebrated graduating with our families here in So Cal.

In 2010 I got to travel the western United States while Jake worked at his favorite job to date.


Clearly summer means big things. This summer isn't much different... as we are making our biggest change since we started college in 2007.

Moving to Northern California, now that it is so certain, has brought so many emotions up in Jake and in me. We are so happy, but at the same time, our hearts ache so much for our home. But, I've written of that.

It's summertime! The time to tan, swim, nap, and get back to my roots.

I will always love a good mango.

It's time to get on with changes, because they always turn out for the better- to quote one of my highly embarrassing songs written when I was younger.

To look on this summer in the best light, I've decided to make myself a Summer To-Do List! 

1. Move 

This one is easy... this one will happen in 18 days, whether we are ready for it or not.

2. Run a 5K

To many this is only a goal because they must sign up for one. For me (and I suspect more than a few others) this is a steep physical goal to wrap my mind, let along my lungs, around. You see, I have fake asthma... better known as Exercise Induced Asthma. Essentially, prolonged aerobic exercise can cause asthma attacks. Though I've only ever had one major attack (thanks late night VU games), it makes cardio exercise a bit difficult. Running any more than a mile at an easy pace gives me shortness of breath, chest tightening, and wheezing.
But there is hope!
Fake asthma won't be able to match a gradual 8-week training, courtesy of the Couch to 5K free App. Free! (I'm cheap.)
My hope is that at the end of the 8 weeks, I can regularly run 5 Kilometers, without asthmatic symptoms. I presume it will be to my advantage (long-term) that these 8-weeks will be in hot weather.

3. Develop Healthy Eating Habits

They say it takes 21 days to build a habit. Who? Well, I suppose word got out about the 70's self-help book, Psycho-Cybernetics. There may be some dispute about the actual number of days, but 21 is pretty convincing becuase there's a website dedicated to it. That makes it true, right?
Well, after we move we are committing to healthy eating habits for at least 21 days. It will likely resemble the Paleo diet- based on the diet of people before the agricultural revolution. Cutting out grains, refined sugars, and dairy will hopefully help out our often-compromised immune systems.

4. Save Money

One day, Jake and I want to own a house, replace our cars, and become debt-free. Clearly, this isn't a summer goal. This summer, however, it is my goal to examine our every expense, and put all we can partly in savings, and partly towards student loans.
For this I have no specific plan or tips to give. I can only point you to my Saving Money board on Pinterest.

5. Finish Chronologically Reading the Bible

It saddens me that I have not completed this yet. But as change comes this summer, I hope the completion of goal will also come. Spending time in God's word is one of the most important things I can be doing to prepare my heart for the big changes awaiting my little 2-person family.

Because, after all, it's summer. And summer means big changes.

But don't worry. It also means tanning, swimming, and napping.

It's Really Happening

Today, our Disneyland passes expired.

Though this is always a sad event, today it is especially sad. It's especially sad because we aren't going to renew. Ever.

I guess this makes it really real. We're moving.

It's not like we didn't see this coming. We have been talking about this for the better part of a year. It has been semi- decided since about February. We picked a date to move earlier this month.

It's not like we've packed. It's not like we've reserved a moving truck. It's not like we are prepared to move in 27 days.

But this meager 2 1/2- hour trip to Disneyland marked the beginning of what I expect it extreme emotions for Jake and me. As I posted on Instagram when we left, "It is finished." Not to be sacrilegious or anything... but it's kind of a big deal.

Southern California has been our home for the past 6 years, and the only home Jake and I have known together. This is where we met, date, and have been spending our newlywed years.

As our newlywed years come to a close (according to some), so is our time in Southern California. After our 2nd anniversary we will official make the trek up to the Bay Area. It's the most bittersweet decision we have ever made.

We are of course excited to move; there is ultimately a reason we have decided to. We will be close to family, on both sides. We will have a handful of solid ling-term friends. We will work our way into our dream jobs. We will find a home church we love, a Trader Joe's where they know our names, and will be on a co-ed church softball team. We will one day purchase a home and have kids who can grow up knowing the same families until they go off to college. It's perfect.

But... there's always a but. We are leaving every single friend we have made as a couple. We are leaving our Alma Mater, where I currently love my job. We will leave a couple who has unknowingly mentored us through our dating, engaged, and married years- as well as their kids whom we adore. We will leave a comfortable apartment, Jake's comfortable job, our comfortable well-established church, and a comfortable almost-always-75-degrees. And we will leave the beach.

Oh, the beach.

But I was never promised a comfortable life. Comfortable so often can lead to lukewarm. Jake and I aren't called to be lukewarm. We are called to honor our families, our callings, and His plan for us. So, we are packing up (one day I really will start packing) and moving, uncomfortable as it is, to San Jose. In doing so, we hope that God will continue to reveal what he has in store for us as a family, whatever that may be.






On a logistical note, if you aren't doing anything in 27 days I am willing to bribe you with Chick-fil-A breakfast to help us pack a moving truck.

(:

Patience

Ever want to practice being patient?

Watch as a 16 month old feeds himself cereal and bananas. Very slowly. Also while dropping some on the floor- that he will eat later if you don't throw them away.

30 minutes and counting.

It's a good thing he's so darn cute!

The Joys of Pinterest

Sometimes people get all riled up because someone bashes their favorite sports team (Go Giants!). Sometimes they get flustered because a stranger has given them the evil eye for they way they parent. Some, too, get outright angry when the toilet paper roll is on the wrong way.

I have to say that I am pretty good at keeping my cool. Except, apparently, when people tell me they "don't see the point of Pinterest". OH NO YOU DI-INT. I love Pinterest. It's magical.

No, I understand that some bloggers and photographers think that Pinterest is Illegal and their ideas and/or images get stolen, but I'm not going to get into that.

I am here to convince the average person (read: my husband) that Pinterest is amazing.

Their arguments, and why I won't accept them:

"Pinterest is just a enjoyable way for some people to waste time, like when I play video games."
The worst word in this argument is the word just. Just a way to waste time? Comparing it to video games? Now, us on Pinterest have our rebuttle- becuase it's true, hilarious, and found on Pinterest. When is the last time your Xbox made us delicious enchiladas?!
Case in point: Pinterest, when used (read: actually try the stuff you find) has wonderful effects on your life. Be it dinner, a cleaner house, wedding decorations, or kick-A abs, Pinterest can get you there in an easier way. I am way too lazy to look this stuff up on Google, and why should I, when I am following people that pin the very stuff I like?! Ah, to the next argument.

"Why would I find things on Pinterest when I can search them on Google?"
Google is cool. I've used it to find answers to questions, figure out a company's website, and occasionally learn how to remove the barrel from a nerf gun.
But Pinterest isn't a search engine.
When I open Firefox and type "P" into the address bar, (and Pinterest is obviously the first link that shows up) I have a homepage feed that shows me what has been pinned by the people I follow. I follow people I know in real life, as well as bloggers I've found (on Pinterest) whose content I enjoy. I can see a recipe my mom pinned, a killer glutes workout my old roommate pinned, or an awesome way to save money while shopping at Target. I never would have thought of making a pumpkin cake out of two bundt cakes, but now I know what I'm doing next fall. I never would have known that Women's clothing goes on sale on Tuesdays at Target, but housewares are on Thursday. I never would have found a way to work out my abs WHILE STANDING UP.
Stumbling upon things (catch that Jake?) may not do me well when I'm in Target (or any store), but it's great when I'm in no danger of spending money! I can find things I didn't even know existed, but make any party I throw that much better.
Also, Pinterest has a search bar. To search anything on Pinterest. It's how I found my sweet calendar printables! Best of both worlds.

"Just because people pin things doesn't mean they do them."
That sounds like a personal problem.
Maybe it inspires them, maybe they are waiting until they aren't as busy, or maybe they just don't know that you can click the picture and it takes you to a link. In any case, I'm rooting for people to actually use Pinterest, not just look at it.

Enough persuading, Jake?

Pinterest is a great tool to cook better, entertain classier, dress trendier, clean more efficiently, and one day have the most amazing classroom students have ever seen.

But, as most users are still women, Jake will probably continue to look at the gardening section with me instead of creating his own Pinterest.

I'll count it as a win.

Exciting Updates

Hello friends!

I suppose it's been a while since I have given a brief update on Jake and myself!

First, I got a new job! I got hired on as the temporary (so I can look for a teaching Job later) Coordinator of Performing Arts Ministry Teams at Vanguard University. I have completed a week of work, and I love it there so far. In a nutshell, I will be redesigning and creating various Ministry Team programs, like Entourage and Delivery Boys, and getting the program ready to start in October. I will work through the end of June, and I will be on the board to hire someone to take my place. This couldn't be a more wonderful opportunity for me! It's God's timing, and I really think I will thrive in this position.

On the serving side, Jake and I started Small Group a couple weeks ago. I have 6th grade girls, and Jake has 7th grade boys. I absolutely adore my girls, and Jake's group just sounds crazy. We meet once a week, and we get to plan events to bond and have fun as a small group. It's great to come on Sundays and see our students, and to catch up on how their week was, and then see them Tuesday night and just have a good time.

Vanguard's homecoming weekend is coming up- the same weekend as Jake's birthday. Jake is working during most of the events, but I will be there for most of Saturday. That morning I have signed up to run a 5K. Now, I'm no runner, but the run is "Run for Mercy"- a little girl with an undiagnosable disease. Her parents have already put a quarter of a million dollars towards medical bills, and so I want to contribute to what I hope will be a great turn out. My small group co-leader is coming with me, so it should be a fun time... if you don't count the running (: But, in all seriousness, I have started running a little bit to get ready. I started Monday, and also ran Friday and today. Each run I aimed for a mile, and each run I went a little farther. I walked a lot during my runs, but I have already improved my times and have walked less. I may not be a runner, but I am getting to the point where I can run to stay fit and to train for 5Ks. After Saturday, I am going to start an 8 week 5K training program, because my small group girls want to run a 5K together. My goal for that one will be to run without walking at all- hence the training! This weekend will be my practice 5K, then hopefully I will be able to sign up for them consistently!

With Jake's birthday coming up, I have started my planning to make it special. I have a coupon for this really cool barber shop where he can get a shampoo, head massage, and hair cut, all while watching the game on TV. I am going to make sure to get him a Disneyland birthday pin, and he gets to pick where and when we go out to eat. We are having a few people over for the Super Bowl, good friends of his, so I'm going to make some treats and have him blow out some candles! It will be pretty low-key, but I will make sure he's happy, rested, and entertained for the whole weekend!

Jake and I look forward to any time we get to see family, so we will be quite busy in the next few months. Aside from going to Winter Camp with the Jr. Highers, we are going up to Oregon for a wedding, making a trip to the Central Valley to see my Grandma, making more trips to L.A. to visit Albert and his Fiancee, maybe making a trip out to Arizona to visit some family friends, and at the beginning of summer we should have tons of family around for Albert's wedding. I also am going to Indio with my mom and some family girls (:

Overall the next 5 months seem super busy for us... we have a lot to do and a lot to accomplish... I hope we get it all done while having time to rest!

I suppose that's all for now. Jake is napping on the couch and snoring, I'm still in running clothes, and recycling needs to be taken out. I hope you are well, I'm sure Jake and I send you our love and miss you very much (unless you live in town!) Have a wonderful start to your week!