The 2/11 Celebration

Every year around this time I feel a sense of sadness. That's mostly because February reminds me of the loss of my father. This year was especially significant as it marked the 20 year anniversary of his death. Each year on this anniversary I often replay the day's events. I think of the last words I said to my father and my reaction after I found out about his passing. Those memories are so vivid in my mind. It's usually a very sobering day filled with longing and sadness.

This year I wanted to think of his death in a different light and remember his legacy. The first thing I did was I emailed family members and friends of my parents; asking them to send memories of my dad or things that they admired about him! There was a huge response! I ended up collecting about 25 pages of memories. See below.

This is just a screen shot of the beginning of the memory book. I wrote a personal note to my family and then included all of the tributes from friends and family members. It was so good to hear from these people who had experienced life with my father in many different forms. Thank you to those who contributed! The great thing was that I kept all of this from my siblings and my mom so it was a complete surprise! Their response? They loved it. I was quite happy to hear reports of tears. :)

The second thing I did was I sent out an email to friends of mine within the DC area and outside. These friends come from all walks of my life and many know about my dad but many did not know. I told them about the significant anniversary and how I wanted this to be a day of remembrance not a day of morning. For those who were in the area I asked them to meet me at chik-fil-a. Those who couldn't come I just asked that they emailed me back and say hi. I got about 50 responses to my email. It was so good to hear from friends across the nation and to see what they've been up to. I feel blessed with many amazing friendships in my life. 

The other amazing event was that 30 people came to celebrate with me at chik-fil-a that evening of 2/11. It was a huge success!! I couldn't stop smiling and I felt so loved. Many of my friends asked me about my dad, my favorite memories, the things I loved about him, etc. I found it so therapeutic. Everyone deals with death differently but in my own experience I really need to talk about it. I like people to know about this. Here are some pictures from the evening:

Logan, Ryan and I

Blaze and Robert

Allison and Jason

Erika and Savanna

Eric, Scott, Nate, Annette, Sarah, Teresa, Lindsay

Lindsey, Jason, Hannah, Kathryn, Russell

Sean and Sergio

I can't tell you how loved I felt that night. I laughed and cried. I received hugs and compliments. I was able to share with my friends a matter that is close to my heart. It felt so good. What I have learned from this experience is that it's good to be vulnerable. We all have our struggles and I think we often want to hide our insecurities, our failures, and our trials from others to save face. But it's good to be real. Because it not only enables us to be who we really are but it also gives others the chance to serve.

As a result of this experience I want to continue to remember my dad in this manner from this time forward. Of course I'll be sad but I want to view this day with a positive outlook and to focus on the good. 

I want to be someone that my dad would be proud of. And that someone is a girl who is happy, positive, hopeful, loving, and service-oriented...well, at least I'm trying to be.

I was so cute. 

I love you, Dad! I miss you.

Story of my Life #livingthedream

I can't believe I haven't posted our infamous music video yet! This is from my trip to Israel. On New Years Eve we made movies and the last one was this music video to the dreamy boy band, One Direction's, catchy tune of "The Story of My Life." We made the video in 45 minutes, but hey, I think it turned out well. It makes me laugh that we could get that many single adults to participate in what seems like a mutual activity, but that's when we call it "living the dream"...cause if we're not married we might as well look ridiculous. #yolo is right. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/NEOctqb4JKE

How to survive the polar vortex (according to me)

Note: so the last 2 days haven't been as cold but holy cow, this winter has been freezing!!! Why did I ever leave California?

How to survive the polar vortex (I think that's what they're calling it). 

1. When coming home from work go straight to my bed where the electric blanket is already on, and lie there for at least 20 minutes to warm up while checking social media sites and getting caught up on my news and friends.

2. Give myself a pep talk, get out of bed, put on gym clothes, bundle up, go to gym and work it off.

3. Take a hot shower, put on 5 layers of clothing, make dinner, read my latest book club book (just finished The English Patient), eat dinner.

4. Go back to my bed with the electric blanket, watch reruns or the latest episode of Downton Abbey, do some work (if needed).

5. Climb out of bed to make hot chocolate. Go back to bed to drink hot chocolate, watch more Downton, read a little, and go to sleep...with 7 blankets (including the electric blanket) on top of me.

People--this basically describes all of January. Freakin' polar vortex. When is spring?!?!

Hurrah for Israel!

I could spend days on this post. How does one simply recount their adventures to the Holy Land in just one sitting? All I can say is that I had a marvelous time with some wonderful friends and associates. Here is just a glimpse of the things that I saw and did while I was in Israel.

At the Dead Sea. Yes, the mud made my skin so soft and smooth. I'm in the green headband!

While awaiting the official group shot, lets just get a candid one! What up to my homies in DC!

The Dome of the Rock. Wowza! Muslims say this is where Muhammad was lifted into heaven.

Sure I paid 5 bucks to ride a camel by the tour bus but you know what they say...when in Israel, ride a camel...#yolo

Kathy and I in the Lazarus's tomb. What up, Laz!

Masada, the place where Herod built many palaces. Wanted to do a creative picture, so here we are looking like a bunch of crazies. Weird Americans.

Friends from DC at the Jerusalem Center. I love my peeps.

Selfie in front of the Garden Tomb.

Damascus Gate. Don't you love my pigtails?

One more selfie...Jeru in the background.

Bet'Sheian. Roman ruins at its finest.

Happy New Year from Tiberius!

Bethlehem. Spirit was so strong there. I kind of look awkward, whatevs.

Hezekiah's tunnel. A former irrigation system back in the day.

I look so serious here. Or reflective. Or hot. You take your pick. 

Sure we may look like we belong to an Arab polygamous family...but we're not.

Roman toilets. Yowza.

Happy New Year (again) from the Sea of Galilee. I thought this pic was pretty clever.

Another Synagogue.

Getting tough with Syria...pictured in the way way back!

Just call him Captain Boyd!

Greetings from Capernaum! Where Jesus performed miracles and taught the bread of life sermon.

Ok, this is awesome. Pat on the back to me...and instragram for touching it up a bit.

Mediterranean Sea in the background.

The Garden of Gethsemane. No words.

Some more Roman ruins action. Jumping pictures are a must.

The streets of Jerusalem.

The group at the Jordan River.

Cartwheels are also a must.

Scriptures study, singing, laughing, dance parties galore, nativity sets, shalom, wally, Samir, falafel, diet coke, call to prayer, story of my life, traffic jams, spotlights, fun, a trip of a lifetime.

Thank you, Israel. A must see. 

Yay for Melissa!

My awesome roommate, Melissa graduated from nursing school a few weeks back! I am so proud of her. She also was chosen from her peers to give a speech at graduation. She did a wonderful job!

I'm so blessed to live with/know these lovely ladies!

Selfie Swag

Selfie is the word of 2013. Did you know that?

Anyway, it's nice to know that students sometimes want to take selfies with me, their teacher. 

Exhibit A

And exhibit B

Most popular teacher? Probably not. But these selfies convince me to think I may have some type of swag amongst my student population.

The belle of the bell choir?

Back in September I signed up for the stake handbell choir that plays each Christmas at the LDS visitors center in DC in addition to our stake Christmas program. 

Why did I do this? Well it should come as no surprise that I'm not one to back down from a challenge. Also, the bell choir always seemed like the nerdy, yet cool thing to do!

We started practicing in October and every Sunday it was me with the bell choir. Reading music again challenged me but it was fun to do something different and to be musically involved. I played Middle C, B flat and B natural. 

Compared to other choirs, this was a big deal. When I sing in a choir, if I don't come in or get my note right, it doesn't matter so much. With this choir, it matters! I easily felt needed in this 14 person bell choir! And that presented some challenges in addition to some perks.

This experience also allowed me to share the Gospel with others. I invited about 25 coworkers and 4 of them came to my performance. With the others, it led to some discussion about temples and about the LDS faith as a whole. 

Here I am below in action. 

And if you want to see some footage, check out this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5mXYLcEOio

Note: you see me at the very beginning on the right. Not the greatest clip of me but you get the idea.

So was I the belle of the bell choir? No. But it's a nice thought, don't you think?