RHIANON AND I AT A GARDEN IN SAN DIEGO

So, my last couple of days in California... too bad it's cold today.
I started with a breakfast burrito and did my friends hair for a Christmas party,
I'll work out,
Visit the hot tub for a while,
Eat dinner with some friends
watch a movie,
Then SATURDAY... the last one...
I'll Have breakfast with Matt and Brooke,
dilly dally for a while,
that means packing,
Then go to a Christmas party at the fullers.
Sunday consists of a flight to illinois and a car ride home.

I will miss my new friends.

SORRY

It has been a few weeks since my last update, and i am so sorry. I will be flying home on sunday, i have started packing, and today i will be teaching little kids... something, I'm not sure yet what we will be doing. Rhianon, I'm sure has some ideas.
I wonder why exactly there are supposed to be two spaces at each new sentance.
Now i need to go get ready.

THIS IS THE MORE TO COME PART

So, This weekend was great! Rhianon and I spent Thanksgiving day with Jake, Jess and Josh Fuller. We surfed all afternoon, and then went to their place for dinner. Dinner turned into some card games and it was eventually very late. So, we decided to stay there for the night and we had Thanksgiving dinner with them and some friends the following day. Friday we ate so much good food! We played some Texas Holdem, Botchy ball, Euchre, and Telephone pictionary, it was just a day loaded with joy. That evening we scooted out pretty late and I decided I wanted some coffee to make my way home. I ended up getting a starbucks double shot and it was way more than I needed. I was up until 4 the following morning because I couldn't get my body or my brain to relax.
These are pictures from the holiday! Rhianon and I were out for our first time since Heath has been gone.

It was great to get to know the Fullers and hang out with them, they are three wonderful people!

The sunset was just so perfect!

Rhianon and I felt like we were really in the wilderness with that shower surrounded with all the trees, she sure can be silly!

That's me sitting on the board, it is so cool to be in the water while the sun is setting.

Botchy ball was a fun game to learn, and it was neat to do that with people I barely knew. It's funny because I feel like I have known some of them for so long, because the relationships clicked when we were together.

Saturday we were with Tam and Nyoka for their Thanksgiving feast, so we got lots of eating in, and i don't regret it! It's funny how tired the holidays make you. Thanks everyone for a great weekend! Love ya bunches!

This weekend was AWESOME!!

more to come...

Rachel's blog

So, this week has been nice. Rhianon and i are painting. Yes painting. I think compared to some people I've met we are probably pros at it, we've painted several rooms in or house growing up, and the bathroom more than 4 times alone. Yes the walls in that room are probably an inch thicker than the rest of the house from all the paint on them.
We did her living room yesterday, which wasn't much because it was one large wall. Today i think the plan is to paint the spare bedroom and strip all the popcorn crap off the ceiling. It'll be a bit more work, but it should be fun.
Wow I'm tired. I worked out pretty hard, I'm sure i'll sleep well tonight.

GR was on the So Cal News!!

This morning I was having back problems. I couldn't get it off the mattress.
So, not only am i missing home, my friends there, my family and my future there, but now it's snowing. I do look forward to being able to snowboard and sled this winter. Last winter i was not able to spend at home because i lived in Lansing. So i did not get much of the Lake effect surprises. This winter i will be here for a while, enjoying the flip flops and sunbathing. So after missing a winter at home, I would like to be there for this one. I am so excited! I have certainly learned the past few weeks, that i enjoy the winter! Rhianon and i will have plenty of fun sledding and making snowmen this christmas. So, Russ, Chase and Amy, get ready because you have a couple kids ready to play in that white stuff!! Tis the Season, i'm starting to feel the holiday jitters.
Oh My Gosh!!!
Grand Rapids MI is on the news!!! That's my Home!! This is insane! I think it's a sign from God! The only time i have been similarly cold in California was at the top of a mountain.

NEW WEBLOG

I just started up a new webpage. It will allow me to keep in touch with some of my friends better, and you are all welcome to check it out, but i will keep this one running. So, until i decide whether or not to hang on to this one, i'll be around.
The link is on the right side of the page.

SO MISCELANEOUS

These are my three friends, they are really great people! From left to right, Matt, Brooke, me of corse, then Chara, who is halarious.

Rhianon and i went shopping yesterday afternoon and that makes this weekend of shopping a total success. I got this great pair of boots, two skirts, a few new shirts and a purse, it's totally cute!
And i used to use all natural maskara, it's great stuff, just not waterproof, so there's the problem. I switched back to the old maybeline because a girl just must have waterproof eyelashes when she swims and whatnot. But i ignored the warnings... the tar in it is what makes it stick in water, so what's the side effect, your eyelashes fall out. Dead serious, so i need to go get some of the good AVEDA stuff, stat.
You know what else? My great friend called me the other night, he's cool. He told me that several surfers make their way to the great lakes when seasons change because they stir up the water so much that it's suddenly great for surfing. I never would have known.

FRIENDS!

It's great when you can catch up with old friends. Yesterday i was able to chat with a friend i worked with last summer, and today a friend from high school camp years. It's amazing what great friends you can make. But then your life goes in other directions, what's up with that? As someone who has friends that are wonderful but doesn't talk to them much, i can say i miss what we had. Some of the most amazing years of my life were spent with these friends, may God bless them. Soon enough we will all be able to chill together, forever!
Love you guys!

SURPRISE!

Last weekend i didn't know it, but I was in for a big surprise. My mom and her friend were scheduled to fly into San Diego to visit and I was very excited. But when i got there Alyson was there too! One of my closest friends, and it ended up being a great weekend with all the girls there. Our biggest day was spent in San Diego and Mexico, as well as La Jolla. We were with Dave and Tacy that day which just topped it off! It was a tiring day, but it was a lot of fun! We also went on the marine base and visited Michelle's cousin, trying to find a female bathroom was quite a trip. The weekend came to an end rather quickly and the girls were on their way back home on sunday afternoon. It was a ton of fun and we made some great memories! Thanks to all who came down to hand out!
Enjoy the pictures!
In La Jolla

Extreme walking on Mission Beach

We made a stop in mexico to do some shopping

And then Back to America on the Trolly

So, my Saturn was sold!! I am so excited about that! My brother just let me know, and now I just need to figure out what to do for transportation when I get home. A jeep is so tempting, I used to drive a jeep and it was by far my favorite vehicle. So, I am just super excited right now that I have that oil sucker off my hands. Wow, I just realized I've had a lot of cars in only 3 years...The,
Grand Am,
Jeep Limited
Jeep Laredo
Saturn SR2 (I think)...
and now what?
I'll let you know when I know

I WANT TO GO SHOPPING!

So, this weekend my mom came over from Michigan!!! And she brought my best friend with her. That was a great suprise. We had a wonderful time. We Laughed and joked around a lot. The famous line of the weekend was from a very cute movie called Love Actually. It was actually a fun movie to quote, and the opening song is a great tool for a lot of laughs when you try to relive the first scene. Well, the only sad part is that the weekend came to an end. But the end it came to was the beginning of a week filled with Starbucks, Panera, Kids College, and 3 visits to the local tire places. Yes, Rhianon got a flat on Wednesday morning and i had to drive her to school. She was in no hurry to try to drive Heaths car. I'll have to download some pictures of the weekend.

JUST DILYDALYING

Salon Adora, a salon that is very close, carries aveda products, and seems like a fun place to work. This far I have not pursued it at all, but i plan to.
Last night Rhianon and I babysat. Rhianon hasn’t done that in a while so I let her change the diapers. This little girl was so cute! And so much fun, she was one of those happy babies. So easy to distract, and always smiling or laughing.
My mom comes out to California tomorrow, which will be fun. I am sure we will be out to some museums and on base to do some fun stuff! It will be great.
It’s rough when your sister wakes you up to do her hair, 2 hours before you get up. And then you cannot fall asleep again. So here I am writing, maybe I should gear my energy toward a book or something.

ANNIVERSAY #2

It's a blessing to be able to be here and serve others in small ways to glorify the Lord. Happy Anniversary Rhianon and Heath. And many more together to look forward to!

LISTENING TO NIRVANA

Today, I was goofing round with the soccer ball and managed to get it stuck in the bushes. Let me tell you, it wasn't the first time in 2 days I got it stuck in the same place. So I was nervous, it happens. This guy stepped outside and I knew he was watching me, I didn't even have to look at him to know that. It made me first want to leave, then next ask him what kind of a freak he was. But. My shy self decided not to say anything, maybe he would go away! So we accomplished that he made me nervous and that's how I landed the ball in the bushes. Hoping he wouldn't notice I tried to get it out. Then, he came over and offered to help. Then he made a funny.
"You play pro ball?" I thought, 'ha, you must not watch much soccer.' and said no. He replied, "Oh, college ball?" This time I was a little more flattered, and replied... "No, I used to play in high school." The proceeded to tell me how he came to losing his opportunities with football in his future because of decisions he had made. And stupid me, I was thinking ' you idiot, didn't you see it coming' but all I could think of to reply was, "Sucks when stuff like that happens." So I went on to playing and he withdrew to his porch again and I eventually left (taking the long way home of course so he wouldn't know where I lived.
Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to play longer w/o getting freaked out.
Good Night

USING PANERA'S CONNECTION

Wow! It's so good to be back. I just got home from babysitting Monday and it has been so nice to relax. Let me tell you, it is good birth control to babysit someone else's kids for a week straight. It was definitely fun and the kids were a blast, but it's so tiring.
Today I was playing around with the soccer ball and it turned into an hour an a half... Who knew? So, I kicked the ball so carelessly and it ended up in a huge bush 8 feet off the ground. The only way to get to it was to climb up on a dumpster shelter and crawl my way across the open roof. It was several pieces of 2 by 4 but I had to stand on the 2 inch part and there were like, 4 inches between each one. That wasn't the scary part. The scary part was that they were old and slightly mushy so I was trying to figure out the whole time whether I would rather fall in the dumpster or on the cement. However, I made it safely up, got the ball and then back down. Simply a scrape on my knee.
As for now I am tired, and my mom is coming on the 27th! That should be fun.

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE WS ON SNL!

I haven't posted in an entire 8 days! Wow, I'm sure you must feel denied by me. Now I'm back, it's so interesting how whenever people ask what I'm doing it's close to nothing. Every day is different because there is no set schedule and even better, most every day is so laid back. So, I have enjoyed my time here and I am amazed at how fast the days go by even though life isn't as uniform as it was a month and a half ago.
The other funny thing is I feel like I have been out of school for so long, but I remember all my girls there so well and miss them. I am very thrilled to touch base with them when I get home. Almost as thrilled as I am to see my great friends!
It's funny how you plan to get a job, or do this or that, or expect certain things and they turn out being totally different. I always knew never to expect or set myself up for disappointment (which is a whole other topic). Even tho I knew these things, I amazed at how fast time has flown by and this trip is much different than I expected. More in some cases than I expected.
The result of this trip has allowed me time to think and even simply notice things about who I am and what my desires are. Some things I never knew I wanted, other desires have been magnified. And some I just find don't matter and never should or will again.
What will always hold true is that Rhianon and I feel closer than we ever have and I love it. We may still be 7 years apart, but we are closer to the same point in our lives than we ever have been before... So it puts a different perspective on age for sure and almost throws it out the window all together... Until she hits 63 and I'm still 56.
The job I talked about a few weeks ago has remained a blessing and I start on Monday, I'm temporarily moving into a friends house on Sunday and I will be playing mom for a week. It should be fun, and challenging, and hard at times I'm sure, but there is nothing better than being able to hang out with kids, who have fun and are filled with a spirit that many people lose when they gain responsibilities.
until, a sooner than last, next time.
good night

MT WHITNEY

It's been a week since we set out to climb the great Mt. Whitney and I can tell you, it was amazing. We left very excited to hike and camp and summit and camp and then hike down. But little did we know that the plan would change.

The hike up was so beautiful. Let me tell you, it was not easy. It started out ok and we were pushin along at a great pace. The woods were beautiful and the whether was hot.

It was interesting to see how the altitude effects a hiker. As we hiked higher and higher it began to get very hard to get a deep breath. It was amazing how short of breath you could get. Once we got above the tree line it was amazing. It went from trees to no trees. And seemed to get very steep all at once. It definitely slowed us down a little bit but we continued to press on and eventually made it to camp.

I cannot believe how beautiful it was, I mean every time we stopped the view was amazing.

And I found it funny because I knew the hike up got hard and steep but this really hit me. I could not believe the crazy steps down and realize how steep the hike up was. I definitely got a lot more proud of us!

So, I've made it through all the soreness afterward and have somewhat recovered. But I know if I ever had the chance to do this again I would!

SLEEP IS A LOVELY THING

I just cannot fall asleep tonight. I have so much on my mind. This weekend was amazing, I had the opportunity to climb Mt. Whitney and it was a blast... From the beautiful scenery to super windy conditions, and then down to see it all again! But let me tell you the day after is a little painful. I did have the chance to talk to some friends back home today which was wonderful, I am beginning to miss them so much. I did end up getting this baby-sitting job, it's a week long gig. I think it will be fun. I will be meeting them tomorrow so I am getting a little anxious, and a little nervous. I know things will go well, but with new families I'm always thinking 'hi, you don't know me, but you trust me!?!' I know there is nothing to worry about, I've done this so many times, I am so excited for this! Anyway, there should be plenty more to come, but for now, I am hoping to sleep.

SO, BABYSITTING...

A job opportunity has come up for me to Babysit for a week... I don't know the family, they have been talking with one of my friends out here. She says it is sounding good and in my favor, I hope they call me.
And now I've got a whole day ahead of me.

Time here has begun to fly by

It feels like it's been a little while since I've last published anything. I'm not sure if it's because my sister hogs her own computer, which seems to be completely fair. It could also be because there hasn't been much going on in my life, which isn't much to complain about because I feel like the life I designed was so packed with things to do and commitments that I never had a chance to say I didn't have anything to update anyone on.
As for you who know Rhianon, and check out her blog, I'm sure already know that I had the chance to get my scissors into her hair this past week! I've never cut her hair and have definitely never cut off 13 inches of anyone's hair before. It was a nerve racking and very exciting experience. I don't think many hair stylist's would argue for someone to keep their hair longer than they want it. I was defiantly worried about weather she would like it or not, and what she would look like with short hair because I've never seen her with hair this short... (in my 19 years of knowing her).

I feel that this week I have been keeping more busy. It has been fun to hang out with her, we've never been closer in age or interest or whatever you would like to call it. I have more friends her age, and she is not taller than me anymore. So we have been experiencing life without the huge age barrier, without her being the baby-sitter, and without me being the interrogator... Well, I still do that at times! Anyway, we have had a great time together.
On thing I have done, I have quit procrastinating and begun to contact some people about my resume and references that I need for job applications. So if any of my previous bosses stumble across this feel free to be my reference. Just kidding, I haven't really worked in my lifetime, that's a joke too, I just don't think my bosses would get online much.
I have noticed that because I am going on 4 weeks of being uneducated and unemployed I am beginning to feel a lazy. However I have been thinking about how society tells us we need to be working toward success and can't waste any time. I have felt so much pressure to get a job and at least make money if I don't want to work, because ultimately I don't want to work. I feel the need to allow, or at some times force, myself to know what it feels like to slow down and get to know myself. I have had more time to get to know myself lately than I have in a 4 week period of my life
ever
before.

This has some of the most amazing and beautiful colors in it. There are some things that just amaze me and show me how beautiful the face of god is. It's a picture taken in Thailand and made it's way to my photo album.

Yuckie

I will be getting rid of this gaging photo as soon as i get a chance to... but for now i am off to bed.

Velvet Elvis

There was a moment yesterday when I stopped and asked myself a few questions and pondered on ones that had been popping into my head the past month or so. They didn't make me gag like this...But the answers should have.
Why do you need to get a job so soon?
Because "super Rachel" needs to
Why do you need to be sure he's Mr Perfect?
Because it's what "super Rachel" needs
Why do you do this or that or avoid this or that?
Because if I screw up "super Rachel" is no longer "super"
Why did you go to school?
Because it's expected by society and otherwise you I'm not "super Rachel"
The funny thing is that I felt all this pressure, but never realized where it came from. I am reading a great book called Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, most of you have probably heard of it. And several I know have read it.
So I'm really slow with reading because it's simply not my favorite thing to do, but I was sitting by the pool yesterday thinking "I'm not being productive, again, today." So, I check out this chapter in my book and see if there is anything interesting and I came across the most amazing applicable chapters In an entire lifetime (well maybe not a lifetime but you get my point). And what I got out of it was the questions above. My answers to all of these were the same and I began to realize that I need to continue too do things because I love them. I need to draw, camp, play, enjoy my friends and be the real Rachel that is not weighed down by the supposedly meanigful things. I can't let go of the Rachel that likes to sing in church and play her drums, the one that is driven by what she likes to do, not what society places as important. Otherwise I'll en up unhappy or worse lost. So, I'll get a job when I want to, I'll not be afraid of what people see me as and be my normal broken self because I like me better that way.

It has been so great to relax and know that I don't have to get in the car for a 2 hour drive at 7am and another at 4:30 every day. I am enjoying that aspect of my life just as expected. On the other hand I keep pretty busy. Rhianon has had so much to do, to prepare for some big tests she will be taking this weekend and there are little things I can always get my hands on to help her out.
I didn't venture out into the wild (Oceanside) until around 3ish today. Rhianon and I are team teaching an elementary art class on Wednesdays and until I have other arrangements I will probably help her out with her other ones to keep myself sane.
And after we did that I checked out one of the Aveda salons in the area. It's so cute!! I have a few things to get squared away with my resume but I plan to get the horrible task of job hunting taken care of very son. If people would just come up to me and offer me a job, the world would be a much better place...trust me. I probubly don't hate anything more than approaching strangers with the whole you wanna hire me (?) eyes and the you need me attitude.
Well Rhianon is saying something to me but i can't hear her over this fan and it is making me very cold so I really need to take care of that.

It was so much fun to hang out with Rhianon and Heath before he left for Kuwait. Chase went back home this morning and now Rhianon and i are the only ones here. We all had a great time together, it was fun to try new types of sushi and hang out like the kids that we all are.

Heath is so good at surfing!! We went out to the beach a few different days and Heath taught me how to get up on a wave before he left. so now it's up to Rhianon and I whether we practice or not while he is gone. Oh, and this is heath riding a "small" wave!!

So, Rhianon and i are spending our first day together without the guys. She's got a lot of sudying to do and i need to get a job. So Things are starting to get into a routine. This picture is from last christmas, but i thought it fit well with what i wanted to say, and we both look the same now as we did then.
tada, i can do pictures now!

Maybee one day i'll figure out how to put pictures on this thing and make it look good...but right now i'm a little frustrated with how illiterate i feel. Well, today is my first day a off of vacation i guess you could say. I'm starting to track down my references so i ca finish my resume. This morning Rhianon, Chase and I got up at 4:30 and we went to the airport. And because i rode with them, on the way back home i got to experience a carpool lane for the first time. It's a pretty mind boggling thing for a first timer. For those of you who don't know, it's a lane only for people with 2 or more people in the car and it's pretty much a fast lane even when traffic is heavy.
And as most of you know Heath is off to Kuwait, but before he left we had time to hang out. Heath taught me to surf and we went out for sushi as our last meal! It was really good, but sometimes there are some that i just cannot handle. I also had a chance to get to know Rhianon and Heath's sweet friends! So we've kept very busy and that's a wrap.

My first Blog log

Well, i haven't ever had a blog before and have rarely read them. But In my time spent away from home and around all sorts of people in california who blog. I have begun to think that it was a god idea to blog. Or maybee just something fun to pass time. If nothing more, i know my mom would read it. So, hopefully this works, and with time it should evolve into something neat.