I am way too tired to post but I did want to blog a bit about today to get my daily writing in...

The highlight of my day was Jerelyn's bday party. We went to Red Robin, did a bit of shopping, and went to her apt. in Selma where we enjoyed funfetti cupcakes like we were five all over again. It was great. She is the big 3-0 now. Happy birthday friend!

Now it is time for some sweet sleep...

Eleven months...

See my cute dimple?

When I grow up Auntie is going to teach me to play her piano.

I love my baby doll.

Auntie lets me borrow her sunglasses.

These pics were taken by a wonderful photographer and friend of mine, Amy. She is available to help you with any of your photography needs!

Why I love Holli...

Hard worker.
Open arms to anyone.
Loverrrrr
Loyal
Indiana accent

Very funny (I miss laughing with her!)
Actually ate and appreciated my cooking.
Nicknames (SFJ, GST)
Excellent YL leader
Threw a surprise party for me and it was sooooo fun!
Took me to hockey games! Oooooh yeah!
Excellent counselor
Nice AND beautiful

On Monday it will be two months since I saw her...

Want to know why I love you? Leave me a comment and let me know!

good things about today...

• playing with my niece
• olive garden
• finding a cute shirt for $8
• american idol concert

not so good things about today...

• still no call from samaritan women
• missing the east coast
• frustrations with life, myself
• getting rear ended (yet again) on the way to the concert
  

One of the great things about moving home is being able to be so close to my niece. This past week has been especially nice in that I have been able to spend lots of time with her. Today I had her all morning and it was wonderful. We went to the park. We played on my piano (I will give her lessons one day). We had a lot of fun.

She will be one next month. I am looking forward to her party. It is going to be a puppy theme. She definitely takes after her auntie (and papa) that she loves dogs! It is nice to know that I will be here for such a milestone. She is growing soooo quickly. She is just about ready to walk, her teeth are coming in, she just learned to dance, and she chatters away in her baby language. She is a precious, sweet, girl.

She looks just like my brother. It is really crazy. I am looking forward to being able to see her grow up and what God has in store for her.

Today I have writer's block - or should I call it blogger's block? I just don't know what to write about. I do have news about the job search, but if you don't mind I want to wait until Friday night to tell you about it. So, today I give you this survey. It's not very exciting, I know, but at least it's something, right? :-) Oh, and by the way, if you have noticed that the blogs seem off date-wise it is because my blog was still under EST. I fixed that and now it is under PST. And another thing - if you would like me to blog on a certain subject, or have a question, or just want me to tell you what I love about you, be sure to leave me a comment.

1. Where were you an hour ago?
My parents' house.

2. Who will be your next kiss?
My niece tomorrow morning!

3. What kind of deodorant do you use?
Secret.

4. Are you wearing socks right now?
Nope.

5. When was the last time you went out of the state?
May 23.

6. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
No...but watched rented movies.

7.What was the last thing you had to drink?
Starbucks.

8. What are you wearing right now?
Nothing. Just kidding. Capris and a shirt.

9. What was your last purchase?
Stuff from Walgreens.

10. Last food you ate?
Lunch at Los Pepe's with Amy. I am sooo hungry but it is kinda too late to eat dinner now.

11. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Alisa

12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
No.

13. Do you have a pet?
No. But my parents have one that I consider my own.

14. What’s the last sporting event you watched?
My girls at cheer practice today. Yes, cheerleading IS a sport! They work very hard.

15. Where did you go today?
Los Pepes with Amy, Walgreens, Parents house, Starbucks to meet Alisa, cheer practice, my house.

16. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
East Coast...or Ireland.

17. What is the last thing you purchased online?
I am going to buy a dresser online tonight form Ikea. Does that count?

18. One thing you hate about yourself?
Just one? Too many to list.

19.Favorite Song?
IDK.

20. Are you missing anyone?
DEFINITELY

21. Last play you saw?
Fiddler on the Rood

22. What are your plans for the day?
Well it is 11:10 PM so pretty much sleep is all I have left on the list.

23. Ever go to camp?
LOL Um, hello, I have definitely had my fill of camp.

24. What is your biggest fear?
That I won't ever have the chance to be a wife and mom.

25. Do you have any tattoos or piercing?
Yes.

26. Last person who made you cry?
Can I plead the fifth on this one?

27. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
No not at the moment.

28. Where are your best friends located?
All over...:-(

29. Do you have a tan?
No. Freckles? Yes.

30. How soon do you want to have kids?
That's up to God.

31. Have you ever drank soda from a straw?
Yup.

32. Ever mixed all the sodas from the machine and drank it?
Ha ha, for sure.

33. Do you have allergies?
No.

34. Do you like hot sauce?
Ick.

35. Next time you’ll take a shower?
When I wake up.

36. Last shot you received?
Tetanus I'm assuming...

37. What is your mood?
OK

38. Are you someone’s best friend?
I hope so. =]

39. What did you do for valentine’s day?
I was snowed in that day.

40. What are you doing right now?
This survey! =]

I was watching America's Got Talent tonight and thought that I would share with you two clips of Britain's Got Talent. I cried at both of these. I'm such a girl.

Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En0A8KGMgq8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA&mode=related&search=

What a great day!

Here are some pics from my graduation day in May.

My hooding ceremony.

From reefs to high heels at the last minute. Can't take Cali out of the girl!

You can get a good view of me walking in and my hood here.

Here are me and my folks. We went to Niagara Falls the week before for my grad present. It was awesome and I really loved Ontario.

Yay for being done!

Kristin came down for the big day. So nice of her!

In passing my brother mentioned this show to me called Man vs. Wild. I had never heard of it before and didn't really think much of it. Well one day I was watching TV and while flipping through the channels I noticed that it was on. From that episode on I have been hooked. Take it from me - you need to be watching this show!

This guy, Bear Grylls, is AMAZING. Basically the show revolves around "dumping" him in the middle of nowhere and allowing him to find his way out. It usually takes him several days and on his journey he teaches the viewer how to survive should they ever find themselves in the same situation. You see him create shelter, make fire, make his way through many obstacles, and find food. If nothing else I watch this show to see what kind of disgusting food he will eat. He eats live snakes (kills them instantly with his first bite), bugs, live fish (although sometimes he does cook the meat), etc. Yesterday he ate a turtle. Of course I don't like seeing cute little bunnies beingkilled or anything like that, but he teaches that in order to get out alive one has to eat to get energy - and he kills them as humanely as possible.

The show flies by and I love it. It is really a show more for guys but I am telling you that I am a huge fan. I wish I had Tivo so I wouldn't miss out on any episodes.

But I haven't told you the best part yet. He is a Christian!! Yesterday I was watching and he started talking about God. I thought, "What? A guy who does a "nature" type show and isn't an evolutionist?" So of course I did my research and, sure enough, he loves the Lord. On his top ten reads he has "What's so amazing about grace?" and "Messy Spirituality." Of course I admire him even more now!

Yeah, he and his show are pretty awesome. It is on the Discovery Channel. Watch it and you will see why the show is so darn addicting.

A lot of people have been asking about the job hunt. Here it is in a nutshell:

Life has been challenging since I moved back to CA. In a way I feel like I am right back to where I was four years ago. Searching for a job and not understanding why it is so hard to find one. I am trying to remind myself that it all worked out for the best last time because the job I was hired for eventually turned into moving to the East Coast, which was a wonderful experience for me. Sometimes I just don’t understand what God is up to. (But who says it is my right to understand?)

Anyway…while I was still living in New Jersey I heard about the possibility of a job with Bethany Adoption agency. I was super excited and when I came out for Easter I met with the director and turned in my app. I was counting on that job even though I hadn’t signed on the dotted line. Long story short the position never became open as expected because the person who was supposed to leave changed her mind. I got that phone call two days before I moved home. I was devastated.

So, I counted on the 20 or so resumes that I sent out to churches, counseling centers, etc. to bring me some offers. Nothing. They either did not have the funds to hire on new counselors or they wanted someone who was licensed. I am not licensed (yet). That took me back to square one.

I interviewed with the Biblical Counseling and Educational Center, which is connected to the Evangelical Free Church in Visalia. They loved me and I loved them. They offered me the opportunity to be the director of a counseling center here in Kingsburg. Then they told me I would have to raise my salary. I am done raising my own salary. I have done it for five years. I am ready to not have to worry about if I will be paid this month or next month. I declined that offer, but would love to help as a volunteer.

Finally a job opportunity came along that I was sooooo excited about. It was for Hanford School District as a character coach. Basically I would be a behavioral specialist. I could combine counseling with my experience with kids – plus work for a school system. How cool is that? There were 60 people who applied for the job. I made it to the final three. I was the last of the three to be interviewed and when the second interviewee walked out as I was walking in, both she and the interviewer were laughing and said, “See you later.” My heart sank. I knew at that time the decision had already been made. Needless to say later that afternoon I got the phone call that I didn’t get the job. I was crushed. That was the first job “rejection” that I cried over for quite a while.

Last week I interviewed for a job as the children’s ministries coordinator at my church. They are doing first interviews until August 1 and then will do a round of second interviews after that. They are hoping to hire someone by the beginning of the school year. I do think that I would enjoy this job and be good at it. Plus it would allow me to go to MBBS and become licensed in counseling. I am even hoping to counsel on the side in the meantime for the church. We shall see what happens with this one. Too bad I have to wait like four more weeks…

On Tuesday I have an interview with Samaritan Women for the position of executive director. I know a little but about this ministry and think it would be a good fit. My only concern is if they will want me to raise my own salary or not…. I will let you know how it goes.

I do have a fun side job though. For those of you who don’t know, I am the new cheer coach at KHS. We have already begun and it has been quite the experience. I don’t think I really knew what I was getting myself in to. The kids have been great but some of the moms are PSYCHO. I have learned to screen my calls because it might be crazy cheer moms. I am already beginning to think that (unfortunately) this will be my one and only year as coach.

Hopefully this brought you up to date on my career search!! It’s not the exciting post I know, but many of you have been asking and I thought that this would be a good way of spreading the word. Be sure to check back tomorrow for another post as I promise to keep my promise of blogging every day for one month!

Hello, remember me? It’s been a looooooong time, hasn’t it? Sorry about that!

To make up for this and to get myself back in the habit of blogging again I am going to blog every day for one month. (Thanks to a great idea from Hannah.) This way I can catch you up on my life without having to write an enormous blog, and I can get myself back into the swing of things. Sound good?

So be sure to check back tomorrow…and the day after that…and the day after that…

I have so much to update you on...but won't have the time until my thesis is done. In the meantime though - here is a pic of my new WC car!

My parents found out that they got the "second" house. I will be living in this house and renting it from them. It is on Winter Street. Escrow will close just before I move at the end of May. The Lord has provided. I was able to get of my year long lease here in my apartment, and I now have a place to live when I return back to CA. Now only two more obstacles - selling my car here, and finding a job in the Valley. There is a promising lead with Bethany Adoption Agency which I would love - so maybe God has that in the works too. I'll keep you up to date! In any case...here is my new WC home!

Happy first day of Spring! It doesn’t look like it around here – with snow on the ground and temps in the 40’s…but just the thought of today being the first day of Spring makes me feel warm inside – even if it isn’t warm outside.

Here on the EC there is a place called Rita’s. It is a place where one could buy water ice, gelati, etc. (I know, the name “water ice” is a bit redundant, but that’s what its name is. It is basically shaved ice, but it is much yummier then that.) Anyway, they care only open during Spring and Summer, and on the first day of Spring they give out free regular water ices. I was pretty darn excited about that. Chad, Katie (the kids I baby-sit) and I went to get ours, and the line was ginormous when we showed up. When we hopped out of the car I was greeted by several YL kids running up to me and yelling, “Ashley’s here!” It was a good moment for me.

You see, when I came out here to interview my “tour guide” stopped at Rita’s. It was my first water ice (or wuder ice as they pronounce it here) and I remember wondering what the heck all the fuss was about – I mean, we don’t have stuff like that on the WC. Of course that was my first time in Hunterdon County so I knew absolutely nobody. Today, three years later, kids who I have come to know and love greeted me at Rita’s.

While there are many annoying things about New Jersey, there are many wonderful things as well. This is my home. I will be sad to leave it in exactly nine weeks from today.

I have been blessed to have this EC experience.

Snow Day Surveys

1. Favorite country song?
Right now? What hurts the most by Rascal Flatts.

2. Last thing you bought?
Dinner

3. Last time you got flowers?
Valentine’s Day – and they were my fave flowers too!

4. Do you share a toothbrush with your significant other?
no

5. One of your stuffed animals' names as a kid?
Anderson

6. Did you ever own at one time a Barenaked Ladies CD?
I don’t think so.

7. Favorite day of the week?
Friday or Saturday

8. Favorite Sundae topping?
Hot fudge

9. Did you take Piano lessons?
Yes – for 10 years

10. T.V. show you secretly enjoy?
The Hills

11. Date someone older or younger?
Either

12. One place you could travel to right now?
Ireland

13. Do you use umbrellas?
Rarely

14. Do you know all the words to the Canadian national anthem?
No. Only the first two…lol

15. Best job you ever had?
I loved being on work crew in high school. Does that count?

16. What is the last thing you do before you go to sleep every night?
Usually watch Dave Letterman

17. Ever been in a car accident?
Yes, several

18. How would you like to die?
In my sleep

19. When do you think you will get drunk next?
never

20. Were you ever in a school talent show?
yes

21. Allergic to?
nothing that I know of

22. Favorite fruit?
strawberries

24. Do you soap first or shampoo?
Shampoo

26. Do you scream on roller coasters?
Sometimes

27. Who was your first prom date?
Chris Johnson

28. Who was your first roommate?
Courtney

30. What was your 1st job?
For money? I guess that would be babysitting.

31. What was your first car?
Red Toyota Tercel

33. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs Pitts

35. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
Oh that depends! I have many good friends I can call…

36. What's your favorite store?
Target

37. What's the name of the last restaurant you ate at?
McDonalds

38. What did you do yesterday?

Work, which included a WyldLife club

39.What book are you reading right now?
The Safest Place on Earth by Larry Crabb

40. Why did you fill out this survey?
Stuck in my house due to snow and I’m bored!!!

And yet another survey…

1. 4th grade teacher's name: Mrs. ?? Don’t remember but I can picture her. She wore a wig, bless her heart and everyone made fun of her. She went to my church.

2. Last words you said: “Sure. OK, bye.”

3. Last song you listened to: What hurts the most by Rascal Flatts.

4. Last person you hugged: Linda

5. Last thing you laughed at: Kids are WL club last night

6. Last time you said I love you and meant it: I don’t know…probably in some phone conversation to someone

7. Last time you cried: today while watching QEFTSG. A soldier was leaving his family for Iraq.

8. Do you have a car: Yes. But I am selling it when I move back to CA.

9. What color socks are you wearing: None – I’m wearing slippers.

10.What is under your bed: luggage mostly

11. What time did you wake up: It was a snow day so I got to sleep in!

12. What's you least favorite ice cream: pistachio

13. Current hair: down

14. Are you thinking about someone right now? No

15. Current annoyance: my procrastination habits

16. Current desktop picture? Me, Kristin, and Jerelyn skating on the pond in front of the Capitol in D.C.

18. If you could play any instrument what would it be? guitar

19. Favorite color(s): red

29. How tall are you? 5’ 41/2”

30. Current favorite word/saying: wow! Or soooo good!

31. Favorite Show: The Hills or anything news-y

32. Favorite season: Fall

36. What is your career going to be like: hopefully effective as a therapist!

37. How many kids do you want: as many as God chooses to bless me with

HAVE YOU EVER...

39. Said "I love you": yes

40. Ever get into a fight with your pet: yes

41. Have you ever been to New York: City and Upstate - YES (live near it)

42. Been to Arizona: Yes

43. Been to California: Hello, um, yes

44. Been to Hawaii: no

45. Been to Mexico: Yes

46. Been to Italy: no.

47: Been to Ireland: no

48. Dreamed something really crazy and then it happened the next day? I don’t think so?

52. Do you have a crush on someone? no

53. What book are you reading now? A book for school by Larry Crabb

54. Where is it? on a chair in my living room

55. What is the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning? what time is it?

56. How many rings before you answer your phone? depends

57. Future daughter's names: I have learned that that is dangerous if I think of that because what if I don’t have them? Sad, I know, but I have had to make that rule for myself.

58. Future son's names: Read above.

59. What do you sleep with: I usually fall asleep with my TV remote next to my head

60. What do you wear to sleep: pjs of course!

61. Where are you: stuck at my house

62. Where do you wish you were? somewhere sunny and warm!

63. Piercing: 6

SOME EXTRA STUFF

67. Where are you staying tonight: Home.

70. Who is the last person that you called: My landlord

71. Where do you want to get married: Can’t allow myself to think of that – but of course in a church

72. Have you ever drank: Yes

73. Hate: bad drivers

74. Are you or have you Been In Love: yes

75. Are you timely or always late: depends!

77. Do you like being around people: Yes I do!

78. Best feeling in the world: feeling wanted and loved

80. Are you a health freak? not so much!

82. Are you lonely right now: Not really

86. Do you want kids: It’s not up to me. But if it were, yes.

LAST 48 H0UR'S HAVE Y0U

87. Cried: yes

88. Bought something: yes

89. Gotten Sick: not technically, but I am still recovering from my bronchitis

90. Sang: I don’t think so??

91. Said "I love you": I don’t think so??

92. Wanted To tell someone you loved them: Everyone knows that I love them

94. Moved On: From what?

95. Talked to someone: Yup.

96. Had a serious talk: yes

97. Missed Someone: must say yes!

98. Hugged Someone: yes

99. Kissed someone: yes

100. Yelled at Someone: Not someone, I did yell at something (My lame cell phone!)!

From sixties to snow? Yep! Winter wants to leave with a bang and we are forecasted to have up to seven inches in the next couple of days! Crazy!

I got my new CD in the mail today. My friend Holli recommended it. It is "Cities" by Anberlin. Get it. It will change your life.

Here is a blog post for you all...finally! I apologize for letting my blog go for weeks without posting anything. Unfortunately this is going to be the trend for the next ten weeks. Because, ten weeks from today, I will be moving back to CA! Crazy, huh? I don't think that that reality has sunk in at all yet. To think that I am leaving my beloved EC is very disheartening. At the same time though I am praying that this is indeed what God will have me do next - move back to Kingsburg. Don't get me wrong, there are several things I am looking forward to about CA. And, I can always come back to the EC to visit, right? And, who knows, maybe I will move back here again someday if God allows it.

Once March hit my life became even busier and crazier then normal. As mentioned, this is how my life will be from now on until the move back to the WC. Every weekend is booked, and I am more then occupied with school (a 60 page paper that I haven't even started), work (both jobs), visitors, and hanging out with my EC friends as much as possible. So, I apologize in advance for not being a good blogger in the weeks to come. But, I will try to drop in every once in a while.

I got back from WA yesterday morning. I went for a long weekend to visit Hannah in Tacoma. I had a great time hanging out with her. She seems to be very happy in her new job and new location. I'm so glad for her. We did a lot of fun things. We went to Pike's Place, the first Starbucks ever, got pedicures, went to the Glass Art Museum in Tacoma, watched movies, went to her church, spent a bit of time with her family, went on a ferry, went to Gaswork's park, went to fun WC restaurants, etc. I was sick most of the time I was there, but was able to handle it up until Sunday night when I just knew I had to see a doctor to get on some meds. I had a red-eye back to PA on Monday night and knew that I needed to be feeling better in order to do that. The doctor thought I had walking pneumonia, but after x-rays revealed I didn't (praise the Lord), I was diagnosed with viral bronchitis - which, lucky me, means no meds. However the Lord gave me strength and I felt a bit better on Monday and was able to fly back as planned, and although I am still home sick, I am improving each day. Anyway, the ER trip was quite the adventure. Let's just say that Hannah and I got to mingle with some of Federal Way's finest. And I definitely mean that in a sarcastic way.;-) Ask me for details.

The weekend before that I had a high school friend from the WC come out to visit me for a long weekend. Alena had never been to the EC before and we tried to fit the highlights into her whirlwind trip. We went to D.C. and hung out with Kristin and hit all the major monuments and memorials, and then went into NYC for a couple of days where we also were able to get a lot of "touristy" stuff in. It was good having her here.

See what I mean about being busy? (But you know I love it when it involves friends!) And this weekend Kristin is going to come and stay with me. We are considering going into NYC for the St. Patty's Day parade. Whether we do or not, it will be fun to have her here. She has not been to Jersey since early Fall.

School is good. I am counting down the weeks though! I think I might have a touch of senioritis...or whatever you call that apathetic feeling that comes over a person during her last semester of grad school. I am so ready to be done with homework!! I think I only have seven weeks left... I think I can hang in there!:-) Now on to that massive paper. Yikes!

The weather is warming up a bit and I do believe that Spring is around the corner. Everything in WA was blooming and it made me so excited for that to happen here. I miss my green trees and all the pretty scenery. I also miss my flip-flops! Isn't March 21 the first day of Spring? Yay - it's almost here! Here's to hoping we won't see any more snow!

That's enough updating for now...see ya later alligator!

My weekend in pictures...

Jerelyn came to visit and we had a great time with Kristin. She flew in on Friday morning and I picked her up and we drove down to VA. Here are some of my favorite moments...

At Uno's pizza. Then we went and saw "Music and Lyrics." Super cute!

In the car...with Starbucks of course!

We went to Mount Vernon.

George Washington was home!

Went and said "hello" to another president...

We were friggin freezing!

Washington Monument

Skating on the frozen reflection pond in front of the Capitol.

WWII Memorial

Of course Cluckers tagged along!

Jer in front of Iwo Jima.

On Sunday we went to the Naval Academy in Annapolis.

It was amazing!

Football Stadium - Go Navy!

Sadly we had to say "goodbye" to Kristin and head back to Dirty Jersey on Sunday night. Jerelyn flew out really early on Monday.

Panera = yum.
I am sitting at Panera right now with Holli and Jeremy. We all have our laptops open and are studying, studying, studying, with the occasional break to chat, go online, or eat. (Or post a new blog!) This has become a tradition of ours and I am so grateful for it. It has really helped me to not procrastinate and get stuff done. It’s awesome! I do love Panera. I hope it makes its way out to the WC!

Oh the weather outside is frightful…
They say a big snowstorm is headed our way. Hmmm…maybe the kids around here will finally get a snow day! I know that they are anxious for one.

C’mon People!
It is amazing to me how many people still have their Christmas decorations up. It is almost Valentines Day, right? Please do yourself, and me, a favor and take down your inflatable snowman and your wreaths!

Fjords – Home Sweet Home
Looks like I secured an apartment there for when I move back to Kingsburg. Praise the Lord! I was really hoping to get in there. It is in a great location and are great apartments.

Yay for a mini-vacation!
Jerelyn is coming in to Philly on Friday and I will be picking her up and then we will head down to Kristin’s. I will be there for the weekend with them, returning on Sunday evening. I am really looking forward to it. I love my friends!

YOU make my heart happy…
Speaking of love, Happy Valentine’s Day! I love each and every one of you – I really do!

Oh my goodness…

I thought January was crazy but Feb. is certainly giving it a run for its money.

*Friday I became sick with a sinus infection/sore throat. Was put on meds on Saturday. Felt much better on Sunday.

*On way home from picking up meds and running errands on Saturday, I got rear-ended.

*Monday night I thought I was having a heart attack. Chest pains that shot into my lower jaw and down left arm. I called my insurance’s 24-hour nurse help line to ask her if I should be concerned and she told me I had to call 911 immediately. So, I did, and had the police and medics in my apt. Long story short, it was “just” an anxiety attack. Scary, and weird.

*Tuesday I started getting sick again – this time I think I have a double ear infection and sore throat!

And, to top all of this off, our windchill has been below zero most days this month. Lovely.

I think I need a vacation!:-)

Ugh, and it is only Feb. 7!